​Pentecost Sunday (Confirmation Sunday @ St. Paul)                                                                                  June 9, 2019
John 14:23-31
 
Dwelling in Peace with God
 
v.23   Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my Word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, what a blessed day this is in the life of the church!  For this is the day in which we celebrate the coming—the sending—of the Holy Spirit by Christ and the Father to the church—this 50th day of Easter—also known as Pentecost.  It is a day in which we remember with joy the tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church—wherein God manifested His presence with His people—giving them courage, comfort, and peace.  [It is also a day in which we celebrate the confession of faith of two of our own: Destry and Addyson—as they confirm their baptismal faith before us all this day. A faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit for, as the Scriptures declare, "no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."]  And we desire this manifestation of God in our own lives, too, don't we dear friends?  We want the Lord to be with us in every trial, every tribulation, every joy, every thanksgiving.  But how?  How does God do this?
          A very good question.  In fact, that is the very question, asked by Judas (not Iscariot) of Jesus that immediately precedes our text.  Jesus is with His disciples in the upper room.  The Supper has ended.  Very soon Jesus will be betrayed by Judas Iscariot to the chief priests, which will end in His suffering and death on the cross.  Jesus has been instructing His disciples that even though He is going to go away for a little while, yet He will return, but He will also send them the Holy Spirit.  Jesus says, "And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."  To which Judas then asks, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?  Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
          So, how will God manifest Himself—make Himself known—reveal Himself?  Through His Word that is kept by those whom He loves and who love Him.  From this Word of Christ comes the outpouring of the peace of God—the all encompassing peace of the Holy Spirit—a saving peace grounded in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for sinners.  Those whose lives are rooted in this saving Word of Christ in the Gospel need not worry about troubled hearts—or hearts filled with fear.  Rather, those who cling to the promises of Jesus in His Word stand upon Him who died and rose again—having their sins fully forgiven by His shed blood—and knowing that the holy God: Father Son and Holy Spirit have made their home—their permanent dwelling place—in the believer. 
          Such is the case for you, dear Christian friends (especially Destry and Addyson).  God has worked through His Word and Sacraments to give you His peace—to make His home in your heart—thereby preserving you from all onslaughts of the devil, the world, and your own wicked flesh.  Jesus will not manifest Himself to the world, or make His dwelling place with them, since they reject His Word of truth.  They would prefer to instruct Jesus on what is right and wrong, rather than be taught by Him regarding what is good and virtuous.  We have seen this just this past week, as our communities celebrated another year of Pride Week, in which the sexual sins of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and queer community were put on full display—indeed, celebrated as that which is good, right, and salutary. 
          Amazingly, the world will tolerate any and all false claims—even false religions (we see how other religions are extolled), but they will NOT tolerate Christ and His Word.  They cannot abide by it.  It must be undone and broken.  The sinful world seeks, then, to undo Christ and His Word at every turn.  We are inundated with it in our culture, day in and day out.  Sexual sins (heterosexual and others), along with unchastity, idolatry, filthy talk, etc. are exhorted and uplifted as something to rejoice over, rather than to repent of, and turn to Christ for forgiveness.
          Beloved, be mindful of this, and do not fall victim to the devil's temptations.  Do not succumb to the pressures of this world.  For if you truly desire to see God manifest Himself—to dwell with Him forever in His kingdom—you must love Him and keep His Word.  There is no other way.  There is no room for mere lip service to the Word of Christ, followed by lives lived in rampant sin and wickedness.  We are called upon as Christians to repent—to flee from sin and everything that goes against God's Word.  For whoever does not keep God's commandments, but detests, despises, and opposes them—who even goes so far as to persecute those who truly love and hear God's Word—is not a child of God but an enemy of Christ and a child of Satan.
          Do we as Christians fail to keep God's Word—to love Him and His commandments as we ought?  Of course!  But, called by the Holy Spirit, we repent and turn away from these things—confessing them as sinful and wrong—and seeking by the grace of God given in Christ Jesus—to do better—to live in accordance with His will—to receive with joy His mercy and forgiveness.
          As you are faced with this dilemma in your life.  As you sweat and grow weary under the constant pressure of Satan and the world to deny your Christian faith—to acquiesce and give in to the unbelief around you—fear not, and be not dismayed.  For herein Christ promises that those who love Him and guard His Word—He will come with the Father to make you His dwelling place.  Think about that!  What more blessed thing could happen to you poor sinners than that you should be the dwelling-place, the pleasure garden, paradise, and kingdom of God's high majesty?  In Him, all that you are and do will continue and persevere against all the gates of hell—against all the rage and fury of Satan and the world. 
          Beloved, this is much to the devil's consternation, but he and the world must let it be, whether they like it or not.  For the Father Son and Holy Spirit have declared, "Behold, devil and world, We have built the house, founded the church: We will also preserve it from you, and you shall not prevail against it, but rather shall be broken upon it."  So dear friends, take heart, for though the world and Satan may rage, storm, kill, and slaughter, yet Christ remains and abides with you.  You are His Inn and dwelling place.  Though the enemy take your body and your life, they cannot take Christ from you.
          Indeed, the Holy Spirit will be with you, teaching you, until the Last Day.  The church will remain in the world among all the unbelievers and idolaters, even among the devil and all his evil angels—as a lily among thorns.  For you have the guarantee:  He will abide with you forever.  This will never fail you, so you can securely and joyfully boast that, because you have Christ's Word and believe, you also have the Holy Spirit, who comforts, teaches, and sanctifies you.  For these are the works of His office.  This is why He is called the Paraclete, Consoler, Comforter, and Spirit of truth.
          The Holy Spirit comforts you in the midst of your sin—in the midst of your enemies—with the Word of Christ.  He who has proclaimed to you, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."  You have this abiding peace with Christ because He dwells in you, and because He earned this peace with His own suffering and death on the cross.  His peace He gives, the highest treasure, so that you may have a fearless and joyful heart and a peaceful conscience in God.  For in Baptism, God gives you the forgiveness of your sins, shuts hell, and opens heaven to you.  In the Supper He gives you a living food and drink to comfort terrified consciences and give strength to failing hearts.  In the Word He saves you through the preaching of Christ crucified for you. 
          So, when the world rages and storms against you, you do not fear.  You do not blaspheme God and curse His Word.  But rather you invite the devil and the world to rage and fume and afflict you.  For you stand secure in the preaching of Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord.  He will establish your hearts on Him to rest in confidence in His precious blood.  It is upon Him, this rock of Christ, that Satan and the world will be dashed to pieces and undone on the Last Day. 
          Look with what confidence our Lord Jesus went to His cross, saying, "Rise, let us go from here."  For He knew the devil (the ruler of this world) had no claim on Him.  For the attempted consumption of Jesus by death and the devil would end in utter failure.  Christ, the life of all the living, would stick in the devil's throat and burst apart the chains of death.  And neither do they have any claim on you, dear brothers and sisters.  For Christ's going to the cross—His suffering and death—has served to bring you all good—indeed, all grace, salvation, blessedness, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.  He who has claimed you as His own in Baptism, dwells with you in peace, now and forevermore.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 7 – Exaudi (Vicar Anthony Mandile Installation)                                                                             
1 Peter 4:7-14
 
v.8     Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ—especially Anthony—we rejoice on this day for the safe arrival of our newest summer vicar.  We have much planned for you to grow in your understanding of the pastoral office and ministry during your short stay with us.  We look forward to learning from you and being mutually encouraged by the Word of God.  But it won't always be easy.  It won't always be bright smiles and potlucks.  There will be annoyances—especially when Pastor Quast wants you to do something strange—or when you finally grow weary of my weird idiosyncrasies and whatnot (at least you can commiserate with Jolene when that happens!). 
          Herein, of course, St. Peter has some wise words for us in our text.  "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."  Believe me, there will be a LOT of loving going on this summer.  St. Peter is talking about how we as Christians are to relate to one another as the people of God.  We are to keep on in this Christian love until Christ returns—whenever that might be.  And the church has followed this admonition for two millenia. 
          This is a great word, isn't it?  Everyone likes to talk about love.  Everyone likes to hear about how we should love one another.  The world takes this verse and runs with it.  Combining it with verses like 1 John 4:16, which states that "God is love."  The world takes these verses and would brow beat the church with them so as to make us give in on certain moral teachings and Biblical values.  It goes something like this: "If you really are a Christian, and really love God, then you shouldn't tell me that I can't sleep around outside of marriage/that homosexuality is sinful/that transgenderism goes against God's created order or that abortion is wrong.  After all, love covers a multitude of sins, and God is love, so if you really want to love me like a Christian should, then you'll let me do what I want."
          Beloved, this is what happens when we rip verses out of their context.  We can make them sound like they mean anything we want them to.  But let's go back a few verses in our text and see what Peter was actually talking about.  He urges the Christian church to (1 Peter 4:2-5, 7-8) "live for the rest of the time in the flesh [while waiting for Christ's return] no longer for human passions but for the will of God.  For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.  With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead…The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
          So, in context then, loving one another means living self-controlled lives according to God's will and Word—NOT giving in to the passions and desires of our sinful flesh, but fighting against them with the strength that God supplies.  We love as God has first loved us in Christ Jesus.  We proclaim the full truth of God's Word to the nations and to the church—God's full Law in all of its severity, in order to bring about repentance—followed by God's Gospel in all of its sweetness, in order to bring people to faith and to comfort terrified consciences with the powerful message that Christ Jesus has suffered and died in their place to take away all their sin.  This is the task of all Christians, dear friends, but particularly those who hold the pastoral office, which you seek, Anthony.  And so this will be your primary task as you serve as vicar this summer. 
          As Christians, we are to preach Christ to the world.  Christ the Judge and Christ the Savior.  Christ who will punish the unbeliever's sin on the Last Day, but who also died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, which the believer receives by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Each Christian has been given gifts by God to serve their neighbor in love.  Peter urges all Christians to be good stewards of God's grace: those who speak are to speak God's Word plainly and truthfully—pointing people to Jesus—even as the Holy Spirit does.  Whoever, serves, is to serve one's neighbor in love with the strength that God supplies.  Why do we love and serve one another in this way?  Peter says, "in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen."
          That is great and wonderful.  This brings joy to the Christian's heart—that we are freed by the love of God for us in Christ Jesus—freed from all sin, death, and hell—to serve others in love and faithfulness—not for our glory, but for the glory of God alone.   We don’t love and serve our neighbor to earn "brownie" points in heaven.  We don't do so to look good in others' eyes.  Renewed by faith given by the Holy Spirit, we do so only so that Christ may be glorified and uplifted.  It is always about Him.  Every Word of Scripture proclaims Christ to us.  And the Holy Spirit works through such proclamation to bring people to penitent faith—contrite for their sin—but trusting in Jesus to forgive that sin by His bloody cross.
          However, do not think that the world will rejoice in this message, dear friends.  Peter forewarns us here that Christians who love and serve others in this way—who faithfully proclaim the Word of God's Law and Gospel—will not be warmly welcomed.  Indeed, you will suffer.  The fiery trials will come upon you, even as they have already come upon other Christians through time down to our own. Christians suffering persecution of their livelihoods for refusing to use their businesses to celebrate abominable sexual practices and the destruction of the family and innocent life.  "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."
          So what are Christians to do when we suffer persecution?  Rejoice!  Rejoice and be glad that you are also given to share in Christ's sufferings.  For as you share in the sufferings of Christ—suffering for the sake of His holy name—suffering for holding on to His teaching and His Word—you also shall share in His glory.  His glory that is to be revealed on the Last Day when He comes in power to judge the living and the dead.  That day you do not fear—for that day is the day of the completion of your redemption and salvation.  He who has bled and died for you on the cross will bring you to everlasting glory with Him. 
          Beloved, you continue to love and serve, even as you suffer.  You continue doing so because you know that Christ's suffering on the cross for you has won your salvation.  You have already been granted full forgiveness and eternal life and salvation.  The Holy Spirit has worked mightily through the preached Word and Sacrament to give you the saving benefits of Christ on the cross. 
          What can the world do to you now?  What can they take from you when you have everything you need and more in Jesus Christ.  He who has called you by name in your Baptism, feeds you this day with His very own body and blood that He gave up into death in order to procure your redemption.  His blood—given into death in love for you—covers over the multitude of your sins.  Therefore, go forth in the name of Jesus.  Confident in His never ending love for you.  Rejoice in His mercy and love.  Rejoice in the gift of the promised Spirit who comforts you with God's own holy Word day in and day out.  Rejoice in the Good News that you who share in Christ's sufferings, will also share in His glory.  For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 6 – Rogate (Memorial USA)                                                                                                           
John 16:23-33
 
 
v.33   [Jesus said], "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation.  But take courage; I have overcome the world."
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, today is Rogate or "pray" Sunday.  The sixth Sunday of Easter is set aside especially to uplift Christians in the duty and privilege of prayer—granted to us as a gift through faith in Christ.  This year, this Sunday also happens to fall upon Memorial weekend in the U.S.—a time set aside to remember and honour all those who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.  Truly, there is a great deal for which we ought to give thanks to God and pray.
          Of course, prayer is becoming more and more of a lost virtue in our day and age—even among Christians.  We struggle with finding the time and energy to humbly fold our hands, bow our heads, and offer up our petitions, thanksgivings, and praises to the One who is Lord of all.  We scarcely have time to say a few quick words before gulping down our supper on our way to our evening activities—and by the time those activities are completed—after a long, hard day—it is difficult to focus the mind and heart before sleep overtakes us in our beds.  And yet there is much for which we must pray.
          St. Paul in our epistle reading today gives us some particular direction in this regard.  Indeed, he urges "that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."  I just attended the Minnesota LCMS pastors' conference a couple of weeks ago, where one of the main speakers was a pastor from the Minnesota Family Coalition—urging us (pastors and congregations) to lift up our leaders: federal, state/provincial, and municipal, in our prayers.  The men and women who serve in these capacities desperately need our prayers and support as they seek to govern justly and wisely and make good and decent laws.  We must try to get to know them—love them and support them—especially in prayer.
          The past couple of weeks have seen both the good and the bad in terms of laws enacted by elected leaders.  We have been blessed to witness some astounding pro-life laws pass in certain states.  This is good news for the cause of life, and we ought to rise up and give thanks to God for these leaders and for any law that promotes and protects the gift of life that God gives.  We have also seen some disturbing laws passed—most recently, the Equality Act just passed by the House in the U.S.  This law is almost like an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which stated that it was illegal to discriminate against anyone based upon their race, ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, disability, etc.  That was good law.  However, the Equality Act comes with a twist.  It inserts the phrase "sexual orientation and gender identity" under the heading "sex," meaning that it will be illegal to discriminate against anyone based upon their sexual preferences or current gender identities.  We have had such a law in Canada since 2010. 
          So what?  Isn't that a good thing?  We don't want to discriminate as Christians, do we?  Of course Christians don't condone discrimination, but this new law will open the door to force people to act against their religion and their own consciences—even down to the very words we say.  To operate in the public sphere (which has also been broadened to mean more than hotels or grocery stores, but now includes any act, good, or service done in the public realm) will effectively put people of conscience on the chopping block should they disagree with the LGBTQ agenda.  No one will be protected—not the baker, the florist, the photographer, the teacher, the pastor, the church—no one.  Again, we have much to pray for.
          The situation seems to be rather desperate.  We have effectively lost the culture war.  Our children and grandchildren and we ourselves are being constantly bombarded with ideas and messages that are in direct conflict with what the Holy Scriptures teach about human sexuality and identity.  The world is fine with our teachings on greed, respect, work ethic, etc., but cannot and will no longer stomach the Christian teachings on sexual morality or life: from heterosexual fornication outside of marriage, to pornography, homosexuality, transgenderism, etc., to abortion and euthanasia—the message is coming across loud and clear.  If you hold to Biblical teaching on these issues—you are a bigot, a hater, and no longer deserving of basic rights and protections.  We have seen people lose their livelihoods to this already—and there will be more.
          So, beloved, what are we to do in this desperate situation?  Roll over and give up—give in to the culture around us—forsake the Scriptures and our faith in Christ?  No!  God forbid!  What then?  Should we separate ourselves as much as possible into tiny Christian communes away from it all—live more like the Amish—maybe even move out of the country to another place where Christianity is more welcome and tolerated?  Again, not a good option for most of us.  What then are we to do?  First, we must pray.  As St. Paul urged us to do, and as Christ commands his church—pray.  Pray without ceasing.  Pray for those in authority.  Pray for wisdom—cool heads—for changed hearts and minds.  Speak out in love the truth that God has given to us, even while receiving hatred and scorn and mockery—remembering to keep your enemies forever in your prayers—that God would have His way with them and bring them to faith in Christ through your gentle and persistent witness.
          Our text focuses on the night when Jesus was betrayed.  He is speaking to His disciples, telling then that the Holy Spirit will come and comfort them, even as they suffer.  Jesus tells us this to give us peace—for in this world we have trouble.  As I have just outlined, boy do we have trouble—tribulation—hardship—affliction as a direct result of persecution.  Yet what else does Jesus say?  Take heart!  Be courageous!  Have confidence and firmness of purpose in the face of danger or testing.  How?  How can we remain steadfast and strong in the face of such adversity—when our livelihoods—our freedoms—our families—even our lives are threatened?  By remembering that Jesus has overcome the world—He has conquered it—been victorious over it (this is the Greek verb of the noun for the goddess of victory—Nike). 
          Jesus, with His suffering and death on the cross, has been lifted up so that all who look on Him in faith may believe and receive the forgiveness for their sin He earned with His own shed blood.  Moses lifting up the bronze serpent on a pole in the middle of the desert so that those bit by venomous snakes could be saved, was but a foreshadowing of the greater One who would be lifted up in order to save all mankind.  By His sacrifice on the cross Jesus has broken the curse of sin, destroyed the power of death, and cast down the devil from his rule of this world.  Jesus lives!  Jesus reigns!  He is God in the flesh!  It is to Him that we look and pray in good times and in bad.  It is Christ whom we trust in no matter what.  We don't need to explain away His Word—be embarrassed by it—but boldly proclaim it.  He who has given us this Word is not a bigot or a hater, but the epitome—indeed, the very incarnation—of love itself.  He loves all people—and desires everyone to be saved by coming to faith in Christ alone for their salvation.  And we proclaim this full and free forgiveness to EVERYONE—NO MATTER WHAT.  Be they our persecutors or enemies—or misguided souls who have fallen into sin—the blood of Jesus is enough to cover it all—to redeem it all—and bring life.
          That means that our sin—our failure to keep God's commandments—to speak out—to live out our Christian faith (be it in sexuality or life issues)—even our failures to pray as we ought—are forgiven by the blood of Jesus.  We turn to Him now in prayer and supplication and intercession and thanksgiving.  For He has given us our lives—and preserves our faith by the giving of His own Holy Spirit.  You, beloved, are His children.  You have been washed by the blood of this Lamb of God who came to suffer and die for all sin.  You look to Him who was lifted high upon the cross and see your salvation.  No matter what the world may throw your way—no matter the tribulation and persecution you may be called upon to endure—you stand victorious already—for the Lord Jesus has declared you forgiven and free and granted you eternal life in His blessed name.  And He has crushed all your enemies under His foot when He gave up His own life into death on the cross.  But now it is He who reigns victorious, now and forevermore.  In Jesus you have overcome the world.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 5 – Cantate – Graduate Sunday St. Paul                                                                                          
John 16:5-15
 

v.7     Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper/Comforter will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send Him to you.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is Risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, what a day this is!  Cantate Sunday--Sing Sunday!  A day of great rejoicing and praise in the life of the church, which is so reflective of the joy that we celebrate this Easter season [and especially as graduation approaches for our high school seniors].  The church sings. [Graduate's parents sing!] She sings to her God for the wondrous things that He has done.  We sing in good times and in bad--in darkness and light--in sadness and joy!  We sing because Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! 
          Beloved, our text this day comes from the Holy Gospel of St. John.  Once again, we have Jesus speaking to His disciples on the night in which He will be betrayed into the hands of sinners.  He has told them, in no uncertain terms, that He is going away--that He will suffer and die--and He will go to the One who has sent Him--the Father.  This talk of Jesus going to the Father fills the disciples' hearts with sorrow.  For they do not understand the great good that will come from this act of Jesus.  They can only comprehend their present circumstances.  They fail to understand the goodness that will be theirs from this necessary work of Jesus. 
          Beloved, we do not always realize what is for our own good, do we?  And we sometimes grow angry and upset when we think we are being denied something that is good for us.  We are, at times, like little children who throw tantrums at being denied the pleasure of running into a busy street to play.  We, who love them and stop them, do so for their own good--but they just can't see it.  This is, after all, the same pattern of behaviour that incited the Fall of mankind into sin.  Adam and Eve saw a fruit--a single fruit--in the midst of an entire Garden.  And they saw that it was beautiful--and that it was good to make one wise (having listened to the serpent--the devil)--they grasped at what had not been given for their good--which God had commanded them not to eat, for their own good--and sent all creation into the depths and brokenness of sin and death.
          But Jesus is telling His disciples that it is for their good that He goes away to the Father.  For how will He go to the Father?  By means of the cross.  The cross of Jesus, which is for our ultimate good--for on it the Christ will suffer and die for the sins of the whole world--for your sins and mine--that by the fruit of the tree of the cross--the curse of the eating of the fruit of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden--might be undone.  Christ's shed blood cleanses you of the guilt of your sin--Christ's shed blood quickens your soul and grants you everlasting life--the blood of Christ breaks the stranglehold of Satan over you and sends him spiraling into the pit of hell to be bound for all eternity.
          It is no wonder that we sing for joy on this Sunday!  For our Lord Jesus has loved us so much that He willingly endured the suffering and shame of the cross.  He did so not only for the disciples--but for the entire world of all time--for sinners like you and me.  For you are sinners.  You are under the weight and curse of sin.  You are convicted by the Holy Spirit who through the Law of God shows you what a sinner you are.  For you have failed to love  your neighbour as yourself.  You have coveted the gifts of others--you have taken that which did not belong to you--you have disparaged the holiness of the gift of marriage and defiled it in thought, word and deed.  You have murdered your neighbour in your heart with unkind thoughts and words.  You have spoken falsely of those around you in your gossip during coffee break.  You have not honoured those given by God to be in authority over you--be it in your family--your community and nation--or in your church. 
          But what is worse is the fact that we have all set up false gods in our hearts.  You have worshiped the created rather than the Creator.  We set ourselves up as the ultimate authority--seeking and worshiping our pleasure and own felt needs--instead of looking to Christ and His Word for our every good.  We have forsaken the holy day of the Lord to pursue our own interests and we misuse God's own holy name to curse rather than to bless--and fail to pray and speak the truth of God as we ought.  For all these and so much more--you and I are most certainly guilty and deserving of everlasting death and damnation in hell. 
          Yet, by the Holy Spirit, the world is also convicted in righteousness.  By the blood of Jesus outpoured on the cross the sins of the whole world have been atoned for.  The debt of humanity's sin has been wiped out by the redeeming flood of Christ's righteousness that He earned with His own suffering, death, and resurrection.  Yet God does not force Himself on any one.  He offers this righteousness--this forgiveness and mercy--as a free gift.  And, as with any gift, it can be rejected.  For those who reject this gift of faith in Christ given by the Holy Spirit--those who say, "I don't need, nor want you, Jesus,"--the Holy Spirit convicts them of sin for they do not believe in Jesus.  But to all who do receive Him--who believe in His name--God gives the right to be called children of God. 
          You, beloved, are God's children.  Not by your works of love and compassion to your neighbour--as good and right and necessary as those are--but purely through faith in the work of Jesus on the cross.  You are saved--by God's grace--through faith in Christ--alone.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  The Spirit of truth--the Comforter--has come to point you to Jesus your Saviour.  So that you might be forever comforted amidst life's trials and hardships--as well as life's joys and triumphs.  You may always look to Jesus and His death on the cross for your every good.  [Now more than ever as country continues its headlong dive toward insanity with terrible laws that are in direct conflict with our Christian faith.]
          On the cross Jesus also broke the power of the evil one himself.  This is why the Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning judgement--that the ruler of this world is judged.  That is the devil.  This is the very petition that we pray in the Lord's Prayer--deliver us from evil (the evil one).  This Christ has done by being the sacrifice for your sin.  He has taken your place under God's just wrath for your sin.  He has borne it all on the cross--drunk the full cup of the wrath of God so that He might bestow on you the cup of God's blessing.  In your Baptism the devil has been cast out of your heart as the Holy Spirit has moved in and taken up residence.  He speaks to you all that is Christ's and declares to you through Word and Sacrament the saving work of Jesus on the cross for you and all people.
          What joy it is to gather together and receive the blessings that Christ earned with His body and blood on the cross.  In His Holy Supper He gives to the penitent, believing Christian the full redemption of all sins, eternal life, and salvation from the power of the devil.  All this He has done--for your own good.  Is it any wonder then that we lift up our voices and sing this day?  For no matter how the world turns—no matter how our faith is threatened—no matter how wickedness and perversion seem to prosper—yet we know the victory is ours—the Lord has won!  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 4 – Jubilate – Mother's Day                                                                                                             
1 John 3:1-3
 

v.1     See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, what a wonderful day of celebration this is—for we have great reason to rejoice and be glad.  We give thanks to God for the gift of mothers—for those who gave us life—and for the gift of children—the special blessing given by God whereby another flesh is created through the one-flesh union of husband and wife in holy marriage.  And while most women would certainly agree that giving birth is no easy task—indeed it can be downright scary—but as Jesus says in our Gospel, "when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." 
          Indeed, children and parents have a unique and special bond.  John goes on to write in our epistle reading for today that it is because of the love of God the Father that we are called children of God.  How on earth can this possibly be?  I mean think about it.  God is perfect and holy and pure.  We, because of our sin, are not.  We have disobeyed His commandments in thought, word, and deed.  We are, by nature, spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins as St. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians.  So, how can we be called children of God? 
          After all, we most certainly don't deserve to be called God's children.  On account of your sinful nature, it's not like there is something innately lovable about us that God should look kindly upon us.  But that's just John's point in our text.  It is nothing within us that moves God to regard us kindly, but it is purely given to us by grace, borne out of His love for us.  See what kind of love the Father has given to us!  What kind of love?  A perfect, giving, sacrificial love.  A love that knows no end.  A love that seeks to redeem those whom He loves.  A love that is so deep and wide that we cannot fathom it.
          An earthly mother's love for her children (as great and wonderful as it may be) is but a pale reflection of the love of the Father given to us.  The love of a mother who can receive a scribbled up piece of paper from her child—with no discernible shape or color—and yet receive it with such joy that it is placed upon the refrigerator door for all to see—bragging to all her friends about the wonderful picture she received from her beloved child.  And the heavenly Father's love is so much more.  His love is expressed in giving up His only-begotten true Son into sin and death—so that our sin may be atoned for—and that we may be forgiven all our sins—and restored to a right relationship with the Father once more.  It is a love borne out of unimaginable pain and suffering—written in Jesus' own blood.  A love that rejoices in life and goodness—as Jesus has been resurrected—so too shall all the Father's children.
          While the world enjoys a time of sentimental joy and celebration for mothers on this day, yet it misses the deeper love and joy that exists for those of us in Christ Jesus.  For not only do we have the love of the Father through faith in Jesus Christ, but we also give thanks to God for our spiritual mother—the holy church.  She who has given birth to all Christians through water and the Word of Holy Baptism—she who proclaims to us the love of Christ our brother in the words of absolution—she who feeds us with our brother's own body and blood in holy communion.  This the world cannot understand.  It hates us because it does not know us—just as it first hated Jesus as it did not know Him. 
          And we Christians struggle with this declaration of God that we are His children.  For when we honestly examine our lives in the light of God's Holy Ten Commandments, it becomes readily apparent how we have not and do not live up to our Father's perfect expectations.  We see our failures.  We see our rebellion.  We see our abandonment of good in the vain pursuit of our own pleasures and desires.  In our sin, we would cast off the family name of God—curse Him as our Father—and reject Jesus as our brother—seeking to go our own way and do our own thing—so as not to be "burdened" under God's holy will.  In light of all this how can God call us His children?  How can He be our Father and we His children?  It seems so very wrong—so completely impossible.
          How can we be God's children—how can we be like Jesus?  We look at ourselves—and the world looks at us—and we are woefully disappointed.  Where are the white robes of heaven?  Where is crown of glory sparkling on our brow?  Where are the pearls of love that are to adorn our person?  "Beloved, we ARE God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared…"  Our white robes of righteousness, crown of glory, and pearls of love are invisible to our physical eyes, but what we will be is sure and certain.  We look with eyes of faith—trusting in the Word of the Father to us who declares us to BE His children—through the Spirit wrought faith in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, "we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."
          You are made children of God—pure and innocent and holy in the Father's sight—not because of who you are or what you have done—but because of the Father's love given to you in Jesus Christ.  He who went to the cross in your place—spilled His life's blood on the ground—suffered the tortures of hell—all for you.  You are God's children because you hope and trust in Him and what He has done for you.  You are now pure because you believe with your ears what God has told you in His Word—that you are His children—made holy and redeemed by the blood of His Son. 
          When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, this is not what you see.  Even when you look at your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (be they your own family—parents or siblings or children or spouses) this is not what you see.  Listen not to the lies of the devil who would have you believe that are incapable of ever being a child of God—your sin being too great—your faith too small.  Listen instead to the word of your heavenly Father—He who has called you by name and declared that you ARE His beloved child.  He who created the heavens and the earth with His Word and Spirit has created faith in your heart through the same.  What He has declared you to be—you truly are—by His grace. 
          Never forget who you are.  Remember that though the troubles of this world are great and many—yet they will last but a little while.  For eventually the Lord Jesus will either call you to glory by His side—or He will come again in visible glory before all the world—and when He does—your time of sorrow and weeping, of trial and tribulation—will be forever finished.  For you will see Him as He is—and you will be made like Him—perfect and holy—the beloved child of the Father—raised unto life everlasting.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.