God's Word at Work

Higher Things Retreat Sermon by Pastor Charles Mallie

http://www.ziontomball.info/wfs23a/HTsermonApril20-2008.mp3 

HigherThings Retreat Sermon April 19 2008 by Pastor Charles Mallie

http://www.ziontomball.info/wfs23a/HigherThingsRetreatSermonApril19_2008.m4a

Peter’s Pentecost Sermon
(Trinity Sunday)
Acts 2: 14a, 22-36

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for this Trinity Sunday is from Peter’s Pentecost Sermon, recorded in Acts, chapter 2 verses 22 through 36, particularly these words: “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Therefore let all Israel be assured of this; God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” This is our text.

In the name of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dear Christian friends. It was Pentecost Day. A loud wind had drawn a crowd together where they found a group of Galileans speaking in many different foreign languages and they were telling about the marvelous works of God. But much of what the disciples were telling them was very new to them. Some of what they were saying just did not make any sense to them at all. Some even accused the disciples of being drunk. But Peter stood up and explained to them, that what they were seeing that day, was something that God had promised long ago would happen.

First of all, Peter recognizes his crowd. He said, “Men of Israel listen to this:” He could have just as well said “Children of Abraham” or “Chosen People of God.” These were people who would know the Old Testament promises of God concerning the promised Messiah who was to come. They would know the signs, and the wonders, and the miracles that the prophets of old had foretold would be done by God’s promised Messiah and Savior. He would heal the sick. He would make the lame to walk. He would cause the blind to see. And a lot more miracles, and signs, and wonders were promised by God through the words of his prophets of old.

Peter reminded the crowd of those promises by saying in our text, “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Jesus fulfilled those promised miracles, and wonders, and signs. His birth in Bethlehem, his flight to Egypt, his life lived in Nazareth, his teaching ministry which had authority different than other teachers, his healing miracles, his walking on water, his raising of Lazarus from the dead — and the list goes on! All the miracles, and wonders, and signs that Jesus did, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was the promised Messiah that was sent by God the Father to redeem sinful mankind.

This Jesus, they crucified! Peter said, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” This was pure law. Peter went right to the heart of the matter, looked them in the eye and accused these people of killing the promised Messiah. He told them that they had killed the promised one sent from God. With the help of the Poly-theistic Romans who believed in many different God’s, they crucified the one true God.

But we cannot point a finger at them and say — “THEY” crucified him. We cannot accuse the Jews of crucifying Jesus, because there was much more going on here than the eye could see. Peter explained the situation in our text, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” This was God’s plan. This is what had to happen, not just for the Jews, but for you and me as well — for all sinners who ever lived — and that includes all people who ever lived. It was your sins and mine that put Jesus on that cross. God had stated a fact — “The soul that sins, it shall die.” That was not just idle words, it was true. Because of sin, everyone deserves to die. But God the Father loved the world, and sent his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, to die for sin. Jesus died on the cross “by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge,” for you and for me.

But Peter then goes on to say that there was more to God’s plan, always had been more to God’s plan. Something that even the great King David had promised centuries earlier. Peter said in the text, “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promise him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he (David) spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” Peter told the crowd about Easter morning and the empty tomb. It was something that even King David had foretold about in the Psalms. Death could not hold him. Jesus conquered death, so that you and I too might live, not just here and now — but forever with him in heaven. Eternal life is ours, a gift from God.

Peter continued, “This Jesus, Exalted to the right hand of God, has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” How was it that these Galileans were speaking foreign languages clearly? How was it that they were boldly proclaiming the marvelous works of God? How was it that people were hearing this gospel message of God’s salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? Well, it was the Holy Spirit, working through the spoken Word, calling people to repentance and to faith. It was the Holy Spirit, giving to these disciples, the faith, the courage, the wisdom, the talents, and even the words in foreign languages, which they needed to boldly proclaim the marvelous works of God. It was the Holy Spirit, calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying those who would be part of God’s one, holy, Christian and apostolic church. And the Holy Spirit added 3,000 to their number that day.

And Peter concluded, “Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this; God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” God has redeemed his people. God has saved his people from their sins. Our Triune God, one God in three Persons, has come to our rescue. God the father planed everything. God the Son carried out those plans in and with his human flesh. And God the Holy Spirit is making known to the world God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, so that all people – you and I – might have forgiveness, life, and salvation.

To God alone be the glory, now and always. Amen.

May the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

http://www.ziontomball.info/wfs23a/20080511pentecost.mp4

Confirmation Sunday
First Peter 5: 8-11

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for today in from 1st Peter, chapters 4 & 5, particularly these words: “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever.” This is our text.

In the name of our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dear Christian friends, and particularly you the confirmation class of 2008. After a long study you finally made it. But why did you do it? What is confirmation all about? I know you know because we talked about it in class – but maybe there are some family and friends here today who don’t know – or maybe have just forgotten.

First of all – confirmation does not save you! It was the Apostle Peter who wrote, “Baptism doth now save you!” When you were Baptized, God called you by name and put his name on you. In the waters of Baptism, your sins were washed away and you received forgiveness. In Baptism, God claimed you as his own dear Child! In Baptism, God created in you saving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Today, you confirm what God did in your Baptism. Today you publicly give witness to the faith that God gave you in your Baptism. Today, you publicly proclaim, “I Believe”.
Today, that is going to be pretty easy to do. Your family and your friends are all here with you today to rejoice with you and celebrate with you. You have prepared for this day, and for this profession of faith. Today is the easy part! Tomorrow, the hard part starts, when you go back to school and for your parents, when they go back to work.

Peter talked about how tough life can be as a Christian. He said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. You know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” You have three enemies in this world who are going to make life very difficult for anyone who professes that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The first one is the Devil. Do not forget about him – He is very real. Peter in our text described him in a way we can all understand. Peter said, “He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Walt Disney and Animal Planet have made us very much aware of how strong and mighty the King of Beasts can be. The lion uses all the talents that he has to trap and to kill the victim that becomes his supper. Peter says the Devil is like that – “A roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The Devil promises fun and excitement – but the devil is a liar, and his gifts turn out to be deception, pain, suffering, and finally eternal death. No good will ever come from following the devil.

The second enemy you have to face is the Sinful World around you. The sinful world comes in disguise – it looks like a good friend, a trusted co-worker, a great opportunity, a good time, a chance to become part of the “in crowd”. The sinful world wants you to join in their sin. The sinful world wants you to renounce Jesus as your Savior, and become your own savior, making you own way in life, living for money, fame, and pleasure – anything but looking to Christ as your Lord and Savior, or trusting in God above all things.

But the hardest enemy you have to deal with is your own sinful nature. It was W. C. Fields who said, “You can’t cheat an honest man.” You see, it is the pride, the arrogance, the lust, the hatred, the prejudices, the evil that is within each of us, our sinful nature, that the devil and the world works with to lead us astray. Why can we not save ourselves? The Bible says, “We are all, spiritually blind, spiritually dead, and enemies of God.” That’s why Luther said in that explanation of the 3rd article, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in my Lord Jesus Christ or come to him.” Religious “self-help” books are a contradiction in terms. We cannot save ourselves. That is our sinful nature.

So, when Peter warns in the text that we are to be sober-minded and watchful, what does he mean? How can we stand up to that Roaring Lion who wants to devour us? Certainly not on our power, that’s for sure. The only way we win this battle against the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh is through the grace of God. Luther went on to say in that explanation of the 3rd article, “But, the Holy Spirit, calls me by the Gospel, enlightens me with his gifts, sanctifies and keeps me in the one true faith, even as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it in the one true faith.”

We cannot win the battle against sin alone, but God can get us through. Peter said in the text, “and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.”

Only in God’s power will you be strong, and firm, and steadfast, as you stand against the Devil, the World, and that sinful flesh. And, how does God work in your life? He works through the means of Grace, Word and Sacrament! In Baptism he claimed you as his own dear Child. In Holy Communion, he gives you his Body and his Blood, for the forgiveness of sins. And in the Scripture he shows you his love – a love so great that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, will not perish, but will have everlasting life.”

The only way to be “sober-minded and watchful, the only way to be ready and prepared for that roaring lion” as Peter says in our text, is to live each day in God’s grace. Each day, we remember that we are a baptized child of God. Each day we read and study God’s Word – both law and gospel. And we regularly and faithfully come to Holy Communion where Christ gives us his body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and strength to live our lives as the people of God. God’s grace alone will get us through.

Today is confirmation day. Today you profess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. By God’s grace, may this faith which you profess today, be and abide with you always, even unto eternal life. Remember the words of Peter, “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever.” Amen!

And may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.