Ascension Day

The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord is one of the oldest and greatest celebrations of the church. Here's what The Treasury of Daily Prayer has to say about it:

Ascension Day is the coronation celebration of our Lord as He is proclaimed to be King of the universe. Jesus' ascension to the Father is His entrance to the greater existence beyond the confines of time and space, being no longer bound by the lmitation of His state of humiliation. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, which Luther correctly taught is everywhere, having again taken up the power and authority that were His since before time. Yet our Lord is present with us who remain bound by time and space. He is with us as true God and true man, exercising His rulership in the Church through the means of grace which He established: His Word and His Sacraments. We mortals in those means of grace can grasp the King of the universe and receive a foretaste of the feast to come. (p. 301-2)

This is really good news for the Christian. Christ hasn't left us. Far from it. He is now present with us in a greater way. He is no longer present in humiliation. He is present among us in His exalted state. For a time this is hidden, but it's no less real, and it is seen by faith. This means that all of our experiences are under the guidance and protection of Christ the king of the universe. He does not rule us from afar. He is close at hand.

How is it that Christ can be physically present among us? We don't see Him. How is it that Christ is present on our altar and all other Christian altars with His real body and blood? He is present for the same reason He was able to suddenly appear before the disciples in a locked room the first Easter evening. His human nature can do amazing things because it is united to His divine nature. And so, He is able to be among us physically according to Christ's divine nature. Put it another way. During Christ's state of humiliation, His divine nature was brought so low by His flesh that Christ died. Now that Christ has risen, the reverse is true. Because Christ has been exalted His human nature is brought so high that Christ does amazing things in the flesh. And so this is true: Christ is physically present with you. He even feeds you with His body.

Sermon Notes John 16: 5-15

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that seem to pique people's interest are things like prophesy and speaking in tongues. At various times the Holy Spirit has given those gifts for the sake of His church. However, the the chief work of the Holy Spirit that Jesus wants us to know about is three things: "He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go tot he Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment because the ruler of this world is judged. This is the work of the Holy Spirit among the world which includes you and me.

To summarize briefly the work of the Holy Spirit is to bring us to faith. Take time to ponder what these things mean. I can only briefly summarize here. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin which is unbelief. We sin because we don't trust God. The Holy Spirit then convicts us of righteousness by what Christ has accomplished for us. How do you know what Christ accomplished for you is good and salvific? Because the Heavenly Father receives Jesus. Finally, the Holy Spirit convicts us concerning judgment because Satan is judged. Because Satan is judged, you who were blind to his craft and cunning, now see that that this world holds nothing for you, and that Satan can do nothing to take you from Jesus.

So it is that the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth leads us into all truth. He doesn't lead us to discover something new. He leads us to discover what has always been. Not only this but all good and eternal things are ours because they are God's. Everything that the Father has is given to the Son, and everything the Son has He gives to you through the working of the Holy Spirit.

To receive the Holy Spirit is to receive everything that is good. Check out the Lord's Prayer in your catechism: "How does God's kingdom come?" "God's kingdom comes when our Heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit." Why? "...so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lad goldy lives here in time and there in eternity."

People sometimes say that the people had the advantage when Christ walked the earth and did miracles as is recorded in the gospel accounts. However, Jesus, who knows better. First, He never actualy leaves us, but also, He says that it is to your advantage that He goes. For now we receive His Holy Spirit who brings us to faith and keeps us there.

Website for Kids

Here's a fun site for kids. It's called "Kids Answers," and it features videos and pictures of animals from a creation perspective. Some of the language reflects what might be called a  Fundamentalist perspective, but it's nice to learn about God's creation and not have to hear about evolution.

Catechism in Comic Form

Concordia Publishing House is selling the Catechism in a comic book form. You can check out samples here. It is simply the text of the Catechism and a series of images that help reinforce the content. If you check it out let me know what you think sometime.

Sermon Notes - John 16: 16-22

The next four Sundays of the Easter season are perhaps the most difficult for me to preach. To date, we have heard the details of Christ’s resurrection, and have been comforted in hearing that Jesus, who has defeated all the enemies that would harm us, is also our Good Shepherd who is seeing to all of our needs. Now as we continue to ponder the implications of Christ’s resurrection we move into Christ’s discourses in John 14,15, and 16. The thing is, these words of our Lord to His disciples can be confusing. Indeed, we’ll find out that Jesus intends to speak in riddles and that His death and resurrection is the key that unlocks the riddles for the believer.

In the text this Sunday we hear Jesus tell His disciples, “A little while, and you will see me no longer and again a little while, and you will see me.” The disciples, themselves, are debating what Jesus could possibly mean. Jesus knows they’re asking themselves what He means. Yet rather than say, “Here’s what I mean,” Jesus says that the disciples “will weep and lament while the world will rejoice.” Yet, He also gives them a promise: “You will be sorrowful but your sorrow will turn into joy.” He then uses an apt illustration: a woman in child birth who suffers, but forgets her pain because of the joy of new life. Notice not only is the pain done, but the woman doesn’t even remember it.

Finally, look at the comforting promise Jesus gives at the end of the text. This time, He doesn’t comfort them saying, “You will see me again.” Instead, He says “I will see you and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Clearly this already takes place as Christ is taken from the disciples in death, but then returns to them in the resurrection. Therefore, already they have joy that can’t be taken from them. However, this also has implications for all of us Christians who are waiting for Christ’s return. We have sorrow now, but just as Christ has shown Himself in the resurrection, and today in the preaching of His word, yet He will also show Himself again when He returns for judgment. Then not only will our joy remain forever, but the suffering will be gone forever.

This would all be hidden from us if it wasn’t for Christ’s resurrection.

Good Shepherd Sunday and Dealing with Denominations

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. Notice the progression. First we deal with the details of the Easter accounts. So, Easter Sunday we heard of Christ's glorious resurrection. Eight days later we gathered again and heard about what happened when Christ showed Himself to Thomas eight days after the resurrection. Now that we've celebrated Christ's death and resurrection, we are in a position to understand what Jesus means when He says in John 10: 11, "I am the Good Shepherd."

What distinguishes the Good Shepherd? What are His credentials? He is the one who lays down is life for the sheep. No one else does this. Everyone else who promises to care for the sheep, are either thieves, hirelings, or wolves. Christ distinguishes Himself in that He lays down His life and then picks it back up again for the sake of His sheep.

As I was listening to another Lutheran pastor preach on this text I was made aware of this detail: because the hirelings don't care, and the wolf is intent on destroying the sheep, the sheep are scattered. Yet, notice that the sheep are still sheep. They are still God's elect children. Christ cares for them and seeks them out. However, for the time being we are still dealing with the fact that we are scattered and thus there are denominations. So on the one hand, we see that false teaching is a tragedy and it scatters the sheep, and therefore, we cannot abide by false teaching. On the other hand we acknowledge that no one denomination can boast, "All the sheep are in our fold" because it's not about us. It's about Christ who cares for His sheep.

Here is the link to the sermon that says it much better than I:

http://79456.info/axisdata/redeemer/audio/557.mp3

It's only 13 minutes, and well worth your time.

Power, Authority, Forgiveness... Jesus

Two Nebraska Lutheran pastors, Scott Porath and Brent Kuhlman, spend a half hour unpacking John 20. Do yourself a favor and hear them out. It's important stuff, not to mention good.

http://blog.higherthings.org/bb55841/article/4841.html

http://blog.higherthings.org/bb55841/article/4842.html

Liturgy

What does it mean to worship? What does it mean to worship as a Lutheran? Here's a new page on our synod's website that has some great resources:

http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=1067

I hope you can peruse them at your leisure and perhaps talk about them as a family.

Midweek Picnic

Midweek Picnic is this Wednesday the 4th. We will begin at church at 3:30.

NOTE: We will be done at 5:00

Please pick up your child at the park.

We hope your child can make it!

Sermon for Easter 2

The funky Latin term for this last Sunday is "Quasimodo Geniti" (as in the hunch back of Notre Dame). It comes from the first words of the introit: "Quasi modo geniti infantes..." ("As newborn babies") Here's the sermon:

Easter 2 (Quasimodo Geniti) - John 20

May 1, 2011

Rev. Micah R. Gaunt

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1.                  Today we hear that on the first Easter evening Jesus came to His disciples and breathed on them. Likely we don’t have positive associations with being breathed upon. And we all know why – bad breath. It is not pleasant to have someone breathe on us, even when the smell is masked with toothpaste or breath mints. Bad breath is a symptom of what’s inside: death. Our mouths are open graves of things that are decomposing and decaying.

2.                  This is not only literally true, but figuratively true as well. We’re told in Matthew 15 “What comes out of the mouth defiles a person… For what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart.” The things we talk about reveals who we are. It reveals what’s inside of us. We slander and commit character assassination because we’re murderers. We tell lewd jokes or talk about people’s bodies because we’re adulterers. We complain because we’re bitter and covetous of others. We boast or attempt to paint ourselves positively in the eyes of others because we’re idolaters. We make it quite clear, that the person we prefer to worship is ourselves. There is no life in any of these things. They are wasted words. These words smell of decay. They reveal the death inside of us.

3.                  So when Jesus breathed on His disciples, did someone hand Him a tic tac? Certainly not, because everything is different with Jesus. Jesus’ breath is sweet. How can we be sure? Because Jesus has risen from the dead. Death has no part of Him. He lives forever. There is no decomposing, no decay with Jesus. He is free from all impurities. Moreover, when Jesus breathes on His disciples, He imparts to them the Holy Breath, that is the Holy Spirit. Not only this, but Jesus breath is formed into life-giving words. His words give refreshment and vigor. They are clean and pure, free of all self-interest. The breath behind these words is to be inhaled deeply and savored. Marvel not only at the fact that Jesus who was treated shamefully and crucified for our sins is alive, but marvel at the fact that He’s not angry. Quite the opposite. He forgives His disciples for their cowardice and slowness to trust. He gently restores them. A week later He submits Himself to Thomas’ examination and brings him out of unbelief to faith. And again when He breathes on the apostles He tells them to go speak words of forgiveness, freedom, and life.

4.                  In this world of lies and half-truths and spin-doctoring; In this world where words are used to manipulate, coerce, and sell things; In this world where words are used as veiled insults, or to bully, or to put people in their place; there is nothing so fragrant as God’s word to us in Jesus. Even the harsh words, the words that point out our sin are sweet because they’re true. And because the reason God speaks them is for our benefit: to wake us up and free us from sin and restore us to the way of life.

5.                  If God did not care for you, He would abandon you and leave you to yourself. But God does care for you. He loves you. He does not abandon you. He speaks to you. He binds Himself to you. In the Lord’s Supper He speaks ever so tenderly and clearly. Every Eucharist is a celebration of Easter. With the bread and wine, in truth Christ gives His very body and blood. And so with this food, Christ, Himself, enters into the tomb of our mouths and the hell of our bodies and He declares the victory over every particle of our being. By so binding Himself to us He makes us graves into holy temples fit for the Holy Spirit.

6.                  Now things are different with us. The Holy Spirit now breathes out of us, too. We who were accustomed to speaking the stench of decay, suddenly find ourselves speaking to others a word that that is unlike any word in the world. We now speak to others a word that is true, and lasting, and free of self-interest. We speak a word that brings hope where there is no hope, and healing to what truly hurts. We forgive those who wrong us. We speak comfort to those who mourn. We speak freedom to those who are imprisoned by shame and regret. To those who are at war we speak peace, saying that their warfare with God is ended.

7.                  The introit this morning we were told to be like new born babies, that we crave the pure word of God. That is not something on people’s radar. That is not on their to do list each day. No one’s asking is this the true pure word of God. This is not how it is to be with you. Crave the pure word of God.

8.                  No one says, I want to give up a little bit of sleep in the morning, or I want to forego a TV show, that’s why I’m reading my bible. No one says I want to give up my free time Sunday morning. That’s why I’m going to church. We sacrifice our time, because we want the one thing in this world that is pure and clean and life giving. We want the one thing that isn’t being sold to us. We want something that is bigger than ourselves and that will never fall away. We want the one thing that is free of death and decay, and that delivers the sweetness of life and hope. We want Jesus to breathe on us. We want the pure word. In + Jesus Name, amen.