1 Thing Matters

Even in this digital age, we would be lost without signs. Signs warn us of danger. They communicate information to us. Signs help us navigate and let us know when we’ve reached our destination. The most important signs, however, are the ones that point us to our Savior, so that we can be 100% certain of our salvation. This morning and this week of Christmas, we celebrate that throughout history, God has provided the necessary signs to his people to lead us to the One born to save us.

The Messiah is an important person. “Messiah” is the same word as “Christ,” which means, “Anointed One.” He is someone who has been anticipated for a long time. Now we look at a time when his arrival is imminent! The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we ask Christ to empower us to do just that. We rejoice because God fulfills all his promises in Jesus.

“Imminent Arrival” seriesThe judge is an important person. You stand when he enters the courtroom. What he says must be obeyed. If you are the one on trial, his determinations make a big difference in how your life will continue. For these reasons, you might be quite nervous if the judge is about to arrive. John the Baptist invited people to turn their nervousness to repentance. He says that the arrival of the Judge is imminent, and the kingdom of heaven is near! You are invited to hear John, repent, and believe the good news of the coming Savior.

“Imminent Arrival” seriesAdvent marks the start of a new Church Year. We begin at the end, watching King Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing full well that he will be killed before the end of the week. The events of Palm Sunday serve as a microcosm for all Jesus’ work, proving the King of the universe was willing to humble himself and endure anything for our salvation. That is precisely why Christ came. That is why we anticipate his imminent arrival not with worry but with joy.

The Church has marked the passing of yet another Church Year, waiting for its Lord to return. How long will we have to wait and watch for Jesus to return? We do not know. Jesus said he would return soon. However, the definition of “soon” for the One who has no beginning or end will naturally differ from ours. Whenever Jesus returns, it will take us by surprise. So, how do believers avoid growing lethargic? How do we remain ready and watchful for Christ’s return? Our Savior points us to his Scriptures.The promises Jesus has made us this past year—promises that give us comfort and hope and purpose—were not merely spoken. Jesus ensured those promises were written down in Scripture. As we see in Scripture all the promises that Christ has fulfilled, there is discernible effect. The Spirit creates within us an eager anticipation regarding the Scriptural promises that are as-of-yet unfilled. While we cannot be certain when the day of fulfillment will come, we are completely confident of what that day will bring. No matter how many years we must mark, we watch with eager anticipation, and we pray, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

God grants the status of “saint” (which means “holy one”) to every believer. It might appear that status is of little practical value. If you achieve the status “billionaire” or “celebrity” or “senator” your life is going to be vastly different than most other people, most likely better. But if God calls you a saint, just like everyone else, you will struggle with trials, temptations, and sin. Being a saint does not make life easier. In some ways it makes life more difficult as we struggle against a world that is hostile toward Christ. This might lead us to ask, “Is it really that big a deal that God calls us saints?”For centuries, the Church has answered that question by celebrating the Festival of All Saints. This week we get a peek at the saints who have died and now live in the glory of Christ’s light. Through eyes of faith, we see the saints enjoying glory in the place where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:1-6). We realize what a precious gift this status of saint actually is. We understand that soon enough we shall join all the saints in that glorious heavenly city. And that gives us amazing stamina to face the challenges of this world with the strength Christ gives to all his saints.

Gratitude is the appreciation we feel when someone does something kind to us or for us. There are two factors that effect the intensity of gratitude. First, there is the deservedness factor. Say you do a favor for your neighbor. A month later, your neighbor does a favor for you. You are grateful, but not overwhelmingly so, because you deserved his help to some degree. However, if you have been an unkind or selfish neighbor, and yet your neighbor provides help when you are in need, you are extremely grateful precisely because you know you are undeserving. Second, there is the generosity factor. Imagine you pick up the mail for your neighbor for the three days he is out of town. When he gets back, he gives you a hundred-dollar bill. You might protest, “This is too generous!” He insists, and so you are very grateful.Apply this to God. Deservedness. How deserving are we of his blessing? What does God owe us? Generosity. What has God done for us? What blessings has he given us now? What blessings has he promised us in eternity? As we answer those questions, we are stunned by the undeserved generosity our God has shown us. The effect? We overflow with gratitude.

SERIES: Cause and EffectBefore we buy something, we assess whether or not we are willing to pay the asking price. If it seems reasonable to us, we may decide to make the purchase. If it seems overpriced, we likely won’t buy it.When we give gifts back to God through our offerings, it doesn’t work the same way. We don’t focus on the amount of the gift without taking an assessment of what we’ve been given first. When we do that, we see how generously God provides not only for our needs, but even our wants. When we do that, we see how generously God provides not only our physical blessings, but even more so our spiritual ones. We have all that we need - and then some! - in and through Jesus Christ. How then can we help but give back to God according to his own generosity to us?

What do John D Rockefeller, King Solomon, Henry Ford, and Joseph Stalin all have in common? Two things. First, they are all on the list of the twenty wealthiest individuals who ever lived. Second, they are all rotting in the ground. While the blessing of money can do a lot of things, it cannot prevent death or buy one’s way out of it. Jesus’ words this week warn against allowing anything - whether a love for money or anyone or anything else - to fill our hearts and crowd out the love of God and love for God. Instead, let our hearts be filled with what serves us in this life and qualifies us for the next: the Word of God.

There are more than 2,300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. In fact, out of all the masters competing for our service besides God, money is probably at the top of the list. Money provides us with a false comfort and sense of security. Money serves as a source of pride. This week, Jesus’ sharp words identify the impossibility of serving more than one master. More, Jesus teaches that if we dedicate our lives in service to money, money will always let us down. In contrast, God has proven that he is a master worth serving. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of it being a master to serve, it becomes a tool in our service of our true Master.

SERIES: Wounds that HealThey are some of the most difficult words in the world to speak: “I forgive you.” But as hard as they are to speak, what follows them can sometimes be even harder. To reassure, comfort, and love repentant sinners - especially when we’re the one sinned against - is not an easy thing. But it is a possible thing, made so by the Jesus who first speaks words of forgiveness to us, and then goes to great lengths to follow up so that we know and believe it’s true.

SERIES: Wounds that HealThis week Jesus’ sharp words expose our desire to pursue comfort and avoid pain at all costs. Jesus explains that following him will be hard. Jesus’ disciples will be called to let go of things they love and embrace things we naturally loathe. Jesus promises that discipleship comes with crosses—a unique type of pain. So, Jesus tells us that we must count the cost of following him. He wants us to do that now, ahead of time, rather than waiting until we are in the heat of the moment and emotions are running high. However, our calculations must not only consider what we might give up for Jesus. They also entail calculating what we get through him! When we perceive the infinite blessings we find in Christ, the decisions we make, while difficult, will be clear. Whatever is lost as we follow Jesus pales in comparison to what we gain.

SERIES: Wounds that HealEveryone knows that humility is a positive trait and pride is a negative one. So, why bother talking about what we already know? Because in spite of that knowledge, we still helplessly fall into the trap of pride. We all desire acclaim, recognition, and praise. Jesus’ sharp words this week teach us that seeking exaltation in futile and fleeing ways will only result in receiving the opposite. Those who attempt to exalt themselves will eventually be humbled by God. In contrast, Jesus promises that those who leave their exaltation to God will receive honor and glory far greater than any that can be awarded in this life. Our exaltation does not need to be our responsibility, because Jesus has already made it his.

SERIES: Wounds that HealWhen it comes to the uncomfortable topic of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, it is natural to want to avoid the issue. One way we do that is to direct our attention to more theoretical questions. “What is heaven like?” “How old will we be there?” Today someone asks, “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?” Jesus brushes all such questions aside. Instead, he answers the question we should be asking. “How might I be saved?” Jesus explains there is only one way—entering through a very narrow door. Jesus’ words cut deep! For he teaches that it is very easy to develop a false sense of security about our standing before God based on some superficial familiarity we have with him. Jesus warns that many who think they are on the path to heaven will end up shut out. These wounding words of Jesus provide healing, pushing us toward that narrow door: faith in him.

SERIES: Wounds that HealYou’ve seen it stated, “no Jesus, no peace,” in contrast to “know Jesus, know peace.” But would Jesus himself even agree? Not according to his words this morning, he wouldn’t. The world’s idea of peace is a pipe dream. Jesus’ idea of peace is a reality. What happens when those opposing ideas of peace clash? Division. Nevertheless, only in Jesus can that division be reconciled.

Why do we worry? Because worrying changes anything? Because worrying is good for us? Because maybe God won’t actually provide for us like he promised? Nope, nope, and nope. Worry is not rooted in any of those things, but in something else entirely. And the good news is that you already have the antidote to worry. The antidote to worry is not merely paying lip service to our greatest treasure - Jesus - but actually treasuring him above all else.

Things need to be renewed all around us. Car registrations. Subscription services. Insurance. The list goes on. But it isn’t just stuff that needs renewing - so do we! This morning we celebrate our 60th Anniversary. What, exactly, are we celebrating? That God has used this congregation of believers to proclaim the certainty of the Resurrection and to facilitate the renewal that accompanies those who have been raised to live in Christ. Since God only brings about that ongoing renewal through Word and Sacrament, we pray that he continues to equip us to faithfully use them for generations to come.

“Pray for What Pleases God” (1 Timothy 2:1-7)Series: Undivided AttentionIn a sense, prayer comes naturally to us. We want so we ask. We hurt so we cry out. We are frustrated so we vent. We are blessed so we give thanks. Natural! What does not come naturally, however, is a proper understanding of the privilege of prayer. Prayer is a privilege, based entirely on the unique and unearned relationship we have with God, our Father. And the purpose of prayer is really not to tell God what we want, but to claim that which God wants for us, that which is pleasing to him. Prayer provides the opportunity to bring our will into conformity with God’s will, not the other way around. This week, we give our undivided attention to what God says about this access we call prayer. Along with Jesus’ disciples we say, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).

Series: Undivided AttentionSometimes circumstances have to be just right for something to be effective or to work properly. Sometimes, though, even when something is effective or working properly, we can’t tell. A recipe may turn out exactly the way it’s supposed to, but if we don’t know what the finished product is supposed to taste like, how can we tell if the recipe was a success? If a play on the field didn’t work, is it because the players didn’t carry it out correctly, or did the other team just stop it effectively? Sometimes it may seem difficult to tell if the church - and by extension the Word - is working. We don’t see the results we expected or the results don’t line up with what we assumed we’d see. How do we know the church is working in our midst here or anywhere? Because the gospel grows. That’s what it does - wherever it is proclaimed.

Series: Undivided AttentionThere are likely paths you would pursue right now in whatever season of life you’re in if not for limitations. Those limitations might be physical. They might be financial. They might be time-related, or any number of other factors might cause them. Whatever they are, how would your life be different if those limitations didn’t exist? We have freedom in Christ. Complete freedom. But from what? And just as important - for what? To know the answer to the first question is to open up the endless possibilities for the second.