12/27/11 - Walking Together Sunday - Acts 9:10-19

"GO!"

Moses, Jonah, Ananias

            Moses did not want to go.  He was standing there on top of that mountain in front of a burning bush out of which the Lord himself was talking, and Moses wanted to do anything but go.  He did not want to go back to Egypt; he did not want to go tell Pharaoh what the Lord had said; he did not want to go back to his fellow Israelites as their leader.  But the Lord wanted him to go.  And so after a few miraculous signs and the reassurance that his brother Aaron would be able to be his spokesman, the Lord convinced Moses that he had to go even though he didn’t really want to at first.

            The prophet Jonah didn’t want to go either.  The Lord had told him to go and preach to the city of Nineveh, but Jonah went the other way.  He took a ship in the opposite direction because the last thing he wanted to do was to go deep into enemy territory and tell the Assyrians that they were sinning.  But the Lord wanted him to go.  And so after a violent storm on the sea and three nights in the belly of a fish, the Lord convinced Jonah that he had to go even if he didn’t want to.

            Ananias didn’t want to go.  He had been told by God in a vision to go and meet a man named Saul who was staying in a house in Damascus.  But the last thing Ananias wanted to do was to go and meet this Christian-killer face-to-face.  It didn’t seem like the smart thing to do as far as Ananias was concerned.  And it didn’t seem like going to the same place where this murderer was could possibly end well anyway.  But God wanted Ananias to go.  And so he convinced him that he had to.

            In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”  “Yes, Lord,” he answered.  The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”  But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

We Have Equally Important Tasks

            “Go!” the Lord had told Ananias.  In fact, God told him to “go!” two separate times in the same vision because Ananias had questioned whether it was the wise thing to do at first.  “Go and find a man named Saul.  Go because he is my chosen instrument.  Go and carry out the work that I have given you to do.  And go now because what I want you to do will have eternal implications for many more people.”  Ananias had to go.  He needed to go.  And in the end he wanted to.

            We may not have Jesus himself appear to us in visions like Ananias did; and we may not be given the job to meet up with a person who will become the next great Christian missionary in this world either; but the Lord has given us an equally important task to “go” just the same.  We have been told by the Lord to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15).  We have been told by the Lord to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).  We have been told by the Lord to “Go… tell the people the full message of this new life” (Acts 4:20).  The instructions we have received from the Lord in his Word to “Go!” are no different than those Ananias received.  And they are no less important.  Because our “going” has eternal implications for many more people as well, doesn’t it?  When we share what the Lord has done for us; when we encourage and invite and bring people into contact with the Word of God, hearts will be affected and souls will be saved.  And so when the Lord tells us to “Go!” he really means it!  “Go!  I have given you an important job to do!  Go!  Faithfulness is required!  Go!  Time is off the essence!  Go!  And go now!  Because there is no time to lose!”

Our Hesitation

             As a Christian I have read these calls to “go” many different times and as a pastor I have certainly preached about these calls to “go” on a regular basis, but as a sinner I don’t always follow through on these calls to “go” as quickly or as often as I should.  I put it off for later; I let it slip my mind; I hesitate.  I hesitate to “go” and share this Word just like Ananias hesitated at first.  And I use some of the same excuses!  “Lord, I understand what you’re asking of me and I understand that it’s important.  But Lord, what might that person say?  What might that person do?  I really don’t want to put myself into that situation because it’s not comfortable for me.  It’s not something all that pleasant for me to do.  It’s intimidating, Lord!  It’s scary!”

            Let’s talk frankly about “going” into the world and preaching the Good News and about “going” and making disciples of all nations and about “going” and telling others about this new life in Christ: It can be difficult, can’t it?  It can be very difficult to approach someone that you know and ask them if they want to come to church with you, or encourage them to come to a Bible study with you, or to simply share your joy in your Savior with someone who is struggling in their life.  Because you don’t know what that person is going to say, do you?  You don’t know what that person is going to do.  You don’t know how awkward or uncomfortable the conversation might be.  And so the command of your Lord to “Go!” is sometimes silenced by fear: fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of getting into an unpleasant conversation that you don’t want to get into.  And so it’s easy to hesitate, isn’t it?  It’s easy to put it off for later or maybe even not to “go” at all to a certain person when you think you know how they might react.

            But every time we do not “go” when we have that opportunity, we let our Lord down.  We actually let him down!  He had been counting on us in a way, he had been trusting us to carry out the all-important task of sharing his precious Word with someone, but we hesitated or we put it off or we decided to get around to it some other time but then never did!  And what excuse do we have to use?  “I didn’t feel like it”?  “I had other things to do at the moment”?  “I was planning on going but it never seemed to be the right time”?  It’s hard to find a good excuse for letting the Lord down, isn’t it?  In fact, I can’t think of one good reason that should prevent us from “going” and doing what he has asked us to do.

Jesus Didn’t Hesitate to Go

            Of course, as Christians, we aren’t motivated to do what the Lord asks of us because of our guilt.  We don’t feel coerced to carry out the Lord’s will simply because we would feel bad if we didn’t.  We as Christians are motived by the gospel: “But God beheld my wretched state before the world’s foundation, And, mindful of his mercies great, he planned my soul’s salvation.  A Father’s heart he turned to me, Sought my redemption fervently; He gave his dearest treasure.

            “He spoke to his beloved Son: ‘’Tis time to have compassion.  Then go, bright Jewel of my crown, and bring mankind salvation.  From sin and sorrow set them free; Slay bitter death for them that they May live with you forever.’

            “The Son obeyed his Father’s will, was born of virgin mother, And, God’s good pleasure to fulfill, he came to be my brother.  No garb of pomp or power he wore; A servant’s form like mine he bore To lead the devil captive.”

            This powerful hymn - #377 - goes on to describe what the Son did on this earth, how he died, why he rose, and the reason we will be in heaven.  It’s because of what Jesus did.  What Jesus won.  What Jesus sacrificed.  We are going to go to heaven because Jesus did not hesitate to “go” to the cross.  When his Father told him to go and save us, Jesus went.  He did not hesitate.  He did not put it off for later.  He did not decide to get around to it sometime if the right opportunity presented itself.  He was happy to “go” right when he was supposed to.  Even though he knew the cost; even though he was aware of the pain and the torture that he would have to go through for us; he went.  And now we are forgiven, saved, and promised eternal life.

            That’s our motivation to now do those things that the Lord has assigned to us: the gospel is our motivation, the beautiful Good News about Jesus and his cross.  We are not guilted into obedience; we guided into obedience by his love.  Because when we see his sacrifice; when we are aware of his immediate desire to “go” and save us regardless of who we were and what it would take to forgive our sins, we can’t help but “go” for him, can we!  We can’t hold ourselves back from “going” into all the world and preaching the Good News to all creation or from “going” and making disciples of all nations or from “going” and telling others about this new life!  Why would we want to?  We’ve got the one thing that people need to hear, the only thing that will affect their eternal life!  And it’s so simple, isn’t it!  It’s so easy!  It’s so free!  And so go to that person that needs to hear what you believe.  Yes, when we go to that person who needs to hear the Word, not every one of those conversations might be pleasant, not every one of those invitations will immediately produce the results you were hoping for, but think of what the Lord can do.  Think of what he did to your heart through this powerful Word and what he can do to the hearts of those around you.  It’s worth the effort.  It’s worth the time.  And it’s our privilege to try.

Go with the Power of God

            In the end Ananias finally went.  And not begrudgingly either.  Ananias was motivated to “go” and meet Saul face-to-face because the Lord told him how beneficial it would be to his kingdom.  And remember what Ananias said when he got there, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Ananias knew what was going to happen.  He was aware of the power of the Word.  And he was excited to be a part of it.  His excitement is yours.  Because you have that same Word in your hands.  You have that same call in that Word.  And you have that same motivation to “go” to the people around you that you know so well and share with them what they need so badly.  Go.  Go with the power of God in the words that you speak.  Go with the love of God working in your heart.  Go with the promise of God resounding in your soul that you are a forgiven child, that you are a blessed child, and that you have the incredible privilege of telling others that they are too.  Go.  There’s no time to lose.  Go.  There’s no reason not to.

            Amen.

“May the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”   - 2 Thess. 1:12

11/23/11 - Thanksgiving Eve - 2 Samuel 6:12-15

WORTH DANCING ABOUT

Thanksgiving Perspective

            It’s Thanksgiving already.  It always seems to sneak up pretty quickly, doesn’t it?  And it especially did this year because we were all so occupied with the building project throughout the summer and everything that went along with it.  We were pushing and pushing to have an October 30^th dedication date, we made it there, but now less than a month later Thanksgiving shows up.  I hope you’re ready for it!  Because if it’s Thanksgiving Eve tonight, that means a month from tomorrow we will be celebrating Christmas Eve!  There is no doubt that this is a busy time of year - a hectic time involving family and presents and meals and decorations.  Thanksgiving almost seems to be the starting line of a frantic race with frenzied pace that picks up speed all the way until the end of the year.

            But the actual celebration of Thanksgiving itself serves well to bring things back into perspective as well.  The day of Thanksgiving or, in our case, the evening before Thanksgiving when we gather in God’s house to “thank” him for all that he has done, gives us a chance to slow down a little bit, to reflect back on the year in a way, to recall what our Lord has down for us and what he is still doing.  A Thanksgiving worship service allows us to block out all of the craziness of life for a moment and concentrate; it helps us take a step back from the trees that we are weaving in and out of every day and gives us a clear picture of the forest; it provides an opportunity for us to review all of the blessings for which we can thank our God.

Complaining, Grumbling, Griping

            And there are plenty of those blessings, aren’t there?  If we were to take out a piece of paper and write down all of the blessings that the Lord has given us in these past 11 months, we would be here all night long.  Because there are those big things like our families and this country and our freedoms and our congregation that we thank God for on a regular basis.  But there are also those little things we get every day that might not always come to mind: like a heart that beats and lungs that breathe and eyes that are able to see colors and a body that is capable of feeling the warmth of a blanket.  How often do you thank God for a soft pillow?  Or the ability to tie your shoes?  Or a toilet that flushes?  There are so many everyday behind-the-scenes overlooked gifts that the Lord gives us that it’s nearly impossible to think of them all.

            Of course, we seem to find no shortage of things to complain about, don’t we?  We have millions upon millions of blessings that we consciously and unconsciously enjoy every day, but instead of thanking the Lord for those things and being completely happy with what he has given us, we tend to complain about those things that don’t measure up to our standards.  We might not always thank God for the sun shining, but we don’t hesitate to complain when it feels too hot or it seems too bright.  We might not always thank God for the way the thousands of parts of our bodies function all at the same time, but we certainly complain when one of those parts suddenly doesn’t work as well as it used to.  We might not always thank God for a healthy Christian congregation and a confessional church body to be a part of, but it is not below us to complain about one Christian brother or sister who gets on our nerves.  Most of us like to complain and grumble and gripe about various things at various times.  I know because I’ve heard you.  And you know because you’ve heard me.

David’s Dance

            King David had plenty of opportunities to complain and grumble and gripe.  He was hunted down for years by King Saul, after all.  His best friend Jonathan died in battle.  The commander of his army murdered in cold blood another general who had switched to David’s side.  There were members of the former royal family that hated him for who he was, there were still enemy nations all around him, and he had been given the seemingly impossible task of leading a people who were notorious for rebelling against the Lord.  But here in 2 Samuel 6 we find David dancing.  And he’s not dancing here against his will and he’s not dancing at this moment because he’s expected to; he’s dancing out of joy with all his might.  “David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.  When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.  David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.”

            David had something to dance about!  The ark of the Lord was finally being brought into the capital city for the very first time!  The wooden box that held the original Ten Commandments, the very object that had sat in the Most Holy Place of the desert tabernacle was now in his possession!  What an exciting event!  What a monumental day this was in David’s reign!  But realize: David still had some things he could have complained about.  Because where was he taking this ark of the Lord?  He was taking it to the “City of David” which was Jerusalem.  But where was he going to place the ark when he got there?  There was no temple yet!  There was no physical structure that could house this precious artifact so central to their worship of the Lord!  And so when they did enter Jerusalem, David had to construct a tent of some sort and use that as a temporary covering over this sacred piece of furniture.  But David didn’t complain; he didn’t grumble; he didn’t gripe.  In spite of the accommodations for the Lord’s ark, he rejoiced.  He danced.  David danced in complete happiness because he was so excited about what the Lord had done for him.  Things might not have been perfect, but the blessings that David knew his Lord had given him were enough to make him dance for joy.

Something Worth Dancing About

            We have something worth dancing about too.  Things might not be perfect in our lives either; we might have plenty of things we could complain about if we really wanted to, but take a look at what the Lord has given you: He has blessed you with peace of mind from his presence on this earth.  He has blessed you with freedom from punishment because of his cross.  He has blessed you with the promise of Paradise through that empty tomb.  He has blessed you with forgiveness and comfort and relief - all free of charge.  That doesn’t mean you won’t have to endure pain or trouble or difficulties in this life.  But it does mean that you don’t have to worry about them.  You don’t have to complain or grumble or gripe about them.  Because the blessings you have received far outweigh what you have not.

            That is what is worth dancing about on Thanksgiving.  Not so much the food and the family and the pleasant time together - because those things may not be so good at times, and even if they are, they won’t last.  What is worth dancing about on Thanksgiving are those blessings that will never go away: your salvation, your eternal life, your status as a child of God.  Those blessings overrule and override anything else we could ever get.  And with those blessings in mind, how could we ever complain again?  They are the only source of our joy.  They are the only basis of our happiness.  They might even be worth dancing about.  Amen.

11/13/11 - Saints Triumphant - Revelation 19:6-9

YOU ARE THE BRIDE-TO-BE

Wedding Preparations

            Weddings are a big deal in this country.  And not so much the ceremony itself, of course, but all of the extra-curricular activities that go along with that simple announcement of a man and a woman becoming husband and wife.  There are even quite a few wedding checklists available that spell out well over 70 different tasks that need to be taken care of in order to pull off a normal wedding - sometimes starting 12 months in advance.  And so the bride-to-be usually takes on most of the responsibility of reserving what needs to be reserved and writing what needs to be written and calling who needs to be called and meeting with those whom need to be met with and setting up what needs to be set up…  And for the most part: she doesn’t mind!  Because it’s largely “her day.”  She has been dreaming about this event since she was a little girl and it’s very very important to her that everything turns out just right.  There are exceptions to this, of course, not every young woman fits into this mold, but I think it’s safe to say that most brides-to-be in our American culture are more excited about their weddings than almost any other major event in their lives.

            And, of course, the wedding day culminates in the reception.  The celebration, the party, the gathering of friends and relatives all at one time and all in one place to congratulate the bride and groom and to enjoy the entire atmosphere of the entire day.  The bride can enjoy things a little bit by that time too.  Because the planning is over by then, the preparations are done, and all of the organizing and arranging has paid off.  The food tastes a little richer that night, the music sounds a little sweeter because the event that she had been anticipating for such a long time has finally arrived.

The Wedding Feast of Heaven

            The Bible describes heaven as a wedding feast of majestic proportions.  It is the reception, so to speak, the celebration of an inseparable union between Groom and bride enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Christians all at one time and all in one place.  But this gathering of relatives connected by the strongest of blood won’t have to end when the night gets long.  Because there will be no night at this wedding feast.  And this party thrown by God himself and catered by the angels of Paradise won’t ever get old because it will continually be new.  And you won’t get tired yourself or annoyed by Uncle Fred or have to avoid cousin Maude or feel left out of a conversation because those kinds of things can’t happen at this Reception.  And no one will ever have to get back to “real life” the next day because this is “real life” from now on.  No one will ever have go home because this is home.  No one will ever be looking for something more or something else because Christ himself will always be right there in the middle of it all. 

            In the revelation that John received from Jesus himself, he heard the sounds of this extraordinary wedding from a distance: Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)  Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

            This wedding feast sounds great, doesn’t it?  It sounds like something we don’t want to miss.  It sounds like something we want to be at right now!  But do you know what the best part about this future wedding reception is?  You are the bride-to-be.  You are the one for whom this celebration is thrown.  You are the one who is the guest of honor.  And Christ will be your Groom.  And so you have not just been invited to this wedding feast, it will be your wedding.  Everything has been prepared for you and your spiritual husband.  And you will be able to enjoy this feast for the rest of eternity.

We are an Unworthy Bride

            This glorious day to come should get you excited!  As the bride-to-be of the ideal husband and the greatest wedding and the most extravagant reception there will ever be, your face should be beaming right now, your eyes should be sparkling, and there should be a joy in the way you live your life that is unmistakable to those around you!  But is that really true?  Are you really filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and excitement for this wedding day that you can’t help but show it on your face and in your voice and throughout your life? 

            I’m not so sure that my attitude could be compared to a bride-to-be just weeks away from the Big Day.  I’m happy but I’m not always that kind of joyful; I’m excited to get there but I’m not overly enthusiastic all the time; I’m thankful that the wedding feast of heaven is coming soon but I doubt that people can see that on my face and hear it in my voice and observe it throughout my life on any given day.  Because I get too distracted with other things.  I get too busy with other things.  I get too tied up in other things in this world to keep my mind focused on this wedding day to come.  And so there are times when I get angry at people or situations that I probably shouldn’t get angry about at all.  There are times when I feel down because some little thing didn’t go my way.  There are times when I am not all that happy for one ridiculous reason or another.  I’m not always that joyful glowing bride-to-be that can’t think about anything else other than that wedding to come.

            And what do you think my heavenly Groom is thinking at times like those?  He could probably say something like: “Why are you angry?  Our wedding is right around the corner!  Why are you feeling down?  The greatest moment of your life is almost here!  Why aren’t you happy?  What more do you need than me?  Than Paradise?  Than a life with your Savior, your brothers & sisters, and my armies of angels forever?  You’re losing sight of what is important, my bride; you’re forgetting what is to come; you’re overlooking what I have already guaranteed is yours.” 

            And if our Groom said those things he would be right, wouldn’t he?  There is no reason for us as brides-to-be of our Savior himself to ever be angry or sad or unhappy.  And what an insult to him when we are!  Heaven isn’t enough for us?  We need everything to be perfect here as well?  A wedding featuring our glorious Lord and the special union we’ll have with him isn’t big enough for us?  We have more important matters to worry about here?  We are the brides-to-be of the godly Groom!  But sometimes we don’t seem to be satisfied.  We don’t seem to be content with that when we worry about the things of this world.

Our Groom Has Prepared Everything

            And so what will our Groom do?  Will he call off the wedding?  Will he cancel the engagement and walk away from the promises he has made to us?  Will he leave us standing there at the altar, and rightly so!, because we have not proved ourselves to be worthy brides of his love?  No, instead our Groom will say, “I will take this frustrated bride; I will accept this ugly bride; I will welcome this unhappy and discontent and ungrateful bride; I love this unworthy bride and I will make her mine.”  And our Groom will do that for us because he knew that’s who we were when he promised his love to us in the first place.  He even prepared for it.

            Our Groom has prepared for it all.  He had a checklist too!  He had bunch of different things that he had to prepare for before our wedding could become a reality.  Item number one on that list: Create a bride with whom he could share his love.  And so he formed Adam and Eve with his own two hands and prepared a world for them in which they could live in perfect harmony.  Item number two: Save the bride who had turned her back on him.  And so he came to this earth in the form of a human being and with the name Jesus.  Item number three: Do for the bride what she could not do for herself.  And so he kept every law and carried out every command and followed every Word of his Father while on this earth.  Item number four: Take the punishment that his bride deserved.  And so our Groom laid down his life for us and bled to death on a cross.  Item number five: Open the way to the wedding feast in heaven so that his bride could enter.  And so Jesus rose from the dead.  Item number six: Make ready the place where his bride will live.  And so he ascended up into heaven and prepared Paradise for each one of us.  Item number seven: Convince his bride that he is her Groom.  And so he worked faith in our hearts through the power of the Word of God.  Item number eight: Come back for his bride to take her home.  That step is yet to come.  That step is the final check on this list.  But that step is guaranteed to happen just like the rest of them where.

            Our Groom has prepared for everything so that we don’t have to prepare for anything.  We don’t have to make reservations; we don’t have to make sure that everything is in place; we don’t even have to buy a wedding dress!  Because our Groom has already supplied us with one: “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear” the crowds shouted in John’s vision.  And this “(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)”  And understand the analogy: A bride wear a beautiful white wedding dress on her wedding day.  But she isn’t allowed up to the front of the church because she wears that dress; that dress simply demonstrates who she is: she is the bride!  That is why she is allowed to go where she belongs.  In the same way, the God-pleasing things we do as Christians don’t get us into the heavenly wedding feast either; they simply demonstrates who we are: we are the bride-to-be, the bride ransomed with blood, the bride of Christ.

We Don’t Have to Worry about a Thing

            Remember this when you leave here this morning.  Because it’s easy to see the big picture in here.  It’s not all that difficult to be filled with joy and eager expectation of the life to come while you are surrounded by those who are going there with you!  But as you go about your life this week, and as you deal with the normal difficulties and problems and frustrations that this world is filled with, remind yourself that you are the bride-to-be, Christ is your Groom, and you don’t have to worry about a thing.  Your Groom has taken care of it all.  He has made you, he has saved you, he has forgiven you, he has claimed you as his own, he has protected you, he has prepared for you, and one day he will take you home.  There is nothing he has left undone and so there is nothing that you have to worry about. 

            And so relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy looking forward to what you will soon have.  No problem here will ever take away Paradise there.  No hardship here will prohibit you from meeting your husband there.  No sin here will ever supersede the love that your Groom will show to you there.  You are his bride-to-be.  You are his chosen, precious companion whom he will never leave, whom he will never let down, whom he will never forget.  You are his bride-to-be.  I am his bride-to-be.  And together, we will celebrate that wedding feast with our Groom like we have never celebrated before.  I’m looking forward to it.  Aren’t you?

            Amen.

“Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”  - Rev. 19:6-7

11/6/11 - Last Judgment - Daniel 7:9-10

WHAT'S ON YOUR RECORD?

The Scene of Judgment Day

             The all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present God of the universe has just entered the courtroom - and everyone must stand.  You too rise to your feet, standing up from the defendant’s chair in complete awe.  Because the Judge’s clothes are shining with an inescapable brilliance and his hair gleams with a purity that you have never seen before in your life.  And as you watch him walk towards the seat that has been reserved for him you notice that his throne is burning as if it were completely on fire and there are wheels on this throne that are blazing just as intensely.  Under the throne flows a river - and strangely it too rages in flames.  There are thousands upon thousands of people and angels inside this courtroom praising his name and worshiping his presence, packing the walls and the halls and the corridors, waiting for what is to come.  And then the Judge sits down and everyone is suddenly quiet.  Because the court has now convened.  There is a solemnity that hangs in the air.  And the Judge looks right at you.  He pages through a whole stack of records in his hands and then he looks right at you again.  Because you are the one who is on trial and now it’s time for the sentencing to be handed out.

            And it’s a little intimidating!  It’s a little bit nerve-wracking because you know what the Lord must have been looking at on those sheets!  Your crimes, your mistakes, your convictions, your “priors.”  Every time you broke one of his laws, it was recorded.  Every time you tried to take a short cut around his commands, it was written down.  No wonder there is a whole stack of sheets in front of him!  There are a lot of things to list!  There are a lot of faults to sort through!  But he is done glancing at those official reports on your conduct in this life.  He already knows what those records say, after all.  And so instead of looking at them he looks at you.  And you brace yourself and you hold your breath because he is now about to speak...

The Listing of Accusations

            Normally, in a court case in this country, the judge knows about the accusations that are being brought against the defendant before he ever sets foot in the courtroom that day.  In fact, not only does the judge know about these crimes, he even reads off these accusations to the defendant as he stands before the court.   “You have been accused of breaking and entering, assaulting an officer, carrying an unregistered firearm, and evading arrest.”  And then the judge asks that familiar question, “How do you plead?”  And depending on the circumstances and the lawyers and the deals that have or have not been struck, the defendant either replies, “Guilty,” or “Not guilty, your honor.”  And if that person pleads not guilty the trial date is then set, the wheels of the court system start to turn, and witnesses and evidence on both sides are set in place to prove or disprove whatever it may be.

            But if that defendant is found guilty after the trial is all said and done, and he is standing once again in that courtroom before that same judge for the sentencing, then the judge may read those very same accusations once more - except that they are no longer accusations at this point; they are convictions this time.  “You have been convicted of breaking and entering, assaulting an officer, carrying an unregistered firearm, and evading arrest.”  But the judge doesn’t ask the defendant for his plea this time.  Because it doesn’t matter what the person convicted of these crimes claims.  He has already been found guilty; there is no more debate.  And the sentence that the judge is about to hand out will be based on the crimes that he has just read.  The defendant just has to stand there and listen.  There is nothing else he can do.  There is nothing else he is allowed to do.

 A Tainted Record

             “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.  His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.  His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.  A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.  Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.  The court was seated, and the books were opened.”  Through Daniel’s vision we are back in the heavenly courtroom on Judgment Day.  And you are back in that defendant’s chair.  It’s time for the sentencing and there is nothing left for you to say.  It’s “Judgment” Day after all!  A judgment will be given; no questions will be asked; no plea will be requested from you by the Judge; no deal will be made.  It’s too late for that.   It is time for the Judge to make his final decision.  And whatever he decides will be permanent.  There is no appeal process in this court of law.  What God says goes.  And he never gets it wrong.

            And so as you are sitting there in this defendant’s chair with the almighty Judge himself looking down at you from high above on his throne of flames, you can’t help but think of your record that he has in his hands.  “All of those things that I’ve done: how stupid I was!  How rebellious!  How brazen!  All those words that I’ve said that I’d be embarrassed for him to repeat!  All those thoughts, those nasty thoughts, that I didn’t think anyone else knew.  Well, the Judge knows.  He remembers those crimes against his Word that I’ve forgotten.  He recalls those incidents that I didn’t even realize were wrong.  I can’t deny what I’ve done.  And I can’t talk my way out of it either.  This Judge goes strictly by the Book and compared to that standard my record - my whole life - is a mess!”

            And so you just kind of shake your head.  It’s even hard to look the Judge in the eye because you know what he knows and there’s no hiding it.  And as you contemplate the inevitable pronouncement of judgment, you almost don’t want to hear what he is going to say.  You don’t want to be reminded about all of those things you’ve done; you don’t want to have to think about all of those spiritual crimes that you have committed; and you definitely don’t want to hear the sentence you’ll have to serve because of them.

Declaration of “Not Guilty”

            But the courtroom is still.  There are no distractions to take your mind off of what’s to come.  And all eyes are fixed on that powerful just Judge sitting firmly on his throne.  And so he clears is voice; he opens his mouth; and he says just two words: “Not Guilty.”  He bangs the gavel on the bench with a thunderous and final authority and the courtroom that was once silent explodes into a celebration of praise and singing.  The angels are blowing their mighty trumpets, the saints that have gone before you are throwing up their arms in victory and everyone is raising their voices to the sky with joy.  And in the middle of it all, still sitting there in that defendant’s chair, you are thinking to yourself: “Did I just hear that right?  Not guilty?  Was there some kind of mistake?  Was he talking about someone else?”  But the angels and the believers are gathering around you, “No, you’re in, you’re in!  Come on, let’s go!  You’re free!  You’ve been pardoned!  You get to live forever in the most perfect place there is!”  And they grab you and help you up and led you towards that outer door.  And you slowly begin to realize that there really isn’t going to be any chains; there won’t we shackles or prison cells, fire or terror.  You are going to the place you’ve always dreamed about.  The place of Paradise.  The home of God. 

 Our Record Wiped Clean

            But before you walk out that door with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ along with the heavenly angels that are even more spectacular than you thought they were going to be, you have a quick question for the Judge.  He’s still sitting there on his throne after all, smiling now, happy for you, thrilled at what has just occurred.  And after you walk up to the front you say to him, “But, Your Honor, what about my record?  What about those sheets in your hand?  What about my crimes and my failures and the punishments that they deserve?  I know that you know!  And I know that you don’t just ignore those kinds of things either!”  “I didn’t ignore anything,” your Judge says as he hands you the records that he was holding.  And as you take them you notice that they are just blank pieces of paper.  “So, where are all of the offenses and all of the violations and all of the wrongs that I have committed throughout my life,” you ask.  “Oh, those things were taken off your record long ago,” the Judge says, “I put those crimes on the record of my Son.” 

            And sure enough, Jesus is still standing there.  In fact, he had been in the courtroom the entire time sitting right next to you!  The whole thing was just so overwhelming it was hard to stay focused.  But that was why Jesus had those holes in his hands and those puncture wounds in his skull.  That was why you caught a glimpse of the scars on his back from the scourging and a faint smell of the wine vinegar from the sponge that one of the soldiers had held up to his mouth when he was hanging on that cross.  And the pieces start falling into place: Jesus isn’t just there in that courtroom to speak to the Father in your defense; Jesus is in that courtroom because he had already taken your place.  Your rap sheet had become his.  Your trial was presented in his name.  Your sentence was carried out in full by Christ himself well before you ever stepped into this courtroom.  Your record is now clean.  Jesus’ record was the one that was filled with felonies and misdemeanors and death-sentence-worthy criminal acts that he didn’t commit; but that’s the very reason why your record is now non-existent.  The punishment had already been paid for; the sentence had already been satisfied; there are no crimes left for you to be accused of; you’re in the clear.

            And so there’s nothing much left to say, is there?  There are not too many more questions to ask this Judge.  There are not too many more mysteries to figure out.  You’ve got those blank pieces of paper in your hand, Jesus by your side, and a Paradise waiting for you.  And so side by side with your Savior, surrounded by those glorious angels, and arm in arm with the believers that got there before you, you walk into that land of perfection that the Lord had been preparing for you all along.  And Judgment Day wasn’t so bad after all, was it?  It wasn’t all that terrifying or nerve-wracking.  In fact, it was kind of exciting.  It was liberating.  It was just as the Judge had planned it.  And it couldn’t have turned out any better.

            Amen.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thess. 5:23 

10/30/11 - Reformation - 2 Timothy 4:9-18

THE LORD STANDS BY YOUR SIDE

Hymns of the Reformation

We have already sung three hymns this morning. And before we’re done we’re going to sing four more. Seven different hymns are interspersed throughout this worship service, which is fitting on a day like today since the Lutheran Church in the centuries following the Reformation was oftentimes referred to as the “singing church.” And it was given that name not only because it promoted congregation participation in the songs of worship but also because this body of believers produced many great hymn writers over the years as well. Martin Luther himself is credited with writing around 40 hymns, many of which we still sing today. Songs based on the cross of Christ, the grace of God, and the power of the Word. Songs pleading for the Lord’s mercy. Songs relying on his protection.
The first hymn that Luther ever wrote was entitled “A New Song Now Shall be Begun” - a 12 stanza, 108 line anthem commemorating two young men who were martyred for the faith at that time in Brussels. It is a story-hymn, depicting the final moments of their lives as they stood boldly on the truth - and how the Lord stood with them. The first hymn that we sung this morning, “If God Had Not been on Our Side,” champions that same theme: “If God had not been on our side and had not come to aid us, our foes with all their power and pride would surely have dismayed us.” Another one of Luther’s hymns that we rarely sing anymore: “In the Midst of Earthly Life,” is along those same lines. In fact, not so long ago it was a favorite hymn for Christian funerals. And here’s why: “In the midst of earthly life snares of death surround us. Who shall help us in the strife lest the foe confound us? You only, Lord, you only!... In the midst of death’s dark vale powers of hell overtake us. Who will help when they assail, who secure will make us? You only, Lord, you only!” There are many hymns like this written by the writers of the Reformation, especially Luther. And it’s understandable why Luther would write this way in so many of his hymns: he was always under attack! His life was in danger! His friends deserted him! And the only one he could truly rely on was his Lord. His God was the only one who was always there for him. His Savior was the only one who always stood by his side. And not just by Martin Luther’s side; but by the side of all those faithful Christians at that time who had to undergo persecution of the sort that most of us, Lord willing, will never have to see.

Standing by Paul’s Side

The hardships that those believers had to endure during the 1500s in Germany should remind us of what the apostle Paul experienced in the decades after Christ lived and died and rose. Because Paul too was always under attack; his life was in danger; his friends deserted him. He even wrote to his young friend Timothy that a former co-worker named Demas had left him for selfish reasons, Crescens had gone away and so had Titus. Mark wasn’t with him at that time and no longer was Tychicus. A man named Alexander was causing him a tremendous amount of harm and at Paul’s first trial in front of a judge in Rome, not one person came to his defense in support. “But,” Paul wrote, “the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might fully be proclaimed.” “The Lord stood by my side. The Lord gave me strength. The Lord was the one who was right there with me; and the Lord was all I needed.” Even though Paul was essentially abandoned by those he had served and even by those he had worked with when he needed their help the most, the apostle was still filled with hope and comfort and encouragement because his God had never left his side. And no matter what he had to go through and no matter what the future would bring, he knew that his powerful Savior promised to be with him every step of the way.

The Lord Stands by Your Side

The Lord stands by your side just as he stood by Paul’s. There may be times when you are lonely; there may be times when you are overwhelmed; there may be times when no one seems to be supporting you or helping you or even caring about you. But at those times - especially at those times - your Lord is right there. He is there when there is no other shoulder to lean on. He is there when there is no other hand to hold. He is there when no one else is. And that is never going to change. Even if you don’t want him there - he’ll be there! Even if you don’t know he is there - he’ll be there! Even if you don’t remember that he’s promised to never leave - he’ll be right there by your side.
When you were born, at that moment you were delivered into this world by a doctor or a nurse or your own parents, who was right there? Who was right there making sure you breathed your first breath of fresh air? Who was right there making sure that your heart continued to beat? Who was right there making sure that your first day in this world would lead to another? When you were baptized, who was right there making sure that the water combined with the Word of God did powerful things to your heart? Who was right there making sure you were adopted into his family? Who was right there making sure that the faith you were given would continue to grow? When you stood up at the Lord’s altar for the very first time and participated in the Lord’s Supper, who was right there making sure that the bread and the wine that touched your lips was also his own body and blood? Who was right there forgiving your sins once again? Who was right there cleansing your heart? When you struggle, when you fail, when you are lost, when you are weak, when you are sick, when you are confused, when you are hurting, who is right there? When you go to sleep tonight, who’ll be there? When you wake up tomorrow morning, who’ll be there? When your loved ones die around you as the years go by, who’ll be there? When you are on your own deathbed and you give up that last breath on this earth, who will be right there by your side to take you home?

The Lord Doesn’t Have to be There

Of course, the Lord doesn’t have to be there. He is not obligated to be there because of anything we have done for him. In fact, he probably shouldn’t be there right by our sides after some of the things we have done! Because how many times have you ignored the advice he has given you in his Word? How many times have you done something that has not made him happy? How many times have you let thoughts linger in your mind that would make him shake his head in disgust? How many times have you pretended your Lord is not right there by your side because you wanted to say something that would be unacceptable to him? How many times have you stood by the Lord’s side? How many times have you defended him, stood up for him, boldly and unashamedly talked well to others about him? How many times have you been a faithful servant of his Word? How many times have you acted like a faithful child of his love? The Lord doesn’t have to be there standing by your side. I know he shouldn’t be standing by me.
I have let him down so many times that it’s embarrassing. I have failed to be the Christian he has called me to be. I have given in to my selfishness far more times than I have been won over by his love. He shouldn’t be standing by my side. Why would he to? Why would he bother being there for me when I am rarely there for him? He shouldn’t be standing there, but he is. He shouldn’t bother wasting his time on me, but he does. Just like he did for a former Catholic monk named Martin Luther. Just like he did for a former Christian killer named Paul. Just like he does for you.

The Lord Does More than Just Stand There

The Lord stands by your side. And when your Lord stands by your side, he doesn’t just stand there, of course! He isn’t there to merely observe what is happening in your life and to give you nothing more than moral support. Your Lord is standing there by your side to actually do something! He is there to pick you up when you fall down. He is there to turn you back when you turn away. He is there to guard you from the attacks of the devil, to lead you on the Way to eternal life, to bolster your faith with his penetrating Word. Your Lord is standing there to tap you on the shoulder and make you take notice of your sins. Your Lord is standing there to lift up your chin so that you can see once again the silhouette of his cross. Your Lord is standing there by your side to show you his side where the spear struck, to place around your shoulders a hand that was driven through with nails, to bend close to your ear a head that was crowned with a wreath of thorns. Your Lord is standing right by your side so that you do not forget what he did for you, what he sacrificed for you, what he gave up to get you. Your Lord is standing there to remind you not only that he died, but that he is dead no longer.
Your Lord is not passive in your life. He does not just sit back and wait and watch. No, he is intricately involved with every aspect of your life because he has already done so much for your eternal life. And so he is not going to let you wander off by yourself when he paid so much for your soul! He is not going to leave you standing all alone, vulnerable to the dangers of this world and of Satan himself when Jesus has already gone through all of that for you! You can be assured: He’s going to be right there - and nowhere else! He’s not going to let you out of his sight! He cares too much about you to do otherwise.

You are Never Alone

In one of Martin Luther’s most famous hymns, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” a song that we will end our worship with this morning, he writes in the fourth stanza, “The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it; He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.” There is that reoccurring theme again: He’s by our side. The Lord is always right there by our side. Luther clung to this Truth of God’s Word throughout his life. His writings and his confession of faith, and his hymns reflect that. And so did Paul. After the apostle reminded Timothy that the Lord did stand by his side and gave him strength during his trial, he even displayed his confidence in what was to come, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” You can confidently make the same confession as Paul once did. And you can boldly sing the same words as Luther once wrote. Because the Lord is by your side; you are not on your own. The Lord will always be by your side; you will never be alone.
Amen.

“May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us.” - 1 Kings 8:57