Posted on by pastorkevinjud

The Devil is Powerless Against You

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

St. Michael and All Angels                
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 29, 2024
Daniel 10:10-14, 12:1-3, Revelation 123:7-12, Luke 10:17-20

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            What would it be like to be, right now, in the presence of God — with the angels and the archangels and all the company of heaven? As we read in Daniel 7:9–10 (ESV) 9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”  In God’s presence there are countless angels all around the throne of God. 

            If you ever had to go to court as the defendant, what kind of representation would you want?  Would you want a lawyer who believes you are totally guilty and who keeps telling the judge how guilty you are and if given the opportunity you will do worse? Because that is what it would be like to have that fallen angel, the devil, representing you before the throne of God.  In the Old Testament in Job and Zechariah we see the devil accusing God’s saints, Job and Joshua, the high priest.  The devil once had a place in the council of angels before the throne of God… and then everything changed. 

            2,000 years ago God the Son leaves heaven to take on human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.  God takes on flesh and the devil sees an opportunity to defeat the Son of God while He is a vulnerable human. 

            The book of Revelation is full of prophetic picture language, but we can clearly see the battle between light and darkness, good and evil, in Revelation 12:4–6 (ESV) 4 [The dragon’s] tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.”

            The woman is Mary — and the Church.  Satan uses Herod the Great to try to destroy the Christ child in Bethlehem, but Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee in the middle of the night to Egypt. After returning to Nazareth, Jesus grows to adulthood.  At age 30 He begins His ministry and fulfills His mission of being the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world in Jerusalem on that awful Friday we call Good. The devil uses the Jewish leaders, Jesus’ disciple Judas, Jewish crowds, and the Roman governor to carry out his evil plan to nail Jesus to the cross to die in utter humiliation.  As Jesus declares, “It is finished,” and breathes His last, the devil thinks He has won… but Jesus does not stay dead.  On Sunday morning His tomb is empty. Jesus descends to Hell to preach a victory sermon and He appears to His disciples and over 500 others.  Jesus is victorious over sin, over death and over the devil.  Forty days later Jesus ascends to heaven from the Mount of Olives and arrives at the throne of God.  The devil tried to get rid of the Christ and establish himself as the prince of angels, but he is defeated.  Jesus wins the right to represent fallen humanity and He is the one, Revelation 1:5 (ESV) 5 … who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood”

            In a war of words, Michael and his angels throw Satan and His angels out of heaven and down to earth.  Michael means, “Who is God?”  The answer is, “Jesus is God; the devil is not.”

            There is great joy in heaven at the devil’s eviction. Revelation 12:10–12 (ESV) 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” 

            There is a cosmic battle of good versus evil; light versus darkness.  The battle in heaven has been won and the evil one and all his angels have been thrown down.  The devil tries to destroy the church, but God’s Church is protected by the Lord.  The Church is built on the rock that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the gates of hell will not overcome Christ’s Church.  Who is God? Jesus is God. 

            The devil cannot destroy Jesus.  The devil cannot destroy the Church.  So the devil is going after you. Revelation 12:17 (ESV) 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus…”

You know the devil is a liar.  He wants to convince you that you can work off your sins, but you know, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 … by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  

The devil is furious and he is coming after you with his accusations and his lies.  The devil will hold up your evil deeds in front of you and declare that you are a sinner who deserves death and hell.  The devil will tell you that God cannot love you because of your sin, but you can work your way back into His favor by being good enough; that it is all up to you.  Also, the devil will try to convince you that sin is okay, everyone is doing it; you can decide for yourself what is sin and what isn’t.  The devil is clever and the devil is furious, but for a follower of Jesus, the devil is powerless.  For a Christian, the devil is like a 2-year-old having a temper tantrum; lots of bluster — amounting to nothing.  Because you know the truth.  You know that you are a sinner, you readily admit that. You get on your knees each week as we begin worship and confess you are a sinner who deserves death and hell thus rendering the devil’s accusation powerless. 

You know the devil is a liar.  He wants to convince you that you can work off your sins, but you know, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 … by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  

The devil wants you to embrace sin because sin does not matter, but you know sin is real, and sin is serious because the wages of sin is death, and that is why Jesus had to die for you.  The devil is a furious, powerless liar.  He only has power if you give him power.  You do not belong to the devil.  You belong to Jesus. 

We read in 1 John 2:1 (ESV) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

The devil wants to act like he has some control; like he has some influence; like he has some power.  But that is the great good news of our reading from Revelation today.  When Jesus ascended to heaven to be your advocate with God the Father, the devil was kicked out of heaven.  The devil cannot accuse you to God.  The devil has no access to God.  Jesus speaks to God the Father on your behalf.  Jesus is your advocate with the Father.  He is your defense attorney and He is the one who paid the penalty.  He also is the prosecutor and the judge.  There is no one in heaven to accuse you, because you are covered by the righteousness of Jesus.  He is the one who has washed you clean and presents you Ephesians 5:27 (ESV) 27 … in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that [you] might be holy and without blemish.”

            The devil tries to accuse you and lie to you, but he is just babbling nonsense.  Don’t listen to him.  Do not give him any power.  You don’t belong to the devil.  Like he did with Eve, the devil wants you to believe that you can be like God, but you cannot be like God.  Remember what the angel Michael’s name means.  “Who is God?”  God is God, and you His beloved creation.  You are the apple of His eye.  You belong to Jesus. 

Jesus has declared that your sins are forgiven and you are holy, innocent and blessed.  Jesus is at the right hand of God declaring this about you to God the Father.  The lying devil is powerless unless you give him power.  Stay alert for his lies.  Ignore his accusations.  You belong to Jesus.  Jesus’ angels defend you.  Let His holy angel be with you, that the evil foe may have no power over you. 

In Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress” there is a stanza about the devil that fits so well with our lesson today. 

3     Though devils all the world should fill,
    All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
    They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
    He can harm us none.
    He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.

            One little word.  “Liar!”  Amen

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

What were you discussing on the way?

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 18, 2024, Proper 20
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
September 22, 2024
Pastor Kevin Jud
Jeremiah 11:18-20, James 3:13-4:10, Mark 9:30-37

            The old saying is, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”  You want to win.  You want to be successful.  You want to overcome obstacles and accomplish your dreams.

We love rags to riches stories.  We love to hear about people, who, through hard work and perseverance, accomplish great things.  It is the American dream.  Work hard and achieve greatness.

            We compare ourselves to others in order to see how we are doing.  We keep score so we know we are keeping ahead of others.

            In school we keep score with grades, friends, trophies, clothes, electronics, and the number of likes on Instagram.  As we get older we keep score with houses and cars and paychecks.  Parents keep score by the progress of their children.  “My child learned to walk at 7 months.  He already has 8 teeth.”  Pastors keep score by the size of their congregations and the number of new members. 

            With whom do you compare yourself?  How do you keep score?  How do you know that you are doing better than others?

            Jesus is walking with his disciples coming back from the Mount of Transfiguration on their way to Capernaum.  Along the way Jesus drives out an unclean spirit from a boy after the disciples were unable to do it, and then they continue on their way. As they travel, Jesus teaches the disciples for the second time about what is going to happen to Him.  Mark 9:31-32 (ESV) 31 … “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

            The disciples are following this great teacher Jesus; He is wise, He is powerful, He can do miraculous things.  He is really going places.  The disciples are following Jesus right to the top.

            Jesus tells them what is going to happen, but they are confused.  This doesn’t sound like success.  Taken prisoner, killed, rise again.  Jesus is amazing and powerful and great; so, obviously, He must not know what He is talking about with this getting arrested and getting killed stuff.

            So the disciples ignore this second teaching about Jesus’ arrest, death and resurrection because they know better and they have more important things to worry about…like which of them is the greatest.

            How do you think the disciples keep score?  Maybe it’s who gets to sit next to Jesus at dinner? Maybe who gets to walk next to Jesus? Who gets to hold the money bag? Who Jesus talks with the most? Which of them is the greatest?

            Likely, in this conversation, Peter, James and John are arguing that “who is the greatest” is based on who got to go with Jesus up on the mountain of transfiguration.  The disciples are keeping score.  They want to know where they stand.  They are a lot like us.

            Jesus ignores their conversation as they walk along but after they arrive back at the house in Capernaum Jesus asks, “What were you discussing on the way?”

            The disciples are silent.  They realize their conversation was selfish and self-centered and they are worried that Jesus may have heard them.  They think they understand Jesus, but they do not yet really understand.  Like Adam and Eve hiding from God, the disciples think they can do things and say things without Jesus knowing.

            Jesus sits down and calls the silent twelve to Himself and says, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  Wait…what? That does not sound right.  To be first you have to be last? To be first you have to be servant of all?  What is that about?  The disciples must be thinking, “Uh… Jesus.  Uh… we are here because we want to be near your power and greatness because we want power and greatness; so what is all this servant talk?”

            Jesus’ teaching is all backwards.  It is all backwards for the disciples and it is all backwards for you and me.  We want to be great.  We want success.  We want to be winners.  We want to be number one.  But Jesus says that to be first you must be last.  To be number one, you must become servant of all.  Jesus then takes a little child and puts the child in the center of the group and hugs the child.  “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

            Now, at Jesus’ time children have no status. They are helpless, dirty little tots who have no value until they are old enough to do some work, and due to lack of good medical care, half of them won’t even live to see adulthood. Children are fragile, whiny, and needy, and yet Jesus is saying that we are to receive the children in His name.

            The disciples must think, “Children are not great, they have not achieved anything.  We are so much more important than some stupid child…oh…that is the point Jesus is making…we are not more important than a child.”  The disciples are not more important.  You are not more important.  You are a humble servant.  You are a humble servant because the Lord is a humble servant.  Jesus serves you.  Jesus purchased and won you from sin, death and the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. 

In the cleansing waters of baptism Jesus sets you apart from the world and calls you to be a servant of all, and as you keep reading the Gospel you see Jesus live this out by being servant of all as He goes to the cross to die for you…to die for the whole world.

By nature you want to succeed.  You want more than others.  You want to be better than others.  You want it to be about me, me, me.  Jesus calls you to give up on greatness and humbly follow Him.

Against your nature you are called to be a servant.  You want to be great.  You want to know you where you stand with others.  Like so many of us, the disciples argue about who is the greatest.

            In our Epistle reading from James we see this very thing warned against. (James 4:1-7 ESV) 1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

            By nature you want to succeed.  You want more than others.  You want to be better than others.  You want it to be about me, me, me.  Jesus calls you to give up on greatness and humbly follow Him.

            You have been marked by the cross of Christ.  You have been baptized into Christ.  You belong to Jesus.  You don’t have to do anything to make yourself great because you have been given the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven.  You are destined to live forever in the presence of the Lamb of God basking in His light in the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem.

            Jesus promises that one day you will live in His presence forever, but for now, you live here on earth in love and service for one another.  You support each other.  You work hard in service to your family; to your brothers and sisters in Christ, to your neighbor.  You work hard — not to achieve greatness, but in service to others.  You give of your time for others.  You give your money for others.  You give your life for others.  You are called to be a servant to all because you are already a child of God. 

            Success, greatness, and winning, these things are important to the world, but they are not important to God. 

            Many churches have become quite large and many pastors have become quite wealthy by preaching about how to achieve success and greatness in the world; which is exactly what peoples’ itching ears want to hear.  But this is not Jesus’ teaching.  This is the world’s teaching. 

            You are right now in the Kingdom of Heaven because the work of salvation has already been done for you by Jesus.  As a follower of Jesus, you live and work in humble service.  “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  Amen.

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

I believe, Help my Unbelief

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 17, 2024 Proper 19
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 15, 2024
Isaiah 50:4-10, James 3:1-12, Mark 9:14-29

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            What is a disciple?  What is an apostle?  What do these terms mean?  In the Gospel of Mark the terms are pretty clear.  Disciple means follower.  Apostle means sent one.  The word “disciple” is used 42 times in the Gospel of Mark; the word “apostle” is only used twice.  The first in Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) 14 And [Jesus] appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.”

            In the beginning of Mark 6 we read,  Mark 6:7 (ESV) 7 And [Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.”  They return at the end of Mark 6.  Mark 6:30 (ESV) 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.”

            The apostles were sent by Jesus with authority over unclean spirits and they returned and reported to Jesus.  They were sent on a mission and then the mission was finished. 

            Later, in Mark chapter 8 Jesus tells the disciples what is going to happen to Him, Mark 8:31 (ESV) 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”  This appears to be a big change in Jesus’ mission and the disciples are greatly troubled. 

            Six days later Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and He is transfigured before them and Elijah and Moses appear with Him and they are overshadowed by a cloud and the voice of God says, Mark 9:7 (ESV) 7 …“This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 

            While Jesus and the three disciples are up on a high mountain, what are the other nine up to?  As Jesus, Peter, James and John are coming down the mountain they see a large crowd gathered around the disciples and the scribes who are arguing.  Coming down the mountain to this scene of chaos conjures up memory of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai with the 10 Commandments and hearing the chaotic sound of the gathered crowd worshiping the golden calf they built. 

            Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples arguing with the scribes and a whole crowd of people is gathered around.  What is going on?  It turns out that the disciples have been trying to drive an unclean spirit out of a boy but are unable to do it.  Perhaps the disciples are remembering all that they had done when Jesus gave them authority and sent them to drive out unclean spirits.  Maybe they are thinking that doing this in front of a crowd and the scribes will really show everyone the disciples’ power.  It will show everyone the disciples’ greatness.  But what happens?  Nothing happens.  The disciples are unable to drive out the unclean spirit.  This must cause incredible delight for the scribes who are looking to discredit Jesus and His followers.  Jesus has told the disciples that He will be rejected by the scribes.  You can almost hear their taunting, “What’s wrong?!  Is the demon too strong for you?  You work for the devil; you’d think he would cooperate. We knew it.  You all are just a bunch of phonies.”  Maybe they start to stir up the crowd to denounce the disciples or even attack them.  It appears that the disciples and the scribes are battling about who is the greatest? Who is the best?  They are caring not so much about God but, rather, about themselves. 

            There is great temptation to make being a Christian be all about yourself and who you are and what you do.  It can be all about how good you are, how dedicated you are at prayer, how much you read the Bible, how often you attend church, how much you serve, how much you give.  You tell yourself, “I may not be perfect, but I am doing a lot better than that other guy. I have my little pet sins, but I am not like those really bad people.”  It is a great temptation to make Christianity all about you.  But then it would not be Christianity it would be Youianity. Youianity.  The religion all about you. 

            Being a follower…being a disciple of Jesus is all about Jesus.  And yet we see here the disciples trying to show off their power; trying to demonstrate their greatness.  They currently do not have the authority to drive out unclean spirits, but they are going to try to do it anyway.

            Now the father of this boy possessed by an unclean spirit just wants his boy to be better.  He’s heard about Jesus and came to his disciples, but the disciples could not drive out the demon and now he and his boy have become the center of an argument between the scribes and Jesus’ disciples.  The disciples and the scribes are going at as to who is better, all the while the boy is still possessed by an unclean spirit.  There is a lot of noise and confusion and anger and it is helping no one.  The father is losing hope.

            Jesus arrives and the father explains what is happening and how he asked the disciples to cast it out and they were not able.  Mark 9:19-20 (ESV) 19 And [Jesus] answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”  20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.”  The father tells Jesus that this has been going on since childhood and the spirit has cast the boy into fire and into water trying to destroy him.  The hopeless father begs Jesus, Mark 9:22 (ESV) 22 …But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  The father has experienced nothing but failure with freeing his son from this evil spirit and he wants to believe that Jesus can help, but he is not too sure.

            Mark 9:23-24 (ESV) 23 And Jesus [says] to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”  24 Immediately the father of the child [cries] out and [says], “I believe; help my unbelief!” 

            The father has heard what Jesus can do.  He wants to believe it is true.  He believes Jesus can help, but then he still has doubts.  And yet we see here that he is oriented in the right direction.  He is not seeking additional strength from within — he is asking Jesus for help. “I believe, help my unbelief.”

            This is a wonderful short prayer that you can use over and over in your struggles.  “I believe, help my unbelief.”  The simple prayer of this father can also be paired with the simple prayer of the thief on the cross.  “Luke 23:42 (ESV) 42 … “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  “I believe, help my unbelief.”  Both of these short prayers orient you to receive from Jesus rather than trying to find comfort in yourself. 

 When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus.  What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus

            It seems that the crowd watching the argument between the disciples and the scribes now notice that the boy and his father are over a ways talking with Jesus and the crowd comes running towards them.  Jesus immediately rebukes the unclean spirit, Mark 9:25 (ESV) 25 … “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”  The demon comes out of the boy and it appears the boy is dead, but Jesus takes him by the hand and lifts him up and he is fine.

            Later, Mark 9:28–29 (ESV) 28 …when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” 

            This is a puzzling declaration.  What does Jesus mean?  Well, prayer directs the disciples away from themselves.  Prayer forces the disciples to quit looking at themselves and instead look to Jesus.  Prayer shows it is not about the disciples being powerful or great.  Prayer orients you, in faith, away from yourself and toward Jesus.  Christianity does not bring you power and greatness…power and greatness is from Jesus. 

            When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus.  What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus.  By nature, you are drawn to be curved in on yourself; to be most concerned about your emotions, your feelings, your ideas, your desires.  Jesus calls you away from yourself to live in love for God and love for your neighbor.  Being a follower of Jesus is not at all about being powerful and great, it is about following Jesus.

            This lesson is valuable for all of us, but it is very important for the guy up front wearing the white robe and green stole who is called to teach and preach.  As we learn from our epistle lesson, James 3:1 (ESV) 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”  Along with Jesus’ first disciples, pastors and teachers need great humility and constant prayer to remember that all that we teach and preach is from Jesus — and about Jesus.  It is about Jesus and not about me.  It is not about you.  It is about Jesus for you.

            And so…as a disciple of Jesus…follow Jesus.  And when you struggle…pray…“I believe, help my unbelief.”  Amen.

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

Faith or Works?

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 16 2024, Proper 18
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 8, 2024
Isaiah 35:4-7a, James 2:1-10, 14-18, Mark 7:31-37

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            What do you need to do to be saved?  Does your salvation come from faith in Christ or come from good works, or some combination. 

            In Ephesians chapter 2 we read, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  You are saved by grace through faith.  Not as a result of works. 

            But then today, in our reading from James, we learn, James 2:17 (ESV) 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  This then seems to beg the question; do you somehow earn salvation by doing good works?

            Earning salvation by works is the default sense we have by nature, and virtually all world religions follow the idea that you merit redemption by doing something.

            In Islamic teaching salvation comes from obeying Allah’s law and carrying out the five pillars of Islam, which are doable.  You declare Allah is God and Mohammed is his prophet.  You pray five times a day.  You give to the poor.  You fast during Ramadan.  And, you make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime.  For a Muslim, they think they know what they need to do to be saved.  They have been given a list.

            When you make up a religion it generally comes with a list of things to do to please the god figure. 

            Hinduism: Salvation is achieved by purifying oneself from evil in each life.    Sikhism: Salvation is achieved by performing proper worship and conduct.  Confucianism: Salvation is achieved by conforming to the rules of society on earth.    Buddhism: Salvation is achieved through the path of wisdom or the path of compassion. Unitarianism and Wicca: Salvation is a non-issue because the sin nature doesn’t exist, and the afterlife is whatever you want it to be. 

            What do you need to do to be saved?  Folks just want a list so they can get to work saving themselves.

            Christianity is the only major religion that teaches that salvation is a gift from God.  It is not something you earn.  It is not by works, so no one can boast.  But… faith without works is dead.

            You are not saved by good works, but good works are necessary for the Christian.  Works do not save you and works are necessary.  This can be confusing.  I think one question can help clarify things.

            Why do you do good works?  Why do take care of your children?  Why do you help your neighbor?  Why do you serve on a board at church?  Why do you work hard at whatever you have been given to do even when no one is watching? Why do you give an offering to Immanuel?

            Why do you give money to Immanuel?  Let’s look at that for a moment.  What is your motivation for making an offering to church?  Is it the price of admission?  Are you trying to pay off God so He will forget your sins?  Are you trying to buy salvation?  Are you trying show off to others?  No. No. No and no.  That is not why you give.  You give… in response… to what God has done for you. 

            We learn about giving from Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV) 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

            You give in cheerful response to what God has done for you in Jesus Christ.  I like to think that you should give until it hurts and then give a little more until it feels good. 

You do all good works in cheerful response to what God has done for you in Jesus Christ.  Good works are a natural result of faith in Christ.  Jesus does all the work of salvation and forgiveness on the cross and at the empty tomb, and delivers these gifts to you in three ways; in the waters of Holy Baptism, in Holy Communion, and in the Word of God, most clearly in the words of absolution.  Through His three means of grace, Jesus delivers you from the domain of darkness and gives you His light.  So, as a redeemed child of God, we learn in, Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

            You are the light of the world because of what Christ has done for you.  You shine this light in service to others because you have been made light in Christ.  If you are light you will shine. 

Now good works can be quite ordinary as you serve your neighbor at home, at school, at work, at church, in the community.  Cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, driving, doing your job, doing your homework, setting the table, clearing the dishes, taking out the trash, unloading the dishwasher.  Good works are often quite ordinary.  Good works also can be extraordinary as you go above and beyond in service when the need arises, such as adopting a child, taking in a family member, providing ongoing assistance to someone in need, caring for someone who is ailing.  Generally there are no trophies or awards for your good works.  If all goes well, people see your good works and give glory to God.  And so you let your light shine.  The light you receive from Jesus. 

            Faith without works is like a dark light bulb… it does not shine.  There are people who claim to have faith in Jesus, but they embrace the darkness; they embrace sin, they are purposely and repeatedly sinning without remorse; without repentance. 

            If a married man is having an affair he is not light in the world.  He is darkness.  He can claim to have faith in Jesus, but faith without works is dead.  It is darkness.  There are so, so many who claim to have faith in Jesus but do not follow Jesus.  They may honor Jesus with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. 

Good works come from you being who you are in Christ. You are the light of the world in all that you have been given to do.  In all you do, you bring the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 …love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  And so, in all you do, you bring light and push back the darkness.

            Faith produces good works.  You cannot claim to have faith but not have the good works of the light.  You do good works because you are the light of the world.  And it is not an easy thing to be the light of the world.  As a follower of Jesus you are in an ongoing struggle against the natural sin that flows from your sinful nature, encouraged by the world around you, and the devil himself.  As the light of the world, you struggle against the darkness that surrounds you. And when you fail in your struggle and give in to the darkness, you stop…you repent… you turn away from the darkness… you receive forgiveness from Jesus and continue to let your light shine. To be a follower of Jesus is to know that you cannot earn your forgiveness, you cannot be good enough.  Even if you could be good enough, that is not good enough as we learn in Luke 17:10 (ESV) 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”  To follow Jesus is to know you are poor in spirit and Jesus has made you a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

            Good works come from you being who you are in Christ. You are the light of the world in all that you have been given to do.  In all you do, you bring the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 …love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  And so, in all you do, you bring light and push back the darkness.

            Famously we read in, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Works do not save you.  But here in Ephesians there is the full truth, so let’s keep reading Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Works do not save, but being saved causes you to do good works. 

            You are a redeemed child of God.  You are forgiven by the blood of Jesus.  You are the light of the world.  Let your light shine in all that you do.  Amen. 

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

Wash your hands

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 15 2024, Proper 17
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 1, 2024
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9, Ephesians 6:10-20, Mark 7:14-23

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Wash your hands.  This was a major tactic in our battle against the COVID virus a few years ago. Just wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.  And for those for whom this whole handwashing thing was new, instructions were posted in public bathrooms.  Many of those signs are still up teaching you how to wash your hands. 

            In our Gospel reading last week the Pharisees were very concerned that Jesus’ disciples did not wash their hands before eating and therefore they were defiled.  Now, in Exodus 30, God commands priests to wash their hands and feet before they enter the tent of meeting or offer a sacrifice, but it seems the Pharisees had taken this command for the priests and taught that everyone should ceremonially wash their hands before eating.  Washing your hands before eating is generally a good idea, but not the way the Pharisees did it.  According to one scholar, the Pharisees would just ceremonially pour some water over their closed fist and then they were considered clean.  They did not use soap, they did not scrub for 20 seconds but they declared they were clean and Jesus’ disciples were defiled.

            Jesus condemns the Pharisees, Mark 7:6–8 (ESV) 6 …“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 

            Jesus then calls the people to Himself to teach them truth.  Mark 7:14–15 (ESV) 14 …“Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

            This is radical new truth.  Old Testament food laws came from God in Leviticus 11 and now God in flesh is undoing them.  Jesus is not only ridiculing the Pharisees’ made up traditions, He is undoing the law of God — and He has the authority to do it.  And in case the disciples were confused, later, with just them in the house, Jesus explains further, Mark 7:18–19 (ESV) 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)”

            Jesus declares you are not defiled by not washing your hands, and you are not defiled by eating unclean foods.  This seems like very good news, but then Jesus keeps teaching. Mark 7:20–23 (ESV) 20 And he [says], “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

            Folks who want to ignore Biblical teachings about sexual immorality of many kinds will point to Old Testament texts forbidding sexual sins, and Old Testament texts regarding food laws, and declare that since we now eat bacon, therefore Old Testament sexual prohibitions are also undone.  But we clearly see here that Jesus is undoing food restrictions, and teaching that sexual immorality and adultery still defile you. 

            So, it does not matter how much you wash your hands. It does not matter what kind of food you eat.  You are unclean because you are by nature sinful and unclean.  This is not a dirty hands problem, this is not an unclean food problem, this is a filthy heart problem.  Jesus teaches with hyperbole that if your hand causes you to sin cut if off, if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out, but this is a heart problem. This is a deeper problem.  You cannot cut off your heart.  You cannot pluck it out.

            You have a spiritually fatal heart defect and you cannot fix it. So, with sinful King David in Psalm 51, you cry out to God, “Psalm 51:10 (ESV) 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  You need a clean heart, and Jesus gives you a clean heart by cleansing you with His blood in the waters of Holy Baptism.  In baptism you get a new, clean heart.  His washing is not a superficial, ceremonial, splash of water.  His washing is a washing to your core to redeem you from your natural sinfulness. This is a cause for great joy. You cry out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” and God creates in you a clean heart.  Praise the Lord.  You are a pure, holy, saint of God. 

Jesus has declared you to be a saint even while you still struggle with sinful desires.  You are, right now, a saint because Jesus has forgiven your sins and if Jesus forgives your sins, they are forgiven.  At the same time, as you confessed a few minutes ago, you are…by nature…sinful and unclean.  You are at the same time a saint and a sinner — and this does not make such good sense.  How can Jesus declare you to be clean when you still struggle with sin?  This is confusing.  In baptism you are set apart from the multitude of unbelievers in the Holy Ark of the Christian Church, but you still live in this world that celebrates sin; a world that encourages sexual immorality and evil; a world that encourages you to embrace your sinful desires and even take pride in them.  This can be very confusing.  And you know who wants to exploit this confusion?  The Prince of Darkness.  The devil himself. 

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

The devil is targeting you. The multitude of unbelievers who go with the flow trying to fit into the world and embrace their sinful desires are of no concern for the devil.  He already has them.  You are the devil’s objective. 

The devil knows you are a baptized child of God.  He knows your sins have been forgiven.  He knows you have been washed clean in the blood of Jesus.  He knows that you have been given a clean heart and you have the Holy Spirit in you.  He knows all of this and it makes him angry.  We read in Revelation 12 about the devil’s goal since he could not destroy Jesus or His Church.  Revelation 12:17 (ESV) 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus….”

The devil is at war with you.  What do you do?  You receive battle instructions in our Epistle reading today.  Ephesians 6:10–11 (ESV) 10 … be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” 

            As a follower of Jesus the devil is at war with you, but the great good news is that you do not fight the devil alone.  You do not fight unprotected or unarmed.  You have the armor of God.  You have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  You have the Holy Spirit and you pray in the Spirit.

Do not look to yourself and your own strength.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust His promise to you in baptism.  Trust that when He forgives your sins, they are forgiven.

            In Christ you stand strong against the devil and his lies.  Wearing the armor of God you stand firm and you endure the attacks.  The devil wants you to forget that you have been cleansed by Jesus.  He wants you forget about your clean heart and your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit.  He wants you to give up on Jesus’ forgiveness and become self-righteous; believing you can solve your sin problem all by yourself by your own actions.  Or, if self-righteousness does not work, he wants you to despair — to quit trying.  The devil wants you to just give up on struggling with temptations and instead just embrace your sinful desires, live in them and celebrate sin.  So, remain on guard against the devil’s lies. 

You are a natural born sinner living in a world of sin with the prince of darkness trying to bring you back into the darkness.  Be always aware of your situation.  1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV)  8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”  Stand firm in the armor of God.  You have victory.  The battle rages on, but you are already victorious in Jesus. 

            Do not look to yourself and your own strength.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust His promise to you in baptism.  Trust that when He forgives your sins, they are forgiven.  Know that He feeds you with His very body and blood to strengthen and preserve you to eternal life.  Know you have victory over the devil, the world and your own sinful nature because Jesus gives you the victory. 

So wash your hands because it is a good idea and mama said to do it.  But as you do, always remember, in Christ you are clean. Amen. 

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

A Picture of Christ and the Church

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 14 2024, Proper 16B
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
August 25, 2024
Isaiah 29:11-19, Ephesians 5:22-33, Mark 7:1-13

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Jesus is the Word.  The Logos.  The understanding.  John 1:1–3 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

            God is eternal.  He has no beginning and He will have no end.  God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit has always been. In the beginning, the Word, Jesus, was with God the Father, and then, 2,000 years ago in the small town of Nazareth, at the announcement of the Angel Gabriel, Jesus comes down from heaven and takes on human flesh in the womb of a virgin named Mary.  God the Son humbles himself to become man.  Paul writes about this in Philippians, encouraging humility.  Philippians 2:3–8 (ESV) 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

            Jesus submits to His Father’s will.  He subordinates Himself to God the Father.  In the Garden of Gethsemane He prays, Luke 22:42 (ESV) 42 … “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 

            Jesus leaves His throne in heaven to take on human flesh in order to save His people from their sins.  He humbles Himself even to death on the cross to redeem His Church. 

            Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV) 25 … Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”  Christ gives everything to save the Church and the Church’s main function in her relationship to Jesus is faith; faith that gives up on trying to save itself and instead gives itself into Jesus’ salvation.  The Church subordinates itself to Christ.  Christ is the head of the Church.  Christ is the servant leader of the Church. 

            Paul teaches that marriage is a living picture of Christ and the Church but this can be so misunderstood.  Ephesians 5:22–24 (ESV) 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” 

            When wives hear this verse it can be irritating and they can get ready to argue that they are just as smart and capable as their husbands. But to submit; to subordinate yourself to another is not to say the other person is more valuable or intelligent or capable.  This is not about boys being better than girls, or girls being better than boys. This is not about competition, it is about community.  Jesus subordinates to the Father, but He is not less than the Father.  So, what is Paul trying to teach here? 

            We need to keep reading because if Paul is describing the organizational chart for a business-type relationship he might continue with, “Husbands, rule well over your wives.  Husbands prudently command your wives.  Husbands wisely manage your wives.”  But that is not what he says.  What is Paul’s instruction to husbands?  Husbands, love your wives.  And how should husbands love their wives?  Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.  The husband is the head; he is the leader, but he is a servant leader.  His role is to sacrifice himself for his wife and his children just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church.  The husband is willing to risk his life to provide for his wife and children.  The husband is ready to die to protect his wife and children.  When a man and woman get married they each leave behind life as an individual and begin life together in a new community — dependent on each other.  Just as Jesus left His Father to cleave to the Church…Ephesians 5:31 (ESV)  31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 

            The Christian wife places herself into her husband’s care as the Church is in Christ’s care.  The Christian husband loves his wife as Christ loves the Church.  At first glance it may seem like the woman is getting the worse end of this arrangement, subordinating herself, but she is the one receiving love and service from her husband.  She is getting a servant leader to meet her needs, to love and cherish her, to support her and comfort her; to love her as he loves himself.  Ephesians 5:28–29 (ESV) 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church…”  A wife’s calling is at least somewhat doable.  Husbands are to love like Christ.  That’s all we have to do guys.  Just love like Jesus.  Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church and each day we struggle to live out our callings.  

            The predominant culture of our time does not understand the Christian marriage of a man and a woman.  Our society insists on promoting radical individualism above everything else.  Individual freedom is promoted as the greatest freedom so that the idea of a man and a woman getting married and having children is considered to be very weird.  The new normal is to worship yourself and indulge your every desire in their post-Christian, infertility cult of death which views children as an unneeded burden to be avoided, or eliminated.  Society today rejects community in favor of radical individualism and finds itself very alone and very lonely.

            As a follower of Jesus, you are not called to live out life as an individual.  You are called to live in community; community in the Church.  Community in your family.  God-willing…community in marriage, with children. 

            Paul’s approach to marriage was counter cultural when he wrote this letter 2,000 years ago.  At that time husbands sternly ruled over their wives, and Paul is not teaching a relationship of ruling or commanding or managing, but instead a relationship of the husband being a loving, servant leader and the wife joyfully living under her husband’s care.  This is still countercultural today, especially for those who believe in radical individualism; those who refuse to subordinate themselves to anyone — not parents, not teachers, not bosses, not husband.  And it is also counter cultural for men who believe that they should be the stern ruler of their wives modeled after a boss/employee, coach/player or drill sergeant/soldier relationship. 

            And so Paul’s teaching about marriage can be confusing because in this life we so often look at relationships with a view to power and control.  But that is not the way relationships work in the Church and that is not how marriage works. This is why Church politics can be so strange and difficult because politics is about power and control and the Church is about love and service.  The same with marriage.  Marriage is not about power and control.  Marriage is about love and service.  Marriage is not about individuality.  Marriage is about community. 

            As a natural born sinful individualist, this is a difficult teaching.  Jesus has called you out of the darkness and transferred you to the Kingdom of Heaven. As a redeemed child of God you are to submit joyfully to those God has given to care for you; parents, employers, the government, husbands.  Thomas Winger, the president of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario writes about those who are to be caregivers, “And Paul invites those to whom God has committed headship to receive it with both joy and humility, with the spirit of self-sacrifice, recognizing that it is not given on the basis of merit nor for the sake of domination, but that the head might be an instrument of blessing.”[1]  Christ’s headship of the Church brings blessings to the Church.  A husband’s headship of his family brings blessings to his family.  For this, wives respect their husbands and the sacrifices they make to bring those blessings.

            So, while, at first glance, it may seems that this is a harsh teaching for wives, I believe most women really do want a loving, servant-leader husband to protect her and care for her and who is there for her when times are tough to hold her tight and tell her, “We are going to get through this…together,” and to every day tell her, “I love you.” 

Marriage is not about power and control.  It is not a competition.  It is a Christian community established by God.  It is a picture of Christ and His Church.  Amen. 

[1] Thomas M. Winger, Ephesians, CPH, pg. 642

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

Idolatry or Christ?

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 12, 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
August 11, 2024
1 Kings 19:1-8, Ephesians 4:17-5:2, John 6:35-51

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Idolatry or Christ? 

            The children of Israel in the Northern Kingdom at the time of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel have a big problem.  They have given up on worshiping YHWH, the true God, and instead are worshiping the local gods Baal and Asherah, fertility gods with sexual perversion as part of their worship. 

            The prophet Elijah summons 450 prophets of Baal to Mt. Carmel where there is a showdown between YHWH and Baal and YHWH wins. Israel needs a clean break from idolatry.  After Baal’s defeat, 1 Kings 18:40 (ESV) 40 …Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.”

            Idolatry or Christ?  Elijah makes a clean break from idolatry by slaughtering the prophets of Baal.  He is clearly on the side of YHWH.  Elijah is forced to flee the wrath of Queen Jezebel.  Rejecting idolatry can have it costs.   

            You were born into a perverse and idolatrous world. What Paul says in Ephesians about the people of the world is still true today. They walk… Ephesians 4:17–19 (ESV) 17 … in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.  Idolatry or Christ? 

            You have made a clean break from this world.  In the waters of baptism God stripped away from you the filthy garments of your old sinful self and has given you the robe of Jesus’ righteousness made white in the blood of the Lamb of God.  He has delivered [you] from the domain of darkness and transferred [you] to the kingdom of his beloved Son.  In baptism, the Old Adam in you, the old sinful self, is drowned and dies.  You are given a clean break from idolatry.  You are in Christ.  As a baptized child of God you are kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving God’s name at all time with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope. 

            Idolatry or Christ?  You have made a clean break from life in the world.  You have made a clean break from the devil; the god of this world. As the community of Christ, at a baptism we renounce the devil, and all of his works, and all of his ways.  We disown the devil.  We give up life in his world to live life in the kingdom of God.  Life in the kingdom of God is life lived, in community, with the people of Christ. It is life lived in the Church of Christ.  It is life lived together in Christ. 

            What does life in the Kingdom of God look like? 

            In the Kingdom of God you are… Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Put off your old self.  Put on the new self.

            In our Epistle reading Paul teaches about life together as the Church.  As followers of Jesus, set apart from the multitude of unbelievers, how should you live together knowing that the devil desperately wants to tear you apart through disputes and anger and bitterness and sin.  How should you live together?  Ephesians 4:25 (ESV) 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”   You all belong to one another, so speak the truth in love.  Pastors must teach the truth of God and not let the lies of the world creep into the teaching of the church as so many pastors are doing.  Megan Basham’s has a new book entitled, “Shepherds For Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded The Truth for a Leftist Agenda.”  In this book it is reported that influential leaders in evangelical churches have been paid off by far left influencers to stop teaching the truth of God’s word and instead adapt their teaching to be compatible with the ways of the cultural elites.  This is a well-organized, well-funded movement in order to influence the political voting of the members of their churches. 

Idolatry or Christ?  Speak the truth. 

            Ephesians 4:26–27 (ESV) 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.”  This is an interesting verse.  It is actually a quote from Psalm 4:4 (ESV) 4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”

            The danger of this verse is I think it can lead us to believe that it is okay to get angry, at least to a certain extent, and we use this verse to justify our anger.  However, the word “angry” in Psalm 4 can be translated “be agitated,” or even “tremble.” You can feel agitation and trembling when you are getting angry. As a situation grows more stressful you can feel the anxiety building, and you can begin to physically shake; maybe just your hands… maybe your whole body.  Your temper is building and getting ready to blow.  What are the triggers for you losing your temper?  Some of my triggers for feeling like this are automated customer service help lines where you dial a number and answer a bunch of questions by voice and push a bunch of buttons and then it puts you back to the beginning and you have to start over and it will not let you speak to a real person.  Or when the copier won’t work, or the computer is not cooperating.  I am doing exactly what I have done before, but this time it is not working.  Or trying to login to a website and it keeps rejecting the password I know is correct and my anger rises.  Another time I get agitated is when I am eating out and have finished the meal and ready to head home and the waitress disappears.  I just want to get the check and go but they have me trapped.  This agitates me.  It can make me tremble.  Jeannette surely has many more examples. 

Be agitated, and do not sin.  Anger is a problem for children, teenagers, adults, seniors.  We all struggle with anger, some more than others.  As a child of God, control your anger… because when you lose your temper you sin.  You do things and say things that you need to repent of.  Losing your temper can permanently break relationships.  You hurt others.  The devil loves to get you angry.  Don’t give the devil a foothold.  Take a break. Call a timeout.  Go for a walk.  Take some deep breaths.  Regain control over yourself.  Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

            Anger is dangerous in marriages, in families, and in congregations.  Anger gives the devil a foothold to take over your life and pull you away from Christ into idolatry.  The devil wants nothing more than for church members to get angry with each other.  An angry church member or an angry pastor can do great harm to the Body of Christ.  Anger is not a Christian virtue and yet so many Christians are angry.  Control your emotions.  Rejoice in the Lord.  Rejoice in your salvation.  Be on guard and do not let the sun go down on your anger.  Repent of your anger.  Before you go to bed, reach out to the one you are angry with and make amends. Apologize for losing your temper. Apologize for your anger.  Ephesians 4:26–27 (ESV) 26 Be [agitated] and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.” 

            Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Repent of your wrongdoing and do good. Not just for yourself, but so that you can help others.

            Ephesians 4:29–30 (ESV) 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  You are a baptized child of God. You are redeemed.  You have the gift of eternal life.  Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit.  Live out your Spirit-filled identity in Christ.  Does Christ tear others down?  Does He talk trash about others?  Does Jesus tell dirty jokes?  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. You are a new creation in Christ filled with the Holy Spirit.  Live out your life in Christ. 

            It is a daily struggle, as a vessel of the Holy Spirit, to live out your identity.  Ephesians 4:31 (ESV) 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

            Forgiveness is key to life in Christ as a temple of the Holy Spirit.  When someone wrongs you, you have the right to get even.  You have the right to take revenge.  God has the right to punish you for your sins.  You are a sinner.  The wages of sin is death.  You deserve death and hell.  God has a right to punish you but He gives up that right. Jesus is punished instead and you are forgiven.  Forgive one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

            After our reading today Paul goes on to warn about sexual immorality and covetousness and filthy talk.  These are the ways of the world.  But you are no longer of the world.

            Idolatry or Christ?  You have renounced the devil.  In baptism you have been set apart from the multitude of unbelievers. You belong to Jesus.  You are a community in Christ.  You are the body of Christ.  Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV) 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 

            Walk in love because you are in Christ.  Amen

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

Bread

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 11 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
August 4, 2024
Exodus 16:2-15, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:22-35

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                        bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:   bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Bread is easy.  Bread is abundant.  I can go to Aldi and buy a loaf of white bread for $1.35.  And they won’t limit me to just one loaf, I can buy a dozen.  For a little more money I can buy Italian bread, French bread, Indian bread, Pita bread, wheat bread, sprouted bread, sour dough bread. Bread is easy.  Bread is abundant and for this we can thank our hard working farmers and their amazing machines and chemicals and techniques that produce incredible quantities of wheat.

So, getting bread occupies very little of my time and effort.  I don’t think about it really.  Bread is easy.

            But rewind history 2,000 years and we see that in Jesus’ time bread was a big deal.  There were no pesticides, limited fertilizers, no tractors, no $500,000 combines to harvest and thresh the grain all at once. In Jesus’ time getting bread was back-breaking work.  Sowing seed, hoeing weeds, praying for rain and then waiting for harvest time.  Then the hard part starts.  Cut the grain with a sickle, bundle it, carry it to the threshing floor where oxen would walk on the harvest to break it down.  And then to separate the wheat from the husks and stalks they tossed it in the air with a winnowing fork to get the wind to blow away the chaff.  Then they gathered the grains to be sifted.  The sifted wheat is then ground into flour between two heavy millstones.  Then you could start making bread.   

            In Jesus’ time bread was difficult.  People had to work hard and long to get bread. 

            Rewind another 1500 years back to the time of Moses and the Exodus.  The children of Israel have been freed from slavery to the Egyptians and are in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.  They have eaten the Passover lambs whose blood was painted over their doors to protect them from God’s plague of the death of the first born. 

            Now, the children of Israel are in the wilderness and they are free, but they are hungry.  And as difficult as the struggle is for bread when you are living in one area and able to farm, the struggle for bread when you are a moving band of migrants is pretty much impossible.

            The people are free, but they are hungry, and the hunger overcomes the freedom.  We can understand this.  Hunger is a real motivator.  When you are hungry it is hard to think of anything else.  The children of Israel are hungry and they cry out to Moses that they would rather have died in Egypt as slaves, where they had enough to eat, rather than die of hunger in the wilderness. 

            So then God provides for the children of Israel in the wilderness.  He rains down bread from heaven for the people.  God provides enough manna for each day.

            Bread is a big deal.  In Jesus’ time, just prior to our Gospel reading, Jesus feeds 5,000 men, plus women and children in the wilderness.  For these people who live in a constant struggle to get food, Jesus miraculously supplies food.  This is amazing.  Jesus multiplies five loaves into an abundance of bread; like manna from heaven. 

            The Lord supplies the Israelites with the bread that they need in wilderness of Sinai, and the Lord supplies the crowds with the bread that they need in the wilderness by the Sea of Galilee.  The Lord, out of His mercy, does this to meet the people’s needs, and to show that He is the Lord Almighty.  It is a sign from God.  Jesus feeds the 5,000 as a sign that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and yet so many of the people who eat the bread see it only as a sign that Jesus is a bread machine. 

            In our Gospel reading from John the crowds are following Jesus, but Jesus knows why they seek after Him.  The crowds are not looking for God in Flesh or the Savior of the World.  The crowds are not looking for the King of the Jews; they are looking for a bread king. They are looking for someone to satisfy their physical hunger.  And Jesus does satisfy their hunger, but it is a sign of what more He can do.

            Jesus tells them, John 6:27 (ESV) 27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

            The children of Israel are distracted by their physical hunger and unable to see the mighty things God is doing for them in delivering them from slavery in Egypt.  Their greatest hunger; their greatest need, is for the Lord’s salvation.  They eat the flesh of the sacrificial Passover lamb and are saved by the mark of the blood, they cross the Red Sea on dry ground, but then they forget what God is doing.  God feeds them in the wilderness with bread from heaven but then they grow weary of what God is doing for them.  They grow weary of God’s salvation.  They don’t like the way God is saving them.  It is slow and boring.  They eat the manna from heaven but then lose sight of their total dependence on God and that the manna is a sign of God’s continuing love pointing them forward to the true Bread of Life, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

Jesus is declared to be the Lamb of God at His baptism in the Jordan.  Jesus’ blood marks the cross to save you from your sins.  Jesus provides bread for the multitude, and Jesus also is Himself the Bread of Life.  Jesus feeds you with the Bread of His Word and the Bread of His own flesh.  You are fed with the flesh of the Lamb of God who shed His blood for you and was sacrificed for you. 

            The people seeking Jesus, the bread machine, want to know what they need to do to be doing the works of God.  Jesus gives them an unsatisfying answer.        John 6:29 (ESV) 29 … “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”  It’s not about you; it’s about Jesus for you.

            Jesus is the Lamb of God.  Jesus is the Bread of Life.  Jesus is the true Bread from Heaven.  To do the work of God is to believe in Jesus.  Your salvation is totally dependent on Jesus.  You are totally dependent on Jesus. You hunger and thirst for righteousness and Jesus say, John 6:35 (ESV) 35 … “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

            Jesus was sealed by God the Father in Baptism.  In baptism you are sealed by God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  You have been set apart from this world as one who knows the truth and is fed with the Bread of Life.

            This world is full of people who desperately hunger for the food of eternal life, but far too often they do not know it.  People hunger for the Bread of Life, but they are distracted by their other hungers and can be unaware of their most important need. For many folks in this world, physical hunger still distracts, but not so much for most of us.  In this land of abundance most of us don’t have to worry about being hungry for food, but there are a lot of other hungers that distract. 

There is a great temptation to want Jesus to be easy; like going to the store to pick up a loaf of bread.  Jesus is simple enough for a child, but He is not easy.

            Hungers are not necessarily bad in themselves, but you can start to believe that Jesus’ main purpose is to satisfy your appetites; your physical hunger, your emotional hunger, your sexual hunger.  You start to believe that Jesus wants you to be healthy, wealthy, wise, happy, and fulfilled.  You have a desire for physical health and that is a good thing, but it is not the most important thing.  The most important thing is eternal life with God.

            This teaching does not please the children of Israel in the wilderness of the Exodus — and they rebel.  This teaching does not please the crowds that come to Jesus seeking bread — and most of them abandon Him.  This teaching does not please people today and so, so many abandon the Bread of Life trying to satisfy their temporary hungers. 

There is a great temptation to want Jesus to be easy; like going to the store to pick up a loaf of bread.  Jesus is simple enough for a child, but He is not easy.  It is so tempting to want Jesus to be a Jesus you can control; a Jesus who does what you want, when you want.  It is easy to grow weary of God’s means of salvation through baptism, the Word of God and Holy Communion; it is so slow and boring.  It is tempting to want to satisfy your own hungers, decide for yourself what is sin and what is not sin, until the only thing you think is sinful is belief that sin exists.  It is tempting to want a Jesus that stays out of your way except when you determine that you need Him.  You want to be a part of your own salvation by doing the works that you determine you should do. But the work of God is to believe in the one sent from heaven.  It is simple enough for a child, but it is not easy.  It is total dependence.

            Believe in Jesus; He is the Bread of Life. Amen. 

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

God’s Promises

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 10, 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
July 28, 2024
Genesis 9:8-17, Ephesians 3:14-21, Mark 6:45-56

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Have you ever seen a doomsday movie where the hero emerges from an underground shelter to the new, post-apocalyptic world? The unlikely hero blinks at the light and looks around at the destruction and then tries to overcome the challenges of life in the harshness of the new world. 

            For Noah and his wife and his sons and their wives it is no fiction.  For a year they have been sealed up in a coffin-shaped ark filled with the sounds and smells of the most complete zoo of all times.  For an entire year they have been confined in a floating menagerie 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. 

            God has destroyed the earth with a flood because of the sins of man.  In that ark is all that is left of humanity as well as the birds and land animals that will repopulate the earth. 

The story of Noah’s Ark is an incredibly harsh story, but I think sometimes we can get distracted by the perceived cuteness of the ark and the animals. There are children’s nurseries decorated in a Noah’s Ark theme with two elephants coming down the gangplank and two giraffes’ heads sticking out of the top of an adorable little boat which appears to be a terribly overloaded bathtub toy.  In the background, there is a rainbow.

            Animals are cute and all but I think that may mask the reality.  The story of Noah’s Ark is a story of worldwide extermination.  It is God’s wrath coming down upon sinful humans in the complete devastation of a deadly, worldwide flood. 

            The world’s population is reduced to eight souls closed up in a tiny speck of a boat on the vast, endless ocean.  After what must have been a very long year, the waters finally recede and the land emerges.  The ark comes to rest on a mountain and the eight people and all the creatures come out of the ark.

            How strange it must be for Noah and his family emerging into an empty world.  There is no one else around; everyone is gone, drowned in the deluge.  The eight survivors likely feel very vulnerable in the aftermath of God’s wrath and any rain storm may now trigger horrible memories and fears.  

            God speaks to Noah and his family and makes a promise to them that He will never again destroy the earth with the waters of a flood. This promise is to Noah and his wife and his sons and their wives and their offspring, including you.  It is a promise to every living creature coming off the ark, God will never again destroy the earth with water.  And God gives Himself a sign to remember His promise. God sets a bow in the cloud as a sign of the covenant.  The bow, a rainbow, is a sign for God that will remind Him that when He sends rain He will never again use it to destroy the earth.  And it is a sign to us of God’s covenant promise.  So, perhaps in the nursery of one of Noah’s great-great grandchildren, a scene of his Ark and the rainbow is a good reminder of God’s promise. 

            It is an awesome thing to see a rainbow, all those amazing colors painting the sky.  I have heard that in days past children were taught to say the Lord’s Prayer when they saw a rainbow.  I don’t remember doing that.  At my house, growing up, my mom would give us a Popsicle to celebrate a rainbow.  When you see one, you want to share it with others. Rainbows are special.

            But the true meaning of the rainbow lately has gotten obscured.  We have tales of the Leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, we have Judy Garland singing “Over the Rainbow” in the “Wizard of Oz”.  Gay rights groups resonated with Garland’s rough and tumble battles in life and adopted a rainbow flag as a symbol of their movement.  And so now if you see a rainbow symbol at a church it is not clear what it means. 

Interestingly, the pride flag has only six colors whereas God’s rainbow has seven. Six is the number of man, seven, the number of God.  God’s rainbow is the sign of His promise to you as the offspring of Noah.  And that promise is still in effect today; never again a great flood. 

            And you can see evidence of that great flood all around you.  The stones of this building are full of fossil evidence of the flood.  As you look at the rocks and see fossil remains of countless animals buried in rock layers, you are reminded that where you sit today was the bottom of an ocean thousands of feet deep.  When you see the fossil remains of an animal, you are reminded of God’s judgment at the time of Noah. 

            And when you see a rainbow in the sky, remember God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood.  Never again with a flood…but the earth will be destroyed.  God has promised to destroy the earth on the last day… with fire.  The judgment day is coming and even then there will be a rainbow. 

            In the Revelation of John we see the rainbow surrounding the throne of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus.  Jesus sits on the judgment seat surrounded by a rainbow and this is good news.

            But how can the judgment throne of God be good news? God is perfect and you are flawed. God is Holy and you are a sinner. When Martin Luther was a monk he feared the judgment throne.  Luther writes, “For I did not believe in Christ; I regarded Him only as a severe and terrible Judge, portrayed as seated on a rainbow.”[1]

            But after Luther discovered the Gospel he looked forward to the Day of Judgment with joy, “Therefore we who come to Christ want to have Him as a gracious Lord. The rainbow on which He sits enthroned does not terrify me; it appears for my salvation. We do not look upon Him as a judge. He will call for us. He will not reject us. He will also protect us against the devil.” [2]

            God has made a promise to you in Christ Jesus.  You need not fear the judgment because you are covered by the grace of Jesus.  You still have the sign of the rainbow that God will not destroy the world with water. Now He saves with water.  As we hear in  1 Peter 3:20–21 (ESV) 20 … they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” 

You have water as a sign and method of salvation through Holy Baptism.  How do you know you are saved?  Because you have been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection.

            And you have the sign and method of salvation in Holy Communion.  How do you know Jesus died for you and promises you salvation?  Because He has given you His flesh to eat and His blood to drink.

            You have the sign of the holy cross showing you how Jesus saves you, as Luther writes, “To us in the New Testament, Baptism and the Eucharist have been given as the visible signs of grace, so that we might firmly believe that our sins have been forgiven through Christ’s suffering and that we have been redeemed by His death. Thus the church has never been deprived to such an extent of outward signs that it became impossible to know where God could surely be found.”[3]

            God has promised to save you.  He gives you baptism.  He gives you Holy Communion.  Trust God. 

When you see a rainbow, take a moment to ponder what Noah and his family must have been thinking when they emerged from the Ark, and what an amazing promise God made to them with the rainbow.  When you see water, remember the promise of your baptism.  When you see bread or wine, remember God’s promise to you in Holy Communion.  When you see a cross remember you are forgiven in the blood of Jesus.  Remember you are free in Christ.  Amen.

[1] (Luther’s Works 24), S. 24:24

[2] (Luther’s Works 23), S. 23:61

[3] (Luther’s Works 1), S. 1:248

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

Jesus is Your Brother and Lord

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Pentecost 7 2024, Proper 9
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
July 7, 2024
Ezekiel 2:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-13

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            You have a great friendship with a co-worker who shares your work space.  You get along great, laugh at each other’s jokes, you commiserate about what a jerk the department boss can be.  Often you go for a drink together after work, your families love to get together, it is a great friendship.  And then the boss retires and your friend is promoted to fill the spot.  Now your friend — is your boss.  Being the boss and a friend is a tough balance because familiarity can breed contempt.  When you know someone very well it is hard to respect their authority. 

            In the military it is against regulations for officers to fraternize with enlisted personnel so not to prejudice good order and discipline.  Familiarity can breed contempt. 

            Jesus is unknown to the people of Capernaum and He is received at the synagogue there with astonishment at His new teaching with authority.  The people are amazed that He is able to command unclean spirits and heal the sick and disabled.  The more Jesus teaches and heals the bigger and bigger the crowds grow.  There is some opposition from the scribes and Pharisees, because they see Jesus going against traditional Jewish teaching.  They call in reinforcements from Jerusalem to try to stop Jesus, but the movement keeps growing and growing in Capernaum and the surrounding area.  Even Jairus, the synagogue ruler in Capernaum, comes to Jesus when his daughter is sick and dying and Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead. 

Jesus’ fame spreads throughout the surrounding region of Galilee all the way to Nazareth 40 miles to the southwest.  Jesus’ family hears about what is going on and they come to Capernaum to save Jesus from Himself.  Mark 3:21 (ESV) 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” They come to Capernaum and stand outside sending word to Jesus.  Mary certainly knows who Jesus is, but it must be confusing when He suddenly goes from being a normal carpenter from Nazareth to a famous religious teacher drawing large crowds and causing turmoil all the way to Jerusalem.  Jesus’ brothers do not seem to understand what is going on and they want to stop Jesus before He causes too much trouble.  Word passes and the crowd tells Jesus, Mark 3:32–35 (ESV) 32 … “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”  

            In today’s Gospel reading Jesus has left the adoring crowds in Capernaum and the region around the Sea of Galilee and with His disciples has walked to Nazareth.  On the Sabbath He begins to teach in the synagogue and the initial response is very much like in Capernaum.  The people are… Mark 6:2 (ESV) 2 … astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?”

            The people have heard about all the miracles Jesus has done and about His authoritative teaching, and now He is right here in their midst. “He is amazing…He is incredible…He is…hey!  Hold on just a minute!!  Let’s not get all carried away with the momentum of this Jesus movement.  Don’t forget.  We know Jesus.  He is Jesus of Nazareth.  This town of Nazareth only has  about 400 people, so everyone here knows everyone else and we know this Jesus fellow.  So, we don’t care what He has done, we don’t care what He has taught, because we have known Jesus His whole life.  He is a shameful man.  His parents were not married until after His mother Mary was already pregnant so no one knows who Jesus’ father really is.  And He is not a priest, or a teacher, or a religious leader, or even a respected member of the community.  He is a craftsman.  He works with His hands, not with His mind.  Why is this illegitimate construction worker teaching in the synagogue? He is way out of His depth.”  And the people of Nazareth reject Jesus out of their familiarity.  Mark 6:3 (ESV) 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.”

            Familiarity breeds contempt.  Mark 6:4 (ESV) 4 And Jesus [says] to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 

Because the people think they already know Jesus, His work in Nazareth is fairly fruitless.  As we learn in the parable of the sower and the seeds, Mark 4:14–15 (ESV) 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.”

            Jesus is sowing the seeds of the Word of God but it is rejected because the people of Nazareth think they already know all they need to know about Jesus.  Even though they have heard of all that Jesus has done, that cannot overcome what they think they already know about Jesus.

            Familiarity breeds contempt.  Too often people think they know who Jesus is and therefore they can dismiss His teachings.  We are tempted to think we can know about Jesus because Jesus is human and we are human and we can understand human things.  Jesus has a body, I have a body.  Jesus was born, so was I.  Jesus died, and so will I.  We can think we know Jesus because we understand how things work in this world and we decide Jesus must fit into the natural law of the world; that He was conceived and born in the normal way, and that when He died He stayed dead because that is natural law.  By viewing Jesus as just another human, folks feel quite empowered to adjust His teaching to fit their understanding. 

            Some believe Jesus was just a good teacher who gave us instruction about how to love one another and care for the poor.  Some see Jesus as an inspirational leader whose teachings can motivate people to achieve great things in life.  Others believe Jesus is just a fraud; another messianic figure who claimed to be God but wound up dead.  So very many people have constructed their own Jesus.  This Jesus they can control because He is a product of their own imaginations.  So, when these folks hear something from the Bible that challenges the familiar Jesus of their own imaginations they are offended and they reject the truth and choose unbelief.  Entire church bodies are voting to reject the truth and follow their own understandings. These churches are choosing unbelief because they are offended by Jesus.

            Thomas Jefferson edited the Bible to fit his understanding of Jesus.  Jefferson literally made his own cut and paste Bible called “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” in which, using a razor blade and glue, he cut the Bible down to 86 pages, getting rid of anything referring to the miracles of Jesus and most supernatural mentions.  Jefferson ends the book with Jesus dead in the grave.  Like so many of His time, and so many of our time, Jefferson saw Jesus as a good teacher, but not as God.   

            The people’s initial reaction at the synagogue in Nazareth is our proper reaction to Jesus – astonishment; astonishment at Jesus’ teaching and wisdom and works.  Be continually astonished by Jesus because, despite His appearance, Jesus is not a familiar, fellow man.  Jesus is God in flesh.  Despite appearances, Jesus is not just another guy.  As we will soon confess, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.  On the third day Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus is God in flesh.  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed, alleluia!

Jesus has brought you close He has made you family. You are His brother, you are His sister and Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is your servant and Jesus is your King.

            In order for us to take control it is so tempting to reduce Jesus to a familiar, regular, manageable, fellow man, but that is not the truth. Jesus is God.  He teaches with authority because He is the author of life. So do what He says.  Mark 1:15 (ESV) 15 … “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 

            Jesus is not a familiar, ordinary, fellow man, but Jesus has brought you close to Him.  You, a baptized follower of Jesus, gathered here with fellow believers to hear the Gospel and to receive Jesus’ gifts — you are a part of Jesus’ family.  As Jesus teaches, Mark 3:35 (ESV) 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”  You are Jesus’ sister.  You are Jesus’ brother. 

            Jesus has brought you close He has made you family. You are His brother, you are His sister and Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is your servant and Jesus is your King.  Jesus is God incarnate and He has redeemed you with His blood; He has forgiven you all your sins. You are one with Him through the Holy Spirit.  He is your Savior because you cannot save yourself. Jesus is your loving brother but you know who this brother is and you are in awe.  He is your caring brother, and you are astonished at what He has done for you.  Your brother, the Lord God almighty, has washed you clean and brought you into the Kingdom of God, to be with Him, now and forever.  Amen.