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Pentecost 2 Proper 7 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
June 22, 2025
Isaiah 65:1-9, Galatians 3:23-4:7, Luke 8:26-39

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

In a battle between you and the spiritual forces of darkness, who would win?  In a battle between Jesus and the evil one, who would win?  Today’s Gospel reading demonstrates Jesus’ power over demons.  Jesus is God… and has power over everything.  In the Gospels we see that Jesus has power over sickness, injury, the weather, even death. Today we see His power over the devil and his demons.

Jesus and His disciples cross the Sea of Galilee to a predominantly Gentile area.  No sooner do they set foot on the shore than a demon-possessed man challenges them. This demon possession is pretty intense. The man lives among the dead, he wears no clothes, and the locals are unable to restrain him even with chains. Luke 8:28–29 (ESV) 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.” 

Jesus shows His power over demons by talking with them.  Although demons are the sworn enemies of God, they have no choice… they must answer Jesus.  When Jesus asks “What is your name?” he answers, “Legion”, indicating the strength of the evil forces in this man.  A legion is an army numbering in the thousands.  Thousands of demons against one Jesus, but it wouldn’t make a difference if there were a billion demons; Jesus is Lord over everything and even the demons must obey Him.

When Jesus commands the demons to leave the man, they have no choice but to leave, the only question is where do they go.  The demons ask to inhabit a nearby herd of pigs, but even for this they need Jesus’ permission.  Jesus gives permission.  The demons enter the pigs and the pigs promptly stampede into the lake and drown. After that we aren’t told what happens to the demons.

The swineherds have a predictable response at the drowning of their herd of pigs… they run away.  They flee to a nearby city for help.  When the city folk hear the news they go out to check out this pig-murdering Jesus fellow. This scene gives us a glimpse into the difference between people who are saved and people who are still enslaved by the devil.

The man who is now saved is sitting at Jesus’ feet; he is listening as Jesus teaches.  The round trip to the city takes a little while, so the man who is now free of demons has had time for Bible class with Jesus.  He cannot get enough of Jesus and wants to go along when Jesus returns across the lake.

The people arriving from the city are terrified of Jesus.  They ask Him to leave.  Like so many unbelievers today, the local people see Jesus as a problem … not as a savior.

Jesus complies with the people’s wishes.  He departs, but He leaves a missionary behind.  The man who is now demon free wants to go with Jesus, but Jesus leaves him there, saying, Luke 8:39 (ESV) 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”

When Jesus arrived, this man was full of demons and out of control.  When Jesus departs, this man is commissioned a missionary to the people on the east side of the Sea of Galilee.

Demons are mysterious creatures.  The Bible teaches us that demons are fallen angels.  God created them sometime during the six days of creation along with all the other angels.  Soon after the creation a group of angels rebelled against God and God condemned these angels to an eternity of punishment in the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 

Since demons are angels, they are spiritual beings; they do not have bodies and are not subject to the laws of the physical universe.  Since demons are fallen angels, they are enemies of God.

The problem with having God as your enemy is that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and unlimited by time and space.  Demons are God’s enemies but are still God’s creation, and cannot win against God in a direct attack.  They must find some other way to express their hatred of God and the battlefield they have chosen… is you, a follower of Jesus.  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 demons’ main weapon against you is deception as Jesus says in, John 8:44 (ESV) 44… When [the devil] lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  It would be obvious if the devil appeared to you dressed in red body armor with horns and a pitch fork, smelling like burning Sulphur and demanding, “Follow me”.  You would instantly know that this is the prince of darkness and you would flee.  But the devil is clever.  Knowing you are naturally sinful, demons present temptation in ways that make sense … ways that seem like the right thing to do … ways that have a certain beauty. As the Apostle Paul writes, 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV) 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 

In Eden, the devil uses a serpent to tempt Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. “Did God actually say?”  Eve and Adam fall to this deception and the temptation to want to be like God, and from then on, all of their descendants, every human being, inherits a sinful nature at conception.  

The rite of baptism in the Lutheran Service Book states, “The Word of God also teaches that we are all conceived and born sinful and are under the power of the devil until Christ claims us as His own.  We would be lost forever unless delivered from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation.”  In baptism you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways.  You receive the Holy Spirit and you are set against the devil. 

You are a baptized child of God and a follower of Jesus, but the demon’s lies and temptations can feel so right because you are, by nature, sinful and unclean.  Instead of naturally loving God with all your mind, soul, and strength, you love yourself.  This is why you cannot trust your feelings, but trust the Word of God. 

Since demons deal in deception, they adapt their lies to the culture of any given time and place.  Rationalism has had a profound effect on our culture.  Many today do not believe demons even exist and that suits the demons just fine.  It doesn’t bother them one bit if you don’t believe in them. 

Folks are very concerned with outward appearances and trying to analyze people’s behavior.  Demons don’t care if the crime rate goes down.  They don’t care if charitable donations go up.  They don’t care if people give each other a helping hand. They don’t care there is a cure for every disease.  They don’t care if everyone is just one, great big, happy family, as long as it is one, great big, happy family on the wide road to hell.

The demons don’t care if there are churches on every corner as long as the churches don’t talk about sin and its punishment, and Jesus and His salvation. The demons don’t care if we talk about god as long as that god is not the god who took on human flesh and died to save you.  The demons don’t even care if we talk about Jesus as long as Jesus is just a great example or just a great moral teacher or just a great liberator or just a great unifier.  The only God – the only Jesus — that the devil hates is the Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life.  The Jesus who died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and then rose from the dead in order to confirm forever His victory… over sin… over death… and over the devil.

There is only one person who defeated the devil.  That person is Jesus Christ, God in flesh, crucified for the forgiveness of all sins and raised from the dead.  That person and that person alone is the only one who endured every temptation that the devil could throw His way and yet never sinned.  Jesus and Jesus alone endured being forsaken by God for you as He died on the cross for your sins and He offers His victory to you.

Demons don’t always identify themselves by driving pigs into a lake. Sometimes they quietly inhabit people who look like quite normal.  They inhabit people who look respectable on the outside and seem very nice, but who repeat the lies of the evil one and ask, “Did God actually say?” 

Just like dangerous strangers may tempt children with candy or puppies, demons tempt you with your selfish desires to get you to indulge them and proclaim, “I am being true to myself.”  It is the demon’s goal to make you feel very comfortable and even righteous while traveling the path to hell.

We see Jesus’ power over demons in today’s Gospel.  He has defeated the devil once and for all on the cross for you. In baptism He has given you His Spirit who dwells in you and makes your body a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Trust in the Word of God.  Trust in Jesus.  Trust in His holy life, His innocent suffering and death, His resurrection from the dead and His ascension into heaven.  

The one who defeated the devil is the only one who can protect you from the attacks of the devil.  He is the only one who can give to you life everlasting.  Trust in Christ crucified and risen from the dead, and pray that the Holy Spirit will work that saving faith in all people, to rescue them from the devil, and give to them eternal life. 

You cannot face the devil alone.  You need Jesus.  Amen

John Singleton Copley: The Ascension

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Ascension (Observed) 2025
Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
June 1, 2025
Acts 1:1–11, Ephesians 1:15–23, Luke 24:44–53

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itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
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            When I was a kid we would go to parades.  In 1976 I went to a lot of parades because my sisters were baton twirlers and there were lots of parades that year for the bicentennial. Something that would happen at almost every parade was both tragic and kind of cool.  A child would let go of the helium balloon that his parents had just bought for him before they were able to tie it to his wrist.  There is no worse feeling for that kid as the tears well up, but now everyone else gets to watch the balloon ascend up into the sky. If it wasn’t windy and the balloon was a bright color you could watch it go up and up and up and get smaller and smaller until it couldn’t be seen anymore.  

            Today we celebrate Jesus’ ascension 40 days after His resurrection.  How did Jesus ascend?  Jesus led the disciples out to Bethany on the Mount of Olives and told them, Acts 1:8–9 (ESV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”

            Jesus promised the power of the Holy Spirit, instructed the disciples to be witnesses, and they witnessed Jesus ascend and a cloud envelope Him so they could not see Him anymore. 

            Where did Jesus go?  Acts 1:10–11 (ESV) 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  So, where is heaven?  It is easy to get drawn into thinking that heaven is somewhere way, way, way up there… very far away.  But Jesus did not just keep ascending until He was out of sight.  He was enveloped by a cloud which brings to mind the cloud at transfiguration, the cloud of God’s presence at the tabernacle and temple, the pillar of cloud that was God guiding the Israelites out of Egypt.  Jesus was taken into a cloud.  So, where is Jesus now?  Where is heaven?

            We get clues from our Epistle reading today.  Paul is blessing the Christians in Ephesus and praying for them and that they may know… Ephesians 1:19–20 (ESV) 19 … the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,” 

            Just as we confess every week.  Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  So heaven is at the right hand of God the Father.  Where is that?  Where is God the Father?  God the Father is omnipresent, He is present everywhere. 

            Martin Luther writes about this:  “Scriptures teach us…that the right hand of God is not a specific place in which a body must or may be, such as on a golden throne, but is the almighty power of God, which at one and the same time can be nowhere and yet must be everywhere.” [1]

            It is beyond comprehension.  Our human minds cannot understand.  Jesus ascended in His body and is at the right hand of God the Father which is not a place of location, but a place of power and authority. Jesus is… Ephesians 1:21–22 (ESV) 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church…”  Jesus is above everyone and everything; rulers and authorities and the church.  This is not above in location, but above in power and authority.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.  He rules.  This is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

When we think about the Kingdom of Heaven it is tempting to think about the kingdom as a place of location.  But the word kingdom may be better replaced by the word, “rule”… rule of heaven, the reign of heaven.  The kingdom is where Jesus rules… and where does Jesus rule?  Everywhere.  You pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom Come”.  What do you mean by praying that?

      Luther’s explanation in the Small Catechism is pretty good.  “What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.”  You pray that Jesus rules you.

“How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.” 

The Spirit brings you into the Kingdom.  Jesus told Nicodemus, John 3:5–6 (ESV) 5 … “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 

The Father gives you His Spirit so Christ can dwell in your heart, and you can know the love of Christ, and be filled with the fullness of God.

You have been born again of water and the spirit.  Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is the breath of God in you connecting you to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.  The Spirit shows you your sin through the Word of God and the Spirit points you to Jesus as your redeemer and savior and king through His Word and Sacraments. The Spirit lets you know that you cannot save yourself; that you are in God’s kingdom by the grace of God. 

            In Ephesians 3 we see how God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit work together in believers.  Paul writes…Ephesians 3:14–19 (ESV) 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” 

The Father gives you His Spirit so Christ can dwell in your heart, and you can know the love of Christ, and be filled with the fullness of God.

            Jesus ascends to be enthroned as king; your king, my king, king of all creation.  Jesus is King but Jesus does not force obedience.  It is possible to reject Jesus.  Many rebel against their King.  Many reject Jesus’ reign and authority.  They want to follow their own gods that they can control.  They reject the Holy Spirit and by this, separate themselves from Jesus and salvation.  They put themselves outside the Kingdom of Heaven. 

            Among Christians, folks can sometime worry about whether they have rejected the Holy Spirit because of their sin.  The interesting thing is that if you are worried about rejecting the Spirit it means you still believe; it means you still have faith.  If you have faith, you have the Holy Spirit.  You may be resisting the Holy Spirit, but He is in you, pointing you to Jesus, letting you know you should be troubled by your sins and when you are troubled by your sins to look to Jesus and repent.  Turn away from sin and turn back to Jesus.  Repent… for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Repent… and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus into your body in communion with the King.  Pray, Thy Kingdom Come which is the same as praying, Lord Jesus, rule my heart. 

            The Holy Spirit dwells in you and gives you faith as He does with the whole Christian Church.  Jesus’ Church is unified in the Spirit.  The devil desperately tries to tear the Church apart with conflict and false teaching.  The devil wants you to reject the unity of the Holy Spirit.  Paul exhorts the Ephesian Christians. Ephesians 4:1–6 (ESV)  1 I … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 

            Jesus did not disappear high up in the sky like a balloon.  Jesus did not ascend way, way up far away to sit on His throne waiting to return.  Jesus ascended to take His position at the right hand of the Father as ruler over everything.  Jesus is King of the universe.  Jesus is King of the world.  Jesus is King of the Church.  Jesus is the King of you.

            “Thy Kingdom come.  Lord Jesus, rule my heart.”  Amen. 

[1] LW Vol 37, Pg. 57

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Easter 6 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
May 25, 2025
Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27, John 16:23-33

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            How amazing and wonderful would it be if you found a portal to heaven; an opening in the space-time continuum that would transport you to eternal life with Jesus.  In this sin-sick world, how many would line up to go through the portal to leave behind this life of sorrow and struggle and be transported directly to heaven?  If only there was a portal to heaven.  Well…I recently discovered that portal… in a shoebox of old documents.

            Now, I am not very good at saving things from important events, but I am impressed that others are.  After Mary Spoerl died, Tim brought me a box of historical documents of the church that Mary had been saving for many years.  She had some newer items — a copy of the bulletin from my installation as senior pastor here in 2006 and also some older ones.  She had the 25th anniversary booklet for the Immanuel Ladies’ Society that took place in 1922; 7 years before Mary was even born.  That one is in both German and English.  Altogether, the shoe box contains a nice little collection of historical Immanuel documents.  Perhaps Tim should not have entrusted them to me.  One booklet is from the dedication of this church building on April 1, 1951. I don’t believe I had ever seen this one before and it has great descriptions of the building. 

            The exterior architectural style is that of a Norman-Saxon parish church.  The dramatic change of pace in the tower with its massive walls at the base and its slender and cross-surmounted…spire at the top lifts the eyes heavenward and encourages a spirit of devotion and reverence.  Those who behold and enter the structure will have no difficulty recognizing it as “The House of God and the Gate of Heaven”.  The Gate of Heaven.  This church is a portal to heaven. 

            “The massive oak doors, the paneling above them and the large wooden cross which is the center of interest in the entrance are a source of delight to every observer.  To all who pass, the entrance announces that, “we preach Christ and Him Crucified””

            As you come through the doors, “the low ceiling of the Narthex may well serve to remind all who enter that humility is required of those who desire to come into the presence of God, and all who leave, that their walk among men should likewise be humble.” 

            “Once in the nave, the worshipper automatically follows the admonition, “Life up your hearts” as the high open ceiling lifts his eyes and thoughts upward.  The details and appointments lend emphasis to the fact that this is a place set apart. It takes one away from that which characterizes the market and the fire place.  Here one can commune with his God and meditate upon those things which are not of this world.” 

            “The center of attention in the oak-paneled sanctuary is the altar, also of oak, with its three-fold elevation…the IHS design, symbolic of the Lord Jesus Christ, is carved into the front of the altar.”  IHS are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek. 

            In 1963 the front windows of faceted glass chunks were added with the stars of heaven, the creator’s hand, representing God the Father with beams of light going throughout all the windows.  The Agnus Dei, Christ the Lamb of God, is resting on the Holy Bible with a flag of victory.  The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.  On top, the Alpha and Omega, show Christ is the eternal God; the A and the Z, the beginning and the end.  The communion wafer and chalice, the grapes and wheat for God’s gift of the Lord’s Supper. The shell, a symbol of baptism.  The cross on the world telling of our mission to make disciples of all nations. 

            In 2007-2008 we renovated the sanctuary and added the 16 side stained glass windows and the windows in the doors to the narthex.  We chose 16 scenes to depict God’s story from creation through redemption to eternity with Jesus in the holy city of New Jerusalem.  Under the creation window we have the tree of life and under the last window of the heavenly city we have the tree of life again.  Eternal life lost in Eden will be restored on the Last Day.  This gate to heaven will bring you to heavenly city, the new Jerusalem.

            In our reading from Revelation today we have John’s description of the holy city from his vision while in exile on the island of Patmos.  Revelation 21:10–11 (ESV) 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” 

            John is trying to describe the holy city shining with the glory of God, using inadequate human language.  He describes the layout of the city, Revelation 21:12–13 (ESV) 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.”

            Twelve gates with angels and the names of the tribes of Israel from Old Testament times facing east, north, south and west welcome people from all over the earth.  Revelation 21:14 (ESV) 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

            In the description of the holy city we see the unity of ancient Israel and the New Testament church.  As Dr. Louis Brighton, a late professor at Concordia Seminary, describes it, “Thus by means of the wall with its twelve gates John is reminded that, as there has always been only one covenant of grace embracing the entire people of God, those of old by faith in the promise of the Messiah and those by faith in the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ, so now the true Israel of God will be in the new heaven and earth as represented by the new Jerusalem.”[1]

Paul uses this same kind of language in…Ephesians 2:18–21 (ESV) 18 For through him [Jews and Gentiles] have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”

            In the verses skipped over in our reading today John describes the measurements of the city; 12,000 stadia long and wide and tall; a perfect cube — 1,380 miles in each direction.  It is a massive, perfect cube bringing to mind the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple; the place of God’s holy presence.  Entrance to the Holy of Holies was reserved for the high priest once a year with a blood covering.  At Jesus’ death, the curtain in the temple was torn in two — showing that we can now approach God covered by Jesus’ sacrifice.  In the holy city to come, the people of God, covered by the blood of Jesus, will be the Holy of Holies.

            There will be no temple in the holy city.  There will be no need for churches in the holy city pointing to the Lord.  The Lord God the almighty and the Lamb will dwell with the people of God.  There will be no need for separation between God and man. As Brighton writes, “The saints of God in their state of righteousness and holiness and perfection after the resurrection can now look directly into the face of God.”[2]   

            There will be no night in the holy city for the glory of God gives the city light and its lamp is the lamb.  Revelation 21:24–25 (ESV) 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.”

            The twelve pearl gates are always open for there is no night, no danger, no threat, no evil.  The whole creation will be united in praising God and the Lamb.  It will be a place of eternal peace and praise for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  The way to the Father is through Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

            As a child of God — as a follower of Jesus — this is your future.  In baptism your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.  You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and you will live forever with God and the Lamb in the holy city of New Jerusalem.  You found the portal to heaven.  By faith through the Holy Spirit you have come here to the house of God, the gate to heaven.  You enter and humbly get on your knees and repent of your sins and hear the Good News that your sins have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus.  You praise the Lord and hear the Word of God.  You come up through the arched gateway to the altar of the Lord to receive a foretaste of the feast to come.  You receive into your mouth the Body and Blood of Jesus to strengthen and preserve you on your journey to life everlasting.  Here, you are covered by the robe of Jesus’ righteousness that covers all your sins.  Here you are at the gate to heaven.  And while we are blessed to have a building that points us to Jesus, the gateway is not the building.  The gate to heaven is the gathering of the saints of God.  Together, you are the Body of Christ, the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints.  Gathered together, you, the saints of God, with angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven sing praises to God. 

Hearing God’s Word and receiving His gifts you go forth from humbly from this house of God to live out your identity as a saint of God in humble love and service to others in this world.  This is the gate to heaven and together you look for the day to come when Jesus will return in glory and take you to be with Him forever in the holy city of new Jerusalem.

            For now you live as the light of Christ in a world of sin and evil.  Stay alert, the world strives to pull you in and smother you with its darkness.  It is a dangerous world, but you know where the portal to heaven is and you can invite others to join you in the house of God on the journey to the Holy City where you will live with Jesus forever. Amen. 

[1] Louis Brighton, Revelation, CPH pg. 612

[2] Revelation, Louis Brighton, CPH, pg. 618

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Easter 3 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
May 4, 2025
Acts 9:1-22, Revelation 5:1-14, John 21:1-19

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
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            Roosters crow every morning, day after day, and not just in the morning but throughout the day.  Every time a rooster crows it picks at the scab on Peter’s heart so he feels fresh shame and guilt for what he has done. 

            Peter liked to think of himself as the tough guy, the decisive guy, the man of action.  He thinks himself brave and loyal and even brags about it.  After the Passover meal in the upper room… Matthew 26:31 (ESV) 31 …Jesus [says] to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 

            Peter looks around at the other disciples with a bit of contempt…Matthew 26:33–35 (ESV)  33 … “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus [says] to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter [says] to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” … 

            All the other disciples agree.  Jesus then takes the disciples to Gethsemane where Peter promptly falls asleep multiple times while Jesus is praying.  Indeed the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. When the armed crowd comes to arrest Jesus, Peter jumps into action drawing his sword and attacking.  He cuts off the ear of a man named Malchus, but before the fight could continue, Jesus stops it. 

            The crowd seizes Jesus and binds Him.  Peter and John follow the crowd up Mt. Zion to Caiaphas’ house.  John knows the High Priest and goes inside to watch while Peter waits in the courtyard to see what will happen.  Tough guy Peter finds himself alone amongst enemies.  There are soldiers and servants and all sorts of people all waiting to see Jesus killed.  Peter nervously tries not to stand out.  Matthew 26:69–70 (ESV) 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 

            A little later, Matthew 26:71–72 (ESV) 71 …another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”  The fear and uncertainty must be building in Peter. He is alone in a sea of opponents. Matthew 26:73–74 (ESV) 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.”

            The rooster crows and the memory of Jesus’ words slap Peter in the face.  Matthew 26:34 (ESV) 34 … “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”  Peter is crushed by the shame and goes out and weeps bitterly. 

            Peter failed Jesus and Peter carries the wound of this shame as his constant companion.  Every time a rooster crows he is reminded of his frightened weakness and the wound is fresh again.  What has he done?  Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, but then He denies His Lord and Savior.  He bragged that unlike all the other disciples he would die before abandoning Jesus but then, just hours later, out of fear, he denies even knowing Jesus. 

            Jesus is crucified, dies and is buried and it seems like everything is over, but then Jesus rises from the dead.  But even after learning Jesus rose from the dead the disciples are still hiding out in a locked room for fear of the Jews.  Jesus appears to them at least twice in Jerusalem, once without Thomas and then a week later with Thomas.  Then the disciples go to Galilee to wait for Jesus. Peter still struggles with the guilt and shame.  Can Jesus ever forgive him?  Can he forgive himself?  Has Jesus abandoned him?  Will he ever see Jesus again?  The once confident Peter is wracked with guilt.  Everything has changed. 

            In Galilee, on the Sea of Tiberius, the disciples wait for Jesus.  One evening, while Peter waits with six other disciples, he declares, “I am going fishing,” and the disciples agree, “We will go with you.” 

There is a lot of theological speculation about why they went fishing.  Was Peter thinking that his days of ministry were over and he needed to return to his previous vocation?  Was this a significant decision by Peter, or was he just bored and wanted something to do.  Did they just want to do something familiar after all the craziness?  Perhaps Peter was tired of hearing roosters crow and thought…maybe…just maybe, I won’t be able to hear them when I am out on the water.

            For whatever reason they do go fishing and they catch nothing all night.  For Peter, James and John this must bring up memories of the last time they went fishing a few years before.  They work hard all night setting and hauling nets with no success. 

            As morning dawns, the tired, hungry disciples see a man standing alone on the shore.  The man calls out, “Do you have any fish?”  Perhaps more literally, “do you have anything to eat?”  They yell back, “No!”

            The man calls out, John 21:6 (ESV) 6 … “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.”

            It all comes rushing back.  Just like their last failed fishing trip when, after Jesus borrowed a boat to teach the people on the shore, He gave them two boatloads of fish. Peter, James and John all left being fishermen that day to follow Jesus. 

            John declares, “It is the Lord!”  Peter is so excited and relieved that Jesus is here with them that He puts on his outer garment and dives into the water to swim to shore. 

            They eat breakfast together; fish Jesus provided, fish from the miraculous catch, and bread from Jesus.  You wonder if Peter hears any roosters crowing during breakfast. Jesus is right here with Peter and the other disciples, but where does Peter stand with Jesus after his fearful denial?

            After breakfast, Jesus addresses Peter by his original name, Simon, John 21:15 (ESV) 15 …“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 

            Peter must be wondering… what Jesus is doing?  What does he mean?

            John 21:16 (ESV) 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”  Peter’s confusion must deepen.  What is Jesus doing?

            John 21:17 (ESV) 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 

            Peter is suffering at Jesus asking him three times, “Do you love me?”  But then it becomes clear.  Peter is being restored to his place in Jesus’ ministry.  At the first great catch of fish Jesus told the disciples He would make them fishers of men.  Now Jesus commissions Peter to be a shepherd.  To care for and feed Jesus’ sheep and lambs. 

            Late that fateful Thursday night Peter was afraid that being associated with Jesus would get him killed.  Jesus now tells Peter that it is true.  Peter will be killed because of Jesus.  John 21:18–19 (ESV)  18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”  Tradition holds that Peter was crucified in Rome likely under Emperor Nero around AD 64 to 68. 

After a three-fold redemption Jesus ends with, “Follow me.”  Peter is restored.  Peter will follow Jesus all the way to his own cross in Rome.  The roosters’ crowing has no more power.  Peter is forgiven and restored. 

            The rooster’s crowing tormented Peter.  What is the trigger for you to remind you of your sin? Is it a sound…a song…a smell…a person…a place…an object that reminds you of your past sins?  How does the devil torment you with guilt and shame?  Is it his accusations?  “You say you are a Christian, but remember what you did?  God cannot love you…God cannot forgive someone like you.”  When the devil reminds you of your sins, remember Peter, tormented by the crowing of roosters. Remember Peter… whose sins were forgiven.  Remember Peter… restored and made a shepherd of the Lord’s sheep.  Remember… you are baptized.  Jesus has promised to forgive you all your sins.

Peter dove into the water and swam to Jesus.  You have come here this morning to be with Jesus and you began by remembering your entering Jesus’ Church by passing through the waters of baptism, “In the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.”  Jesus is here for you — to declare to you, “I forgive you all your sins.” Jesus has prepared a meal for you to feed you with His own body and blood. Jesus says to you “Follow me.”  Jesus silences the devil’s accusations.  Jesus brings you out of your sin and restores you to your place in His Church. 

This morning three of our young ladies will confirm that what was spoken for them at their baptism is still their confession today.  They will pledge, with Peter, and all the Church, that with the help of God, they will continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it.  We join them in confirming our confession of faith.

            Peter was made a shepherd of Jesus’ lambs and sheep, and Jesus’ ministry continues today and you are a part of it.  Together we bring the Good News of forgiveness in Jesus to the world.  We care for and feed Jesus’ lambs and sheep.  We love and serve others, until Jesus returns. 

The risen Christ silences the devil and his accusations.  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! Amen. 

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Lent 2 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 16, 2025
Jer. 26:8-15, Phil. 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35

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

            It is a normal day in the farm yard as chickens peck the ground and chicks run around like cute little yellow fuzz balls with legs.  Just then a dark shadow slides across the ground. The rooster crows and the mother hen scurries around trying to corral her chicks.  The shadow slides back and forth ominously.  The soaring hawk has seen the chicks and is looking to make lunch of one of those cute, little, fuzz balls.  Most of the chicks, sensing their mother’s distress and hearing her alarmed clucking, run to mom and nestle under her wings.  Snuggled under her wings they are safe.  Mother hen puts her body between her chicks and the hawk.  Her body is a shield for the helpless little ones. One chick, however, does not seek shelter.  One chick declares he is a brave little chick.  He isn’t afraid of some shadow on the ground.  He will be just fine on his own.  He is good enough, he is smart enough and he is strong enough all by himself. The chick thinks he knows what he is doing, but he looks ridiculous — a helpless, fuzzy little chick strutting confidently around the yard unafraid of the circling hawk. 

            In a flash of feathers the hawk dives and grabs the chick in its talons and flies away to find a place to eat.  All that is left of the brave little chick is a little fuzzy yellow down blowing around in the dirt.  The chicks sheltered under their mother’s wings are safe, and as mother hen’s heart rate slows to normal the other chicks start to peak out from under their mother’s wings.

            Jesus is on his way toward Jerusalem passing through the territory of Herod Antipas along the Jordan River just north of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus earlier foretold his death, Luke 9:22 (ESV) 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” At Jesus’ transfiguration Moses and Elijah talk with Him about His departure which would happen in Jerusalem. Then Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem and is now on His way with His disciples teaching along the way and in the Synagogues on the Sabbath. 

            While He is teaching and journeying some Pharisees warn Jesus, Luke 13:31 (ESV) 31 … “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”  We can’t be sure if the Pharisees were genuinely concerned for Jesus’ safety, or if they just wanted Him out of their territory, but Jesus responds defiantly, Luke 13:32 (ESV) 32 … “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.”

            But Jesus is actually not planning to stay in the area so He continues, Luke 13:33 (ESV) 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 

            Jerusalem…Jesus turns His thoughts and His heart to Jerusalem which means, city of peace, Jeru – Shalom, but it is hardly that.  Jesus laments, Luke 13:34 (ESV) 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!”  The stone pavement of Jerusalem is stained with the blood of prophets.  Tradition holds that Isaiah was sawn in two in Jerusalem by King Manasseh.  Zechariah was stoned to death in the temple court for criticizing King Jehoash.  The prophet Uriah was killed by the sword of King Jehoiakim during the time of Jeremiah.  And now Jesus — prophet, priest and king — is going to Jerusalem to die.  It would be natural for Jesus to hate the people of Jerusalem for what they are going to do to Him, but His compassion shines through.  Jesus wants to protect the people of Jerusalem.  “…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

            I am not sure how frustration works with God in flesh, but it seems like it must be incredibly frustrating for Jesus.  He is coming to the great city of Jerusalem to give Himself for the people, and the people will reject Him, arrest him, and cry out to crucify him.  Jesus is ready to cover everyone with the robe of His forgiveness and righteousness to protect them from the evil one, but the people strut around like proud little chicks thinking they are good enough and strong enough and smart enough.  They reject the protection Jesus offers because they think they don’t need a savior.

            O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!  Jesus laments the rebellious disobedience of the Holy City, but He does not turn away.  He continues on His way, Luke 13:33 (ESV) 33 …for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 

            Despite the frustration, despite lamenting over Jerusalem, Jesus continues on His way to finish His course all the way to the cross and the tomb and the Sunday resurrection.  Despite their proud strutting, Jesus does not give up on the people of Jerusalem… and Jesus does not give up on you.

            How many times has Jesus lamented over your sin and rebelliousness?  How many times have you strutted around like a proud little chick acting like you don’t need Jesus’ protection because you are good enough and strong enough and smart enough and you’re not afraid of the evil one?  How many times has Jesus lamented over your sin and then continued to offer you His Body and Blood to forgive and cover all of your sins. 

            Despite opposition and rebellion, Jesus stays the course all the way to the cross.  Jesus stretches His arms over you on the cross at Golgotha.  He offers you protection under His wings.  Psalm 91:1–6 (ESV) 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty…. 4 He will cover you with his [feathers], and under his wings you will find refuge….”

            You need refuge in Jesus.  As a baptized child of God the devil is targeting you.  Like a hawk seeking to snatch a helpless little chick, the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Stay protected in Jesus.  Jesus has ascended into heaven but He has not left you alone. The Church is the Body of Christ. The Church gives you shelter from the storms of life and from the evil one himself.  Jesus gives you the Holy Spirit delivered to you in the water and word of Holy Baptism and in the truth of God’s Word.  The Church delivers to you the truth of your forgiveness in Jesus. The Church pours out on you the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.  United in the one Spirit, under the protection of the Body of Christ, you are safe for eternity. 

            Despite the temptation to strut around through life proudly and independently declaring you are good enough and strong enough and smart enough, you instead, each week, come here and humble yourself by kneeling before the Lord and confessing that you are not good enough, you are not strong enough, you are not smart enough.  You give up the ridiculous strutting of a proud baby chick and you tuck yourself safely under the protective wing of your savior — who has given His all for you. Amen. –

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Transfiguration 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 2, 2025
Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Hebrews 3:1-6, Luke 9:28-36

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

            All four of my kids have worked at the same pizza place over the years with Caleb starting right after his 16th birthday in 2006 and Rebecca continuing to this day with just a brief pause during Covid. When each of them started working I gave them the same advice.  “Show up on time, and do what they tell you to do.”  Simple enough.  Do what the boss tells you to do. 

            That is good advice for children with their parents. Kids, just listen to your parents and do what they tell you to do.  Easy?  Right?  Why are you looking at each other like that? Listen and do.  It shouldn’t be hard to just do what they say, the first time, without a fuss…and yet it is.

            Jesus is having this same issue with his disciples and the crowds in the Gospel of Luke.  At the end of the Sermon on the Plain Jesus asks, Luke 6:46 (ESV) 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”   

            This is a good question that we can each ask ourselves on behalf of Jesus as we prepare to enter the season of Lent.  “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

            Jesus continues, Luke 6:47–49 (ESV)  47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”  If you hear Jesus’ words and do them…on Christ the solid rock you stand. 

            The first Sunday after Epiphany we remembered the Baptism of Our Lord.  Jesus goes to John the Baptist down at the Jordan River.  And it is an epic beginning to answering the questions, “Who is Jesus? And, “What has He come to do?”  Luke 3:21–22 (ESV) 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

            Who is Jesus of Nazareth?  He is the Son of God.  Jesus shows this throughout His ministry.  He goes to Nazareth and announces at the synagogue that He is fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.  He heals the sick and drives out demons.  He gives the disciples He is calling a miraculous catch of fish.  He cleanses lepers and heals people who are paralyzed.  He heals a Roman centurion’s servant without even seeing him.  He raises a young man from the dead in Nain.  He heals great crowds of people.  He feeds 5,000 plus with five loaves and two fish.  He is doing things that only God could do.  Jesus is God in flesh.

            He teaches the people the parable of the sower and the seeds.  Luke 8:14–15 (ESV) 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. 

Jesus continues, Luke 8:18 (ESV) 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” 

Take care how you hear.  What incredible advice from Jesus given during a time which was utterly quiet compared to now.  There were no radios, no podcasts, no recorded music, no giant billboards, no television, no smart phones, no internet and still Jesus warns, “Take care how you hear.”  Today there are so many voices vying for your attention and your time.  It takes great intention to turn off all of the voices in order to listen to Jesus.  Take care how you hear.

What would it be like to be in Jesus’ family?  But who does Jesus say is His family?  Luke 8:19–21 (ESV) 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”  You who hear the word of God and do it are Jesus’ family.

            Hear the word of God and do it.  But just what does Jesus say?  Jesus has some difficult sayings as we heard last week, Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” 

After feeding the 5,000 Jesus has some heavy back and forth with the disciples. Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ of God and then Jesus tells the disciples, Luke 9:22 (ESV) 22 … “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” 

            And then…Luke 9:23–25 (ESV) 23 …[Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” These are difficult teachings. These are teachings that the disciples have trouble hearing.  They are still worried about which of them is the greatest. 

            And then eight days later, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and Jesus is transfigured before them becoming dazzling white, and Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus.  A cloud overshadows them… Luke 9:35 (ESV) 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 

            Who is Jesus?  And what did He come to do?  Jesus is the Son of God.  He is God in flesh.  He is the fulfillment of prophecy.  He is the perfect, final offering for the sin of the world.  He will be sacrificed on the cross and rise again from the dead to conquer death.  He is the Lord.  He is King of everything.  The Kingdom of heaven is near because Jesus is King.

            Is Jesus God?  Yes.  Does He have authority?  Yes.  Should you listen to Him?  Yes. 

            Listen to Jesus and do what He says to do.  It is so simple and straightforward and yet so difficult. 

It is certainly tempting to not listen to Jesus.  It is tempting to reject Jesus’ lordship and be your own boss, and do things your way.  It is so easy to be acting with God like a little child rebelling against his parents in a futile attempt to take control.  Parents are not going to give up control, and yet children will throw temper tantrums trying to get their way.  God is not going to give up being God because humans get grumpy.  As the Lord teaches in Psalm 46:10 (ESV) 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. …” 

Be still.  Take time each day to unplug from the noise of the world and be in God’s Word and hear Jesus.  Retreat from the cacophony of voices surrounding you, turn off the noise, and set apart some time to listen to Jesus.  This is difficult.  I know this is hard for me.  It is hard for me to take quiet time alone to read and meditate upon God’s Word.  There is a constant nagging to get finished and move on to the next thing.  A constant temptation to check my phone, think about something else.  There is always something else to do.  I find myself being a Martha, running around doing things, instead of Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him. 

Carefully listening to Jesus really needs to be planned and deliberate.  Take care how you hear.  Set aside quiet time each day to pray and read and listen to God’s word.  Learn again that Jesus has paid the price for your sin.  Gather together here each week to listen to the Word of God read and preached and sung. Come to a Bible study to dig more deeply into scripture.  Listen to Jesus. 

Listen to Jesus.  And if Jesus says something that you disagree with…know that Jesus is right.  This is humbling and liberating.  To know that God’s Word trumps your own ideas frees you from trying to mold and shape God to fit your ever-changing thoughts and ideas. It keeps you from being… James 1:6 (ESV) 6 …like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”  As a baptized follower of Jesus who struggles with sin and temptation, listen to Jesus because He has the words of eternal life. 

            To listen to Jesus and do what He says gives you freedom within the limits of God’s law.  To live in the Kingdom of God under the reign of the Lord Jesus gives you blessed assurance that you belong to Jesus and you are God’s treasured possession.  He has set you apart for eternal life with Him.  Listening to Jesus and doing what He says is an act of worship acknowledging that Jesus is Lord and Savior. 

            To show up on time and do what they tell you to do is good advice for work.  To hear Jesus’ words and do them is God’s command for His followers.  As we come to the end of the Epiphany season we have answered the questions, “Who is Jesus?”  He is the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us.  “What did He come to do?”  Jesus comes to be the perfect final sacrifice for your sin.  Jesus is your Lord.  Jesus is your Savior.  He has forgiven you all your sins. Listen to Jesus.  Amen. 

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Epiphany 7 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
February 23, 2025
Genesis 45:3-15, 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42, Luke 6:27-38 

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

            Venn diagrams can be an interesting way to analyze information.  These items belong in one set.  These items belong in another set.  These are the characteristics that both groups share. 

The whole human population can be broken down into two sets; sinners and perfect people. Who goes into the sinner category? Adam?  Yes.  Eve?  Yes.  All of their children and grandchildren?  Me? You?  Yes.  Who goes into the Perfect category?  Well, actually one of Adam and Eve’s great, great grandchildren.  Jesus of Nazareth.  He is in the perfect category.  Two sets, one with all humanity minus one and the other set with Jesus. 

            But here is where it gets interesting.  The two circles overlap.  Many folks are only in the sinner category and Jesus is only in the Perfect category, but there are many people in the area of overlap.  They are both sinners and perfect.

            How does that work?  These are sinners who believe in Jesus to whom Jesus has given His perfection and declared them to be holy.  These people are both sinners and saints at the same time.  You are in this overlap.  As a baptized child of God, as a follower of Jesus, you are in the area of overlap.  You are a sinner, but you have been declared to be holy and perfect and you are safe from the coming judgment on the Last Day.

            The strange thing about being in this area of overlap is that you can become more aware of your sins than those who are in the sinner area alone.  The more you learn about God’s law, the more sinful you realize that you are — knowing you sin in thought, word and deed.  This makes you increasingly grateful for all that Jesus has done for you. 

There is a danger in the area of overlap.  The devil will try to convince you that you did something to earn your place in the overlap.  He wants you to forget that you are a sinner who deserves condemnation and start to believe that you are good enough.  He will tempt you to believe you are so much better than the sinners you are not in the overlap. 

This is what Jesus is warning about in our Gospel reading today.  When thinking about sin it is our natural tendency to think about other people’s sins rather than to look at our own, and to think their sin is so much worse than ours.

It is spiritually healthy to remember who you are in the overlap of saint and sinner.  You are a sinner redeemed by Jesus.  Beginning worship each week with the confession of sins keeps you grounded.  Being a saint is not from you, but is purely a gift of God though the blood of Jesus. 

            Now, in the set of sinners who are not also in the overlap area of perfection there is a large subset of people who think they are good enough.  These are those who think they are autonomous and just make up and adjust their own rules to live by.  It is also those who follow false religions which teach that you can be good enough through your own actions.  And it is those who trust in their good works rather than trusting in Jesus.  Everyone in this subset of thinking they are good enough is mistaken.  They have been misled.  They are not good enough and are in danger from the coming judgment when Jesus returns.

            No one in the set of sinners is good enough.  Those in the overlap with perfection know that they are not good enough, but have been given the gift of forgiveness, holiness and perfection by the Lord Jesus, and they follow Jesus because He is the font and source of eternal life.  Those in the overlap are marked with the blood of the Lamb which protects them now, and on the Day of Judgment.

You know you are in the overlap of saint and sinner.  You know you are by nature sinful and unclean and you know you justly deserve God’s present and eternal punishment.  You know that God has had great mercy and grace upon you and given you forgiveness and eternal life.  You are safe from the coming judgment.  You also know that those outside the overlap are in grave danger when the judgment comes. 

            There is a disaster looming and there is ready protection against the disaster.  Picture for a moment a building full of people.  You know there is a looming disaster which will destroy the building and everyone inside.  You know there is safety on the other side of a doorway.  How do to let people know about the doorway to safety?  It is difficult when people do not sense the danger, they will think you are just acting crazy. 

            It can be like this in the world and worse.  You know that everyone in the set of sinners deserves the judgment and condemnation of God.  You know there is protection in the Kingdom of God, under the reign of Jesus, in the overlap of Saint and Sinner.  You try to warn people of the pending disaster and have them come to safety. The problem is that so many are in the subset of those who think they are good enough. 

You try to warn them, “Repent and believe Jesus died for you and rose to give you eternal life,” and too often the response is, “Whoa…what was that first word?  Repent? Are you saying that I have something to repent of?  Don’t you know your Bible?  Luke 6:37 (ESV) 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged…”  It is a frustrating place to be for you.  In love you want to warn of the impeding danger for all people in the set of sinners, including yourself, but they are hearing it as you being judgmental.  And certainly there are those all about judgment and not about love and it is easy to fall into judgment and condemnation rather than compassion and patience and love.  This is also what Jesus is warning about in the Gospel reading today.  So, how can you make them understand the danger and see the path to safety? 

            A lot of that is the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Lord wants all people to be saved but many resist the Holy Spirit and refuse to repent of their sins.  So what do you do?  Be the light.  Many in the “think they are good enough” subset actually have doubts that they really are good enough.  They are honest enough with themselves to be troubled.  They are looking for something.  So, take time to listen to people.  Listen to their stories.  Listen to their hurts.  It is hard living outside the overlap of saint and sinner not knowing who you are or what you are supposed to do.  Listen with the sympathy and empathy of a fellow sinner and invite them to come with you to this place where we admit the awful truth that we are sinners and we hear the amazing good news that Jesus forgives our sins. 

Now, in the world you will encounter those who hate Jesus and hate you because of Jesus.  Jesus teaches,  Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

This is a high and difficult calling.  It is a call to not respond instinctually to insults and hurts, but to respond like Jesus.

            Last week there was a hockey game with the U.S. against Canada.  The Canadian fans booed the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and so when the hockey match began three American players started fights with the Canadians.  “If you boo our national anthem we will make you pay — with our fists.”  That is, I guess, the way of hockey.  That is the way of the world.  But that is not the way of Jesus. 

We naturally want to be aggressive and decisive and demanding and vengeful, but that is not Jesus’ way.  Jesus’ way is mercy and compassion.  Jesus has great mercy and compassion on you.  You deserve His present and eternal punishment, but He patiently gives you forgiveness — over and over and over.  He never endorses or encourages sin, but He patiently loves you, forgives you and calls you to follow Him. 

As you deal with those who are in the subset of thinking they are good enough, speak the truth in love.  Don’t pretend that they are not in the set of sinners.  Don’t pretend they really are good enough.  But listen.  Listen to their hurt.  Walk with them in love and compassion.  Be a beacon of hope.  Be the light of the world.  Let the love of Christ shine through you.  And as we learn in…1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) 15 … in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” 

When the time is right, gently tell them that the whole set of sinners faces judgment on the last day, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Let them know there is still time to take shelter in the grace of the Lord Jesus.  Without endorsing sin, have compassion on those struggling with sin because you are a fellow sinner… struggling with sin… and Jesus has compassion on you.  Be patient with those caught up in sin because Jesus is patient with you.  Offer Jesus’ grace and mercy to others even though they don’t deserve it because Jesus gives grace and mercy to you even though you don’t deserve it.  Judge not because you are not the judge.  Condemn not because that is not given to you to do, but share that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. 

Love others with the reckless love of Jesus.  This is radically countercultural, so rebel against culture. Love like Jesus.  Love others like Jesus loves you.  Amen.