Archive for January, 2009

It’s the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany with the following three readings, “Deuteronomy 18:1-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and Mark 1:21-28. The chosen text to preach about is Mark 1:25, “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’”

About what did Jesus say to someone to keep quiet? Was it that they were mocking God or rejecting Jesus as the Son of God? No, instead, Jesus was urging quiet when He heard the words, “You are the Holy One of God.” Does that make sense? There was another such occasion when Jesus told the disciples not to inform anyone that He was the Messiah.

In that situation Jesus did not want Him to be referred to as the Messiah because the title “Messiah” had been understood to refer to the destruction of the Romans and the renewal of the land of Israel. But Jesus came to provide a spiritual kingdom as He Himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

In the former situation, it is not a disciple or a believer confessing Jesus to be the Son of God. It is the unclean spirit (demon) who did not have the authority from God to speak the Word of God even if what he said was true. This has ramifications for us today.

First, it is ridiculous to imagine that a 12-year old boy could be considered to be ready to pastor a congregation because he is a good speaker. No, instead there is a call process and other considerations for someone to be a proper pastor. So also, regardless of the speaking ability of a woman, it is against God’s will for a female to be a pastor.

In contrast to the word from the demon, the word from the Word, Jesus Himself, was caricatured as one Who taught with authority. That takes place because the true message carried by the Holy Spirit is so radical and against all our experience that it stands out truly as the Word of God which does not return empty.

For the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, the three assigned readings are Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-35 and Mark 1:14-20. The text for preaching is Jonah 3:5, “So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.”

What was the message that Jonah preached that was so persuasive. The only part that is revealed is, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Perhaps it was the enthusiasm of the preacher. However, is it not true that Jonah was not pleased with his assignment? His rebellion resulted in his being swallowed by a fish.

Jonah is an excellent book to comfort the pastor and the layperson who wonders whether the words he speaks are effective. The reason why the town of Nineveh repented was that Jonah finally did speak the Word of God as it was given to him and the Holy Spirit did not permit the message to be returned empty.

The basis for a valid message is that it is a repeat of the Word of God. The basis for an effective message is that the Holy Spirit creates faith through the proper means of using the Word of God. While the specific message revealed is Law, the message would also have included the effect of God’s promise to those who repent of their sins.

The final point is that Nineveh would not have been converted due to their appreciation of Jonah. His attitude would have been obvious that he did not care that much for these Gentiles. But the Word of God properly proclaimed trumps anything else that might lead to unrepentance. Because of a gracious attitude, the Holy Spirit moved the hearts of those Ninevites and brought them to faith. And Jonah’s source for the Word is the same for us as for him!

For the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, the three proposed readings are 1 Samuel 3:1-20; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and John 1:43-51. Chosen to preach on is 1 Samuel 3:18, “Then Samuel told Eli everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, ‘It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.’”

The boy Samuel hears someone calling him three times and goes to the priest Eli who finally realizes it is the LORD calling the young boy. When Samuel replies, “Speak, for Your servant hears,” the LORD reveals that He will judge the house of Eli forever due to the wickedness of his sons. It is not that they simply disregarded the form of worship which God had established but such disregard indicated their unbelief.

What is so interesting is Eli’s response to hearing from Samuel the words of the LORD. “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” This is said in spite of the revelation from the LORD that for Eli’s own children there would be no atonement by sacrifice of offering forever.

How many of the members of the congregation may think that for them there is no atonement for their sins? This sermon is an opportunity to make the clear L&G distinction between sin and unbelief. While there has been an atonement for everyone’s sin, there is no atonement for unbelief. In fact, it is the only unforgivable sin.

The sermon can also touch on the importance of worshipping according to God’s directions rather than what we feel to be more user friendly and welcoming to visitors. While psychology and sociology may hint at steps to take to make people more comfortable in the pew, only the Word of God can produce a comfort in them in regard to their relationship with God.

We no longer need to hear the voice of God coming to us in the stillness of night for we have His sure and inerrant Word and Sacraments. It is the only means that He now comes to us. We listen to no inner voice or dream. For the Word of God is sufficient and in light of 2 Timothy 3:16 results in a complete child of God who by grace through faith believes in Jesus Christ.

For the Sunday of the Baptism of our Lord, the three readings provided to use are Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11 and Mark 1:4-11. Chosen to preach on is Mark 1:9, “It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galille, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

The task of the pastor is often seen as teacher to student. However, in light of the fact that the laity hold the highest office in the church; that is, the priesthood of believers, they also are to teach as Jesus instructed in revealing how to make disciples of all nations (baptizing and teaching). Therefore, each sermon is to address the listeners as the potential teachers to those in their community (whether children, relatives, coworkers, neighbors, etc.)

The task then of the pastor in regard to the baptism of the Lord is not just to provide content through insights but also to finish with comfort through promises. One way to accomplish this in regard to the Baptism of our Lord is to focus on three words in Mark 1:9. They are, “in the Jordan.” What is the significance of that?

On the one hand, it is true that the Baptism of Jesus is a kind of installation event for Jesus to begin His ministry as the Messiah. However, such information is not sufficient to raise the sermon to a level of preaching the Gospel which needs the promises from a gracious God. How does one accomplish that with the three words, “in the Jordan.”

Recall first of all what had just been happening in the Jordan prior to Jesus’ appearance. People from all over had come for a baptism of repentance. This ceremonial cleansing in the Jordan resulted in the river becoming a sewer of sin. What Jesus did by going into the water is to take upon Himself the sin of humankind. Jesus became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God through Him.

The baptism of Jesus begins the ministry mission of our Lord to take upon Himself the punishment of the curse of the Law that we deserved. In forgiveness we are no longer held accountable for what we have done, thought or said against God’s will. In this way, the baptism of Jesus becomes a teaching moment that the listener can use to teach others the true significance of His ministry.