04262015 Third Sunday After Easter - The Big Reveal

Sermon Audio

April 26, 2015

The Big Reveal

Last weekend we hosted the wedding of Andrea and Garrett here at Emmanuel.  Saturday morning, before the wedding on the ramp to the front door they had the ‘Big Reveal’.  Simply it was where Andrea and Garrett would see one another for the first time on their wedding day.  These “Big Reveal’s” for the couples are always special and a memory they will treasure for their entire marriage.

Another reveal for families is when a newborn is shared with family and friends for the first time after birth.  Recently a couple shared their reveal with the world in a video that went viral.  What caused the video to go viral was not the parents, nor showing the newborn, but their friend’s reaction to what they saw for the first time.  The couple told their friends they were pregnant, but only shared that one piece of information, not the sex of the baby nor anything else.  Throughout the video people are shown behind a curtain and when it is pulled back the reaction of individuals is priceless.  Some come from behind the curtain and are excited and then what they see their reaction turns into instant disbelief.  It isn’t because what they see is bad, it is because they are expecting one baby.  Unknown to all their friends the couple was having twins and the reaction by most reveals how only after being confronted with the tangible of twins did their friends truly understand what occurred for the family.

So to this morning, we hear from Jesus in the Gospel lesson.  Behind the emblematic curtain before Jesus crucifixion, Jesus is telling the disciples w

hat will occur in the future.  In one sense the disciples are ‘blinded’ to the truth, just like the friends of the couple who were having the baby.  The disciples probably didn’t understand what would be required of their teacher and friend Jesus Christ.  Jesus was telling the disciples about the events on the horizon because He knew the future that was in store for Him and Jesus disciples wouldn’t fully comprehend those events until after Jesus resurrection.

Jesus knew what He was telling them sailed quickly over their heads.  But Jesus also knew the disciples grief would be turned into joy.  From the vantage point of the disciples it was a mystery what Jesus was telling them about the future.  But on the other hand for we gathered here today 2000 years later, we are looking back with the full picture in mind.  It is like looking through a peep hole that has a painting on the other side.  When looking through a peep hole, one only sees a very limited view of the full canvas, whether a picture of a person, landscape or even something each of us may know very well, whether the header on a combine, a seed box for planting wheat or corn or even the head of a sprinkler.  In looking through the peep hole we hone in on the detail, whether of a painting or a part.  For the disciples who are listening to Jesus, they cannot fully understand the future events that Jesus is telling them because they are blinded to the truth, the rest of the canvas of plan of salvation, Jesus death on Calvary.

The reason for Jesus telling His disciples that their grief will be turned into joy is that Jesus sees the other side of the mountain.  The disciples are blinded, because Jesus is looking in the future to Calvary, where He will sacrifice Himself.  Jesus is also looking to the day where the disciples will gather in fear, and Jesus will appear in the upper room and turn their fear and grief into joy.  Jesus is looking to the time we are in today in the church of After Easter.  Jesus is looking not only at the disciples who will run, but beyond His disciples in front of him who will have great grief to us today who gather here at Emmanuel in joy.  Jesus is looking to and at all of us gathered here at Emmanuel today because of two young adults.  Jesus is talking to we the church who baptized Austin and Peri and today in great joy will celebrate their confirmation. 

When we gathered on June 2, 2002 to baptize Peri and May 3, 2009 to baptize Austin we as a congregation celebrated and took responsibility with their parents and sponsors for their spiritual lives.  Today like the disciples joy being fully realized on the other side of Calvary with Jesus in the upper room, we celebrate and have great joy with Austin and Peri.  In our sight in a few minutes, they will shoulder the burden of responsibility as Confirmed members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 

But how does this relate to the joy found in the Gospel for us today?  The connection is simple, today we confirm Austin and Peri not with grief, but joy.  For today God Who created Austin and Peri, baptized them with Water and Word in this very font, now kneeling at the altar rail, God confirms them here in our sight.  Today Austin and Peri and all of us look not from the side of the disciples in grief or doubt that this day will ever come.  Today we look in faith with all of us gathered here today in celebration of the victory of Jesus, looking from this side of Calvary at God’s redeemed children Austin and Peri who are taking responsibility for their faith life.

Today we celebrate with Austin and Peri their confirmation of the faith they have been baptized into.  Today Austin and Peri take responsibility upon their own shoulders in joy.  Like countless generations that we celebrate with pictures downstairs of previous confirmation classes, Austin and Peri today step forward and in great joy shoulder their faith.  We celebrate because like Jesus says, “no one will take your joy away from you.”  We celebrate today with great joy because God fulfills His promise we laid claim to on Austin and Peri’s baptism and now we gather to for the confirmation of those promises on their shoulders.

For God’s promises made to Austin and Peri and each of us in our baptism were clear of Jesus Christ love for us and His offer for each of us of eternal life.  Jesus Christ went to the Cross of Calvary freely and offers us life and salvation freely out of His great love for us.  And this is a free gift from God for all of mankind, but especially all of us saints gathered here who celebrate today with Austin and Peri the promise of eternal life for all of us on this their confirmation day.  AMEN.

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Speak Your Mind

04272014 Confirmation Sunday and 1st Sunday After Easter

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Christ is risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

These words were spoken numerous times while I was in Israel in 1999.  Going with a large group of people we visited many of the most holy sites while “In the Footsteps of Jesus”!  When we gathered in the historic site of the Garden Tomb, with the stone rolled away, hearing the words, “He is Risen Indeed”, brought a collective air of not only fulfillment, but also joy to know that our Savior, Jesus Christ had risen from the Dead.  Jesus Christ had conquered death and death no longer would have dominion.

Yet, the sacrifice that was made by Jesus Christ seems minimal to some.  In our day and age what Jesus Christ accomplished for some is more myth and legend.  Consider those who go to the movies they see movies like Thor that talk of a Norse God, great entertainment.  Please understand, I love these movies and enjoy the opportunity to immerse myself in this for a few hours.  Another place where Jesus sacrifice is questioned is in colleges that say the Bible is only literature or that faith is not a valid concept or something to be believed in.  A perfect example is the movie, “God is Not Dead” that will be at our theater in the coming weeks.  The premise is that God is Dead.  Ironically this was true Good Friday, Jesus Christ, God’s Son was dead.  But now after Easter Sunday, Jesus Christ is not dead, He is alive, risen from the dead and we today celebrate this accomplishment that was for all of mankind, but especially for each and every one of us gathered here at Emmanuel.

Jesus Christ sacrifice we remember today, especially when we partake of the Sacrament of the Altar.  In and by our partaking of Jesus Christ precious Body and Blood we celebrate, not death, but the sacrifice and life He offers us in this Holy Meal.  As you can see before us I have a chalice and paten.  These are special to me and for all of us for two reasons.  But first, let’s pull out our bulletin insert and respond to the simple question, What is Sacrament of the Altar?  The Sacrament of the Altar What is Sacrament of the Altar?  It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink.  Let’s ask God to empower and enrich us with His Body and Blood in prayer.

Gracious Heavenly Father, in our Easter celebration, we know we receive Your true Body and Blood sacrificed for us that strengthens us in our pilgrimage here on earth.  Enable us to not only embrace what we receive from Your Holy Hands, but that it will enable us to understand more fully the forgiveness You offer to all of mankind in Your Holy Supper.  For this is for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here this morning for Confirmation Sunday at Emmanuel.  AMEN.

The chalice and paten before us this morning I bought when I was in Israel.  While on that trip, I saw myself in the future in ministry in a congregation offering the Lord’s Supper with this Paten and with this Chalice.  Where the gifts of God would be offered with the words, “Given and Shed for you for the forgiveness of sins”.  This promise by God fulfilled in the Garden Tomb with the clear expression of “He is Risen”, is a clear reminder of God’s promises made for all of mankind, but especially for each and every one of us gathered here this morning.

It is not only clear with a simple Chalice and Paten bought in Israel, but made manifest for we as God’s Children here this morning, because this same Chalice and Paten was used at my ordination here at Emmanuel.  When I laid on the floor, giving my life into the ministry as your shepherd, God in a clear way entered my life in a much deeper form and fashion.  But I was not becoming a god like Thor, I couldn’t and wouldn’t be equal to God like Jesus Christ.  However, when that Chalice and Paten were handed to me as a symbol of the sacrament that would be celebrated from the Altar of God, it was to be a reminder of the grace God would offer to each of us in the Words, “Given and Shed for you for the forgiveness of sins”.

You see it is the firm belief that no matter who holds the office of pastor, the worthiness of the pastor is not what is important.  Because I am sinful, just as anyone else.  What we receive in the Sacrament of the Altar is the gift of pure grace from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  This is God’s gift to and for all of mankind, but especially all of us who believe the words, “Given and Shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”  But it is even more appropriate for us here today.

This morning we as a church will confirm three individuals, Autumn, Peyton and Powell.  Today these three children of our congregation will take the responsibility of their faith upon their own shoulders this morning.  No longer will they in the eyes of the church be seen, understood, nor should they act nor be treated as children by anyone in the congregation.  Today, they take the vows of responsibility of their individual faiths upon themselves.  We have provided Sunday School to teach them the stories of the bible.  We have given them the Holy Scriptures in their hands in order that they read it themselves and understand their faith.  We have as a congregation provided them with the Small and Large Catechism and instructed them in Luther’s explanation of what God offers them not only in Holy Baptism, which they have been baptized into, but also in the Lord’s Supper which they received at First Communion.  Today, Autumn, Peyton and Powell stand before we their fellow heirs of eternal life and take their place as God’s baptized and soon to be confirmed members in the Body of Christ.

But it is more significant than that, today, the church celebrates with them their entrance into the ranks of the people of God as not only fellow heirs of eternal life, fellow partakers of the food they already receive around the altar of our Lord, but especially their entrance as adults around the table of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Yes, they have previously partaken of this heavenly meal, but today, Autumn, Peyton and Powell partake, knowing they now have ultimate responsibility of their faith, in their preparation, further instruction, discernment and nurturing their own personal growth in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is my prayer that in their lives that this meal that we receive today and in the future will strengthen them on their journey and pilgrimage and continue to nourish them to be God’s instrument in the spread of the Gospel message.  For God’s message of salvation of what Jesus Christ did on Calvary and offers us today in this Holy Supper with pure grace and mercy is for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel to celebrate Autumn, Peyton and Powell’s Confirmation.  AMEN.

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