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The Gospel Worth Defending

10/30/2024

Reformation Sunday
Romans 3:19-28
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
October 27, 2024

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)

So boldly St. Paul spoke of the precious Gospel he had peached to the Galatians. If he or any other apostle would come, yes, even if an angel from heaven would proclaim a gospel contrary to the one Paul preached to them, let them be accursed. Paul preached so boldly, because as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, He knew that the Gospel that a sinner is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone apart from works is the only Gospel which saves. And this is the Gospel consistently proclaimed throughout all Holy Scripture.
And this is why Martin Luther and his fellow reformers were so bold to stand up against the errors of the Roman Catholic Church and insist on this Gospel. “Who do you think you are?” They were told, “You are speaking against the Holy Catholic Church! How dare you say that the Church is wrong!” Yet, what did St. Paul say? If even an apostle or an angel from heaven should preach a contrary gospel, let him be accursed! This is why Martin Luther said to Emperor Charles V, “Unless I can be shown from Scripture or pure reason that I have erred, I cannot recant. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me.” This is why Luther wrote at the top of the Augsburg Confession written by Philip Melanchthon, before it was presented to the emperor, “I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,” (Psalm 119:46). If St. Paul, and therefore Christ Jesus of whom he is an apostle, commands us to defend this Gospel even against apostles and angels, how much more ought we defend this Gospel against bishops, popes, and emperors?
Luther and the reformers were confident that their Gospel was true, because they found it in Holy Scripture. Yet, their opponents argued that the Church had authority even over Scripture, that Scripture itself got its authority from the Church, and so they could not use Scripture to rebuke the Church. Yet, St. Paul writes in Ephesians 2, that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (that is, Holy Scripture), Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” Therefore, the Church stands on Scripture, not Scripture on the Church. And so, Christians may use Scripture to rebuke even a bishop, cardinal, or pope, because Holy Scripture is God’s own Word. And therefore, it is Scripture which reveals to us the Gospel, which St. Paul commands us to defend even against false apostles and angels.
The Gospel of Holy Scripture tells how a sinner is declared righteous before God apart from works of the Law. St. Paul writes in Romans 3, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith.” To be justified means to be declared righteous. This is why Paul wrote immediately prior, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it.” Before the Gospel is proclaimed, the righteousness of God is only manifested by the law, that is, by the commandments. Yet, we heard from St. Paul, “through works of the law no human being will be justified in God’s sight., since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
To be righteous means to be innocent, just, without sin, and therefore, in a right relationship with God. Yet, no human being could ever obtain such righteousness before God, because everyone is a sinner. And the more we look at the law to see how to make ourselves righteous, the more the law exposes our unrighteousness. So, if anyone is to be righteous before God, and therefore be saved, it must be done apart from the commandments.
St. Paul tells us that this righteousness before God which is revealed apart from the law is by grace. But what does he mean by grace? The Roman Catholic Church, influenced by the scholastics of the previous centuries, taught that grace was a quality or help, which God infused into a believer, so that the believer could grow in sanctification and grace and obtain justification. In other words, God’s grace is a gift, which helps us obtain our justification by our own personal renewal. To be justified by grace in the Roman Church does not mean that God credits you with Christ’s righteousness through faith. It does not mean simply to be forgiven, but to also obtain inner renewal by this infused grace. But how do you know that you have obtained inner renewal? How do you know that you have improved enough to be righteous before God? You don’t. So, the Roman Catholic doctrine of grace leaves the sinner looking into himself to find assurance of his justification, and therefore, leaves the sinner always in doubt.
But Luther and the reformers defined grace from Holy Scripture. Grace is not a quality infused into man, but it is God’s attribute, God’s attitude, God’s activity. “And are justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.” God’s grace justifies freely as a gift. God’s grace is a description of how God feels about us, how He behaves toward us. Grace is God’s undeserved love for us. We don’t see God’s grace merely when He gives us His Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments, where the Roman Church teaches we are helped along in our sanctification. No, we see God’s grace primarily in the perfect obedience of His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent to make atonement for our sins by His blood. “And are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption in Christ Jesus.” That is God’s grace. That is God’s mercy, His steadfast love, His Chesed: Jesus, on the cross, suffering and dying for our sins. That is God’s grace. Grace is not something you find in yourself. Grace is something you find in God, which is revealed to you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And that means that the Grace of God preached by Paul gives the sinner comfort and certainty of salvation. If grace is a quality the Holy Spirit infuses in you, so that you may with God’s help become righteous by your own works, you never have certainty that you have enough grace or that you are righteous before God. But if Grace is found in God and revealed in His Son, then you always have sufficient grace to be saved and may be certain that you are righteous before God for Christ’s sake.
God’s grace worked through the redemption that is in Christ’s Jesus. Redemption means that Christ purchased us, bought us back from sin, death, and hell. How did Christ purchase us back? First, He took on our human flesh and lived obediently under the Law in our stead. Second, as both God and man, He took on the sins of the whole world and suffered and died for them in our stead. This is what St. Paul says is “a propitiation by His blood.” Propitiation means that God’s wrath against sin is taken away. Christ has made atonement for us. Jesus’ holy precious blood won for us forgiveness of sins and peace with God.
This is why Paul says, “So that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” God is just, because He did not simply ignore sin. He didn’t say, “Well, sin is bad, but I love you more, so go on and sin and I’ll just ignore it.” No. God is righteous. And the unrighteous cannot abide with Him. So, Christ fulfilled the law as our substitute in human flesh with perfect obedience. And sin must be punished. It must be atoned for. So, Christ in human flesh suffered and died the punishment for our sins. It is as St. Peter writes, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous one in exchange for the unrighteous ones, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
This is what it means to be justified by grace. It means to be justified by God’s undeserved love for you through the ransom paid perfectly by Jesus Christ our Savior. And this is why we are justified through faith. Faith is believing and trusting in the promise of God’s grace for the sake of Christ’s atonement for our sins. Lutherans have always been criticized for saying that a sinner is justified by faith alone. Yet, we are justified by faith alone, because we are justified by grace alone. Grace is God’s undeserved love for us, which presents our righteousness and salvation to us freely as a gift. Faith is receiving that free gift, as St. Paul himself writes in Romans 4, “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring.” (vs. 16).
Faith is not simply historical knowledge. There are many with such faith, who really do not have saving faith at all, because they continue in their sin without repenting and do not truly trust in Christ for forgiveness and righteousness. But true saving faith is found only in those who mourns their sin and desire to be saved from it. True justifying faith clings to God’s promise of forgiveness and salvation for the sake of God’s grace found in Christ Jesus.
And that is why justifying faith also clings to the Sacraments of Christ. In Baptism, God shows us His grace by washing us and giving us rebirth in the Holy Spirit and joining us to Christ and His atonement for our sins (Titus 3:5-8; Romans 6:4). November has received a sure promise of God’s grace for Christ’s sake today when she was baptized. And so, in her Baptism she has something to put her faith in and she will not be put to shame. In the Lord’s Supper, Christ offers us His body and blood given and shed for us, with the promise of forgiveness and salvation. So, in the Lord’s Supper, we see God’s grace and have something firm to put our faith in.
The Lutheran Reformation was not an attack on the one Holy Christians Church. The Lutheran Reformation was a defense of the Church, because St. Paul tells us that if even an apostle or angel proclaims a different Gospel, we must defend the Church against it. And so, the true Church is made up of those who hear the voice of their Shepherd and trust in the promise of God’s grace to justify us for Christ’s sake.
Dear Lutherans, what we are celebrating this day is the defense of the only Gospel which saves. The Gospel preached by Paul gives us certainty of our salvation. It presents to us a Grace that is found in God alone, in His revelation of His Son Jesus Christ. That means that the grace you need to be justified before God is always the same and always enough, even if you have fallen into sin again and again and feel like your inner renewal has completely failed. Paul’s Gospel presents a righteousness that is received through faith alone, so you have certainty of your justification before God despite your sins, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Luther and the reformers stood on this Gospel before popes and emperors, and were not put to shame. And so, we will stand on this Gospel before the very throne of God, and He will find us righteous in His sight for Christ’s sake.
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Amen.

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The Source and Strength of Faith

10/23/2024

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Trinity 21
John 4:46-54
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
October 20, 2024

Jesus returned to Cana in Galilee. You know that town from the story of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine. When a nobleman from Capernaum heard that Jesus was in Galilee, he went to Cana to ask Jesus to come to Capernaum with him to heal his child, who was dying. Cana and Capernaum were both near the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum had become Jesus’ adopted hometown after he was rejected in Nazareth. So, this nobleman knew of Jesus. He had heard of Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine. And so, he believed that Jesus could also heal his son. Yet, when he asks Jesus to come down and heal his son before he died, Jesus gives him a harsh rebuke, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
Why does Jesus give such a harsh reply? Does not the man already believe? Why else would he ask Jesus to come and heal his son? And did not Jesus’ disciples believe in Him after they saw the miraculous sign of Him turning water into wine? There are two reasons for Jesus’ harsh rebuke. First, faith does not come by miraculous signs. Faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ, as St. Paul writes in Romans 10, “[Saving] faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” This maxim must be learned by all Christians. Saving faith comes through hearing the Word of Christ.
Now, you might counter and say that the disciples believed Christ when they saw the miracle of turning water into wine. That’s true. Christ uses that miracle to confirm their faith. Yet, they already had faith in Him. That’s why they were called His disciples. They heard His preaching and followed Him. But miracles are not the ordinary way that a person is brought to faith or kept in the true faith. The divinely ordained means by which an unbeliever is made a believer and a weak Christian is made into a strong Christian, is through hearing the Word of Christ.
Jesus shows this with His story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man languishing in hell, begs Abraham to send Lazarus, who is in heaven, to his five brothers, so that they would repent. Abraham says, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” Moses and the Prophets means the Holy Scriptures. And when the rich man protests further, Abraham says, “If they will not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if a man should rise from the dead.” And these words proved true at Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus appeared to those who had believed in Him before His crucifixion, and they believed in Him again. Yet, the chief priests who refused to listen and believe Jesus’ Word bribed the guards to be quiet, when they reported that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Signs and wonders do not produce saving faith. The Holy Spirit produces saving faith through the message of Christ. Jesus shows this again, when He rebukes Thomas for his unbelief before seeing the risen Christ, saying, ‘Do you believe because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” In other words, the vast majority of Christians will not see the risen Christ before they die. Instead, they will be brought to faith and kept in the faith through the Word of Christ.
This is the constant example of faith in Scripture. Abraham, whom Scripture calls the father of our faith, was called by God when he was seventy-five years old. God promised to make him into a great nation and to give him an offspring through whom all families of the earth would be blessed. Yet, his promised son Isaac was not born until Abraham was one-hundred years old! For twenty-five years, Abraham walked by faith and not by sight, holding on to God’s promise. And through that faith, he was accounted righteous by God (Gen. 15:6).
And this is a warning to our generation today, which seeks salvation outside of Christ’s Word. We will not find saving faith in wonders and signs. We will only find faith in Christ through humbly listening to His Word. St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24) and again, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
People find the Word of Christ insufficient. Perhaps, you find the Word of Christ lacking. Maybe there is something else that will be more effective in making you a better Christian or bringing your children or grandchildren back to Church. But there isn’t. “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will never believe,” says Jesus in rebuke of the man. And so, He rebukes everyone who seeks Him apart from His Word. If anyone is to have saving faith, He must listen to the message of the cross. You must see your sins cause Jesus’ pain and torment and death upon the cross, and see how He alone pays your ransom. You must learn from the Godman, from His own words, how to repent, how to trust, how to endure trials and temptations, how to recognize God’s love. Speaking in tongues, miraculous healings, emotional manipulation, eloquent wisdom, social science, none of these things can grant saving faith. Only the Word of Christ.
The second reason Jesus rebuked this poor nobleman, who begged Him to heal his son, is because the man needed his faith to be strengthened. And so, Jesus teaches us that we are always in need of stronger faith. The man had faith. At least, enough faith to take a day’s journey to another town and ask Jesus to come down and heal his son. And most people would think that is enough faith. I do believe most people think they have enough faith. And it is true, that even faith like a mustard seed can move mountains and even a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. So, a weak faith is still a saving faith, if what you have faith in is true. If you have a weak faith in Christ Jesus, then you still possess all of Christ’s righteousness, forgiveness, and kingdom, because it is not the act of believing which saves, but the content of the faith which saves. So, if you have a million dollars in a wet paper bag, you have just as much money as a person with a million dollars in a steel safe. Yet, whose million dollars is more secure?
And so, everyone thinks he has a strong enough faith until that faith is put to the test! Peter thought he had faith to walk on water, until he was frightened by the wind and the waves. The twelve disciples thought they had great faith until they cried in terror on the stormy sea and Jesus rebuked them for their little faith. Yet, when Jesus rebuked His disciples for their little faith, He did so out of love for them, so that they would see their need for a strengthened faith. And when Jesus rebuked this father for asking for a sign, He was showing him kindness, by training his faith to grow.
You may think that your lungs are fine and you are in decent shape, until you are forced to run and realize you’re not in as good of shape as you used to be. You may breathe easy sitting on the recliner, but that doesn’t prepare your muscles, heart, and lungs to do what is hard. Your faith holds your most precious treasure: Christ Jesus, and eternal life with Him. If your faith cannot withstand the test, you may lose that treasure when you need it most. So, Jesus teaches us to get training. To strengthen that faith, so that we hold onto Him more securely.
This man was hardly ready for this test. He begged Jesus to come down before his son died after Jesus rebuked him. What strengthened his faith in this trial? It was the Word of Christ, “Go, your son lives.” Although the nobleman had not seen it to be true, although Jesus did not do what he asked Him to by going down with him, the man believed Jesus’ words and went home in peace. And so, it is with us. Do you see the forgiveness of sins? Can you see the guilt for your many sins washed clean from your conscience? Can you see the robe of Christ’s righteousness covering all your imperfections? Do you see Christ’s body and blood before you? Can you see the gates of heaven open before you with angels and saints rejoicing at your repentance? No. But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed.” As Abraham journeyed from his home for twenty-five years, believing a promise without seeing it fulfilled, so this man walked a day’s journey home confident that what he heard from Christ was true. And so, we believe the words of Christ, “Your sins are forgiven,” “This is my body given for you; this is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” “Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.” “Depart in peace.”
Your faith will be put through the test by temptation, by falling into sin, by suffering, and by the hatred of this world. You don’t need a wet paper bag faith, which will do when times are easy. You need a full armor of God faith, which can withstand every flaming arrow of the devil. So, when times are good and easy, take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. When times are hard, listen to the word of Christ. Never assume that you do not need stronger faith, because it will not be worth it when you find out that you overestimated yourself.
Finally, the Gospel lesson teaches us not only to listen to Jesus’ Word, but to continue to learn it. When the man heard from his servants that his son had recovered, he inquired of them, that is, he learned from them what hour his son got better. And when he heard that it was the same hour that Jesus said, “Your son lives,” he believed again, and his entire household. This teaches us that we should learn God’s Word. We should inquire of God’s Word. We should test our faith by asking questions and searching for their answer in the Words of Christ. We should read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Holy Scripture, so that we may believe again and again and know that Christ’s Words are true. And we should speak of what we have learned in our household, so that our entire house may believe and be saved.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us take Jesus’ rebuke to heart, so that we diligently listen to His Word and find the source of our faith there. In this way, we may be strong in faith to endure every temptation, trial, and flaming dart of Satan until finally our eyes see what our faith has believed. Amen.

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The Certain Election

10/16/2024

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Trinity 20
Matthew 22:1-14
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
October 13, 2024

“Many are called, but few are chosen.” These words of Jesus could also be translated, “Many are invited, but few are elected.” Our nation is currently going through election season, where we will elect officials at the state and federal level. It will be over in just a few weeks. And while as a Christian, you should vote for candidates who will best promote God’s rule of law, since our rulers are God’s servants, to promote what is good and to punish what is bad (Romans 13:4), the one vote which really matters is God’s. He raises up rulers and casts them down according to His own will. And he does not always raise up the rulers He approves of, but those whom He will use to carry out His own purpose. He raised up Pharoah to show His glory over him. He raised up Nebuchadnezzar to carry out judgment upon Jerusalem. And He raised up Cyrus to bring His people back to Judea and to rebuild His temple. And so, he may bless us with rulers, who will protect the innocent unborn children and protect the Christian Church and her Christians from persecution, or He may raise up bad rulers to chastise our nation for its wickedness. So, however the elections turn out, we trust that God is carrying out His will for the purpose of His elect.
And this brings us to the results of a much more significant election. The election of who will be saved. Many will be called, Jesus says. Yet, few will be chosen, that is, few will be elected. The doctrine of election or predestination is taught throughout Scripture. St. Paul writes in Ephesians 1 that God, “chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world,” and that He “predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” (Eph. 1:4, 5) And again, he writes, “In [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Eph. 1:11)
Election makes people uncomfortable, because they think it means we are robots or something, who have no free will. However, when we look at election through Scripture, we find it to be a comforting doctrine, which gives us certainty of our salvation. It is God who elects according to His grace and mercy. He elects for the sake of Christ, who died for us. And He carries out this election in time through His gracious invitation or call. This is what this parable teaches us.
The king who gave a wedding feast for his son is God. His Son is Christ. The wedding is the feast of salvation. His servants, whom he sends out to call the invited are His prophets, apostles, and ministers. And through this parable, we learn three things about this call or invitation.
First, we learn that this call is universal. When Jesus uses the word many, He is employing a Hebraism. He means all. It is like when He says that the Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom of many (Matthew 20:28). Of course, Scripture makes clear that Jesus gave His life as a ransom for all (John 3:16; 2 John 2:2). This is why St. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2 that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (vs. 4) The king sent His servants to invite those who were called. When they refused, He sent more. When they responded in violence, He sent His servants to every street and lane to bring people in. This describes what Jesus says in the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28:19) and “Preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15). God’s call to believe the Gospel is a call for every human soul.
God’s call is universal, because Christ Jesus made atonement for the sins of all people. St. John writes in 1 John 2, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” There is no one for whom Jesus did not die. There is no sin, which Christ did not pay for. That is why Christ sends out the invitation to the whole world. This is how He can say that whoever believes will be saved. The promise is for all.
Second, God’s call is gracious. That means that those who are invited do not deserve the invitation. St. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1, that God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” God does not call us (or elect us) based on our good works. There is nothing in us that makes us worthy of this call. He calls those who are entirely unworthy. This is exactly what Jesus means when He says, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
And third, this call to the wedding banquet of God’s Son takes place through the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. I hear it time and again that people, who refuse to go to church, refuse to listen to the preaching of God’s Word, will say that they still have a good relationship with God. They think they have accepted the invitation to the heavenly banquet, while they are refusing the invitation from God’s servants. But no, this invitation is accepted in real time in a real earth through real means, which God has appointed. Christ commanded that disciples be made in all nations through Baptism and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20) and He commanded the Gospel to be preached to the whole creation. Every time we gather to hear Christ’s preaching and to partake of His Sacrament, we are accepting that invitation to the heavenly wedding hall. In fact, we confess that we have true Communion with those in heaven, who enter the banquet before us, when we participate in Christ’s body and blood shed for us.
The call to the feast of salvation is universal; it is for everyone. The call is gracious; it is offered freely to those who do not deserve it. The call comes through the preaching of the Gospel and the Sacraments; the preaching of the Gospel will continue until the end of the age, because God fervently desires to save all. Yet, most people refuse this gracious invitation.
Some completely ignore the invitation and go each to his farm or business. Don’t we know a lot about that! It seems no one can bother to go to church to worship God! They will accept the invitation if absolutely nothing else comes up, and if they feel motivated enough to go. They think it is a little thing to ignore the invitation of the King of Heaven. Yet, others respond with violence, killing the messenger. We see this as many of God’s prophets were murdered and all but one of Christ’s apostles were killed for proclaiming Christ. And the hatred and violence against Christ’s preaching continues today.
And yet, there is still another group who refuses the invitation, and that is the hypocrite. There was a man who came to the feast, but he was not wearing the proper wedding garment, so the king had this hypocrite thrown out. Now, Christians should dress their best when they come to church, because they are coming into the presence of God. And if they do not have proper church clothes to wear, they should buy special clothes they can afford to wear to church to show their respect to God. However, we would never kick anyone out of church because he could not afford a nice outfit. Even someone dressed in rags is welcome to worship with us, because true worship is done in spirit and Jesus says that whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out (John 6:37). So, why does the king cast out this man for having the wrong outfit?
Because the wedding garment this man failed to wear is the robe of Christ’s righteousness. This garment is given through Baptism and the preaching of the Gospel and it is worn through faith alone. St. Paul writes in Galatians 3, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many as you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” And St. John tells us in Revelation 7 that he sees the host of saints in white robes, which they washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb Jesus. And Isaiah prophesies of the Church when he writes, ‘I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me in the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” (Is. 61:10), as St. Paul also writes in Ephesians 5, that Christ sanctified His bride the Church, “having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 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.” (vss. 26-27)
You put on this wedding garment through Baptism and when you hear the preaching of the Gospel. And you keep this wedding garment on through faith in Christ. This garment is Christ’s righteousness, not yours. It is a gift. The hypocrite was thrown out of the wedding hall, because he wanted to establish a righteousness of his own through works. And so, he took off the robe of Christ’s righteousness.
And this emphasizes the point that you are not chosen or elected to the feast of salvation because of your own righteousness. God spoke to the children of Israel through Moses in Deuteronomy 7, “the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set His love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that He swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery.” And again, in Deuteronomy 9, Moses writes, “Do not say in your heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out before you, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out before you. 5 Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.6 Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people.”
And this is the same with us today. Many are called, but few are chosen. Why are the few chosen? It must be because they are better than the rest! No. Rather, had God not chosen you, you would still deny Him. You would ignore His invitation and behave violently toward His messengers. Rather, you were dead in your sins, following the course of the devil, and God made you alive in Christ Jesus by grace, according to His own mercy, not according to your works or merit (Ephesians 2; Titus 3:5). Why did God choose some and not others? We do not know. Some claim that God never intended to save those who were not chosen, but rather that He chose them from eternity for hell. But Scripture clearly teaches that God desires to save all people, that Jesus atoned for the sins of all people, and that God invites all people to be saved. Those who refuse the invitation do so of their own evil will, because they are rebellious. Those who accept the invitation do so by God’s grace. And we the clay have no business questioning God the potter for why some are rescued from their rebellion, while others continue in it (Romans 9:20).
The doctrine that God has chosen us is comforting, because had He not chosen us, we would still refuse Him. Yet, all Christians should believe that they are chosen by God. The fact that you believe the Gospel bears witness to this. So, as God’s chosen, seek to make your election sure by walking in Jesus’ ways, hearing His Word, repenting of your sins and believing His forgiveness, and receiving His Sacrament. Then you may trust that whatever happens in this world, whoever may be elected or whatever disaster may come, it all works out for good for those who are chosen by God.
Amen.

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Getting to the Root of the Problem

10/9/2024

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Trinity 19
Matthew 9:1-8
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
October 6,2024

One of the problems with much of our medicine is that it does not deal with the root problems, but simply masks the symptoms. We take pain killers to alleviate the pain of an injury for a while, but it does not actually heal the injury. The treatments for many illnesses and diseases do not work to cure a person, but simply cover up the symptoms. And what is worse, the masking of symptoms often makes the illness so much worse in the long run. Four friends went to great lengths to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, even, as St. Mark tells us, making a hole in the roof, so that they could let him down (Mark 2). And when Jesus the great physician saw their faith, He took pity on the paralyzed man, and He forgave his sins.
Yes, Jesus is the great physician, because He does not mask the symptoms or relieve your pain temporarily. Jesus gets to the root cause of your misery. The root cause of all your diseases, suffering, sorrow, pain, and especially death is sin. The wages of sin is death, which should be engraved in your memory. And all sicknesses and pains are mere minions of death. To really address your misery, you must address your sin! If you are to be free from your misery, you must be freed from your sin.
And so, by first forgiving the paralyzed man before He healed him of his paralysis, Jesus teaches us that even in our greatest suffering, we should desire nothing more than the forgiveness of sins. Not only because your sin is the root cause of all your trouble, so the forgiveness of sins is the solution to all your trouble, but also because the forgiveness of sins is the one thing you cannot give yourself! A physician may be able to grant temporary relief or even cure several illnesses. But who can take away your sins? King David laments with us in Psalm 38, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” And again, in Psalm 130, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! … If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” Before us stands God the righteous judge! St. Paul says concerning our sin, “On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:6) You may be able to hide your sins from others, so they do not judge you and put you to shame, but King David humbles himself before God when he cries to Him, “Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what was evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:4) We can hide our sins from the people we respect and fear. But we cannot hide our sins from God. He sees all, even in the depths of your heart. And you cannot remove your sins from yourself. You cannot make atonement for your sins or make up for your sin. Your sin is your greatest problem and the source of all your problems.
And so, this paralyzed man had comfort in his soul, even as his body languished on that bed, because Jesus, his Lord told him that his sins were forgiven. If his sins are forgiven, then also life and salvation are his. If his sins are forgiven, then he is reconciled with God. If his sins are forgiven, then there is no cross on this earth that he cannot bear with patience, because the forgiveness of sins makes every cross temporary and paradise eternal.
Yet, Jesus’ opponents grumble in their hearts, “Who is this who forgives sins? This is blasphemy!” It is not that these men did not believe that a person’s sins could be forgiven. Scripture is clear that God is quick to forgive and slow to anger. The Prophet Isaiah writes “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18), and likewise, the prophet Micah calls to God, “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19) And David, who felt the joy of having the weight of his sins lifted from his conscience, declares in Psalm 103, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, ... He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (vss. 3-4, 9-12)
So, the question is not whether God can forgive sins. But who is this Jesus who forgives sins? And so, Jesus, knowing their thoughts, though they kept them to themselves, asks them why they think it is impossible for Him to forgive sins. He asks, “Which is easier, to say, your sins are forgiven, or to say, rise and walk. But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Rise, take up your bed, and go home.” And the man immediately rose and went home!
Now Jesus proves that He does have authority to forgive sins, because He has authority to undo the result of sin! And Jesus proves that He has the authority to forgive your sins in the same way! Christ languished on the cross, as His enemies scorned Him, shouting, “Physician, heal yourself! You who saved others, save yourself!” They mocked Him for declaring that He was God’s Son and the Christ. And Satan too laughed with scorn saying that it was impossible for Him by His death to take away the sins of the world. But which is easier? To take away the sins of the world as John the Baptist declared of Jesus? Or after having suffered and died with the weight of the world’s sins on your shoulder, to then after three days get up and walk? And so, that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive your sins and not your sins only, but also the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), God raised Christ up from the dead on the third day, declaring Him to be the Son of God and Redeemer of the world (Romans 1:4).
The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. The Son of Man is Christ. He has authority on earth to forgive sins for two reasons. 1) He is God. 2) He paid for the sins of the whole world with His holy precious blood and innocent sufferings and death. Only Christ could have paid for our sins and only Christ did. Christ is a man, who forgives sins with the authority of God. This is why Jesus says in the Great Commission, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” He had this authority from eternity according to His divine nature, but He received it as a man through His incarnation and it was declared to Him again in His resurrection.
Yet, the crowds rejoiced and declared that God had given such authority to forgive sins to men. They didn’t say, “to a man or to the Son of Man.” They said, “to men.” Did they mischaracterize what happened? Are they lumping the Son of Man with all other men? Shouldn’t they rather say that this particular man has authority to forgive sins, but no other man does?
No, they got it exactly right. Christ the Godman gave authority to forgive sins to men, that is, He gave it to His Church on earth. In John 20, after Jesus rose from the dead, He who has all authority in heaven and on earth said to His disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:23) Jesus did this so that we in the Church may regularly hear and receive the good news that our sins are forgiven. Jesus said to His disciples, “The one who hears you, hears me!” (Luke 10:16) This is true in Baptism. When the minister pours water and proclaims the words of Jesus, it is Jesus Himself declaring the baptized a child of God. This is true in the Absolution. When the minister declares the forgiveness of sins in the stead and by the command of Christ, we consider it a voice from heaven and indeed, all the angels and God Himself bear witness to its truth in heaven as on earth. The Lord’s Supper is Christ’s true body and blood, not because of some power in the pastor or in his words, but on account of the words of Christ, which declare it forever.
So, what is the result of Christ giving to men such authority to forgive sins on earth, so that it is true even in heaven? Exactly what Jesus said to the paralyzed man as he still lay on his bed, “Take heart” that is, “be of good courage, be confident, your sins are forgiven.” With that little word, Jesus was telling the paralyzed man to have confidence before God’s throne, to not be afraid, but cheerful in the presence of the great judge, because his sins are indeed forgiven.
When a person is trapped in his sin, he deceives himself that his sin is not that bad and that no one knows about it and that he really hasn’t fallen too far. Yet, when a voice confronts the sinner and exposes his sin, it brings terror of conscience and repentance, as we see when David repented with tears when Nathan confronted him with his sin with Bathsheba. Likewise, when a person is overcome by guilt and cannot console his conscience because of his sin, he believes that he cannot be forgiven and is not a child of God. Even reading Scripture often does not help him, because his eyes ignore the comforting passages and his soul does not apply them to himself. Yet, when a voice sent by God declares God’s forgiveness and mercy, then the weight of guilt is lifted and the sinner finds a good conscience before God. In other words, the person finds good courage before God, because Christ has given authority to forgive sins to men.
This is why we must never forsake the preaching of God’s Word. It is indeed a voice from heaven, when it is faithful to Scripture. Christ makes clear that He intends you to hear His voice through His ministers, so that your heart may take courage and you may have a good conscience before Him.
Yet, there remains a second result of hearing this voice of forgiveness. It strengthens you to resist sin today and to walk according to the new man created after the image of Christ. To put off the old self, you must then put on the new self. You cannot walk in newness of life if you do not hear from Jesus that He has forgiven all your sins, just as the paralyzed man could not walk until after he was forgiven. So, we do not wait until we have overcome our sin before we listen to Jesus’ voice. We need to hear His forgiveness often. And through faith in the forgiveness of sins proclaimed to us, we receive power to walk with Jesus today and into eternity. Amen.

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Seeing the Invisible

10/2/2024

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Michaelmas
Matthew 18:1-11 and Revelation 12:7-12
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
September 29, 2024

“I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.” We confess these words in the Nicene Creed. From Scripture we learn that God has created not only what we see, but also what we cannot see. For today’s sermon, I want to teach you about what we do not see. In 2 Kings 6, the Syrian army surrounded the city where Elisha lived to kill him, so Elisha’s servant despairing said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” to which Elisha responded, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So, the Lord opened his eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire! Thus, God rescued Elisha with the help of angels. Yet, the angels did not come into existence when Elisha’s servant saw them. The angels were already there! And so, Scripture teaches us, the angels are around us now, though we do not see them.
Hebrews 1 says of angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (vs. 14) And Psalm 103 calls them “mighty ones who do [God’s] Word.” They obey God’s commands and God commands them to protect us. Psalm 91 states, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (vss. 10-11) And Psalm 34:7 declares, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” So, we should believe fervently that angels form a hedge around us, protecting us from evil and serving us for Christ’s sake. Yet, even more, we should start believing what Scripture says, so that we recognize that a lot more is going on than what we see.
On the cross we see a dying man, bleeding and weak. It’s a pitiful and gory sight, which inspires no hope of victory. Yet, Scripture tells us that while this is what we see physically, in the heavenly realm Michael and His angels are fighting Satan, the ancient dragon, and his evil angels, and that they cast Satan and his hordes of demons out of heaven by the blood of Christ shed for us! What we see with our eyes is not the whole picture.
Likewise, we saw little William get baptized this morning: a tiny infant had water poured on his head as a few words were spoken. To the unbeliever, a quaint tradition, which accomplishes nothing but getting a baby’s head wet. Yet, what does Scripture say? When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ like a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” And so, we should firmly believe that when little William was baptized, although we could not see it, the heavens indeed were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him and God the father declared William His own dear child. This is attested enough by Christ and the Apostles, who tell us that Baptism is a washing of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-6; Titus 3:5-8) and that we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism (Acts 2:38), and that Baptism grants new birth and makes one an heir of Christ (Titus 3:5-8; Galatians 3:27, 29).
So much more is going on around us than what we see with our eyes or sense with any of our senses. We must walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). So, what else is true that we do not see with our eyes? The disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And our Lord calls to Himself a little child and says, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me.”
This is not what we expect, because this is not what we see. Children are not considered great. Rather children are despised. Our culture hates little children and looks at them as pests and even parasites. Sixty-five million babies have been murdered in the womb in our country in the last fifty some years. Eighty-five percent of abortions are done for unmarried women, meaning that if people would simply stop fornicating, we would have far fewer abortions. But our culture doesn’t care about children. Our nation cares more about protecting the “rights” of adults to sexual pleasure than it does about protecting children.
And while we can point the finger and condemn others for supporting the killing of these children, we in the church have accepted the major premise, which justifies the conclusion to kill children. We think it is appropriate to look at children as a problem and to not want them. We lie to ourselves and say that we want the church to grow, while we make sure that we don’t bring too many children to church, children to whom Christ said the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19:14). Now it is God alone who builds a household and grants children (Psalm 127; Gen. 30:2). So, you must never pass judgment on others for not having children, because you do not know from whom God has withheld children according to His own purpose or what physical ailment may prevent children. However, we must change our attitude toward children and have a biblical attitude toward them. God says, “Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:28; 9:1) and Psalm 27 declares, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.” And Psalm 28, “your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.” And our Lord Jesus commands, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)
So, we should put away the worldly wisdom, which has decimated our churches over the past several decades, and stop telling young married couples to hold off on having kids or stop having kids, so they can make more money. And instead, encourage young married couples to welcome the children God chooses to give them, trusting in God to protect and provide for them, and bring them to church to be baptized into Christ and raised in the true Christian faith, because this kingdom belongs to them. We see little children as expenses who prevent us from doing what we want to do. God sees them as the greatest in His kingdom, as little princes and princesses, lords and ladies, heirs to His kingdom. See that you do not despise them or hinder them from Christ’s kingdom, because their angels always behold the face of God your Father in heaven. And they are powerful to act.
Unless you become like such a child, you will by no means enter God’s kingdom. You become like a child by humbling yourself, repenting of your sins, repenting of your own wisdom and knowledge and pride, and accepting the wisdom of Christ. That is the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins through faith. Saving faith can only abide in the humble. And if you humble yourself like a child, you too will have an angel, who always beholds the face of God, who will fight for you and protect you.
Yet, this brings us to another topic. What do we need these guardian angels for? Michael declares from heaven, “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!” (Rev. 12:12) These angels are not just neat. We need them! If God withheld the protection of the angels, we would be devoured by Satan and become his slaves (1 Peter 5:8). And so, you need to recognize the spiritual battle taking place around you for your very soul! So, we should always pray that God send His angels to protect us.
Yet, you must understand that what you watch in movies about angels and demons is fiction. To recognize Satan and his demons and to avail yourself of the assistance of the angels, you must look to Scripture. Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). This means that the weapons of Satan and his demons are words. Satan seeks to murder your soul with lies that you can hear with your ears. Scripture also tells us that the Law was given through the intercession of angels (Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). And from the conception, birth, and resurrection of Christ, the Good News was always proclaimed by an angel (Luke 1:26-38; 2:8-20; Matthew 28:5-6). So, we know that we find the help of angels in God’s Word, both in the Law and the Gospel.

So, as you fight back against the devils, you must train yourself to recognize what your eyes do not see. While the world assures you that looking at certain things on the internet or in movies is harmless titillation, Scripture warns you to turn your eyes from worthless things, because Satan and all forms of evil may enter through your eyes and make your whole body dark (Psalm 119:37; Matthew 6:22-23). So, when Jesus tells you to cut off your hand or foot or pluck out your eye if it causes you to stumble, He is not telling you to mutilate yourself. He is saying that you should cut off anything in your life that would hinder you from entering the kingdom of heaven. Satan and his hordes will use pornography, drunkenness, immoral friends, and sinful habits to pull you away from Christ’s kingdom and make you a child of hell. Satan will lie about how harmless these things are. And since Satan is a liar, he will above all use false preaching and teaching to draw you away from Christ and His kingdom.
So, if you want the protection of the angels, where do you go? If Satan uses lies, then run to the truth! The angels obey God’s Word, so they are always present where God’s Word is proclaimed! They fight for you for the sake of Jesus’ blood, so the angels are ever prepared where the Gospel of Christ’s crucifixion is proclaimed. Michael declares in Revelation 12 that those who are accused by Satan, but now rejoice in heaven conquered Satan with the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even to death (vss. 10-11). And does not Christ avail you of that same Satan-slaying weapon? Did your Lord Jesus not say, “This is my body given for you; this is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”? And did St. Paul not tell you, “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”? Yes, and it is by this blood of Christ, and by this word of our testimony that our Lord died for us, that we too conquer that great dragon, that ancient serpent, who with his lies and slander seeks to drag us to hell. This is why we rejoice with angels and archangels every time we receive the Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.
What you see is not all of reality. In fact, much of what you see, Satan uses to distract you from the truth. So, we hold fast not to what we see, but what we have heard from Christ in Holy Scripture. And we know that when we hold fast to Christ’s Word, in church and at home and at work, holy angels go with us to protect us from every evil. What is great and mighty and wealthy in this world is a delusion. Christ’s little children are greater than any power on earth. For them fight a mightier army than any nation on earth could muster. And God will send this army of angels to bring His children to their rightful inheritance, purchased with the blood of Christ. Woe to anyone, man or devil, who tries to stop them. Amen.
I walk with angels all the way, They shield me and befriend me.
All Satan’s pow’r is held at bay When heav’nly hosts attend me;
They are my sure defense, All fear and sorrow, hence!
Unharmed by foes, do what they may, I walk with angels all the way. Amen.

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"For faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." ~ Romans 10:17

The Gospel Worth Defending

The Source and Strength of Faith

The Certain Election

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Seeing the Invisible

Rev. James Preus

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