Category: All Saints Day

Entering the Church Triumphant through the Church Militant

11/7/2024

All Saints Day Sermon
Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
November 3, 2024

All Saints Day is a celebration of the Church Triumphant. John tells us of his vision in Revelation 7, where he sees an innumerable crowd clothed in white robes, praising and worshipping Christ the Lamb as He sits on His throne. They are joyful and righteous. They sing praises to Christ ever in His presence. Nothing can harm them. Not even the sun may strike them. They lack no good thing; they hunger and thirst for nothing. And they are there in paradise, because they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ.
The Church Triumphant is the Church which has passed out of the tribulation and has entered into her glory. The prophets, apostles, and all the saints who have gone before us, including our dearly departed in the faith, now enjoy their Sabbath rest as the Church Triumphant. This is what we are celebrating. And we do not only celebrate it for those who have gone before us, we celebrate for ourselves. We believe that we too will join the Church Triumphant.
There is only one Church. Those who enter the Church Triumphant do not enter a different Church than what we belong to today. We are even now united with the Church Triumphant in what is called the mystical body of Christ. It is fitting that little Kliff is baptized on the day we celebrate all the Saints, because he has joined the one holy Christian Church, that is, the Community of Saints, which exists both on earth and in heaven. Those in the Church Triumphant have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Yet, they did that when they were still here on earth. In Baptism, God washes us clean from all our sin in Jesus’ blood and clothes us in a garment of Christ’s righteousness. St. Paul writes in Ephesians 5, “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in spender, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” And so, by the power of His Word, Christ joins His redeeming blood to the water of Baptism, so that those who believe and are baptized may wash their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. When Ananias restored the sight of Saul (Paul), he said to him, “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16) And St. Paul wrote in Galatians 3, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” So closely Paul joins faith to Baptism, so that those who believe in Christ Jesus as their Savior, should believe that in Baptism, Christ has washed their garment with His own blood, which He shed on the cross, and has clothed them in a robe of Righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).
And so, little Kliff today wears a white robe, bleached white from all sin and imperfections with the blood of Christ, and is a rightful member of that heavenly throng. Yet, he is not in heaven yet. None of us are. And Jesus’ message for us on this celebration of the Church Triumphant is quite different from what we would expect. While John tells us in Revelation that the Church Triumphant will lack nothing good, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” While John tells us that the Church Triumphant will have every tear wiped away from their eyes forever, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn.” While the Church Triumphant neither hungers no more nor thirsts anymore, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” While the Church Triumphant boldly and loudly sings a victory song to God, Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek.” And while the Church Triumphant enjoys complete peace, so that not even the sun may oppress them, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
So, why the great contrast between Scripture’s description of the Church Triumphant and how Jesus describes the blessed? They are members of the same Church, the same Community of Saints, the same mystical body of Christ. Yet, St. John records, the Church Triumphant has come out of the great tribulation. We, the blessed on earth, are still in the great tribulation. The blessed who are going through the great tribulation are the Church Militant. Jesus tells us these Beatitudes to encourage His saints who are still going through the great tribulation, the Church Militant.
Today, little Kliff joined the ranks of the Church Militant. Although in his Baptism, He has received from Christ everything He needs for salvation and to be a member of the Community of Saints, he will not enter the Church Triumphant until he dies or Christ returns. His Baptism doesn’t mark the end of His journey, but the beginning. His citizenship and ours is in heaven. So, as long as we live on this earth, we are going through the great tribulation. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) It is in this great tribulation that Christ won for us salvation by His blood on the cross. And so, it is in this great tribulation that Jesus washes us with that blood and gives us everything we need to enter His Church Triumphant. So, we must follow Jesus through this tribulation, until we reach our journey’s end.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The poor in spirit are not necessarily materialistically poor, but rather, they do not consider anything on this earth their true treasures. Rather, they store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust may not destroy and where thieves cannot break in and steal (Matt. 6:20). This is how King David, who was considerably wealthy humanly speaking, said, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought of me.” (Psalm 40:17) And so, Jesus tells you that you are blessed in heaven when you recognize that nothing on this earth is your true wealth, but your wealth is stored for you by Christ in heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” As with the poor in spirit, those who mourn do not weep all the time. In fact, Paul tells them to rejoice always (Phil. 4:4). Yet, Jesus says they mourn, because they do not rejoice in what the world rejoices, just as they do not consider wealth what the world considers wealth. With these words, Jesus exhorts us not to find our reason for rejoicing in the things of this world or to forget that we are in the great tribulation. In Ezekiel 9, the Lord commanded a man to put a mark (which looked like a cross) on the foreheads of the men who sigh and mourn over the abominations committed in Jerusalem. It was those who received the mark, who would be spared when the executioner went through the city. And so, mourning the sin and evil in this world and setting your hopes in heaven is a sign that you are marked by Christ as one redeemed. Yet, rejoicing with the world in her evil and joining in her sin, sexual immorality, and selfish indulgence, is a sign that you are not part of the Community of Saints.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” This does not mean that Christians should be silent or non-political. Rather, Christians should loudly speak the truth and push for godly government, which promotes what is good, protects the defenseless, and discourages moral degeneracy. However, as you treat one another, you should be meek and gentle, not seeking to win your own advantage, but willing to turn the other cheek when offended and to give your cloak also to him who demands your tunic. Those who do not serve their own pride will inherit the new heavens and the new earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” If you are a Christian, you recognize that there is a lack of righteousness on this earth, a lack of righteousness among people, a lack of righteousness in your own heart and among your own words and deeds. You not only want to be forgiven and declared righteous, but to be transformed by that forgiveness, so that you sin no more and that you may live where only righteousness dwells. Christ promises you that you will be satisfied when this world passes away.
The merciful are those who forgive the trespasses of others with the confidence that our heavenly Father forgives their trespasses. The pure in heart are those who daily clean out of their hearts all idolatry and love for evil, so that their hearts may be a sanctuary for God alone. They shall see God, for they shall be like Him. The peacemakers seek reconciliation, that is, to make friends with their enemies, instead of getting revenge. They shall be called sons of God, because they follow their Father’s example, who reconciled the world to Himself through His Son (2 Cor. 5).
Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, that is, on account of Christ are especially blessed, because they are constantly reminded that the world hates them as it hated Christ. Jesus tells them to rejoice, because they are in good company with the prophets, and most especially Him.
And this is where we get to the main point of these Beatitudes. These Beatitudes describe the Christian going through the great tribulation, because they describe Christ going through the great tribulation. Christ clothes you in a white robe of righteousness, washed in His blood, not so that you may go on sinning and conforming yourself to this wicked world, but so that you can make it through this tribulation with your salvation intact. And so that you turn from sin and do not take off your robe of righteousness, these Beatitudes direct your focus at Christ, so that you may see who your Savior is and also follow His holy example. Jesus was poor in spirit, forsaking all the riches of this world for the sake of His heavenly kingdom. He wept over Jerusalem and all who turn from life. He was silent before His accusers and Pontious Pilate instead of defending Himself. And in great hunger and thirst for our righteousness, He went to the cross and drank down to the bitter dregs God’s wrath against all our sins. His mercy knows no bounds, as He died to forgive our sins. His heart was pure toward His Father and remains the only way that one can see the Father. He made peace between God and man through the blood of His cross. And He suffered the greatest persecution and blasphemy for the sake of our salvation, so that every unkind word and mistreatment you receive for the sake of Christ draws you closer to your Savior.
It is Christ who went before us in this great tribulation. And it is Christ who goes with us in this tribulation. Although, we are baptized once, we wash our robes every day in His blood, by returning to our Baptism through repenting of our sins and trusting in Christ’s promise of forgiveness. John’s words about the Church Triumphant give us hope for those who have gone before us and for ourselves in the future. Yet, Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes give us certainty that we are blessed now amid our tribulation. We are God’s children now, although we do not yet see what we will become. So, we will continue to purify ourselves with the blood of Christ, daily repenting of our sins and gladly hearing His Word, with confidence that we will come out of this great tribulation to join the Church Triumphant. Amen.

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The Marks of a Saint

11/11/2023

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All Saints Day (Observed)
Matthew 5:1-12 and Revelation 7:9-17
Pastor James Preus
November 5, 2023

Every one of us is living on the edge of eternity. No one knows when he will die, but we do know that our existence is not over when we die. God has endowed each of you with a living soul, which will live on even after your body dies. When you die, your soul will be separated from your body, and you will go either to heaven or hell. Yet, your soul will not remain separated from your body forever. Though your body rot away to dust, Christ will raise everybody from the dead, some to the resurrection of eternal life, others to the resurrection of judgment. Even as your soul enjoys paradise in heaven, you still wait for the resurrection of the dead (Rev. 6:9-11).
There is no end to heaven and there is no end to hell. Jesus describes hell as eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46), the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30), where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48). Jesus describes heaven as eternal life (John 5:29), Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22), the kingdom and the wedding banquet. Although the hope of the entire Scripture is to reach paradise, there are scant descriptions of heaven in Holy Scripture. Perhaps the most succinct description is in Psalm 73, where the Psalmist cries out to God “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” (vs25) Heaven, quite plainly, is to be with God our Savior.
Perhaps the most beautiful vision Scripture does give of heaven is found in Revelation chapter 7, where St. John sees a great multitude that no one can number from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne of God and the Lamb with palm branches in their hands clothed in white robes singing praises to God. John is told that this multitude clothed in white robes are those who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They neither hunger nor thirst anymore, the sun does not strike them, nor any scorching heat. And God wipes away every tear from their eyes.
What a beautiful description of heaven! Whatever it lacks in detail, it more than makes up for with the promise of eternal contentment with Christ. The saints will be in Christ’s presence. Their suffering will be over. There will be no pain, anxiety, physical or emotional distress; not a tear of sorrow will ever be shed by them again! Rather, they will enjoy the presence of their Savior and God for eternity! And John recognizes this multitude as coming from every nation, tribe, and language. I have no doubt that each one of them could recognize each other, and that when you see this crowd in heaven, you will have no trouble recognizing your loved ones in Christ as well as many more, you never met on earth.
Yet, how will they come to such a blessed place after trudging through this tribulation here on earth? They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! Now obviously, blood does not make linen white. It stains it! But these robes are not linen, they clothe the souls of the saints. And our consciences can be washed clean in no other detergent than in the innocent, pure, and holy blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Yet, this is John’s vision. We have not seen it. We’ve only read it. For the time being, this vision is hidden from our eyes. We cannot see the white robes. The host of saints remains invisible, because faith is invisible. This is why we confess that the church by nature is invisible, because the church is the community of saints, who are saints through faith in Christ, a faith which abides in the heart.
Yet, that does not mean that we cannot recognize the Church here on earth. Christ has provided His Christians on earth with signs to recognize His Church. We call these signs the Marks of the Church. The marks of the church are the signs by which Christians can recognize where the true Church is. The marks of the church are the pure preaching of the Gospel and the right administration of the Sacraments. Where the Gospel is proclaimed that a sinner is saved through faith in Christ alone, who by His death made satisfaction for all our sins, there is Christ’s Church. Where sinners are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for rebirth, forgiveness of sins, and salvation, there is Christ’s Church. Where Christ’s ministers in the stead and by the command of their Chief Shepherd forgive the sins of repentant sinners, there is Christ’s Church. Where Christ’s true body and blood are fed to the faithful in the Sacrament, there gathered is the multitude of white-robed saints.
How can I assert this? Because this is how the blood of the Lamb Christ Jesus is applied to our souls here on earth, so that they may be washed clean, so that we may stand faultless without spot or wrinkle before Christ our Savior on His throne. You cannot separate the marks of the church, Baptism, Absolution, the Lord’s Supper, and the preaching of the Gospel from the marks of Christ. Remember that Christ Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). It is by His stripes, His wounds that we are healed. The marks of the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet, of the spear in His side, of the lashes on His back, and of the thorns on His brow are revealed to us in the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of Christ’s Sacraments. There we get access to His sacred blood, which washes our sins away.
If you do not recognize the visible marks of the Church, then you cannot be a member of the church invisible, that great multitude of white-robed saints, whom no one can number. But when you recognize the marks of Christ in the marks of the church, you have confidence that you too are robed in a clean white garment and will join that multitude in heaven.
Yet, that is not what we see. As often as we hear the Gospel preached, as we believe the forgiveness of sins proclaimed to us, and eat Christ’s body and blood, our eyes cannot see the glorious vision St. John describes in Revelation seven. We don't see ourselves and our fellow Christians clothed in white robes, which guarantee an eternity of heavenly contentment with Christ. So, our gracious Lord Jesus, who is superabundantly generous in His grace, has given us additional signs here on earth. We can call them the marks of a Christian, or the marks of a saint. These are the signs which identify the saints here on earth. Saints are those set apart by God for eternal salvation.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus says, “blessed nine” times in this Gospel lesson, which is why these sayings of Jesus are called the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes describe the marks of the saints. To be blessed means to have contentment in the Lord. Those who are blessed are those, who will come out of the great tribulation, wearing white robes before the throne of Christ in heaven. The first of those listed as blessed are the poor in spirit. The poor in spirit are those who do not store up treasures here on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but who store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. The poor in spirit long for nothing in heaven or on earth besides Christ their Lord and God. They take seriously Jesus’ warning, “What profits it a man, if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul?” These poor in spirit possess the very kingdom of heaven for eternity.
Those who mourn over their sins and the attacks of the devil, world, and sinful flesh against Christ’s Church instead of rejoicing with the unbelieving world will be comforted with comfort no alcohol, drug, or fancy feast can give. They will be comforted by the Father of all mercies and God of all comforts with a consolation, which will never end. The meek, who confess with Martin Luther, “We are beggars; this is true,” will inherit the earth. The meek gain very little in this life. But in the kingdom of heaven, it is the humble who are exalted and those who exalt themselves who are humbled. The Psalmist promises, “Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:34) The meek are those who receive from the Lord by grace as a gift through faith. They will indeed inherit the new heavens and the new earth.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be blessed, because they will be satisfied. John tells us that they will hunger and thirst no more. Not only will they not hunger and thirst for food and drink, but they will no longer be lacking in the righteousness of a saint. In this life, we live as justified sinners. We are declared righteous through faith, but we still struggle with sin. In heaven, our greatest desire will be satisfied. We will sin no more! We will dwell in perfect love and harmony with God and one another.
The merciful are blessed, because they will receive eternal mercy from God. As God forgave them in Christ, so they forgive those who have sinned against them. Every time a saint forgives the one who sins against him, he confesses that God has forgiven him in heaven. The pure in heart are those who hold Christ in faith. They will see God, because they will be like Him. The peacemakers are called sons of God, because God is a peacemaker. Like a father, so are his children. Peacemakers proclaim the Gospel that God is at peace with us for the sake of Christ’s shed blood. And peacemakers seek to be at peace with everyone for the sake of that blood.
Finally, the saints are blessed, because they are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. They suffer for holding to Christ’s teaching. This is perhaps the most painful mark to bear, yet it gives the clearest sign to the Christian that he is blessed in heaven. To suffer in this life, to be maligned, insulted, and even beaten or killed for confessing the truth puts you in good company with the prophets, apostles, and especially with Christ Jesus your Savior. Jesus said, “whoever would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” The cross of persecution is a clear sign of heavenly blessedness.
Yet, it is important to note that none of these marks of a saint can be separated from the marks of the church, otherwise, they are separated from the marks of Christ! The unbelieving world, who hates Christ, will try to ascribe these marks of a saint to unbelievers, who perform noble works in this life and even suffer for them. But there is no mark of a saint without faith in the marks of Christ, that is, without faith in Christ’s shed blood for you. And so, there is no mark of a saint without the marks of the church, which apply Christ’s blood to you. The purpose of the marks of the saints is to give encouragement to Christ’s Christians while they go through the great tribulation here on earth. You are not forgotten. Your poverty and meekness are Christ’s poverty and meekness. Your hunger is His hunger. Your suffering is Christ’s suffering. And so, when the marks of a saint accompany Christians as they use the marks of the church, Christ’s saints are comforted even on earth by the marks of Christ. Amen.

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Now and Not Yet

11/16/2022

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All Saints Day (Observed)
Matthew 5:1-12
Pastor James Preus
Nov. 6, 2022

The theme that seems to permeate through every text for All Saints Day is now, and not yet. We are God’s children now, St. John says. Yet, what we will be has not yet appeared (1 John 3:1-3). St. John sees a vision in Revelation 7. He sees the saints gathered around the throne of God, clothed in white robes, praising God and Christ with a loud voice. Yet, this is a vision. When the vision ends, John goes back to the island Patmos (Rev. 1:9) on which he is exiled. And after reading this beautiful description, we look up from the pages of Revelation and see that we are still here on this earth, with sin and ills contending.

And Jesus embraces this theme of now and not yet in His Sermon on the Mount. Blessed are they now, for they will receive something later. His sermon is filled with reversals. The lowly will be exalted. The empty will be filled. The sad will be joyful. The poor will be rich. Yet, to all these future tenses, he places the present tense: Blessed are they. Blessed are those who mourn now, for they will be comforted in the future. Their comfort is in the future, but their blessing is now, in the present tense, even amid their mourning. They are blessed now, yet they have not yet seen the full content of their blessing.

To better understand Jesus’ sermon, we need to define His words. Nine times in this sermon, Jesus uses the word blessed. But what does that mean? Some modern translations have tried to update this text by translating it “happy.” But that says too little. Besides, those who are blessed are not always happy. Happy is an emotion. Blessed is a state of being. This means that Christians can be blessed even when they feel very unhappy.

To be blessed is tantamount be being saved. It means that you have an eternal reward. To be blessed means to have everything that accompanies eternal salvation: forgiveness of sins, peace with God, a good conscience, eternal life, adoption as children of God, and much more. It is a little word, a good word, but it means more than we can express in words. Those who are blessed are Christians. In this sermon, Jesus describes His Christians here on earth. He calls them blessed, meaning that they are saints even now, set apart by God. Yet, He also describes the cross they must bear on this earth before they experience their full blessing.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Here, Jesus doesn’t use the future, but only the present tense. The poor in spirit are currently blessed, because they currently possess the kingdom of heaven. But what does that mean? Who are the poor in spirit? To be poor in spirit means to be needy in spirit. It means that you’re a beggar. You don’t have and you know you don’t have. You’re humble, repentant, sorry for your sins and begging God to be made rich. Jesus speaks of the poor in spirit when he says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick… I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13) Jesus could just as well have said, “It is not the rich who beg for bread, but the poor. I did not come to feed the rich, but the poor.” The rich do not beg. But it is beggars in the spirit to whom God gives richly. The rich He sends empty away.

But what does it mean that the needy in spirit currently possess the kingdom of heaven? It means that poor repentant sinners receive God’s grace here on earth. Here, in church, spiritually poor, beggarly sinners come before God, repenting of their sins, and begging for forgiveness and eternal life, and God fills their open hands until they’re over flowing. He forgives their sins. He promises them eternal life. He calls them his children now, so that their citizenship is in heaven even as they live on earth. This is what God promises in Isaiah 66, “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit. And who trembles at My word.” (NKJV) The spiritually poor live in God’s kingdom of grace today by faithfully receiving the means of grace, so that they will live in God’s kingdom of glory in eternity, seeing it with their own eyes.

The next six blessings are to those who currently suffer, but will rejoice in the future. Those who mourn today are blessed, because God will comfort them in the future. Those who are meek and lowly today are blessed, because God will bequeath to them the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness now are blessed, because God will satisfy them. Those who mourn now are aware of the evil of this world. That can only truly happen when one’s eyes are opened to faith in Christ. Christians mourn the suffering of God’s Church, the corruption of His creation, the sin that soils every soul. Yet, these mourners God will comfort. He will wipe away every tear from their eye. They will enjoy eternal bliss with God their Savior.

The meek are the lowly. They are those who do not exalt themselves, but wait on God to exalt them. The meek are the spiritually poor, to whom the Kingdom of God belongs. God exalts the lowly, but casts down the proud. Being lowly in spirit often results in possessing less here on earth. Those who accumulate much property and wealth are often those who are not meek, but aggressive and who even claim what isn’t theirs. Yet, God promises the earth to His Christians. Jesus will raise the dead, and we will possess the new heavens and the new earth.

Those who hunger and thirst do not have what they hunger and thirst for, otherwise they would not hunger and thirst for it. So, this righteousness which the blessed desire is not theirs. The blessed are sinners. Yet, they desire to be righteous. And they want everything to be made right. Righteousness is often paralleled with salvation in Scripture, because God saves us by setting everything right. He does not ignore sin; he pays for it. He does not condone wickedness; he restores the sinner. We are righteous today through faith in Christ’s blood by which he washes away all our sin. Yet, in the future even our actions will be made perfectly right. Our salvation will be complete. God will satisfy our godly desires.

The merciful are blessed now, because God will have mercy on them. In other words, those who forgive others their trespasses are blessed, because God will declare them innocent of all sin on the Last Day. We are indeed forgiven now. God’s absolution says so. Yet, we know we are forgiven only by promise. We have not yet stood before God’s glorious throne as Christ judges every person according to his deeds. So, Jesus has given us a sign for everyday uses. When we forgive others, we remember that God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. As Jesus says, “He who loves much is forgiven much.” So, you confess that you are forgiven and that God has mercy on you today by showing mercy and forgiving others. In this way, you demonstrate God’s love to others and give courage to your conscience that God will do as he promises.

The pure in heart are blessed now, because they will see God. To be pure in heart means to hold Christ in your heart. Out of the heart come evil thoughts, Jesus tells us. Yet, faith holds Christ Jesus in the heart, forgiving our sins and causing us to bear good fruit. No one can see God and live, because sinners cannot behold the holy God. Yet, to those who have cleansed their hearts through faith (Acts 15:9), Jesus promises that they will behold God face to face with their own eyes (Job 19:25-27; 1 John 1:2).

The peacemakers are blessed, because God will call them His sons. Christians are peacemakers. If you are not a peacemaker, then you are not a Christian. Yet, we must define peacemakers. Peacemakers are not those who sacrifice God’s Word and teaching in order to keep the peace with unbelievers. Peacemakers aren’t cowards who avoid standing up for what is right in order to avoid conflict. Rather, peacemakers confront sin and error with God’s holy Word, yet in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). Peacemakers attempt to bind people together with nothing less than unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). This means that when peacemakers seek to make peace, they always appeal to the blood of Christ Jesus, which was shed to make peace between us and God. So, when Jesus tells you to go and talk to the one who has sinned against you, between you and him alone, he is telling you to seek to be reconciled and to forgive for the sake of His shed blood.

On the Last Day, God will declare the peacemakers His children. Children mimic their father. Our heavenly Father has made peace with us through the blood of Christ. So, we prove ourselves to be God’s children by making peace with one another for the sake of Christ’s blood. We repent when we sin against others. And we forgive those who have sinned against us.

Finally, Jesus says that those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, that is, on account of Him are blessed, because God will reward them greatly in heaven. Christians recognize that suffering too is a sign of God’s love for us. When we suffer for the sake of Christ, the old Adam must die and the new self must rise up. We don’t get to choose our cross or who will revile us or for what purpose. Yet, when we are reviled and mistreated for standing on Christ’s Word, we know that our reward is great in heaven. This reward does not refer to salvation alone, yet it never excludes it. All who have faith in Christ will inherit eternal salvation apart from their works. However, Scripture also teaches that there will be additional heavenly rewards given by grace to those who suffer for the sake of the kingdom. So, when Christians suffer for Christ’s sake, they indeed have cause to give thanks to God. Suffering produces both temporal and eternal benefits for the Christian.

This theme of now and not yet should comfort Christians; however, the not yet often outweighs the now in our experience. We currently live in the valley of the shadow of death. We are preoccupied with what we are not yet and what we do not yet have much more than what God declares us to be now: blessed. And because the not yet seems stronger, even the blessed now seems faint. Rather, we focus on the other “nows” that we can see, hear, and touch. Our senses of hearing, seeing, and touching are often stronger than our faith. So, how can we assert that we are blessed now and be certain of the not yet?

Only in Christ. Christ became poor for us. He mourned for us. He humbled himself for us. He hungered and thirsted for our righteousness, so much that He fulfilled all righteousness for us. Jesus was merciful to poor sinners and shed His blood to forgive them. Jesus had no deceit in His heart as He went to the cross. Jesus made peace between the Father and us by the blood of His cross. Jesus suffered more than anyone for righteousness’ sake. And Jesus has received His reward for all this. He is declared today to be the Son of God, who reigns over the heavens and the earth. Jesus is comforted with His victory as all His enemies lie under His feet.

Our certainty in our present blessedness and our future reward rests in Christ Jesus alone. Every heavenly reward we receive from Him. He currently is victorious. So, we take His word for it that we are blessed now, and we look forward to receiving the content of that blessing in God’s good time. Amen.

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Blessed are the Saints in the Midst of Battle

11/8/2021

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Gustave Dore, "The Israelites Slaughter the Syrians," 1866. Public Domain.

All Saints Day (Observed)
Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
Pastor James Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
November 7, 2021

“Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.”, so wisely spoke the otherwise foolish King Ahab of Israel to King Ben-hadad of Syria after the latter boasted in the power of his army to defeat Ahab (1 Kings 20:11). The one who straps on his armor has not fought the battle yet. The one who takes his armor off has already won the battle. To boast before you have won is foolish. Had Ben-hadad listened to Ahab’s advice, he would not have gotten drunk with his allies while Ahab was marching with his army to battle. Ahab’s words proved wise when the LORD granted him victory over Ben-hadad and his mighty armies.

Yet, we the Church Militant celebrate All Saints Day by boasting in our victory over sin, death, and Satan even as we are on the battlefield! We heard from Revelation 7, how we will be before the throne of God worshipping him, while being free from every trouble. 1 John 3 states that we are God’s children now. And in our Gospel lesson, Jesus calls us blessed, even as we are poor in spirit, as we mourn, in our humility, as we hunger and thirst for righteousness, as we forgive those who sin against us, as we hold fast to the pure doctrine maligned by so many, as we seek reconciliation with our enemies, and as we are lied about, mocked, scorned, and persecuted for our faith in Jesus. Even in the heat of battle, we saints on earth boast in our victory with the saints in heaven!

Well, if it is foolish to boast yourself as you strap on your armor, is it not foolish for us to boast in our victory even as the fiery darts of Satan assail us from every direction? No! We should boast in our victory, because the battle has been won. Christ Jesus won it. On the cross, after he had paid the debt for all our sins, our dear Lord Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished!” What is finished? The atonement for our sins! The work needed to be done to win our way into heaven. The ancient serpent’s head was crushed when the bruised-heeled Jesus died on the cross. And the Apostle Paul teaches us to boast, “Thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.!” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

So, we will boast in our Baptism, which clothes us in Christ Jesus and washes away our sins. “Satan hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I’ve traveled, All your might has come unraveled, And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!” (LSB 594:3, God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It) We boast in the absolution, where we conquer Satan, the ancient dragon with the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). We boast in the Gospel of Christ, which tell us that we are God’s children now, despite the accusations of Satan, and the persecution of the world.

Faith compels us to boast in this way, because faith does not trust in you, but in Christ. Christ has won the battle. He is risen. He is ascended. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He has made propitiation for our sins. We are saved now by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We must not doubt this or else we doubt Christ Jesus and make shipwreck our faith! We the Church Militant on earth must boast in Christ’s victory for us with the Church Triumphant in heaven, because we are one Church. And Christ has given his victory to his Church.

Yet, you must not take your armor off! The Church Militant is the Holy Christian Church on earth. It is called the Church Militant, because it is at war. Christians on earth must battle the attacks of the devil, who wants to destroy our faith and send us to hell. Christians on earth must battle persecution by the world, which hates Christ for having greater glory than it. Christians must even battle their own sinful flesh, which constantly wants to give up in the battle and join the world for temporary peace. The Church Triumphant is the Holy Christian Church in heaven. Those are they who have come out of the great tribulation. They have been granted a Christian death. They are before the throne of God and neither hunger, thirst, nor weep. They are sheltered by Christ and know sin no more.

Yet, there is only one Church. The Church Militant and the Church Triumphant are both members of the one Holy Christian Church. To this Church, Christ has given victory over sin, death, and hell. This is why we must rejoice with the Church Triumphant. Their victory is our victory. But we must not forget that we are still in the battle. The battle is the LORD’s! His victory is certain. And our victory is certain only if we remain with him.

Our enemy does not fight with swords, or guns, or missiles. He is spirit. He uses words, thoughts, the inclination of our hearts, and the pressures of the world. Satan is our wily foe. He knows our weaknesses. He knows what temptations you struggle with, the chinks in your armor. And he doesn’t rest. So, you must always have your armor on. The Holy Spirit caused St. Paul to write in Ephesians chapter 6, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and for shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (vss. 11-18a)

You take the armor of God off when you abandon God’s holy Word, which is the source of truth, righteousness, readiness, peace, faith, and salvation. The Spirit of God speaks through the Word of God. The most common way people take off their armor is by ceasing to come to church to hear the Word of God, pray, praise, and give thanks. When you get the thought in your mind that you’re not going to go to church, because you have more important things to do, because you’re too busy or you’ve heard it before, or you’re mad at the pastor, or you’re mad at someone else at church, or you’re embarrassed about something, or whatever other reason you’ve come up with to not go and hear the preaching of God’s Word and receive Christ’s pardon, take a big whiff, and you might catch the sulfuric scent of Satan’s breath, because he has just whispered a lie in your ear.

Every time you get the idea that you should not listen to God’s Word and learn from Jesus, Satan has lied to you. It is hubris to believe that you do not need to learn from Jesus, that you can handle this whole faith thing on your own. Does Jesus tell you not to go to church? Does Jesus tell you not to go and talk to the person you’re upset with? Does Jesus urge you to nurse that grudge, to stoke that pride, to place him last in your life? You don’t need to guess the answer to these questions! Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31). Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Jesus says, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Scripture says that Christ has given all things to his Church, so if you want to have victory in Christ, you need join yourself to his Church! Did Jesus tell you to nurse the grudge and not become reconciled with your neighbor? You know he didn’t. Jesus says that if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone, and that if he listens to you, you have gained your brother (Matthew 18). Satan is lying to you. Jesus tells you the truth. Strap on the armor of God by hearing God’s Word. Listen to Jesus. When you have trouble distinguishing between Satan’s lies and Jesus’ truth, you know that your armor has slipped, and you need to be refreshed by Jesus’ pure word.

Those who are members of the Church Triumphant have come out of the great tribulation. This means that those who are members of the Church Militant are currently going through the great tribulation. The great tribulation is suffering for the name of Christ. Jesus tells us that we are currently blessed with a great reward in heaven if we are going through such a tribulation for his name’s sake. Yet, while we are on this earth, we receive this blessing through faith, while we experience with our senses the tribulation. Tribulation for Christ’s sake can take many forms. Some saints endured it through torture and death, stonings, burnings, and being fed to wild beasts. Others suffered the loss of lands, jobs, suffered discrimination, and mean words. Perhaps the worst form of tribulation that has affected Christians throughout the ages is the loss of family. Jesus warns concerning this, saying, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39) Jesus clearly teaches that whoever loves his family more than him is not worthy to be a saint. And this causes many to leave the battlefield. When son or daughter, husband or wife lose their faith and grow cold toward God’s word, it becomes too painful to stay on the battlefield.

But you cannot save your loved ones by leaving the battlefield. Rather, by patiently suffering for Christ’s sake, you can bring your loved ones back to the church through your example and confession of Christ. Yes, we must go on boasting in the Lord’s victory, so that all may know that our faith is certain. Yet, we must never take off our armor or leave the battlefield. Because, although Christ cannot lose, we can if we sever ourselves from him.

Today, we remember those saints who have gone before us and preceded us in death. They are rejoicing in their victory and waiting for the glorious resurrection of the righteous from the dead. We must continue to rejoice with them, in their victory through Christ, and ours as well. We must not avoid the battle, but know that the Church Triumphant is praying for our success. Our sorrows are almost over. The battle belongs to the Lord. Hold on soldiers of the cross. Keep your chins up and your eyes on Jesus. Victory is yours for Christ’s sake. He will never fail you. Amen.

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Blessed Are the Saints

11/2/2020

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All Saints, Fra Angelico, 1420, Public Domain

All Saints Day
Matthew 5:1-9
November 1, 2020

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Through Baptism and through faith in Jesus Christ, we are God’s children now. We have been born again, not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. We have been clothed in Christ and all our sins have been washed away. Our new man has been born after the image of Christ. And Scripture says that even now we are being transformed into Christ’s image. Yet, Scripture also clearly says that what we will be transformed into has not yet appeared. We do not yet look like the image of Christ in his glory. Yet, Jesus teaches us in our Gospel lesson that his Christians do indeed look like children of God.
The Gospel Lesson for All Saints Day is from Matthew chapter five, which is known as the Beatitudes. Jesus lists eight blessings in order to describe his Saints. A Saint is a holy person. To be holy means to be set apart. We usually think of saints as those who have gone to heaven. Yet, Jesus points out that God has set his saints apart now on this earth. It is they who are blessed forever. Each of the eight beatitudes describes Christ and in turn God’s Saints, who are being transformed into Christ’s image.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
In Luke’s Gospel Jesus strengthens this statement by saying, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” No, Jesus is not saying that rich people cannot go to heaven, although he does say that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle. Nor is Jesus saying that all poor people will be eternally blessed. Rather, Jesus is speaking of those who are poor in spirit, that is, those who do not treasure their earthly riches in their heart. A person can be physically very poor, but if he craves in his heart after material wealth and prizes nothing so highly than to be rich here on earth, then his heart will have no room for God. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So, even if someone owns great wealth here on earth, he can be poor in spirit, if he does not let these riches steal his heart, but considers them nothing. This is the example we receive from such saints as Abraham and King David, who were immensely wealthy, yet considered themselves poor and needy before the Lord.
Of course, no greater example of being poor in spirit exists than that of Christ Jesus, the Divine Monarch of heaven, who possesses every hill and field, heaven and all the stars therein. Yet, he was poorer than the birds and the foxes, because he had no place to lay his head. Jesus did not seek to make himself rich on this earth, but instead treasured God’s Word and stored his treasure in heaven.
And this is how the saints live while they are on this earth. Whether God makes them rich or poor, they remain poor in spirit and sing, “And take they our life, Goods fame, child, and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Again, there is no better example of one who mourns than Christ, who wept over Jerusalem, because he knew the judgment that befell her. He wept for his friend Lazarus, because more than anyone he understood the tragedy of death. St. Luke intensifies these words by recording Jesus say, “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” Now, this does not mean that Christians must always be sad and mourn. Indeed, we have much to rejoice over and many times are we filled with laughter. But by contrasting Christians with those who laugh now, Jesus teaches us that the saints do not rejoice in the things of this world. Like those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn do not seek joy in this sinful world. They mourn with Jesus over those who have rejected the Gospel. They mourn sin. They mourn that marriage is despised, that children are unwanted and even killed in the womb, that sexual immorality runs rampant. They mourn that children leave the church after once confessing the faith before all. And they will not be comforted by the superficial and transient pleasures of this world. They will be comforted only by their Savior Jesus, who will rescue them from this veil of tears.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
To be meek means to be lowly and humble. No one was lowlier than Jesus Christ, who being in the form of God took on the form of a servant. He did this with utter confidence that God’s plan of salvation would be accomplished and that he would inherit the new heavens and the new earth. To be meek presupposes faith. Do not fight and scrap for your foot-breadth of earth. Rather, listen to the comforting words of King David, “For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (Psalm 37:9-11) To be meek is to live with confidence that God will reward your labors according to his good time.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
No one desired righteousness more than Christ Jesus, who fulfilled the demands of God’s Law in perfect love, and in order to satisfy God’s wrath against all unrighteousness, made atonement for all sins on the cross. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to desire that God’s will be done and that all that is good and right is accomplished. As sinners we know that we ourselves are not righteous. Through faith we desire a righteousness that is not our own and God satisfies us by forgiving our sins and clothing us with Christ’s righteousness. Yet, a Christian, reborn and washed clean of all sin, is not satisfied to then go back to his sin! A Christian desires to continue in righteousness. Yet, we find another law dwelling inside us that serves the law of sin! We hunger and thirst to live a righteous life. And we desire to dwell in a righteous land, because we desire what God desires. Yet, in this life this desire seems to go unfulfilled. We still sin. And like righteous Lot, we torment our souls as we witness evil around us. This is the hunger and thirst that Jesus speaks about. It seems to be unfulfilled, but Jesus promises us that we will be satisfied. In heaven there will be no sin. Our hunger will be satisfied. We will live in righteousness and purity forever.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Anyone who has read the Gospels knows how merciful our Lord Jesus is. He had pity on the sick, lame, and hungry. He felt compassion for those lost without a shepherd. And his mercy was shown to the extreme when he saved us from our sins and made us God’s children. Jesus illustrates well what it means to be merciful in his story of Judgment Day from Matthew 25, where he says, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was a in prison and you came to me.” And when the righteous show ignorance of ever doing these things, the King answers, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
And so, God’s saints, who have received abundant mercy let it run over by showing mercy to Christ, whom they find in their neighbor. By thinking of others and their needs, God’s saints on earth feed the poor, clothe the naked, and pray for those persecuted for Christ. You don’t have to leave your family or town to go and show mercy either. In your everyday life, God gives you opportunities to show mercy and kindness. This is also why saints defend the life of the unborn, who are naked and defenseless. Christians must be wise as serpents and gentle as lambs, however. There are those who try to convince Christians that it is merciful to kill these defenseless children. This is greatly displeasing to God our Father, who creates all life in the womb. Killing unborn children is never merciful.
The greatest mercy that has been shown to you is that God has forgiven you all your sins. This is why we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” As we have been forgiven, so we forgive. Saints forgive those who do them wrong, confident in God’s mercy for them.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
To be pure in heart means to have a non-polluted heart. This is something that only God can do, as King David and all Christians pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” A pure heart is a heart that desires only what is good and to be close to God. This is done not only through Baptism, but by continued hearing and learning of God’s Word, and continued reception of the Sacrament. A heart is polluted by idol talk and noise that is common in this world, that seeks to draw your affection to life’s vain pleasures. Saints strive for a pure heart by repenting of their idolatries and vainglory and seeking to learn from God from the pure fountain of his holy Word. And God promises that those who seek him through his Word will see him face to face.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
One of the most endearing sights is watching a young boy intently study his father and set his feet the way he does, place his hand on his hip the way he does, mimic his facial expression and even repeat common phrases of his dad. Sons take after their fathers. Our heavenly Father is a peacemaker. And His Son Jesus Christ came to earth with the angelic announcement, “Peace on earth; Goodwill toward men.” Scripture tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. To reconcile means to turn an enemy into a friend. That is the very essence of being a peacemaker. God made peace with us through the blood of Jesus’ cross. And we, having been cleansed in that blood from all sin and having been made God’s children through faith are now peacemakers. We mimic our Father in heaven.
This means that we look at every friend with the desire of preserving that friendship and at every foe with the desire to be reconciled. If anyone has sinned against you, seek to forgive him and make peace. Do not spread a bad report or bear fast witness, but speak well of your neighbor and explain everything in the kindest way. If you are maligned, then return hatred with kindness. As far as it is in your control, live at peace with one another. This is how you imitate your Father in heaven.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus repeats this beatitude because of its importance and its great comfort. Jesus was persecuted for righteousness’ sake. He laid down his life for what is right and in so doing, he saved our souls. And we Christians who bear Jesus’ name through Baptism and faith must also suffer persecution. Persecution is unpleasant. Perhaps the most difficult thing about persecution is that it is easily avoidable. John the Baptist could have kept his head had he not preached against King Herod’s unlawful divorce and incestuous remarriage. Jesus’ disciples could have lived out their days in peace and comfort had they not devoted themselves to the proclamation of the Gospel. Many Christians’ lives would be spared in Islamic and Communist countries if they would simply conform and deny Christ. And you and your children can escape much unpleasantness if you compromise your faith and ignore God’s Word when it is unpopular. Yet, Jesus teaches his disciples to not get discouraged when they suffer for following his teachings. Rather, rejoice. For such suffering is a sign of being a saint who is blessed forever.
Jesus teaches us these eight beatitudes to instruct us on how we should behave here on earth as Christians set apart by God, as well as to comfort us when we suffer and we cannot see the evidence that we are children of God. We are children of God through faith. And the works and even the suffering and mourning that follow are fruits of faith, which Jesus uses to comfort us with a sure promise of eternal blessedness. May God increase in you such fruit and grant you eternal blessedness. Amen.

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

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Blessed Are the Saints

Rev. James Preus

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