Merry Christmas!!!

Still in Advent and Still Waiting

Sacred Christmas Music

The Pulpit Used by C.F.W. Walther for Preaching the Gospel

The "Not-So-Great-Commission" Parts 1 and 2

Issues, Etc. Journal- Fall 2011(click here)

Issues, Etc. Journal- Summer 2011(click here)

I

Sermon on Isaiah 55

Isaiah 55:6-9

In the name of Jesus.  Amen.

In the days of Isaiah the prophet, people were seeking the mediums, the necromancers, and the false prophets.  They were seeking for God in all the wrong places.  He never promised to be found in those places.  They were calling out to Him in ways in which He never promised them that He would hear them.  They became spiritually blind and deaf to the word of God.  Yet, for the sake of His covenant with Abraham and David the LORD sought out the lost and called out through the voice of His prophets.

Isaiah called out saying, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near…” (Isaiah 55:6, ESV)  Now we can understand the idea of seeking and finding.  But take note that the key is not in the seeking but in the finding.  I could send you out on a treasure hunt in the mountains seeking for a hidden chest of gold.  You could seek for years and never find it if you don’t know where to look.  Likewise, we can easily understand the calling upon one while he is near.  Once more, the key is not that action of calling, but rather calling out when one can be reached.  It won’t matter how many times a person tries to call you if you are nowhere near your phone.  If you can’t hear it, then you won’t answer it.  The phone can ring and ring and ring, but if no one is near it won’t be answered.

In addition to understanding the seeking and calling, take note that the finding and nearness of God are set in a window of time.  It says, to seek while He may be found and to call while He may be heard.  Like a special offer promoted to the consumer, there is a time when the seeking and calling is valid.  After the expiration date has come it is too late.

So, when is the proper time to seek and to call?  It is your whole life long.  On the last day, time has expired and the special promotional offer is no longer valid.  Our whole lives the LORD seeks after us calling out to us saying, “Seek Me and Live.  All who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved.  Come to Me.”

Isaiah goes on to call them to repentance declaring, “…let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; (Isaiah 55:7, ESV)  First of all, recall that the wicked and unrighteous are the those without faith.  It is not their ways or thoughts that make them wicked and unrighteous; rather, they have wicked ways because they are wicked and unrighteous thoughts because they are unrighteous. 

Second, notice that Isaiah is not teaching them a religion of moralism.  These are those who do not trust in the promises of God.  They are in a state of wickedness and unrighteousness.  Likewise, Isaiah is not teaching them a new method to become holy; instead, he calls them to forsake their ways and their thoughts. 

Third, this does not mean that as believers, who are righteous in God’s sight by faith in Christ, we should act as if this passage has nothing to do with us.  We cannot freely embrace wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts.  We too are called to forsake such ways and thoughts.  As St. Paul says in our epistle lesson, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27, ESV) We are being taught by the Holy Spirit that the way of the righteous is to act and think righteously.  Even as the baptized, sin still clings to us manifesting itself in wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts.  For this reason, we draw before the presence of our Triune God confessing our sins in our thoughts, words, and deeds.   As believers, we are in the state of righteousness which means that we are learning to forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. 

Isaiah goes on to teach us by saying, “let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7, ESV)  Again, this shows to us that it is not just enough to cease and desist from wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, there must be a reckoning.  He must turn and face the LORD.  But, God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.  While there is still time, while the LORD can be found, and while the LORD is near, the wicked are called to turn to the LORD so that God can show him compassion and not destruction.  The purpose for turning to the LORD is to gain a full pardon.  Now is the time to receive forgiveness.  At the end of time the wicked and unrighteous will receive punishment.  The LORD pardons abundantly.  Even those who are righteous by faith sin much and desire nothing but God’s anger and wrath.  Yet, the LORD abundantly pardons us for the sake of Christ.

Natural knowledge cannot teach us this great news.  As the LORD says through the mouth of Isaiah,  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)   There is an enormous difference between our ways and thoughts and the LORD’s ways and thoughts.  We can’t say that “We missed it by that much.”  His ways and thoughts are as far away as the heavens are from us. This teaching must be revealed.   Thus, the Holy Spirit enlightens us to know that now is the day of salvation.  Now is the time of grace and mercy.  We are called to seek the LORD now while He may be found and call upon Him now while He is near.  But how is He to be found and where is He near us? 

The LORD does not leave us guessing.  He does not send us on a wild goose chase in which we seek and call without a location.  The ways and the thoughts of the LORD do not stay in the heavens out of our reach.  If you were to read on past today’s Old Testament text to the next verse in Isaiah you would read the answer.  The LORD declares, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11, ESV)  He gives to us His word from heaven.  In fact, the Father sent forth His Son.  God sent the Word Incarnate so that we may know the compassion and abundant pardon of the LORD upon us.  Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

We gather this day to “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near…” (Isaiah 55:6, ESV)  Isaiah teaches us to seek the LORD while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near.  Again the key is in the finding and in the nearness of God to be heard.  Yet, we are not to wait until we get around to seeking and calling, for tomorrow maybe far too late.  We are directed to seek God in Christ now.  “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19–20, ESV) 

Where is Christ to be found and where is He near?  Christ is present in His word in which He is compassionate.  He is present in the Sacrament of the Altar in which He abundantly pardons us.  In His promise to dwell among us for our benefit, God is teaching us His thoughts and His ways.  We seek the LORD where He has promised to be found.  Through the gospel and sacraments He is near us to deliver His compassion to us.  In the hearing of the gospel and the receiving of the Sacrament, we live in the window of time of abundant pardon.  Now is the time of grace.  Amen.

Speed Painting of Martin Luther

The Crucified and Risen Christ

The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ go together.  You can’t have one without the other.  If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is futile.  If Christ had not been crucified, then our debt still stands.  After the day of Pentecost, the Apostles began to proclaim the message of salvation, namely, that Christ has died for us and Christ has risen for us.Therefore, theologically and architecturally, the placement of the double image of the crucifixion and the resurrection at the central point of the sanctuary is most appropriate.  These images declare the teaching of the Apostles.  The image of the cross is the symbol of the death of Christ.  The title plate at the top of the cross explains why He was put to death.  It reads, “INRI” which stands for Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.  The long awaited King was rejected.  The people turned their backs on Him.  Yet, God has not turned His back upon humanity.  Thus, the Resurrected Christ in the window faces those who have gathered at the foot of the cross with welcoming arms.  At His feet are planted a row of Easter lilies.  Just as a bulb is placed into the earth for a time, the body of Jesus was laid in the tomb for a time.  Then when it is spring, the lilies burst forth from the earth and show forth their glory.  Likewise, after three days, the Son of Man burst forth from the tomb to show forth His glory.

The crucifixion of Jesus is commonly referred to as Christ  being hung on a tree (See Acts 5:29-32; 10:39-43; 13:26-31) .  Now we know that a cross is made out of wood from a dead tree.  Theologically, we can’t help but make the connection between a tree being cut down and Jesus being cut off from His people.  We can’t help but see death in a piece of wood.  If you cut a branch off, it dies.  In the act of crucifixion, a dead tree is used as an instrument to bring death.  On the other hand, a living tree, especially one that bears fruit, brings life. 

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier 

Luther the Graphic Novel

New Lutheran School in Vietnam

Redeemer Theological Academy

Fall 2011

The Apostle Peter teaches us, “...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

The goal of the Redeemer Theological Academy is to enable the saints to confess the Christian Faith handed down to us from the Apostles. In this age of competing religions and spiritualties, it is the special gift that each Christian has the opportunity to confess the Faith in the midst of an unbelieving world. These courses are designed to help you articulate what you believe and why you believe it. All courses are free to anyone interested. Please see the listing of seminars below. For more information contact us at 662-0782.



Sunday, August 21 @ 7 PM
Christ in the Psalms---Dr. Reed Lessing

Dr. Reed Lessing serves as Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. In the Greek New Testament (USB, 4th edition), the “Index of Quotations” lists more than 400 quotations from the book of Psalms. Of course this list includes phrases as well as complete verses. Yet, by any standard, the Psalter has impacted the New Testament in a profound way. Moreover the likes of Augustine, Ambrose, and Luther strongly encouraged people to spend significant daily time in the Psalms. Ambrose even went as far as to refer to the books “a gymnasium for the soul,” where the believer exercises every day! For those who treasure, love and pray the psalms, “Psalms” will offer an in-depth study of several psalms like 1, 2, 19, 23, 46, 73, and 110. Participants will also learn how to read the Psalter in its Old Testament context as well as in its multiple New Testament fulfillments in Jesus.

Sunday, August 28 @ 7 PM
The Attributes of God (Part I)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss who God is. Our knowledge of God is given to us as a gift revealed in His written word. Because of our finite minds which are limited, God, who is infinite, uses language that we can relate to in our own lives. Thus, the LORD reveals His attributes in humanly terms. Not only does the LORD use such figurative language to help us in our weakness, He also employs the use of describing His essence with various attributes. The essence of God is His being. It is who He is. The attributes of God are the characteristics which flow from His being. It is what He does. God is love. Thus, He loves. Yet, the divine essence and attributes are absolutely identical. They cannot be divided from each other. But because of our weakness, the LORD descends to our level so that we may hear Him speak to us. By separating out the various attributes, He gives to us that which we can only grasp by faith.

Sunday, September 4 @ 7 PM
The Attributes of God (Part II)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we continue our discussion as we continue to learn to believe who God says that He is.Only through the revealed knowledge from God can one know that the God who created all things was incarnate, dwelt among us as true man, suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven in which He stands in our behalf. The subject of theology is the true knowledge of God, but this is not obtained by a mere observation of creation; rather, the true knowledge of God comes to us in Jesus Christ. To know Jesus is to know God. The purpose of studying theology is for the sake of obtaining faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ through whom we have life, salvation, and the forgiveness of sins.

Sunday, September 11 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (Introduction)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the historical settings and language of the church revolving around the teaching of the doctrine of the Blessed Holy Trinity. This mystery is not a product of human reason or Greek philosophy. It is recieved by the revelation of God given to us in the written scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The goal of this class will be to gain a clear way in which to communicate the Christian Faith.

Sunday, September 18 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (New Testament Part I)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the gospels. We will focus on the revelation at the baptism of Jesus, in which all three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity are present and active. We will also learn from John the distinction in the divine persons of the Holy Trinity revealed by the sending of the Son from the Father and also the sending of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son.

Sunday, September 25 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (New Testament Part II)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the epistles. In the epistles we are taught to maintain the unity of the divine essence while confessing the distinction in the three persons of the Holy Trinity. All three are given equal honor, glory, and worship. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are coeternal, coequal, and consubstantial.

Sunday, October 2 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (Old Testament Part I)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the five books of Moses. We will see the distinction in the persons of the Father and the Son, as the Father sends the Son to reveal Him to the people of Israel. We will learn that all three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity were active in the creation, exodus from Egypt, and the promises of the Messiah.

Sunday, October 9 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (Old Testament Part II)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the writings of the Prophets. We will look at the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the communication of the word of God to the people of God. We will see the emphasis on the glorification of the Son. We will focus our attention of the distinction in persons found in the book of Isaiah.

Images in the Lutheran Church

Sermon: On the Holy Trinity

Trinity Sunday, 2011

Genesis 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

On this day, we celebrate the revealed knowledge of the Blessed Holy Trinity.  We believe in one God who created all things, redeemed us from our sin, and sanctifies us in our bodies.  He is one undivided divine essence that subsists in three divine persons.  The Eternal Father is unbegotten, the Eternal Son is begotten, and the Eternal Holy Spirit proceeds.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-eternal, meaning that there never was a time in which they did not exist.  They are consubstantial, meaning that they are of the same divine essence.  Each person of the Holy Trinity is fully and completely God.  Thus, each person of the Holy Trinity is given equal honor, praise, and glory.  We worship the Trinity in Unity and the Unity in Trinity neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance. 

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a mystery meaning that it cannot be understood by human logic.  It must be revealed and thus held to by faith.  Therefore, all analogies found in creation are only illustrations and they cannot teach the truth of the Trinity in themselves.  Such images include St. Patrick’s three leaf clover or the notion that water can exist as a liquid, gas, or solid.  The problem with such illustrations is that they can never prove the existence of the Trinity.  In fact, if these images are taking too far they incorrectly teach about the Trinity.  For example, each one of the leaves on a clover is not the complete clover in itself.  Likewise, a single molecule of water cannot exist in all three forms at the same time.

Our understanding of the Holy Trinity must come to us from the word of God which reveals to us all that we need to know for salvation.  This is not a teaching that comes from Greek Philosophy.  It is given to us throughout the Holy Bible.  For example, in the New Testament scriptures, the revelation of the Holy Trinity is given to us at the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In the waters of the Jordan River stands Jesus the perfect man.  In distinction to the person of Jesus, the Father speaks that this is His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased.  The third person of the Holy Trinity is revealed separately from the Father and the Son in the form of a dove.  He marks Jesus as the Christ that is the Anointed One.

This revelation of the Blessed Trinity is given to each one of us in our own baptism in which we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  In the Greek, the word for name is a singular noun teaching us the unity of the divine essence.  It does not say “names.”  It says “name.”  Yet, there are three that are named teaching us the distinction in the three persons of the Holy Trinity.  Each person is given the same honor, praise, and glory.

In the Old Testament scriptures, we are taught in the very first book of the Bible to believe in one God who created all things while at the same time making a distinction of the plurality of divine persons.  Verse one states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, ESV)  In the Hebrew, the word for created is a singular verb.  Here we begin to learn to maintain the unity of the divine essence. The Hebrew word for God is a plural noun.  Here we begin to learn that there is a plurality of divine persons.  This understanding is further taught when God says, “Let us”… … “make man in our own image…  …And God created man in His own image.” (Genesis 1:26-27, ESV)

In addition, verses two and three from today’s first reading state, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  And God said…” (Genesis 1:2-3, ESV)  Again we are taught to distinguish between the plurality of persons.  We make a distinction between God who spoke, the Word of God that was spoken, and the Spirit of God who hovered.  All three persons of the Holy Trinity are eternal.  They all existed before creation.

Now from the first chapter of the Bible, we begin to learn about the Creator and His creation.  God is eternal.  God is good.  God is all knowing.  God is all powerful.  It is God alone who does all the action.  God created.  God said.  God made.  God called.  God saw.  God set.  God blessed.  At the end of the six days of creation, God saw that everything that He had created was very good. 

To be good is to have life.  In chapter two of the first book of Moses, we begin to learn about how the good creation went bad.  To be bad is to lose life.  Sin brings death.  After the death of the first man, all those who came from him were born to die.  We all have this sinful flesh which brings death.  From our sin infected hearts come all desires that reject that which is good.  Our sinful nature gravitates toward that which is bad.  We wrongfully try to take away the good gifts given to our neighbor whether it be the gift of life, fathers, mothers, marriage, possession, reputation, etc… 

To fallen creation, it is bad news to know that God is the Creator and He alone is good.  The all-knowing God knows all of our sins.  The all-powerful God punishes us for our sins.  The sinful flesh must be put to death.  Those religions of the world that do not believe and teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity have no hope in the life to come.  They remain part of the fallen creation that is in a state of rebellion with its Creator.  No matter how they try, they cannot amend for their sin nor gain the Creator’s favor.      

However, to fallen creation it is good news to know that God Himself took upon creation being born of a woman.  Here we learn the distinction between the person of the Father and the person of the Son.  The Father sent the Son.  In the holy Incarnation, the second person of the Holy Trinity was born that we might live.  For in Him is life.  But we crucified Him.  Our sin brought upon His death.  But in a strange turn of events His death brings life.  St. Peter declares in our second reading, “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24, ESV) He died a cursed death becoming a curse for us.  He took what was bad and made it good.  Thus, we call the Friday on which He was crucified good.  Christ offered Himself to God the Father through the eternal Spirit. (Hebrews 9:14) As St. Paul says in Ephesians chapter two, “through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18, ESV)

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity teaches us the complete story.  It is God alone who creates us, redeems us, and sanctifies us.  To know Christ is to know God.  To have Jesus is to have the Father.  It is Christ who has reconciled us to the Father.  In Christ, we have God’s favor.  We are well pleasing to the Father for the sake of the Son.

The Father and the Son send the Spirit.  St. Peter declares, “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:33, ESV)   Just as the Spirit hovered over the waters at creation and washes us in the waters of the new creation, He continues to be poured out upon us by Jesus. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11, ESV)  The Spirit continues to sanctify us. 

As those who have been baptized, we have the Name of the Living God.  As disciples, we are continuing to live out our baptism which means dying to our old nature that wants to rebel against God and at the same time living as adopted sons of God who desire to do the Lord’s will.  As disciples, we are continuing to learn all that Jesus has taught.  As disciples, we continue to rejoice in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Lutheran Liturgical Theology

Coram Deo 2011

This was the first year that Redeemer Lutheran Church in Los Alamos attended a Higher Things youth conference.  We were able to tag along with the youth group from Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque.  We traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada in order to gather on the campus of UNLV.  This was a five day long event.

What an amazing conference.  The theme was Coram Deo which is Latin for "before God."  Because of the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, we can stand before God as forgiven and holy.  The youth were taught about the wonder gift that we receive from the Lord in the gospel and the sacraments.  They listened to Lutheran pastors who emphasized the importance of our identity in Christ.  It is through Christ alone that we have access to the Father in the Spirit.  Salvation is not a process by which we draw closer to God; instead, in Christ we stand before God now.  We live Coram Deo. 

  Not only were there large group presentations, there were also smaller sectionals that went into depth on a variety of topics.  To tie all the teaching together, the conference opened with the Divine Service and closed with the Divine Service in which participants particiapted in Holy Communion.  We received the very body and blood of our Savior who makes us holy before God.  In addition, each day we began with the liturgy of Matins.  In the afternoon we gathered for the liturgy of Vespers.  After dinner, we gathered for the liturgy of Evening Prayer.  Then before we went to bed, we gathered together in the dorms for Prayer at the Close of the day.

Each year Higher Things youth conferences are scheduled throughout the United States.  In the summer of 2011, conferences were held in Las Vegas, NV, in Atlanta, GA and in Bloomington, IL.  Next summer, there will be four conferences including one in Canada.

Higher Things is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Churh--Missouri Synod.  Its goal is to encourage Lutheran youth in their identity as Lutherans.

Role of Theological Education in Missions

The Augsburg Confession

June 25, 1530-- Presentation of the Augsburg Confession

At the city of Augsburg, the Lutheran princes confessed their faith before the Emperor Charles V.  After stating that we hold to the doctrine of the Trinity, original sin, and the person and work of Jesus Christ, they confessed the foundation doctrine of the Christian faith, namely, justification.  We still confess the same faith.  We declare with them saying,

 Also they [our churches] teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength,      merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Romans 3 and 4.

Augsburg Confession- Article IV. 

Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921).

Bible on Trial Television Program

From the Reporter website (http://classic.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=18842)

LHM's 'Bible on Trial' to air on national TV

Lutheran Hour Ministries will have two nationwide airings of its full-length television program, "The Bible on Trial: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt."

On Saturday, June 18, the program will air at 6 p.m. Eastern time on the Inspiration Network (INSP, Channel 259 on Dish Network and Channel 364 on DirecTV; the Inspiration Network is also available on 2,800 other local cable systems).

The program will air again on Monday, July 18, at 9 p.m. Eastern time, through the National Religious Broadcasters Network (Channel 378 on DirecTV and Channel 126 on Sky Angel, as well as online at www.nrbnetwork.tv). Check local listings for other times.

Hosted by Attorney Craig Parton, author of "The Defense Never Rests: A Lawyer's Quest for the Gospel," the program asks a key question of some of the world's foremost authorities in biblical scholarship and ancient history: "Are the Bible and its claims trustworthy?"

Responding to the question is a panel of experts that includes Dr. Paul L. Maier, longtime history professor at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich., and LCMS third vice-president; Dr. Randall Price of Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.; Dr. Jeff Kloha, associate professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and Joel Lampe of The Bible Museum, Goodyear, Ariz.
After weighing the evidence from contemporary non-Christian writers and archaeological, bibliographic and eyewitness sources, the panel affirms the reliability of the biblical record. The program concludes with a call to the viewer: "What is your verdict?"

"The Bible on Trial" began airing in May on AMG TV network stations in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Nashville, Detroit, Cincinnati, New York, Orlando, Dallas, Seattle and many other cities. More airings are scheduled in the coming months. For broadcast dates and times, visit the Broadcast Guide at www.thebibletrial.com.

Pentecost 2011

Christ Has Died and Christ Has Risen. Alleluia!

In our new sanctuary, the crucifix emphasizes the work of redemption, the stained glass window emphasizes the person of Christ as our Redeemer who lives and reigns to all eternity.  In the Old Testament scriptures Job confesses, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" (Job 19:25-27, ESV)  Although we did not see the resurrected Christ with our own eyes, the stained glass window will continually remind us of the hope that we have.  As we gather to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd here in time, we confess with Job saying, “I know that my Redeemer lives and one day in my resurrected body I shall see Him for myself.”  

The image of the resurrected Christ testifies that the redemption upon the cross has been completed.  As St. Paul teaches us, “[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25, ESV)  His death is the payment for the sin of the world.  His life is the absolution of the world.  All of our sins have been forgiven.  Theologically and architecturally, the contrast between the plain wood of the crucifix and the brilliant colors of the window are striking.  The body on the cross is lifted up in order to draw all people to Him while the living Christ in the window stands upon the earth just like Job said to invite all people to come to Him.  The death of Jesus was a dark day filled with mourning.  The resurrection of Jesus was a day of light filled with joy.  The placement of the window over the altar will allow for rays of sunlight to illuminate the space with the brilliance of colored glass.  In this space, we can confidently say, “I believe that Christ has redeemed me and I know that my Redeemer lives!”

The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ go together.  You can’t have one without the other.  If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is futile.  If Christ had not been crucified, then our debt still stands.  After the day of Pentecost, the Apostles began to proclaim the message of salvation, namely, that Christ has died for us and Christ has risen for us. 

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Debate on the Veracity of the Resurrection

Listen to Dr. David Scaer of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN debate the veracity of the Resurrection with Dr. Robert Price.  Listen live at Table Talk Radio or Pirate Christian Radio.

Sermon: Easter Sunday, 2011

Easter 2011

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Colossians 3:1-7

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

What an amazing contrast there is between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  On Friday we focused on the crucifixion of our Lord and now we focus on the resurrection of our Savior.   He was crucified for our transgression and raised to life for our justification.  Previously, we emphasized the humiliation of the Christ by sinful humanity and now we emphasize the exaltation of the Christ by the Father.   We have journeyed from death to life.  Jesus was put to rest in the tomb and now He stands at God’s right hand.  As the first man Adam came from the dust and was brought to life, the Second Adam Jesus gave up His life to be brought to the dust.  Yet, once again, from the dust of the earth comes life as Jesus is the first fruits of the Resurrection.

On this day, we learn about the power of the Resurrection of Jesus and what it means for us.  Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.  Faith teaches us how we appropriate the blessing of Easter in our own bodies and lives.  These blessings are conferred through the preaching of the gospel and received with faith.

Our Gospel text from St. Matthew was written for us so that we too may believe that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing we too may have life. To begin with, we are given an account of those who saw the empty tomb.  Matthew tells us that the women went to the tomb where the body of Christ had been placed.  The angel declared to them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” (St. Matt. 28:5-6, ESV)  The words of Jesus had been fulfilled.  He was handed over to the religious leaders, He suffered, He died, He was buried, and on the third day He rose again.  These women saw the empty tomb with their own eyes confirming what their ears had heard.  They couldn’t keep this wonderful news a secret.  Thus, they went and told the eleven.  As the last chapter continues to unfold, we learn that Jesus appeared to the eleven and instituted the office of holy ministry through which the gospel is preached and disciples of all nations are made by teaching and baptizing.

In Acts chapter ten, we are told how the Apostle Peter was sent to the house of Cornelius to make disciples of the Gentiles by teaching and baptizing.  Peter states, “Jesus commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.  To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43, ESV)   Here we have an account of the apostles preaching the empty tomb in the preaching office that Jesus had placed them into.  The apostolic message is rooted in the teaching of the prophets who all preached the person and work of Christ. 

Christ is the appointed mediator between man and God reconciling sinners to the Father by taking upon our sin.  Thus, Jesus was judged on Good Friday and cursed upon the cross becoming a curse for us in order to free us from the curse of the law.  In His body, He was put to death.  Yet, in His body He overcame death and the grave.  In His body, He has conquered sin and death and turned away God’s wrath that was upon us.  As He opened the grave to show that His body cannot be held there.   He has opened heaven to show that because of Him our bodies shall dwell with Him there. 

In His victory over death, He has procured life for us.  In His defeat of the devil, He has won salvation for us.  In His triumph over sin, He has secured forgiveness for us.  Christ has been appointed judge of the living and the dead.  He was judged guilty so that we would be judged innocent.  He was crucified for our transgressions and raised for our justification. 

To be justified in God’s sight is to be declared righteous on account of Christ’s righteousness.  Here we have the chief article of the Apostolic Faith.  Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name and where there is forgiveness there is life and salvation.  We have been justified, that is, counted without sin, because of the person and work of Christ alone.  We have the remission of all of our sins for Christ’s sake.  Only in the name of Jesus is there forgiveness.  He has won God’s favor for us.  There is nothing that we can do to gain God’s favor in our person or work.  This credited righteousness is freely given by grace alone and received through faith alone.

Now as soon as we talk about Jesus earning credit for us, there are those who get confused and mistakenly think that we can earn extra credit points with God.  It doesn’t help that our school kids are taught that when they take a test they can get all the questions correct and on top of that score can earn extra credit points.  In this way, they boast of test grades that are over 100% such as a 102% or a 104%.  That’s not how things work with the gospel.  In Jesus, we are credited with His perfection.  We can’t earn extra credit points with God by becoming holier than Jesus or more righteous than Christ.  The gospel rejects any boasting of those who aspire to their own holiness based upon their own works.  We cannot make God any happier with us.  In Christ, the Father is well pleased with us.  God’s favor cannot be achieved through the works of the law or human achievement.  God’s favor is given to us freely for the sake of Christ alone.

So if good works do not gain us any extra credit points with God, then where do good works come into play in the life of the justified believer?  Good works do not earn favor with God or gain a better standing with Him.  Instead, they are the fruits manifesting the reality of the blessings of the Resurrection in our own bodies.  They show forth the newness of life that God is working in us.

Notice that our epistle lesson is written for those who are already disciples, that is, those who have been baptized and continue to be taught.  Here the Apostle Paul teaches us about the power of the resurrection in our lives as baptized believers.  On the day of our baptism, we were united with Christ on the day of Good Friday and on the day of Easter Sunday.  Each day we are to die to sin and live to the glory of God the Father.

In chapter two of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we are taught that we were buried with Christ in our baptism and also raised with Christ through faith.  He begins chapter three with this assumption saying, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  (Col. 3:1-3, ESV)  Take note that it is God who has buried us and raised us with Christ.  This is not something that we have done or can achieve.  We now stand in Christ as a gift from God.

As those who have been buried and raised with Christ, we are learning to seek the things above and to set our minds on the things above.  We are not to seek the things of the earth which lead to death and the grave.  We are not to set our minds on the things of the earth which lead to sin and unbelief.  Instead, we are to set our eyes on Jesus.  To seek is to look for a clear goal.  In a race, a runner seeks the finish line.  To set our minds is to be determined that we desire to reach that destination.  In Christ, we have made up our minds.    Heaven is our goal.

For the believer to say that Christ is risen from the dead is to say that he or she lives in Christ and Christ lives in him or her.  To those with ears to hear, the resurrection of Christ should be at work in you bringing to death all that is not in harmony with God’s will and bringing to life new desires by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This is the supreme blessing of the resurrection in our lives making us alive, giving us new life, bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  You see, we are spiritually alive now through faith.  Then on the Last Day, we shall be alive in our bodies see our Redeemer with our own eyes.  As we seek the things that are above and set our minds on the things that are above God is at work in us bringing about His will in our lives on earth as it is done in heaven where Christ is seated.

The way of the world is to deny Christ and to live in sin.  The way of the flesh is to be alive in sexual immorality, impurity, evil desires, and covetousness.  The way of the gospel is to confess Christ and to die to sin.  The way of the Spirit is to live in Christ.  We are being taught by the Holy Spirit to guard against sin.  We are to crucify our sinful desires, receive the forgiveness of Christ declared in the resurrection and to live in newness of life beginning on earth and completed in heaven.

These last few weeks of Lent, I have had quite a bit of trouble with my computer.  It has gone kaput.  I ordered a new computer and now I have it in hand.  Over this weekend I have begun to use the new computer.  My new computer is faster, sleeker, and much more powerful.  Now it would be silly for me to cast the new computer to the side and return to the old computer.  Why would I subject myself to that kind of frustration?  That old computer is dead to me.  If we realize how silly it would be to prefer an old broken worthless computer to a new working computer, how much more should we realize that we should seek the things above, set our mind on the things above, and live as those who are with Christ above?

The Holy Spirit teaches us to take sin seriously and not to be deceived into living in the old ways of the world that is in rebellion to God.  We are warned so that we are not cast out of the kingdom.  Rather, we should examine our hearts, guard, and refrain from sin.  We are to cast out sin from our lives.  By nature we are dogs who return to our own vomit.  The enticement of sin is strong.

As those who have been resurrected with Christ, we are called to struggle against sin, we are to contend against the way of the world, and subject ourselves to affliction and hardship by the aid of the Holy Spirit.  We are learning to pray not my will be done but Thy will be done in my life on earth as it is in heaven.  We live in great weakness and continue to need strength.  Thus, we pray for help.  We ask that the kingdom of God would come to us.  We ask that God’s will would be done in our lives.  We ask that our trespasses would be forgiven for the sake of Christ. 

In Christ we are sheep who hear the voice of our Risen Shepherd who assures us that He has overcome our sin.  Through His resurrection we are certain that “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43, ESV)   Because He lives we live.  Christ is our life.  “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  (Col. 3:3, ESV)  We have gathered this day to continue to learn to believe that our Redeemer lives.  He lives in us while we dwell in this dust and on the last day He shall stand on the earth and we will see Him with our own eyes.  Amen.       

Easter 2011

The Death and Resurrection of Christ

The Death and Resurrection of Christ
It was necessary for Jesus to suffer. When Jesus suffered, he suffered in our place. He suffered both bodily and spiritually. He was mentally tormented with mockery and physically beaten with nails and whips. He suffered to the point of death. Yet, he was obedient.

As hard as we try, we cannot obey God to the point of death. No one will be declared righteous by observing the law.  Instead, “through the law we become conscious of sin” (Rom. 3:20 NIV). The wages of sin is death. In Adam we receive our wages of physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death. Under the law, we have been given a death sentence. The law kills. Without Christ we are sentenced to death in body and soul leading to an eternity of separation from the love of God. In fact, without Christ, we are already dead in our sins. A dead man cannot stand before God and pay the price for his own sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Because of our sin, we stand condemned.

In walks Jesus, to stand in our place. It was necessary for Jesus to die. When Jesus died, he died in our stead. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. His blood was shed, so that our sins would be forgiven. Where we earned death, Christ has given us life. When we were baptized, we were united into His death. By faith in Jesus, our Old Adam is put to death. In Christ we die to our sins.

It was necessary for Jesus to rise on the third day. When Jesus rose from the dead, the world was justified. St. Paul declares at the end of Romans chapter 4 that, “He was delivered over death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Then he begins chapter five by saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Rom. 4:25 NIV).

When Jesus rose from the grave, the world was absolved from all sin. We are no longer at war with God. Apart from Christ, we were God’s enemies. In our baptism, we have been united with Christ in His resurrection. Just as He was raised by the glory of the Father, we too are raised to walk in newness of life. In Christ, we are made alive toward God.
  Now in Christ we are friends and even sons of God. We are able to stand in God’s presence. The same Risen Lord who came to the disciples comes to us this day. Just as Christ came to the disciples saying, “Peace be with you.” He comes to us this day saying, “peace be with you.” He comes to us in His Word.  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!


Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Blessed Easter

Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion

 Below is a link to the continued discussion on Lutheran Music found on the Intrepid Lutheran blog site:

Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion

Blessed Holy Week

Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion

Here is a wonderful link to the Intrepid Lutherans blog discussing the rich treasures of historic Lutheran music:

 Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Crucifix

The Evangelical Lutheran Church believes, teaches, and confesses that the same LORD who gave the promise to Abraham and redeemed the people of Israel from Egypt is the same LORD who has brought redemption to all mankind.  For this reason, the church confesses the words of Isaiah declaring, "Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4, ESV)  In this way, it is most fitting for our congregation to be named Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. We believe that Jesus Christ alone is our Redeemer. By His death on the cross He has redeemed us from the power of sin, death, and the devil.  As those who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation we are the redeemed. 

The theological art that is utilized in our sanctuary depicts the person and work of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.   Over our altar we have placed a crucifix in order to reinforce our conviction that Jesus has redeemed us by His death on the cross.  St. Paul writes, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14, ESV)  Christ has redeemed us with His precious blood and with His innocent suffer and death.  The redemption of all humanity is accomplished in the crucifixion of Christ.  St. Paul also says, "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, ESV)   For this reason, the crucifix is located as the focal point of our sanctuary. 

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

LCMS President, Asia Regional Director Give Update on Japan

Jesus says, "Come to Me."

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

 

St. Matthew 11:28-30

 

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

We gather to hear the words of Jesus. Jesus says, ^“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

 

We can easily understand the difference between labor and rest. We can relate to something being a burden or something being easy. Now these are some thoughts that we can associate with. You know what it feels like to work hard and then to be able to stop and take a break. You know what it feels like to carry a heavy weight and then to set it down. If you’ve ever traveled from one place to another, then you know the feeling. Whether it’s going from your house to the airport or from the airport to the hotel, you know the feeling. The weight of all those suitcases is tiring. You have one bag hanging from a shoulder strap, one bag in your hand, and with your other hand you’re pulling along two more bags. You know the feeling. You know how burdensome it is.

 

But you also know the feeling of the rest that comes when you are finished. After you drop off all those suitcases at the check-in desk at the airport, then you can freely move about the terminal. Your shoulders begin to float. You can breathe easy and take a seat. What a relief!

 

However, once you’re off the plane, they load you back up with all your bags. Again, you are heavy burdened with all that baggage. We can understand the feeling of labor and rest. When weighed down we desire that the load would be made light and easy. 

 

Now of course this is an earthly reality, but we didn’t gather here tonight to hear about traveling tips for making your load easier. We have gathered here to listen to Jesus who says, ^“ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

 

The burdens in our lives are far heavier than a load of suitcases. As we live in this world as pilgrims, we are constantly weighed down with doubt, despair, anxiety, illness, death, and the worries of life. We wonder where God is in the midst of all the chaos.

 

We are burdened with our own sins against God and each other. When we take God’s law seriously and recognize how much we sin daily, we are troubled with our imperfections and impurities. Our hearts accuse us before God and we cannot bear the punishment. If we were honest with ourselves, we would be unable to look at God face to face. Our guilt causes us to look the other way.

 

Yet, in the season of Lent, we are not called to set our eyes on ourselves, nor are we called to look away from God. Instead, we are taught to set our eyes on Jesus. We are learning to come to Jesus and in Him find rest. Not a mere temporal physical rest, but an eternal spiritual rest. Jesus promises rest for our souls.

 

Jesus is gentle with us and not harsh. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save. Jesus did not come to judge, but to pardon. Jesus came to bear our burden. Jesus came to take our yoke upon His shoulders. In exchange, He gives us His yoke that is light. Jesus is not like the airport that takes our baggage for a while and then returns it. Jesus doesn’t charge us a standard few for carrying our load. He doesn’t expect a tip. He helps us freely without price. 

 

In Lent, we learn to view Jesus as the Lamb of God who bears the sin of the world. In Lent we learn to trust in His words of promise. We learn to look to Him and listen. The Father says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 (ESV) The Holy Spirit says, ^“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:26 (ESV) The Son says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (ESV) The Lord bless you, the Lord give you rest, and the Lord grant you peace in the midst of this life and peace at the last. Amen.