Halfway Around the Exterior

A Week After the Concrete

Reformation Sunday

On Reformation Sunday, we celebrate the beginning of the Reformation Movement when Martin Luther the Blessed Reformer nailed the 95-Theses to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.  From this date we trace the reigniting of the gospel light that had been hidden under a bushel in the Middle Ages.  There were three great slogans regarding salvation that were brought back to the church in those days: sola gratia, sola fide, and sola scriptura.  Of course I just gave you these phrases in Latin.  In English, we would say grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone.

“Sola” or “alone” is an exclusive word.  We use it to designate one thing at the exclusion of another.  For instance in the music world, we would say that when one singer sings independently of others, she is singing a “solo.”  It is her and her alone who is singing.  Or in the world of baseball, if a batter hits a homerun and no one else is on base we would call this a “solo homerun.”  Only that batter alone would score a run.

Thus, in the church we proclaim that salvation has come to us by grace alone at the exclusion of any merit on our part.  Salvation is received through faith alone at the exclusion of any works on our part.  Salvation is based upon Scripture alone at the exclusion of any additional words or feelings on our part.  All three of these slogans are linked together like a gold chain.  Let us look at these three slogans in detail.

Sola Gratia
When you think of the word “gratia” or “grace”, think of such words as “gratis” or “gratuitous” meaning free or gift.  Grace is God’s undeserved favor.  Salvation is given to us as a gift not because we deserve it or have earned it.  If salvation were something we could earn or purchase for ourselves it would not be a gift.  It would be a wage or a payment that is owed to us.

However, because we are sinners by birth, what we earn or merit is death.  The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is life in Christ Jesus.  Salvation is ours by grace alone because of Christ alone.  He alone purchased our salvation from death, devil, and sin with His own blood.  Because of Christ, God forgives us and is merciful to us.  Left to ourselves we would remain lost and condemned.  God is the one who alone does the action.  He says in today’s Old Testament lesson, “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34 ESV) 

In this life, you will be continually tempted to be the star of the show.  The devil will try to trick you into being the main actor or the co-actor in the drama of your life story.  If you could be the star, there would be no need for forgiveness and no need for Christ.

Salvation is a free gift of God given to you by grace alone because of Jesus Christ alone.

Sola Fide                                                                                                                                 
When you think of the word “fide” or “faith”, think of “fidelity” meaning faithfulness.  Faith is trusting and clinging to God’s Word of promise.  As Martin Luther says, “faith is like glue that attaches the heart to the God’s Word.”  God has promised that your sins are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is an unconditional promise.  There are no strings attached.  Salvation is received by us through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. 

In today’s Epistle Lesson, the Apostle Paul writes to us, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28 NKJV).  To be justified is to be declared righteous for the sake of Jesus, who alone is righteous.  His righteousness is imputed or credited to you through faith.  This is the great exchange.  Your unrighteousness is placed upon Jesus and His righteousness is placed upon you.  Because of Jesus we are righteous in God’s sight.

In this life, you will be continually tempted to boast in your own righteousness or be tempted to live securely in your own unrighteousness.  Human tendency is to try to justify ourselves and make us right in our own eyes.  We like to make up excuses and justify our actions.  Yet, if we focus on our own righteous actions, we will always fall short of the perfect righteousness of God.

At the same to remember that faith is never alone apart from good works.  Faith is active and living and freely does what God says.  Without works faith is dead.  Luther states, “It is therefore as impossible to separate works from faith as it is to separate heat and light from fire.”  Yet, these good works do not make us right in God’s sight.  Make no mistake, good works are not the root of salvation rather they are the fruit of salvation.  The Holy Spirit in the believer produces fruit. 

Jesus alone is your righteousness and your salvation.  Salvation is received through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.  Faith itself is a gift from God.

Sola Scriptura
When we think of the word “scriptura” or “Scripture”, think of such words as “inscribe” or “script” meaning written.  Scripture is the inspired Word of God written by the prophets and the apostles. 

The primary message of the Bible is the Gospel.  God’s Word is proclaimed to us in order to assure us that God is merciful, loving, compassionate, and forgiving because of Jesus.  God gives to us the gift of the written Scripture so that we do not have terrified or seduced by every new teaching that comes along describing a new method or way to heaven.  Jesus is the Way and there is no other.  He tells us to listen to His voice and He gives us the Bible so that we can know it.

Jesus says in today’s Gospel Text, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31 NKJV).  Jesus is the Truth and He has set us free to be the people of God.  The Word of the Lord is lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.  The Lord is your light and your salvation.

In this life, you will be continually tempted to allow your mind to change and distort the Word of God to your own liking.  Instead, let your mind be changed and renewed by the Word of God.  The Holy Scriptures are active and living it is the tool that the Lord uses to work in you to bring about your salvation.  The Bible is not merely the word of men, but rather the Word of God.

The main purpose of the Holy Scripture is to proclaim Jesus Christ alone.

Today we celebrate the reason why we desire to be Lutheran.  We are Lutheran because we believe in the doctrine taught by Martin Luther who proclaimed that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone which is promised to us in Scripture alone.  Let us rejoice in this light brought back to the church in the days of the Reformation.  As those who believe this message of Good News, you are the light of the world.  You are a light in this city set on a hill.  Let us proclaim the glorious of Him who brought us out of darkness into His glorious light for Jesus did not die for us alone.  He died for the sins of the world.

Putting Up the Steel Studs

Building in the Sun

Building in the Rain and Snow

Sermon: At the Appointed Time

19th Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Yesterday, I was standing in line at a fast food restaurant waiting for my order. I waited and waited and waited. It didn’t seem very fast. Of course, I happened to be there at the wrong time, that is, at the same time all those other people were standing in line and all those cars were outside at the drive through. A few weeks ago, I was driving down to White Rock on the truck route and the traffic was stopped so that they could repave the road. I was sitting there watching cars in front of me getting out of line and turning around in order to head back to Los Alamos instead of waiting. Then of course there is our building project. We are still waiting for a permit in order to pour the concrete. In all these situations, we wonder how long is this going to take. Time matters when you have something better to do. Situations like these reveal the reality that we are not in control. We want things done our way. Likewise, we see how impatient we are by nature. We want things done in our own timing. 

In today’s Old Testament text, the prophet Habakkuk wants to know how long things will take. The prophet asks, "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?" (Habakkuk 1:2, ESV) He was preaching the message of repentance to the people of the southern kingdom and was seeing no results. The people of God would not listen to the prophet of God. How long shall he continue? Then Habakkuk continues to question God asking, "Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise." (Habakkuk 1:3, ESV) The prophet complains at the way that God has chosen to do things. 

It is natural to question God. Now when I say natural, I don’t mean that it is good or right. No. It is natural because we are sinners by nature. The human heart wants to be in control as if it is the center of the universe. When times are tough and stress is building, sin is displayed in impatience, irritability, and grumpiness. When life does not go our way, sin is shown forth in arrogance, pride, and stubbornness. Not only are we unable to control the circumstance around us, we are not able to control our own sinful heart. For this reason, the word of God exposes such sin as part of the fallen creation. It calls us to recognize sin as sin. 

Then the word of God reveals to us that God in control. He is God and we are not. The promise is given to us “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV) Rather than question God, as His people we are to trust that God is God. We are working with His time clock and His wisdom. We are called to faith in the promises that He gives to us as His people. We are learning to be patient 

The role of the prophet is to teach God’s people such truths. Using the word of God, he comes to shatter all forms of false security. In the days of Habakkuk, the people of God were secure in themselves. The northern kingdom fell to the Assyrians, but the southern kingdom had the city of Jerusalem, the temple of God, and the house of David. In fact, they even saw the feeble efforts of the Assyrians who tried to take the city. In one night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 of their soldiers. Thus the people of God wrongly interpreted the misfortunes of the north and their fortunes in the south as God’s favor upon them no matter what they did. They believed in “once delivered always delivered.” God had saved them from the Assyrians, thus they had nothing to fear or so they thought.

Yet, the society located around Jerusalem became centered on sin. Habakkuk saw violence and injustice running rampant among the people of God. Fellow Jews were hurting and harming one another. This did not look like the covenant people of God. Thus, Habakkuk says, "So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (Habakkuk 1:4, ESV) The prophet ponders where God was in the midst of all of this chaos? To Habakkuk, it seemed like the Law of Moses was paralyzed. The people were not listening to the voice of God and they were not heeding the warning of the covenant curses.

So as a prophet, Habakkuk both speaks God’s word to the people and likewise speaks to God in behalf of the people. How long will it take for God to bring justice for the oppressed? As chapter one continues beyond our assigned reading, the LORD answers in saying, "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV)   The Lord will raise up the Chaldeans, also known as the Babylonians, who will overtake the Assyrians. The LORD describes them to Habakkuk. They are a fierce army. They are like hungry evening wolves ready to devour. They are swift like eagles. They will catch their enemies as readily as a fisherman catches fish. They laugh at every fortress. The city of Jerusalem will be no match. They will bring violence upon the people of God along with their own style of justice. These unrepentant people will punish the unrepentance of the people of God. The LORD reveals these events to Habakkuk before they take place, so that when they do we can be confident that God is in control.

God is doing a strange work. The violence in Judah will be answered with violence from Babylon. The injustice of God’s people will be replaced with pagan justice. In order to build the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Judah must be destroyed. The current son of David must be dethroned in order for the True Son of David to sit on the throne. In the book of Acts, St. Paul quotes these words of Habakkuk in reference to the resurrection of Jesus. This too was a strange work. The Messiah was forsaken by God in order to bring God’s favor upon all the nations. The Davidic King wore a thorn crown. Violence and injustice were given to Him so that mercy and goodness would be given to us. The temple of His body was destroyed, but on the third day it was raised again to be the permanent dwelling place of God’s glory in the midst of His people. This is a strange work and only by the gift of the Holy Spirit can one believe. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we are being renewed. He gives the gift of patience and self-control. Thus, we are called to listen to the prophets and the apostles who reveal to us this strange work of God. 

In those days, the people of God wanted to know how long it would be until the Messiah would come and establish His eternal kingdom. How long should they wait? In our day, we wonder, how long it will be until the coming kingdom is fully made manifest. In chapter two of today’s reading, the LORD told Habakkuk, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3, ESV) The role of the prophet and the apostles is to continue to teach repentance and faith in the name of the Messiah. Habakkuk was commissioned to put the vision of the coming Messiah before the people’s eyes. My role as your pastor is to teach you to take your eyes off of yourselves and to set them on Jesus. Do not concern yourselves with getting your way; rather, concern yourselves with believing that Jesus is the way.

Then the LORD goes on to make a contrast between the foolish one who trusts in himself and his own accomplishments and the righteous one who trusts in God. The coming Babylonians will trust in their own strength assuming that they have received their victories and kingdoms from their own abilities. In this way, they will make their strength their god in whom they rejoice. They will view their kingdom as the work of their own hands.

Yet, all rampant sin will come to an end. It will cease and be punished. The Babylonians lived by the sword and they died by the sword. But, the people of God, then and now, are called to life by faith trusting in the promises of God. The “righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV) We look around and we see destruction and death, yet we wait for the appointed time when death itself will come to an end.

The other day I was at the airport with Pastor Coleman. We were waiting at the security gate. We choose separate lines. I took the short one. However, the gentleman in front of me had some strange item in his bag that was spotted by the x-ray machine. All of a sudden, the new employees were all gathered over to see the object. My shorter line became the longer line. There was nothing I could do to control the circumstances. Thus, I boarded the plane at the same time as Pastor Coleman. Once we were up in the air, there was nothing I could do to change the rate at which we arrived in Albuquerque. Once again, Pastor Coleman and I both arrived in Albuquerque at the same time. It was the appointed time of arrival. We arrived when we were supposed to arrive.

As we cry out with Habakkuk saying, “How long will the LORD take to act?” The LORD answers, “At the appointed time.” If it seems like the LORD is taking His time, wait on the LORD. He is taking His time. It is all in God’s timing and not ours. In the mean time, we live by faith and cling to His word of promise. The “righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV) Keep the faith.

This passage from Habakkuk is quoted in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. We are declared righteous by God. We have the promise of His favor for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. It may not feel like we are holy, but He promises that His holiness is ours. It may not appear like we have the kingdom, but He promises that the kingdom is ours. It may not seem like death has been defeated, but He promises that we have life. Even though we die, we shall live. He is the Life. The righteous shall live by faith. Amen. 

Just Keep on Building, Keep on Building...

It's Starting to Take Shape.

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together.

Building on the Foundation

After a night filled with pouring rain, the construction on the building continues.

The concrete has arrived!!!

We've been waiting since September.  Now the concrete is finally here.  Thanks be to God!!!

Sermon: There's More to Life

18th Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Luke 16:19-31

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

We’ve been talking a lot about life lately. A few weeks ago we were discussing the meaning of life. We noted that some say Life is a game. We also noted that some say Life is a cereal. Again, I was actually referring to the cereal called Life. It claims to help promote healthy hearts. Now if you remember, there use to be a series of television commercials that tried to sell us Life. There were three kids sitting around a table who had never tried Life. Two of the kids conversed saying, “I’m not going to try it. You try it.” Then the suggestion was made to give it to Mikey who’ll eat anything. Shortly there after the kids said, “He likes it. He likes it.” Thus, if Mikey likes it, it has to be good. I want what Mikey likes. Now I need to go and get the Life that Mikey and his friends have. Here we have consumerism in its simplest form. I can buy Life in a box. For a small price, I can have the Life that other people have.

In today’s gospel text, we are told about thelife of two different men reflected in their eating habits. One man “feasted sumptuously” while the other man “desired to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.” One was rich and the other was poor. The rich man “was clothed in purples and fine linen” while the poor man was “covered with sores.” Based upon the externals these were two very different men. Which man would you rather be like? …Remember, life is more than food and the clothes that one wears.   

In the end, these two men have their humanity in common. Thus, it has been appointed for each to die and then to face judgment. Here’s where things turn around just as the Virgin Mary said, “he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.” (Luke 1:52, ESV) The rich man died and was buried. Period. No fancy funeral recorded, just the fact that he was buried. Now the food and clothing don’t really matter. At death the body is put into a box. But the death of Lazarus is recorded differently. Lazarus died and he was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. Now we begin to see beyond the physical and the external. The rich man was dealt good things in this life and now he is handed anguish in the life to come.   Lazarus was dealt difficulties in this life and now he is comforted in the life to come.   Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20, ESV) “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24, ESV)

Again, we hear another text about the misuse of riches, wealth, and the things of this world. We are warned so that in this life we do not rest in a false security comforted in the abundance of material goods. Life is more than food, drink, clothing, and all those other things. Life is more than what we see on the external package. We are called to repent from the culture of materialism that we are swimming in. We must not become consumed by our consumptions of the latest commodities. We must not become possessed by our possession. We are learning to repent from American consumerism and self indulgence which is an appetite for destruction. 

We are learning to put to death the idea that the purpose of life is to make ourselves comfortable. In our text, it is too late for the rich man to learn this lesson. So, he begs Abraham to teach his five brothers so that they will stop heading down the wrong road. He thinks that if Lazarus comes back from the dead surely this sign will stop them. 

Now what is it that makes a car stop? Is it a stop sign? Is it the eyes that see the sign? Is it the brakes? Is it the foot that presses upon the brake pedal? Is it the brain that accesses the situation and signals to the foot that it is time to stop? You see, without a living brain, it is impossible to stop. In the end you realize that it is not about the sign at all. The mind has to be engaged in the physical realities of the situation. 

Even if a man were to rise from the dead, the brothers of the rich man would not believe. Just because they see a sign, it will not make them stop. Without faith, it is impossible to stop. Without faith, eyes and feet do not work. Faith enables the individual to engage in the spiritual realities that cannot be seen with the physical eyes. The only means through which the LORD has promised to bestow the gift of faith is through the word of God. For this reason, Abraham says, “Let them listen to Moses and the Prophets.” Moses and the Prophets is a reference to the written scriptures of the Old Testament. 

Again, we hear another text about the importance of the written word. All that we need to know for our salvation has been revealed for us in the Holy Scriptures. Throughout these writings we can be assured that we hear the very voice of God speaking to us and revealing divine truth. We are taught about life. God teaches us what He requires of His people and what He forbids His people to do.

In our gospel text, we are told about two different people living in the context of the people of God who have the word of God. But let us be clear that these words about the rich man and Lazarus are not given to us so that we just change our moral behavior as if Moses and the Prophets merely taught social justice. That is the false message of Liberal Protestantism and even Islam. They teach that if we just become obedient to God, all will be well with our souls. No! Such texts show us the need for a Savior who can save us from ourselves. Without Him there is no hope for us.

From the commandments of God we discern our spiritual illness. The promise of the Messiah is given to the people of God. This teaching will draw all other nations to faith in the One True God. From the promise of the Messiah we learn of the only spiritual cure. The people of God were given the written word so that they could hold on to these wonderful teachings and pass them on to their children. Through the scriptures, faith is created and sustained in the hearts of the people. Where ever the people of God dwell on this earth, they are instructed to dwell in these two chief parts of the revealed truth. We are called to hear the word. To hear is to learn. To hear, in the biblical sense, is to believe.

Because we live in a fallen world, there is poverty and suffering. Jesus took upon our flesh and blood emptying Himself and becoming poor. For our salvation He suffered. Jesus was dealt a difficult hand. Moses and the Prophets teach us that it was necessary for Jesus to be rejected, suffer, die, and rise again. At the transfiguration, Moses and the Prophet Elijah stood by Jesus as the voice of the Father said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35, ESV) 

After the resurrection, Jesus gave the people of God the sign of Jonah and yet there were those who would not believe. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus taught the disciples to look at the written word of Moses and the Prophets who testify of Him. Later, He gathered with the apostles and opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. It was necessary for the Christ to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. They were then sent out to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations. The written word of Moses, the Prophets, the Apostles, and the Evangelist all teach us to listen to Jesus. For this reason, in the liturgy we sing, “Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.”

Life is not about the externals. There is more than what is on the outside appearance of a man. What matter is most is found in the inside, in the internal heart, of a man. If you just look at the outward appearance of a cereal box and read the word Life, it doesn’t mean that it actually contains life. When you dump the cereal out and look on the inside, it is empty, void, and lifeless. 

The LORD gives us His word so that we are not left lifeless. The word of God comes into the ears to fill the heart with faith in Jesus. "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”(John 3:34-36, ESV) Through faith in Jesus we have life.

We close with these words from the hymn written by Thomas Kingo:

On my heart imprint Your image,
Blessèd Jesus, King of grace,
That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures,
Never may Your work erase;
Let the clear inscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope’s foundation,
And my glory and salvation!
Amen.

The Day it All Began-- October 31, 1517

It began just like any other day. It was the day that the Lord had made. Yet, this day was different. It was a day that would change the course of Western Civilization. One monk, a piece of paper, a hammer, a nail, and a door were all ordinary things used by God to do the extra-ordinary. This monk, by the name of Martin Luther, nailed the famous Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This document contained ninety-five statements in objection to the practice of the selling of indulgences.

By placing this document on the door, Father Luther was announcing his desire to debate the topic. Luther objected to the selling of indulgences out of pastoral concern for the souls of the people which he oversaw. An indulgence was a slip of paper sold to an individual that guaranteed release from the punishments of sin in purgatory. Rather than directing the faithful to the sure Word of God for the assurance of the forgiveness of their sins, the religious leaders of the church directed the terrified souls to the words of men. They placed their hope in a piece of paper that they had  purchased with gold or silver, rather than placing their hope in Jesus Christ who purchased them with His own precious and innocent blood.to shine in Wittenberg, it continued to spread throughout Europe and is still spreading to the ends of theearth today.

For Luther, this debate was a matter of life and salvation. As Luther began to discuss his concern with the religious leaders, the light of the gospel that had been obscured during the “Dark Ages” began to shine forth.  From this date, October 31, 1517, we rejoice in the beginning of the Reformation movement that reformed the teaching and the practice of the church which had become deformed through the “Middle Ages.” As the light of the gospel began

When the gospel is preached purely, all glory is given to God alone, for salvation is His work. Also, the hearts of those who fear the punishment for their sins are truly comfortedwith Divine assurance that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ they are promised forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. As with all promises, it is beneficial only to those who believe it to be true.

You can't teach lay people theology?

Sermon: Paper Money

17th Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Amos 8:4-7

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Two weeks ago, we talked about the meaning of life. And as you recall, we noted that some people say that life is a game. In that understanding, the one who ends up with the most money wins. Now I was actually alluding to the board game called Life? You know the game with the little plastic cars, the colorful spinner in the middle, and all that paper money. In that game, you move your little car around the board trying to collect as much money as possible. The other players around the board are not seen as your neighbors; rather, they are the competition. There is no helping the neighbor in the game of Life. In fact, it is to your advantage when something bad happens to them. In that game, you see marriage and the acquiring of children as an advantage only because they add up to more money in the end. Thus, a spouse and family are just plastic commodities that gain more paper money. It’s all about the play money that can only be used in the game of Life. Try and take that money to the grocery store and you will see that it is totally worthless. It only has value in that game.

In a similar way, the paper money or plastic card that you have in your wallets and purses is only good in this life. You can’t take it with you when the game is over and you die. It’s only money; it is not life. It is only good for this life. Yet, for some reason, we seem to think that this paper money and plastic cards are the goal of life. We must never forget that they are only the means through which we live and dwell on this earth. They are not the end. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but to lose his soul?

The more things change the more they stay the same. Money and commodities have been an issue since ancient times. Of course, money is not the problem. It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. Therefore, we learning the proper use of money in this life. Do you serve money or do you use money to serve others? Do you live extravagantly or do you live in modesty? Do you adorn your life with money or do you see your good works done for your neighbor as an ornamentation of your faith with? Do you serve God or do you serve money?

In our Old Testament text, the prophet Amos addresses both extravagant living and love of money. He confronts the financial prosperity of the northern kingdom. They view their success as a display of God’s favor. In their quest for success, they have walked all over their own people. They had forgotten the wellbeing of their own brothers. 

If I were to show you a stack of play money from the board game of Life, would you be impressed with me? Would you assume that God has favored me over my opponents? What if I told you that I played against my own children and showed no mercy until I had seized all the money? In a way, this is what the people in the northern kingdom were doing. God knows how they acquired their money and at what expense. Their status in society didn’t impress God. They were pressing down their own people. They were trampling on the needy in order to climb the ladder of success. They were causing the poor of the land to come to an end. 

Here Amos is playing on the word Sabbath. The Hebrew root word means to rest, to cease, or to come to an end. Thus, the Sabbath day is a day of rest in which you cease from working.   However, the rich were making the poor cease or come to an end. This is their preferred type of Sabbath. The contrast is made with their type of “sabbathing” and the Sabbath day instituted by God. They despised preaching and God’s word. They disrespected God. They mechanically observed the LORD’s Sabbath so that they could get back to their Sabbath of bringing an end to the poor. They did not keep the Sabbath day holy. 

They would say to themselves, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale.”   They viewed their attendance at the Divine Service as a religious duty of going through the motions. Their hearts were not in it. To them, time was money. They wanted the service to end early, so that they could go back to making more money. They had more important things to do than to hear God’s word. 

We too are warned so that we do not make attendance at the Divine Service a mechanical thing. Whether we want the Service to end early so that we can make more money, spend more money, or watch football it doesn’t matter. We are being taught to gladly hear and learn God’s word. This is the place and the time that has been set aside to hear from Amos. This is the time to listen to the voice of Jesus and find our rest in Him. 

After the mind has been renewed by the word of God, the people of God are supposed to see things differently in the market place. But, instead those unrepentant Israelites disrespected others. They thought to themselves in the Divine Service saying, “let’s end service early so that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?” They were using false scales to give small measure to gain larger profits. In this way, the rich unrepentant Israelites were selling their own flesh and blood into slavery. They were burying them in debt. They were cheating their own brothers out of their own money. They were hurting and harming their neighbors. They were not helping their neighbor keep the gifts that God had blessed him with.

We too are warned so that we do not treat others as a commodity or use them as a means to gain more money. We are learning to properly use money for the benefit of life and not for just playing games. After learning the word of God in this space, then we are to take what we have heard into the work place. We are learning to serve others in our vocations. 

You see the human heart is so depraved. I can even remember as a small child looking at the display case in a bakery. I thought to myself how a baker could make more money by making the glass in the case a magnifying glass. Then the pastries would seem bigger than they really are. Oh how depraved the human heart is. Even as a child I was thinking deceitfully. Then people would pay a price for something they thought they were getting. Instead, they would be cheated out of their own money.

Amos delivers the weight of the law upon their shoulders in their day and upon our shoulders in this day. God declares, “Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.” (Amos 8:7, ESV) There are no ifs, ands, or buts. In the way of the law, the LORD tallies, counts, and records all evil transactions. When one violates the rules of the game of life, the ruling will come from the Judge. When God remembers sins, He punishes them. You don’t want God to remember your deeds. Your deeds are tainted with sin. The word of the prophet is a call to repentance and faith in the promises of God. In the last chapter of Amos, he promises that God will raise up the booth of David and repair its ruins. Amos was appointed to preach to the northern kingdom in those days and to us today for this reason. 

As Amos and the prophets of old promised, the Messiah would be the One who sees His brothers and sisters as more valuable than paper or plastic. He will perfectly keep the new moons and Sabbaths. In Him, the poor and needy will be blessed. In the New Testament scriptures, we rejoice in the fulfillment of these messianic promises. We sing with Mary declaring that God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. God has remembered His mercy as He spoke to our fathers. 

We sing with Zechariah declaring that God has raised up for us a horn of salvation in the house of His servant David as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets. He has remembered His holy covenant and the oath He swore to Abraham. The Baptizer was appointed to give to us the knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of our sins. Likewise, Paul was appointed to reveal to the nations that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, ESV) The holy prophets and apostles reveal this knowledge to us and continue to teach these promises of God so that we do not forget. 

Have you ever gone back to play one of those old board games and forgotten exactly how to play? You kind of just make up the rules as you go. Who wants to bother reading through the rule book. Well you see, in our lives we forget how to play the game of life. Thus, the law comes and shows us how we have forgotten to play by the rules. We have forgotten the poor and the needy. We have forgotten how to correctly use money in this life. Then, the gospel comes to show us that only Jesus has perfectly followed all of the rules. In this way, we are called to remember the King and His Kingdom.    Thus, we pray in to Jesus in faith saying, “Remember us in Your Kingdom.” 

In Christ, the word of God to us is this, “Surely I will never remember your deeds.” Because of Christ, our sinful deeds are not counted against us. Jesus dealt with the money changers in the Temple. He rebuked the Pharisees who loved money. He blessed the poor and needy. Then He was sold for silver. He was trampled on and He was brought to an end from the land. His body was given a Sabbath rest in the tomb. He trampled on the devil and has brought death to an end. He gave Himself as a ransom for all. Now He gives rest for our souls. Amen.

Can We Make Jesus Our Savior?

Our Savior Jesus Christ

 

Have you made Jesus your personal Savior yet? Now that’s an odd question. It is along the same line as asking if you have made God your Creator yet. You cannot make Jesus anything. He is the maker of all things. He is who He is.  Jesus is Jesus. Jesus is God. It is the Creator who makes creation out of nothing. He makes you into something.   Just as you cannot make Him your Creator, you cannot make Him your Savior. That would imply that He is not your Savior until you deem Him to be so.

 

It would be just as silly to ask, “Have you made Jesus your way to heaven, or your truth, or your life?” The Good News is that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). A much better question would be: “Do you know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?”

 

Likewise, it would be better to ask, “Do you know that Jesus is your Savior?” St. John writes, “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14 ESV). As the Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Apostles out in order to reveal that He is the only Savior from sin, death, and the devil. The Lord doesn’t want us to question if Jesus is our Savoir, but rather to know for certain that He is. This message still comes to us this day through the writings of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit uses this gospel message to bring us to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Savior. The one who trusts in Jesus as the only Savior has the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. Now that’s good news.