Getting Ready for the Stucco

Sermon: The God of Jacob is Our Fortress

Reformation Sunday, 2010

 

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Psalm 46

 

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

On this Sunday, we talk about truth and faith. It has become common place to talk about letting the truth set us free. But, one must ask, “What is that truth that sets us free?” Is it knowledge? What does it set us free from? Is it political oppression? It has also become common place to talk about faith. Back in the 1980’s, George Michael sang a song called “Faith.” The chorus rang out, “Cause I gotta have faith…faith…faith…” At face value, it would seem that we could sing along with George Michael. However, once we look at the lyrics we begin to realize that this song is about dating and having faith that someone else will show up for him. He is talking about faith in faith. The object of faith is faith itself. He is encouraging us just to have the substance of faith.

 

Sometimes even in the church, people talk the same generic language about truth and faith. They may try to encourage one another by saying, “Stand up for the truth” or “Keep the faith” or “Ya just gotta believe.” But the real questions are, What is the truth I’m standing up for? Faith in what? Believe what? People may even boast by boldly saying, “I’m a believer.” But again the question must be asked. What does it mean to be a believer? 

 

On this Sunday, we rejoice in the truth and the faith that has been proclaimed clearly since the 16^th century Reformation. We do not set this day aside so that we Lutherans can thank God that we are Lutheran. This is not a German and Scandinavian Pride Day. We do not sing A Mighty Fortress because we think it has a catchy tune. We do not gather to boast in our faith in our own faith. No. We gather to learn and encourage one another in our faith in Jesus Christ who is the truth. We celebrate the Reformation in which the deformed teaching of the medieval church was reformed. The message that salvation was won by Jesus Christ on the cross and that salvation is freely delivered to us in the gospel and the sacraments. Once again the people of God were taught to have faith in the promises of God. Oh, yes we as Lutherans talk a lot about faith, but not faith in faith. We teach faith in the promises of God.

 

Let’s look at Psalm 46 of which the hymn A Mighty Fortress is based upon. It opens with these words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, ESV) In this Psalm, we see how the Lord teaches us this revealed truth. We would not and we could not know this from simple observation. It is a promise to be believed in. He is our God. He has created us and He has redeemed us. 

 

Now it is easy for us to understand this imagery from an earthly perspective. If there is thunder and lightening outside, we can run inside to take refuge. If there is cold weather, rain, or snow in the outdoors we can run to the indoors to take refuge. Now earthly buildings give to us refuge from earthly calamities. 

 

God is our refuge and strength from all spiritual calamities. In Him we take refuge from all our enemies. He is our strength against all of our enemies. Our enemies consist of the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh. While we continue to live in this life, we are constantly under attack from these enemies. The Lord assures us that He is our very present help in trouble. He is not a God far off who does not care about our struggle. No, He is a very present help in trouble. 

 

From an earthly perspective we easily understand the idea of someone being a very present help in trouble. For instance, if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you’ll know how important a cell phone is in which you can call for help. You’ll also realize how significant a charged battery is and also how essential cell phone coverage truly is. These are all things that we take for granted on a daily basis. Yet, throughout all of life we have access to the Father through Christ by the Holy Spirit. There is not a place on God’s green earth that is out of his coverage. You won’t have to worry about charging your batteries either.

 

So after establishing this spiritual truth and promise, we hear the next set of verses in the Psalm starting at verse two. “Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:2, ESV) Notice how the word “therefore” follows the spiritual truth. If we understand that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” … …therefore… …we will not fear. We build confidently upon the promises of God. If He is our refuge against our greatest spiritual enemies which can destroy the soul, then we need not fear the earthly troubles that can only destroy the body. 

 

When you look around the earthly realm some of the most powerful things that can be experienced are either natural disasters or man-made disasters. On the one hand he describes the earth giving way, the sea roaring and foam, the mountains trembling and being thrown into the sea, the nations rage, and the kingdoms totter. On the other hand, he describes the river that brings life making the city of God glad. He utters His voice and the earth melts. Again, the promise is made that the Lord dwells in the midst of His people so that they shall not fear and be moved like the mountains. Here the Psalmist teaches us a contrast between the fallen creation and the Creator of all things. 

 

Even if a natural disaster or man-made disaster takes our home, our possessions, our family, or even our own lives, we still have the kingdom of God for He is our fortress. Let the devil throw as much trouble at us as he will. He can harm us none. He’s already been defeated upon the cross.

 

Now this doesn’t mean that we believe that nothing bad will ever happen to us as believers in Christ. On the contrary, we continue to trust that God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble even when our car breaks down or worse things happen to us in this life. We are learning to have faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who would not worship in the style of Nebuchadnezzar even though it meant the possibility of their earthly death in the fiery furnace. They confessed before the Babylonian King saying, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, ESV) They trusted in the promise that God was their refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. They were confident that they were in the LORD’s hand. The righteous shall live by faith in this life and in the life to come. Those who believe in Christ shall live even though they die.

 

For this reason, it is said that the Lutheran princes sang A Mighty Fortress before entering the Diet at the city of Augsburg in 1530 in which they stood before the Emperor. About a century later, it is also said that the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus had his troops sing this hymn before rescuing the Lutheran princes in the Thirty Years War from sure destruction by the so-called Holy Roman Empire. The Swedish King died in battle trusting in the promises of God.

 

This was all because of their faith in Christ. They believed that their God was the God of Jacob who was the God of Israel who redeemed them from Egypt who was the God who promised the Messiah who was the God who became flesh and dwelt among us as Immanuel who is the God who redeemed us by His shed blood upon the cross. This God was their fortress in which they took refuge from all earthly threats and even more from all spiritual threats. Their God is our God. Throughout life we boldly confess the words of Psalm 46 with them saying, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” The Christian Faith is not part of the world of pretend and make believe. We put our lives on the line. 

 

When I was a kid, I used to make a fortress out of the cushion from the living room couch. Now, this was a very shaky fortress. The slightest movement would bring the whole structure down. Every thing had to be still inside and outside my cushion fortress. This was no true refuge or stronghold. It was only for pretend. In contrast to a stone fortress, there is no comparison. A stone fortress can be a substantial refuge. Yet, even the best engineered fortress in the world will eventually crumble and be moved, especially when the weapons of modern warfare are utilized against it. There is only one fortress that can withstand all created forces and that fortress is our God. Nothing in creation can overpower Him. The great forces of nature, the military forces of the world, and even the evil spiritual forces of darkness cannot stand against Him.

 

The picture of God given to us in Psalm 46 is not one that portrays a soft, cuddly, cushion fortress. Instead, this picture portrays God as holy and omnipotent. He is all powerful. With God being the fortress, the question that continues to confront us is this: Are you inside the fortress or are you on the outside of the fortress? If you are on the outside, then you are an enemy of God that will be defeated. If you are in God taking refuge, then all of your enemies on the outside will be defeated.

 

The promise we have in our baptism assures us that we are in the fortress. We are in Christ. In Christ, we are friends with God and not enemies. In Christ, our enemies of the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh will be defeated. The problem we face is that our own sinful flesh is engaged in espionage in our own hearts. It is trying to convince us to defect and leave the refuge of the fortress and apply for citizenship outside of Christ. We are constantly under attack.

 

Even so, in the midst of all of this chaos, the LORD tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, ESV) With the mountains trembling, the sea roaring, and the nations raging, we are able to stand and to be still. For in Christ we have peace that the world cannot give. He is our refuge, strength, and fortress. On this day, we rejoice in the knowledge of this truth and we put our faith in it. See, we didn’t gather this day to pretend like we are Lutheran playing in man-made cushion fortresses. We didn’t gather this day to play dress up and wear read clothes. We gather today to believe as Lutherans who trust in the promises of God. We have been clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. This truth enables us to stand firm. Amen.

Here Comes the Exterior Walls

Autumn Greeting from LCMS President Harrison

Autumn Greeting from LCMS President Harrison from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Transitions

Throughout the church year we are faced with significant transitions in theme from one service to the next. For example, as we left October and enter into November, we changed our focus from our fellow saints here on earth to those saints who are with the Lord. On Reformation Sunday we remembered that day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door signifying the reemphasis on the gospel as the true treasure of the church. Our focus was on the church militant that is still at war fighting the good fight against the old Evil Foe who tries to take away our treasure. Throughout our pilgrimage we put out trust in the strength of the Lord who guards and keeps us. He is our Mighty Fortress in whom we take refuge.

Then on All Saints Sunday, we celebrated the victory that we have in Christ. We give thanks to God for all the saints who have gone on before us who have fought the good fight and now rest from their labors. They confessed the name of Jesus and put their hope in His coming, suffering, dying, living, protecting, and fighting for them. All who believe on the Lord Jesus are saints both here in time and there in eternity.

On this Sunday, we mark the last Sunday of the Church Year.  We look forward to the Last Day and the Final Judgment.  In Christ, we already know the verdict: "Not guilty."  Jesus has take our punishment for us.  He was forsaken by the Father so that we would not be forsaken.  The following Sunday will be the first Sunday in Advent in which we focus upon the first coming and the second coming of Christ.

On the Last Sunday in Advent we make ready for the coming of the Christ by joining in the anticipation of the saints in the Old Testament times. Then on Christmas Eve, we celebrate the glad tidings with the saints that saw the Christ Child born in the little town of Bethlehem.

Another example is seen in the transition between the services of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Friday, we focus with the saints at the foot of the cross on Christ’s suffering, death, and burial for us. Then on Sunday, as the Lord opened the tomb He opens are lips to sing His praise with all the saints: Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Temporary Signs

First Snow on the New Roof

Bird's Eye View Sort of

Sermon: Two Men

22nd Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Luke 18:9-17

 

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

I don’t know about you, but I will be glad when all these political advertisements come to an end next month. I am tired of hearing about how this candidate is better then that candidate, because of all the bad things that the other candidate has done. Now I realize that is the way things are done in the secular world. But what about when such mud slinging happens in the church. What about when Christians go before God trying to gain His approval and vote.

 

In today’s gospel text, we are taught to be genuine and humble Christians. Genuine Christians cling to the righteousness of Jesus that is given to them by grace alone. Humble Christians acknowledge their deficiencies to God. On the other hand, pseudo Christians boast in their own righteousness. Prideful Christians tell God just how good they are. We are warned against self-righteousness and treating others with contempt. We are learning to keep these attitudes in check. Our concern is not about how genuine another Christian is; rather, we are to concern ourselves with our own lives to confirm that we are genuine. Our concern is not about the outward actions and appearances of other Christians; rather, we are to concern ourselves with our own actions and appearances that we display to others.

 

Today’s parable was given to those who trusted in themselves and treated others with contempt. They were justifying themselves in their own eyes. They were declaring themselves righteous based upon their own righteous deeds. At the same time they were declaring others unrighteous based upon their unrighteous deeds. In order to teach this lesson, Jesus our blessed Savior tells a parable about two different men and how they both stand before God. One sees himself in good standing and the other stands convicted.

 

In our Old Testament lesson, we also hear of two men who stand before God. Abel offers his sacrifice in faith and Cain does not. Based upon the outward appearance we see both men display a piety toward God. But, God judges the heart. God does not see the outward actions apart from the heart. With faith, evil actions are not counted against a man for they were counted against Christ on the cross. With faith, good actions begin to materialize. Without faith, good actions are not seen by God as good. They are tainted with sin. Without faith, all evil actions are counted against a man.

 

In today’s parable, two men offer prayers to God. One offers in pride and the other offers in humility. Again, by the outward appearance both men are acting piously toward God. In fact, the Pharisee comes across as very pious. He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to God making it clear that he was not like other men who were extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even a tax collector. He refrained from such ruling sins. In addition, he had the positive characteristics of a righteous man. He fasted twice a week and even gave a tithe of all that he receives. On the other hand, the tax collector, well all that we know is that he is a tax collector. 

 

Now in our day and age, we have heard this parable multiple times and we quickly jump to the conclusion. We know that as soon as we hear about a Pharisee in the parable, he is not the one we will want to emulate. We swiftly assume the Pharisee is the bad one and the tax collector is the good one. But keep in mind that is not the way that the original audience would have heard the parable. They would have thought to themselves… …ah the Pharisee…   …he is the good one and the tax collector is going to get the what for. You see, the Pharisees were known for their piety and their spirituality. 

 

In our day, it would be more like saying that there were two men, one was a conservative Christian and the other was a liberal politician. Again, it would be like saying that one was a Lutheran pastor and the other a used car salesman. In this way, we might jump to the assumption that the conservative Christian or the Lutheran pastor would be the good guy while the liberal politician or the used car salesman would be the bad guy in the parable.

 

With that frame work in mind, let’s look at the two men. The Pharisee, the conservative Christian, the Lutheran pastor, went before the presence of God and prayed. He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. But, what was he thankful for? He was thankful that he was not like other men. It is as if he had prayed, “I thank you God that I am a conservative Christian… …a Lutheran pastor.” He was not like other men who were extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, and tax collectors. 

 

In essence, he is not listing his own sins, but rather the sins of others. It would be as if we had thanked God at the start of the Divine Service by saying, “We thank you God that we are not like others who sin against you in thought, word, and deed. We thank you that we are not like others who have not loved You as they should and have not loved us as they should. They justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment.” Or it would be as if you were more concerned about what the person next to you has done or not done rightly. Or it would be as if you were more concerned about the person who did not come to the Divine Service.

 

See this is what self-justification does. It makes one right in one’s own sight. In this way, the individual focuses on the short comings of others in order to make himself stand taller before God. This is looking at others with contempt. As they say, “the one-eyed jack rules as king in the land of the blind.” As long as you can magnify the sins of others, then you can minimize your own sins to the point in which they seem to be non-existent. It would be like trying to compare yourself to a three-month old infant and boasting how much better you are. You can walk and talk. You can use a computer and drive a car. Yet Jesus warns us from excluding infants from the kingdom. Unless we “receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17, ESV)

 

After focusing on the actions of others, the Pharisee, the conservative Christian, the Lutheran pastor, then draws attention to his own actions. He informs God that he has fasted twice a week and gives a tithe of all that he gets. In essence he is praising himself before God. Rather than declaring the wonderful things that God has done for him, he tells God what he has done for Him.

 

In this parable, the Lord warns us so that we do not become arrogant and prideful. Instead, he teaches us to pray like the tax collector who “would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13, ESV) Here the tax collector, the liberal politician, the used car salesman, is not concerned about the sins of others. He does not treat the Pharisee with contempt. He is focused on his owns sins and his need for mercy. He does not praise himself telling the Lord about all the wonderful things that he has done for the kingdom of God. No, he shamefully declares his unrighteousness. His focus is on God’s action. He requires God’s mercy and trusts that God is merciful.

 

Jesus says, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14, ESV) The one who is justified, that is declared righteous by God, is the tax collector. He is not justified based upon the righteous things that he has done; rather, he is justified based upon the righteous things that Christ has done. Jesus humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him.

 

In our baptism, we are united with Christ. We have received the kingdom. His obedience is declared to be our obedience. We humbly draw before God confessing our sin and asking for mercy for the sake of Christ. In Him, we have been highly exalted. From Christ we are learning to humble ourselves. Humility does not brag about being more pious, more religious, more spiritual, or more righteous than others. Humility does not try to win God’s vote. We do not need to campaign with God. He has already voted for us and our election is promised in the gospel. For the sake of Christ, your sins are forgiven. You have been justified, that is declared righteous in God’s sight. Amen. 

Movin' Dirt