Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Sermon on Isaiah 55
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 On the last day, time has expired and the special promotional offer is no longer valid.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.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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. Saturday, October 8, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
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