This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

As I perused the calendar this week, I noticed a very important commemoration for today, May 2: Athanasius. As one of the important church fathers, Athanasius is probably one of the most noted figures to argue for and preserve orthodox Christian teaching. Here is his biography:

Athanasius was born in Alexandria in Egypt in A.D. 295. He served as a church leader in a time of great controversy and ecclesiastical disagreements. At the Council of Nicaea in 325, he defended Christian orthodoxy against the proponents of the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. During his 45-year tenure as bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius wrote numerous works that defended the orthodox teaching. His enemies had him exiled five times; on two occasions he was almost murdered. Yet Athanasius remained steadfast and ended his days restored fully to his church responsibilities. The Athanasian Creed, though not composed by Athanasius, is named in his honor because it confesses the doctrinal orthodoxy he championed throughout his life.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give thanks for the faithful testimony of Athansius. Lead us to confess faithfully the truth of the faith You have preserved and given us before the world, following in the train of this important father of the Church. Amen

Combat operations on two fronts continue to come close to home. This past week, Rob Vadney was deployed to Afghanistan. Please keep Rob, his parents (Bob and Kathy), his sister (Madeline).

I praise God for the great work of the musicians and singers today in Guitar Worship. I love singing great hymns of the Church with new instrumentation.

This week, Zumba continues on Monday and Wednesday, but choir rehearsal is postponed until next week.

Guitar worship practice continues on Thursday, but at 7 p.m. The next guitar worship service is May 16.

This week, Wednesday Morning Bible Study takes up the book of 1 Thessalonians. Join us on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Looking ahead, there will be a special meeting of those going to the New Orleans national youth gathering on May 16 at 4 p.m. At this meeting, I'll be providing hotel and travel information, along with some important general information. We'll go through part of the gathering Bible study, and I'll be getting some needed forms to all involved.

I'll be out of the office most of Tuesday for the monthly Circuit Conference.

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces, and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), John Miller's niece (Afghanistan), Andrew Epley (Iraq), Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke, Michael Baker (Corpus Christi), William Worley (Kingsville)
The homeless and unemployed
The churches of our circuit and our circuit counselor, Pastor Eckert

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, May 3
Zumba Aerobics, 6 p.m.
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 4
Pastor's Information Class, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 5
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 6
Guitar Worship rehearsal, 7 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ

God's Salvation Is For All People

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the first lesson appointed for this day. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mary and Joseph and Jesus were Jews. His relatives—Elizabeth and Zechariah and John were Jews. Jesus’ disciples were Jews. His earthly ministry—in large measure—was to Jews. Pentecost was first of all a Jewish festival and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon the Jews who gathered for that festival. The big names in the early church: Matthias and Stephen and James and Paul --were Jews.

The story of the early church in the first few years after our Lord’s resurrection and ascension was in large measure a story that took place among the Jews. But all of that changes—and changes dramatically—with the events that take place in our lesson today from Acts—with the Gospel bearing fruit among the Gentiles.

As we meditate upon God’s Word this morning, what I would like for us to do is to ask ourselves in all seriousness if there are individuals or groups of people that we would just as soon keep at arm’s length as see them come into the church—but then to recognize that God’s salvation is not just for some people—but for all people.
Our story really begins in the chapter immediately preceding our lesson today, where Luke tells the story of how Peter was sent by the Holy Spirit to a Gentile man named Cornelius—and his family.

There in his home, Peter preached the Good News of salvation-- and Cornelius and his family were filled with the Holy Spirit just like the Jews at Pentecost, came to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and were baptized. Luke goes on to tell us that Peter was “amazed” at this turn of events and remained for a time as a guest in Cornelius’ home. That is where our story picks up. Luke writes that:

The apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party CRITICIZED him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Did you get that? The Jews heard what happened in Cornelius’ house—how he and his family believed the Good News of Jesus and received the Holy Spirit and were baptized—they heard how this family was saved for time and eternity by Jesus--and they criticized Peter for entering their home and eating their food—for they were Gentiles: non-Jews. Such is the power of the distinctions we make among our fellow men.

Just like I mentioned earlier, the story of the church up to this point is in large measure a Jewish story. That was certainly the way that many of the early Christians saw it. They were Jewish. The prophets who promised a Messiah were Jewish. Jesus was a Jew and who he was and what he did was the culmination-- of God’s special connection to his ancient people.

And so when the Jewish Christians saw Peter associating with Gentiles—entering their homes—eating their food—having fellowship with them & they were offended and angry about it, for that ancient distinction between Jews and Gentiles was being broken down.

It is right here that Biblical commentators universally condemn the Jews for their narrow-mindedness and their legalism and their racism. But that’s not entirely fair. The concerns of Peter’s critics were perfectly legitimate given what they knew. All of the laws that they were concerned about—all of the laws that they believed that Peter was playing fast and loose with—were given to them by God. No one had a right to set them aside—save One—the One who gave those laws—and He did. Luke writes that:

Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘BY NO MEANS, LORD; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.

To the concerns of the scrupulous Jews, Peter says in effect: “Hey, you’ll get no argument from me--I get it! I know exactly where you’re coming from—I had the same concerns. When I saw that sheet that was filled up with pigs and lobsters and shrimp and oysters and heard the command to eat from it—I told the Lord: forget it!” Such was the power of that scruple about eating forbidden food-- that Peter had to be told by the Lord again and again and again: “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Peter was the one who saw this vision—but what he saw and heard and learned was really intended for the whole church—that is why the Lord providentially arranged that Peter would be accompanied by six brothers form the Jerusalem Church.
Not just Peter, but all those early Jewish Christians needed to know in a powerful way that the old divisions that separated them from the world—that preserved them as a distinct people—had come to an end with Jesus—and now those same laws were making unnecessary barriers between them & others that hindered folks coming to faith in Jesus.

What about us? Do we have deeply felt scruples or prejudices that have the effect of keeping other people at arm’s length—that keep us from really seeing them as objects of God’s redeeming love and making a place for them in God’s family? Maybe it is race. I can vividly remember when the first black family joined our congregation in Ft. Worth people stopped using the common cup. Maybe it’s not race at all but a socio-economic barrier—we’re perfectly willing to accept all races so long as they have achieved what we’ve achieved. Maybe it’s tattoos and piercings and dreadlocks. But whatever that scruple or hesitancy or prejudice is, it has the effect of keep others folks at arm’s length—and the problem is that when they are at arm’s length from us—it’s just about impossible for us to reach out to them with the Gospel.

And that’s the Lord’s concern in all this—that’s why he gives Peter and the early church this vision--not so that Peter and the Jews have bacon for breakfast and ham for Christmas—but so that the church in Jerusalem and the church in Kingsville would recognize and rejoice the Good News that God’s salvation is for all people and set aside the barriers that keep us from sharing Christ with others. Peter said that:

At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, MAKING NO DISTINCTION. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

There’s that word again that we’ve been hearing all Easter season from Easter morning til now: GO! Go to the Gentiles at Caesarea! And there in that command is the purpose of the vision—just as Peter and the Jewish Christians were to no longer make distinction among foods, neither were they to make distinction among people—God’s salvation was for all people and so the message of salvation was to go out to all people—without exception.

Luke tells us that it was at the very moment that Peter saw the vision and heard the Word of God that three men arrived to take him to the home of a Gentile family. There was no time to second guess the Lord—no time to reason his way out of it—at the very moment he had a God-given opportunity to take the principle that God had taught him in the vision-- and apply it in his life and the lives of others.

This is an important point. 1. Oftentimes we learn something in Bible class or in a sermon and we have the best of intentions—we know what we ought to do—we have a firm conviction to do it—and yet we hesitate to act on it and it’s lost. This is nothing new. James likened it to looking in a mirror and then turning around and forgetting what we look like. 2. Other times, we hear a bible study or sermon but the preacher never gets around to telling us what we ought to do with what we’ve learned—how it ought to take shape in our lives—and so we never do anything with it.

Peter was spared both of these problems: there was to be no distinctions among people when it came to the Gospel and he was immediately given the opportunity to put it in to practice by taking the Good News to people who were very different than himself.

The same must be true for us sitting here today. This congregation is very different than the community around us—ethnically and socio-economically and religiously. That doesn’t make us or those around us bad or good—there is no moral feature to these differences at all.

But it ought to make us particularly aware of what we’re learning from God’s Word today—that the barriers that keep us from reaching out to all people are wrong & we need a willingness to step outside of our comfort zones for the sake of other folk’s salvation. There is no race or class or group of people that are cut off from God’s salvation & he wants us to share that Good News. That’s what we see Peter do. He said:

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them JUST AS ON US at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave THE SAME GIFT TO THEM AS HE GAVE TO US when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”

No longer was there to be a distinction among foods and no longer was there to be a distinction among people—because there was no distinction in the love that God had for all people—no distinction in the salvation Jesus had provided for all people in his deaths and resurrection—no distinction in the Holy Spirit and his gifts that were poured out upon all people. Just as salvation was for the Jews-- so it was for the Gentiles—the same gifts of God’s grace through faith in Jesus for all people.

This was Good News not just for the Gentiles but it was Good News for the Jewish believers too. They needed this powerful demonstration that God’s grace and salvation in Christ extended to all people and was not dependent in the least upon anything within a person whatsoever. Their adherence to the law and their identity as Jews was not what saved them—it was not what gave them a life with God. Their salvation-- just like the Gentiles’ salvation-- rested completely upon what Jesus had done for them in his death and resurrection.

We need this reminder too. There is perfect human equality at the foot of the cross. We all stand there equal in our need. We all stand there equally loved and redeemed by Christ’s shed blood. The very real differences that exist between individual members of the family of man are not permitted there at the cross to become distinctions that divide us from one another—not in our need for salvation—not in the salvation that Christ has earned for all people and God desires to give to all people.

Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus promised that disciples would be made of all nations through baptism and teaching—and in Cornelius’ home and our homes we know that promise is fulfilled. And now, rather than standing in God’s way as he goes about bringing people to Christ, he invites us to have a part in his saving work—rejoicing in the Good News that his salvation is for all & sharing that Good News with others. Luke writes:

“When they heard these things they fell silent. And they GLORIFIED God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

It is very much to the Jewish Christians’ credit that when they heard the whole story of Peter’s mission to the Gentiles-- and how they had come to faith in Jesus- and received the Holy Spirit- and joined the church through baptism- their complaints were silenced and they praised God for his goodness in extending salvation to all people no matter who they were. And yet…

Their world was turned upside down as all of their preconceived notions about who God loved and who cold have a part in his kingdom all came crashing down-- and they would continue to struggle with this-- and that just goes to show just how powerful are the divisions that we make that divide us from other human beings.

But from that moment on, a major shift would take place in the life of the church as more and more Gentiles came to faith in Christ so that today we Gentile Christians are just as amazed when a Jew converts to Christ as was Jewish Peter amazed when a Gentile came to Christ. It’s that unusual.

In the study notes at the end of this section of Acts in my handy-dandy new Lutheran Study Bible, there is a little prayer that really does capture what we’ve learned today and it goes like this: “Lord, let my likeness to some, not be a barrier to others. O Holy Spirit, draw everyone to you—even the unlikely.” Even the unlikely. My prayer for us here today is that there would be fewer and fewer folks that we see as “unlikely” members of God’s kingdom, knowing as we do that God’s salvation is for all people. Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good morning, fellow redeemed!

Just back from the Jr. Youth Camping Trip to Garner State Park. Great experience! If you want the Sports Center version, ask any of the chaperons or the kids. If you'd like the highlight reel of Friday night, ask any of the drivers, keeping this one word in mind: hail.

Revelation 7 is the great picture of the Church, both militant and triumphant. This week, take a look at this great chapter of God's revelation to St. John. One thing: 144,000 = 12 x 12 (the twelve tribes times the twelve apostles, God's holy Church throughout all ages and times) x 10 x 10 x 10 (all of them).

Daily prayer can become a real challenge. I once kept a written record of petitions for a few months, only to review those and think about how puny most of the stuff I wrote actually was. I thought to myself, "A guide for daily prayer would be really helpful." Lutheran Service Book has provided an excellent resource for guiding daily prayer. Beginning on p. 294 is a section titled, "Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families." On the following four pages are orders to be used at different times of the day. Following this is a daily lectionary that covers most of the Bible, including a chart to help guide the praying of the Psalms on p. 304. But, on p. 204 is a list of suggestions to help set the pattern of daily prayer. For instance, on Mondays, it's suggested we pray: For faith to live in the promises of Holy Baptism; for one's calling and daily work; for the unemployed; for the salvation and well-being of our neighbor; for schools, colleges, and seminaries; for good government and for peace.

Adult Information Class continues Tuesday evening as we get into the worship service and the Means of Grace.

This coming Sunday will be Guitar Worship at both services. To that end, rehearsal will be Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Zumba Aerobics has some great music for dancing! Zumba is held each week on Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Please keep Bob and Kathy Vadney and their family in your prayers this week as their son, Rob, is being deployed with the U. S. Army to Afghanistan. Also, please continue to keep Deysi Epley and Christina in your prayers as Deysi's husband, Andrew, is deployed to Iraq.

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (being deployed), Andrew Epley (Iraq), William Worley (Kingsville), Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, Dru Blanc, Michael Baker (Corpus Christi)
The holy Church throughout the world as she continues to proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and risen

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, April 26:
Zumba Aerobics, 6 p.m.
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 27
Pastor's Information Class, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 28
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Philippians 4), 9:30 a.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 29
Cub Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Guitar Worship Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Easter 5, Series C May 2, 2010

Lessons for Fifth Sunday of Easter (Lutheran Service Book)

Acts 11:1-18 – With a word, God cleanses the unclean.
Psalm 148 (antiphon: v 13)
Revelation 21:1-7 – In Christ, God has made us His people in a brand new world.
John 16:12-22 – Jesus acknowledged that His people are works in progress, but the end is assured!
OR John 13:31-35 – In Jesus’ sacrificial love, God is glorified, and we have a new pattern for loving.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: God Changes Everything for Good.
Often we take note of change with regret and dismay, but in Christ, God has changed things for good! By His sacrificial love, Christ has given glory to God through His redemptive plan for all humanity. In His superlative love, Christ has given us a pattern and a command to love one another. By His Word in the flesh, the Father has spoken and cleansed us sinners of our guilt. The One who is the Beginning and the End has made all things new, for good!

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, in the beginning You called me into being and at the end You will welcome me into Your new Jerusalem. As I recognize the magnitude of Your sacrificial love that has cleansed my life from sin, fill me with a purpose to love Your people the way You see them. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God does not regard us as unclean, but with His Word incarnate, has called us His own, now and for eternity. How we treat others in the moments and with the matter of our lives must be patterned by Jesus’ sacrificial love for us.

OFFERING PRAYER: With Your Word in human flesh,
Lord, You banished cruel death!
Grant that we may live our days
To show Your love in many ways.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: Jesus’ command, “Love one another as I have loved you,” is still far out of our reach! But He promised the Holy Spirit who would lead His followers into all truth. Like the disciples, we are sometimes reluctant to go where the Spirit leads, especially when it involves extending the Gospel to people with whom we aren’t accustomed to dealing. God’s unconditional love in the sacrifice of His Son is power and pattern for a change in our lives that we will catch up to in the new Jerusalem.

Paul to Pastors: Care for the Flock!

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the first lesson appointed for the day. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Luke writes that:

Paul sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

What an enormous difference Jesus makes in our lives! Last week we heard about a young man named Saul whom the bible tells us went “from house to house, dragging off men and women and committing them to prison.” He was proud and violent and zealous in his hatred for the Lord and his people—radically committed to their persecution and destruction.

Twenty years later, the Bible tells us that this same man was once again going from house to house—but now he was testifying to the need for repentance and faith in Jesus. Twenty years later he was humble and tender-hearted and absolutely committed to doing all in his power to bring people to faith in Jesus—and for his efforts—he was undergoing all manner of trials and tribulations and persecutions-- and he knew that more were to follow.

The same man had been radically and eternally changed from a profaner of Jesus Christ to a preacher for Jesus Christ—from a persecutor of the cause of Christ to one of those persecuted for that same cause. And as much as the people of God were terrified twenty years before at the sound of his name, now when they heard his name they knew the power of the Risen Christ to convert even his most powerful enemies—for they saw it in Paul’s life.

It is no accident that Luke uses this same phrase “from house to house” as bookends to mark those twenty years of Paul’s life before Christ and after Christ because he wants us to have the same awe at the power and goodness of the Risen Christ in changing lives-- as those early Christians had-- when they saw with their own eyes what Jesus had accomplished in the life of Paul.

We need this firm faith-- that the power and the goodness of the Risen Christ continues to this day—because we are still confronted with situations and circumstances and people that we faithlessly regard as beyond God’s help.

For couples in the midst of marital strife whose marriage seems beyond repair—for parents whose children who are on the wrong path—for that loved one who does not know Jesus—the story of Paul’s life is an incredible testimony to the enduring power of Jesus Christ to renew that which is beyond human help.

With Jesus there is no hopeless situation-- and there are no hopeless people--for the grace of God extends into even the deepest, darkest parts of our human experience. Paul said:

I am going to Jerusalem…not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me—I once was lost but now am found—was blind but now I see. Amazing grace. John Newton, the author of that hymn, knew it to be true. He was an atheist who made his living in the slave trade and yet who was converted to Christ and the work of the Gospel. Amazing grace. Paul knew it to be true—he never forgot what he had been and he counted himself the foremost among sinners-- and yet he knew that God’s love for him on account of Christ had taken all his sins away-- and his own life was a testimony to that Good News of God’s gracious love that extends to even the worst of sinners.

God in his infinite mercy reached out to Paul—while he was still a sinner—and forgave him in Christ. From that moment on, it didn’t matter what life held for him—imprisonment—afflictions—martyrdom—his life was given over to the Lord wholeheartedly.

Our conversion to Christ may not be as dramatic as Paul’s or John Newton’s—but it is no less real. When we were still sinners, Christ died for us—while we were spiritually blind and dead in our trespasses—the Holy Spirit opened our eyes of faith and gave us spiritual life and saved us eternally.

Our testimony to the grace of God in our lives may not be as far-ranging in its influence and impact as that of Paul’s or John Newton’s—but it is no less true—and no less significant for those around us who need to know about God’s love and Christ’s power to heal all that is broken. That is our vocation as Christians.

Paul will not go where we go this week. John Newton will not speak to those we speak to this week. This is the course that the Lord has laid out FOR US—this is the ministry that WE have received from the Lord.

From the moment that we were saved—our lives (which were given to us by the Lord) became his—and their value and significance is found in yielding them to his service for the sake of his kingdom—for the sake of those who desperately need to know about the God who loves them and has shed his life’s blood for them. Paul said:

I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Much of what we have talked about so far, even though it was spoken originally to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, is just as relevant to all of us-- no matter what our vocation. But at this place in Paul’s words, a shift takes place that is more directly tied to the work of pastors.

It may not be readily apparent, but when Paul says that he is “innocent of the blood of all of you” he is referencing the words from the prophet Ezekiel that deal with the responsibilities of those charged with the spiritual welfare of the people of God. And Ezekiel likens that responsibility to that of being a watchman.

In the ancient world, a watchman would take his place on the walls of a town. If he saw danger approaching, he had a solemn responsibility to warn the people. If he did that faithfully—and they still would not listen—they bore the responsibility for their own destruction—but if he failed in his work---is he didn’t speak up and the people were destroyed—he was held responsible for their deaths.

From the moment those words were spoken by Ezekiel, this was recognized as one of the chief responsibilities of those who were called by God to provide spiritual care to his people. Paul did this. He called the Ephesians to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus. He taught them everything profitable for their salvation. He declared to them the whole counsel of God. Whether they listened or not---whether they believed or not—he had done what God commanded him to do.

Pastors have a solemn obligation to do exactly what Paul did: to call people to repentance and faith—to teach everything necessary for salvation—to preach the whole counsel of God without compromise.—to be able to truthfully say: Thus saith the Lord at the end of every sermon and Bible study. No man charged with the spiritual care of God’s people has any right whatsoever to change God’s Word or ignore God’s Word or explain away God’s Word and any pastor who does this-- is responsible to Almighty God for the souls that he has destroyed.

This ought to strike a holy fear in the heart of every pastor-- but it also ought to get our attention too—for each of us—in the context our daily relationships—has a responsibility as priests before God: to warn those we love if we discover they have wandered away from the Lord—to call them back to faith in Christ—to speak simply but sincerely to those who don’t believe in Jesus of their need for salvation.

It is eternal life itself that is at stake and sadly today, among pastors-- and among the people they serve—there is a shameful, dangerous willingness to downplay, ignore, change and outright deny God’s Word. It happened in Paul’s day and he knew it would continue to happen and so it has to this day. He said:

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.

For the last several weeks we have talked the persecution that the early Christians faced (first from the Jews then from the Roman Empire) and how they remained faithful to Christ—sometimes at the cost of their own lives.

But there was an even more dangerous persecution that was about to take place—more dangerous because its source was not outside the church—easily recognized—but it would now come from inside the church. Wolves in sheep’s clothing—adorning their soul-destroying, false teaching with all the right-sounding words would draw people away from Christ. And so it continues to this day throughout Christendom in places where the people of God ought only to hear the Word of God—instead hear lies spoken in God’s name.

This is a grievous sin. The men who are called by the Holy Spirit to care for the flock of the Good Shepherd have absolutely no right to speak any word save that of the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. Jesus said of his flock: my sheep listen to my voice and so it is his voice alone that must be heard in the church--and his alone. But not only to pastors is this warning given, but also to you, the people of God—to the lambs of Christ’s flock.

150 years ago, C.F.W. Walther, the founding pastor of our church body, preached a very famous sermon entitled, “The Sheep Judge Their Shepherds.” And in this sermon Walther emphasized what Paul is saying to us today in these verses—that all of us must pay careful attention to what we hear preached and taught in church—that it is not permissible to simply accept at face value what is preached here and in other places—but that we who are listening, have a solemn responsibility to make sure that the pastor is preaching God’s Word and especially that he is preaching Jesus Christ because...

It is only that word of the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the sins of the world—which is able to save. Paul said:

I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

After his conversion to Christ, Paul was a tireless worker for the kingdom of God. He suffered every manner of hardship imaginable—he endured every kind of trial—and finally martyrdom, but he knew that it was not his striving or his efforts or sacrifices that brought people to Christ—but the powerful words of God’s grace that were really responsible for changing his life and the lives of those who came to faith in Christ.

That is important for the church to remember—especially this congregation. We are beginning to do some long-term planning—thinking seriously about the most effective ways to reach the community around us with the Good News of Jesus. And I think this is a wise thing to do.

But what we must always remember that it is not new methods and slick marketing that changes people’s lives—but Jesus. And he does that through his words of grace in Word and Sacrament. We are built up in our faith when we hear God’s Word and receive his sacraments. The blessed inheritance of forgiveness of sins and eternal life are bestowed upon us again and again each time we gather for worship.

And these gifts of God’s grace are now, and will always be, the most important thing that St. Paul Lutheran Church has to give to those around us as the people of God in this place.

Just as Paul did two thousand years ago, we can confidently commend ourselves and our congregation and the people of this community into the hands of Almighty God, trusting that his blessing rests upon us as we are about his work. Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Series C April 25, 2010

Lessons for Fourth Sunday of Easter (Lutheran Service Book)

Acts 20:17–35 ~ Paul charged the elders of the church in Ephesus to remain faithful shepherds to the flock.
Psalm 23 (Antiphon: Psalm 23:1)
Revelation 7:9–17 ~ The Lamb of God, whose blood cleanses the redeemed, is the Shepherd of His people.
John 10:22–30 ~ Jesus identified Himself as the Shepherd who watches over the sheep and is the Messiah.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: Gathered from Every Nation and Tribe
Good Shepherd Sunday reminds us of Jesus' promise: "I have other sheep; ...there shall be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). St. John gave us a picture of the multitude in heaven who are gathered from every nation and tribe, "redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, who has become their Shepherd." Jesus explained that He is the Shepherd who gives the good gift of eternal life to His sheep; no one can snatch them out of His hand.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord Jesus, my loving Shepherd, You have gathered me into Your one flock through the working of the Spirit and the power of the Gospel. Help me show Your loving kindness in the way I live, and keep me safe in the strength of Your hand so that I may join the multitude before Your throne who are singing Your praises forever. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: St. Paul knew that how he was able to help the weak and give to those in need would show that he was one of Jesus’ flock, redeemed by the One who gave even His life to rescue us from the power of sin and death. Just as Jesus’ works identified Him as the Christ, so our works identify us as belonging to Him.

OFFERING PRAYER: No more hunger; no more thirst!
All the power of sin is burst!
Shepherd, from Your heav’nly throne,
Give us love for all Your own.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We think belonging to Christ’s flock is as simple as learning the right answer: “Tell us plainly!” It isn’t just having the facts right; it is a matter of relationship. Those who do not hear the voice of the Shepherd and follow Him are not part of His flock. Those who belong to Him can be identified by the things they do, just as the works of the Shepherd show who He is. Sheep of the Shepherd work to preserve the flock in the peace and redemption won by Him who gave His blood to wash them clean. Even the little shepherds who work for Him are intent on feeding and leading the sheep.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Again this week, there were three really great texts for preaching! Of course, it's usually best when the pastor preaches on only one.

Here's the second reading for today, Revelation 5:1-14:
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" [3] And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, [4] and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. [5] And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
[6] And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. [8] And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song, saying,

"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
[10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth."
[11] Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, [12] saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" [13] And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" [14] And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.

A Lamb who had been slain, what a picture that must have been for John. But pay attention to the sights and sounds: The Father almighty holds a scroll that, as we would learn in later chapters, contain the unfolding events of calamity and judgment. Problem: There was no one in all creation worthy to open the seven seals on the scroll. That is, there was no one able to bring about the events that would lead up to the Last Day and vindication of God's people until the Lamb who had been slain, who was a corpse and was no alive, appeared in the throne room of the Father. Praise upon praise erupts in the throne room. What a sound!

The other night, I attended a worship service in which many contemporary praise songs were sung. I'm always amazed at these songs because many are, in a phrase, shallow. One particular song kept saying that the Lamb was worthy. Over and over again, those who knew the song sang about the Lamb being worthy. Why is the Lamb worthy? That question was never answered in the song. John answers it in Revelation, though: The Lamb is worthy because He was slain and is now alive! With His blood, the Lamb has ransomed all people! That's why the Lamb is worthy!

The other question that could have been asked was: Of what is the Lamb worthy? Again, the song never answered the question. Again, John answers the question in Revelation: The Lamb is worthy to receive all that the Father has.

By the way, if you're looking for a song that tells these thing, look in Divine Service, Setting 1 in Lutheran Service Book. You'll find the song there.

This week at Mt. Olive the Jr. Youth and some guests from Sr. Youth will be journeying to Garner State Park for a weekend of camping fun. I'm praying that we're kept dry during our time there.

One of the great evangelism invitations in the church is this: Pastor's starting another information class! Truthfully, I'm in the middle of one right now, but I invite you and your friends to attend. We have great questions and discussion. Many life long Lutherans assume they know everything after finishing confirmation, no matter how many years ago that may have been. This is an opportunity for Lutherans, too, as you get to hear and discuss. And, if you're not careful, you just might learn something. The class meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the overflow area. Tuesday night's topic: Justification, Worship, and the Creeds.

Don't you just hate exercising alone? I know that question well! Zumba Aerobics meets at Mt. Olive each Monday and Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. And, you won't be alone!

Will I be at Zumba? No - I'm usually involved in something else during those times. But, that doesn't mean Mt. Olive can't start another fitness group, like bicycling. If anyone is "jazzed" about starting a group, send me a blast or give me a call!

Many of you have asked me about Kathy's dad and my aunt. Suffice it to say that I praise God for your concern and your prayers as we go through these difficult times. Thank you, my heavenly Father, for the kingdom of priests at Mt. Olive who are interceding for my family!

Brothers and Sisters, Please Pray:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (preparing for deployment), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Ryan Radtke, Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Michael Baker (Corpus Christi), William Worley (Kingsville)
Dru Blanc's grandmother, recovering from surgery
Emmet Wright, undergoing tests
The baptized at Mt. Olive, that they may be kept firm in the faith, and kept from the evil one
The pastors of Circuit 27 (our circuit), that they may continue to proclaim faithfully the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and be strengthened to minister to the souls entrusted to their care

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, April 19
Zumba Aerobics, 6 p.m.
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Board of Elders, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 20
Pastor's Information Class, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 21
San Jacinto Day!
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Philippians 4), 9:30 a.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6 p.m.
Guitar Worship Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 22
Cub Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
STARC, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 23
Jr. Youth Camping Trip, 4:30 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ