Making A Name For God

glemay — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:51:57 -0400

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

When I was in high school I learned a poem, “Latin is a dead, dead language, it is dead as it can be, first it killed the Romans, and now it’s killing me.” Learning another language is indeed challenging! It forces you to know your own language and then how to think and express yourself correctly in another language. Of course the problems are when you can totally embarrass yourself when you pick the wrong word or put the accent the wrong syllable. Knowing another language can build fantastic bridges; not knowing a language can totally separate and isolate a person. Nothing can make one feel more all alone when you cannot make yourself understood. I’ll never forget when traveling we thought we ordered vegetables and ended up getting pickled chicken toes. The hazards of not knowing a language. The greater hazard of not knowing a language is not knowing the God who has confused all the languages and our relationship with him. The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies his handiwork. But in our text mankind’s focus is not on God, but making a name for themselves. On this Pentecost Sunday may we focus on reversing the story of the Tower of Babel and “Make a Name for Our God.”

As our text opens we are a few generations following Noah’s flood. The best figuring on the location of our text is by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, near what would be Baghdad today. At this time there was one common language. They had a special plan. "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." Do you hear pride speaking? What was the focus and purpose of their lives? They wanted to be the greatest, the most important, people everybody else would look up to.

This was another issue that God had to confront. "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." They did not want to be scattered. They wanted to stay as one close knit group of their own kind of people. This however was in direct defiance of the command of the Lord, their God. When Noah got out of the ark, (Gen 9:1 NIV) Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. Not only was their motivation wrong, they even decided not to comply with the commands and directions of the Lord himself.

What has happened to God! In the beginning God was supreme and man was totally dependent on God. Man recognized God’s absolute authority. The rejection of God’s absolute authority followed. Remember the question, “Did God really say…” Next was followed with the questioning of the very existence of God and people did not know if there was a god. Finally the fool had said in his heart, there is no God and we have the denial of the existence of God. But what was to replace God, none other than man himself. “You shall be as gods.” Now man is the center of life itself and God is out of the picture. A number of years ago there was a manifesto that stated, “we find insufficient evidence for the existence of a supernatural; it is either meaningless or irrelevant to the question of the survival and fulfillment of the human race. As non-theists we begin with humans and not god. Secondly promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful. There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body. Humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us: we must save ourselves.” “Come; let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves.”

How about today we change the message, come let us build ourselves a church that reaches to the heavens that we may make a name for ourselves. Who is the focus of the worship life of the church? Do people come to worship God or themselves? Do people come to church to hear what God says or what they want to hear? Do people want something that feels good, so that they can be lifted up in their own way, such that they can stand in church and say, God I thank thee that I am not like other people. Human pride can build a tower higher than the tower of Babel, dedicated to self, to impress others.

Another side to this whole story is when we look at our own personal lives, our own families and our own purpose in this world. Is our life self focused, self serving? Or is our lives as the Apostle Paul would describe…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Confession

But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. Was it too small to be seen from the heavens? Is there irony in the words of Scripture? Did God need a telescope in heaven to look down on mankind and wonder, what is that little thing they are trying to make? Man thought it would be so great, but God could hardly see it.

So where do we find the love of God! You do not find the grace, mercy or peace of God in this story until you realize…God did not destroy them. He confused their languages, but did not wipe them from the face of the earth. One of these families would end up being the family God would chose to bring forth the Savior of the world, the family of Abram, Abraham, from the city not far from Babel, the city of Ur of Chaldees.

In world that the people are self centered, self focused and self serving, what can God do that he gets the praise, honor and glory that belongs to him? He has to tear down towers of pride and idols of self and make a new building. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. On this Sunday when the Christian church marks the 50^th day after Easter, the festival of Pentecost we find the amazing reversal of the Tower of Babel: (Acts 2:6,11 NIV) When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" When the people reflected on what God had been doing they were shocked about their own relationship with Jesus whom they had crucified. They asked, “What shall we do?” Then they heard the story of repentance, faith and baptism. Jesus then got the glory and the birthday of the Christian church was started. Three thousand baptized Christians were added that day.

Last Sunday at confirmation we heard the class confess their faith. We added them to the communicant membership of Salem. But when they first were brought to know Jesus they were made part of the most important building project of the Lord, The Holy Christian Church. Writing about the Holy Christian Church Paul states, (Eph 2:21-22 NIV) In him(Christ) the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. The tower of Babel was an effort of man to praise self. On this mother’s day do you pick a card that says what a good child you are or if you get one for your wife, the mother of your children, does it say what a great husband you are on this mother’s day? Should not the attention be towards mothers? When we end up praising Jesus as our Lord and Savior, there is no room for human pride. When we know that no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit we realize our salvation, our faith all are to the credit of God. There is no room for human pride; our God gets all the glory. Amen.

Confirmation Sunday

glemay — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:03:22 -0400

Dear members of Salem, friends and family of our confirmands, friends in Christ Jesus;

Do you ever wonder if the pastor struggles with the idea, does it do any good to confirm a confirmation class? There is always the old story of the church that had bats flying around, and they could never get rid of them. Finally the pastor solved the problem, he confirmed all the bats and they never saw them ever again. I wonder if Edna’s dad ever wondered is it worthwhile to hitch up the horses and take her all the way into Stillwater. Would he be pleased and maybe even surprised to see that now 83 years later Edna still is faithful to her Lord and Savior?

I don’t know if you as a class will remember what your sermon for the day of your confirmation is, but I can tell you, that this text which I have chosen is special to me, because on March 26, 1961, 47 years ago, my father preached on this text for my confirmation. This text was written by a minister long ago to a young man beginning to serve the Lord, Timothy. Paul writes, Continue in what you have learned and become convinced of. Keeping those words before us, I would have us consider, Continuing in our Confirmation.

I. Remember your Teachers

When Paul told Timothy to “Continue in what you have learned,” he adds the thought, “Because you know those from whom you learned it.” Timothy, did not have one teacher, he had several. We even know them by name, Lois, Eunice and Paul. His mother, his grandmother and the Apostle of the Lord were his teachers. No doubt there were other Christians from whom Timothy learned insight into the Christian faith.

As a congregation member, parent, what did the class learn from you about the Christian faith and life? Did you teach them the same that the pastors taught them? Did they learn the same lessons? As their pastor I taught them the Third Commandment and taught them not to despise the word of God, but to gladly hear and learn it. Is that what you also taught them by example? Did they see from you a desire to come to worship and commune regularly and faithfully or was it only when it was convenient? One of the key parts of the Christian faith is being forgiven and forgiving? Have the young of the congregation learned what it means to receive the forgiveness of Christ in communion and forgive another member, a family member or classmate? Or have they learned how to talk bad about members and cut down and tear down rather than build up another member of the body of Christ?

What have they learned about Christianity from their teachers? Personally I hope my words and actions have never driven a wedge between anyone in this class and their Savior. I hope that my words will have always drawn you closer to what a precious Savior you have in Jesus.

II. Remember the Truths

Because the words and actions of God’s people can be misleading and at times totally contrary to what the Lord wants, there is only one sure guide for life. Paul reminded Timothy how for a lifetime, yes “how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

Each one of you would highly disappoint both of your pastors and your Savior if we would not see you in heaven someday. It would mean you have thrown away and rejected the most precious gift anyone could have given you. It would mean that you walked up to Jesus and spit in his face and said, “I don’t need you, I don’t want you, I don’t believe in you and I don’t care whether or not you died for me.” See the truths of Christianity are not just passages to memorize; it is a relationship to God’s own son, some one you love, you talk to, you follow, you trust to lead and guide you for the rest of your life. You know that the basis for the message from this pulpit, from your confirmation class room came from the Bible because we knew that the Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

We however have not had the perfect class. As we have studied the scriptures we have brought before them the great truths of the catechism, the creed, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the sacraments, Baptism and Lord’s Supper, the great privilege of Prayer, the meaning of confession and blessings shared through the ministry. You also had to learn the Ten Commandments.

Rebuke: The Ten Commandments are able to rebuke you. You know how at times your parents have said “no!” to you. That is what the Holy Scriptures say, NO! No other god! No Cursing! No Despising Word and Sacrament! No disobeying parents! No murder! No Adultery! No Stealing! No lies! No coveting! Sometimes the whole congregation needs to hear God say to each of us, NO! Stop that!

At the same time the word of God corrects us and the commandments tell us, “Do some things.” Do fear, love and trust in God, do pray, praise and give thanks, do gladly hear and learn his word, do honor father and mother…do love your neighbor as your self.

“Training in Righteousness” I remember helping my children learn to ride a bike. We had training wheels, to help keep them from falling. Finally they were able to ride down the block without the training wheels. These classes in confirmation are something like training wheels in the Christian life. At this point in your life you have parents, adults and pastors and teachers around you to help you, to keep you from falling. But we won’t be able to be with you all the time. This is a training time, a time to help you for the days when you are on your own. You are not alone, Christ is with you, but now you know the help he can give, the help to make right decision and choices in life, so that it is righteous, God pleasing life.

III. Remember to put into Practice

What is the purpose of confirmation? Is it not to firm you up in faith and life “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work?” This is not the end of your confirmation; it is the beginning, but even more. It is the beginning of what can be the most exciting time of your life. Your pastors and teachers can see certain gifts, talents and abilities that God has given you. But how will you use them? Is it possible that you will be a blessing, and eternal blessing to another friend, family member, or even the next generation?

As a pastor, I wonder is there a future pastor or Christian teacher in the group? I also wonder is someone here going to be able to give a living testimony of their faith in Jesus at the age of 97? I do no underestimate the God who loves us and the one in whom we believe. What joy is to know him and to have the privilege to confess our faith in him and serve him the rest of our lives. Amen.

Urban Myth Series #3 - Why should I pray if God doesn't answer all my prayers?

glemay — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:43:07 -0400

Urban Myth Series #2 - Would God Really Send a Sinner to Hell?

glemay — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:30:36 -0400

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

In my former congregation I had a most challenging situation. A woman in the congregation arranged to have her husband murdered and had it carried out. I went to the Winona County Jail to visit this woman. In my visiting with her I caught her in her lies. When I pointed them out to her, she said to me, “Go to Hell!” I told her I don’t plan to go there. Those were my last words with her. She did not want to speak with me again. She currently is serving a life sentence without parole in the women’s prison in Minnesota. The use of the word “Hell” is thrown around in people’s conversation. People have told people, “go to hell,” others have asked God to damn people, yet in the truth of the matter, most people don’t take hell seriously. People ask, how can a loving God send someone to hell? No doubt you have heard that expression. But do you hear people ask, how could a just God tolerate the evil we see in the world? Our text today we hear the words of the judge at the end of the world, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” Jesus has made it clear there are two results at the end of time and end of life, eternal life or eternal damnation. People will see Jesus either as Savior or Judge. Our focus today so that we truly understand from what Jesus saved us, is to focus on Salvation from Damnation.

I. The Existence of Hell

Our text unfolds the very beginning of the existence of a place of eternal judgment. The Bible continually warns of a place called hell. There are over 162 references in the New Testament alone which warns of hell. And over 70 of these references were uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ! He states that a place was prepared for the devil and his angels. These are the angelic beings that rebelled again God and brought temptation, lies and death into God’s beautiful creation. Contrary to popular expressions, the devil is not in charge of hell, he is not the dungeon master. Rather this is a place of torment. In the pages of Scripture we find the following terms used, “eternal fire” and “eternal punishment” and “second death” and “place of torment” and “lake of fire and brimstone” (KJV) And the devil…was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, Rev. 20:10,the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 8:12. The Bible uses terms like Hades and Gehenna, which was taken from the valley of Hinnom where the garbage burned day and night, such are the terms to describe the place of the damned.

Jesus also teaches that there are degrees of suffering in hell. This is determined by the way people have rejected him and his ministry. Listen to what he said to the city of Capernaum. (Mat 11:22 NIV) And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." Where is hell? The best I can answer is “somewhere.” Simply put we should not spend time trying to figure out where hell but how to stay out of hell.

The pictures are vivid, eternal, everlasting, fire, punishment, burning sulfur weeping and gnashing of teeth. But the ultimate meaning of hell is eternally separated from the love and presence of God himself. No more grace, no more mercy, no more patience, no more forgiveness, rather totally forsaken by God. So we hear the words, “depart from me.” Being damned means separated from God, forever excluded from communion, fellowship with God. Cast into outer darkness. So the pictures we have of hell express intense agony of body and soul.

The question comes who will be in hell? The challenge to the human mind is the nature of God himself. How can a loving God send someone to an eternity in hell? How can a holy, just and righteous God let a defiant, unrepentant, unbelieving sinner into his holy presence and perfect abode? Such a person would ruin heaven itself. The Scripture says, (Rom 12:19 NIV) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. We may have no trouble with God almighty sending to hell a Hitler, Stalin, Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists who have no remorse over killing people. Those are really bad people. But what we fail to realize is the nature of our own sin and its impact on a holy God. The Scripture makes it clear who will not be heaven. The following verses declare: (Gal 5:19-21 NIV) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20} idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21} and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul also writes to the Corinthians: (1 Cor 6:9-11 NIV) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders {10} nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. All sin is a rejection of God himself, an act of insane defiance and not believing. It is saying I don’t want you; I don’t need you and don’t tell me what I can or cannot do! So Jesus says, “He that believes not shall be damned.” I had a professor who said, “Hell scares me!” Rightly so! It shows us why we need a Savior.

How do you reconcile the wrath of God with the profound truth of Scripture that God is love? The Scripture makes it clear that the Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. We know that the Love of God is revealed in the work of Jesus, 1 John 4: 8-10 God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. On the one hand you have the love, but realize also with Jesus on the cross; we see the ultimate in God’s wrath against sin. The love of God and the wrath of God come together at the cross of Jesus. God laid the sins of the world on his son and his son died. Remember that the ultimate part of hell is being separated from God and his love, recall Jesus words on the cross, (Mat 27:46 NIV) About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This is why Jesus is such an expert on damnation, hell, the wrath of God, he has experienced it all for us. After suffering the agony of hell he descended to show his victory. (1 Pet 3:18-20 NIV) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, {19} through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison {20} who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. He showed his victory. Because he is victorious we are victorious. We are not damned, but saved. Amen.

Urban Myth Series #1 - You don't need to go to church to get to heaven!

glemay — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:08:50 -0400

My dear friends in Christ,

I received this picture in my e-mail. It had been forwarded a number of times before I received it from a friend. The e-mail said, "Cara Winship sent this out. It's called 'God's Hands.' I took this picture on Hwy 30, traveling to London, Kentucky. It has given me strength in times of trouble. I feel I should share it with the rest of the world. It just goes to show what we already know. We have a God and he's watching over us."

It's an amazing picture. It's a beautiful thought. God really is watching over us, and this picture is just one more proof, right?

When I want to figure out whether one of these forwarded e-mails is true or not, I head to a website called Snopes.com. They research the background on many of these myths, and post the results—true or false.

Snopes.com discovered that the picture was not an original, but someone had doctored this original photo. It took the person 2 minutes to use Photoshop and create the "hands of God".

Why are we so quick to believe an urban myth like this? Because there's usually a grain of truth somewhere in the story that makes it believable. The original picture is awesome, so why not manipulate it a little bit and make it look even more "heavenly"?

We're going to take a look at a little different kind of urban myth this morning. You might have heard this one before. "I don't need to go to church to get to heaven." It's the kind of statement we hear in conversations, usually with people we haven't seen in church for a while. That always makes us stop and think, doesn't it? "I don't need to go to church to get to heaven." It's true, isn't it? Or not?

There's a place where we can go that will give us answers. It is available on the internet. We can also find it on our bookshelves. It's the Bible!

There is a grain of truth in this urban myth, and as we look at the Bible, we'll see that we don't need to do anything to get to heaven. We'll also see that the Bible tells us we do need to go to church.

Ephesians 2:1 will help us understand that we can't do anything to get to heaven. "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins."

1. What is a dead person able to do? Nothing

2. If we are dead in sins, what can we do to get to heaven? Nothing.

There's the grain of truth. Going to church doesn't get us into heaven. Nothing we do can get us there. The Bible says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). We haven't been perfect. Remember, we're dead. We have done nothing to make ourselves perfect. The penalty is clear. The Bible also says, "The soul who sins is the one who will die" (Ezekiel 18:20). We are in trouble!

Our brains tell us that if we go to church, we should get into heaven. We have to do something, right? The problem is, we're still dead in our sins. We can't do anything! Even going to church every Sunday, every service, for the rest of our lives won't help us. What should we do?

We can't do anything. God can, and did. Let's look at Colossians 2:13. "When you were dead in your sins … God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins" (Colossians 2:13).

3. What did God do when we could do nothing? He made us alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.

God brought us back to life when Jesus rose from the dead. Our sins died with him on the cross. Our sins were buried with him in the tomb. He took back his life on Easter Sunday and brought us along. Our sins are forgiven. How much did we have to do? Nothing!

God has a word that covers the idea of doing nothing for our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

4. How are we saved? By grace through faith.

5. What is grace? It is the gift of God!

6. Why does God save us by grace? He saves us by grace so that no one can boast, so that no one can say, "I can go to heaven because I have gone to church every Sunday."

God's grace—the gift of faith, the gift of new life in Jesus, the forgiveness of sins—is the reason why we get into heaven. That's what will make heaven even more joyful. We didn't earn it. It's the greatest gift God could ever give. Listen to the way John described it in Revelation 21:2-4. "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away'" (Revelation 21:2-4).

Heaven is the absence of sin—no more hurt feelings, hospital visits, or funerals. Heaven is the presence of perfection and joy—everything that God has given to us—grace!

So, our friend is right, isn't he? I don't need to go to church to get to heaven!

Remember our urban myth—the hands of God? Even though the picture had been manipulated, the original is still a pretty amazing picture, isn't it?

When someone says, "I don't need to go to church to get to heaven," they are missing out on the beauty of the original—of going to church in the first place. Let's go back to the Bible and see why God says we need to go to church.

Exodus 20:8-10 says, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates." (Exodus 20:8-10).

7. What does "Sabbath" mean? Rest.

8. What did God demand from Old Testament believers on the Sabbath?

God's requirements haven't changed over the centuries. He still wants us to set aside time for him. The Sabbath is no longer Saturday, a day that we're required to do absolutely nothing. God does want us to take the time to listen to his Word and worship him. He emphasized that in the Old Testament when he came to his people. When Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, he had a special tent that he set up outside the camp. "Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:8-11). Moses would come back and tell the people what God had said. God wants to meet with his people and talk to them.

I had a good friend in Houston who grew up in the Southern Baptist church. Over the years, he came to our WELS congregation because he was convinced that he had found the truth being preached and taught. He did have one thing he didn't like. He didn't like it when I talked about people going to church. He was raised "going to meeting." When people went to meeting, the first thing they did was meet with their Lord.

That's why we need to go to church. The Lord still wants to meet with us. He wants us to hear his voice as we listen to the readings and the sermon. He wants us to hear his voice in the framework of the liturgy. Here at Salem, God's Word permeates our services. As you read through your Bibles, almost every phrase used throughout our liturgies comes directly from God's Word. It doesn't matter whether it's page 15 in Christian Worship, or page 1 of a printed insert. God has come to meet with us and talk with us because he comes through his Word.

What is God looking for when he comes to meet us? Listen to Psalm 32:5, "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

9. What does God want to hear from us? He wants to hear us confess our sins so we can hear the good news of our salvation.

Listen to this passage: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you" (Deuteronomy 8:10).

10. What else does God want to hear from us? He wants to hear us praising him for all the blessings he has showered on us.

There's one more thing. Psalm 5:2 says, "Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray."

11. What else does God want to hear from us? He wants to hear our prayers, including requests for ourselves and for others.

Going to church is all about meeting God, hearing him speak and responding to everything that he has said and done for us. It's not something he forces us to do. It's something Christians are excited to do. It's like King David said so long ago, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord'" (Psalm 122:1). Jesus' incredible love moves us to come to church, to confess our sins, to bring our worship and praise, to offer our prayers. We don't need to go to church to get to heaven. We need to go to church to meet God.

There's one more reason why we need to go to church. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

11. Why do we need to meet together? So that we can encourage each other, especially because we know that time is short and Jesus will be returning soon!

We need to meet here at church because we belong to Jesus. We are part of his body, that he calls the church. When we worship together, we strengthen that connection. We strengthen friendships. We confess our sins together. We hear God's promise of forgiveness together. We praise God together. We listen to his Word together. We receive the Lord's Supper together. We work together with our Savior so that others can hear the message of salvation. When we come together, Jesus makes this promise: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20). He wants us here to meet him and each other. In him and in each other we find the strength that we need to make it through another week.

This urban myth is more than a myth for a lot of people. It's reality. It's not our job to judge why they feel this way. They may have experienced a church that had all kinds of rules to follow in order to be a good Christian. They may have asked their pastor questions about the Bible that he couldn't answer, or refused to answer. They may have come from a family where this urban myth was reality every Sunday because they never went to church.

When we hear a friend or neighbor say this, we can let them know that we have a place they can go and experience all the blessings that God has to offer. We have those blessings here at Salem—more than we can even count. We have fantastic people that God has built into a solid congregation. We have a school where our children hear God's Word every day during the week. We are accomplishing ministry not only here in Stillwater, but also in Somerset, New Richmond, and across the world through our congregational mission offerings. God has given us some great reasons to invite someone who needs to meet the Lord regularly. Share the Word and your faith with them. It makes a difference!

The Salvation of Body and Soul

glemay — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:29:08 -0400

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

When I was a child we had a bush in the back yard. Underneath that bush you would find little crosses made out of Popsicle sticks. This was our grave yard for the neighborhood birds and little animals we would find. As a child I know I did not understand all the emotions and issues that would accompany the loss of a loved one. Since the beginning of the year I have been in or attended six funerals of members, friends and family. One thing I realized is that I have not heard nor preached on what the Bible does say about the soul. How are we different from the animals? What does the Bible say concerning these matters of our body and soul? It has been said that, “The world has never been the same after 9-11” I would add, nor has it been the same since the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter holds before how Jesus conquered death and the promise of the resurrection of the body. Since our text brings up the subject of the salvation of your souls, I would like to consider, The Salvation of the Body and Soul. I would like to share with you more of the passages of what the Scriptures say on this matter. What is the soul? What is the impact of the body on the soul? What has Jesus accomplished to bring hope for the body and the soul?

I. What is the Soul?

Our text concludes, “You are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Now what are we talking about when we speak of the soul? Man is different than the animals. Both man and animals have the breath of life. They both have life and death. But the Bible speaks that man has something animals do not have and that is an immortal soul. Some people think that this is just a thought that Plato brought into philosophy. Scripture has more to say on this matter.

When you study the scripture you will find that two words are used in the discussion of that divinely created, not material part of man’s being, which will never cease to exist and is the seat of life, will, intelligence and emotion. It is the counter part of the material part of the human body in which the soul functions and makes us different than the animals. Those Bible uses the words, soul and spirit to describe that aspect of our being.

The Virgin Mary would exclaim, (Luke 1:46-47) My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. In the New Testament likewise two words are used, Pusche and Pneuma. They are used interchangeably. In the Old Testament there are two words, Nephesh – Soul and Ruwach – Spirit. I had a professor at the seminary who tried to find differences. The closest he could determine after double checking all the references the one is used more of emotions and affections and the other to intelligence and will. (Heb 4:12 NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Though we may not have profound insight to the exact differences, the truth remains, we are more than just a body that is alive. We have an immortal soul. We have just come out of the Lenten season where we are given insight to the truth of what happens at death. Hear again those words that our Savior spoke on these matters: (Luke 23:46 NIV) Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. His soul would be with the Father and his body in the grave. To the Thief on the cross he promised, (Luke 23:43 NIV) Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." The Apostle Paul would write: (Phil 1:23 NIV) I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. He also writes: (2 Cor 5:1 NIV) Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. In the Old Testament we also have descriptions that point to our soul with the Lord: (Eccl 12:7 NIV) and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

II. What is the impact the body on the soul?

Because in this life our bodies and souls are so closely united, what happens to the body has a direct impact on our soul. Peter writes about the troubles of life itself in our text: now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. When my body suffers my soul suffers also. Remember Jesus in Gethsemane, (Mat 26:38 NIV) “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." The sorrows of this world can be the spiritual troubles of the burden of sin and temptation that would cause an Apostle Paul to cry out “what a wretched man I am.” The struggles of being God’s child in a sinful world surrounded with the consequences of sin, death and injustices can bring heartache and sorrow not just to the body and mind, but also to the soul itself. For the way we handle or do not handle the troubles in this world can affect our relationship with God himself. We must be on our guard lest Satan is using all this to try to destroy our faith and trust in the Lord.

Jesus has some powerful word to show to us the impact of our sinful lives and our eternal destination for our souls. (Mat 5:29-30 NIV) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. {30} And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Jesus is not recommending cutting off body parts, but have a person realize how we live, our actions, do have eternal consequences.

.Our text speaks about the salvation of the soul. We find that Jesus also speaks about the damnation of the soul. (Mat 10:28 NIV) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. For a long time I misunderstood that verse. I thought Jesus was talking about the devil. But it is the Lord himself before whom everyone must give answer. It will be the Lord who determines who will be damned or not. The thought is so many people just worry about the things that can happen to the body, the way they will die. But so few people really give much thought to the eternal consequences of their actions and the impact on their soul. The truth is so few people have a fear of the Lord and his wrath. Unless we understand the consequences of sin on both body and the soul, we will not appreciate or understand the need of what Jesus has accomplished for us.

III. What Jesus has accomplished to bring hope to body and soul?

Peter who had struggled both body and soul would write, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. Our eternal inheritance is guaranteed through the work of Jesus. His work includes the very faith that clings to his salvation. He is at work so that in the trials of this life our faith does not give up, but rather is purified and clings all the more to the salvation earned by our Savior. Our hope is a real hope based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There is a beautiful doxology written by the Apostle Paul (1 Th 5:23 NIV) May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

He Is Risen Indeed!

glemay — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:36:20 -0400

Dear worshipers of the Resurrected and living Jesus,
This weekend I was utterly frustrated. I had no voice to preach on Good Friday. On Friday and Saturday I wondered would I have a voice to preach the awesome resurrection story. At that time I was reminded of the story of minister who had been active in a spiritual renewal in the British Isles after World War II. On the Easter just before he died, D. William Sangster painfully printed a short note to his daughter. His ministry, except for prayer, was ended by a disease which progressively paralyzed his body, even his vocal chords. But the last Resurrection Sunday he spent on earth, still able to move his fingers, he wrote: "How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice to shout, 'He is risen!' Far worse, to have a voice and not want to shout." --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 167.
We are celebrating the greatest victory of all time. Jesus got the victory over sin, death and the devil. He got the victory during his life, which changes our lives today and brings a tremendous future for all of us who are celebrating the real meaning of the resurrection. Jesus lives!
I. The Fact – He Lives
Is there a real basis for our celebration today? Are there historical facts to base our celebration? Or have we just been deluded? Is this only wishful thinking that Jesus rose from the dead? Should we all wake up some day and realize we have been duped? Was it just a dream those women had? Was it a lie that the disciples proclaimed? Are we following cleverly devised tales? What a contrast we find in the disciples. Immediately after the crucifixion they are terrified. But after they see the resurrected Jesus they are willing to go forward and die for him. We see the change in the enemy of the Christian faith by the man Saul, who would become the missionary, the Apostle Paul. This is the man who would write the words of our text.
Look at what he knows about Jesus. He was raised; he is seated at the right hand of God. He even knows Jesus is coming back. In fact you have a form of the creed right here. In these verses along with the words he wrote to the Corinthians: (1 Cor 15:3-8 NIV) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, {5} and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. {6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. {7} Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, {8} and last of all he appeared to me also.
Look back at the story of Jesus death and resurrection, how the detail is there to prove he actually died, he was actually buried and that he rose. Contrary to customs of the day where the men should have gotten all the recognition, Jesus would first appear to the women. They would be the ones to hear the angel message. He is not here he is risen.
Today there are those who would mock the believers in the resurrection. But this is not the first time. There is the story: About 1930, the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject, atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting, "CHRIST IS RISEN!" The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 167.
But the truth of the resurrection would have to have an impact on the hearts of the people. That is what the Apostle Paul takes the story of the resurrection the next step.
II. The Faith – In the one who lives
Paul writes: For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. And he also writes: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ. Notice that what happened to Jesus is also happening to his believers. You know the words of the Apostles’ creed concerning Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died and buried…rose again…. Imagine rewriting the Apostle creed, I believe in Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the Virgin Mary, I suffered under Pontius Pilate, I was crucified, died and was buried and I rose again… does it sound almost idolatrous. But say it with me. I suffered under Pontius Pilate, I was crucified, died and was buried and I rose again. Jesus was our substitute. What he did was for us. He suffered for my sins. He was crucified for me. He died my death and he rose that I too should rise. In other words all the Christ did was for me.
What does this have to do with today? What kind of impact does this make on my own life, my thoughts, my dreams, my goals, my choices? Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. {2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. {3} For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Notice Paul says Jesus should change our hearts, our minds, and our life. Our desires, our thoughts and our life should be different.
When Paul wrote set your hearts on things above he didn’t just want us to day dream about heaven. Rather (Phil 4:8 NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Reflect on where you are in your spiritual journey. Do you desire the things that Jesus wants for you? Do you have a desire to be more Christ like? Do you desire to change, so that you are not so much like the world you live in? Do you let Christ control your desires or things below?
When Paul writes, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, I read of one person’s comment about Americans. The first thing they would do when they meet God almighty is ask for a car. (Maybe we should change it to a house, an ipod, a computer, or something.) You can fill in the blank. Can we be so earthly minded that we are of no good for heaven?
What have you asked for from the Lord spiritually? Have you asked to be more forgiving? Have you asked for a more spiritual life? Have you asked for great spiritual insight? Have you asked for a greater faith? Have you asked for a more faithful life? Have you asked the Lord to change part of your life? Have you used the tools of word and sacrament to let God work by grace in your life?
III. The Future – Because he lives
Paul has us look back at Christ’s resurrection, he brings us up to the present and the effect of that today and then he has us look ahead: When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. My voice is still not the strongest. At this point whether I have a voice or not, the words to describe what Jesus has promised, I cannot find. I do not know what it is like to wake up and find my self before the throne of God. I don’t know what it is like to breathe heavenly air. I do not know what it is like to wake up and have God holding my hand. I do not know what it is like to be freed from all the troubles, heart aches and temptations of this world and stand in the glory of the Lord. But that is what the resurrection proclaims. Jesus says, because I live you also will live, we will appear with him in glory. Amen.