revmattil.org

I recently watched a movie about a woman whose brother was convicted of a murder. He appealed, but lost that case, too. He was sentenced to life without th3 possibility of parole. There was nothing he could do about it. However, his sister was convinced he was innocent, and vowed to do everything in her power to exonerate him. She got a college degree and went to law school. She passed the bar and became an attorney. He was convicted before DNA testing was a possibility. After an long search, she found the evidence after sixteen years, and waited for the DNA testing, which took over a year to come back. Finally, it proved that the blood at the scene did not belong to her brother. She had dedicated her life to helping her brother, all because she was convinced of his innocence.

We have a different story. We have someone who knew without a doubt that we were guilty and sentenced to death. Yet He willingly dedicated His life to making sure we would not have to die eternally. There was nothing we could do to get out of our sentence. But Jesus did what it took, taking our place in punishment, even though we were guilty and deserved to die.

Romans 5:6–8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Remember and rejoice in that fabulous love that God has for you on this Lord’s day.

I heard a story years ago at an LWML Convention from Pastor Kim DeVries. He spoke about his first church in Mississippi. He was preaching at an evening service when a thunderstorm knocked the power out. He also went silent, not knowing what to do, until a voice called out, “Keep preaching — we can see Jesus even in the dark!”

John wrote at the beginning of His Gospel: The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.  Some translations have the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5 RSV).  We live in a world of darkness, and it is all around us. That darkness makes its presence known in so many ways in our lives.

My daughter told me recently that her three-year-old daughter was watching one of her favorite shows, Peppa Pig. She came into the kitchen and told her mom, “That show was so silly. One of the kids said she had two mommies.” We see depictions of “alternate” lifestyles in almost every movie and television show these days. If we say we disagree, we are vilified and attacked. And that is just one example.

Our nation faces crises because people have turned away from God and His Word as a standard. Society has redefined marriage, implemented health care policies that tell us we cannot follow God’s Word and our conscience, and is demanding that churches fund things that go against our beliefs. The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide.

There is darkness in our personal lives as well. We all struggle with our demons that seek to drag us down and away from God. We often listen to them and act as though there is no hope. The darkness is near.

But we have the light. It has shined on us.

2 Corinthians 4:6  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Jesus has conquered the Prince of darkness and earned victory for us through His sinless life, His death of sacrifice and His resurrection triumph. The Light has shined on us. We can see Jesus even in the dark, because He overcomes the darkness. And now you have been called to let your light shine, the light that shined on you.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, keep the light of Jesus shining. It will have an impact whether you realize it or not. A little verse makes more and more sense to me the older I get:

Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

1 Timothy 4:10 … we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

If Jesus died for everyone, why isn’t everyone saved? I googled that question a few years back, and the articles I found all said something different.

• Universalists believe that because Jesus died for everyone, everyone will be saved, whether they believe in Jesus or not.
• Our Calvinist brothers and sisters maintain that Jesus did not die for everyone, but only for those who He knew would believe in him, using the Scriptural term the “elect.” This is often called Limited Atonement.
• There is the position that says that the invitation to be saved is offered to everyone, but some reject it and do not receive the benefit of what Jesus did.

These different positions all refer to Scripture to support their understanding. Scripture clearly says that Jesus died for the sins of all people.

• 1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

However, we also find in the Bible that not everyone will be saved.

• In the days of Noah, the wicked died unsaved in the flood (Genesis 6-9)
• When Sodom and Gomorrah were obliterated (Genesis 19) those people died unsaved
• But it was not just an Old Testament thing. When Jesus was crucified, one thief was told he would be with Jesus in paradise. The unrepentant one on the other side was not told that.

People die unsaved. You have probably known some people like that.  So the question remains: If Jesus actually died for the sins of everyone who ever lived, then why does anyone go to Hell?

Again, one answer is to say that Jesus died only for those he knew would believe in Him. They will cite passages to support their position. Matthew 25 talks about Jesus separating the sheep from the goats, and John 10 has Jesus calling Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. So they say Jesus died for the sheep, but not the goats. And in Ephesians 5 it says “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her”, which they understand to say that He died only for the church and not for those who are not believers.

So how do we reconcile those passages to the ones like this?

• 1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
• [Jesus] is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

The teachings about Jesus as Savior of all has been a source of disagreement in the church for a long time, and most likely it will be until Christ returns. Let me affirm that anyone who puts their faith and confidence in Jesus as his or her Savior from sin has been saved. If you have faith that Jesus is your Savior, you are saved. That is true whether you believe Jesus died for everyone or not. If you believe He is your Savior, if you trust that His death made payment for your sin, you get the benefit of everything He accomplished for you.

Our Lutheran understanding of this issue is that all of the passages cited above are God’s Word, so they are all correct. Even if they appear to contradict, we are willing to live with that seeming conflict. If you are saved, it is God’s doing, not your own, and He deserves all the credit and honor and glory. If a person is not saved, it is because he or she rejected God’s grace, and the blame lies with that person, not God.

I heard someone explain this teaching using the illustration of a meal. God has prepared a meal and you have been called to “come and get it.” It has already been done for you. When you eat the meal, you receive it and get the benefit of it. Your eating of the meal does not make it real. It was already there and existed. The eating simply receives what was prepared for you. In the same way, faith does not cause God’s forgiveness – that was earned by Jesus. Faith receives what Jesus earned.

 [Jesus] is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

Jesus is the Savior of all people and some people are not being saved. They will not eat the meal that has been prepared for them. Jesus died for all and is the Savior of all men. It is available for everyone. And those who put their faith in Jesus as a result of the Spirit’s work in their lives will reap the benefits of all Jesus earned.

Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

When I was in my late thirties I started waking up early every day. We were living in town back then, so I decided to get up and walk/jog. I was up anyway, and it was nice and quiet out at that time. It gave me time to think and to pray while I got some exercise. The first morning I was out, I was walking down a street in my neighborhood, deep in thought, when all of a sudden I heard a ferocious barking. I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes strained in the darkness to see this beast that was surely going to take a big bite out of me. It took me a few seconds to realize that this was the house where they kept their dog tied out in the front yard. Assured that he was securely tied, I continued on, my fear subsided. Day after day I walked past in the darkness and the dog sounded the alarm. Then one morning I walked past that house and there was no barking. Now I was afraid all over again. Was the dog loose, lying in wait in the shadows, ready to pounce on me for having taunted it all those mornings, walking by just out of his reach?

Fear is a funny thing. It is often irrational, yet it can take over your life in an instant. Your heart races, you break out in a cold sweat, your mouth goes dry. Fear seizes control of your entire being. It comes in so many forms: Fear of old age, fear of being alone, fear of losing a job, fear of disease, fear of heights, fear of death. Fear can be a terrible, even crippling thing for some people.

All too often, fear becomes the guiding force in the lives of people. Fear dictates their decision-making more than God’s Word and His promises. How many times has your fear of what others might think led you to do something that you know is wrong? It all goes back to sin. Fear is the result of sin, just as it was in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve had sinned, when God came looking for the beloved crown of His creation, they were hiding. When asked why, Adam replied “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid … so I hid.” (Genesis 3:10).  Scripture gives us plenty of other examples of people letting fear influence their decisions.

• Abraham’s fear led him to lie about Sarah being his wife
• Moses was afraid after he killed the Egyptian
• Samuel was afraid to tell Eli of the vision God had given him.
• Isaiah felt fear in the presence of God
• Jeremiah was afraid when called to be a prophet
• The disciples were afraid in a storm with Jesus sleeping in the boat

Fear is a result of sin. Some people will defiantly proclaim, “I’m not afraid of anything. Don’t mess with me!” But we all have our fears. Most people are afraid when they should not be and not afraid when they should be. People will fear men, fear animals, fear the world, fear situations, but they will not fear GOD! That is the fear you should have:

The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread (Isaiah 8:13)

If you have the fear of God in your life, recognizing Him as the one in control, respecting Him as your God. knowing that He loved you, became your Redeemer, and was sacrificed for your sins … if you have that fear, Jesus is speaking to you when He says, “Have no fear, little flock.” You do not need to fear anything else. Christians can have no fear if you have the right fear!

The Psalmist reminds us The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; (Psalm 111:10) We respect Him and with awe recognize who He is, what He has done, the love He has shown. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. You do not need to fear because the one who is in control of everything has given you His kingdom. You Rule with Him. It is not just something for the future, but yours now.

Sometimes people describe their fears saying, “It scared me to death!” Jesus tells you that instead of being scared to death you should remember that He loved you to death. Have no fear, little flock. God can help you overcome your fears because He has overcome the problem of sin. All your sin was placed on Jesus Christ, and He carried it to the cross in your place. Not only did He pay for your sins with His death, but He rose again to assure you that you have the Kingdom. He loved you to death and keeps on loving you. You have been given the kingdom. Have no fear, little flock.

Over the next six months, we have a lot of trips planned. Most of them would be considered “vacations.” As I have been preparing for these trips, I’ve been thinking about the ones we used to take when our girls were younger. I remember one trip in particular, a trip to Disney World.

This took place when our daughters were 15, 14, and 11. We were going to meet Cheryl’s family in Orlando right after Christmas. Because I have a sister in Atlanta, we took my mom with us and went to see my sister for a few days. We left mom there and drove the rest of the way to Disney World.

We met Cheryl’s entire family there: Her parents, aunt, siblings and their families. There were 21 of us in all. We spent time with the family, wandered around Epcot and MGM studios, but we spent most of our time at the Magic Kingdom. We took pictures with Mickey and Pooh and a host of other Disney characters. Disney provided a wonderful atmosphere that allows you to forget about things for a while. There is always someone sweeping up after you, smiling employees who are willing to cater to you, characters dressed in bright costumes, people singing patriotic songs. Even though the girls left all the money they had saved and pooled together for the trip sitting on Bethany’s dresser, Dad bailed them out so they could buy their souvenirs. We enjoyed the rides, exhibits, and did things that everyone had put on their lists. It was good to spend time together as a family. Most everyone seemed happy. An ideal environment, so much so that as we were leaving the Magic Kingdom for the last time to start our trip home, Leah was kind of moping. She said to her mother, “I don’t want to leave. It’s so nice and fake here!”

There are some comparisons with that vacation and our faith journey through this life. The first had to do with the season we finished just before our trip: Advent, a time of preparation, waiting for the promise to be fulfilled. Just as the wait for Christmas seems to go on forever, so our wait for that trip stretched out. We talked about saving money, not doing some things so we would have more to spend at Disney world. Yet as we talked and planned, it always seemed like it was somewhere in the distant future, a long way off. But then, just like Christmas sneaks up on you, the time came and we found ourselves standing in the Magic Kingdom. The promise held out for so long was fulfilled.

That is how it was with God’s promise of a Savior. He made it to His chosen people, and they trusted Him, but it seemed to be far removed from them. Then all at once in a Bethlehem stable God kept His promise to send one who would pay for sin, reconcile us to God, and assure us of a place in His Kingdom. Unlike our short stay in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, our place in God’s Kingdom, secured by Jesus blood, is eternal. Just as certain as Jesus came once is God’s promise of His return, something for which we need to prepare. It seems to be in the distant future, a long way off. But it, too, will be here before we know it.

Another comparison is the way Disney puts a sugar coating on everything, a veneer, pretending that everything is just right. It is a great place, but as Leah so profoundly observed, it is fake. And in spite of their best efforts, even the Magic Kingdom is still a part of the real world. Even though the employees/cast members are clean cut and courteous, that doesn’t mean the guests are. People pushing and shoving to get at the front of the line. There was also moaning and groaning about the long wait in lines, some of which came from my mouth. And even 25 years ago Disney was promoting an agenda that is contrary to what we find in God’s Word.

Christians often try to put the same kind of sugar coating on their lives, pretending everything is fine, while just below that veneer lie all the problems of the real world. We put on a brave front, but there is turmoil all around us. Family tensions, financial concerns, personal problems.

It was into this real world that a real Savior came. Jesus was not born in Disney like surroundings. He came as an average run-of-the-mill guy. He knew all about hardships and adversity, because He experienced them first hand. Scripture tells us he was tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He came into our real world and went through all we experience. He knows it is difficult. He knows your problems. He knows you are not perfect. And that is why He came. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I mentioned earlier that the girls left the money they had saved behind, so I paid for their souvenirs. In fact, they would not have had enough for the things they wanted, they would have been short anyway. So I paid for them. That reminded me of what God has done for us in Christ. He bails us out when we would otherwise have no chance. All our efforts to please Him fall short. We would have no hope on our own. But Jesus tells us, “Don’t worry. I’ve already paid for you. You wouldn’t have had enough, anyway. I’ll take care of it.”  That is what He did with His death and resurrection. He paid your way and gives you your place in God’s Kingdom.

Vacations are nice. It is even better knowing that we have God’s forgiveness every day for Jesus’ sake.

Ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? Sure you have! It happens to everyone, some more than others. And it doesn’t feel good. It happens a lot in ministry. I can’t even begin to count the number of times people would come up to me and say, “Why did you decide to do …” and then complain about a change that was not my decision. Sometimes I didn’t even know what they were griping about!  But most of the time it was something that had been done by others.

I’ll give you an example. Our congregation had two worship services on Sunday mornings. Sunday School and Bible Class were in between the two services. Someone on our Board of Education at that time heard about a congregation that had a Summer Schedule with only one worship service at the time Sunday School was the rest of the year, which would then be followed by Sunday School. Her idea was that it might increase the attendance at both Sunday School and Bible Class. She reasoned that if families with children were already there for worship it would be easier for them to stay for Sunday School. They took their idea to the Elders, who approved it, and we started announcing that we would alter our Sunday morning schedule between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

That is when the complaints started. One was, “Who gave you permission to change our schedule?” “Nobody asked my opinion on this!” “Why can’t we just keep doing things the way we always have!”  (Which was funny because at this point, we had only had two services for about three years).

I tried to explain to each of these people that it was not my decision or even my idea, but I supported it and hoped it would indeed boost our attendance at Sunday School. And you know what? It did!  We had more people in both adult and children’s classes during that time. And just so you know, I didn’t take credit for that. I was unwilling to take credit for something I didn’t do just as I didn’t want the blame for something I didn’t do.

Think about how often we blame God for everything that is wrong in our lives. And then think about what Jesus has done for you. He came to this earth to take the blame for us. We have all sinned and fallen short of what God would have us do. We deserve condemnation. But Jesus took the blame, even though He was innocent of any wrongdoing. And He offered His perfection as the payment for the sins of the world. Faith in Him receives what He did for you and makes you clean and forgiven in God’s sight.

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We need to be careful not to try to take the credit for what God has done. We didn’t earn our salvation. We earned punishment. But Jesus made it possible for us to stand before God with His righteousness.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking the blame I deserved.

My father-in-law used to have German Shorthaired bird dogs. They were nice looking, muscular dogs. He told me the story of when he was trying to train one of them he used a “shock collar.” The idea was that when the dog started chasing something he was not supposed to chase, like a rabbit or a squirrel, you would shock him to discourage bad behavior and keep him concentrated on finding birds.

One dog named Hans was pretty stubborn. He took off after a rabbit, and my father-in-law hit the button. The dog stopped for a moment, scrunched up his face a bit, and then kept on chasing the rabbit.

I read online that particular breed of dogs is incredibly intelligent and normally easy to train, but it can be challenging and frustrating when they’re younger. The puppy years come with these challenges: High energy, attention problems, willfulness and independence.

Maybe that is a good illustration of being “stiff-necked.” That term is used about 20 times in Scripture, mostly in the Old Testament. But Stephen also used it when addressing the charges against him, just before he was stoned to death.

Acts 7:51–53 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

The term comes from an animal stiffening its neck to try to keep a yoke from being placed upon it. God wanted His chosen people of Israel to bear the yoke of obedience to Him and His Laws, but they kept stubbornly refusing. So He called them “stiff-necked,” just as Stephen did in Acts 7.

How often do you stubbornly refuse to do what God calls you to do? Are you obstinate when it comes to conforming your life to God’s will? Most of us are. Even when we know all that God has done for us in sending Jesus to be our Savior, we still want to go our own way, chasing that rabbit when we should be concentrating on living the new life to which God has called us.

We strive to live this way BECAUSE we are already saved. Jesus earned our forgiveness and salvation. What we do by bearing the yoke God gives is our attempt at gratitude.

Instead of being “stiff-necked,” God would have us be steadfast and immovable as His followers.

1 Corinthians 15:57–58 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

And He will give us the power to be that way. It is always available, if we would just take advantage of it.

1 Peter 5:8–10 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

God will make you firm and steadfast. Ask Him to do so.

I’ve never had a gun held to my head, but I know people who have. They talk about the utter hopelessness, helplessness and despair that they felt at that moment. There was nothing they could do. Having been spared from death, they know about deliverance.

You and I must need that same realization. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). We all deserve nothing but punishment and death for our disobedience to God. We have all sinned, and we keep on messing up. Even today, all of us have been caught in Satan’s little traps. How many of you have lost your temper at someone for not being ready on time, or doing something stupid? How often have you fought in the car on the way to Church? Do greed or jealousy or pettiness take over when you look at your neighbor? Satan is always working on those who follow Jesus, because He hates believers. He doesn’t want anyone to rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus. He wants you to keep on sinning and be damned for those sins. He tries to turn you away from Jesus, because without Christ, you are that person with a gun held to your head. There is nothing you can do. But once again, Thanks be to God. In your helpless state, he did something for you. His love and care and concern for you was so great that He let His Son die for your disobedience, even the sins you’ve committed today. The payment has been made. And by raising Jesus on the third day, our Father has assured you that not only are you forgiven, but you will live with Him forever. You have crossed from death to life through faith in Jesus.

 On a beautiful Spring afternoon, a boy and his father were driving in the country. A bee flew into the car through an open window. The little boy, who was allergic to bee stings, was petrified. The father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, held it in his hand, and then released it. The boy grew frantic as it buzzed all around him. The father reached out his hand again, but this time showed his son his palm. There, stuck in his hand, was the stinger of the bee. The father said: “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. I took the sting for you.”

Our Lord Jesus shows you His palms with the nail prints, reminding you that His death on the cross was in your place, and also that He rose again from the dead. Jesus took the sting out of death for you by dying and rising again. You trust in Him assures you of forgiveness and eternal life. You have deliverance.