The Deeper Spiritual Life is … what exactly.. and how do we attain it?
Thoughts which drive me to Jesus, and to the Cross
“Therefore I sent for you at once, and you were kind enough to come. So now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to say to us.”” (Acts 10:33, NET)
The deeper spiritual life is not something just to be talked about—it is a quiet enjoyment of daily blessing and peace and victory that is lived day by day; beyond empty profession and without any two-faced circumstances!
I have a number of friends that are treading on roads they think will lead them to a deeper spiritual life. They have bought the books by Dallas Willard, or by Fr. Timothy Gallagher. They are reading old classics and new books they share their passion and desire, yet, after a few years, they try to go deeper, they want to do more, they want to find something that will give meaning to their faith.
And they want to share the answers they are in pursuit of, they want others to join them on their journey.
I applaud the desire, it is one that we can trace back through names, both Catholic and Protestant, to the early church, including this Roman Centurion, who wasn’t content with the little he knew of God, and sent for the apostle Peter at God’s direction.
The oddity is that it was at God’s direction. The text actually says that the man’s prayer had been heard…and this was the response.
In other words, Cornelius already had a deep walk with God – for God had come to him. Sure there was another step – send for Peter, and another, listen to Peter, and another get baptized.
It is no wonder then that upon Peter’s arrival, Cornelius prophetically announces, “now we are all in the presence of God,” as everyone settled into hear Peter say what he had been prepared to say, but didn’t know he would.
They were ready to simply enjoy the blessing and peace and they would find out Victory that they had in Jesus, that would be confirmed by the Spirit who fell upon them there, who would be guaranteed to be there a few minutes later in Baptism.
You don’t get a deeper spiritual life than that, you simply become aware of it, in much the same manner, we listen to God… we rejoice in the peace and blessings He gave, to contemplate the mystery of our Salvation…
We don’t do anything to grow more mature as a Christian, save in depending more on the promises of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The growth is caused, empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit….. who then guides us as we go and serve others!
Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2008). Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings. Moody Publishers.
The Great Harvest Begins! An Easter Sermon on1 Corinthians 15:19-26
The Great Harvest Begins!
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
† I.N.R.I †
May the Grace and Peace of God our Father and the Risen Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart, mind and soul, as you realize the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work IN YOU!
I will never get tired of saying this…
Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Congregation He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Deacon: And therefore,
Congregation: We have risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.”
As I was thinking about this idea of a great harvest, and how to explain it, my memory went on a weird trip. It took me back to my childhood, as we were visiting a church. I don’t remember which one, probably Salem First Baptist, or the Pentecostal church my dad’s friend Pastor Brazil led. I don’t remember much of the service, except one strange hymn.
They sang it with a lot of energy and incredible joy, which is what impressed me, because I had no idea what they were singing about!
I mean, what in the world is a sheave?
They kept using that word, and being that the church was not in a farming community, I am not sure they knew what it meant either, but they were singing about bringing them in, with great joy!
Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We will come rejoicing,
Bringing in the sheaves!
Did they mean sword-sheaths? Sheets? Sieves? Sleeves? Steves?
What in the world is a sheave?
And why were people so excited about bringing them in?
And what does that have to do with Easter?
How many times is our reaction to the resurrection there, because we hear everyone else’s conviction, because we see the joy and we want to be part of it, but we don’t get that we are part of the harvest?
- Death in Adam
I don’t remember how many times they sung that chorus, but it seemed like for forever! And the first 4 or 5 times through, it was cool to see them all excited and singing loudly. It obviously meant something to a lot of these people!
But after a while it got old…and I disconnected from the singing, and focused on the musicians, then, looked around the church, then started to daydream, and maybe escaped to the restroom.
There was nothing there for me, and I don’t think anyone would have noticed I wasn’t there.
That is what sin is like, the sin that entered the world from Adam. It kills us off, separating us from the Lord, and from others. It’s as if they are speaking another language, and what is enjoyable to them, is empty to us. That frustrates us even more, and we wander off, separated from all that is good…
And that death is a foretaste of eternal death—the empty, hollow life that is hell….
It’s like being out in the low desert in the midst of summer, as wind sweeps blazing hot sand across the land, creating an unquenchable thirst in land and beast and man. For life is not capable of being sustained, never mind gathered and harvested.
There is no hope to escape that emptiness, that loneliness, or so it seems…
2. The New Life
In another lifeless situation, God provided life where it could not have been.
This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Romans 4:17 (NLT2)
And that is what happened the morning of the Resurrection, where there was no life in the crucified, spear pierced body of Jesus, from death came life.
He power of the grave, of death was shattered.
The separation thought to be permanent was made erased with the flash of light, as Jesus defeated death. As Jesus lived, but had already paid for our separation. His life would give a way for us to come to life, to know the joy, to be able to sing with meaning.
Only God can erase all that spiritually kills us, and wiukd end with our physical and eternal death as well. Only God can bring us to life again. Only God can include us in the great harvest of souls that have risen from the dead, both spiritually, and one day physically.
He did this by uniting us to Christ’s death and His resurrection…We are made new, complete, and in God’s eyes are His children, without sin. We become part of those “sheaves”, a part of the people of God, all who trust in Him and depend on His promise.
This is why we come to church, to celebrate this work of God, it is why we sing and pray and read the Bible, It is why we ask questions when we don’t know what a word means, or how a song fits in…. for it all testifies to the work God is doing in us.
And knowing that, that the power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead is at work in us, we enter into God’s peace, a peace far beyond our Logic and reason, for we dwell in our risen Lord, Jesus the Messiah! Amen!
The Plan Previously Hidden: A Good Friday Sermon on Isaiah 52:13:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
The Plan Previously Hidden
Isaiah 52:13:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
† I.H.S. †
May the grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ sustain you in those times, where like between the cross and resurrection, you aren’t sure of where you stand…or if you do!
The Darkness
In the other gospels, as Jesus is on the cross dying, it is said that darkness falls across the land. Luke mentions the sun fails to light the sky…the word will eventually become what we call an eclipse. For three hours, Jerusalem in hidden in shadows…
It was if everything good was heading out of town, as Jesus blood soaked the ground. I imagine the apostles and disciples’ lives were pretty much drained of life as well, as they finally realized Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said he would be killed, when he would give up his life.
But even as they hadn’t heard that, they didn’t hear the rest of the story. Neither did the Pharisees and Priests, or Herod, Pilate and the Roman guard.
This event, planned from before the creation of the world, the Apostle Paul described this way, “No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.”
The darkness had to come, the despair—a realization of what was lost because of the sin of the world. The hope, shrouded for 3 days with the Lord of Love, of Hope, of Life.
While we don’t pay the cost of our sin, we need to take that cost seriously. We need to see in the cross, not just the promise of life and freedom, but the price paid there in the death of Christ.
What the rulers missed
SO what was hidden from these leaders, Roman and Jewish, these wise, powerful and in some cases, holy men—what did they miss?
Well – it wasn’t hidden well – as we see in the prophecy from Isaiah that we started with this evening. One that talks of when everyone will know, at the Day of Judgment..
“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about.”…
They didn’t see the cross as a tool used to pry us away from sin, to shatter its grip on us.
That in the next chapter of Isaiah we will hear,
10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:10-11 (NLT2)
Jesus was… satisfied…
That is amazing… what He accomplished through His suffering and death on the cross… he was content with the process because of the result.
Our freedom, our life, for while we talk about the Lord is with you… that means the inverse is now true as well
You are with the Lord…
Therefore, we shall share in His glory a
And that is what was hidden, the mystery of Jesus, that the leaders made happen, as they sentenced him to die… for us.
Amen!
The Vision of the Chalices: Thoughts on our Existence
Thoughts which carry me to Jesus, and to the cross!
“In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23, NET)
He found it easier to do what is perfect than to talk about it; so he was constantly active in showing his zeal and dedication in deeds, not in words, because words do not do what is good, they only point to it.
That is why we use we use matter in liturgy, explains Paul Evdokimov. “The final destiny of water is to participate in the mystery of the Epiphany; of wood, to become a cross; of the earth, to receive the body of the Lord during his rest on the Sabbath.… Olive oil and water attain their fullness as conductor elements for grace on regenerated man. Wheat and wine achieve their ultimate raison d’etre in the eucharistic chalice.
I am pretty sure it was a dream, (at least I hope it was!) but there were some chalices gathered together, having a discussion, which occasionally devolved into arguments about their reason for their existence. The odd thing, is that they all sat on a shelf, awaiting to be purchased, and none of them had actively served–they were all awaiting to be purchased and put to use. That didn’t stop them as seeing themselves as experts, of forming and aggressively sharing their theories and positions. They even formed a coaches and consultants guild for chalices’
One day, a chalice that should have been retired, for it was dented, and its gold faded, its ornate artwork rubbed down by decades in the hands of priests and pastors, came into the shop. The pastor asked if his old friend could be repaired, his gold polished if he could be restored.
There were more chalices there that day, as they were having a conference to vote on new rules for the creation, maintenance and use of chalices. Only the best were allowed to come, those that dedicated their lives to the study and teaching of chalice-ness. The old chalice listened in and smiled, and longed to be back in his parish, for it was there he was a chalice. It was there the joy of being the vessel containing Christ’s Blood was found, as broken people drank from Him, and found the healing God meant for them. It was there he was profitable, or in the old language, salutary.
He attempted to share this, but was shut out – too eccentric, to odd, and too dedicated to those ugly broken humans, who would wear him down, steal his luster and shine.
Hopefully you see the connection of this dream to the proverb, and the poverty of being “on the shelf” rather than in the hands. And St. Francis and the old chalice have much in common, as does the point of the destiny of water to be used in baptism, and wheat and wine in the sacrament. Of the wood of the manger and cross, and even the temporary use of the grave.
But do you see yourself in the dream? Are you the sort of Christian who just sit on a shelf, reading books on theology, evangelism, and how to be the church? Or are you like the old beaten up chalice which has lost its glorious shine, but filled with the completeness that is found in being who God called you to be, one of His people who was sent to continue Christ’s ministry to those who are broken,,,,
Don’t spend time thinking about it.
You know you are His, forgive, healing, children.
So live that way, and fulfill your ministry.
Pasquale, G., ed. (2011). Day by Day with Saint Francis: 365 Meditations (p. 104). New City Press.
Fagerberg, D. W. (2019). Liturgical Mysticism (pp. 134–135). Emmaus Academic.
A God Who Loves Inconvenience
Thoughts that drag me to Jesus, and to the Cross
“The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. These were their descendants: Ishmael’s firstborn son was Nebaioth; the others were Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.”…
“The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, and (by Timna) Amalek. The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.” (1 Chronicles 1:28-31, 35–37, NET
“The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not consider ritually unclean!”” (Acts 10:15, NET)
I have known some who were interested in the deeper life, but began asking questions: “What will it cost me—in terms of time, in money, in effort, in the matter of my friendships?” Others ask of the Lord when He calls them to move forward: “Will it be safe?” This question comes out of our constant bleating about security and our everlasting desire for safety above all else.
A third question that we want Him to answer is: “Will it be convenient?”
As I read Chronicles this morning, I had to think about it as I read about Ishmael and Esau’s descendants. I mean, they were the guys that were to be forgotten about, the covenant of Abraham ran through their brothers families–not theirs. They should have been forgotten about, except to log their sin, for they were exiled, put out of the family of God.
They didn’t matter. They weren’t the chosen people.
So why are their names here? Why do we know of their descendants?
Why go to the hassle, the inconvenience of tracking them? Why should their names be in the Bible?
Think about this – this book is somewhere between 800-1000 years after them….
God didn’t forget them, nor the promises he made to their mothers and to Ishmael and Esau. While the promise of the Messiah, the Lord who would come was to be through the lineage of their brothers, there was something to remember…
Jesus was coming to save them all.
They weren’t inconvenient, they were part of the target, the focus, the reason for the cross. We, the people of God, are to seek and save their further descendants, just as God promised.
As I read this, I am beginning to take inventory of my own actions and thoughts. Who do I dare consider inconvenient, ministering to whom is not worth investing my time and heart in? Do I consider them not worth including in my story of my journey with God?’
If there are people, I need to repent…
Which is fine, because God can handle that, granting me forgiveness and changing my heart and mine – as the Spirit works within…
Maybe its time for us to reconsider who our church considers inconvenient, and then rejoice as we engage and help them know God wants them in His Book as well!
Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2008). Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings. Moody Publishers.
For the Joy Set Before us, We endure the Cross! For the Joyful Return Set Before Us! A Lenten Sermon onPsalm 126
For the Joy Set Before us, We endure the Cross!
For the Joyful Return Set Before Us!
Psalm 126
† I.H.S. †
May the grace, mercy and love of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ encourage you to think of your homecoming… and to rejoice as you find others who start the journey home!
- The Exiles return
One of my commentaries, on the vitality of worship, said this about our reading from the Psalms this morning,
“The first part of the psalm expresses an almost childlike delight in what the Lord has done. It has a miraculous quality about it, something unexpected, something for which the people had hardly dared to hope.”[1]
For those caught in captivity, who thought they slavery would end, these words are even an understatement. Image the look on the faces, as they climbed the mountain paths that led to Jerusalem, as they topped the last peak and their eyes settled on their long their abandoned home.
Imagine their joy as they entered the city’s gates. Asthey realize home was home again, and that they had proof of God’s blessings, and His presence….
For He had restored them, and all that was broken was made right…which is the basis for our hope.
The hope made true that we can take a childlike delight in, as we realize what the Lord has done, for it is miraculous unexpected, and something which we didn’t even dream of, never mind hope for!
- Why were they exiles? What separates us..
Nearly 100 years prior to Psalm 126. The prophetess Huldah, the wife of H Shallum and Harhas said,
“24 ‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this city and its people. All the curses written in the scroll that was read to the king of Judah will come true. 25 For my people have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done. My anger will be poured out on this place, and it will not be quenched.’ 2 Chronicles 34:24-25 (NLT2)
This included Hezekiah, one of the greatest of the Kings of Judah, and while he did repent, it only put off this punishment until he passed away.
Then because of their sin, because of their idolatry, murder, adultery, gossip and jealousy.
They earned their exile. They chose to forgo being holy, in order to gain what they desired.
As I’ve taught before, holiness is less about following all the rules, but the purity of the relationship we are separated to when we enter into the covenant. As they chose to sin, and never repent, Israel and Judah exiled themselves – they chose to separate themselves from God, and from His people.
You know that feeling as well, that separation that comes when sin separates you from someone else. It doesn’t matter if the separation is because of our sin, or theirs-the separation is real, the loneliness that overwhelms us, as we realize the gaping chasm that sin creates.
If we are that aware of the distance sin puts between us and those we work with, live with, play with, and because of sin, avoid… how much more do we live in denial abut the distance we once chose to put between God and us…
And maybe, today, you still are hiding some sin, Maybe your dealing with that loneliness and feeling of not being a part of a family.
There is no need for that. You can re-begin that walk with God today, or perhaps even begin it for the first time.
This is the time – this is the place for the dream of Psalm 126 to become true in your life.
- Turning back everything (How were we brought back -will we be brought back?
If you read the Old Testament Books of Ezra and Nehemiah – or 1 &2 Esdras as they are called in some Bibles, you will see the people of God, once again separated to Him, once again being made holy, as they rebuild the Temple, and the City.
But Psalm 126 doesn’t get into what they did, it gets into the emotion of coming home, and the knowledge that God did something amazing – He restored the life their grandparents spoke of, recognizing what they lost,
But God restored them, and looking back, that gives the Psalmist hope in his time, as he prayed, “Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”
The writer of the Psalm – having remembered the great mercy of God and the fact that even the nations around Israel were praising God for the amazing things God had done, switches to pray that He ill do them again.
Hmm – could Judah and Israel begin to sin again? Did they need to be rescued and restored again?
Should that be an encouragement for us, as we find oureslves in needs of God’s restoration service as we need to be restored? Yes!
And then we can truly live the dream – God’s vision for us, those who have realized that our thoughts, words and deeds have been wrecked by sin. And yet God has called us home, cleansed us and ended our exile as He causes repentance to occur in us.
On our way back home, as we realize our exile, our loneliness is over, we can bring others with us. So keep an eye out for those alone, and tired, and exiled… and bring them home.
[1] Davidson, R. (1998). The vitality of worship: a commentary on the book of Psalms (p. 417). W.B. Eerdmans; Handsel Press.
For the Joy Set Before Us… For the Feast Set Before us! A Lenten Sermon on Luke 15:11-24
Concordia Lutheran Church
March 30, 2025
For the Joy Set Before Us…
For the Feast Set Before us!
Luke 15:11-24
† Jesus, Son & Savior †
May the grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ prepare you for the party thrown in Jesus’ honor, and in yours!
- Who/What is the main thrust of the passage?
We call it the parable of the prodigal son, focusing in on the rebellion of this wayward youth. Because, well, we’ve all been there.
Or we could call it the parable of the Prodigal’s Dad, and focus on the old man, representing God, and focusing on the desire for the son to come home, to be restored, to know the love of Father.
Or we could call it the parable of the real prodigal, and focus in on the elder brother, who though acted in the right way, didn’t, couldn’t experience the love Father—he was blinded by his own desire and jealousy of the younger son’s “freedom.
Or as I will today, focus on a different aspect, and call it the “parable of the prodigal’s party!
For we dwell in the middle of Lent, and need something incredibly joyful to look forward to, and this party, the party the Father and our brother Jesus throws, is to be the most joyful day every known, by man, yet also the day God has crafted since before the garden…
So the parable of the prodigals’ feast, the feast set before us. That draws us to the cross of Jesus.
- Uniting to the wrong host/feast!
We, and I am speaking of all humanity, are horrible at waiting for that which we want. It’s called delayed gratificaiton by psychologists and philosophers, and requires both great wisdom and experience, as well as faith in the one providing what is desired.
The young prodigal didn’t have it – he wanted an enjoyable feast now, as did his brother. No thought to the cost, what was wanted was wanted, and wanted now!
So he goes in search of his party, and finds a feast…no one wants.
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
That phrase “Persuaded a local farmer to hire him,” is far more than just applying for a job. In Greek it means to “join in a relationship”- he became part of their household, a very minor part, given the worst job—providing the feast for the pigs!
Wrong family, wrong feast, and at a tremendous cost.. .
You see, all sin is basically a search after something that can be experienced now – and we turn to idols to provide the party we think we want, to be honest, that we think we deserve.
The problem is that such sin brings with it a different definition of what we deserve. And what we deserve, at that point, isn’t all that exciting, and it is not joyful.
- Repentance!
How different a party is seen when he rejoins his family!
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. Luke 15:22-24 (NLT2)
He is dressed for it, equipped once again a trusted member of the family!
The robe, called a stole in Greek, is the symbol of office of one with authority, one whose wisdom and holiness is to be trusted and relied upon! The signet ring is the corporate executive credit card, and authority to negotiate and enter contracts, and the sandals symbolize the authority to judge and impose discipline.
And this transformation, removing the word prodigal from his identity is the cause of the party. This is what repentance truly is, the change of our hearts and minds upon encountering a love so unexpected, so overwhelming, so life changing that our identity changes.
To be so loved, that what the Father prepared years to sacrifice, would be sacrificed in view of our return!
- Action Versus Experience
Ultimately, the difference between the repentant prodigal and the prodigal’s brother was that one did all the right actions, but didn’t know His father’s heart, and the other experienced the love that heart had for him, living in the reality of God restoring him fully to life.
One got to share in the feast, in the glorious sacrifice that proclaimed the glory of the Father, for it was a love feast, a celebration of reconciliation and of peace.
Action is no substitute for experience. The former demands, and often overlooks its reward. Experience is knowing we do not deserve to be loved, yet we are. That we don’t deserve God’s mercy and pity, yet we receive it. That we are loved…
And we need to celebrate that – with the feast the Father provides in this life, and eternally…
And the overwhelming, unexplainable peace that comes, as we commune with God.
Amen!
The Journey Home is Never Enough to Satisfy…
Thoughts which drive me to the Cross, and to Jesus
“Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy. I will be a permanent guest in your home; I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. (Selah)” (Psalm 61:3–4, NET)
“Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. John testified about him and shouted out, “This one was the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’ ”” (John 1:14–15, NET)
There is no sin in being on the pathway; the spiritualists are wrong. But there is a sin in loving our road instead of our home;
“[T]he ‘original’ sin is not primarily that man has ‘disobeyed’ God; the sin is that he ceased to be hungry for God and God alone.… The only real fall of man is his noneucharistic life in a noneucharistic world.”
This liturgical mysticism does something to the sacraments, too. If you taste and see, you will see that you have not tasted enough yet. The sacraments are not designed to fulfill our appetites, they are designed to increase those appetites.
First, a confession, I have become to lax in my spiritual diet! What was one day away because of distractions quickly became three, and then I find myself 15 days behind in my readings. God used it I think, because of out of a time to “catch up” I saw somethings in larger segments, and was blown away by reading more than a paged here and a page there.
In the last few years, I have lost a number of my early mentors. as they have died. The last time I saw one of them in person, he asked me and another pastor type how much we talked about heaven. As he aged, he became more and more aware of tendencies in the church to be focused on this life, and give no attention to eternity.
While we talk some about how to “get” to heaven, the work of Christ redeeming us, uniting us with iIs death and resurrection – we often don’t talk about why getting there is a good thing!
We have, to used the words of the quote in blue – fallen in love with the road home, and forgotten about the goal of the road is home. We’ve talked about overcoming the power of sin, and being forgiven, but forgotten the reason that is important – that it removes from us the barrier to getting home– from being in that refuge, that shelter of the Lord’s presence.
For in heaven we will dwell in the presence of God, we will exist in His glorious love which unites and will have healed every bit of us that was broken, We will know a peace that is not just an absence of conflict, but pure serenity….of knowing the greatest comfort, of being welcome, of being home.
That is the eucharistic world, the world of thanksgiving that comes from God re-uniting us to Himself through Christ. It is what the sacrament hint at, give a momentary experience or taste of, causing us to want more, not because of the physical act, but because of what is experienced in that moment of communion between God and His people.
I want more of that… I know WE need more of that…To help us endure the road, and keep focused on the destination. To live lives that are based on on hope–not that the road will be easy or smooth- but that the destination is Home.
Home with our Father… and the Son, and all of the Family of God.
May our appetites and desires grow for that moment… and may our time contemplating the gospel and receiving the sacraments cause that desire to be unquenchable…
Fagerberg, D. W. (2019). Liturgical Mysticism (p. 107). Emmaus Academic.
Fagerberg, D. W. (2019). Liturgical Mysticism (p. 110). Emmaus Academic.
Fagerberg, D. W. (2019). Liturgical Mysticism (p. 115). Emmaus Academic.
For the Joy Set Before Us… Restoration/Revival Is Set Before Us Psalm 85
Concordia Lutheran Church
March 23, 2025
For the Joy Set Before Us…
Restoration/Revival Is Set Before Us
Psalm 85
† In Jesus Name †
May the grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ revive and renew you–as promised!
- You did it once, could you please…
A long time ago, an apprentice asked his mentor about how to deal with repetitive betrayals. How to deal with being made fun of and being backstabbed, not to mention all the gossip being spread about him by this horrible wretch…who was as close as a brother.
The apprentice was tired of it all and wanted to know if there was a point that would be crossed when mercy was no longer beneficial, were it needed to stop, because the continual sacrifice was being taken advantage of, and the pain was unbearable.
After a moment’s thought, the apprentice was given an answer he didn’t like, as the limit of mercy seemed, well beyond anything humanly possible, never mind acceptable.
I mean, it wasn’t like his brother Andrew was a complete stranger. He also was an apprentice… of Jesus…
Seven times Seventy? Really?
I can imagine, Jesus smiling with a great deal of… amazement… knowing how many times he forgave both of them, and the cost he would pay, so that the Father would see them as forgiven. 7×70 and Peter, you are getting close to 70×70,000! I I can almost picture Jesus saying to himself, “Simon Peter, if you only knew the truth…but you will!
Which is what our Psalm 85 discusses this morning.
God’s incredible mercy… His incredible, patient, long-suffering mercy.
That restores and revives us, as we learn to look forward to eternity with great joy!
- The track record qualifies
The Psalmist starts by noting that incredible mercy! Here it is again,
“LORD, you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel. 2 You forgave the guilt of your people— yes, you covered all their sins. Interlude 3 You held back your fury. You kept back your blazing anger.
This is an amazing level of grace that the psalmist recounts, a track record of God’s love for His people, What a description of the love of God—a love that covered every sin, every one of them, from the Abraham lying to Kings about Sarah being his sister, to all the sins during the Exodus, during the times of the Judges and the time of King Sault into David’s reign as King
And boy, could those people sin!
Yet He restored and revived them!
They were experts in idolatry, and in using God’s name in vain, they were known for dishonoring parents, and for their hatred, mocking and murder of others, they were held up as examples of sexual immorality, having gone farther than their heathen neighbors, and they gossiped and schemed to get what they want that others had…
And God forgave, restored and revived them!
Which leads the psalmist to humbly beg, “
Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more. 5 Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations? 6 Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation!
For some reason, these people whose ancestors and even they had known such forgiveness, fell back into sin. The temptations were too hard, they ended up getting distracted from spending time with God, both individually and as a people, and they didn’t have the strength to be holy on their own…
And they started to be oppressed by sin again.
Sound familiar?
It should, it happens to all of us.
It might even be where we are this morning, as you sit there, wondering how to deal with whatever temptations you face.
And perhaps feeling guilty or ashamed at how you fell back under the spell of that sin.
- Ther Nature of holiness
While this should not be an excuse, I do believe that a portion of the problem is that we define holiness as a measurement based on behavior and not relationship.
We even talk about it that way, when we think of Spiritual disciplines or the spiritual exercises – as if they make us stronger, rather than building the relationship—building our trust and dependence on the Spirit’s guidance, and on the grace revealed in Christ.
That is what the Psalmist is asking God to restore and revive- not just the adherence to a set of rules, but a deep strong relationship and communication that has as a benefit the change of our behaviors.
Hear again Him speak of it, 8 I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. 9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.
That is holiness, that moment when you know God’s unfailing love and truth have declared you as cleansed, and His. That moment when we realize He is lifting the burden of every sin we have ever committed.
He speaks peace to His people…
His salvation is near…
- Go and Sin no more!
One last thing to deal with in this passage In the middle of that news of the gospel, there is a phrase, “let them not return to their foolish ways.” It brings to mind the words of Jesus to the lady caught in adultery who heard, “Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.”
That sounds like more law –- a command not to break and more of God’s commands, with the underlying threat of hell. If it is law, then we are going to have a problem, because we all struggle with sin, and we all struggle with falling back into old sinful thoughts and sinful habits.
But this is a statement of freedom—to help us realize the power of sin is shattered, that we are free to not sin—that we are free to live life – a holy life, separated to God. This is an encouragement to rejoice in this revival and renewal of our lives, and to live in the truth of the gospel.
My friends, the power of sin had over you is broken, you have been restored, and revived from the death it causes, so stay away from it! Live in these blessings, live in this peace. AMEN!
For the Joy Set Before Us, We’ll Carry the Cross! The Greater Joy Set Before us! A Lenten Sermon on Psalm 4
For the Joy Set Before Us, We’ll Carry the Cross!
The Greater Joy Set Before us!
Psalm 4
† In. Jesus Name †
May the grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ convince you to focus on that upcoming greater joy, and the hope it brings!
- The Illusion of “Better times”
The Psalm writer asks, “Who will show us better times?” which caused my mind to spin in two different ways.
One was to think – that question is at the heart of our culture today. That seems to be all we are after – a better time, one with less stress, less problems, more vacations and time to just “enjoy” life.
The other is walking down the strip in Las Vegas, where as you walk down the street, every casino’s lights cry for attention promising better times, and even some there offering a “good time.”
Of course, most of us know winning big in Vegas is as likely as me getting to be the president of the United States or the starting quarterback for the Rams, but we love the illusion, the idea that this could happen to me.. this time.
But most marketing works that way, whether for a political candidate or for a man’s body wash. I mean, will I really get 10 beautiful young ladies in bikinis chasing after me if I use Old Spice rather than Irish Spring? (And why would I want that – anyway?)
There is no doubt we were meant to experience joy, but that joy isn’t dependent on greater times… which is why the psalmist can say, “You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.”
Real joy is foundational to our lives, it doesn’t depend on our circumstances…. But that is a hard lesson to learn, even as we learn it doesn’t require better times.
- Why Does Our Reputation Matter?
I think my dad and some of his friends would appreciate the next section, or at least the way the Psalmist’s prayer begins,
1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Psalm 4:1-2
You see, reputation meant a lot to my dad and some of his friends, especially if they have served in the Marine Corps, or a part of the U.S. Navy that served alongside the Corp, as my dad and other corpsman did in the Korean War. For someone to try and damage another man’s reputation, or the Marine Corps’ reputation was the lowest thing you could do.
So I could see him resonating with this prayer, especially if he was highly frustrated and felt like correcting the situation beyond his ability. I can hear his version of it, quite clearly,
God – come and help now and free me from these people! All they want to do is destroy the reputation I have worked to hard to gain, and they do is accuse me of horrible things and lie about me! They need to stop breaking the 8th commandment – Lord – go get im!
We need to remember that not all the prayers in Psalms are examples of great prayers! They are truly what we may feel, and may be the deepest cries of our hearts, but they, like this one, they might be more self centered, more concerned with creating the illusion of the better life, than in revealing the brokenness that Jesus will heal.
- You are set apart
God responds with patience and love, but in a way that ensures the Psalmist knows his error,
3 You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. 4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
Far too often, the reaction to our reputation being attacked is one of anger, or simply a counterpunch to damage the other’s reputation.
The only way to overcome the emotional barrage, the reaction that seeks revenge and a removal of all troubles is to look at what God sets us apart for—a relationship with Him, that means that even though personally attacked, we are aware that God is our refuge and peace.
Then, rather than react, we can pray about it and be patient, silently knowing that God has it all under His control. That is the faith we are given, that God set us apart – that He makes us holy, for Himself.
And that patience and willingness to love, even though ridiculed and scorned becomes part of who we are, as we realize our unity with the death and resurrection of Jesus.
We don’t have to worry about our reputation, for we already saw that “God declares us innocent”, and we don’t have to search for better times, knowing eternity is coming, and that give us greater joy than anything else
And I can sleep!
So confident we become of God being our refuge that the last verse can become true,
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
For He is our God, who hears, and sets before us a joy of dwelling eternally in His presence. AMEN!
