Thanksgiving Day

Preached on November 26, 2015

St. Luke 12:13–21

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit –

Technically, Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday of November, is not a Church holiday. It was not a day picked by the Church or commemorating any special person or event in the Bible or Church history. It was picked by the U.S. government. But, we still have a church service today because the act of thanksgiving – giving thanks to God – is just what the Church does. We already do it, have always done it, and will always continue to give thanks to our God. Every Sunday, even every day, the Church gives thanks because it is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

There is also a similar point to make in regards to charitable giving. This time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas is known in our society as a season of giving to those less fortunate. And yet, once again, the fact that this happens at this time of year is not exactly determined by the Church. Furthermore, we Christians don’t give to charity at this time of year merely because it’s the expected thing to do in our society. But we give to charity because that’s just what the Church does – showing love to others and helping those in need. In fact, we should seriously consider that especially Christians need to be doing this throughout the year, since the poor are so often forgotten by our society once Thanksgiving and Christmas are past.

Giving thanks to God and charity to others is the activity of the Christian Church. It comes from a heart redeemed and filled by our God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). It’s not done reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). And not only do Christians give thanks to God and charity to others as individuals – but we do it together as the whole Church of God. We in the Church know how to do all this better than anyone. And we should also be the ones to teach others – how to give thanks and how to love and take care of those in need.

One reason the Church should be society’s teacher when it comes to thanksgiving, is that our society knows how to feel grateful, but doesn’t actually recognize the Giver. It is not enough to simply feel grateful in one’s heart, or even to express that gratefulness in general. Our mothers must teach us to express our thanks to the grandparents, aunts and uncles who gave us our presents. We need to write the thank you notes or call them on the phone. So also, feeling grateful needs to be voiced to the true Giver of the gift – we give thanks, we say and sing our thanks to God.

In contrast, look at the rich farmer in Jesus’ parable. His land produced plentifully and he was grateful. His sin was not that he was ungrateful, but his sin was that he was grateful to the wrong person. He gave thanks to himself. He was satisfied in himself and in his possessions – what he perceived were his by right and by his own effort and success. However, this kind of thanksgiving is not a happy one. Rather than rejoicing in the plenty he was given, he took his abundance as a crisis. He feared that he would lose what he had (neglecting the fact that it was sheer gift that he should have it at all). Faced with what should have been an occasion for joy and thanksgiving, he cried, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?”

Such an undeserved bounty should have made him a cheerful giver: “What a wonderful problem! I have too much for myself and can give more away to others in need!” The bellies of the poor are far better storerooms than our barns. * But sadly, that is not what he did. Rather than rejoice and revel in giving it away, he stored up for himself. Rather than being happy to store up treasure in heaven with God by giving his earthly treasure to the poor, he hoarded perishable crops in perishable barns and so perished himself.

The Church must step in and teach how to give thanks and how to give away. Only the Church truly knows how to do this because only the Church knows Jesus. He not only shows us how to give thanks to God His Father, but He also gives Himself away to us and to the world. Jesus alone is the One who has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever (2 Cor. 9:9; Ps. 112:9). He died for every sin of every sinner, even for those who would never even try to pay Him back, even for those who would never believe. That is the lavishness of His love. And out of His very own love and joy He freely distributes His grace to all who believe. He emptied Himself on the cross for us and He continues to empty the richness of His righteousness into us poor sinners, filling us up and never running out, for His righteousness endures forever.

It is with this joyful knowledge, this joyful fullness of God’s gifts, that the Church can cheerfully give her riches away. When one of the pagan Roman Emperors desired to seize the Church’s wealth, he went to Lawrence, the deacon in Rome who was in charge of the Church’s treasury. The Emperor ordered him to bring out the treasure of the Church. But Lawrence had previously given it all away to the poor. So Lawrence brought before the Emperor the blind, the crippled, the orphans, and all those poor people whose lives had been touched by Christian charity. “Here is the treasure of the Church,” Lawrence said. That’s what the Church values above all in this creation – those redeemed by Christ, and so the Church desires above all to serve them just as Christ serves us.

Of course the Church has been helping the poor even before St. Lawrence. When St. Paul writes to the Corinthians about being cheerful givers, he is talking about their charity to the poor brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. And here he also teaches how giving to others and giving thanks to God are joined together. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God (2 Cor. 9:11–12). The gifts of God have a way of circling back to Him. When we give to others as Christ has given to us, those recipients then also turn to God and give thanks back to Him. The abundance of God’s generous gifts are constantly rebounding in thanksgiving and praise. By giving to others, not only do we provide for their needs, but we multiply the songs of thanks and praise heard before God’s throne.

And besides, what better way could there be to thank our God than by following Him – by imitating our Lord’s self-giving love? The Corinthians were charitable because of their submission, their humility before God the Giver of all that they have. Their submissive, humble attitude flowed from their confession of the Gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 9:13). So also, our humble charity flows out of our faith in the Gospel, the faith that we confess: Christ gave Himself for me. I am rich in Him. What more joyful message could inspire our hearts to give to others and to overflow in thanks and praise to this most gracious God?

The cheerful giver is the one who for the joy of it all cannot help but give away what he has received. Like the soldier or college student who receives a care package from home and wants to share the goodness with his friends, so the Christian, and the whole Church together, cheerfully gives to others having received everything from this bounteous God. It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God. And most especially are we bound to praise You for salvation in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Really, it’s almost too much to put into words. Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

In the Holy + Name of Jesus –

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte, IA

* St. Augustine, Ancient Christian Commentary: Luke, 208.

Last Sunday of the Church Year

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

St. Matthew 25:1–13

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit –

“Peace and Security!” That was the slogan circulating at the church of the Thessalonians. We’ve heard similar slogans in our day, haven’t we? We use them on Facebook and Twitter. We hear them from our favorite Media personalities. We hear them from our president and from foreign presidents. We are all looking for peace and security. Every single candidate running for office promises to be the one who will bring peace and security to our country. It’s a political slogan that’s been around as long as there have been politics.

The problem with saying “peace and security” is, if in reality, there isn’t any. The Old Testament rulers of Judah promised peace and security, but the prophets warned that the opposite was coming: Babylonian armies surrounding Jerusalem, war, and captivity. Who are the unnamed “they” in Thessalonians – the ones who make such false promises? Could “they” also be us? Peace and security for America? With walls on the border, and drone strikes, or higher taxes and increasing welfare. Just ignore the threats of an evil religion and insist on tolerance. Or peace and security for Immanuel, Charlotte? With more people in the pews, more money in the plates. Just don’t offend people by talking about sins. Are these the things we think make for peace and security? Where have we placed our trust?

All of these things come from our own doing, instead of from the Lord’s doing. And everything that comes from our own doing is shaky and insecure. It cannot last and it cannot save – it ends in destruction. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. When our attention and confidence is on our works and our plans, then destruction comes. And there is no escaping when the birth pains begin. When the woman goes into labor and the baby is coming it doesn’t matter if you’re ready at the hospital or not. Or think of it another way: the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. The point here is not what the thief does – our Lord is not a robber who hurts and steals – But the point is when the thief comes. You don’t know when! Thieves don’t make appointments. And at night it’s most likely he’ll catch you unawares while you’re sleeping.

It’s generally true what Paul says here about the night: Sleeping and getting drunk happen at night. That means, sleeping and getting drunk are the opposite of being awake, and being sober, that is, being watchful, thinking clearly. All of this is running with Paul’s metaphor for the Last Day, the Day of the Lord: The thief coming at night and the birth pains are like the coming of the Day of Lord. And for those that are sleeping and drunk, meaning, for those not watching, for those looking for peace and security from man and from their own plans, for those who are of darkness and night, that Day is one of destruction for them. That Day is wrath. But! You are not of darkness, brothers and sisters. You are children of light. You are children of the Day!

Paul is really a masterful writer, in how he weaves his metaphors together: inescapable birth pains, inescapable and unknowable thief, thief at night is like the Day of the Lord. You are children of the Day. But what Paul means when he says, we belong to the Day, is not just some general idea of day vs. night, or darkness vs. light. That’s part of his metaphor. But Paul is talking about a specific Day, a real Day. The reality is you are children of THE DAY – the Last Day. The Day of the Lord is part of your identity. You belong to that Day, even though it is still in your future.

The wakeful and sober watching for that Day is not of our own doing for that would be shaky and insecure. But the watchfulness goes with the armor: the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. All this given to you as gifts from the Lord. For you who believe, the Day of the Lord does not come with wrath but with salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. He has already given this salvation to you. That’s the Gospel. The Day of the Lord, the Day of salvation first happened at your baptism. In the water and in the Name of the Lord, the judgment of Judgment Day was handed down: your sins are forgiven, you are sons and daughters of God, children of Light, children of the Day. All we wait and watch for is the Day when that judgment is made for all the world to see and hear. All we wait and watch for is the Day when salvation is seen for what it already is: the victory of God in Christ Jesus who died, is risen, and is coming again. On that Day salvation will be complete.

We should still probably say something here about those virgins in Jesus’ parable. The difference between the five foolish virgins and the five wise virgins was not something in themselves. Any works, plans, or ideas that come from us are always shaky and insecure. But the foolish virgins were foolish because they went out with lamps to meet the Bridegroom but with no oil. Lamps with no oil won’t do you any good. They were not prepared for the Bridegroom’s coming. They didn’t believe. They were children of the night and of darkness. On the other hand, the wise virgins were prepared. They knew what they were going out to do and they were ready – they believed. They had their lamps and they had oil for those lamps. They were already children of the Day. Their welcome into the wedding feast was set when they came out ready with lamp and oil. It didn’t matter how long the Bridegroom was delayed, they were ready. There was no surprise for them on Judgment Day, just as there will be no surprise for you who believe now. The Lord prepares you for His coming by giving you faith and keeping it alive. You listen to His Word and watch for His coming. By faith in Christ, you already belong to the Day of the Lord.

Until that Day, we trust in the Lord, our God of peace and security everlasting. When the Lord makes peace it is never shaky. His promises are secure. He gives us salvation so that whether we are awake or asleep, saints in heaven or saints here below, we live with Him. By our Lord’s death and resurrection, by grace, by His Word of forgiveness, by His Holy Supper, we have true peace and security. The living Body and Blood that will stand upon the earth for all to see is the same living Body and Blood that you receive now hidden under the bread and wine. The Son of God who will come again is the same Son of God who comes and gives Himself to you now. And what He gives you now hidden in His Supper: forgiveness, peace, eternal life, He will give the same to you then, on that Day, not hidden, but brought out into the light of that Day.

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up. The Last Day is for your encouragement – it’s the Lord’s Day for you. Because He is coming to save you. Hear this final word from Paul: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. (5:23-24)           

Come quickly + Lord Jesus –

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte, IA

November 22, 2015

24th Sunday after Trinity

St. Matthew 9:18–26

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit –

In today’s Gospel there are two daughters. One daughter has just died. The other one has been dying for twelve years. The young daughter has a grieving father, but he still has hope in Jesus who can raise the dead. The other daughter knows she has a loving Father in heaven and so she has hope for healing through the Father’s beloved Son who has come in the flesh.

That older daughter, who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. Now, please be sure to realize that faith in general or faith on its own has no power to make you well or save you. Your faith is only as strong as the God (or idol) you put your faith in. But her faith, this woman’s faith made her well, and even saved her from everlasting death, because her faith was in Jesus. Her faith was in the promised Messiah – God in the flesh – of whom it was prophesied by Malachi: The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. (Mal. 4:2) She had a certain, confident hope that the Messiah would bring healing for her, and she had faith that this man, Jesus, was that very Messiah, her Lord.

Her faith in Jesus is why He calls her a daughter. She is a faithful representative of the Church: God the Father’s daughter and Christ’s bride. She is given the royal title that the prophets had given to Israel, the Church of the Old Testament: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he.” (Zech. 9:9) Now, finally, her King had come, and He saved her, this beloved daughter of Zion.

But the other daughter had just died. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house [He] saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion. Now some people will try to tell you that Christians should not cry. That Christians should be happy all the time, have joy down in the heart, and never mourn. Some will say (or at least imply) that if you are sad, you don’t have enough faith. But remember, faith is weak, no matter “how much” you have, if your faith is in an idol. And faith is strong, even the tiniest bit of faith is strong, if you trust in the Lord Jesus who conquered death.

What’s more, it is OK for Christians to cry at the death of a loved one or even at the death of strangers on the other side of an ocean. It is even right for us to mourn, because death is wrong. Let me say that again, death is wrong. We realize this easily when a child dies or when hundreds are killed by bombs. But death is always wrong. It’s not a natural part of life. Death is quite obviously the exact opposite of life. Death was not part of God’s plan for us. He created us to have life. Death is God’s punishment for sin. The only reason death even exists in the world is our sin, our rebellion against God. We deserve nothing but the end of this earthly life and eternal death in hell. So when death takes someone, we cry. We mourn because a sinner has died and one day we will die also.

And yet, Jesus came with a word of hope. He said to the mourners, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” This sounds strange. It sounds like a lie. But Jesus only speaks the Truth. And He gives hope – confident, certain hope – just as St. Paul also says in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4: We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thess. 4:13–14) So we grieve but not without hope. Even through our tears, despite our tears now, we have a confident hope for the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come.

Our hope will not be disappointed because Jesus lives. The Messiah, our Lord, died to take away our sin, and so He has also taken away our punishment for sin. His death destroyed death. He rose and lives forever. So we who have faith in Him will also rise and live forever. Saying that the Christian who has died is asleep is not a lie. Death is the lie – it has already lost. And the Truth that has victory over that lie is the Truth that Jesus lives. Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Cor. 15:20) All who die in Christ, who die in the faith, are merely asleep in Him. Death cannot have them. They live, even while their bodies slumber. And Christ will raise them from death as easily as waking them up from sleep.

This is the foundation for our hope in the face of death. It’s the hope that the dead daughter’s father had in Jesus. Hope that we have for our loved ones who have died. This is why we have hope for ourselves even in the face of our own deaths. Even in the midst of this vale of tears, surrounded by cancer and terrorist attacks and car accidents, we have hope because Jesus lives. And death is just a slumber. Our Lord will take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven. For a little while our bodies will sleep in their little beds under the ground. But they sleep in hope. And whether we are awake or asleep we live with Christ. (1 Thess. 5:10)

At last, the Day of the Lord will come. Your faith will be fulfilled. It’s the same faith that the woman had who was healed and called God’s daughter. Your hope will not be disappointed. It’s the same hope that the father had who received his daughter back from the dead. That Last Day will dawn and your Lord will return. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Your King comes to you. He heals you with the touch of His holy Body. He forgives your sin and gives life with the pouring out of His holy Blood. On that Day He will come with perfect healing. Do not grieve without hope. The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Is. 51:11) Hope in the Lord, O Daughter of Zion. Your Lord who died is the Lord who lives and is coming again. He will take you by the hand and awaken you from sleep. Your eyes will open and You will see His glorious face.

Come quickly + Lord Jesus –

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte, IA

November 15, 2015