New Life

With spring comes new life to the world. Three days ago I found this baby robin in our flower bed. Upon my first discovery of this little baby it showed no fear. Now it hides in the bushes while Daddy and Momma do their best to draw my attention to them.

New Sermon Archive Format

I have redesigned the 2007-2008 sermons archive page in the hope of making access to the year’s sermons easier. Now all the sermons for the year are available for selection from one page rather than selecting by seasons of the Church Year.

What Will I Find Today?

Yesterday, as I was trimming bushes for a customer, I encountered what is pictured below.



Before finding this litter of five kittens I heard a very disconcerting sound. Momma kitty growled with such a low pitch and fierce growl that a shiver ran up my spine. Such sounds are not what I generally encounter coming from a bush! She ran half way across the yard, stopped to stare at me, and then disappeared. I told her that she scared me, but also acknowledged that I probably scared her even more. She turned and disappeared.

I wondered why she would act as she did and began to look for an answer, very cautiously, not knowing what to expect. Then I saw the five little balls of fur wriggling and trying to look up. Their eyes were not yet fully opened, mere slits staring up at me. Their little legs were too weak and frail for them to stand and run away. I was glad to discover them, for I could easily have stepped on them unaware of their presence, as Momma had carefully hidden them under the branches of the bushes. One step from within my big boot would surely have injured all five.

As I began speaking to the little ones, they became comfortable with my presence, even attempting to crawl to me by the end of our encounter.

This makes me ponder how it is with the Lord and us. We are unable to find Him, but He comes to us and comforts us with His voice through the preaching office. We hear His Fatherly attitude toward us and we learn that the fear that we are to have of Him is not one of terror, but a holy fear that engenders trust. Sadly, however, because we often have such poor discernment, other voices can be mistaken as His. Thus we need to be cautious, working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Always alert, we will search the Scriptures concerning every voice, to be certain that we are being led always and only to the pure administration of the Gospel and Sacraments. Then we may rest peacefully in God’s tender care.

Chuck Baldwin Interview

Finally, an intelligent, articulate, constitutional, and credible candidate!



This video and other discussions are also available at Chuck Baldwin For President Forum and Freedom Money Bomb.

Public Educational Institutions versus Faith in God

In an article at WorldNetDaily entitled:

BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
Prof to student: Keep the faith, lose the grade
Teacher thinks it's his job to get class to change personal beliefs

it is reported that a student at Suffolk County Community College, Gina DeLuca, is being punished by her professor for her consistent expression of her belief in God.

The American Center for Law and Justice, ACLJ, is calling for concerned citizens to sign an online petition of protest.


The ACLJ has added this update.

Dean Martin & John Wayne Tribute

Today, while visiting the Kansans for Life PAC website, I saw this little nostalgic tribute by Dean Martin and John Wayne.

A Candidate for President

The Constitution Party had its nomination convention at the end of April and now has its nominee for the upcoming presidential election for the United States of America.

Chuck Baldwin was nominated for President and his Vice Presidential running mate is Darrell Castle, an attorney and Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran from Memphis, Tennessee.

Chuck has published a column in which he states what he will do if elected as the President of the United States. You can read his column at “If I Were President”.

Also of interest is the Constitution Party’s platform.

I have mentioned this platform in a previous post entitled, Constitution Party Platform. At that time I knew considerably less about the Constitution Party, but I have since learned more about it and I believe that I now have a party with which I agree in most areas. It certainly represents what I know of the Constitution far better than either the Democrat or Republican parties and their candidates do.

I offer this post and the accompanying links for any who would like to investigate Candidate Baldwin’s and the Constitution Party’s positions.

Pro-Choice

The so-called Pro-Choice movement leaves a person who ponders this objectively wondering how on earth such an atrocious lie could be blindly accepted by so many.

If at any stage the baby’s choice is considered, what would that choice be?

Those seeking to eliminate the baby’s choice had MANY opportunities to choose prior to the baby’s conception. But what choice is afforded the baby in this matter?

When you ponder this matter, at what point in your conception would you judge that your mother should have been granted the authority to terminate your development?

I have seen bumper stickers that say,

I’m PRO-CHOICE and I VOTE!

Bewildering!

Abortion Not Covered in the Constitution?

Scalia: Abortion not a court issue was the first headline in today’s Wichita Eagle.

This article gave very little actual context, in fact, it hardly quoted any complete sentences, so I checked a little further. The following is from Scalia Is Wrong About Abortion by Joseph Farah:

"The reality is the Constitution doesn't address the subject at all," he said. "It is one of the many subjects not in the Constitution which is therefore left to democracy. If you want the right to an abortion, persuade your fellow citizens it's a good idea, and pass a law. If you feel the other way, repeal the law."

This quote gives enough context to get the sense of what the acclaimed Supreme Court Justice is intending to convey. This is quite concerning, considering his claim and reputation as a “conservative” and “originalist” regarding the Constitution.

Consider these portions from the Constitution, which Mr. Farah also rightly quotes and applies the Preamble and the Fifth Amendment in his article.


Preamble:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote
the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America.

Amendment V.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of
a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval
forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of
War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for
the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor shall private property be
taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment XIV.

SECTION 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United
States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall
make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall
any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor deny to any person within
its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.



The Preamble specifically declares that the entire Constitution is written for both those writing it and living under it at its writing AND for our Posterity, that is, the UNBORN.

How exactly does this not apply to providing “for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty” for our posterity? How is the protection of the unborn from being raped and tortured and ripped to pieces not covered by this Constitution?

Joseph Farah’s article Scalia Is Wrong About Abortion is a worthy read.

Additionally, Fetal Development gives a beautiful chronology of the development of the human baby or fetus. For example, do you know when your heart began to beat? Check it out!

Michael Clancy, a professional photographer, was present to observe and photograph a spina bifida corrective in utero surgery. When the mother’s uterus was incised, little Samuel Armas reached out toward the surgeon. Michael captured the event. The photograph below shows the tiny 21 week old reaching out with his hand and grasping hold of the surgeon’s finger. The full story with slide show is available at Samuel Armas’ hand.


Clearly this shows that little Samuel Armas was fully one who is included in the protection of the United States' Constitution.

But what would have happened to little Samuel if his mother had not loved him?

THIS is why the Constitution includes our posterity in the declaration of those for whom it is written.

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Technorati Tags: +abortion, life, hope, Constitution, Scalia, protection, unborn, posterity

The Lord Is Good to Those Who Wait

From today’s Old Testament Reading, the concluding statement is made:

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

The Lord is good to everyone, for the Lord IS good. But to those who wait, those who look to Him in faith, the goodness of the Lord is manifested.

Those who hear the Word of God and decide that they need to act for themselves, such people do not see the goodness of the Lord. Difficulties present themselves and people imagine that they must overcome them by themselves. They seek ways to avoid the troubles, avoiding the necessity of picking up their crosses daily. They invent for themselves avenues of escape. Often these even have the appearance of being very noble. Other times they involve compromise or even worse.

Faith is the activity necessary, but faith is not something that we do. Faith is what God works in us, a work by which God empowers us to believe, to trust both in Him and on Him. Faith is not a work that we do, but it does produce works in us.

We tend to confuse this matter for ourselves. We think that we must produce faith by certain works. Then we look to ourselves and our own efforts rather than looking to the Lord. Because of this we become impatient and rather than waiting for Him to act we try to make things happen for ourselves. We imagine that we must choose to follow Him and that we must decide to believe in Him. We imagine that we must make Him the center of our lives and that we must commit our lives to Him. This leads to frustration when we discover that we do not have the power to do these things for ourselves. Then we pray harder and devise schemes by which we hope to induce ourselves to be more devoted.

But these things that we seek to make happen for ourselves come only by faith, not by works. The works that we desire to do are fruits of Faith, not the other way around.

The reason that faith is effective is because it is the gift of God, and not of ourselves. It is given by God as our possession, but it is His work nonetheless. And that is why faith does not fail us.

When we wait on the Lord we learn this. When we wait quietly on Him we see that He truly is Good to those who wait.

Today’s sermon explains this text further.

Jayhawks and the Resurrection

Jayhawks and
the Resurrection

This week the KU Jayhawks had a very exciting time. Kansas still resounds with the exhilaration of the comeback that was experienced in the championship game. Down by enough points that KU fans thought that their team had been buried and were without hope, hope nevertheless lived on. With only a little more than two minutes remaining the chasm was narrowed to only three points. With only seconds remaining, a three pointer was made and the game was extended into overtime and with that a resurrection-like overturn developed before the eyes of the onlookers.

But already the excitement is beginning to fade. Before long this seemingly miraculous event will be only a memory. It will be a fond memory for Jayhawks, but nothing but a memory.

The Jayhawk chant will live on in future games and will periodically rise from the hearts and pass over the lips of loyal Jayhawks. If you are curious about the history of this almost liturgical chant, check it out here or to hear it click here.

As exciting as this game and victory are to Jayhawks, there is another victory that is not a game. There is a Resurrection that is more than a memory and does not fade in significance.

The Resurrection of our Lord must have been a surprise to the disciples. In fact, the Gospel accounts inform us that even upon seeing Him alive who once was dead, some still doubted. But hearing His voice they were comforted and they confessed His Resurrection.

For those who encounter the risen Lord through Word and Sacrament, this is far more than an emotional experience and far greater than a fond memory. The Resurrection of our Lord is life from death. He who gave Himself into death for us Has risen from the dead for us also. He who took the Sin of the world and suffered its condemnation has risen in glory never to die again. He has risen to rule in righteousness on our behalf. He has risen to guarantee that even the darkest moments of our lives in this world shall never become moments of despair and hopelessness. He has risen to guarantee that not only has He taken our sins away, but that He has also restored to us the life that was surrendered to the power of sin.

So we have the gift of salvation poured out in Baptism, as St. Peter declares in Acts 2:38-39 and 1 Peter 3:21. We have the ongoing Communion administered to us in the gifts of His body and blood. The Liturgy that we chant is more than a cheer that springs forth from emotions, but is the very Word and Promise of God given through the holy office and repeated in faith by those who receive it. Truly the Lord’s resurrection has changed the world and has restored life and hope for all to believe.

God grant that this blessed hope live on in you, not as mere sentimental symbolism, but as the means of grace that deliver what God has promised and fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Misericordias Domini

Misericordias Domini = the mercy of God.

The first words of the Introit for the Second Sunday after Easter are from the second half of Psalm 33:5

The earth is full of the mercy of Lord.

This Introit is chosen in connection with the pericopal readings that direct us to know the Lord as our Shepherd. This week’s sermon from the Gospel reading focuses upon this as well, but in this post I wish to focus upon the last sentence of the Epistle reading from 1 Peter 2:21-25,

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Truly this sets the mercy of God, Misericordias Domini, in its proper perspective. The mercy of God is entirely unidirectional. It is an entirely one-sided mercy, as true mercy must be. Easter, the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord, is truly a glorious demonstration of this. From beginning to end, our salvation is the result of God’s mercy. God gave His only-begotten Son for the sake of the world that we might be saved by grace through faith. God foretold these events by which our salvation would be procured. God brought all things to fruition. God in the flesh willingly suffered the Sin of the world, carrying it in His own person, to the cross and grave. God in the flesh raised His body again. He appeared in the flesh to show His disciples the reality of everlasting life and to carry our humanity to the throne of God both to intercede for us and to judge us according to His own righteousness. He established His Church on earth, equipped with the office of the ministry so that the ministry would be carried out and that we would hear the preaching of the pure Gospel and be washed with the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit and fed and kept in the unity of His body and the forgiveness of His blood.

This all is His doing.

Thus Saint Peter refers to us as those who “are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Notice that this is a passive verb. We do not return to the Lord, but rather we are returned to Him. As the Shepherd, He seeks us out and brings us back into His fold. There we are kept safe by the peace of God that surpasses all understanding as we partake of His Holy Communion until He comes again.

Proud Conservative Liberal Republican

It seems extremely unlikely that Senator McCain intended to give such an accurate or precise self-definition.



Nevertheless, this is very much the definition that anyone paying attention formulates regarding the senator. Certainly there are others in the Republican Party who are even more liberal. Thus he is indeed a conservative Liberal Republican.

Those public figures who not long ago denounced McCain have changed their tune. Surprised? Me neither.

Now they say that Senator McCain has “listened to the people.” He has made promises that align himself with the will of the conservatives in the Republican Party.

Is that the kind of president that we really want? Do we really want a president who will make promises that counter what he really believes? Do we want someone who will ask us what is right and good?

As for myself, I want a president who clearly states what he believes and stands unmoved upon those principles. I want a president who LEADS by what he says and does rather than one who follows the perceived will of the people long enough to get elected. I want a president who has a history of holding to the principles upon which this nation was founded, holding to them not for the sake of pleasing others and persuading others to support him, but holding to them because he believes that they are the life of the nation. I want a president who will stand tall as a beacon by which others will be directed to the safety of unity under God.

In seeking a candidate whom I may support confidently with my vote, I want a candidate who does not have to try to persuade me that he is conservative and trustworthy. I want a presidential candidate who by his past actions and statements as well as his current actions and statements leaves me without doubt that he is the right man for the office.

If every voter who claims to be conservative and supportive of the US Constitution were to vote according to conscience, supporting such a candidate, even though from a third party, that person would be elected. There are still enough people in this nation who still believe in the principles by which this nation and people have been blessed that if we all united behind a worthy candidate, we could truly make our voices heard.

Isn’t it time that we stop looking to others to speak for us?

Stupid Welfare Mentality

Yesterday afternoon, a dear friend and business associate did me a big favor, meeting me at a WalMart parking lot to finalize the arrangement. While we were standing beside our trucks, a lady walked up and presented to us beaded key chains with notes attached indicating that she was deaf and was selling these for $2.00 each.

I gave her $2.00 and declined the key chain, not needing one but not having the heart to turn down a deaf person seeking to earn some money. My friend had a handful of change and gave her that, also declining the key chain.

Today as I thought about this I realized that I should have received the key chain or declined the offer altogether. What I did was exactly the same foolishness that the government does with its welfare mentality.

While I cannot know for certain that this woman’s claim to deafness is legitimate and not scamming people, what I saw in her eyes told me that I had made a mistake. I sensed it at the time and have realized it more fully the day after.

What was my mistake? I robbed this lady of the joy of producing something and receiving compensation in exchange for her product. I robbed her of the dignity of contributing to society by working and putting her ingenuity into practice. Her eyes showed disappointment, but then she gave a gracious gesture of thanks with her hand and mouth.

At the time my actions seemed like the loving thing to do. In retrospect I see that this was not a gesture of true love. Love would have shown this lady genuine respect. What I did was really to demean her and to discount her attempt at productivity. My action was one of wanting to do the right thing, which is not the same as acting in response to true love.

Now I can certainly name a number of things about this situation that call her motives and her approach into question. That is not the point. Even if she were a scam artist, my actions and motives are the point. There is a lesson in this, from which I hope to learn and to grow.

How Do They Survive?

April Fools Day?

It is said that reality can be stranger than fiction,
or perhaps harder to believe.












How do they survive?

Actually, Grandma was kinda cute. I can relate to her moment of absence of mind. But the other three? It is hard even to feel sorry for such putting to the test of the grace of God.

Apparently He agrees.

Matthew 4:5-7

The Christian Vote

In a country where the citizens are given the opportunity to vote, a very special privilege and duty is entrusted to the citizenry and to each citizen. It seems, however, that very few citizens actually remember today what a vote really is.

The first two listings for vote in the American Heritage Dictionary are:

* a. A formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue.
* b. A means by which such a preference is made known, such as a raised hand or a marked ballot.

The vote is the citizen’s voice. It is the citizen’s opportunity to stand publicly for what that citizen believes. The vote is the opportunity to have a say in the way that the nation’s and society’s life is ordered. It is the person’s expression of what is right and good, not only for self, but for family, friends, neighbors, for all.

So what does a citizen actually say when that citizen votes for a person that does not stand with the same principles? What does the citizen say when a vote is cast for the lesser of two evils?

On what does a citizen stand when such a vote is cast?

The answer seems to be “winning.”

So what does the citizenry win when a vote is cast for the lesser of two evils?

Some Christians argue that we always cast a vote for the lesser of two evils since all human beings are sinners and all human beings have faults and make errors in judgment.

Well, isn’t that clever? Since all people are sinners and make bad judgments the conclusion is that no one can ever actually stand for what is right and good.

This is ludicrous reasoning. This is the reasoning that has resulted in the kind of politics and politicians that we have today, politics and politicians who say whatever sounds good at the moment but are never held accountable by the people and so they lie and change their promises from minute to minute.

What is worse is that people have started listening to the voices on the radio, voices that actually encourage the voters to be like the politicians. One such clever strategist has named himself the commander of “operation chaos.” Since his party of choice can no longer be called conservative and no longer stands for anything, now, rather than encouraging people to vote for a candidate with conservative principles, now he encourages people to try to cause chaos in the other party by voting in that party.

Why? Why would someone promote such dishonesty? The answer lies in the title that he has claimed for himself. It is about gathering followers to himself.

The really sad point is that people do follow him and boast of their mischief. They speak of themselves as liars and as dishonest and then pride themselves as taking one for the cause.

What cause?

WHAT CAUSE?

They hate themselves for remaining with a party that is represented by someone they distrust, someone who openly undermines what they believe. So what is their answer? To cause trouble in the other party.

Why not let go of the party and take a stand for what is right? Why not let John McCain have the Republican Party? Why not let the dueling duo have the Democrat Party?

Why not stand back from both parties and regroup? What does anyone win by preserving a party that no longer stands for the principles on which it was founded?

What is worse is that people would rather cause trouble when the nation needs to be reunited in the principles that made this nation strong.

Voting is not about one side or another winning. Voting is the voice of the citizenry. It is that which makes this a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people, rather than a battleground for politicians who care only about being elected at the expense of the citizenry.

Do the American people really want to follow the ways of the politicians, or do they want to have the politicians follow the voice of the people? Once upon a time in this nation the people claimed to follow a voice that was greater than their own, a truly reliable voice. When this was their claim, this nation called itself and was known throughout the world as a Christian nation.

Isn’t it time for the citizenry to remember and hear again the voice by which this nation has been blessed beyond that of any nation in history? Isn’t it time for the people of this nation to stop giving their voice away to leadership that leads us in the opposite direction of what we know to be right and true? Isn’t time for the citizenry of this nation to take back their voice and be heard again over the ruckus of the corruption of the media and the politicians?

* Religion is for the weak... *

The video is brief and to the point. You can view it at Religion is for the weak . . ..

This individual shares his belief that those who embrace religion or faith are weak. He says that there are two kinds of religious people: those who are born with it because their parents believed; and those who fall upon hard times and are vulnerable and need to believe in something and that gives them strength. He concludes that it is therefore “a strength from delusion and in that sense it’s for the weak people.”

Curiously, in this 32 second video this self proclaimed “non-believer” uses the phrase “I believe” twice and “I feel” (an oft misused pseudonym for belief) once.

“I believe . . .”

“I believe . . .”

“I feel . . .”

Naturally, in perfect accord with his belief system, his profession of faith in non-belief is based purely upon his own very limited experience and perception and without a single statement of fact, but only upon his own opinion and beliefs and feelings.

Could this be counted as delusional?

Entering into debate with someone who has already made up one’s mind, someone who has already clearly stated a commitment to a belief system, is of course, nearly always nonproductive. Such is the way with any attempt to debate a person of the religion of atheism of anything factual.

However, it is very interesting to note that this atheist’s statements are true. What he chooses to do with the truth is false, but he does make true statements.

First, many if not even most religious people are “born with it.” Such people believe because their parents believe. If this is the only basis for the person’s faith, then this is indeed a delusion and has approximately the same value as the beliefs of the atheists. This kind of believing does in fact exist on the basis of a delusion that gives only a false hope.

Secondly, the atheist speaks truly when he says that we who turn to the faith do so because we are weak. But the atheist is wrong in feeling that this is a delusion. Such a conclusion is nothing but allowing one’s emotions to rule over one’s reason. The truth is that in expressing this and then following it the atheist admits fear of facing the truth. For human beings truly are weak and unable to make things right or safe or happy or anything else that one wishes to change. Even one’s own feelings are not completely under the individual’s own control.

Yes, we who are not delusional admit our weaknesses and our dependency upon the One who is strong to save. We have His written record of His gracious will toward us and His mighty acts of salvation. We have the evidence of nature that points to Him and His creative acts as well as His continual providence. We have His Church that has existed and provided safe haven for the weak ever since the beginning of time. We have eyewitness accounts from those who personally observed the life of God in the flesh, who lived and worked mighty signs and wonders, who preached peace and forgiveness, who sacrificed Himself and then rose again from the dead and ascended to the throne of glory. We have the witness of the Holy Spirit, who speaks to our conscience and strengthens our heart. We have the Sacraments by which forgiveness and life and peace are received.

So to the atheist who says that I am weak, I respond with a hearty “Amen!” And to the Lord who says to me, “Come, and I will give you rest from your weariness and from your heavy burdens,” I again respond with a hearty “Amen!”

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Technorati Tags: +atheism, weakness, non-believer, faith, hope, peace, delusion

The Easter Yeahbut

Did you encounter the Easter Yeahbut this year?

Many people did. In fact, we all encounter him at various times and need to chase him out of the garden of our lives so that he does not eat up the fruits and produce of the true faith. Sadly, however, for many, the Easter Yeahbut is a welcomed guest.

The glorious message of Easter is the promise of the Resurrection of our Lord. The promise is the proclamation of the Lord’s death till He comes, and this proclamation is the Holy Communion. Since the Lord Jesus redeemed us from the powers of sin, death, and the devil by sacrificing Himself in our place, His gift of restoration to life in God’s Holy Communion is accomplished for us in Baptism so that we may come to the Lord’s Table in the good conscience of our baptism and partake of the body and blood of our Lord for our forgiveness and our nurturing in His kingdom.

All of this is by the working of the Holy Spirit through the Word and the Sacraments. All of this is a gift. God works it for us and we enjoy the fruits of His works.

Often people refer to this as salvation by grace through faith. They express a hearty “Amen” and shout “Hallelujah” to the good news!

However, then the Easter Yeahbut comes forward and lays his Yeahbut eggs all around. Then people say “Yeahbut” to God’s gift and the good news that our new life is purely God’s work. They say, “Yeahbut, I have to cooperate using my free will, don’t I?” “Yeahbut, I must decide to believe, mustn’t I?” “Yeahbut, I must commit my life to Jesus, mustn’t I? “Yeahbut, I have to believe, don’t I? “Yeahbut, I have to make Christ the center of my life, don’t I?

The Easter Yeahbut is very prolific. He seems to have an endless capacity to produce Yeahbut eggs and he seems to have lots and lots of Yeahbut assistants, because these Yeahbut eggs seem to be everywhere.

Even to the clear promises of Baptism and the Holy Communion the Yeahbuts bring forth disconcerting arguments. The Scriptures plainly declare that Baptism saves us, like in Acts 2:38-39 and in Titus 3 and in 1 Peter 3:21, and people read these clear promises of God and respond, “Yeahbut, these passages don’t mean what they say. These mean to say that Baptism symbolizes the salvation that Jesus won for me and that I choose to accept from Him.” There are many other Yeahbut arguments regarding matters of the true faith and regarding the life that God gives to us. The Lord’s Supper receives all kinds of Yeahbut responses. The Easter Yeahbut seems to spread responses of doubt to every article of faith declared in the Scriptures.

But the Easter Yeahbut is very friendly. He is very good friends with the Old Adam and with all who are of his family. Anyone with a personal interpretation of the Scriptures, anyone with contemporary ideas about how to win people for Christ and how to make the Church more appealing, anyone with an agenda of satisfying felt needs and accepting people where they are, will immediately receive the Easter Yeahbut as a close and trusted friend.

So be on guard. The next time that you encounter the Easter Yeahbut or find one of his eggs lying around, remember the one whom the Easter Gospel proclaims. There are no yeahbuts in the Holy Scriptures. There are no yeahbuts in the kingdom of God. In Christ God’s promises are all “Yes and Amen!” (2 Corinthians 1-18-20)

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Technorati Tags: +Easter, Easter Rabbit, Resurrection, Baptism, Lord's Supper, Holy Communion

The Hallelujahs Return!

The Hallelujahs Return!

During the season of Lent the Hallelujahs are traditionally omitted from the liturgy in order to help highlight the penitential focus of the season and to emphasize the fact that the Resurrection is the joyous seal of guarantee that Christ not only paid for our sins so that we would not suffer forever in hell, but He also redeemed us to live forever in God’s Holy Communion, even as Christ is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity.

This year, as I studied and prepared the sermon and especially as this preparation “came together” into the outline and manuscript that flowed from the text, and then as I reviewed the hymns, the return of the Hallelujahs was an especially joyful awareness that filled my being. Truly the liturgy is jammed full of the Gospel and the blessings that Christ won for us. The joys of the good news of “The Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed!” are beyond measure and will fill our souls everlastingly. Truly the response of the heart that trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ when hearing and singing this great message of the Gospel is “Hallelujah!”

The Paschal Sabbath

On this day the Lord rested from His mighty work of taking the sin of the world. From the cross He cried “It is finished” and He gave up His spirit, commending it to the Father.

Why the wait?

Because the disciples needed to be taught to know the one on whom they depend. The Lord’s Sabbath was declared to last forever. The Church needs to spend this time remembering that the Lord is the one who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies His Church on earth. The Church needs to remember that her life is bound to the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord.

Thus, we take time to remember the great feast of salvation that we eat again on the Lord’s Day. He feeds us the body of His Holy Communion and the blood of His forgiveness and salvation. We do nothing to prepare for this meal except to remember the one who has given it. We remember that He is the one who has established the Church as the Holy gathering into His name. We remember that He is the one who gives us His body and blood for our life in His body. We remember that we are the recipients and He is the provider.

Then our life in Christ is not a burden but a Sabbath in and unto the Lord.

Tomorrow is the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord. Tomorrow in the great Feast He shows Himself to us and we receive Him in the means by which He has promised to be with us to bless us and keep us. All is done. The work is complete. Now we rest in His grace and enjoy the fruits of His mighty labor.