But we preach to the little flock, who know, and reflect on, their eternal destiny, whose chief concern is to remain in this Vine, who find all their consolation in Him, and who then also give practical proof of this in their conduct.  For faith will surely manifest itself in such fruit, as Christ said earlier: “He who abides in Me bears much fruit.”

Luther’s Works, vol. 24, pp. 249-250.

Preaching the Resurrection to the Mentally Ill | I Trust When Dark My Road

Teacher Notes on the Seminar

Covenant Sermon

Reconciliation Sermon

Propitiation Sermon

Hymn and Text Suggestions

If anyone else gets any sermons or other notes written on this series, please let me know so I can post it!

-LL

As a result of this fine work, I’ve also put together our schedule of hymns and readings for the midweek series. Here they are:

2009Crosswords.doc

2009Crosswords.pdf

I will post PDFs of the sermons as soon as I get them scanned. Enjoy!

And thanks, Pr. Beisel, for an excellent presentation.

-LL

One of my gentle readers wrote this post regarding preaching that referenced one or my posts about preaching from around Christmas time. It seems worth discussing a little here. This is the link:

Not Alone: In the Name of Jesus

Here’s the final paragraph:

When this is what God works through sermon preparation, how can I speak of being bored or burned out? For any pastor who finds himself telling himself that he is bored or burned out, all that you really need is to stand back and remember whose Word you are called to preach. Then you will remember the great privilege and blessing of preaching. Then it will not seem like a laborious obligation, but a cause for rejoicing. The preaching office is Christ’s office, who Himself counted it a joy to suffer and die on the cross to provide this office with its power. This powerful office that opens the very gates of heaven to you and to all whom it rules over has been entrusted to you, dear pastors! Whenever you imagine that your office is boring or that you have become burned out, remember this! Remember what it really means to be a preacher of the Gospel!

I think it is fair to say that the author basically missed the point. We are not automatons. We are sinner/saints. And as a sinner/saint, I get frustrated, bored, burned out, whatever you want to call it with preaching. Just like anyone in nearly any vocation will not find satisfaction and happiness in the work God has given them to do.

I understand perfectly well the importance of preaching, the joy of preaching, that it is Christ’s office and work, and the like.

I also, by way of comparison, understand the importance of being a father, the joy of fathering, that it is God’s office and work, and the like. But as a human being, I get frustrated, tired, bored, out of energy, and easily distracted.

Why, gentle readers, would it be different for preachers? And furthermore, what is the solution?

I’ll tell you what isn’t the solution. The solution is not a variation of GET OVER IT, BE HAPPY, KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, or REMEMBER WHAT YOU’RE DOING. Those are all Law, and we know that the Law does not produce good works.

I would suggest that the solution is A) The Gospel. Be forgiven, be fed, hear God’s promises to you. B) Rest. Being a pastor is hard work. It’s not easily measurable, but that does not make it any less easy. Take a break. Breathe. Play. Do something else. And C) Know that you aren’t alone in your trials. Nearly every pastor I know recognizes the challenges of preaching. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Anyway, those are some further thoughts. Have I missed anything?

-LL

A Lenten Preaching Seminar

The Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary

February 2, 2009

Hosted by
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Cross + Words

The holy apostles used several words to preach about the work of Jesus on the cross. Among them are “reconciliation,” “redemption,” “justification,” “covenant,” and “propitiation.” These words were not drawn, as it were, out of thin air but were already part of the Biblical vocabulary of God’s Old Testament people. By examining these “cross words” in their Old Testament contexts, one will gain a deeper appreciation of what the apostles meant when they used them to proclaim the atoning death of Christ. Based on the book by Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, this Lenten Preaching Workshop will explore the Old Testament roots of these words and give suggestions on how to develop this theme into a Lenten sermon series.

Come and learn about the art and gift of preaching in Lent, flowing from His Holy Word, leading to His Body and Blood, and giving us the very gifts of heaven.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

* The forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

* Great insights into the art of preaching.

* Practical advice about how to preach in Lent.

* Sample outlines which may be used.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER

Rev. Paul Beisel is a 1997 graduate of Concordia University in Nebraska, where he majored in English and pre-seminary studies. He is a 2001 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, where he recived his M.Div. He also recived his S.T.M. in exegetical theology from CTS in 2004, where his thesis was on the Gospel of Matthew. He is the pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Warsaw, Illinois, and Messiah Lutheran Church Keokuk, Iowa. He is also an Adjunct Instructor for John Wood Community College. He and his wife, Amy, have four children.

THE SCHEDULE

Registration 10:00-10:30 a.m.

The Feast of the Presentation
of our Lord and the Purification
of Mary (Festival Divine Service) 10:30 a.m.

The Reverend David Juhl, Preacher

Welcome and Opening Remarks 11:15 a.m.

First Presentation 11:30 a.m.

Lunch 12:30 p.m.

Noonday Office 1:15 p.m.

Second Presentation 1:30 p.m.

Break 2:30 p.m.

Third Presentation 2:45 p.m.

Break 3:45 p.m.

Q&A and Closing Comments 4:00 p.m.

Vespers 4:15 p.m.

OPTIONAL

Check into hotel & supper on your own 4:30 p.m.

Evening Event TBD 7:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY MORNING

Matins (with Academy) 8:15 a.m.

HOTEL INFORMATION

There are several excellent hotels in the area. The one we recommend is the Country Inn and Suites. To make a reservation, please call:

COUNTRY INN AND SUITES

7011 122ND AVE

KENOSHA, WI, US 53142

(262) 857-3680

We will also be providing housing by congregation members for those interested, as it is available.

HOW TO REGISTER:

You may either email me (toddpeperkorn +at+ mac dot com)

Or call 262-551-9081

if you have any questions

Let us know you’re coming so we know how much food to prepare!

www.messiahkenosha.org

Probably the most fruitful place I seem to go the last couple years has been Johan Gerhard’s Postilla, published by Repristination Press.  This volume is simply fantastic.  I am constnatly amazed by his breadth of biblical knowledge, and the connections he draws.

But I’d like to know.  Where do you go?  What are you reading?

-LL

That is why I am so utterly mystified by confessional Lutheranism today.

As Rev. McCain pointed out to us in a recent survey his offered in connection with Cyberbrethren, there is little uniformity amongst practitioners of the historic lectionary. This is no surprise. Since no major publishing house has really supported it in a couple generations, those of us who use it are left to our own devices to come up with translations and practices that fit our given parishes. I can understand that, but it doesn’t make me happy.

But that’s not the real problem. The real problem as I see it is this:

1. While it is in the hymnal, it isn’t really supported or “resourced” by Concordia Publishing House, beyond the production of the lectionary book for LSB.

2. It isn’t taught or supported in any meaningful way to my knowledge at either seminary. I am very happy to be proven wrong on this.

3. It’s been dropped from the Thrivent Calendar, and I don’t believe it is in the more recent CPH pastor’s calendar either.

4. It is not only not taught or “resourced”, I hear pretty consistent anecdotal evidence that it is specifically disdained by liturgical scholars throughout the synod.

Please don’t get me wrong here. I’m not pointing fingers, trying to start a fight, incite liturgical or lectionary rebellion, or in any other way be difficult. It’s really this simple:

Why? Is it marketing? Is it money? Is it ecumenism with other churches today? Why is there not only a lack of interest, but a near irrational hostility to this lectionary? What is the deal?

Please. Help me out here. This is truly a mystery to me.

-LL

TITLE: “The Surprise”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for today is the Gospel lesson just read, Christ’s judgment over the sheep and the goats.

Everybody loves gifts. There is something that is just good about receiving from others. You can buy things for yourself all you want, but at the end of the day, it just isn’t the same as receiving a gift from another person. Every child knows this. Every adult knows this. It’s why, for most of us at least, we always loves our birthday, even if it is secretly. It’s one of those few times in your life when you expect presents, and you aren’t being selfish by expecting them.

If possible, the only thing better than receiving presents is that granddaddy of great presents, the surprise present. What could possibly be cooler than that! A present that you didn’t expect! Imagine, for example, going to college and at the end of the semester, getting credit for 30 hours worth of classes instead of twelve. Imagine a half-year birthday present, totally out of the blue. What could be better! What could be more wonderful than that!

That is what is going on in our text for this morning. On the Last Day there will be a lot of surprises, some good and some bad. The bad, those unbelievers who refused God’s gift of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, the evil will receive what they wanted. They didn’t want God’s grace, and so they won’t get it. On the Last Day, they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ all by themselves. They will stand alone, and God will judge them for all of the things they did, and all of the things they refused to do. If you live by the Law, if you stubbornly want to do it your way all by yourself, then God will let you. You can stand before Him and He will judge you according to your deeds. But you won’t like the results. For you by nature are evil, full of lust and desire for wrongdoing. If that’s what you want, that’s what you will get.

But it is not so with you, O Baptized. For are sons and daughters of the King. You never stand alone, for the Son of Man stands with you, right by your side, every step of the way. On the Last Day when you stand before God’s throne, you will get a surprise. Don’t worry, I’m not giving it away. No matter how many times you hear of this surprise, you still won’t be prepared. It is so great, so wonderful and glorious, that words can hardly contain it for the glory of it.

On that Last Day, you will stand before the judgment seat of God with the Son of Man as both your judge and your brother. And on that day, you will get the greatest surprise. What is it, you may ask? The surprise will be that God credits you with everything that Jesus’ did. Everything. His birth, His perfect life, His passion, His suffering, His death, it’s all yours. Every act of mercy Jesus ever did. Every touch of compassion, every cup of cold water given to the parched, it’s all yours. The prisoners visited, the hungry fed, poor clothed and given shelter, it’s all in your credit box.

All this is yours, the King says. Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Did you catch that great word? Inherit. That means it’s a gift, a present. Someone had to die in order for you to receive this inheritance. It was the King Himself. Because the King died for you, you receive the kingdom, and all of His works become yours.

What this means for you, dearly beloved, is that your life here on earth today is nothing more than learning how to act like who you really are. You are generous, sacrificing, giving, suffering for others, and above all, loving. That is who you are by holy baptism. That is your inheritance. That is the gift that God gives to you, as a part of your identity as His beloved child.
But of course, you don’t always act like who you are. You sin, you are selfish and greedy, lusty and covetous, gossipy and rebellious. But like the patient Father that He is, God disciplines you in His love. He chides you so that He might forgive you. He teaches you by showing you His saints to emulate. He gives of Himself over and over again, so that you might learn to be who you really are. Remember those words that St. Peter wrote to us years ago:

“According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (2 Peter 3:13-14 ESV)

So since you are waiting for Him, since He has given all things into your hand and you have eternity as a result of His great gift, learn of Him. Learn from our Lord what it means to live not for yourself, but for those around you. Martin Luther put it this way:

We conclude, therefore, that a Christian lives not in himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. Otherwise he is not a Christian. He lives in Christ through faith, in his neighbor through love. By faith he is caught up beyond himself into God. By love he descends beneath himself into his neighbor.”

Come then, dearly beloved, and learn from our Lord about the life that is yours by faith. It is a life that is free from want and need, that trusts in the mercy of God above all. It doesn’t come to you by nature, but it comes to you by faith. That faith is yours in your baptism, and it is yours through His Holy Word and Sacraments. The gifts of God never end for you. Trust that He will give you all things. Trust in Him, and live as God would have you live. Believe it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

And now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in true faith, unto life everlasting. Amen.

98 Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining God’s Word in memory. Do not think that this is optional for you or of no great importance. Think that it is God’s commandment, who will require an account from you [Romans 14:12] about how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word.
99 Likewise, those fussy spirits are to be rebuked who, after they have heard a sermon or two, find hearing more sermons to be tedious and dull. They think that they know all that well enough and need no more instruction. For that is exactly the sin that was previously counted among mortal sins and is called akadia (i.e., apathy or satisfaction). This is a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many so that he may surprise us and secretly take God’s Word from us [Matthew 13:19].
100 Let me tell you this, even though you know God’s Word perfectly and are already a master in all things: you are daily in the devil’s kingdom [Colossians 1:13–14]. He ceases neither day nor night to sneak up on you and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against these three commandments and all the commandments. Therefore, you must always have God’s Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware [Matthew 13:24–30]. 101 On the other hand, the Word is so effective that whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, it is bound never to be without fruit [Isaiah 55:11; Mark 4:20]. It always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts [Philippians 4:8]. For these words are not lazy or dead, but are creative, living words [Hebrews 4:12]. 102 And even though no other interest or necessity moves us, this truth ought to urge everyone to the Word, because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away [James 4:7]. Besides, this commandment is fulfilled and this exercise in the Word is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.

Ouch!  Luther certainly calls it like he sees it.