He Reaches Down to Save You (Trinity 13)

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Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Trinity 13 (August 17, 2008)
Luke 10:23-37 – The Good Samaritan

For an audio MP3 of this sermon, CLICK HERE

TITLE: “Jesus reaches down to save you”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus. Amen. Our text for this morning is from Luke 10, with focus on the words, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.

It was a lonely road, from Jerusalem to Jericho. We don’t know why the man was making the journey. It was a notorious journey amongst the Jews. This was how you went from Jerusalem to anywhere in the north, like Galilee. You couldn’t go straight north from Jerusalem, because that was Samaria. No Jew would set foot in Samaria unless things were really desperate. So you went the long way, fifteen miles or so, down the mountains into the desert where Jericho resides. There was always something a little sad on this journey for the Jew. If you took this trip, you were leaving God’s city, Jerusalem. That is where God dwells. So taking this trip from Jerusalem to Jericho was almost a signal of spiritual distress. You were leaving God’s presence and going into the desert, lonely and alone.

This is the trip our man takes in Jesus’ parable. Jesus is trying to teach a young lawyer what it means to be a neighbor. This young lawyer, who knows his bible, seeks to tempt Jesus, much like Satan did in the wilderness not far from where they were. Who is my neighbor, the lawyer asked. Jesus answer tells us a lot more about God than it does about the lawyer, and it is a blessed thing for us.

The man goes down the lonely road from Jerusalem to Jericho, and on the way, he is beset by robbers. The beat him, take all of his possessions, and left him for dead. It’s hard to imagine a more pathetic and tragic picture. St. Paul tries to when He says that were are dead in trespasses and sins, at enmity with God, blind to God’s mercy and deaf to His Word. So this man is at the end. His life is over. He might as well be dead.

Then a priest comes along the way. The priest takes one look at him, and passes by on the other side of the road. He has more important things to do. He, after all, is probably on his way to Jerusalem to do service in the Lord’s house. He doesn’t have time for dead men lying on the road. He might become ritually unclean, and be unable to serve in God’s house. Surely God wouldn’t want him to risk not being able to do his duty as a priest in the Lord’s house?

The next man comes along, a Levite. He’s not a priest, but he is of the priestly family. He comes a little closer to this man, lying in the road. He goes over and looks at him. But he can hardly shame the priest right before him, by helping when the priest wouldn’t. Besides, he had things to do in Jerusalem as well. While the man may not be dead, he’s pretty close, and frankly, why risk it? He passes by.

Then along comes a Samaritan. A Samaritan in Jesus’ day was the lowest of the low to the Jew. Here in America we pride ourselves in not being prejudice. They had no such illusions in Jesus’ day. Jews did not interact with Samaritans. Ever. They were despised, because they had rejected God’s Word, and considered some other city besides Jerusalem to be holy. So this despised Samaritan comes along, and sees the man on the road. When he does this, he has compassion on the man. Compassion is that great word that means the man’s guts were moved to help the half-dead man on the road.

Like any good physician, the Samaritan has many remedies at his disposal. He pours on oil to soothe his hurts, and he pours in wine to cleanse the wound. The Samaritan even lifts him up onto his own animal and brings him to an inn. While they are at the inn, the Samaritan says to the innkeeper, take care of him, and whatever more the cost is, I will pay for it.

Now what is the point of this parable that our Lord tells the young lawyer? There are two points, a Law point and most importantly a Gospel point.

The Law point is simple. Your neighbor is everyone with whom you come in contact. To act as a neighbor to someone is to think of what is best for them, not for you. Did this Samaritan expect to get repaid? No. Did he have any reason to help the man? No. The only reason was compassion. That’s it. In our dealing with one another, whether we are talking about family, friends, classmates, colleagues at work, or someone off the street, we operate with the presumption of tit-for-tat. If I help them, then they will help me someday. Or they helped me once, so now it’s my turn to pay them back. That is the way of the world, but that is not God’s way. God does not look to receive anything in return for His love and compassion. We don’t work that way. We look at skin, money, friends, social status, and a thousand other things when it comes to who we help and who we don’t. Thank God that He doesn’t work like us.

The Gospel point is also simple. God loves you. He loves you not because you try hard, because you have a good family or haven’t gotten into too much trouble lately. No, God loves you because that’s who He is. He has compassion on you. You are that man lying in the road. You are dead in trespasses and sins, helpless apart from the mercy of God. But God does have mercy on you. He pours in the oil and win of His holy sacraments. He sets you on His Word, and by that Word He carries you to the inn, His Church, where you are fed and nourished back to life. This is what God does in Jesus Christ, because this is who He is.

The lawyer asked the question at the beginning, what must I do to inherit eternal life? The answer is that you be perfect, act as neighbor to one and all, and show compassion where no one else would. But you can’t do it. However, God is merciful, and sent His Son to do what you could not. He is the merciful one, who is neighbor to you, but much more than simply a neighbor. He is the one who will bring you to the eternal mansions in heaven, where there is no more sorrow or pain, only eternal friendship and love in Him. Believe it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in true faith, unto life everlasting. Amen.

A Bunch of Movies

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So my wife is on vacation with the kids down to SW Missouri to see her parents.  When she left, she gave me instructions to get my fill of “man movies”.  You know, shoot-em-up movies that girls only tolerate if it is followed by something with Meg Ryan in it?  Anyway, I have been trying to follow my wife’s wishes, so here’s the movies thus far with the nickel review:

The Art of War II: Betrayal

This is in the running for the worst movie I’ve ever seen.  Anything more and I wouldn’t be responsible for the results.

The Mummy Three: Rise of the Blah Blah Emperor

BOOOOOORRRRRRING.  Bad dialogue.  The first two were much better.

Iron Man

This I liked.  I didn’t love it.  It was no where near as good as The Dark Knight, but I liked it.  I’ve always liked Robert Downey, Jr., in a sick and wrong sort of way.

Eragon

Okay, but the book was far better.  Kind of a pale imitation of LOTR.

Men in Black

A classic.

Shawn of the Dead

VERY FUNNY MOVIE.  Language, not so good.  But anyone who loves zombie flicks (as I do, thanks to my friend Stieg), will just have to love this movie.

That’s it so far.  I’m not sure what’s next.  I may watch Serenity, or O Brother Where Art Thou, or LOTR.  Or maybe I’ll go outside and star at that bright thing in the sky.  What is that called again?

-LL

Debra Rushing Funeral Sermon (Suicide from 2005)

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[I have individuals ask me for a copy of this sermon from time to time.  I thought it was out in cyber-world somewhere, but I couldn’t find it, so I’m re-posting it hear for your use.  -LL]

Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
October 20, 2005
Funeral Homily for Debra Lynn Rushing
John 6:37

TITLE: “Not Cast Out”

Family and friends of Debbie, grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our text for today is from the Gospel of St. John chapter six as follows, All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

Debra Lynn Rushing was born on July 13, 1964.  She was baptized into the Holy Christian Church at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Union Grove on October 11, 1964.  She was confirmed in that same Christian faith here at Messiah Lutheran Church on May 21, 1978.  She died on October 14, 2005.

In the midst of such a tragic and evil death, it is very easy for the Christian to be caught up in the moment, to be cast into despair by Satan, and to begin to ask those questions that the serpent asked Eve in the Garden, did God really say?  You begin to doubt what you know to be true.  You may begin to ask questions about Debbie and what kind of life she led.  You may ask questions like “How did it come to this?” or “I thought she was thinking about it, didn’t you?” or “Why does God let children die before their parents” or “Why didn’t I do anything?” or even the most doubting question of all, “I can understand why she would have wanted this.  I’ve thought about it myself.”  In the midst of sorrow and heartache and pain, and at times when nothing seems to make sense, and when all you have are more and more questions, where are you to turn?  What questions do you ask?  What answers are you going to get?

It is important in the midst of such sorrow for us to know what we can and what we cannot understand.  You and I will never know this side of the grave what was going on in Debbie’s heart and soul.  We won’t know why it seems like she didn’t talk to anyone about her level of sorrow and pain.  We won’t know really how it is that her life got to such a place.  We won’t finally know the answer to the question of what caused her to apparently take her own life.  We just won’t be able to know that answer.

These unanswered questions, these gaping holes that it feels like will never be filled, may easily deafen us to the reality of the questions that God’s Word clearly answer for you and I this morning.  These questions which God answers in His Word are far more comforting, far more helpful than anything that our souls or the world may try to answer for us.  What do we know for certain?

First of all, we know that Debbie is baptized.  Notice I didn’t say was baptized.  I said is baptized.  When God baptized Debbie at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Union Grove in 1964, that changed everything for her.

Jesus death on the cross and His resurrection from the tomb now became hers.  She became God’s own child.  Debbie was reborn by water and the Spirit.  We learn from the Scriptures that Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.  She is covered in the robe of Christ’s righteousness.  God’s promise given to her in Holy Baptism is powerful and eternal.  When God made that promise to her, all of these great gifts which God paid for on the cross became hers.  That’s a big promise.  That is why we have this funeral pall over this coffin this morning.  A funeral pall symbolizes the righteousness of Christ which covered her in the holy waters of Baptism.  Only the baptized have a funeral pall.  It covers her up.  All of her sin, all of her sorrow and pain.  Even death itself is covered up.  It is the robe of victory, and it flows from Holy Baptism.

Second, we know that she heard God’s Word and received Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.  In 1978 she was confirmed in the Christian faith right here, at this altar.  Her church attendance of late is unclear, but God’s Word does not return void.  When God makes promises in His Word, He keeps them.  So we trust God’s Word more even that what our eyes or hearts might have us believe.  One of our hymns puts it this way in connection with Christ’s Body and Blood in the Sacrament: Thy blood, O Lord, one drop has pow’r to win Forgiveness for our world and all its sin.1   One drop, dear friends.  That is the promises of Christ given to Debbie and given to you.

These promises of God, given in Baptism, in His Word and in His Holy Sacrament, point us away from ourselves and our trials and tribulations, and point us forward to a life in Christ Jesus.  This life in Christ, we often call it heaven as the Scriptures do, is a life where there is no sin and sorrow.  There are no debts to pay, no addictions to overcome, no squabbles or fighting, no pain, no sickness or disease.  This life in Christ, which Debbie received in her Baptism, points us outside of ourselves and our unanswered questions, and points us to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God.

Debbie’s death has brought sorrow and heartache, pain and unanswered questions.  There are a lot of tears, and a lot of guilt.  And if we are honest about it, there is a lot of fear as well.  Fear that God’s love won’t be enough for her.  Fear that Debbie’s evil death somehow robs us of hope for a life in Christ.  But hear this and learn it well: Debbie’s sin is not the measure of God’s love.2  God’s love is measured by the cross of Jesus Christ.  The Scriptures put it this way, For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Trust in the mercy of God, dear friends in Christ.  God loves you, just as He loves Debbie.  Christ died for you, just as He died for Debbie.  The Spirit comforts you now in your time of weakness and pain, for when you are weak, He is strong, and He will see you through this vale of tears to an eternal life in Him.  Don’t be afraid.  God never abandons His little ones.  Jesus said, All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out (John 6:37).  Amen.

Believe it for the sake of Him who died and rose again, even Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

God's Word Never Fails (Trinity 12)

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Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Trinity 12 (August 10, 2008)
Mark 7:31-37 The Healing of the Deaf Mute

For an audio MP3 of this sermon, CLICK HERE

TITLE: “God’s Word Never Fails”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.  Our text for today is the healing of the deaf/mute, with focus on these words: He has done all things well.

It’s always amazing to reflect on the relationship between hearing and speaking.  How does a child learn to speak?  A child learns to speak by hearing.  So whatever goes into their ears is probably what is going to come out of their mouths.  Now as long as good stuff is going in, everything is fine.  But a few TV shows that shouldn’t be watched, or language around the dinner table that shouldn’t be used, and presto, you have a real problem on your hands.

This is the way that children learn to speak, and this is also the way that faith is created and sustained, or lost as the case may be.  What goes in must come out.  Or, as St. Paul puts it, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  Faith that saves, real faith in Jesus Christ, can only come when God through His Word puts it in you.  Now He does this in different ways: Baptism, preaching, the Word of God, the Sacrament of the Altar, Absolution.  But all of these things have something in common: they give you Jesus, and they come from outside of you.

The problem of sin, of course, is that sin stops up your ears and your mouth.  Sin fills your ears.  You can’t sing God’s praises because you can’t hear what God is doing for you in Jesus Christ.  You by nature are deaf, blind, mute, and unable to hear God or speak back to him in prayer.  But God in His mercy opens your ears to hear His Word and opens your lips to sing His praises.

Now maybe that seems obvious to you, but it is not so obvious.  Take the example of the deaf/mute in our text.  Now here was a man who could not speak and he could not hear.  His life was hard, very hard.  He was mocked and ridiculed for his infirmity.  He had to be taken care of by others.  He couldn’t communicate.  His mouth was stopped up.

What does Jesus do for this man?  First of all, He takes him aside from the multitude.  He doesn’t keep the man on display for the world to see his problems.  Secondly, Jesus put His fingers and the man’s ears and touched his tongue.  In other words, Jesus showed the man that He knew what was wrong, and that He was going to do something about it.  Then Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said to the man, Ephphatha, that is, be opened.  Jesus, the very Word of God made flesh, opened the man’s ears to hear the Word of God, and opened His lips so that He could speak the praises of the one who healed him.

So let’s bring this down to the real concrete here for a minute.  You can’t hear God’s Word if you aren’t in Church.  Your children won’t hear it if they don’t see this place as the very house of God.  In a world of pop spirituality and good feelings that are passed off as the Gospel, the concreteness of how God works to create faith is quite out of step with our world.  Martin Luther once said about this text:

Let us, therefore, take careful note of this miracle and learn from it so that we truly become Christians by the Word and by our professing of it. For this can come about in no other way than through the Word set in motion in the church by pastors and preachers, and in the home by fathers and mothers. With these fingers and spittle, Christ again and again brings it about in Christendom that the deaf have their ears opened and the mute become fluent. That is why we should cling to the Word tenaciously, since that is the best and surest way for our ears to be opened, our tongues freed, and for us to be saved.

God binds Himself to His Word.  There is no God for you outside of the God of the manger that comes to you by His Word.  God never promises to come to you in any other way, to give you faith anywhere else, or to work through any other means besides His Word and Sacraments.  That is how God comes to you.  The only way to get to heaven is to get there by the door of Jesus Christ in His Word.

Now at first hearing, that may sound limiting, even depressing.  I mean, if God really cared, why doesn’t he speak to us and create faith by a beautiful sunset or a special moment with a friend or whatever other means it may be?  He doesn’t promise to come in those ways and places because we could never trust that it would really be from Him.

Let me use an analogy to explain it.  In every job, in every office, in every work location, there is also a temptation to take some things that are really, really important and to say that they are everyone’s responsibility.  I mean, if it’s that important, shouldn’t everyone be involved?  Or think of in your own house.  Everyone is responsible to make sure that the trash gets out by 7:15 a.m. Monday morning.  What happens in a case like that?   Everyone being responsible means that no one is responsible.  The buck has to some somewhere.  Otherwise, you just don’t know and can finally trust that the trash will get out on time.
This is how it is with God’s Word.  God, theoretically, could have used the whole world to communicate His goodness and grace in His Son, Jesus Christ.  He might have.  But He didn’t, because God knows how truly, truly important this Gospel is to you.  It is so important to you that He wants to make absolutely certain that you know that when you hear His Word, you know it is a message for you from Him, and not from the devil or the world or your own sinful desires.  In the same way, God gives you a pastor, a preacher to give you His Word, so you don’t have to wonder if the guy on TV is really speaking for God or not.  God loves to work in the concrete, so you never have to wonder.

That’s what Jesus did for this deaf/mute.  He put His fingers in the man’s ears and spoke the Word, be opened, and it happened.  Right then, right there, for him.  And this is what our Lord says to you this day: I forgive you, He says.  Take and eat, this is my body, given for you for the forgiveness of sins.  I make all things new, he says.  Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, he says.
God grant that His Word ring forth throughout all the world, so that that a thousand voices in this and every place may sing His great praises.  Be opened, He says.  And He does it for you.  Amen.

And now the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting.  Amen.

The Opera Summer

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This has been a very different summer for me. For many of my summers over the past ten years, I spent it with Higher Things, either preparing for or recovering from our liturgical youth conferences.

But this summer was dedicated to my wife’s endeavors.

Opera ala Carte finished it’s fourth season this past weekend. I will be posting a bunch of pictures here shortly, but I wanted to reflect on it a little bit before doing so. I had a fairly minor role in one of the operas (Alcindoro in La Boheme), so I got to see all of this from the inside. That has really given me a different perspective on the whole matter. I’ve always been involved with OAC in one fashion or another, but this summer was a much greater level of involvement.

It was a special treat for me to be able to see my wife in action, doing one of the things she does best.  Now I am bias.  I freely admit it.  But my wife is truly amazing.  She put on basically five operas in two weekends.  Yes, it’s more than a little crazy.  But it was GREAT!  There were about 70 performers involved between the elementary and high school/college components, and I can’t even begin to count how many people involving in costumes, sets, programs, marketing, and heaven knows how much more that I can’t even begin to count.

I think what has struck me the most about all of this is the level of commitment that the students and young people have to doing this well.  Opera is hardly mainstream anymore.  It is viewed as elitist music that is out of touch with contemporary culture.  Bah.  What do they know?  Opera is rich music, an incredible discipline that teaches singing, acting, and I don’t even know what else.  So to see this group of young people (some of them as young as 7th grade), committing to this, well, it’s just a great thing.

I will comment on individual shows in the posts to come.

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