Follow Me (Trinity 05)

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Rev. Todd Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Trinity 5 (July 12, 2009)
Luke 5:1-11

For an audio MP3 of this sermon, CLICK HERE

TITLE: “Follow Me”

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.

In our readings today we have the ongoing theme in the Scriptures of how very different God’s work is from our work. He works differently than us. He has different priorities. What we see as victory he sees as failure, and what we look at as a loss he sees as gain.

Let’s start with Elijah. Elijah was in the midst of a theo-political battle. There was a war going on for the hearts and minds of the people of Israel. The war was between God and Ba’al, the false god of the Canaanites and the other locals. When Elijah looked around, he saw death, devastation, he saw loss at every turn. When Elijah looked around, from his perspective he was completely and totally alone. There was no growth in God’s Kingdom. There was no victory. There was only the darkness of night before him. God revealed Himself to Elijah in a still, small voice. He didn’t reveal himself in the rushing mighty wind or the great thunder. He revealed himself in the lowliest and the least. That’s how God works, you see. He isn’t interested in making a show. He wants to make a difference, to actually change things. We’ll get back to this in a minute.

Our second picture is of Paul and the Church at Corinth. In Corinth they were struggling with charismatics, or something like it. They thought that speaking in tongues, miracles and great and mighty shows of God’s power were at the heart of the message of the Gospel. So Paul starts his letter of with two words to describe the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins. Here they are:

The Gospel, says Paul, is foolishness to the Greeks, who seek after wisdom. In other words, if you come to church expecting to have all of the answers handed to you, I’m afraid you will be sorely disappointed. There are many who come through these doors, just like they did in Corinth. They wanted the answers to all of life’s tough questions. You know the questions, or at least some of them. Why do some live and others die? How am I to behave in a world that seems like it is going down faster than the stock market? How do I raise my children? How do I provide for my future and the future of my family? There are so many questions that it is hard to even make a list. For the Greeks, if your theological or philosophical world couldn’t provide neat and tidy answer to these and the rest of life’s questions, then it was suspect and probably faulty.

That’s the first term for the Corinthians. Foolishness. The other term besides foolishness that Paul uses is the word stumbling block. The word is pretty easy to understand. You are looking so far forward that you aren’t paying attention to what is under your feet. You trip. You aren’t aware of your surroundings, and maybe at where you are going and how you actually get there. In the context of Corinth, what this means is that the Jews wanted signs, miracles, and a great show from God so that He would prove His existence and will for them. They were not satisfied with the voice of His Holy Word. They wanted more, always more. Like Elijah, while they believed they had the Word, they were so busy looking for something more they missed the Gift that was right in front of them all along.

So these three pictures all bring us to the Gospel. The persecuted Elijah, the foolishness of the Greeks and the stumbling block of the Jews all point to Jesus calling the disciples, while He taught them in the boat. The people pressed in to hear Jesus preach. It was unclear yet whether they would stumble, be fools, or think themselves to be God’s only agent for change. Jesus preached, and then they went out into the deep for a catch of fish. Against the odds, even for fishermen, they took in a large catch of fish. Simon Peter recognized at once that something amazing had happened. God was in their midst even though they had not know it for sure before. He confesses his sin, and Jesus tells Peter and the others that they will now be fishers of men. They left everything behind and followed Him. They became the disciples, the followers.

So, those are our texts for the day. So which are you? Do you feel alone, persecuted, and as if you are the only one who really understands God? Are you angry or in despair because you don’t have all the answers that you want from God? Or do you have a hard time finding God in the normalcy and ordinariness of the divine service, where God delivers His Word and Sacraments to you week after week? Do you long for something more exciting, more seemingly powerful and wonderful than the regularness of God’s gifts?

Whichever one you are, it comes from a false view of who God is and what you expect of this place. God draws you to this place to do mighty things. He draws you into these walls to forgive your sins, to bring you into a community of sinners who are redeemed by the Gospel, who receive from Him the true wisdom, and who find God where He promises to be found. That’s a lot. God brings you here. You don’t bring yourself, even though it may feel that way sometimes. But it is God who draws you here.

God doesn’t call you to an idea or a philosophy, some sort of wisdom like the Greeks would have. He certainly doesn’t call you to be the spiritual lone ranger, out to change the world. Nor does He call you to with thunder and lightening, with a mighty show to be wowed by His power. The Gospel isn’t an idea. It isn’t a mission. It isn’t a show. The Gospel is Jesus Christ. God calls you to be a disciple, to follow Him into death and resurrection. You won’t get all the answers, but you will be with THE answer. You won’t be the lone ranger, but you will be a part of something far greater than yourself. And the show won’t be everything to meet the eye, but it will be mighty and more powerful than anything else.

So this day, as we rejoice again in His gifts of the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, rejoice and be glad, dearly beloved of God. He brings you to this place to comfort you in the bosom of His Holy Church. He comes now to teach you what you need to know to obtain eternal life. He delivers Himself to you in the voice of His Word and preaching. Don’t be distracted by the things of this world, by matters which may appear important but will drag you away from Him, and by a greater show than what He has to give. This is the place, dearly baptized. It all happens here. Come to the feast. Amen.

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

The God of Mercy (Trinity 04)

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Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Trinity 4 (July 5, 2009)
Luke 6:36-42

For an audio MP3 of this sermon, CLICK HERE

TITLE: “The God of mercy”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for this morning is from the Gospel lesson just read.

What does it mean to be merciful? We talk about mercy a lot in the church. But usually when we talk about mercy, we’re talking about an attribute of God. God is merciful. Or maybe we’re talking about the school playground. MERCY! Stop hurting my hands! I give up! You win! You know the game.

Jesus, however, is not really interested in a word like mercy simply being something you hear on Sunday morning. He calls you to live a life of mercy. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. When we talk about mercy as this attribute or perhaps picture of God, it has to be concrete. It has to have flesh and blood. So let’s look at mercy and think through what it might mean in our common life together here at Messiah. Here are a few examples of mercy:

Mercy means helping those who can’t help themselves. It means looking around you, every day, all the time, and asking how you can serve the people God puts into your life every day.
Mercy means not assuming the worst about your neighbor. Jesus also puts it another way and says don’t judge. Don’t assume that you know all the trials and difficulties that those around you are facing. You don’t. Only God does. Don’t judge doesn’t mean that the Law doesn’t matter. Some people and circumstances demand judgment. But what it does mean is that we don’t ever pretend to be greater than those around us.

This has real live, concrete conclusions. Let me give you a few examples from our context here at Messiah:

What this means is that when the child in the pew behind you is being too loud, don’t assume it’s because the child has terrible parents. Don’t judge and be merciful means offering to help instead of fuming on the inside.

Now of course, that goes both ways doesn’t it? Just as the folks in front or behind the noisy kid judge and assume the worst, in the same way the parents can easily become callous and crass toward the people around them. It’s hard to hear with a child hollering in the row behind you, and the point of church is to hear what God has to say. Sometimes being merciful means taking your child out and disciplining them, rather than keeping them in church to teach them a lesson.
Be merciful means showing actual, real kindness toward those around you. If one of our elderly couples needs help in the parking lot, offer to move your car so they can get closer. If you have offended someone, even if it isn’t your fault, apologize and make things right. If your neighbor needs help with their yard because they’re running behind, help them. Can you help with the We C.A.R.E. Program here at church? Do it.

Be merciful also means never assume that you are more pious, a better Christian, or a better person than someone else. Maybe you don’t have any of your family in jail. So what. Maybe your job is more secure than your neighbor’s. So what. Maybe you do help those in need around you, so that in your mind you give more than anyone else. It doesn’t matter. You can never be merciful enough. You can never get everything right, always show kindness to those around you, and be there when the chips are down.

This, of course, is what Jesus is talking about when he speaks of hypocrites, specks and planks. The more time we dwell on the problems, sins, and faults of others around us, the less time we spend in repentance, prayer, and in receiving the gift of forgiveness that only God can give. Repent. You are a hypocrite. So am I. You do judge those around you. So do I. You are unmerciful, self-righteous and full of your own holiness. So am I. Repent.

God, however, is merciful and gracious, long-suffering, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Jesus points these things out to you so that you will despair of your own works and rely solely on Him. And what a beautiful One that is to rely upon! He is always merciful. He always listens to your trials. He understands them because He has taken them into Himself. Where others migh tsk tsk and secretly judge your failings, Jesus went to the cross to die so that you might live and have hope. The judgment that Jesus puts upon you is not guilty, because he has paid the price for all your sins and shortcomings.

That’s the Gospel, friends. It is for you mean spirited and hard hearted. It is for you self-righteous and judgmental. It is for the weak in faith and for those who think they are strong. The Gospel is for everyone. Jesus is for you.
So this day, as we feast again on our Lord’s precious Body and Blood, repent and believe that Jesus died for you and rose again so that you might have new life. Put off that old self, and wear your baptismal robes that cover all your sins. Come and feast and receive the Life that only He can give, the life of service, the life of mercy, the life that is yours in Christ Jesus. 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.

Blessed (Funeral sermon for Emilie Mohr)

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Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
The Visitation of our Lord (July 2, 2009)
Funeral Homily for Emilie Mohr
Psalm 1:1-2 (Confirmation Verses)

For an audio MP3 of this sermon, CLICK HERE

TITLE: “Blessed”

Family and friends of Emilie, especially David and Marilyn, Cecilia and Paula, sisters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and other family: grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our text for today is Emilie’s Bible verse from when she was confirmation at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in 1934, Psalm 1, verses 1 & 2: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:1-2 ESV)

Emilie Herman was born November 10, 1919 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the daughter of German-Russian immigrants. She was baptized into Christ at Trinity Lutheran Church on November 23, 1919, and was confirmed in that same faith on April 1, 1934, when she first received Christ’s body and blood in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. She married David Scherer, Jr., on November 11, 1939. They were married 31 years, and had two sons. After the death of her husband, David, in 1970, she married Emmanuel Mohr of Kenosha. They were married 36 years. She is survived by her son, David, stepdaughters Paula and Cecilia, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and probably more family and friends than I or anyone else could count. She died in Christ on June 21 in the year of our Lord 2009. St. John writes: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”” (Rev. 14:13 ESV)

It’s hard to sit back and try to evaluate the life of such a person as Emilie. The daughter of German-Russian immigrants, she grew up at a time and in a culture far removed from us today. She grew up with another language, lived through the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam. She raised two sons, and sadly had to bury both her husband, David, and her son, John. She lived in Illinois, Arizona, and Wisconsin. But what was the thread that held her varied life together? Music, which she loved so dearly? Her friends? Shopping? Her family?

All of these are a part of the tapestry which is the life of Emilie. I’m sure there are many others which I don’t even know about. I’m sure there are plenty of good stories, as well. Knowing Emilie, I’m certain they are worth hearing.
But today isn’t about Emilie. Not finally, at least. Today is about this thread that held her life together. The thread, which weaved in and out of her life wherever she went, is the Word of God. Even in her confirmation verse, given to her in 1934, we see that the blessed man (or woman) delights in the law or the Word of God. Emilie was baptized and grew up in a household of faith. She raised her family in Christ’s Word. She was a member here at Messiah for the last twenty some years, where she developed a whole new family of faith, where we can hardly imagine life without Emilie sitting in church, proper but with a somewhat mischievous smile on her face.

This thread of the Word of God runs through her life. In the church today we celebrate the visitation of our Lord, when Mary went to see her cousin, Elizabeth. At the greeting of the Mother of God, John the Baptist leapt in his mother’s womb. That is the power that the Word of God holds. It is a creative power. It is by the Word of God that the heavens were made, and it is by the Word of God that Emilie was remade in the waters of Holy Baptism. It is by the power of the Word of God that she received Christ’s Body and Blood week after week for most of her life. And it is by that same Word of God that Emilie will be raised from the dead on the Last Day. Until that day, though, she rests with David, with John, and with all of her loved ones and ours.

For those of us who remain, it is a bittersweet parting. There is no doubt that we rejoice that she is with Christ, which is far greater than this earthly life. Emilie was a sinner, who needed a Savior, Jesus Christ. He has forgiven all her sins and she now sits with Him in the heavenly places. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, today you will be with me in paradise. It was true for him, and it is true for her. What a great blessing!

Yet at the same time, we miss her. We miss her smile and her laugh. We miss the fact that a part of our history and our common life together is no longer with us. This is a time for weeping and sadness, there is no doubt. But our sadness is not like the sadness of the wicked and ungodly, as her confirmation verse would put it. Our sadness is that she is not with us, and that we have to wait to be reunited with her in the resurrection of the dead. Our sorrow is for today, but it will not last. There will be a time, dearly beloved, when Christ will call her out from the tomb just as he called out Lazarus. There will be a time when the music she played and sang will ring out in the choirs of the heavenly host. There will be a time when we will see God in the flesh, just as job confessed, “I know that my redeemer liveth.” That was Emilie’s hope throughout her life, and that is ours as well.

So rest well, Emilie. Rest well in the arms of Jesus, until that last, great day when we will be reunited again in the resurrection of the dead.

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

A man had two sons…(Trinity 03) Luke 15:11-32

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Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Trinity 3 (June 28, 2009)
Luke 15:11-32
Rev. Todd Peperkorn
Received in part with thanks from Dr. Bo Giertz

For an audio MP3 of this sermon, CLICK HERE

TITLE: “A Man Had Two Sons…”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for this morning is Jesus’ parable of the two sons from St. Luke chapter fifteen.

It is easy to forget in this parable that the man had two sons. Both sons were created and loved by God. One son was lost but returned, he repented and came back. The other son stayed home and yet was still lost.

The parable tells the story of how you become lost. The usual way is to demand your piece of the pie so that you can do what you want – whether we’re talking about your body, money, healthy, youth or passion. We live to satisfy these desires. And we are unhappy and unfulfilled if we think that we aren’t getting our fair portion of what is owed to us. So you get what’s coming to you, you take what you believe you are owed. You are an embarrassment to everyone around you for your selfishness and greedy, but you can’t see it. In your mind, you are being very fair. Fair is a great word when you think you have been treated poorly. It’s not so great a word when it means sacrificing for the sake of the weak or for anyone else.

Frankly, the sooner you get this out of your system the better off you will be. Eventually, you will remember how poor and miserable you really are. Like the first lost son in our text, you will “come to your senses” and see that you abandoned the Father who loves you more than anything on earth. The reason you remember him, of course, is that He has always remembered you. You have always been on His mind and in His heart. He has longed for you every day or your strange, sad journey.

That’s how the way home begins. You regret your foolishness. You open your eyes and see the nakedness of your actions. You have caused Him great sorrow for your selfishness. You think to yourself, well, something is better than nothing. I guess we’re still family, even though I have been cruel and thoughtless. Maybe there is something left for me after all.
So you go home. And when you get home, what a surprise is in store for you! He’s been waiting all along. You are greeted with joy as the long lost son. There is a feast, and great rejoicing in God’s house. He exchanges your rags for riches, the finest of clothes. That’s Christ’s righteousness, of course. Christ gives you His righteousness, and takes your sins into Himself forever. It is a great story. It is beautiful. We all love this story.

Then, there is the other son. He’s just as lost as the first son, but in a very different way. He’s always been home. He always behaves Himself. He always does His duty. He is a slave to duty in fact. But the chink in His armor, his one glaring fault, comes out when the prodigal son is drawn home. He has always done his duty, but he has never loved his father or his brother. He’s been in it for himself all along, watching his behavior, waiting for the big payoff at the end. This son bides his time, waits for the right moment when everything will be his. In all honesty, he is as selfish and thoughtless and cruel as the other son, but he just covers his tracts better. In his mind, because of his good behavior and his careful planning, he will get a higher rank in God’s house. I guess we would call him a moralist. He is probably more lost than the first son, because his way is much harder. He cannot see his brokenness, the pain and suffering his self-righteousness he causes himself and others. His pride will not let him see how lost he really is.

Each one of you, in one way or another, fit into the pattern of one of these sons. Maybe you have blown it all off at one shot. Maybe you have carefully planned. But one way or another, you have not loved the Father as you ought. You have not put your neighbor above yourself.

Here’s the great part of the story, though. Both sons are loved equally. Both sons made the father sad. Both sons broke His heart. But God sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to pay the price for the scandal and the pride, sins of show and sins of the heart. The angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents. And repentance is open to all, it is free, it is a gift that God the Father lavishes on you, His wayward sons and daughters.

So come to the feast, you lowly. See yourself in His story. Recognize that you are welcome at His Table, for His son bought you with the greatest of price. You have caused him sorrow, but that sorrow will be turned to great joy and happiness at your return. You have been washed, you have been cleansed, you have a seat with the heavenly Father. Believe it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

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

Accordance

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