3rd Sunday in Advent - WL/SJ Dec. 13, 2009

Proclaiming the Good News
Discovering a Heart for Praise and Proclamation

John ascended into the pulpit near the Jordan river, cleared his throat, offered a prayer, and then said:

⁷John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ⁹Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” ¹⁰And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” ¹¹In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” ¹²Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” ¹³He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” ¹⁴Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Wow now I don't know about you but I believe John may of had some issues in entry level preaching classes at seminary. The "brood of vipers" and slamming the pulpit hell fire and brimstone preaching may feel a bit of place in Lutheran circles at least. It would catch most of us off guard if I began the sermon with the charge of the law - the condemnation of sin that we are all under. John begins with the problem and points to a solution. In Lutheran preaching we see this as the introduction of the law and the proclamation of the Gospel as the solution.

A local pastor asked his sexton to post the title of his sermon on the signboard outside the church to read "Are Ministers Crazy?" Not hearing this as a question, the sexton posted, "Our Minister's Crazy" much to the amusement of the community.

Advent is a time for us a the people of God to prepare for the Light of Christ. We see it in the process of light today, the lighting of the 3rd Advent candle, the story of St. Lucy, and the longing we have for a Savior. It is in this time that we hear about the problem - the human condition that we find ourselves in - and how the Advent readings guide us and point most assuredly to the birth of the Messiah Christ the Lord.

Top Ten Signs You Are In For A Long Sermon

10. There's a case of bottled water beside the pulpit in a cooler.

9. The pews have camper hookups.

8. You overhear the pastor telling the sound man to have a few (dozen!) extra tapes on hand to record today's sermon.

7. The preacher has brought a snack to the pulpit.

6. The preacher breaks for an intermission.

5. The bulletins have pizza delivery menus.

4. When the preacher asks the deacon to bring in his notes, he rolls in a filing cabinet.

3. The choir loft is furnished with La-Z-Boys.

2. Instead of taking off his watch and laying it on the pulpit, the preacher turns up a four-foot hour-glass.

And The Number One Sign You Are In For A Long Sermon

1. The minister says, "You'll be out in time to watch the Super Bowl" but it's only September!

In all seriousness the task of proclamation and praise for the Advent of our God is both of our hands, hearts, and voices. Be it at the water cooler (well most break rooms now have pop dispensers and everybody brings in there own bottles), at the mall, or even after services we are given the charge to be in likeness (well in a Lutheran sorta way - lets not get too crazy) to John the Baptist and join the ranks of others who have prepared the way for Christ the Messiah.

Going About the Task of Preaching and Praise

1. Know what you are talking about.
1. Always a good idea. Installing a facet...
2. Reading the text, study the original language (thanks to Pastor Hahn), read it in the community of others who offer their insights, read it again, pray over the text - see the pattern?
   
3. ¹⁵The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. ¹⁶On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. ¹⁷The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing ¹⁸as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.
4. “It is wrong to assume that on the one hand there is a word, or a truth, and on the other hand there is a community existing as two separate entities, and that it would then be the task of the preacher to take this word, to manipulate and enliven it, in order to bring it within and apply it to the community. Rather, the Word moves along this path of its own accord. The preacher should and can do nothing more than be a servant of this movement inherent in the Word itself, and refrain from placing obstacles in its path.” Bonhoeffer on preaching.
5. As a pastor it is my charge to be the called leader in this congregation to take care of this task. We work together in the movement of the Word from the preached Word to the hearers hearts. It is my earnest prayer that I do not put any obstacles in the way of this movement.
   
6. What can we do to be proclaimers and help others discover a heart of praise? The movement of law to Gospel? From the pain of sin to the joy of absolution?
7. Know the story, live the story, and proclaim the story with me. Follow the weekly readings and join the conversation.
   
2. Take confidence not in your own abilities but in the confidence the Word assures and grants us.
1. Sermon trapped in the parsonage office.
2. When I first arrived on internship I was married to my notes. I wanted to be sure that all the thoughts, word for word, came across as I preached. I was nervous I would say something wrong, skip over something important, making a theological fupa, or worse, cause ill harm on someones faith. But hear these words:
3. ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
4. The task of preaching did not belong to me it was God using me as a vessel. It was a change in my heart to be humble, open, and willing for the Holy Spirit to use me to speak to the congregation.
   
5. How could John proclaim such words without some kind of guidance if not power? Can we not claim that power as we approach the Word and promise of Advent today?
3. Embrace the power of the Good News as it comes to us anew every day as it drives us to proclaim.
   
1. ¹⁵As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ¹⁸So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
2. A sermon can be as simple as a song:

3. God is so good, God is so good,
   God is so good, God's so good to me.
   

4. God loves us so, God loves us so,
   God loves us so, God's so good to us.

5. Preach the good news that love comes down in human form, born in a manger, to bring peace and salvation to all. That God indeed is so good that he answers the cries of his people Israel by sending a Savior - Jesus he will answer the cries of our hearts today.
   

What are our motives? In our home we have a new puppy who often I wonder what her next move will be. I am not as young as I once was and not able to leap tall buildings and scale furniture as once I did - maybe I never could but love thinking that I once had the potential to do so.

There is such hope and delight in her delicate puppy spirit. She bounds around taking secret treasures to hide and later devour when her puppy parents are not looking. We may call it her little POW camp of toys, pieces of paper, food, socks, shoes, and the occasional missing set of keys under the bed or table but she sees it as hope.

What some in the church call hopeless do others see hope? I was a bit discouraged to see that our synod and national church took press in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It may be a win for some but I fear it is a loss for the church. When the very essence of the Gospel would compel us to move forward and onward in ministry together these actions move us back to the decisions already made in August. (CR Gazette Newslink here)

If we have the inability to work together for a common mission being the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we can no longer be a church - honestly. How can two groups or more work against each other and somehow advance the cause of Christ?

Some to think about on the eve of the largest storm in Iowa history - or close to it.

2nd Sunday in Advent - WLC/SJ

Preparing the Way for the Lord

Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."

The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."

The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ²But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; ³he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

We do much to prepare - from washing walls and scrubbing before painting to cleaning our homes to make ready for guests during this holiday season. Much of what we do in life is centered in the theme of preparation. Think of the many thinks you prepare for. ACT tests to enter college, a job interview, a catechism review with the pastor, throughout the many milestones in life there are stages of preparation. Many of you today can recall (or perhaps you have blocked out) the stressing weeks and months before your wedding day. How important is good preparation and planning?

Advent is a time for us to center ourselves in a time of preparation. We are to be ready for Christ not only at the coming of Christmas but as a future event when He will return as He has promised in the Holy Scripture. Are you ready - can you endure the day of his coming?

A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"

Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping."

Awake O sleeper and rise from your slumber. Greet the new morning that has dawned - do not be caught off guard as will be the case for some. May we endeavor to use this time of Advent to prepare our hearts, our homes, and our congregation to be a place for God Emmanuel to dwell in us richly.

How can we prepare the way for the Lord?

1. Ground yourselves in prayer and thanksgiving.

1. ³I thank my God every time I remember you, ⁴constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, ⁵because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ

2. Are we discouraged, do we have trails and temptations, is there trouble anywhere? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. I thank my God for the ability to serve as pastor, teacher, and fellow worker with you in the kingdom of God. Bathe yourselves in the task of praying for the members of this parish, your family, and for the work of the Gospel yet to take place here.
4. Pray specifically for the task of preparation.
   
2. Salvation is revealed to us - do not be full of fear.
1. “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ⁵Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; ⁶and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
2. The power of music during this season of Advent and Christmas.
3. Become a messenger of the Gospel.
1. ⁷⁸By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, ⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
2. What is "good news this season?
   

First Sunday in Advent - WLC/SJ

Missing the Point

Consumed by Worry, Fear, and Lack of Faith

How many of us drove out to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or another store to brave the crowds to grab that "one in a lifetime" price? Some of you I know are good at making lists - you are methodical about after Thanksgiving shopping. It becomes an art form truly to be appreciated. In your pocket or purse you have a master list, a map, a schedule which may include breakfast - and one little deviation from this list could spell disaster. There is no room for fear, worry, or defeat. In the end you will have a shoppers prize. You mastered the art of driving through parking lots, avoiding shopping cart accidents, and you kept your cool even though you really wanted to say something to that person that just cut in front of you.

The text leading up to Christmas bring with an advent of themes - the promised second coming, judgment, the fear of the end times. And with these readings comes a certain amount of fear, worrying, and in some cases lack of faith. The term advent means a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure for the second coming of Christ.

We await the arrival of many things. Many of us spent time awaiting the arrival of guests for thanksgiving. Much work was to be done before our homes would be ready. There was cleaning to be done, food to be made, and in the end it was worth it. Fellowship was had, break was broken, and bounds between families members were continued.

Advent is a time for us as a church and as individuals to "get ready" for the coming of Christ into our lives and our homes not only this Christmas but every day of our lives. We keep watch and stand guard to meet our Lord - "awake awake for night is flying" indeed.

Applying the Text

1. Do not be consumed by worry - be caught up in the hope and reality of God's promised revealed in Jesus Christ.

1. ¹⁴The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ¹⁵In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
   

2. Fresh out of business school, a young man answered a want ad for an accountant. Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a small business that he had started himself.
   "I need someone with an accounting degree," the man said. "But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me."
   "Excuse me?" the accountant said.
   "I worry about a lot of things," the man said. "But I don't want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back."
   "I see," the accountant said. "And how much does the job pay?"
   "I'll start you at eighty thousand."
   "Eighty thousand dollars!" the accountant exclaimed.
   "How can such a small business afford a sum like that?"
   "That," the owner said, "is your first worry."
3. If we lift our souls to God let us then put aside our worries, our shortcomings, and our sins and know that God "will take care of us"
2. Fear can blind us from seeing the true glory that awaits us.
   
1. ³⁴“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
2. ¹³And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
3. It takes faith to be open to the revelation of Jesus Christ - the one who came and the one who is to come.

1. ⁸Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

   ⁹He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

   ¹⁰All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
   

2. ¹⁰Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. ¹¹Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. ¹²And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

Thanksgiving Eve - Waterville Lutheran

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving...

A man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving and says,"I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams. We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this,"

She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at her father, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "they're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way."

* Thanksgiving Dinner on the run. A woman called 1-800-323-4848 to
find out how long it would take to roast her turkey. To answer
the question, the Talk-Line home economist asked how much the
bird weighed. The woman responded, "I don't know, it's still
running around outside."

* Then there's the time a lady was picking through the frozen
turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough
for her family. She asked a stock boy, "Do these turkeys get
any bigger?" The stock boy replied, "No ma'am, they're dead."

It is hard to even settle ourselves on such a night when there is SO MUCH on our minds. Who is going to stay up to bake the last pies, prepare the turkey - WAIT the turkey was suppose to be out 2 days ago... As hard as it may be to divorce ourselves from the present realities of turkeys, sweet potatoes, visiting relatives, hours on the road with the family and the advent of at least one kitchen disaster I want you to join with me this night and gather your hearts together in the Word tonight.

What can we learn from these texts and take to heart as we gather around tables tomorrow? It isn't about the turkey whether you like it bloody or to be like jerky. It isn't about whether or not your cousin is going to introduce a new friend to the family and stir up a chaos like never seen before. It is about "giving thanks" and with that we begin.

Applying the Texts

1. Begin not only this day with thanksgiving but everyday.
1. 2First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
2. Whether it be a time set aside for "saying what we are thankful for" make every intention to give thanks for food, fellowship, family and friends.
   
3. We have munch to be thankful for this year.
2. God provides!
1. ²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ²⁸And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ³²For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
2. The Turkey popped out of the oven
   and rocketed in to the air;
   It knocked every plate off the table
   and partly demolished a chair.
   It ricocheted into a corner
   and burst with a deafening boom,
   Then splattered all over the kitchen,
   completely obscuring the room.
   It stuck to the walls and the windows,
   it totally coated the floor,
   There was turkey attached to the ceiling,
   where there had never been turkey before..
   It blanketed every appliance,
   it smeared every saucer and bowl;
   There wasn't a way I could stop it;
   that turkey was out of control.
   I scraped and I scraped with displeasure
   and thought with chagrin as I mopped,
   That I would never again stuff a turkey
   with popcorn that hadn't been popped.
3. Whether your Thanksgiving dinner becomes a complete disaster or goes off without a hitch God provides. Hum the tune - Be not dismayed what er' betides, God will take care of you.
3. Strive then for the kingdom of God and al these things will be added unto you.
1. Offering a blessing, a hymn, and bring the Word and prayer to your table tomorrow. Strive to remember who has provide these great things that we devour.

Thank Offering Sunday - November 22 (Waterville)

And what does God ask of us?

Women in this congregation have quietly went about the task of ministry for well over 100 years. It was the men who goofed things up right? We had some great leaders over the years - women who for the sake of the Gospel strove to be confident in faith, leading with authority and love, and have left a legacy in our hearts.

We are thankful today and bring an offering of praise for the great leaders of the past and look for the leaders of the future who will lead in confidence and grace. Whether our offering come in the form of Krumkake or through the gifts of our tithe we are thankful for the work of God in this place.

1. Be ready for the task of ministry!
1. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ²to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. ³For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. ⁴But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
2. The call goes out for...
2. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you!
1. ⁸And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but” against the Lord. ⁹Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’“ ¹⁰And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. ¹¹The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ¹²“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’“
2. God has answered prayer through the community of this church, through the meeting of the Women of Waterville, and through authentic love for each other.
   
3. "I thank my God for you."
3. Be ready for the day to come.
1. ¹⁸Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ ²⁰But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ²¹So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
2. What are we passing on to our young women in this parish? Why are these things that we do important? Really it isn't about baked goods, the gatherings, but it is far more importantly about living in the community of faith and living out together our calling.
3. The world is changing, the world is hurting. Are we up for the challenge?

Closed Sundays?

I saw this on another blog and just could not resist. Are we closed on Sunday's as a church or should we be when we consider the cost effective nature of our budgets bursting at the seems? In a down economy should the church speak its own language in live in the hardness of a reality which is looming on the horizon for many of us?

It is in this understanding and from this that I draw on our need to become fiscal stewards of not only resources but buildings, people and their gifts, and the very nature of how we be church in this age. Certainly one would be foolish to think that the models of ministry that barely survived the 1950's and 1960's would make any sense even in this age. To repackage the same Sunday school, the same way we encounter younger families, and the way we conduct ourselves as a church gathered on Sundays would miss the boat and the chance to minster to a group of people who are hungry for belonging and good news.

Maybe perhaps if people cannot attend services on Sunday what about offering services on a different day and in a different place? To evangelize in this new era of ministry before us will be a challenge - to think outside the box and the wall of the church. If the people are not coming to church for whatever reason the church will have to go out where the people are. This is risky business but well worth it when we consider that if we do nothing as a church body we will fade into the sacred memory of the past and cease to exist. Our heritage and witness as Lutheran Christians matters - and we have something to offer even post Churchwide Assembly.

Most often I dart the CWA discussion and leave that for the pros. Whether I agree with the decisions or not is a mute point. What I am absolutely committed to and convinced of is that it is a great time to be the church. We can walk around with our heads in the sand and be full of shame - but in doing so we throw out the baby with the bath water. We dismiss the resurrected Christ who has the ability to bring hope out of darkness.

I see real hope for rural ministry and the ministry of our church the ELCA. Some days are better than others, but sisters and brothers in Christ let us tear down the walls that divide us and declare to the rest of the world that the ELCA is open for the Gospel and open for business.

Peace,

Pr. Kris

Christ the King Sunday - St. John Lutheran

The Problem with Authority

Christ the King?

Sunday Readings (click here)

So who is in charge really?

• In a McDonald's world I could not imagine not having "someone" be in the position of authority. The McDonald's world runs on authority - and I have lived in the aftermath of chaos when managers fail to assume that position.
  
• What happens when parents try to be "friends" to their children rather than an authority figure in their children's lives?
• In government we have seen this happen - authority is challenge daily.
  

In this modern world we as much as those in the ancient world struggle with who really is in charge. Depending on who you are some would thrive on a militant king. Others seek the peaceful presence of someone who rules with justice and kindness. How do we approach Jesus as King? "For this reason I was born - and for this reason I came into the world to testify to the truth."

Maybe we learn about Jesus as king in the prayers he offered - "Not my will Father but your will be done." Perhaps it is in the example of grace that extends to the sinner, the outcast, the tax collector. The strength and magesty of our Lord Christ comes not in earthly terms which often become confused with terms like dominance, dominion, and unbalanced approach to authority.

We believe beloved in a savior and a king who comes and breaks into the chaos of this world were authority runs a muck, fearful monsters and visions cloud our view of hope, and the reality of God's promise may be overshadowed by our thoughts of despair. Do we believe in such a king and savior that would exchange his own life to grant us complete and everlasting pardon for our sins? What shall we say about these things? Are we confident or fearful of the images and words declaring Christ's return? If all "eyes shall see him" will we be cowering in the corner shivering in fear or be standing with our bags packed assured in the blessed grace and promise God has given to us through Jesus?

Applying the Text

1. From the beginning to the end of the ages God is ultimate King of the universe and our lives.
1. "I am the Alpha and the Omega"
2. "You throne is establish from old and you are from everlasting"
3. Do not be full of fear and trembling - see the Lord descending.
4. Do we see the fingerprints of God in human history?
   
5. "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it." ... Brother Lawrence
6. Examining our own lives how has God moved through our own history? Baptism, confirmation, communion, marriage, and yes even in the sad moments of losing loved ones...
2. Embrace the Savior who gives to us ultimate guidance, loved, peace, and the promise of life everlasting.
1. Pilate entered the headquarters^* again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ ³⁴Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ ³⁵Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ ³⁶Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.
2. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ⁷Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. ⁸“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

3. Pius the 9th in 1925 hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:

   1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).
   2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).
   3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).

3. As we draw the church year to a close may we be confident in the hope that awaits us in glory.

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

³⁷Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

Listen to the voice of the Savior today who declares he is the alpha and the omega - the beginning and the end. Leaders come and go - authority is challenged in many ways - yet I savior stands fast forever.

24th Sunday After Pentecost

Daniel 12:1-13

12“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. ²Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. ³Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Hebrews 10:11-25

¹¹And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. ¹²But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” ¹³and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” ¹⁴For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. ¹⁵And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, ¹⁶“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” ¹⁷he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” ¹⁸Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

¹⁹Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Mark 13:1-8

13As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” ²Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

³When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” ⁵Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. ⁶Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. ⁷When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. ⁸For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.

"Do ya know what I heard?"

Rumors, Fear Speak, and Finding the Gospel

Women have the beauty shop, men have depending on if you live near Waukon - then its the barber shop or the implement dealer, and indeed if you live long enough in a rural community our lives can be turned inside out by rumors. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard this sentence begun as I walked into a room - "Do you know what I heard?" No, please tell me - what did you hear?

We will hear about awful things - but where does our hearts rest? Do we live for the next word or do we live for the very Word that quiets our weary souls? There will be times of anguish - "There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book." But within this and the words of the Gospel we know that God's continued presence will remain. "Your people shall be delivered." Do we believe this?

If the promise of salvation and redemption regardless of the perils of this present age comes to us in the Word today - then why are we shaking in fear? He's got the whole world in his hand - He's got you and me brother in His hands. Do we believe this?

Do you know what I heard? Let's walk then into the Word today and hear about the good Word - the Gospel today. This is not a rumor but it is the truth - the whole truth - nothing but the truth - so God helps us.

Applying the Word

1. Do not be miss lead!
1. ⁴“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” ⁵Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. ⁶Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.
2. But wait with patience for God to finish his work.
3. Fear this! (t-shirts and salvation) Tell fear to taking a flying leap. Are we people grounded in hope or fear?
4. Be clear and cleaver. Know the signs of being mislead.
   
2. Take refuge in God.
1. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.
2. See the signs of destruction - is the savior coming soon?
3. ¹⁹Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
3. Be transformed through the experience of community found in this place.
1. 3Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
   
2. A Baptist missionary was walking in Africa when he heard the ominous padding of a lion behind him. "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, "Grant in Thy goodness that the lion walking behind me is a good Christian lion." And then, in the silence that followed, the missionary heard the lion praying too: "Oh Lord," he prayed, "I thank Thee for the food which I am about to receive."
   
3. Thank God for each other. Thank God for this place of mission and ministry. Thank God for the reality of community - not manufactured - but honest to God love for each other.
   
4. Do you know what I heard - "God is here!"

23rd Sunday After Pentecost

1 Kings 17:8-16

⁸Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ⁹“Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” ¹⁰So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” ¹¹As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” ¹²But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” ¹³Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. ¹⁴For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” ¹⁵She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Hebrews 9:24-28

²⁴For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; ²⁶for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, ²⁸so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Mark 12:38-44

³⁸As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! ⁴⁰They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

⁴¹He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴²A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

A Matter of the Heart

True Discipleship Take 2

We could simply say the Gospel lesson is nothing more than Jesus scolding those who gave out of abundance and duty over against the poor widow who gave all that she have. We could say that this sermon will be another stewardship sermon so pull out those checkbooks day planner - think about the pot roast that could get a little too done if the pastor preaches too long. To me its much more than just what we see lying on the surface. These texts take yet another heart examination of what it means to be completely heart dedicated to God. What it means to live out lives of crazy faith in our Lord Jesus. Whatever side of the table we are on - either poor or rich - we learn a lesson by these texts.

Take away the notion of rich means bad and poor mean good. That misses the point. What matters here is the HEART. We can appear to be religious as Jesus points us and where does it get us? A line in the Gospel about whom Jesus doesn't what his followers to be like. You can look the part, act the part, but to BE the person of faith full of humility and discipleship intentions takes a heart dedicated to God and the life of a Christ follower - that is what it means to be truly rightous.

Thank you Waldo Weaning for bringing some clarification to the table when it comes to giving and matters of the heart. We have heard dozens of stewardship sermons over the years. This is not one of them. So if you were hoping to hear a sermon about stewardship I am sorry to disappoint you. Studies have shown attendance drops and ears turn off when pastors preach about money. Let me explain Waldo's thoughts and guidance that we can apply to the Gospel today.

1. You have to (law)

2. You ought to (obligation)

3. You want to (grace)

The widow who had nothing more to give because she knew that she and her boy were facing their last meal - how dare this so called prophet ask for what they had left? What is half of nothing? NOTHING. "I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and little oil in a jug. I am now gathering sticks so that Y may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." Sounds like a perfect candidate for the local optimism club eh?

To believe that God can provide out of such nothing it takes faith. Elijah had to be thinking - OK Lord this better work or I am in a lot of trouble. Faith beloved! "Do not be full of fear. go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for your son. For thus says the Lord the God of Isreal, The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. She went and did as Elijah said, so that she was well as he and her household ate for many days." A matter of faith and a pinch of perspective.

Applying the Text

1. Hate to break it to you - appearances mean NOTHING.
1. If you wear jeans to church you will be evaporated in a cloud of smoke right in the pew.
2. "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at the banquets! They will receive greater condemnation."
3. Whether you wear your farm jeans on Sunday by accident or you were the only jeans you have what matters to God is your heart.
   
4. The temple system of that day took this widows whole life rather than praising her incredible crazy faith.
   
2. See God as the great provider.
1. Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
2. "The jar of meal was not emptied neither did the jug fail according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.
3. We give Thee but Thine own,
   Whate’er the gift may be;
   All that we have is Thine alone,
   A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
3. Our hearts lead us to give and to live through lives of humility.

1. One man said to another at a school function: "I've been racking my mind, but I can't place you. You look very much like somebody I have seen a lot - and for some reason I get the feeling you're somebody I don't LIKE - but I can't remember why. Isn't that strange?"

   "There's nothing strange about it," said the other man. "For the last two years I've passed you the collection plate in church!"

2. If what we have belongs to God to begin with - that he has blessed us beyond our means - then how now shall we live?
3. How we approach ministry comes through this new found sense of humility as well.

All Saints Sunday

Sunday Readings

Isaiah 25:6-9

⁶On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. ⁷And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. ⁸Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

⁹It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Revelation 21:1-6a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; ⁴he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” ⁵And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ⁶Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end

John 11:32-44
³²When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” ³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. ³⁴He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵Jesus began to weep. ³⁶So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” ³⁷But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” ³⁸Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. ³⁹Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” ⁴⁰Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” ⁴¹So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” ⁴³When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Marked by the Cross of Christ - Sealed by the Promise
What is it that defines us in the end?

What we leave behind can tell a story. For some it is gruesome, for others it is the stuff of legends. What will be the imprint of our lives left for others to cherish? On this day in which we honor the lives of those who have gone before us what do we remember? Perhaps for me it would be such saints as Hazel Jacobson. She would with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face to you exactly what she thought - but packaged it with love and endearment for her pastor and those around her. She was a master organizer, a force to be reckoned with when it came to the church basement - we give you thanks O God for these and countless others who have left a mark on this place and in our hearts forever.

Jesus guides in this process of "giving thanks" so that others may know of the glory of God. We hear it in his prayer before Lazarus comes to life again. May we be unbound and able to hear, believe, and act on the promises of God revealed in the Word and Sacrament today.

What is it then that defines us? Try these on for size:

For over 45 years she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying in the slums of India often putting aside her own needs and ill health for the sake of those around her. Who am I?

He was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages. Accredited to him would be hymns such as Joy to the World, Marching to Zion, and Jesus Shall Reign. Who am I?

Implementing a "Henry Ford" assembly line in the production of his food products this man standardized the family night out meal. Whether you were in Minneapolis or Memphis you would get the same food made the same exact way to insure quality. Who am I?

Who am I? This or the other?

Am I one person today and tomorrow another?

Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,

And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?

Or is something within me still like a beaten army,

Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Applying the Text

1. We are defined by the grace, love, and mercy of God.
1. "Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth."
   
2. In the end what defines us is not our misdeeds but the final victory of Christ over sin, death, and the devil.
3. What is it like to be "unbound" and "let go".
2. We must be willing to take the blinders off and see past our own limitations.
1. "Lord there is already a stench of death because he has been in there for four days."
2. "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
3. What keep us from seeing the glory of God?
   
4. The importance of living our lives out in the Christian faith - someone is watching.
3. What defines us and leaves a mark is the story we love to sing.
1. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end.
   
2. Psalm 121 as a lasting impression.
   
3. What defines us in the memory of others is seeing the Christ of faith in our actions, our service, and in our hearts. Do we love to tell the story? Is it our theme not only in glory but in the here and now?
   
4. Becoming a church that is surrounded by "such a great cloud of witnesses" let us through down that which bind us and run the race with perseverance the race set before.
   
5. Can you hear the voices of the saints around you today?

Reformation Sunday

These Things Matter

Grace Alone, Word Alone, Faith Alone

You Might Be a Lutheran If...

...you only serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season.

...you didn't know chow mein noodles were a Chinese food.

...when someone mentions red and green (in terms of Christmas), you immediately think of a battle over hymnals.

...during the entire service you hold your hymnal open but never look down at it.

...during communion you hum the hymns so you can see who's at church that Sunday.

...rather than introducing yourself to a visitor at church, you check their name out in the guestbook.

...you think Garrison Keillor's stories are totally factual.

...you have your wedding reception in the fellowship hall and feel guilty about not staying to help clean up.

...a midlife crisis means switching from the old hymnbook to the new one.

...you forget to put water in the baptismal font but never forget to put water in the coffee pot.

...the pastor skips the last hymn to make sure church lasts exactly 60 minutes.

...you make spaghetti at your house with the little macaroni noodles because they're not so messy then.

...you don't make eye contact when passing someone in the hall because you think it's impolite.

...your choir believes volume is a fair substitute for tonality.

...you don't know what was sooo funny about dat movie "Fargo" then.

...in response to someone jumping up and shouting "Praise the Lord!", you politely remind him or her that we don't do that around here.

...you think a meeting isn't legitimate unless it's at least three hours long.

...peas in your tuna noodle hotdish add too much color.

...you make change in the offering plate for a ten.

...your dad's name is Luther N., your brother is Luther Hahn and you are Lew Theran.

...you think butter is a spice.

...the church is on fire, and you rush in to save the coffee pot.

...you have more than five flavors of Jell-O in your pantry.

...you know what a "dead spread" is.

...you talk to someone else and look at their shoes first.

...you have more than three friends whose first names have the letter "j" as the second letter.

...the only open pew is up front, so you volunteer to shovel the sidewalk.

...Ole and Lena are really the names of your relatives.

...you know what a Lutheran Church Basement Woman is.

...you give a party and don't tell anyone where it is.

...you think hotdish is one of the major food groups.

...http://www.luthbro.com is one of your bookmarks.

...your five-year-old recites the Old Testament books as Genesis, Exodus, Lutefisk...

...someone asks you after church if there's any "decaf coffee" and you laugh because you KNOW that if it doesn't have caffeine, it can't be coffee!

...you think anyone who says "casserole" instead of "hotdish" is trying to be uppity (or maybe even Episcopalian!)

...you think the term "Jell-O salad" is redundant.

...you freeze the leftover coffee from fellowship hour for next week.

In all seriousness beloved - do we know WHAT we believe when it comes to being Lutheran and a Christian in this day and age? What matters to us as we live our lives in faithfulness to the call that Jesus has given us?

(As we celebrate the heritage of this church - East Paint Creek synod Lutheran Church can we close our eyes and hear the voices of the past, Pastor's who out of duty to their calling to serve spent hours instructing us in the Christian faith, the teachings and guidance of Martin Luther. The cloud of witnesses that gather today may they be of encouragement to us as we gather around the Word and go forth in service to Christ.)

We Lutheran are an intentional bunch. Look around the sanctuary today. The design of our buildings says much about what matters.

Do our children and grandchildren know what matters? Have we passed on the richness of the gifts that are ever present in the gathering of Word and Sacrament? Do we live as people who bring our children to the services of God's house, teach the things that matter and enrich the faith, and place into the hands of hungering people God's Word? Reformation day is a time for us to pull out a package of brats, taste the greatness of a God who loved us so much as to send His own Son to suffer a brutal death for our sake. A God who makes salvation as clear as the thick black cloud of Asian beatles that gather on my house day after day.

Applying the Word

1. Sole Scriptura / Word Alone
1. Bible Ownership
   Most Americans own a Bible. In fact, 92% of households in America own at least one copy. Of those households that own a Bible, the average number of Bibles is three. This includes not only the homes of practicing Christians but hundreds of thousands of atheists as well. ²
   
   Bible Reading
   Although most Americans own a Bible, use of the Bible varies significantly. In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization in October, 2000, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally. This is down from 73% in the 1980s. The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. This is down slightly from 40% in 1990. ³ According to the Barna Research Group, those who read the Bible regularly spend about 52 minutes a week in the scriptures. ⁴ Barna, "The Bible," data is from 1997.
   
   
   Which gender is more faithful at reading the Bible at least weekly? The prize goes to the women. Women (42%) are more likely than men (32%) to have read the Bible in the past week. What version do people prefer? As of 1997, those who read the Bible preferred the King James Version to the New International Version by a 5 to 1 margin. ⁵
   
   Bible Study
   When it comes to going beyond merely reading the Bible to actual study of the Bible, the numbers decline sharply. Only one in seven Americans report an involvement that goes beyond just reading the Bible. Fourteen percent of Americans currently belong to a Bible study group. ⁶ This is down a full one-third from 1990 when 21% said they were involved in a Bible study group. ⁷
   
   Bible Knowledge
   How about knowledge of the Bible? According to Gallup, "Despite the impressive statistics concerning Bible reading and study, it is apparent that ignorance about its contents is widespread." ⁸

   He gives evidence for this conclusion:
   --	Only half of adults interviewed nationwide could name any of the four Gospels of the New Testament.
   --	Just 37% of those interviewed could name all four Gospels.
   --	Only 42% of adults were able to name as many as five of the Ten Commandments correctly.
   --	Seven in ten (70%) were able to name the town where Jesus was born, but just 42% could identify him as the person who delivered the Sermon on the Mount. 9

1. "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
2. The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid. Martin Luther.
   
3. Treasure the Word of God in your hearts. Live in the promises offered in these pages. Dwell richly in the Christ we encounter who declares freedom!
   

Grace alone

1. ²¹But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith.
2. Ephesians - WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART TODAY. ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— ⁹not the result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
   
3. And its all because of God's amazing grace.
   
4. Martin Luther ran smack into the face of his own frail nature. No matter how hard he tried to be perfect, how hard he tried to find attonment for his own sins - the Word of God came to his heart in a powerful way.
   
5. Remember beloved when these words of scripture became real in your own life.
   
6. PAID IN FULL.

Faith Alone

1. Three frogs sat on a lilly pad. One decided to jump off. How many were left?
   Three. He only decided to jump off, but never took the leap.
   
   It's not enough to make a decision. You've got to take a leap of faith and follow through with it.
2. "For we hold that a person is justified (made right in the eyes of God) by FAITH part from works prescribed by the law."
3. It takes faith to believe that God can move mountains!
4. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for....

These things matter - scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone. Everything else is well, everything else. We are a church that is built on these three things. Now go live it!