faithlutheranbv.org

Category: Pastor

  • God’s Service

    God’s Service

    “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:45a)

    A lot of things have changed recently. We have seen pandemic, rioting, and peaceful protest. Some of us are not able to gather together in church to be served by God, so God serves them online. We have seen changes. However God’s Service does not change. Whether we gather together online or in person God serves us through His word and Sacraments. Every week that we gather together is a great banquet offered up by God. Never forget that.

    Some do forget. I wonder if that is the reason that church attendance is in a decline throughout our nation. Many churches have forgotten this fundamental truth. We do not go to church to serve God. He doesn’t need our service. We go to church to be served by God. 

    Listen to His word, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) God left His throne in heaven and took on our sinful flesh so that God could serve us. Truly God loves us, or he would not have gone to such lengths to save sinners. That is what we are. Sinners. Sinners loved by God. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What incredible service! When viewed through God’s service to us, church is not a burden. 

    Compare this to how some churches only call you to serve. After a difficult work week the alarm goes off on Sunday morning and off you go to serve.  You get up, dress, and go to church to give your best to God. At the beginning of the service, a worship leader comes out and asks you to stand and make a joyful noise to the Lord.  After a couple of songs, even though your coffee has not kicked in, the worship leader is crying out, “Now this time, really sing it!  Everyone get your hands up!”  Then, just when you think you can take a break, a pastor comes out, and you are given a list of ways in which you can work harder to be a better Christian and better serve God. After church is complete; you finish your errands, go home, and go to bed, to start all over again.It sounds exhausting, because it is exhausting.

    Now compare a service where God serves us. We go to church burdened with a week’s worth of sin. God meets us. We confess to God, and lo and behold, we hear His promise of forgiveness. We eagerly wait for more. We hear God’s word and are strengthened by the Holy Spirit working in it. We rejoice that God has saved us in a message that emphasizes God’s work for us. We begin to recover from our stressful work week. We are feeling better. Next we are invited to a feast that God has put on for us. He invites us to take and eat His very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We receive forgiveness, life, and strength, through this holy food. God serves us and we respond to His gifts. No wonder we break into song. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” We receive God’s blessing as His saints on earth, and strengthened by God’s service to us we respond. Then back home ready to face another week.

    Which would I rather take part in? I want to be served by God. I need His strength and His blessings. God’s service is returned with my joy and song. Then I can face another week. Strengthened by God and I can be ready to serve Him in my life and vocation. But first I need His service. 

  • Follow

    Follow

    follow-jesus.jpg

    As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62 ESV)

    There is a scene in the movie, “A Few Good Men” where Jack Nicolson’s character, being hounded by the prosecution, breaks down on the stand into a snarling rage. He say, “You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth.” I think Jesus would disagree. He gives you the whole unvarnished truth, good or bad.

    Look at how Jesus handles all three interactions with new, potential disciples.  He doesn’t pull punches, does He?  Jesus lays out and explains all the “fine print” and “hidden costs” that people often plead ignorance to later on when things don’t work out their way in their “walk with Christ.” He doesn’t lure them in with everything they want to hear and then yanking the rug out from under them later on, giving them something else, or nothing.  Jesus tells it exactly like it is.  His Way is the way of the cross.  Know it up front and do not ever be deceived.

    None of these men ever responded to Jesus’ truth.  Luke never tells us what they said or what they did after hearing Jesus’ Truth.  Maybe that got mad and stormed off.  Maybe they heard the truth and listened.  Maybe Jesus’ harsh word of Law got through and brought them to life and joy in the Gospel.  We don’t know.  We’re never told.  And there’s good reason for that.  Jesus is still holding this lesson out to you.

    This isn’t a history lesson about three guys who lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.  This is about you.  This is about me.  This is about our daily lies, excuses, and sinful realities.  The reason the responses are left out is because the response is still happening in your life.  The question is still being asked of you. Will you follow, or is the cost too high?

    In studying God’s Word, in hearing, marking and learning, God’s perfect Word, we learn that God the Holy Spirit is working in us to create, sustain, and grow faith.

    In faith we recognize that the reality of salvation isn’t about what we’ll do for Jesus, it’s about what He has done for us.  He is the One who fulfills all things, and has made you worthy by giving you His glory.  Because of Him, you are counted as a perfect disciple of your Lord.  The cost of our salvation was certainly high. It cost the life of the Son of God.

    Jesus did not simply show you the right path and expect you to follow it on your own.  He walked the path for you, and when He was done, He turned around and declared you His perfect disciple for simply trusting in Him.  Do not be deceived.  The real cost of faithful discipleship is not what you pay for simply believing in Christ.  The real cost is what Christ has paid for you in order to make you part of His family.

    What a joy to know that the cost has been paid and that even now the Holy Spirit is working in you to help you grow in faith and joy. What a joy to know the truth, the whole truth, and know that through the Holy Spirit’s continued work we follow Jesus’ more and more easily, no questions asked.