tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242110422024-03-14T12:04:56.628-05:00Epistles from ExileThis world is not my home. (I Peter 2:9-12)Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.comBlogger1204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-70721689733165503922024-03-13T21:58:00.002-05:002024-03-13T21:58:49.901-05:00Sermon for 3/13/24: Midweek Lent 4 (Psalm 22 series)<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B2gdIvuIKUGkCwA590XfiZxcH7JJmGlBLlUhMfMWOjWag1apXMsepnrSu4lgMlZ5sqagyA0dUBL-qCsEX14nnpbJstFP_0JbTKyfAtz73ZgyTkG8Lx1meUTKWMsAG-0pQPgIs6qRS54NOSNkmAQj4WuH0mIvbAf6r8H3tR5Axk70qOJiwC74iQ/s1536/H-35%20Lent%20Midweek%204.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="1536" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B2gdIvuIKUGkCwA590XfiZxcH7JJmGlBLlUhMfMWOjWag1apXMsepnrSu4lgMlZ5sqagyA0dUBL-qCsEX14nnpbJstFP_0JbTKyfAtz73ZgyTkG8Lx1meUTKWMsAG-0pQPgIs6qRS54NOSNkmAQj4WuH0mIvbAf6r8H3tR5Axk70qOJiwC74iQ/w200-h193/H-35%20Lent%20Midweek%204.tif" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/dhqre8c0frfqpdmebqicjgx2o44vurmc" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://fb.watch/qO8ioZz8ZQ/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the service video</a>.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Not
Far Off After All</span></b></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22%3A19-24&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 22:19-24</a></span></span><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you, and peace from
God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>There’s
an old and not-so-nice story about a father who is teaching his son about
trust. The father has his son stand on a kitchen counter and then says to him,
“Jump, and Daddy will catch you.” His son says to him, “No, you won’t. You’ll
let me fall.” “I’ll catch you!” the father insists. “Just jump!” The son says,
“But Daddy, I’m scared!” The father replies, “Don’t you trust your Daddy, son? I
promise I’ll catch you.” This went back and forth for a few minutes, the father
holding out his hands to his son, and the son scared of what his father will do
either way. Finally the son lifts his eyes toward the ceiling in surrender and
says, “Okay, Daddy. Here I come.” The son gathers himself and takes a mighty
leap towards his father. As soon as his son’s feet leave the counter, the
father steps back, and he watches as his son hit the floor hard. The son,
crying, says, “You promised, Daddy. You promised you’d catch me.” The father
replies, “This will teach you not to trust anybody.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span>I have no idea whether or not this is a true story—I hope
it’s just a tale told to scare children—but it brings forth the point. We are
conditioned from an early age to doubt everyone. If it’s not a story like this,
then it’s a story of betrayal, a time when a friend or brother did something
wrong and then blamed you for it. Maybe it’s the teammate that missed the
last-minute shot. Maybe it’s the parent that forgot about the piano recital. Or
it could be the mentor who said what you didn’t want to hear. It doesn’t even
</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>necessarily </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>have to be a cruel action. But we take these things very
personally, and eventually we think that the only person we can rely on is
ourselves.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span>At first glance, the Psalm that we have been looking at
these past four weeks seems like another story of a trust betrayed. The Son of
God is hanging on the cross, dehydrating, bleeding, suffocating, dying. The
taunt earlier from the antagonists was this: <i>“<span class="textps-22-8">He trusts in the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-22-8">; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue Him, for He delights in
Him!</span>”</i> The innocent, sinless Son of God cries out for that rescue,
that deliverance, and yet He remains nailed to that cross. The Son of God was seemingly
betrayed by His own Father! Is there nobody that can be trusted? Can we not
trust even God? Is it true that He merely “watching us from a distance,” as
Bette Midler would claim?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span>Up to this point in the Psalm, we see the psalmist crying
out for deliverance for his body and his soul. <i>“<span class="textps-22-19">But you, O </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-22-19">, do
not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!</span>”</i> And up to
this point, we have no indication at all that God was even listening to these
pleas. But then the whole tone of the Psalm changes. We see the psalmist
singing the praises of the Lord. Why the sudden change?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span>Looking at our Lord as He hung upon the cross, it’s not immediately
obvious what has happened. But if you look closely, you see the change in
attitude there, as well. Look at what He says there. First He cries out to the
Father, <i>“My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?”</i> He cries out that He is thirsty. He is making very human
pleas for help and deliverance. But at the end we see Him finally crying out, <i>“Into your hands I commend my spirit.”</i> This
is no longer a cry for help, but a cry that He has been delivered, and that,
through Him, we have been delivered. Jesus knows that He has not been betrayed
by the Father, or else He would not be able to commit His spirit to the Father.
The Father has not betrayed Him. The Father knew was necessary all along, and He
did exactly what was necessary all along. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span>You can see it in the
Psalm. It says, <i>“He has not despised or
abhorred the affliction of the afflicted.”</i> What was the affliction of
Jesus? He was afflicted by our sin. <i>We</i>
were the cause of Christ’s affliction on the cross. Were it not for us, there
would be no reason for Him to be on the cross. He had no sin of His own to
atone for; He hung there for our sake, bearing all our sins, suffering the
wrath of God which humanity had earned in our sin—the wrath we so rightly
deserved. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Have we been betrayed by God? No, never: not
His Son, and certainly not us. Even in the darkest moment, even in the pain and
suffering of Jesus Christ, even when He rightly should have done so, God did
not turn away from us. <i>“<span class="textps-22-24">He has not hidden His face from Him, but has heard when He
cried to Him.</span>”</i> He never turned away from His Son, and He has not hidden
His face from us. <i>“O Lord, do not be far
off.”</i> And He’s not. He is not watching us from a distance, leaving us to
wallow in our own filth, leaving us to bear our shame and scorn. Thanks be to
God, for He is always near to us. He is always with us, bringing us the comfort
of sins forgiven, bringing us the joy of eternal life in His presence. In the
name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-79341595551540478082024-03-06T20:50:00.001-06:002024-03-07T09:56:19.124-06:00Sermon for 3/6/24: Midweek Lent 3 (Psalm 22 series)<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeXHTA8ylurtwJukQ_lsT4_FEP0G-eClnbVWoscrUqx5prX_OPHovoZCVu4BUcaaY9MwM1ehyphenhyphenGckj70WaG87uA_oBcb2L0NwvjEPQ3a_RPcDTbiz-nNtzCXo2PA7weA_7VvZbizX1e26Xufd1IVQQIYVeHr8eMRrFvTMVchXwp2cCNs5hExhVRw/s1636/H-33%20Lent%20Midweek%203.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1636" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeXHTA8ylurtwJukQ_lsT4_FEP0G-eClnbVWoscrUqx5prX_OPHovoZCVu4BUcaaY9MwM1ehyphenhyphenGckj70WaG87uA_oBcb2L0NwvjEPQ3a_RPcDTbiz-nNtzCXo2PA7weA_7VvZbizX1e26Xufd1IVQQIYVeHr8eMRrFvTMVchXwp2cCNs5hExhVRw/w200-h199/H-33%20Lent%20Midweek%203.tif" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/tlsq3z3oxpgk75y7ub3cpcg0daxt4mfr" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://fb.watch/qEV9k2ehBV/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the service video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>The
God Who Suffers</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22%3A12-18&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 22:12-18</a></span></span><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22%3A12-18&version=ESV" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you, and peace from
God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The Nicene Creed was forged
in the fires of heresy, in demonic attempts to separate God from man and man
from God in the person of Jesus. The Reformation was a battle fought centuries
later on the same ground: first when Luther opposed the Roman church, who in
practice denied that the death and resurrection of Jesus applied salvation to
penitent sinners, and then Luther and his colleagues had to fight battles
against those within Protestantism who denied that Jesus was present in His
flesh and blood in the bread and wine of the Holy Supper. Every attack on the
true Christian faith is an attempt by the enemies of Christ to discredit His
one Person in two Natures and thus discredit His saving work. So if we are to
understand this Psalm correctly in this season of Lent, we must confess that
Jesus Christ is both God and Man in one Person. We must confess that this
God-Man suffered and died to pay the blood debt of all mankind. And we must
place all our comfort and find all our hope in His work for us and our
salvation.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>This particular portion of
our Psalm describes our Lord’s intense suffering: physical, emotional, and
spiritual suffering all at once. His enemies are described as strong, vicious
bulls, ready to crush the Victim they encircled, making escape impossible. They
are described as roaring, ravenous lions, seeking to devour their Victim.
Imagine what fear must come upon someone facing those circumstances. As a Man,
our Lord felt all the danger and horror of the situation. All of the enemies of
Christ in all their demonic malevolence face off against our Jesus, with Satan,
that roaring lion, seeking to devour both Him and us. To defeat and devour the
Son of God would be an unparalleled victory.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The sufferings our Lord
endured were awful in the extreme. We will never comprehend how awful they
were. He was <i>“poured out like water.”</i>
His sufferings brought Him weakness and a sense of utter helplessness that
would completely overwhelm anyone. The excruciating pain that accompanied His
crucifixion made Him feel as though His bones were <i>“out of joint.”</i> Imagine as best as you can what it would have been
like to hang on the cross, and all your weight was supported only by the nails
in your hands and feet. It is no wonder His heart became like melted wax within
His breast. His strength was completely dried up. You might recall how He cried
out from the cross, <i>“I thirst,”</i> as He
lacked the moisture to keep His tongue from sticking to His jaw. He was ready
to be laid into <i>“the dust of death.”</i> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But even then, note the confession from His lips: <i>“You lay Me in the dust of death.”</i> Even
in this grave situation, our Lord confesses that it is the Father who controls
all that comes upon His Son. We just heard these words from Isaiah 53: <i>“<span class="textisa-53-4">Surely He hath
borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, <b>smitten of God</b>, and afflicted. </span><span class="textisa-53-5">But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His
stripes we are healed. </span><span class="textisa-53-6">All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; <b>and the </b></span><span class="small-caps"><b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></b></span><span class="textisa-53-6"><b> hath laid on Him the
iniquity of us all.</b></span>” </i>His enemies surround Him, ready to pounce.
Even those who should have pitied Him only gaze heartlessly upon Him. They
gloat over Him, their eyes feasting with delight on what they have done to Him.
Indignity upon indignity is heaped upon our Lord’s outstretched arms and shoulders.
Even His clothes were divided among His enemies. The Man was overwhelmed. But
all of this is told to us to bring comfort to us, because it was the Father who
heaped all of this upon His own Son instead of upon us.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>If it were a mere man being described here, then, as St. Paul said, <i>“<span class="text1cor-15-19">We are of all
people most to be pitied.”</span></i><span class="text1cor-15-19"> If Jesus is
only a man who suffers, then—at best—He alone can benefit from His suffering;
there is no blessing therein for us. If it is only a man who suffers, then it
is best that we turn our eyes away from Him and gather what little comfort we
can from the fact this His suffering is not ours…at least, not yet. But what
truly sets apart the sufferings of Jesus is that it is not only a man who
suffers; it is a Man who is also God. And since that is the case, suffering is
transformed. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span class="text1cor-15-19"><span>It
is like a scale and weights. On one side are all the sins of the world; on the
other side is all the sufferings of men. The burden of human sin is so heavy
that the sufferings of mankind have no effect. But when the sufferings of the
God-Man are placed in the balance, the burden of sin is lifted away! When we
are surrounded by the enemies of our soul, when there is no escape to be seen,
we need not fear. When Satan seeks to devour us, we know that, to get to us, he
must first deal with Jesus. When our sufferings are so extreme that we wonder
whether or not we can beat them, we know with certainty that they are
momentary, that they cannot be compared with the glory which awaits us with the
One who suffered in our place. When we look upon Him whom our sins have
pierced, we are seeing the One who said, <i>“</i></span></span><span class="woj"><i><span>And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”</span></i></span><span class="woj"><span> And seeing Him, we know that He has
drawn us in faith.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When we confess the Nicene
Creed, it can no longer be a dry, lifeless reciting of the faith it sometimes
seems to be. It will be a remembrance and a thanksgiving for the life-giving
and life-sustaining work of our Lord Jesus, which we find in these words: <b>“<span>who
for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the
Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us
under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose
again according to the Scriptures…”</span></b></span><span><b><span>
</span></b><span>God grant that this thanksgiving would
always be the mark of our confession of faith. In the name of the Father and of
the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-82328255100581143002024-02-29T10:55:00.003-06:002024-02-29T11:16:13.346-06:00HYMN: Exult, O Saints, in Christ the Lord<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0kL9V9V54HW-aH2G3a5DS36OsaOr-5gSRFfSN6XOXtFFqB7d6yuBgUXgNzk1VzRvo3afKShiZ3cDwZdFnBG-ZcSJ_IjTF8FGT8Aq31rtvmK2RT2cFDPeqMBOSCe-7qgZYp_6tpVG7WRkBEcgM4Qiau4m7BmSAwGye0gt6KTqKOAxYL1taCQ-9A/s2000/IMG_3012.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0kL9V9V54HW-aH2G3a5DS36OsaOr-5gSRFfSN6XOXtFFqB7d6yuBgUXgNzk1VzRvo3afKShiZ3cDwZdFnBG-ZcSJ_IjTF8FGT8Aq31rtvmK2RT2cFDPeqMBOSCe-7qgZYp_6tpVG7WRkBEcgM4Qiau4m7BmSAwGye0gt6KTqKOAxYL1taCQ-9A/w133-h200/IMG_3012.jpeg" width="133" /></span></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve been writing hymn texts for about 15 years now. There are times when they seem to pour out of me, and I can write six in a week. And there are times when I haven’t written one in months and I begin to think I’m never going to write another. I haven’t written many since September of 2022–obviously that was an enormous turning point in life—and the move to a new location and the start of a new position with a new congregation hasn’t made that any easier.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">But then I started reading a book this week called <a href="https://www.cph.org/the-joy-of-eternal-life" target="_blank">The Joy of Eternal Life</a> by Philipp Nicolai, translated by Matthew Carver. If the Nicolai name sounds familiar, it’s because he is one of the greatest hymn writers ever. He was not prolific, but what he lacked in quantity he made up for in quality. “<a href="https://hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/516" target="_blank">Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying</a>” (LSB 516) is the quintessential End Times hymn, recounting our Lord’s parable of the wise and foolish virgins in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A1-13&version=ESV" target="_blank">Matthew 25:1-13</a>. And “<a href="https://hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/395" target="_blank">O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright</a>” (LSB 395) is a wonderful Epiphany text which also points us to the resurrection at the Last Day. Anyway, this book discusses “what eternal life is and how Christians are made ready for it” (from the back cover). So far I’ve only made it through the introduction, but even that was enough to inspire me to write. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">So here is a text based on Nicolai’s introduction. It started as a Long Meter Double text, but there are only three LMD hymns in Lutheran Service Book, and I’ve already used the one I like once, and I’d prefer not to do that again unless I have to. So I divided the stanzas in half with a little editing, and I made it into a Long Meter text, set to the tune </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, which is used in Lutheran Service Book for “<a href="https://hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/401" target="_blank">From God the Father, Virgin Born</a>” (LSB 401)</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">. If anyone wants to write an original tune, either LM or LMD, I won’t argue. *wink* As always, feedback is love.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">Exult, O Saints, in Christ the Lord</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">1. Exult, O saints, in Christ the Lord</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Who won for us the great reward</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Of life eternal. We shall stand</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Within the glorious fatherland.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">2. There we shall see with endless joy</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The One whose blood did death destroy,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The One who crushed the serpents head</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To raise the blessed and holy dead.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">3. Our God will banish all our fears</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And wipe away all anguished tears.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And joyful song for each complaint</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Shall spring from every gladdened saint</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">4. In New Jerusalem we’ll dwell </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With Jesus, our Immanuel.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The angels there shall call us “blessed”</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Who find in Christ our endless rest.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">5. The Lord our God will surely come</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To bring His faithful children home.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">He hears our moaning, sighing prayer</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As we our griefs and burdens bear.<br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">6. What we must suffer for a time</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Cannot compare with bliss sublime</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Which soon will be revealed in us:</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Deliverance most glorious.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">7. O Satan, world, and trials, begone!</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has won!</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">For us His holy blood was shed,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And we shall rise, the faithful dead.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">8. O wondrous life, for us prepared</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Who in the tribulation dared</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To cling to Christ with every breath,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">By faith to struggle unto death.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">9. Rejoice, O earth! Be glad and sing</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To Christ, our risen Savior King!</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In You is perfect grace revealed.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">By You are heaven’s gates unsealed.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">10. Your name is ours; Your righteousness</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Is now our spotless, radiant dress.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Bring us to our eternal home.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We pray, Lord Jesus, quickly come!</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">LM (88 88)</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (LSB 401)</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Eternal Life; End Times; Tribulation</span></p>Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-45785962297846773042024-02-28T22:38:00.000-06:002024-02-28T22:38:08.231-06:00Sermon for 2/28/24: Lent Midweek 2 (Psalm 22 series)<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd8ylL3v_2Eox3W2nhpe0NYGu13QYf0RCLLw7ZEw6lhYwRk37lt2HUC-ITaTmMp7LM-SanNVH6Rn4-NygRp2kCbhF09bA7KNg8-NEqv25EJeEbsiow-tN4rSbWBprrZ6psjeaj2jlKSRS0jTJ0IeeaJisXe7g7dUEtWXE6G_pHokQUFhSGdl5Jg/s1652/H-31%20Lent%20Midweek%202.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="1580" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd8ylL3v_2Eox3W2nhpe0NYGu13QYf0RCLLw7ZEw6lhYwRk37lt2HUC-ITaTmMp7LM-SanNVH6Rn4-NygRp2kCbhF09bA7KNg8-NEqv25EJeEbsiow-tN4rSbWBprrZ6psjeaj2jlKSRS0jTJ0IeeaJisXe7g7dUEtWXE6G_pHokQUFhSGdl5Jg/w191-h200/H-31%20Lent%20Midweek%202.tif" width="191" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/nnjl4mlzu0hc0ribhs4pipin7gtxbs3p" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://fb.watch/qvMW5Q2qqX/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the service video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>The
Worm of God </span></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22%3A6-11&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 22:6-11<br /></a></span></span></span></span><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;"></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grace to you, and peace from
God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;"> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">We
have all sorts of names and descriptions for the Second Person of the Holy Trinity:
Jesus, the Christ, Immanuel, the Son of God, Son of David, Son of Man,
Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and many others. We also have any number of pictures of
Christ: the brown-haired, fair-skinned young man with the well-trimmed beard
who looks like someone we’d want our daughters to bring home to meet us; the
ferocious Lion of Judah; the butterfly; the adorably meek Lamb of God. But our
text speaks of Christ in a different way.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Last week, we were reminded that, to understand a Biblical
text, we must first ask the question: “What does it say about Christ?” So…what
does this passage say about Christ? Maybe the more appropriate question here
is: What does Christ say about <i>Himself</i>
in this passage? It’s not our pretty picture of Him—not even close. You’re not
going to see beautiful paintings or drawings depicting our Lord this way, for the
Son of God calls Himself a worm.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Why would Jesus call Himself a worm? Well, maybe to answer
that, we should look at what a worm is. Worms are generally slimy little
creatures that look a little like snakes. They usually live under rocks or in
the soil. And they are weak: weak and helpless. Children cut them in half to
see if they really do become two worms. People step on them without even
noticing. Prospective fishermen dig them up by the can-full to use them as
bait, shoving hooks through them. Easy to see how the Lord could think of
Himself as a worm, right?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>The sad thing is that it’s all too easy for us to see the
Lord as a worm. We <i>treat</i> Him that
way. We grudgingly give Him <b>“one bitter
hour”</b> each week, as if the words of the hymn are a timer to limit the
length of the Divine Service. We disregard our worship of Him and our obedience
to His commands when it suits us. We use His name in vain as a curse against our
neighbors and the rest of His creation. We give Him what we have left as an
offering instead of designating the first fruits of our labors. You might
remember the old spiritual where the singer asks, <b>“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”</b> Well, when they
nailed Jesus to the cross, laughed at Him and spat on Him, we <i>were</i> there, laughing and spitting on
Him, making jokes about His pain, driving in the nails all the deeper. To us,
He is a worm. And just like we treat any other worm, we killed Him. And we
don’t even care. It’s just a worm. It’s just our Savior.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>What a contrast between the mighty <i>“I AM”</i> who delivered Israel
from slavery in Egypt
on the one hand and <i>“I am a worm” </i>on
the other. But this is a true confession of the Second Article of the Creed. Being
so far above men, Jesus became a Man, and He was treated as the lowest of men.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who as God was deserving of all praise and glory,
received as a Man all the scorn and hatred mankind could produce. With those
tormenting the Psalmist, we shout at our Savior: <span class="textps-22-8"><i>“He trusts in the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="textps-22-8"><i>; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, for He delights in Him!” </i></span>The
truth is, the Father indeed <i>does</i>
delight in His Son. He delighted in Him, and yet the Father let Him be
crucified. And for what? The very people who condemned Christ were the ones who
benefited from His agony.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Jesus called Himself a worm. He became a worm, but He was a
worm for our sake. The condition that made Him worthy of scorn was our sins
heaped upon Him. This Worm’s filth and slime was the filth and slime He took
upon Himself so that we would not be buried under it. He let Himself be mocked,
beaten, and killed so that Satan would not have us to mock and torture in
eternal death. He suffered all of the Father’s wrath against sin so that we
would enjoy eternal life in the presence of our God. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Think again of the purpose of a worm in the hands of a
fisherman. Lancelot Andrewes, an Anglican theologian and preacher, described it
this way: </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: times;"><span>A fisherman, when he casts his angle into
the river, does not throw the hook in bare, naked, and uncovered, for then he
knows the fish will never bite; and therefore he hides the hook within a worm,
or some other bai; and so the fish, biting at the worm, is caught by the hook. This
Christ, speaking of Himself, says, “I am a worm, and no man.” He, coming to
perform the great work of our redemption, did cover and hide His Godhead within
the worm of the human nature. The grand water-serpent, Leviathan, the devil,
thinking to swallow the worm of [Christ’s] humanity, was caught upon the hook
of His divinity. This hook stuck in his jaws and tore him very sore. By
thinking to destroy Christ, he destroyed his own kingdom and lost his power for
ever.</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Our Lord Jesus Christ, the almighty Son of God by whom
all things were made, became a worm. And as a worm brings the fish into the
boat, our Lord gathers all the faithful into the boat, this holy Ark which is
His Church. Thanks be to God, for the Son’s humiliation lifts us up, bringing
us into eternal life.<span class="textps-22-5"> </span>In the name of the Father
and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;">The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-90779986698144582302024-02-21T20:26:00.002-06:002024-02-21T21:27:27.279-06:00Sermon for 2/21/24: Midweek Lent 1 (Psalm 22 series)<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTtjSCztBl620W3XmwrM2PgDwqfMXPFcqwa8zpoBxp7jVTzl_iNJ9NMOQg-2oFBX8784ZPbN5aE4b1Q4DOg3CixkptTRIO1V04z8LNdGqfZELnYCiXYW410BYPPYyuCLkSuE2z3ifCGEVw5kFzDwI-dRQhc-QujmHzjEWimCGFZLb2Jc_cECprA/s1744/H-29%20Lent%20Midweek%201.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1744" data-original-width="1312" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTtjSCztBl620W3XmwrM2PgDwqfMXPFcqwa8zpoBxp7jVTzl_iNJ9NMOQg-2oFBX8784ZPbN5aE4b1Q4DOg3CixkptTRIO1V04z8LNdGqfZELnYCiXYW410BYPPYyuCLkSuE2z3ifCGEVw5kFzDwI-dRQhc-QujmHzjEWimCGFZLb2Jc_cECprA/w151-h200/H-29%20Lent%20Midweek%201.tif" width="151" /></a></span></div><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/mryqoo74773farlhmup6rwksmi0dbppj" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://fb.watch/qmqztBzYf1/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the service video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>God
in Hiding</span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22%3A1-5&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 22:1-5</a></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Grace to you, and peace from
God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The words of the
Benediction which we hear Sunday after Sunday are a great comfort to us. <i>“The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord
make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His
countenance upon you and give you peace.”</i> While it may be triggering to
those who live in unbelief, the fact that God rests His face upon us is pure
joy to the Christian, for we know that the face of God is our Lord Jesus
Christ. When we see Jesus, we have seen the face of our heavenly Father in all
His grace and love; He is directing all His favor and good will toward us. So
what must the opposite of this be? What does it mean when God turns His face
away? Or, in the terms of our text, what must it mean to be forsaken by God?
Our Lord Jesus knew, for He had reason to ask, <i>“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”</i> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Psalms speak of Jesus.
To rightly understand any text in Scripture, we must first ask, “What does this
say about Jesus?” Of the entire Psalter, Psalm 22 is perhaps the most
descriptive because it prophesies the Messiah’s suffering and death, the means
by which He won the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. During
these midweek gatherings, we will look at this Psalm in its entirety to see how
this is so. In the section set aside for this evening, we consider in
particular the words our Lord Jesus spoke from the cross: <i>“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We have likely all felt
what it is to be forsaken…or if you haven’t, it is more than likely that you
will have the experience at some point in your life. Death will separate you
from a loved one. Your father or mother will be gone, unable to help you. A
friend or coworker will betray you. All of us have had experiences similar to
what Jesus experienced. But no one has experienced forsakenness like Jesus did,
for He suffered being forsaken in a way far greater than any mere mortal has
experienced: The Son of God, who exists in perfect union with the Father, was
forsaken by the Father.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And like Jesus Himself, we
must ask that all-important question: WHY? Just a few weeks ago at the
Transfiguration, we heard the Father proclaim, <i>“This is my beloved Son.”</i> What has changed? Why was Jesus forsaken
by the heavenly Father?<u> </u>How could God the
Father forsake His Son? To understand how this can be, we must first understand
that, from the time of His conception in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit,
Jesus is at the same time True God and True Man. Jesus, true Man, performed
miracles and even rose from the dead. Jesus, true God, suffered and died. What
this means is that Jesus Christ, who is from eternity, the One by whom all
things were made, the One who is sinless and perfect and holy, was at the same
time the single greatest sinner the world has ever known. This is true, not
because He ever committed any sin of His own, but because He so completely identified
with the human race that He took upon Himself the sin that saturates humanity.
As St. Paul
wrote in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, <i>“<span class="text2cor-5-21">For our sake, [God] made Him to be sin who
knew no sin…” </span></i>Because Jesus took on every sin ever committed by any person
who ever lived, His cry was not merely a symbol; it was a cry of deepest
anguish, for the sinless Son of God bore in His flesh the full punishment which
every sinner of all times and all places deserved: He was completely forsaken
by His Father. He who is God Himself was bearing the torment of hell—for what
else is hell than to be completely separated from the Father?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When His Son cried out from
the cross, the Father went into hiding. He would not show Himself even to His
own Son, for the righteous God cannot abide the presence of sin. It is here
above all else that Jesus stands in our place. He was forsaken so that we would
never have to know the forsakenness of God. The torment of hell assaulted Him
so that we would never need to know that experience for ourselves. The hidden
God is to us the God of greatest blessing, for He hid Himself so that He might
save us!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In fact, this is something
He still does. God continues to hide Himself from us. Though forgiven of sin,
we are yet sinners, and sinners cannot bear the glorious presence of God. So
God continues to hide Himself from us. But this is no longer a sign of His
wrath or displeasure, as it was at the cross. Instead it is a sure sign of His
desire to bless us because of the cross. He hides Himself in simple water, so
that, when it is combined with the Word of God, that water eternally cleanses
our souls, making us spotless so that we may stand in righteousness before Him.
He conceals the very body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for the
forgiveness of sins, in and under mere bread and wine. He even hides behind the
voice of His called servant who speaks the holy word of forgiveness to us, as
we confess in the Small Catechism, speaking with us through the voice of our
pastors <b>“as if Christ our dear Lord
dealt with us Himself.”</b> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">So it is that the words
that close out this portion of Psalm 22 become our joyful confession: <i>“<span class="textps-22-4">In you our fathers
trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. </span><span class="textps-22-5">To
you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to
shame.”</span></i><span class="textps-22-5"> God hid Himself from us to save us.
That He does so is our joy and delight, our great eternal reward. </span>In the
name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-52842638583105598322024-02-15T09:12:00.000-06:002024-02-15T09:12:22.021-06:00Sermon for 2/14/24: Ash Wednesday<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7Ebb5VL6kFuTPrBlEr-uTAt7m547DLJTeOv3mZI69POaogr0MMC7sbFrcFeERL6-zzcHB-Jv78P1QRFBBjqoS8vHKqZOzx97ovRLZfNYqV5P9t0rabvTTTIm59sZmDunPKlciLPksalOZY45J0GQIA1RbBmBSANPGl2dP4rKwwJ41u1su_UrGQ/s1544/H-27%20Ash%20Wednesday.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="1544" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7Ebb5VL6kFuTPrBlEr-uTAt7m547DLJTeOv3mZI69POaogr0MMC7sbFrcFeERL6-zzcHB-Jv78P1QRFBBjqoS8vHKqZOzx97ovRLZfNYqV5P9t0rabvTTTIm59sZmDunPKlciLPksalOZY45J0GQIA1RbBmBSANPGl2dP4rKwwJ41u1su_UrGQ/w200-h198/H-27%20Ash%20Wednesday.tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/9tu7ksejuobt8613fci3bcqair0ev3cf" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://fb.watch/qdUQ5beh9u/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the <i>service </i>video</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>The
Joy of Lent<br /></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 51:1-13</a><br /><br /></span></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you, and peace from
God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We have come to Ash Wednesday, the doorway into the season
of Lent. We set aside our song of praise for the next forty days and begin a
time of prayerful and penitential reflection as we walk with our Lord Jesus
Christ to His cross and Passion. Lent seems like a roller coaster for the
Christian Church. We’ve just come down from the literal mountaintop of the
Transfiguration, and today we are given pointed reminder of our sinfulness.
Palm Sunday will come along, and we will see our Lord acclaimed as the Son of
David and the King who comes in the Name of the Lord. And then, days later, we
will see Him arrested by the soldiers of the Chief Priest, put on trial by both
King Herod and Pontius Pilate, and finally crucified. Throughout this wild
ride, I urge you to pray and reflect on the goodness and tender mercies of the
Lord.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Psalm 51 is an appropriate place to start our Lenten
journey. This Psalm is a prayer of King David, a man who knew full well the
goodness and mercy of the Lord. We don’t know exactly what David was
experiencing as he wrote most of his Psalms, but the ascription for this Psalm clearly
states that he wrote it <i>“when Nathan the
prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.”</i> It was a spiritual
low point for David. God had blessed him so richly, and yet that wasn’t enough
for him. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then he contrived to have
Bathsheba’s husband killed so he could take her legally as his wife.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">God sent His prophet, Nathan, to preach the Law to the
king. The Lord declared through Nathan, <i>“<span class="text2sam-12-11">I will raise up adversity against you from your own house;
and I will take your wives before your eyes and give <span>them</span> to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the
sight of this sun.</span><span class="text2sam-12-12">” </span></i><span class="text2sam-12-12">He goes on to say, </span><span class="text2sam-12-13"><i>“The </i></span><span class="small-capsdivine-name"><i><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text2sam-12-13"><i> also has put away
your sin; you shall not die. </i></span><span class="text2sam-12-14"><i>However, because by this deed you have given
great occasion to the enemies of the </i></span><span class="small-capsdivine-name"><i><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text2sam-12-14"><i> to blaspheme, the
child also <span>who is</span> born to you
shall surely die.”</i></span> And the Lord’s words would be proven true. David
would know little peace in his reign, including having to put down a rebellion
led by his own son, Absolom. And as the Lord declared, the infant child born to
David and Bathsheba died. In his grief for his dead son and in sorrow for his own
sin, David cried the words of this Psalm to the Lord.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When we sin against our fellow man, sometimes we get away
with it, at least in that we do not get caught by our neighbors. But our God
sees and knows all that we do, and, as we learn in the Commandments, all sin is
sin against God. When He calls us to task, all we can do, as David did, is
confess our sins, cry out to the Lord, throw ourselves on His mercy, and then
rely on that mercy. Listen again to David’s words: </span></span></p>
<p class="line" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span class="textps-51-1"><i><span>Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast
love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. </span></i></span><span class="textps-51-2"><i><span>Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! </span></i></span><span class="textps-51-3"><i><span>For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. </span></i></span><span class="textps-51-4"><i><span>Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your
sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your
judgment.</span></i></span><i><span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Repentance and confession: This is the wisdom that David
seeks in verse 6, the wisdom to repent, to beg for mercy and forgiveness, and
to know that God grants that forgiveness. <i>“Have
mercy on me, O God.”</i> In writing about this Psalm, Father Luther said, </span><span><b>“It is as though he were saying, ‘I know that I am
evil and that I am a sinner, and that You are righteous. I know that You are
the God of our fathers, who has promised that You will redeem sinners.’”</b> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">He has made that promise to us. And
more than that, God has made good on that promise. No sin is too wicked for God
to forgive. And for the sake of Jesus Christ, every sin is forgiven.</span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This Lenten season is not just about some historic event.
The promise that God made to David and to David’s fathers was fulfilled in
Jesus Christ, the One who took our sins upon the cross with Him. We remember
His death, and we remember and rejoice in the life He won for us upon the
cross. David’s prayer was heard and answered in the person of Jesus Christ. And
as the Lord showed mercy to David, in the same way He shows mercy to you. You
are washed in your Baptism; you are clothed in the gleaming robes of our Lord’s
righteousness, made whiter than snow in those bloody waters. There He has
created a new heart for you; He has renewed that right spirit within you. He
took your spirit that was sinful upon Himself, and He gave His sinless spirit to
you. He did not cast you away from His presence; in fact, He promised to be
with you always. According to His steadfast love, God has had mercy upon you.
The Holy Supper that you are given and receive heals the bones of which David
speaks, the bones that are broken in sin. The bones are healed; your sins are
forgiven. You are assured of that when your Pastor, standing in the stead of
Christ and speaking by His command, says to you, </span><b><span>“I forgive you all sins.”</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> With these words, our Lord has restored to you the joy of
salvation. And there is no greater joy for sinners than to hear the truth that
our loving Lord forgives you. In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <br />The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-77674177896614199042024-02-14T13:57:00.002-06:002024-02-19T09:08:05.214-06:00Go Northwest, Middle-Aged Man<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC_56rJwWoqrISuhdNlwzePGC-K9kBKVw7xHVNAsU0_GBl4F0P0SlruDBSFBsUYGf31X28IiwPe-3dVhkQrrdR2uJeDsBrjH86BxjjQwxexa7ltHCCCZSGlFaWMf7DSQLMduAydiDLz5TMUujSbEISP-E21MrbXqhj2zYC09F0WpcQoPbEubCyg/s929/IMG_2996.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="929" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC_56rJwWoqrISuhdNlwzePGC-K9kBKVw7xHVNAsU0_GBl4F0P0SlruDBSFBsUYGf31X28IiwPe-3dVhkQrrdR2uJeDsBrjH86BxjjQwxexa7ltHCCCZSGlFaWMf7DSQLMduAydiDLz5TMUujSbEISP-E21MrbXqhj2zYC09F0WpcQoPbEubCyg/w200-h150/IMG_2996.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Something different for post 1,200…</span></div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>There’s an old saying: “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” As I sit in my new study at </span><a href="https://www.mystpauls.org/" target="_blank">St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa</a><span>, I can tell you for a fact that I’ve made God laugh a lot lately. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>At some point in the last six months or so, I had a phone call from a congregation in Iowa, asking if I’d be willing to interview for the position of Associate Pastor for their congregation. It was not the first such phone call I’d received in 2023, nor was it the last. I didn’t think very much about it. In over 13 years as a pastor in Southern Illinois, no congregation had interviewed me and then asked me to be their pastor. We had our phone interview, which seemed to go okay—I’m a horrible judge of such things. Time went by, and I was interviewed by yet more congregations. In the meantime, Faith and I were digging in for the long haul in Southern Illinois. And God started laughing.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj_sYCKxHd1YXAV5K1ANosH1btTAc1Khf0ZW-L9-SZjyOMDmUgO-2uIRq80bP807nSx8ku9Nymb97gQmIlOBmApIUP0Q0RG9TEV_ABcpcYPgw60yQzQdLulUcF5A1UBMNydpEP_wZlzQX4ATu-EBYppHagWQehEs9y58Zq2X4VwIy3A369eVq7g/s4032/IMG_7664.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj_sYCKxHd1YXAV5K1ANosH1btTAc1Khf0ZW-L9-SZjyOMDmUgO-2uIRq80bP807nSx8ku9Nymb97gQmIlOBmApIUP0Q0RG9TEV_ABcpcYPgw60yQzQdLulUcF5A1UBMNydpEP_wZlzQX4ATu-EBYppHagWQehEs9y58Zq2X4VwIy3A369eVq7g/w200-h150/IMG_7664.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And then, right around Thanksgiving, I received the phone call I was not expecting: the Circuit Visitor from St. Paul’s Circuit in Iowa District East was calling to let me know that St. Paul’s was extending to me the Divine Call to serve as their Associate Pastor. Now, as I said, I had no plans on going anywhere; Faith and I were making our plans to secure our future in Campbell Hill. But when a pastor receives a Call, unless he has a very good reason to decline immediately, it is his duty to give the Call his prayerful consideration. We all know I'm a faithful son of the LCMS, so, even though I had no intention of going anywhere, of course I would consider the Call I received. This being an associate pastor position, and knowing how things went with my previous position as an associate pastor, I couldn't just look at the paperwork and make my decision. I had to meet the senior pastor, discuss our roles, try to determine if we'd be able to work well together. So Faith, Molly, and I went to Marion in the middle of a December week to visit the church and meet the pastor. And as we traveled, we still thought this would be merely a courtesy visit, because we had no intention of going anywhere. And God laughed even harder. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdXjkYY6wFAFjCeH2kX8RIDjQpQlE41kLu9mri6l60MqSgFS9kKFP8uwJK8pmDteKZEhI_CR46hpxCoEWKvIT7vR1oP82SVjjRdQP6r4p9EOVz39Qis2ss8JrSZ9nk_m2Ja2gbY8gaE-w8vufMPQuJw7effkNM7XrRhQZzJZB-c4xYqXt9DUNng/s4032/IMG_5701.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdXjkYY6wFAFjCeH2kX8RIDjQpQlE41kLu9mri6l60MqSgFS9kKFP8uwJK8pmDteKZEhI_CR46hpxCoEWKvIT7vR1oP82SVjjRdQP6r4p9EOVz39Qis2ss8JrSZ9nk_m2Ja2gbY8gaE-w8vufMPQuJw7effkNM7XrRhQZzJZB-c4xYqXt9DUNng/w200-h150/IMG_5701.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>I had a phone call with the District President. I had hoped he'd be a jerk to me, or insist that I take personality profile tests (as other DPs had in the past), or do something else that would make the decision to say </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>no</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">”</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> the obvious one. He was kind, spoke well of the congregation and senior pastor, spoke well of my own DP, and left a very good impression on me. So I hoped the senior pastor would be a jerk, or sound like he intended me to be his yes-man, or that he would be theologically incompatible with me. He was not; it seemed our personalities would work well together, that he would view me as an equal partner in ministry. So we hoped the congregation would be unwelcoming, that they would have practices so objectionable that saying </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>no</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">”</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> would come naturally. None of that was the case. They welcomed us warmly, and nothing jumped out at me that said, </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>This church will take one look at your teaching and practice and seek to get rid of you.</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">”</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9R3pOGMCwSsSAV2nLR8OOfPnW_-x7OyvbRVqrxH6hF6tSePqps6q-AGY0hn2AgHgJdIflY0FRP-yjQeZHj7OJU8GXKpDql_jShS6MJjdw5V8hDlQTwR0AnCUlVEaK3z8QnJeYiJXkFf2OORd3OnVhMasqU-7r971hU12uNxZfs3vrCHdmAfIyg/s3088/IMG_5664.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9R3pOGMCwSsSAV2nLR8OOfPnW_-x7OyvbRVqrxH6hF6tSePqps6q-AGY0hn2AgHgJdIflY0FRP-yjQeZHj7OJU8GXKpDql_jShS6MJjdw5V8hDlQTwR0AnCUlVEaK3z8QnJeYiJXkFf2OORd3OnVhMasqU-7r971hU12uNxZfs3vrCHdmAfIyg/w150-h200/IMG_5664.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So we had a hard decision to make: Do we stay where we've been loved so thoroughly, where we've put down roots and have become comfortable personally and professionally, where we've come to call home? Or do we head to Iowa and take up new challenges, make a new home? Every piece of information we received seemed like the Lord smacking me over the head and saying, </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>It's time to go.</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">”</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> So with heavy hearts we announced to my congregations in Southern Illinois that I was accepting the Call. It was a tearful day, made doubly so by having to make the announcement twice. </span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So we began to pack the house and my two studies. It was a tedious process (and there is still more being done as I type this). When all was said and done, we had packed a twenty-six foot truck with entirely too many boxes along with furniture and other items. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And it finally became time to say our farewells. I preached my last sermon, distributed the Sacrament one last time for both congregations, and then they banded together to hold a farewell party for us. There was laughter and tears; there were stories and hugs; there was, of course, a lot of delicious food. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0pjokLpDcJHq6DvzKpiaZ1U9Ry7HNZvaFfoiJqKoWck5ZFRD-AtW1A9QLijZlr3Ofv6H5h4ZU4ZfDlQ0pmDx20Pj1suyF5bbDtxrtjXlX8Ii9MJSF9LT0nmigB3CfNw0jQrDbUoqUhNg8ZpEGxDuunQQFnxHLnhlTwhw_ftG5iQYZ7gQGjWh1Q/s640/IMG_5714.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0pjokLpDcJHq6DvzKpiaZ1U9Ry7HNZvaFfoiJqKoWck5ZFRD-AtW1A9QLijZlr3Ofv6H5h4ZU4ZfDlQ0pmDx20Pj1suyF5bbDtxrtjXlX8Ii9MJSF9LT0nmigB3CfNw0jQrDbUoqUhNg8ZpEGxDuunQQFnxHLnhlTwhw_ftG5iQYZ7gQGjWh1Q/w200-h150/IMG_5714.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And then we drove away. It was extremely difficult for any number of reasons, but it was time to go. We made the six-hour drive to Marion, Iowa, which is right next to Cedar Rapids. Faith had secured housing for us in Cedar Rapids, and so we began to unload the moving truck and started to move things into at least temporary places. It will be a long process to get everything where we want it both at the house and in my study. In the meantime, we started meeting members of the congregation, finding our way around Cedar Rapids, and began the seemingly impossible task of making a home for ourselves like we had in Campbell Hill. Yeah, I know: </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Trust in the Lord.</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">”</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> I don't know about you, but I'm a sinner; that trust thing doesn't come easy for me.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JMckFQaBK29Qk9hniKzoLbCGDW7ebPnrH7RjLTLhmjpwDhx1zyYEtecUdff5Nnhw0rtm75xOlkdqL8ahR9eVbxXcITpJ0QYxhLMrZ-QBzEhAIzSWuYwHYh4Y5QOT-YeEjqZNfvPKghC3Z6Jnz9Y_LYwM1fuBSGPy5LuMIghlxvhkBvHg1G04Hw/s4032/IMG_5717.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JMckFQaBK29Qk9hniKzoLbCGDW7ebPnrH7RjLTLhmjpwDhx1zyYEtecUdff5Nnhw0rtm75xOlkdqL8ahR9eVbxXcITpJ0QYxhLMrZ-QBzEhAIzSWuYwHYh4Y5QOT-YeEjqZNfvPKghC3Z6Jnz9Y_LYwM1fuBSGPy5LuMIghlxvhkBvHg1G04Hw/w200-h150/IMG_5717.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Finally came the day of the Installation. Pastors from near and far came to participate, and </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">President Saunders from the Iowa District East office came to officiate. My Senior Pastor, Andrew Noble, preached a lovely sermon. And then I became, officially, the Associate Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And the work begins. I preach my first sermon this evening for the Ash Wednesday Divine Service. And I make my first shut-in visits on Friday. It's going to be strange learning a while new congregation, but it's good work, and the Lord will bless it.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40sPdN2RF6T7SlvDi30kykn7KeJ5dSNJ9giaNkNg_vDxyPdG3TU5IEmpJweCsmjrs5M8EceGpe1REi1kGT0LlDind6RLityPaup8rZKKvKCRITLAtgsRgljkMdeAJviVO3tIltMh4LOMDF1xlUKzeNoLQN84oVF1kFwiLmlqS9ICP2vTTXAq03Q/s4032/IMG_5716.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40sPdN2RF6T7SlvDi30kykn7KeJ5dSNJ9giaNkNg_vDxyPdG3TU5IEmpJweCsmjrs5M8EceGpe1REi1kGT0LlDind6RLityPaup8rZKKvKCRITLAtgsRgljkMdeAJviVO3tIltMh4LOMDF1xlUKzeNoLQN84oVF1kFwiLmlqS9ICP2vTTXAq03Q/w200-h150/IMG_5716.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Thank you to the members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill and Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, Illinois, for so wonderfully demonstrating the love of Christ to the Kornacki family for the past 13 years and more, for being the kind of place where a pastor would want to stay for the long haul. You continue to be in my prayers and in my heart. God will continue to provide for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Thank you to the members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa, for daring to believe that I would be a good fit to serve with you and Pastor Noble. Thank you, Pastor Noble, for being the kind of man I want to serve with. Thank you to all the pastors who came to participate in my Installation. I look forward to serving with all of you, pastors and congregation, for as long as the Lord keeps us together.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUog9AoKLIW0zRLidJ8LFvh3tlIlubwCsggYmdlEukWsAA8nzdV8mGfcxVL2QAvB01CBdQFoNzbNjFtsVEGNIyIBuDtfQPAmn6UNs95cEccV5ENLwlhgM1W3_pgY8EtQZGo9Rorz9O0dRL2-klFv1FjU1Uz24rc5Zre0-sEcy8X3KAAHd-c4BEMA/s640/IMG_5715.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUog9AoKLIW0zRLidJ8LFvh3tlIlubwCsggYmdlEukWsAA8nzdV8mGfcxVL2QAvB01CBdQFoNzbNjFtsVEGNIyIBuDtfQPAmn6UNs95cEccV5ENLwlhgM1W3_pgY8EtQZGo9Rorz9O0dRL2-klFv1FjU1Uz24rc5Zre0-sEcy8X3KAAHd-c4BEMA/w200-h150/IMG_5715.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Thank you to Faith, my beloved, and dear Molly, for daring to take this new path on our road together. God is good, and He will continue to sustain us through whatever comes next. Thank you to Alexis, who we leave behind in Illinois, for your continued love and support. Thank you to Kathy and Deborah, our mothers, who have visited with and helped us during this time of transition.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As Mario says, “Here we gooooooooo…”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaK9UNc2m6VvT1WsoUQ3eQtahA4AWLR2yYAtfptSSHEGLNedjNMl4BrMlsljc4HOqQYMJjIaQZIhGD20oOiQvrioI3y614tMbtO4UXPV1GLXL2KA-uT8pQgeOKLnEd53goNPNuKMekvRN8c8Ga89c38auRBrXPdwCkzbgL2AQFUXKZDDaclndfg/s3888/Family%20cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaK9UNc2m6VvT1WsoUQ3eQtahA4AWLR2yYAtfptSSHEGLNedjNMl4BrMlsljc4HOqQYMJjIaQZIhGD20oOiQvrioI3y614tMbtO4UXPV1GLXL2KA-uT8pQgeOKLnEd53goNPNuKMekvRN8c8Ga89c38auRBrXPdwCkzbgL2AQFUXKZDDaclndfg/w200-h133/Family%20cake.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-27463116073537221952024-01-22T11:12:00.001-06:002024-01-22T11:12:29.952-06:00Sermon for 1/21/24: The Transfiguration of Our Lord<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/vceue8gadc90gs1kriit67339zs5wzjb" target="_blank"></a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO66Bktu5VI7v1HMWGKoZS6UGSuRLhgXS3jSv-b4u9KXBH0e3kbYZIbXxuQrBJ_xTtOs3mXUVUqYAtJ2N3SFHNcM5R3c7alsHh4fqGAFT0pLnRQ7vozcXEEH1ejhY6Tpb3JlkAEFO1Evefh7j7ug9jmxpQsM0-LN44If-0yOf_KU_8RccBiNuToA/s1560/H-23%20Transfiguration%20(Mt%2017.1-9).tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1560" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO66Bktu5VI7v1HMWGKoZS6UGSuRLhgXS3jSv-b4u9KXBH0e3kbYZIbXxuQrBJ_xTtOs3mXUVUqYAtJ2N3SFHNcM5R3c7alsHh4fqGAFT0pLnRQ7vozcXEEH1ejhY6Tpb3JlkAEFO1Evefh7j7ug9jmxpQsM0-LN44If-0yOf_KU_8RccBiNuToA/w200-h197/H-23%20Transfiguration%20(Mt%2017.1-9).tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />CLICK HERE for the sermon audio.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://youtu.be/_VjX3n-i0Iw" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>“Listen to Him”</span></i></b></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A1-9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 17:1-9</a></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Grace
to you and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We are gathered together this morning with
Peter, James, and John, for a what is, quite literally, a mountaintop
experience. On the Mount we see Jesus surrounded by the Law and Prophets in the
persons of Moses and Elijah. There we see Jesus, His appearance transformed, His
face and clothing outshining the sun, and we realize that we are in the
presence of God. This experience comes to us at God’s invitation. With the
three disciples, we have become a part of Jesus’ inner circle. We stand on holy
ground and hear the voice of the Father: <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”</span></i></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Listen to Him,”<b> </b></span></i>the Father tells us, because what He
has to say to you is as important to you as anything you have ever heard. His
words are the words of eternal life, spoken by the One who is the Life and
Light of men. His words create and destroy; they kill and make alive; they
condemn and absolve; they cast down and raise up. Jesus sustains all of
creation by His Word. By His Word He daily provides for all our needs of body
and life. By His Word He cares for our souls.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Listen to Him,”<b> </b></span></i>for Jesus is the only One to whom it is
really worth listening. “<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Listen to
Him,”</span></i> because the gruesome death He would suffer was as a sacrifice.
He died in your place. You cannot die an innocent death, can you? You are a sinner,
and whatever punishment you might have received for your sins was less than
deserve. Jesus died to redeem you, a lost and condemned sinner, to pay the blood
price you could never pay, to drain the full cup of God’s righteous wrath, so
that you might drink only from the cup of salvation. <b><i></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Jesus has invited you this day to behold <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“His glory,” </span></i>as St. John put it,<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth.”</span></i> As Peter said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It is
good for us to be here.”</i> It really is. But too often we end up like Peter, confusing
the rush of the mountaintop experience with the ultimate experience. We prefer
the high emotion of the mountaintop. But the problem with the emotion of the
mountaintop is that such an experience is all about the emotion; it has very
little, if anything at all, to do with Jesus. Such an experience is more likely
to draw your eyes away from Jesus and His cross and place your attention on how
you feel. Our sinful nature wants a “feel-good” religion because we don’t really
like hearing about our sins. We don’t like being told that there is nothing that
we can do for ourselves. We want to stay on the mountain because our Lord’s
cross and suffering are offensive. Surely there has to be some other way.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We need to stop looking for peace and joy
in all the wrong places. When we seek Jesus only on the mountain, we end up rebuked
with Peter: <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Get behind me Satan!
You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of
God, but on the things of man.”</span></i> Unless you recognize your sin, you
will never see the need for Jesus and His love and sacrifice. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Jesus did not remain on that mountaintop
because there was another mountain remaining for Him to climb: the mountain of
the cross. He hung on the cross to spare you from having to make that climb.
Jesus came down from the light of His glory to hang dead in the darkness of
your sin. Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration because His true
glory was not in that moment when He shone with heavenly light; His true glory
was in being nailed to the throne of His cross, lifted up so that He might draw
all mankind to himself. There was no bright light to shine on the cross, no
voice from heaven, no disciples but one, because all the rest had run away.
There was nothing but the brutalized body of the Son of God, scandalously
hanging in darkness on the cross, bearing the weight of the sin of the
world—and all of it so that this world might have life. This was His glory, for
on the cross, Jesus defeated sin, Satan, and the grave; He brought you out of
death to eternal life.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Do you want to see the glorified Jesus?
Then behold the Jesus of the Gospels. Listen to Him. God the Father is made
known in the preaching of His Son, and Jesus Himself is revealed in the
preaching of the cross! Listen to Him, for in His preaching you are called to
faith, called to the glory that will most certainly be yours. Listen to Him,
and behold Him in the Sacraments, for He is there in His living flesh,
crucified, dead, buried, raised, and glorified for you. Listen to Him in the
name that He puts on you in Holy Baptism. Listen to Him when He says to you, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Do this in remembrance of me.”</span></i>
Listen to Him, for <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” </span></i>Listen to Jesus,
because what He has to say to you is more important than anything else you have
ever heard. His words are truth, and they are words of eternal life. What words
are these? You have already heard Jesus speak them to you this day: <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“I forgive you all your sins.”<i> </i></span></b>In
the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<b><i> </i></b></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The peace of God which passes
all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-5672082032215151902024-01-14T20:07:00.002-06:002024-01-14T20:07:46.051-06:00Sermon for 1/14/24: Second Sunday After the Epiphany<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/86r67y2pee5ulxgydqc1ok2r47a7aem3" target="_blank"></a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_crUTX3lvF-L49miD4WvoUBhF37utdyIeVzbv-hjzEvQZTMkTsiGjaw_B7WDcg7Brs48L20VbglnzNEl31TPlQ6abkvsECBOHf2Dko_jD7CSYe-EHHdgle4IG7bztFI2t5iP54T7ObRntxu3eFacxDlGbZ0Pmk6JRz5WQva31TzNobqpa4ARkLg/s1653/H-19%20%20Epiphany%202%20(Jn%202.1-11).tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1653" data-original-width="1554" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_crUTX3lvF-L49miD4WvoUBhF37utdyIeVzbv-hjzEvQZTMkTsiGjaw_B7WDcg7Brs48L20VbglnzNEl31TPlQ6abkvsECBOHf2Dko_jD7CSYe-EHHdgle4IG7bztFI2t5iP54T7ObRntxu3eFacxDlGbZ0Pmk6JRz5WQva31TzNobqpa4ARkLg/w188-h200/H-19%20%20Epiphany%202%20(Jn%202.1-11).tif" width="188" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />CLICK HERE for the sermon audio.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">SERMON VIDEO coming soon.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: times;"><span>Wine for You</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A1-12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 2:1-12</a></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grace
to you and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.<span> </span>Amen.<span> </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 13.7pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The clock was ticking. His short ministry had begun, the battle
with the devil had been joined, and Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. He had not yet gathered all of His
disciples. He still had much to do. He was not in Cana
for pleasure. He was never really anywhere for pleasure. He was there to serve,
to fulfill the Law, to endure temptation, to suffer. His hour had not yet come,
but the countdown had begun. For Jesus, being baptized by John was not at all
unlike being diagnosed with a terminal disease. He had been given a death
sentence in Jordan’s
waters and had only three years to live. So His time was short, and yet here
His mother comes to Him with trivialities. What concern was it of His if some
wedding party was not quite as spectacular as the planners had hoped? </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 13.7pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">His answer to Mary was direct—some might even say He was rude. <i><span>“What does this have to do with Me?”</span></i>
In other words, “I have more important things I need to be doing.” And did they
need more wine? Rare indeed is the man who actually needs more wine, nor by
that time were they likely to appreciate it. So whatever it was Mary was hoping
for, it seemed that she was denied. Jesus simply told her that her concern was
not His at that moment, her request unimportant in the face of His looming
betrayal, suffering, and death.</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">But her response to His rebuke could not
have been better. She believed that, despite His seeming rejection of her
concern, He would help; He would rescue her and the wedding couple in some way,
because that is who Jesus is. That is what He does. He is always rescuing
people. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Despite the rejection, she believes that
nothing of her concern is really outside her Son’s concern; she believes that
no request she makes is trivial; she believes that He hears and answers every
prayer. So in faith, she gave the servants the best piece of advice the world
has ever heard: <i><span>“Do whatever He
tells you.”<b> </b></span></i>And what a surprise He had in store for them! He
gave them wine like the world has never known—and more than they could ask or
imagine. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">God gives His gifts for us to enjoy them.
He never gives them with the idea that we will send Him a thank you note or build
a statue, nor does He do these things for His pleasure, or because it makes Him
feel good to help us. He does them for us, because we have need of them, and
because He would see us enjoy the life He has given us. He was not in Cana to enjoy Himself. He was there to give of Himself,
to give His blessing, and even to provide wine.</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">And to this day we rightly pray to Him, just
as Mary did. We may not ask for wine as she did, but our prayers echo hers. “Lord,
this life is hard. I am tired. I am weak and frustrated. Sometimes I am sad and
at other times just plain mad. Lord, I wish that I was happier than I am, and
more content, that my spouse was more understanding and would pay more
attention to me, that my job was easier, that I wasn’t hassled by people who
don’t think I am doing it very well. O God, I wish there was more wine.”</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">While God may not always answer the
prayers the way we want Him to, He never ignores those whom He loves, those for
whom He laid down His life. He will do what is good and right. He may well
surprise you. So pray away in boldness and confidence. Nothing is insignificant
to Him if it is important to you. And if He holds out for now, don’t despair. He
provides what He knows you need now, and He knows what you need for eternity.
He withholds no necessary gift from you. He provides <b>“all [you] need to support this body and life,”</b> and He provides all
you need for eternal life with Him.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">God is good. He knows what you want. He
knows what you need. He is good and He knows what is good. He will not fail. You
will have pleasures amidst your temptations and frustrations and heartache. You
will have your wine, and your heart will be glad. In the meantime, while you
wait for His goodness, remember Mary’s charge: <i><span>“Do whatever He tells you.” </span></i>And what He tells you is this: <i><span>“Take and eat. Drink of it, all of you. Do
this in remembrance of Me.”<b> </b></span></i>Eat the body of Jesus and drink
His precious blood. Return to your Baptism as you feel sorrow over your sins. Hear
the Word of Absolution and have the balm of His resurrection applied generously
to your heart. Your Father loves you. He has made you His own child in Holy
Baptism. He sent His Son to be the sacrifice that makes you His. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The servants knew who it was who turned
the water to wine. The disciples saw it and believed. They knew who was and is
responsible for joy and gladness, and indeed for all the gifts enjoyed by men.
It is Mary’s unassuming Son, Jesus, lover of our souls, the One who is truly
good, the One who fulfilled the Scripture in their hearing. The servants knew.
The disciples believed. God grant that we would be numbered among them. In the
name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The peace of God which passes all understanding will
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always.<span> </span>Amen.<span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-72780290571007952772024-01-07T16:23:00.000-06:002024-01-07T16:23:19.575-06:00Sermon for 1/7/24: Epiphany of Our Lord<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/6ous9jjtkv4gumimuabarh3cmtwej3te" target="_blank"></a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqyFFbDSNFbYEbEophu8f3QkDWlUBEZo5B-2fcfAgQG7NwfemzMOEF0eanahhyARTx4hyphenhyphenow4KxCt8N5Yj5o0xcSNUy5iHJLZyAXQDKhIIgYzCE7QejO_DPKxBTS9q0f75UZWHWqhNK8Cg-8hv1wb9cZzFC3GEHQnA5iwEbIFv_Pew6Eh4VZ5HAA/s1578/H-16%20%20Epiphany%20(Mt%202.1-12).tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1578" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqyFFbDSNFbYEbEophu8f3QkDWlUBEZo5B-2fcfAgQG7NwfemzMOEF0eanahhyARTx4hyphenhyphenow4KxCt8N5Yj5o0xcSNUy5iHJLZyAXQDKhIIgYzCE7QejO_DPKxBTS9q0f75UZWHWqhNK8Cg-8hv1wb9cZzFC3GEHQnA5iwEbIFv_Pew6Eh4VZ5HAA/w200-h196/H-16%20%20Epiphany%20(Mt%202.1-12).tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />CLICK HERE for the sermon audio.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://youtu.be/9rTI3KJxr2s" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Gifts</span></b><span><br />
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A1-12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 2:1-12</a><br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></p>
<p class="m-2469419746798286507sermonbody" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Magi went to the logical place, don’t
you think? Where else would they go but Jerusalem,
the royal city? But they arrived at the party all dressed up and on time, only
to find that there was no party. No one seemed to know about this newborn King.
So the Magi were confused. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Where is
He who has been born King of the Jews?”</span></i> And to the astonished faces
around them, they added: <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“For we
have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”</span></i></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When word reached Herod that important
visitors had come from Eastern lands, asking about the birth of a new King of
the Jews, he was understandably troubled. And he was not alone, we are told.
All Jerusalem
was troubled with him. And some things never change, for the coming of Jesus in
human flesh and blood is a troubling thing for those who want to be their own
kings, who want to have the say over what they do and how they live. Jesus
comes as King. The patriarch Jacob had prophesied of Him long before: <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“To Him shall be the obedience of the
people.”</span></i> None may call Him Lord and then do as they like without
consequence. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Herod was troubled, and Jerusalem with him. But Herod knew where to
turn. He called in the chief priests and scribes to ask them where the Christ
was to be born. Scripture gave the answer: in Bethlehem of Judea, that
insignificant little village whose only claim to fame was that it was the birth
place of King David, as the prophet Micah had foretold hundreds of years
earlier.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It is significant that the star alone did
not lead the Magi to Christ. In the end, they needed the Word of God to tell
them where to look. And the same is true for us, too: we do not find Christ in
beautiful sunsets or mountain peaks shimmering with snow. Yes, those are all
His, to be sure, and they declare His glory. But He will only be found in the
Word that He has given: in the Holy Scriptures His Spirit has inspired, and in
the Gospel Sacraments where His gifts of life and salvation are delivered. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And how magnificent the grace of God is!
After giving them the Word that pointed directly to where the Child was, He
added the star again. This time it came and stood right over the place where
the Child would be found. And considering what they found, they needed this
confirmation. When they got there, they found the poorest of circumstances: a
teenage mother with a little baby wrapped not in the silk and velvet of
royalty, but in the simplest and most common of materials. Here was the
long-promised King of the Jews. Were they disappointed that this King they had
sought from so far should be an utterly wretched and ordinary peasant baby?</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">No. They closed their eyes to what they
saw, so that the eyes of their hearts might be fastened on what God’s Word
said. They believed, contrary to what they saw. They believed that what God had
said was true, that the star had not led them astray, that here was the Babe
whose goings forth were from ancient days, even from eternity. They believed
that this was the promised King who had come to be the Savior of all people.
They believed and placed their hope and confidence in Him. And so they fell
down on their knees before the holy Child and worshiped Him! They brought out
their gifts and offered them to Him. Gold confessed His kingship, His divine
magnificence and glory. Incense confessed that He Is true God, the One who
hears the prayers of His people as they rise to Him like incense. And myrrh
confessed that He would die as the sacrifice for the sins of all. His whole
life was set out before Him in these gifts!</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Here is the One who was given for us, to
be the bearer of our sin, the sacrifice of atonement for us, so that we might
stand before the Father without stain or blemish, a people eternally loved by
Him. He came to give us all. And so we desire to give to Him. But what can we
really give Him? An old Christmas hymn says, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
within my heart, that it may be a quiet chamber kept for Thee.”</b> Such is the
prayer of those who renounce their own rights over their lives and entrust
everything to Him. And with Him is the way it must be. There can be no
half-hearted or compromised discipleship. We are all either “wise men” who fall
down in worship before the Christ, or we are Herod, out to do away with the
King, so that we might retain control over our lives.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Epiphany is the day of gifts! And this
Epiphany, to you is given again the gift of forgiveness for all those times you
have played the part of Herod and have killed in your heart the voice of Him
who calls you away from sin to live under His kingship. He says to you: “Come,
My child, and be my own and live under Me in My kingdom in everlasting
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Receive the gifts I have won for you
at the cross.” </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And what will you say to
that kind invitation of your King? May your answer be, “Lord, let Your light
rise to shine on me, and I will be yours forever.” Then you, too, will truly be
filled with exceedingly great joy. In the name of the Father and of the Son (+)
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-54415761206181120972023-12-31T21:41:00.003-06:002023-12-31T21:41:59.361-06:00Sermon for 12/31/23: The Name and Circumcision of Jesus (observed)<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://app.box.com/s/6b8x041krk4lfolxwspxtpysik9bx6nw" target="_blank"></a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8DSvzHoCTo4Jzk6sp57rJc5nRsWHAevfxhyn1OEROWOhF5MaoQhV7-LJ3vFJKyU_5K5FbVnkGzU4Vv81fC-Jio741jpPsLkvn8S1QIjpc8l3kfZEa3aoUzXpO9VcZBEvtzbs73HyUBWPBRuSryaWdLNQl7OyTuSSDnRiOt96icm2yhHVIKZ0Mw/s1592/F-6%20Circumcision%20and%20Name%20%20(Lu%202.21).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="1564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8DSvzHoCTo4Jzk6sp57rJc5nRsWHAevfxhyn1OEROWOhF5MaoQhV7-LJ3vFJKyU_5K5FbVnkGzU4Vv81fC-Jio741jpPsLkvn8S1QIjpc8l3kfZEa3aoUzXpO9VcZBEvtzbs73HyUBWPBRuSryaWdLNQl7OyTuSSDnRiOt96icm2yhHVIKZ0Mw/w196-h200/F-6%20Circumcision%20and%20Name%20%20(Lu%202.21).tif" width="196" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/6b8x041krk4lfolxwspxtpysik9bx6nw" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/bad9JdeJR9M" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>First
Blood<br /></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A21&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 2:21</a></span></span></h1>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>On the eighth day after His birth, the Son
of God was circumcised according to the covenant given by God to Abraham. God
told Abraham that all male children were to be circumcised eight days after
their birth as a sign of the promise God had made with Abraham and his
descendants. What could have run through Abraham’s mind when God commanded
this? What God proposed was not pleasing to the world then, nor to our
sensibilities now. The word circumcision is not one that is used in polite
conversation, nor are we comfortable talking about anything that word conjures
up. And yet this festival day in the Church Year honors the circumcision of the
Christ Child. It is important that Christians honor this holy day, for this is
the day on which Jesus first submitted to the Law on our behalf. And because He
did, it is now no longer a matter of salvation whether or not one is
circumcised. Jesus kept that Old Testament Law perfectly and fulfilled it in
our place.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The message of salvation for the
uncircumcised was a tough sell in the early days of the Church. St. Paul’s Epistle to the
Galatians is a testimony to the difficulty the Jews had in believing and
confessing that the good news of Jesus was for both Jew and Gentile, for both
circumcised and uncircumcised. This message of salvation is still a tough sell
two thousand years later. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is as relevant today
as it was in the Church’s infancy. The root problem was then, and still is now,
a confusion of the distinction between Law and Gospel. Jewish Christians were
mistaken when they taught Gentiles that there was a condition attached to the
Gospel. They preached a message of salvation by grace through faith, but only
if you were first circumcised. Those Jewish Christians dared to say that the
Gospel really means nothing unless you are circumcised, and you abstain from
unclean foods, and you live just as the Jews did before Christ came.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When you read St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, you can
almost see the smoke coming out of the apostle’s ears and feel the fire roaring
off his pen. God’s message to us in Galatians is the same message proclaimed by
all true Christian preachers today: <i>“The
just shall live by faith.”</i> Faith in what? Faith in Whom? The just shall
live by faith in Jesus Christ and His saving work.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>If Jesus keeps the Law perfectly on our
behalf, and yet we must keep the Law in thanksgiving, then why did He even do
what He did? That is the bottom line of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. We
cannot make the Law into the Gospel, and we cannot make the Gospel into the
Law. And yet, many Christians try their hardest every day to do just that: they
confuse Law and Gospel with alarming frequency. Have you ever heard someone say
that you can be a Christian only after you have made the decision to be a
Christian, only after you have “chosen” Jesus Christ to be your Savior and
Lord? To be sure, there is moral right and wrong in our Lord’s preaching and
teaching. But making the right moral choice is not the chief substance of what
Jesus does for us or what He wants from us. Much more important are the choices
Jesus made for us. Eight days ago we saw one choice: He was born for us. And
today we saw another: He shed His blood for us. And that is what His name is
all about. The name Jesus means “God saves.” That is exactly what He does. The
blood He shed covers all our sins. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When God puts His name on us in Holy
Baptism, He puts us right there with Jesus when He is circumcised. There Jesus
submits to the Law for us. By faith we believe His circumcision was ours. And
Paul explains it all in this way: <i><span>“For
as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male
nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then
you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”<b> </b></span></i>When
the Lord puts His name on us, everything attached to that name belongs to us. The
priestly blessing we will hear tonight bestows the Lord’s blessing on us. He
indeed blesses and keeps us from all sin, from death, and from the power of the
devil. The Lord’s face shines on us and brings light into the darkness of our
lives. The Lord’s countenance is lifted upon us, giving us gladness and joy and
peace. Where the Lord’s name is, there is His blessing. Our Lord’s </span><span>name is ours through Holy Baptism. His circumcision is
ours through faith. All of this is ours because of what happened eight days
after His birth. His blood shed, even as an infant, is our righteousness that
frees us from the shackles of the Law and gives us freedom in Christ now and
forever. Believe this for Jesus’ sake and for yours. In the name of the Father
and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God
which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-35704742975705134662023-12-31T21:08:00.000-06:002023-12-31T21:08:12.025-06:00Sermon for 12/31/23: The Sunday After Christmas<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZF4LJJ5PyOZu1Cr6h7bEIMsUs2CzhgYHet9g1xjPZQwvUw4WMcE4Gr1xjkRlUtLOAZc6_xmxAycQxQVnPo0QgkiqgkevwIr9UrXnQZVypJeEKpw5BOjMroFvdqdLs25e-UYkMVJS5vWjTyMqIePbESck6wCnDtoIEPt6ZWXEvatYmKVRiyRllA/s1832/H-14%20Christmas%201%20(Lu%202.22-40).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="1572" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZF4LJJ5PyOZu1Cr6h7bEIMsUs2CzhgYHet9g1xjPZQwvUw4WMcE4Gr1xjkRlUtLOAZc6_xmxAycQxQVnPo0QgkiqgkevwIr9UrXnQZVypJeEKpw5BOjMroFvdqdLs25e-UYkMVJS5vWjTyMqIePbESck6wCnDtoIEPt6ZWXEvatYmKVRiyRllA/w172-h200/H-14%20Christmas%201%20(Lu%202.22-40).tif" width="172" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/9goi6flzotq0zl231eaup8i9mrd08e0p" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">No video this week. My apologies.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: times;"><span>A
Sword to Pierce the Heart<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A22-40&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 2:22-40</a></span></span></h1>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. <br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Virgin Mary is a picture of the Church. Now, before
you accuse me of becoming a Roman Catholic, let me explain. Think of Mary when
Gabriel appears to her. Gabriel says she will give birth to the Son of God.
Mary, a virgin, believes God’s messenger. She doesn’t question whether God can
do what the angel promises God will do. God says it, and that settles it for
her. She believes. In that way, Mary is a picture of the Church’s faith. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now think of Mary’s obedience. She calls herself <i>“the maidservant of the Lord.”</i> Her
service is to be the mother of the Savior. God chooses her. She doesn’t
hesitate. As soon as God’s angel says she will give birth to the Son of God,
she expresses her willingness to do whatever God wants her to do. Mary showed
her faith in obedience. Mary is a picture of the Church’s obedience.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now, finally, think of Mary as she stood under the
cross. Mary watched her Son die. The sword Simeon said would pierce her soul
has, indeed, pierced her soul. She was standing at the foot of the cross. She
saw Him lifted up on the cross. She saw His anguish. She was there to witness
it as He suffered and died for the sin of the world. Blood, sweat, agony, and
unbearable sorrow combine to overwhelm Jesus to where He cried out the words to
fulfill the Psalm: <i>“My God, my God, why
have you forsaken me?”</i> Mary was there. Simeon’s prophecy came true. The
sword pierced her soul. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">So yes, Mary is a picture of the Church. She saw and
felt the contempt of the world as she watched her son suffer and die; we
receive that same contempt. Christ as a teacher of morality is praised as He is
refashioned to promote moral philosophy or political ideology; Christ as the
sacrifice for sin is rejected. We see this all too clearly today. Sin is no
longer sin. When something sinful is even acknowledged as a problem—and that is
seldom the case anymore—but when it is, it is viewed as some sort of
dysfunction that requires proper therapy, not the crucifixion of the Son of God.
When the Church speaks as Jesus and His apostles did of sins and mental disorders
such as homosexuality, living together outside of marriage, abortion,
euthanasia, gender dysphoria, and others, it is accused of hatred, bigotry,
racism, discrimination, and, ironically, even inciting murder.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The pain Jesus suffered for our sins could not be felt
by Mary or the Church. Only Jesus suffered divine retribution against the human
race. Only Jesus is the Sacrifice to take away the sin of the world. Only Jesus
turns aside God’s wrath against sin. Neither Mary nor the Church can
participate in Christ’s suffering for our sins. Jesus suffered alone. No one
shared His burden. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Nevertheless, we do have a share in His suffering.
This is the sword that pierces our souls. More than that, this is grace. The
sword that pierced Mary’s soul also pierces the soul of the Church. The Word of
God is the sword of the Spirit. Simeon said to Mary that her Child would be <i>“…a sign which will be spoken against, that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”</i> The Word of God is the sword
that pierces the soul. We read in Hebrews 4, <i>“The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”</i> The
same Word that brings joy to some brings anger to others. The same Gospel is
folly for some and wisdom for others. Some stumble over it and are spiritually
ruined; others embrace it in faith, find refuge in it, and rest secure in the
forgiveness of sins.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">We are coming to the end and the beginning of another year.
As we leave the old and enter into the new, we can reminisce about the past and
anticipate the future. Some things will not change. Souls will be scandalized
and souls will be saved by the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even as Mary
felt the shame heaped upon her Son when He was redeeming the world from all
their sins, in the same way the Church will continue to feel the shameful
disregard of Christ’s suffering and death by people who would rather rely on
their own virtue than on God’s grace in Christ. What is most precious to Mary
and to us is her dear Son. In the moment of His greatest triumph on the cross,
where grace defeated sin and forgiveness for all sinners was won, the world
turns away and wants nothing of it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Like Mary, the Church lives under that cross. The
Church doesn’t find her glory in her popularity with the world. She doesn’t
seek the approval of those who trip, stumble, and fall over Christ, the Rock of
our salvation. He is a Sign that will be spoken against. She knows this. Her glory
is Christ’s crucifixion where she was forgiven of all her sins. This is her
peace with God. Her glory invites the scorn of the world. She bears that scorn
as an honor. Knowing that she suffers with Him who suffered for her brings her
consolation, peace, and joy. So let this sword pierce your soul. It will not
harm you; it will bring you life in Christ. In the name of the Father and of
the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-63403914349999547692023-12-25T14:16:00.003-06:002023-12-25T14:16:33.627-06:00Sermon for 12/25/23: The Nativity of Our Lord<p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYAS6HfV0hVXbZu3SLp7zk3nyDWz9QLaaen8AKo1WFErFL6l-YYhXEqtyy_HITUxL2TTtiflINQ9EvJk7yEgZ7nQbJstZmCbij6a6kJeuL8R6lSvxso3xVedzYwthIQD5eJvsN6k3Akoidj2VaqxGdpPI_93UYFnJ8GWEAD2xGcgwYuxxTvquaw/s1560/H-13%20Christmas%20Day%20(Jn%201.1-18).tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="1560" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYAS6HfV0hVXbZu3SLp7zk3nyDWz9QLaaen8AKo1WFErFL6l-YYhXEqtyy_HITUxL2TTtiflINQ9EvJk7yEgZ7nQbJstZmCbij6a6kJeuL8R6lSvxso3xVedzYwthIQD5eJvsN6k3Akoidj2VaqxGdpPI_93UYFnJ8GWEAD2xGcgwYuxxTvquaw/w200-h199/H-13%20Christmas%20Day%20(Jn%201.1-18).tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/qik193jlx6eu31smj7djo72j5r89mejj" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">No sermon video. Sorry for the inconvenience.<br /><br /></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><span>The Child Is Born<br /></span></b><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A6-7&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 9:6-7</a><br /><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. <br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Jerusalem</span><span style="font-family: times;"> was in trouble, and the whole nation with
her. The wrath of God, a terrible punishment, was hanging over them. But in the
midst of the guilt and distress of the people of God, a voice was heard, gentle
and mysterious, but full of confidence. That voice announces deliverance
through the birth of a divine Child. The promise will not be fulfilled until
seven hundred years later. But so deeply is the prophet immersed in the
thoughts of God that he speaks of the future as he already sees it: <i>“For to
us a child is born...”</i> What one day will be is already there in the sight of
God, sure and certain. And it is not just something that will happen one day,
but is already real for the prophet and his generation, and indeed, for all
generations: <i>“For to us a child is born...” </i>No mere man can speak like
that on his own.</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">But how can we, who do not even know what
will happen tomorrow, understand that someone could see hundreds of years into
the future? Those times were no more certain than they are today. Only the
Spirit of God could enable such a thing. But the voice of this prophet was
joined by other prophetic voices; it is heard still today in the joyful
celebration of congregations like ours: <i>“For to us a child is born, to us a
son is given.”</i></span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">This is beyond all human understanding:
the birth of a child brings to all mankind salvation and deliverance. What
kings, philosophers and artists, religious leaders and moral teachers have
labored for in vain is brought about by the birth of a Child. A Child puts to
shame the wisdom and efforts of the strong. A Child, born to a human mother and
yet the Son of God, is the secret of the salvation of the world. All that is
past and all that is yet to come is encompassed here. The unending comfort of
the almighty God comes to us humbly, in the form of a Child. That this Child is
born for us, that He is given to us; that this Child is God’s Son; that this
Child is Emmanuel, God with us in flesh; that we know Him and have Him and love
Him; that we are His and He is ours—this means that now our lives depend on Him
alone.</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">But how shall we deal with such a Child?
Have our hands, soiled with daily toil, become too hard or too proud to fold in
prayer in the sight of this child? Have our heads become too full of serious
thoughts and problems that we cannot bow our heads in humility before the
wonder of this Child? Can we not forget, at least for now, all our stress and
struggles, our inflated sense of importance, and for once humbly worship this Child
as did the shepherds and the Magi? Can we not be like the aged Simeon, who took
the Child in his arms and saw the fulfillment of all his waiting, and in this
moment recognize the fulfillment of our lives?</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">“<i>For to us a child is born, to us a son
is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder...” </i>How strange
that such a responsibility should lie upon the weak shoulders of a new-born Child!
However, this one thing we know: these shoulders will one day bear the weight
of the whole world. With the cross, all the sin and sorrow of this world will
be laid upon those shoulders. But His authority will remain. He will not break
under the burden; He will see it through triumphantly! And the government that
lies upon the shoulders of this Child is the patient bearing of our burden of
sin and guilt. The bearing of that burden was already there in the manger,
where the eternal Word of God took to Himself human flesh and bore it. It is
precisely in the lowliness and weakness of the Child that this takes place. And
that is also the nature of His governance: He receives the humble and the
lowly, sinners all, bearing their burden; but He rejects and brings to nothing
the proud, the high and mighty, the self-righteous.</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">But where do we find the throne and
kingdom of the Child? It is present with Him in His Word and Sacraments,
graciously ruling and governing His Church, among His faithful worshipers. In
His kingdom, Jesus rules with <i>“justice and righteousness.” </i>His justice
does not leave believers untouched. On them He executes His strongest judgment,
and those who are truly His people do not seek to avoid that judgment. Instead
they bow before it, because Jesus can grant righteousness only when He has
judged sin. His kingdom is a kingdom of righteousness, but the strength of His
kingdom is that it rests on justice and righteousness that is divine. And this
righteous kingdom will continue because it was established in the birth of this
Child, the Son of God.</span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">We are called to this kingdom which we find in the
Church, with those who believe the Holy Word and cling to the Sacraments of
Christ. Here in this Child we see our Savior and Deliverer, the One who gives
us a new life of love. <i>“The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this,” </i><span>the prophet tells us.<i> </i></span>God is
His own guarantee that this kingdom shall remain forever. In the end, it will
defeat all resistance, even sin and death itself. God Himself lays His plans
and then fulfils them. And He wants us to be with Him, not by compulsion, but
by faith. <i>“Immanuel, God with us:” </i><span>this is</span> the mystery of this holy day. <i>“For to us a child is
born, to us a son is given!” </i>Thanks be to God for this precious gift of
life! In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-11758810939069167782023-12-25T14:05:00.003-06:002023-12-25T14:20:46.883-06:00Sermon for 12/24/23: Fourth Sunday in Advent<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O1tchHvnG8pqFAwme2lVLg_RQoUBYv_-vs20JXPEWeiQ4qxckrYphrL7UrfuNVG8Amdv7SfFZNee4qXWjoi0RauHhwDYnV9VnBLEwTiucNPa8EogAE9PdJ5JZfceGnfA-sp1KoNt22WzmIAQnCj4DFw8bYohXBb9HxODhXTqa-eGokfFGPOMsw/s1572/H-7%20Advent%204%20(Jn%201.19-28).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1572" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O1tchHvnG8pqFAwme2lVLg_RQoUBYv_-vs20JXPEWeiQ4qxckrYphrL7UrfuNVG8Amdv7SfFZNee4qXWjoi0RauHhwDYnV9VnBLEwTiucNPa8EogAE9PdJ5JZfceGnfA-sp1KoNt22WzmIAQnCj4DFw8bYohXBb9HxODhXTqa-eGokfFGPOMsw/w200-h199/H-7%20Advent%204%20(Jn%201.19-28).tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/bbla0zz6zo6psw256f3e0kqia4xyji4c" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://youtu.be/M1RmG_5qUgs" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: times;"><span>Confessing Christ</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A19-28&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 1:19-28</a></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">John the Baptist teaches us how to confess the
Christian faith. Christians confess Christ. If you won’t confess Christ, Christ
won’t confess you. Jesus says, <i>“Therefore
whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who
is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My
Father who is in heaven.”</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Confessing Christ is a public act. Those who refuse to
baptize babies argue that baptism is a public confession of the faith. They are
wrong not to baptize babies, but they are right when they say that baptism is a
public confession of the faith. We baptize babies with the solemn vow to teach
them everything Christ commanded that they be taught so that they will be able
to confess him publicly before the world. Confessing Christ is always a public
act.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">We confess personally and individually. But we also
confess as a body. The word “confess” in the New Testament means to speak
together the same thing. It is never a purely individual thing. It is always
corporate, always a family affair. We don’t make up our own faith and confess
it. We confess the faith of the One Holy Christian and Apostolic Church.
We confess with the whole Church in heaven and on earth. We gather together to
confess our faith. Confession is public, personal, and corporate.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">John the Baptist teaches us how to confess Christ. The
priests and the Levites who came to John to ask him who he was represented the
religious leaders of the Jews. <i>“Who are
you?”</i> they ask. They don’t ask John if he is the Christ. John is the one
who brings Christ into the conversation. He said he himself was not the Christ.
He was not denying Christ; he was saying he was not Christ. You cannot confess
Christ faithfully unless you distinguish between you and Christ and between
your thoughts and His Word. This is what John did.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">God appointed John to be the forerunner of Christ, so John
spoke God’s Word, not his own. John was not the focus of his preaching; Christ
was. John always extolled Christ. He said, <i>“He
must increase, but I must decrease.”</i> He said he was not worthy to loose
Christ’s sandal strap. Isaiah foretold the ministry of John hundreds of years
earlier. He referred to John as the voice. That’s what John called himself. Who
John is personally is beside the point. It’s what he confesses that matters. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">John preached the Law in all its severity and the Gospel
in all its sweetness. He preached the Law. He blasted religious hypocrites who
came to him to be baptized, calling them a brood of vipers. Faith that bears no
fruit is no faith at all. John made it crystal clear. In teaching God’s Law, he
didn’t advocate separation from the world but living a holy life within this
sinful world. Tax collectors should not collect more money than the law allows.
Soldiers should not intimidate civilians, but be content with their wages. John
didn’t tell tax collectors or soldiers to leave their jobs, but to do their
jobs without ripping off their neighbors.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">John preached the Gospel in all its sweetness. It was
John who spoke the words we sing every Sunday before eating and drinking the
body and the blood of Jesus, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. He
pointed to Christ and said, <i>“Behold, the
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”</i> A more beautiful
statement of the Gospel of Christ has never been spoken. Faith isn’t a
decision; faith is looking. It is seeing Jesus, the Lamb of God. He’s the Lamb
of God because He is God made flesh to suffer and die. He’s the Lamb of God
because he was appointed by the Father to suffer and die. He’s the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world. That’s what He did. This is the Gospel! It
doesn’t give you instructions on how to get God to take away your sins. It
points you to Jesus who has done the work to take away your sins. We sing the <i>Gloria in Excelsis</i>: <i>“Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”</i>
This is what Christmas means. God is glorified as He brings His peace and
goodwill to us sinners. We know and confess Him as He forgives undeserving
sinners like you and me.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">If we have God’s Word; if we have it poured over our heads
in Baptism and into our mouths in the Holy Supper; if we receive forgiveness
and life from Him, then we should confess Him clearly, dogmatically, and
without compromise. We learn this from John, who fearlessly confessed Christ,
even though it meant He would languish in prison and eventually meant His death.
We confess Christ because He is our greatest treasure. We confess Christ
because He is our only Savior, our only hope. He comes to us here in this place,
Sunday after Sunday, forgiving our sins, feeding us in body and soul with His
body and blood. But while Jesus is present in this place as He has
promised—this place where two or three are gathered in His name—He is not
confined to this place; He is everywhere, as true God and true man. And since
He is everywhere, we will confess Him everywhere. In the name of the Father and
of the Son (†) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-80717177922070466222023-12-17T19:39:00.000-06:002023-12-17T19:39:10.847-06:00Sermon for 12/17/23: Third Sunday in Advent<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v_R3BYioZk99VUOhtIVC_ZlwIBaLBlsDURFTbsDLVE6OcbQbRewlLwSAU3mB6C1DwB8o0D4Qj358f-m2Qv4LVwfkBixS8fd8C3ELTDrRuEKhJwMUT8imdcnonxHfItZ_W3n96zbXucLBZrt-Lnc-k0VWkWRIksGakSP80-yiAvxb5oFSQASbew/s1792/H-5%20Advent%203%20(Mt%2011.2-10).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1636" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v_R3BYioZk99VUOhtIVC_ZlwIBaLBlsDURFTbsDLVE6OcbQbRewlLwSAU3mB6C1DwB8o0D4Qj358f-m2Qv4LVwfkBixS8fd8C3ELTDrRuEKhJwMUT8imdcnonxHfItZ_W3n96zbXucLBZrt-Lnc-k0VWkWRIksGakSP80-yiAvxb5oFSQASbew/w183-h200/H-5%20Advent%203%20(Mt%2011.2-10).tif" width="183" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/j10xo8r0mkc7pcxspc2j2i06t8n8sq8a" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/xdyN3xmxvGw" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Comfort for the Flock</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A2-11&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 11:2-10 (11)</a></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>History is a fascinating subject, a subject
it’s important for us to consider. After all, as the old saying goes, <b><i>“</i></b></span><span><i><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Those who do not learn history are doomed to
repeat it.</span></b></i><b><i>”</i></b> Still, the more history one reads, the
more one comes to realize that all of these historical figures have something
in common: they are all dead. According to the Scriptures, conservatively
speaking, there are about 7000 years of history preceding our time, and the
people who have filled those years are gone! I don’t mean to be morose; I only
say this to point out that what the voice in the Old Testament reading was told
to say is absolutely true: <i>“All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like
the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of
the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the
flower fades...”</i> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Those of us who have some years on us
understand these words pretty well. We are the grass that withers, the flowers
that fade. It takes a while for young people to get this. Life is fresh for
them; the grass is fully green, and the flower is at the height of its beauty.
But if there is one thing history teaches us, it is that, unless we are among
the living when the Lord returns, every one of us will one day go the way of
all flesh. Like the grass of the field, we will one day wither away and be
replaced by another crop of grass that will flourish for a while and then
wither and be replaced.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And why does this happen? Isaiah tells us:
<i>“...the breath of the Lord blows on (us)...”</i> The curse was breathed out
when Adam and Eve fell into sin…and it is still breathed out on all flesh to
this day. God’s judgment continues to do its work on our bodies. This makes us
aware of our frailty and of our certain end, but it also turns us to a better
and more certain hope. I do not encourage the morbid fascination with death
that is so popular, but rather a sober and prayerful contemplation of life. As
the Psalmist wrote:<i> “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart
of wisdom.” </i></span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But now, in opposition to the fading flesh
of man, Isaiah shows the Word of God. <i>“The grass withers, the flower
fades...” </i><span>but,<i> </i></span>the prophet
adds, <i>“...the word of our God will stand forever.” </i>And here is your
comfort: while your flesh is but withering grass and a fading flower, God’s
Word is enduring. And this is a comfort to you because the Word of the Lord is
your salvation from the judgment that is spoken to your flesh. This Word is not
simply the writings found in the Scriptures, but also the eternal Word, Jesus
Christ Himself, who was made flesh for us. This is why Isaiah tells the Church,
<i>“Behold your God! Behold the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules
for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. And he
will tend his flock like a shepherd...” </i>And this was what John the Baptist
preached more than 700 years later. He preached against withering flesh, crying
out for the people to repent. And when they repented, he turned their attention
to Christ, pointing Him out, and proclaiming: <i>“Behold, the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world.” </i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When we see John languishing in prison,
his own flesh suffering and withering, he sends his disciples to Jesus. But he
does not send them because of doubt; instead he wants his followers to see and
hear the Messiah for themselves. In answer to John’s question, <i>“Are you the
one who is to come?” </i>Jesus reveals that He <i>is</i> that One by showing forth His works—yes, works that fulfill the
prophecies of His coming, but works that also offer us a glimpse of our flesh
restored in the New Creation He will bring into being when He comes again. When
He gives the blind their sight and makes the lame able to walk again; when He
cleanses the lepers, opens up the ears of the deaf, and raises the dead, Jesus
gives to failing and withering flesh the wholeness and vitality He will give to
all flesh in the resurrection to His heavenly kingdom. Heaven itself bursts in
on a dying world and restores it in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the
unchanging, eternal, enduring Word of the Lord. <i>“Are You the coming One?”</i>
To eyes that see and ears that hear, the answer is clear!</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And now God’s breath blows on us again,
but in a different way. Where God’s Law worked death in our mortal bodies, the
Gospel breathes new life into our souls. This Gospel of Christ is not just
another story from history of a great man who died for a great cause; it is the
proclamation of the changeless Word of God. And Jesus, the Word made flesh, is
active to comfort and forgive, to renew and restore. Life in Christ comes to us
through hearing His Word and receiving the gifts to which He attaches His Word.
In simple water, bread, and wine, God breathes upon us to make us firm and
permanent. For if we are found in His enduring Word, then we are also made
enduring by Him. And yes, even the flesh of the faithfully departed will one
day rise to share in that enduring condition. Indeed, <i>“...the glory of the
Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of
the Lord has spoken.”</i> This is true comfort for the flock of God. </span><span>In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God which passes all understanding will
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-63392093160169252462023-12-10T17:47:00.005-06:002023-12-10T17:47:37.240-06:00Sermon for 12/10/23: Second Sunday in Advent<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://app.box.com/s/qj5d3iizq8b5bd9tbtcgnox7pehiwpig" target="_blank"></a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVIpNDcbQjTK9AJeWJzSP2ZVL7zPMCSCuSGUVszj5DaiaWkdxJkSLCn4IkTfuGZYJ75Gzy2S69uG-TucNg6EvkADoLN56mLIU4BC-iYNsG7a0G1NBA-Vba_zGTeNjSHY1OZesRSIqR1T9Waft467ykf2uBhFZLSvDw0t-YDOospRt2ubaUrd2pA/s1568/H-3%20Advent%202%20(Lu%2021.25-36).tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1568" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVIpNDcbQjTK9AJeWJzSP2ZVL7zPMCSCuSGUVszj5DaiaWkdxJkSLCn4IkTfuGZYJ75Gzy2S69uG-TucNg6EvkADoLN56mLIU4BC-iYNsG7a0G1NBA-Vba_zGTeNjSHY1OZesRSIqR1T9Waft467ykf2uBhFZLSvDw0t-YDOospRt2ubaUrd2pA/w200-h196/H-3%20Advent%202%20(Lu%2021.25-36).tif" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br />CLICK HERE for the sermon audio.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/Q_naR-hz-zk" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Christ Is Coming!</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21%3A25-36&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 21:25-36</a></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace
to you and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>It probably seems illogical that the
Gospel readings for Advent say very little about preparing for the birth of
Jesus. The Church has always held that there should be a three-fold focus to
the Advent season: the coming of Jesus in His birth at Bethlehem, His coming to us now in the
Gospel, and His coming at the Last Day. When you look at the appointed Gospels
for the Sundays in Advent, you find quite a lot is said about our Lord’s
ministry, His Passion, and, especially in today’s reading, His coming again to
judge the world. On top of the last few Sundays of the Church Year that just
ended, you have several weeks in a row devoted to the End Times and the
glorious return of Christ to judge the living and the dead.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So why all this fuss over the end times?
Why don’t we spend more time preparing for Christmas? Yes, it’s important to
prepare ourselves again for the birth of Christ; it is one of the most wondrous
events this world has ever seen. However, it has already happened. We can
remember and celebrate it, which are good and godly things to do. But the event
itself has already taken place.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So we prepare for Christ’s final Advent
among us now—and not just in the manner of remembrance or hope, but in reality.
Christ comes to us now through the Gospel; He continues to do so; and He will
continue doing so in the future. This present and daily Advent of our Lord is
part and parcel of the life of faith. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But the Advent of Christ when the time of
this world has run its course is something that obviously hasn’t happened yet.
It is still a part of the future, a day and hour unknown to us. And yet, we
must be prepared for that day. And this preparation is no less important than
the daily preparation we make to receive our Lord now. Jesus Christ is coming
again, and we must be found worthy to escape the wrath that will accompany His
judgment.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But for the one who is prepared, the day
of the Lord’s return will be a day of joy and salvation. While it comes as
terror to unbelievers, to Christians it is a day of promise. Jesus says: <i>“When
these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because
your redemption is drawing near.” </i>Your redemption draws near! This is not
something to be afraid of, but to anticipate with joy! And so we prayed in
today’s Introit: <i>“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, and we shall be
saved!” </i>All who are found with faith in Christ on that great day will be
gathered to Him and will never again be parted from Him. But those who are
found without faith in Christ on that day, who have either never believed in
Christ, or who once looked to Him in faith but have since fallen away into
unbelief, will be forever confirmed in their unbelief. There will no longer be
an opportunity for repentance, no more opportunities to hear the Gospel and
come to faith. His coming will have shown them the truth at last, but it will
be the truth that condemns them.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So both the faithful and the unbelieving
are urged by this Gospel reading to repent of their sins and put their trust in
the grace of Jesus Christ. After all, the forces arrayed against us are powerful
and unrelenting. The devil seeks our demise; the world wants to lure us away
from Christ; our sinful nature even desires those things that lead to our
destruction. So often these enemies attack by stealth; they use the ordinary
circumstances of life that lull our souls to sleep so that the urgency of faith
is dulled. Really, how often do you really consider the end of things and the
return of Jesus? So Jesus warns us, <i>“Watch yourselves, lest your hearts be
weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that
day come upon you suddenly, like a trap.”</i></span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Listen to the call of the Scriptures to
prepare yourselves faithfully, and take that call seriously. St. Paul reminds us in today’s Epistle: <i>“Whatever
was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through
endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” </i>And
those Scriptures point to Christ. They point us to His first Advent among us,
when He took on our flesh that we might be rescued from all that our sins have
deserved. They point us to His Advent among us now as He comes to us in the
Gospel to give us His grace and to fill and strengthen our hearts with faith.
And by receiving that Advent now, and by trusting that Advent long ago, we are
doing the best thing we can do to prepare for that Advent yet to come. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But that is the beauty of faith: it always
looks to Jesus. Truly, that is the only way to be prepared for that day
described in today’s Gospel: by the grace of Jesus Christ. And so the call has
come again this Advent to prepare for the coming of Christ. Recall with joy
that your received Him as He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Mary to win our salvation; receive Him now as He comes to you in His Word and
in His body and blood; and prepare to receive Him as He comes again on the Last
Day. </span><span>In the name of the Father and of the
Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-14792579101324453062023-11-26T16:14:00.000-06:002023-11-26T16:14:07.430-06:00Sermon for 11/26/23: Last Sunday of the Church Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnWQEPFuqBDrfVWeHW2pKDFeVbnRTv6qWnGzSy7aKXQBQiDJKgn-hJKghJtWQgZLnjfiPwhNG2HnJoT97Imz1EEapRn4DV8bIHOmeFxHI_OyJ3vYVzwnWDqPmcwZ9_CEEfI3OlvEBrn6Lve37t_HLhMW1AjBN6XFsEoabSSI5QEy7A2mL8HDLTA/s1504/H-81%20Trinity%2027%20(Mt%2025.1-13).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1492" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnWQEPFuqBDrfVWeHW2pKDFeVbnRTv6qWnGzSy7aKXQBQiDJKgn-hJKghJtWQgZLnjfiPwhNG2HnJoT97Imz1EEapRn4DV8bIHOmeFxHI_OyJ3vYVzwnWDqPmcwZ9_CEEfI3OlvEBrn6Lve37t_HLhMW1AjBN6XFsEoabSSI5QEy7A2mL8HDLTA/w198-h200/H-81%20Trinity%2027%20(Mt%2025.1-13).tif" width="198" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/s1n777uvq0t2xpa4skkwmb4r4000r3i5" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/68Lk4zgByes" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Watch and Wait</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A1-13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 25:1-13</a></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Ten virgins pure watch in the dark,
surrounded by temptations and dangers in the night. Outwardly they were all
clean and undefiled. Nonetheless, these handmaidens of the Lord were overcome.
Their flesh was weak. They were seduced by sleep. Their eyes grew heavy, and
they gave in. And then came the midnight cry! It caught them unaware. For five
of them the oil was all gone, wasted in foolish and vain pursuits. So then came
the pleading: “Give us some of your oil!” But there was none to spare, for no
one can believe for another. So out went the five foolish virgins into the
night, seeking to purchase what can only be given and received. And they
returned too late. The door was shut. Therefore, watch! Beware! Repent!</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>It is hard to stay awake these sleepy
days. Peter, James, and John knew how that was when they watched with Jesus in
the Garden of Gethsemane. The Bible tells us that we
are in the end times. We have been since our Lord’s death and resurrection. And
with each day that passes, the shadows grow longer. Temptation grows stronger
deeper in the night. It seems so futile to keep watch. We’ve waited already all
our lives, and still He has not come. There are pleasures beckoning to us all
around. And no one seems to care if we slip in a few winks, if we go off for a
while into the ways of the world. Who can blame us? We are only human, after
all. Must we really be so vigilant? Must we suffer all through this long night
of days and months and years? Can’t we just have our fun and repent at the end?
No, we can’t; that way leads to death. Now is the acceptable time; today is the
hour of salvation. Even if our Lord should continue to delay His return, none
of us knows when our last hour will come. Repent before it is too late! </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>For the sake of hope and confidence,
notice that all ten of the virgins fell asleep. All of them! All ten were outwardly
pure, and yet all ten failed in their vigil. What made five of them wise and
the others foolish? The wise still had oil. By the grace of God, and nothing
else—despite their weakness and carelessness, despite their arrogance and
self-indulgence—they never completely gave up hope. They never stopped
believing that He would come. They trimmed their lamps, and whatever oil was
left was enough. Their oil had been given by God, and it was sufficient. If our
Lord desires when He returns to be greeted by His faithful ones, then He must
create them. By the grace God supplied, the five wise virgins were spared the
coming wrath and saved.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And so, there is hope, even for you. You
have not been so gravely defiled that you cannot be cleansed. Your God has not
forgotten you. He brought you here this day for His purpose: to forgive you
anew, to restore your purity, to recreate you strong in faith, undefiled,
righteous and holy, wise in His ways. The world, of course, scoffs at this true
wisdom, calling it foolishness. But it comes from God. And our Lord Jesus
Christ is coming back to redeem what He has made and remade. He does all of
this for you through His Word. By His Word He creates and restores. He called
you by name in Holy Baptism, and you were reborn and made alive in those waters.
He speaks this saving Word in the Holy Scriptures, in Holy Absolution, in faithful
preaching Word—all in His Church. And He feeds these words made flesh to you in
the Holy Supper. All of this He does so that He will be met on the last day
with faith and praise and rejoicing, so that His dying and saving work would
not be in vain. For, He has not fallen asleep. He does not forget His promise.
He still and always loves you. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Concerning, then, the times and seasons,
as St. Paul
said, you have no need to have these things laid out completely before you.
Paul didn’t know them anyway! No man knows the day nor the hour of the Lord’s
return. All you need to know is that the day is surely coming. It will come
suddenly, unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. God in His great love will
steal you away from the darkness, death, and chaos of this fallen world. He
will awake you from your traitorous sleep and trim your lamp. You will again be
pure and undefiled. For you are not of the night of this world, no matter how
sleepy you may feel. You are of the day because you belong to Jesus Christ!</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>God did not appoint you for wrath, St. Paul said. He
appointed His Son for that task in your place, who hung on the cross for you, forsaken
of His Father, defiled by death. The dark night of sin and death forever ended
when the Dayspring from on high rose and gave eternal light to men. And in His
death and resurrection, He gathers you to Himself. He died for you that you
would live with Him. And He is returning soon, so that our endless life, face
to face with Him, will begin. Therefore, watch and wait! Do not be afraid! Surely
He is coming soon! <i>“Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!” </i></span><span>In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-11268712434977824212023-11-23T14:14:00.001-06:002023-11-23T14:14:12.495-06:00Sermon for 11/23/23: Day of National Thanksgiving<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxNMIG03Y_qXcbof6UKS20SP_OzAJLaIwFwEzj7c6P43S12O7x6XnO3lPOtszOg8cqAN4wBkP_zrOjoByiuWqc9c1qWr5i7xHwOX6wqo9Tg5Ey-10jDg52Lqd8m8Ibc3TdsH4_FgSafCy2Y5dVd6svbMaIXIykgOAa2JNS6XWc20NFLb81ITuxg/s1536/F-31%20Thanksgiving%20(1-year)%20%20(Mt%206.24-34).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1536" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxNMIG03Y_qXcbof6UKS20SP_OzAJLaIwFwEzj7c6P43S12O7x6XnO3lPOtszOg8cqAN4wBkP_zrOjoByiuWqc9c1qWr5i7xHwOX6wqo9Tg5Ey-10jDg52Lqd8m8Ibc3TdsH4_FgSafCy2Y5dVd6svbMaIXIykgOAa2JNS6XWc20NFLb81ITuxg/w200-h198/F-31%20Thanksgiving%20(1-year)%20%20(Mt%206.24-34).tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/rvtf8dq4kfuw7h6kodrvos41qspw61k0" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/-2eZ5LDDEc0" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Remember with Thanksgiving<br /></span></b><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+8%3A1-10&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 8:1-10</a><br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<span> </span>Amen.<span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>If you had lived in Old Testament times as
a child of devout Hebrew parents, you would have learned very early on to
recite the Ten Commandments from memory. As you grew and your thinking matured,
perhaps you would have asked the question, “Why?” And your father, recalling
other words of Moses, would have recounted for you the story of God’s gracious
dealings with your people despite Israel’s failure to be faithful.
And then he likely would have closed that conversation with the words of our
text: <i><span>“And you shall remember...the
Lord your God.”</span></i> No words can better describe the significance of Thanksgiving
Day. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Remember what the Lord your God has done.
Who created this universe? Who made man? Who brought judgment upon Adam and
Eve, but, with that, also the promise of a Savior? Who destroyed the corrupt
world of Noah’s day but redeemed and kept alive a remnant to replenish the
earth? The answer to all of these questions is the same: it is God! And so goes
the whole Biblical confession: God judging, God redeeming, God promising—God at
work in the world of His creation.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Sign upon sign, wonder upon wonder, grace
upon grace, Holy Scripture reveals what God has done. And the faithful people
of God, whether Old or New Testament, never tire of recounting these things; it
is oyr song of faith! What God has done for His saints of old, He does for us
as well. We are, as the Psalmist says, <i><span>“...the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.”<b> </b></span></i>Surely
such a witness should bring to our minds God’s work in our world today, and in
our lives individually. He judges us, He redeems us, He speaks His promises to
us. <i><span>“Only the fool says in his
heart, ‘There is no God.’”</span></i> Only the fool claims that God is not at
work for good in this world. The truth is, there is no end to the blessings of
grace and goodness our God showers upon us. </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So let us recount our many blessings and
remember the Lord our God with thanksgiving. He has given His promise of grace
and blessing to us, even as He has given it to His people of every time and
place. It is for our good when He shows His displeasure with our sin. It is for
our healing that He forgives our sins when we turn to Him in repentance. And in
His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, God holds out to us that promise of new
life, both here and hereafter, as we trust Him with thanksgiving. Each
experience of life—each joy and sorrow, each rebuke and reward—is God with us
to bless us, and all of this is for our everlasting good. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>There is a very old story about a man who
complained to his pastor that God had cursed him with an unbearable amount of
anguish and sorrow and misfortune. He had come to his pastor for advice that he
might be better able to bear those burdens. But his pastor told him, “I cannot
help you. Go and see Jacob the water carrier. He has suffered every misfortune
and sorrow that can come to a man. Let him help you.” So the man sought out
Jacob and explained why the pastor had sent him. After listening to him, Jacob
looked at him with amazement and said, “ I can’t understand why the pastor has
sent you to me. I have never really suffered any misfortune in all my life.” You
see, Jacob’s faith was such that everything in life was a witness to him of
God’s wisdom and goodness. That was real thankfulness, a way of thanksgiving we
would do well to cultivate.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Each day, let us remember the Lord our God
with a thankful life, for it is in a thankful life that faith in God and
obedience to His commandments come together. As St. Paul wrote: <i><span>“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship.”<b> </b></span></i>It is our lives the Lord wants—our lives
of faith responding to His work in the world and among us. To remember the Lord
with thanksgiving without also remembering our neighbor in love is as
incompatible as expecting forgiveness from God without forgiving those who sin
against us. Only God by His grace can make us this way; only God can enable us
to be truly thankful.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And so, on this Thanksgiving Day, if in some simple
way we can remember what the Lord our God has done for us, and if we can
remember Him with some semblance of thanksgiving, and if we can remember Him
and our neighbor with some part of our life, then we are truly blessed. God has
been at work in us by His powerful Word of grace, because each and every
thankful word or deed finds its source in Jesus Christ and His saving work for
us. It is for this—and above all, for our Lord faithfully taking upon Himself
all of our sins so that we might be cleansed by the blood of His suffering—that
we are thankful. And He will continue to work a faithful thanksgiving in all
our hearts and lives, not only today, but also tomorrow, and for all the days
of our lives. In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of the Holy
Spirit.<span> </span>Amen.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God which
passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
always.<span> </span>Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-87537135000907107782023-11-19T16:29:00.001-06:002023-11-19T16:29:57.667-06:00Sermon for 11/19/23: Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Trinity<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WL0afaC9lM7oi04UUnOstUL4J8wVqu4fp-MOW45WZ30XFC-uSKmMeLygCPoPuW_Nk5NL3nKJ9jl5CsQOUQJFNnrN8r1fIcA1PhcgO5QyGEc5KhsaLe6CH26vB5b3Ide5oXe57YGx7il4Nb9KwH5l65Tf4sv0rkj6y5ofIrzB8feK3U6mxJ_M2Q/s1572/H-78%20Trinity%2024%20(Mt%209.18-26).tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1572" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WL0afaC9lM7oi04UUnOstUL4J8wVqu4fp-MOW45WZ30XFC-uSKmMeLygCPoPuW_Nk5NL3nKJ9jl5CsQOUQJFNnrN8r1fIcA1PhcgO5QyGEc5KhsaLe6CH26vB5b3Ide5oXe57YGx7il4Nb9KwH5l65Tf4sv0rkj6y5ofIrzB8feK3U6mxJ_M2Q/w200-h196/H-78%20Trinity%2024%20(Mt%209.18-26).tif" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/bzchsywb8p9hhf9u2epw39qzpx06okf2" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/dtR6PByEJSY" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span>“The Arm of the Lord”</span></i></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+51%3A9-16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 51:9-16</a></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The arm of the Lord is a pretty amazing
thing. The Father stretches forth His arm as He speaks and creates the heavens
and the earth. The Lord reaches down to make a way for Israel to pass through the Red
Sea. Jesus reaches out His hand to a dead child and raises her to
life again! You can see that, when God moves His almighty arm, amazing things
happen. This has not changed over the years. He keeps on stretching forth His
arm, even reaching out to bless you this day.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But we need to take a moment to figure out
what this strong arm of our God is. The arm of God is not just some metaphor that
will cause people to realize that there is a powerful God out there somewhere
who really does care about His creatures. Nor is He a stern God, looking down
on you with His arms folded and with a scowl on His face, waiting to pounce in
judgment on your every action. He is not an uncaring God, watching from a
distance, indifferent toward you and your daily needs and ongoing problems. No,
your Lord actually reaches out His strong arm, His gracious hand, to bless you
in many and various ways.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>We also do well to remember that God has
two arms for blessing us. With His left hand, He provides for us our daily
bread—all that we need for the support of our bodies and our lives here on this
earth. He gives you clothing and food. He gives you a home and the means to
provide for a family. He provides the weather and governing authorities to
protect you. He gives you health and friends and a host of other blessings with
His left hand. He blesses you richly each day, often with more than you
actually need, so that you may be a blessing to others.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>That’s a whole lot that God does with only
one hand! And He does all of this with the “lesser” of His two hands, so to
speak, for you have a God who is, above all, “right-handed.” His almighty right
hand has the power to save you! His right hand bestows those heavenly blessings
that last forever! The all-powerful right hand of God is what He uses to
forgive your sins, to rescue you from death and Satan, and to grant you
everlasting life in paradise with Him! </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The right hand of God assures all who hold
to His Word that He will, indeed, carry out the promises He has made. God’s
people have no need to fear mere men. Your deliverance rests in the hand of the
Lord who is your Maker and your Redeemer. It is the right hand of God that
offers comfort to those who believe in Him and have His Word in their hearts
and on their lips. He has chosen you to be His. He has declared you to be His
own. He has given you that message of redemption and righteousness and the
promise of a new heaven and a new earth to come. And you, and all who believe
this, rest securely in the powerful hand of the Lord. No one will be permitted
to steal you from His powerful right hand.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But so often we forget this powerful
comfort of God. Perhaps we are intimidated when others ridicule us or when we
are threatened with harm. Yet the pages of Holy Scripture and sacred history
are filled with the stories of those who have been upheld by the right hand of
the Lord, those who were prepared to offer up their lives rather than deny the
Lord who had bought them at such a precious price: the price of His own life
and blood.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>You know about this powerful right hand of
God. You confess it in the Creed. It is Jesus, your Savior, who is at the right
hand of God! He came down to earth to accomplish what no man before or after
ever could. He kept God’s Law perfectly in Your place, earning life in heaven
for you and for all who trust in Him. Then He willingly gave up His own glory,
instead suffering the death you deserved at His cross, so that by His death you
would have eternal life given to you as a free gift! </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And the right hand of God continues to act
to bless You today! The right hand of God came down to you in the font to
cleanse you of your sins in baptism. The right hand of God marks you as one
redeemed by Christ the crucified in Holy Absolution. The right hand of God
serves you the body and blood of Christ, given into death for the forgiveness
of your sins. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And God’s right hand continues to deliver
you from death and the devil’s temptations still today. It still marks you with
the cross of Jesus Christ, your Savior. It keeps on cleansing you from sin as
your baptism brings you daily to repentance. The right hand of God covers you
in its shadow to protect and keep you. It is stirred up again and again to help
you by His great love for you in Jesus Christ. His strong arm reaches out to
lift you up to life again. And that strong arm takes you finally to heaven,
will you will hear Him say, “You are my beloved, now and forevermore.” </span><span>In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God which passes all understanding will
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-57687952341446382312023-11-12T14:43:00.002-06:002023-11-12T14:43:16.706-06:00Sermon for 11/12/23: Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3fNRBZR828Bo6PUs3v97Z5jL7nPdv_h2DBnUmPK5DnrkuTdePlqjMrzHTE16KNDGW7KfjPzZpuva02H5ZhyphenhyphenU_igchSKylvVUFn2t2aSvqxAqSCRXmPZb9nM7JD2g8LKZbejYPSEZLQ7ZYXpMkXhiva2Pr9leUaj6FWwQfHg9NL3cit92sSucyA/s1852/H-77%20Trinity%2023%20(Mt%2022.15-22).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="1508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3fNRBZR828Bo6PUs3v97Z5jL7nPdv_h2DBnUmPK5DnrkuTdePlqjMrzHTE16KNDGW7KfjPzZpuva02H5ZhyphenhyphenU_igchSKylvVUFn2t2aSvqxAqSCRXmPZb9nM7JD2g8LKZbejYPSEZLQ7ZYXpMkXhiva2Pr9leUaj6FWwQfHg9NL3cit92sSucyA/w163-h200/H-77%20Trinity%2023%20(Mt%2022.15-22).tif" width="163" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/f6sdatnj7ph57m963gvpu06kgv7dwhik" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/uzn7F50W2EU" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><b><span>Christians and Authority</span></b><b><span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+8%3A11-22&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Proverbs 8:11-22</a></span><span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. <br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Christians have always been of different
minds when it comes to how they should relate to civil governance. If we took a
poll, no doubt we would hear a number of different views. Jesus sanctions
government in today’s Gospel, but almost as if it is something we just have to
put up with. Lutherans have lived and confessed their faith under both democracy
and tyranny. The Bible does not mandate any particular governance. But as our
elected officials try to violate religious freedom, perhaps we ought to be
paying more attention to what our government is doing.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Lutherans actually have a doctrinal and
confessional position on the role of civil government. In the Augsburg
Confession which, together with the Small Catechism, serves as the foundation
of our Lutheran understanding of Holy Scripture, we confess, <b><span>“Our
churches teach that lawful civil regulations are good works of God. They teach
that it is right for Christians to hold political office, to serve as judges,
to judge matters by imperial laws or other existing laws, to impose just
punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal
contracts, to hold property, to take oaths when required by the magistrates,
for a man to marry a wife, or a woman to be given in marriage... Therefore, it
is necessary for Christians to be obedient to their rulers and laws. The only
exception is when they are commanded to sin. Then they ought to obey God rather
than men.”</span> </b></span><b><span></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Through Solomon the Lord says, “<i><span>By Me kings reign...”<b> </b></span></i>And
Solomon surely knew if anyone did, being a king himself. This is first and fundamental
in any proper Christian understanding of the role of civil governance. Those
who govern have their office from God and are responsible to Him. What does
this mean? According to Solomon, fear of the Lord is fundamental to all of
this. And what is fear of the Lord? Solomon says that it is hatred of evil. It
is the hatred of pride, arrogance, and evil and perverse speech. It is the
desire for justice and truth. How does our national government measure up to
these divine standards? Do we get the truth from them? Do we have honest public
servants? Are they really working for the good of the nation? These are
certainly questions for which all citizens should be concerned.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But perhaps of even greater importance,
what is the condition of our culture? Can we really expect a government that is
any better than the people? As a nation, how do we treat the defenseless—the
unborn and the elderly? As a people, how do we feel about such societal
foundation stones as marriage and family, and their corruption by sexual
promiscuity and perversion? What do we think about our communities and our
neighbors? Is American life characterized by decency and kindness, or have we
been overcome by coarseness and cruelty? How these questions are answered
matters. Can we really expect more from those who govern us than we are
prepared to be ourselves?</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Christians cannot stand aside and watch as
if what the government does and does not do is no concern to them. Luther said
that Christians don’t depend on civil government, but our neighbor does depend
on it. Our neighbor needs the protection government provides from the evil
designs of those who would hurt them. So we take an interest in these things out
of love for our neighbor. It is because we are concerned about our neighbor
that Christians seek government that is honest and humble before God, that
seeks to serve the citizenry and not themselves. Christians should stay
informed, let their voices be heard, and exercise the privilege they have been
given to elect our leaders.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But we Christians can do more. St. Paul tells us, <i><span>“I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who
are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and
dignified in every way.”<b> </b></span></i>This is something we Christians know
that others don’t. We have God’s ear. We have access to the throne of eternal
grace. We are to pray for all who are in positions of authority—even and
especially those we may feel are hostile to the Christian faith. And a
justified concern is that government will interfere with the preaching of the
Gospel by making the Church’s life more difficult and dangerous. It is a real
threat. We may be drawing perilously close to that time when, in spite of the
potential consequences, we must obey God rather than men.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Jesus says, <i><span>“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things
that are God’s.”<b> </b></span></i>As Christians we have no desire to interfere
with the government, so long as they are doing what God has given them to do.
But that means they will leave the Church free to do what she has been given to
do, and that is to appeal to the lives and souls of men with that great good
news of life and salvation which is only in Jesus Christ. </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Government and its leaders are responsible
to God. We, too, are responsible to God to pray for, respect, and obey
governing authorities insofar as we can do so in faithfulness to the Word of
God.<b><i> </i></b>Pray for our president, that he will responsibly carry out
his office. Pray for those elected to work with him. Pray that ours will be a
moral nation, characterized by integrity and honor. And, above all, pray for
the opportunity to continue freely giving witness to the Gospel of the
forgiveness of sins and salvation in Jesus Christ. </span><span>In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen. <br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span><span> </span>The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-28421192711851892272023-11-05T13:56:00.002-06:002023-11-05T13:56:52.974-06:00Sermon for 11/5/23: Feast of All Saints (observed)<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgObwb31dSO8la65SEsKtB0b4mUEu8qP1KKKfYBY6vaqEm0o1aClTkb1vx_OY1spTjfHdnrHcEk277Atl9b2veXnSPLOUiGhPShuFyH87oC07H6isbEGdden0DtivLTS8SqyoRAGpdEQFEDxWEBEbAAjfdeFJoNh013iag87SaGLwwksLiWJskw/s1564/F-29b%20All%20Saints.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1564" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgObwb31dSO8la65SEsKtB0b4mUEu8qP1KKKfYBY6vaqEm0o1aClTkb1vx_OY1spTjfHdnrHcEk277Atl9b2veXnSPLOUiGhPShuFyH87oC07H6isbEGdden0DtivLTS8SqyoRAGpdEQFEDxWEBEbAAjfdeFJoNh013iag87SaGLwwksLiWJskw/w200-h196/F-29b%20All%20Saints.tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/5hp65669ds82ntartx2yn57t5peknq9d" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/DnMb3VshWIY" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>. Sorry for the blur.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>With God; With Each Other<br /></span></b><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+7%3A9-17&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Revelation 7:9-17</a><br /> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /> <br /></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>To be a saint is certainly to be blessed.
The saints of Bible times were indeed blessed by God in their words and their
actions, so that they could be a blessing to the Church and the world. But
being blessed isn’t always what we would like to think it is. In the minds of
many, the saints are surrounded always by holiness and peace. Religious art has
probably contributed a lot to this unrealistic conception of the saints,
frequently picturing them with halos. As beautiful as those paintings often
are, they tend to give us a skewed vision of genuine saintliness.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Humanly speaking, being blessed isn’t
always what it is cracked up to be. We feel blessed when our bellies are full
after a good meal, but Jesus says it is blessed to hunger and thirst. Of
course, Jesus is speaking of a hunger and thirst for righteousness, but still
it is true that many of the saints of God have known severe poverty and need,
like their Lord Jesus, who <i>“had no place
to lay His head.”</i> We think of powerful people as being blessed, but Jesus
declares those who are meek, gentle, and humble to be blessed. We think of a
state of well-being and security to be a mark of blessing, but Jesus says that
those who are persecuted and even hated for the sake of righteousness are
blessed. Perhaps being a blessed saint requires some thought.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>To understand the blessings of sainthood,
we must consider first Who it is that makes someone a saint. Sainthood starts
not with the saint himself or herself, but with God! The salvation of the
Church is not in a saint, but in God! Power, glory, wisdom, honor, and might do
not belong to the saint either; these are also in God. Likewise, the very
blessing of being a saint is in God, and without Him there is nothing saintly
in any of us! It is God who declares someone to be a saint. It is God alone who
makes you, by faith in Jesus Christ, a holy saint!</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But don’t saints do lots of saintly
things? Indeed, they do! By their works, Scripture says, we know them to be
saints. But the works of holy men and women do not merit them sainthood. That
would have it all backwards. It’s not that saints act really holy, and then God
responds by making them saints. It is God who chooses them to believe in Him,
and through that faith He makes them holy, so that their actions will reflect
who they are. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So we are reminded that it is God Himself
who makes people into saints. But how does He do that? Many foolishly think
that the Lord does this by means of His Law, as though God commands good works
from Christians, and by their obedience they become saints. That is simply not
true! Your holiness as one of God’s saints does not come from what you do. It
comes as a gift of God, not from His law—which He knows you cannot keep—but
from His Gospel love in Jesus who suffered and died for you.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>You are made saints by Your Savior’s death
at the cross. There He became the unholiness of all your sins, received God’s
wrath poured out upon His body nailed to the cross, and then died the death you
so richly deserved. In this blessed exchange, He gives you the holiness of His
own righteousness, given to you in your baptism. Whatever it was you were
dressed in as you were brought to the font, you were given there the robe of
Christ’s righteousness, the same one the saints in heaven wear for eternity.
And what Jesus received in this exchange was your “robe” of sin and shame, the
robe that really should serve as your burial shroud.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And since that day, when you became a
saint, you have been blessed to worship. But even in worship, the burden is not
placed upon you. Yes, you pray and sing praise, give offerings, and bless your
gracious God with thanksgiving. That is all true. But you worship in God.
German Lutherans had a wonderful term for this: <i>“Gottesdienst,”</i> God’s service <u>to you</u> because you are His in
Christ. In this Divine Service He brings you into Himself. The real presence of
Jesus is not just in the Sacrament, but in the entire service. He is quite
literally here at this moment, gathering you to Himself. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Your Savior, Jesus Christ, was promised as
<i>“the Word made flesh to dwell among us.”</i>
And He does this most intimately when He invites you to eat and drink of His
holy body and blood in His holy Supper. The same Jesus who came in the flesh to
die for your salvation is present for you here, making you holy by the
forgiveness of sins and the giving of His righteousness to you. He brings here
His saving cross and all its benefits to you this day.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>And what is more, in this Divine Service
He brings you as close as you can come in this life to the faithful who have
gone before you. As the Apostle’s Creed eloquently describes it, this is the <b>“communion of saints.”</b> The worship of
heaven and earth is joined in one, and for a brief moment the veil that
separates the Church in heaven from the Church on earth is pulled aside, revealing
that our worship is indeed one and the same, for on both sides of eternity it
is the worship of the same God and the same Lamb who gathers all of His sheep
around His eternal throne. And so we rejoice and find our hope in those words: <b><span>“Therefore
with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and
magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God of Sabbath; heaven and earth are full of Your glory.’”</span></b> That
is the song of the Church now; it will be our song forever. </span><span>In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen. <br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The
peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-58981438001208192362023-10-29T20:07:00.003-05:002023-10-29T20:07:45.314-05:00Sermon for 10/29/23: Festival of the Reformation<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-uIP95BC646PW9pJoVGxBxwkIF8kaAa1Yp8pYnh1WazC2aDXToT_JKlNgVUvqNx5kOtbb2pXYlzieYzUtjYGl6SOeE6SdMd34Wa19m3ooT7jYn4tzc-FcHS15YX3NRlcKSnSivzWuyBKAPIGsPZzcHjEhlp2i9yhPMcZbwIXWecPPtyoUcBkHQ/s1590/F-28c%20Reformation.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1590" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-uIP95BC646PW9pJoVGxBxwkIF8kaAa1Yp8pYnh1WazC2aDXToT_JKlNgVUvqNx5kOtbb2pXYlzieYzUtjYGl6SOeE6SdMd34Wa19m3ooT7jYn4tzc-FcHS15YX3NRlcKSnSivzWuyBKAPIGsPZzcHjEhlp2i9yhPMcZbwIXWecPPtyoUcBkHQ/w200-h196/F-28c%20Reformation.tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/y6f4cry9vlq8ilfssabpqfjrdqlp1xb2" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/w3bqAtlBryo" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Free in Christ</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+14%3A6-7&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Revelation 14:6-7</a></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace
to you and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Amen.<br /><span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The Lutheran
Reformation was all about freedom. Now, it’s not about the civil and social
freedoms we enjoy as citizens of our nation. As much as we may appreciate those
freedoms, the Reformation was about something better. It was about the freedom
Jesus addressed in today’s Gospel: the freedom that comes from being delivered
from the guilt and punishment of sin. The Jews of our Lord’s Day were
oppressed, not only by their Roman conquerors, but also by a religious life
that was heavily burdened by law after law piled on top of God’s commands.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Luther’s day
was very much like that. The Roman Church of that time was keeping Christians
shackled by the Law. The people were burdened by guilt for their sins, and the
emphasis of the Church was constantly on what they should do about it. So the
Pope sold indulgences, a means of purchasing forgiveness of sins with money. You
could pay for your own sins or even for the sins of your long-dead ancestors.
Sacred relics, such as fragments of the cross or bits of the bones of the
saints, were revered for their alleged ability to grant saving merits. The
emphasis was on man’s duty to satisfy God. Even worship, the freest expression
of the faith of a Christian, became an obligation.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When Luther and
others rediscovered the sweetness of the Gospel, they began to taste real
freedom! God did not want man to remain shackled with the burdens of the Law.
He set them free from a religion of unending obligation to one of the free
grace of God. No longer did men have to strive to be good enough for God to
love them. When would that be? When would you know that you had done enough?
Instead, they could believe the Gospel message: that God was fully pleased with
them in His Son, Jesus Christ, because He had paid the price for their
redemption—indeed, for the redemption of the whole world at His cross.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Luther and others
like him had their eyes opened to the Biblical way of viewing the judgment of
God. They had been taught to view God as an angry Judge who was constantly
sniffing around, looking for sins which would merit the condemnation of sinners.
But they had missed the other half of God’s judgment: the verdict of “not
guilty,” which He freely gives to those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ!
For when the Father condemned His only-begotten Son at the cross, the price was
paid in full by Jesus, who bears the burden, guilt, and punishment for your
sin.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>You have been
set free by Christ’s sacrifice at the cross. So don’t re-shackle yourself with
the burden of the Law. You would never do that, right? And yet, you do, and so
do I. Whenever you try so hard to do what is God-pleasing, as if your life
depended on it, you shackle yourself. If you think you can’t be forgiven, you
are shackled. If you dread the judgment of God on the Last Day, fearing that
you haven’t done enough to please God, you remain shackled. If you ever think
that the things of the Church are primarily about what you do, you are
shackled.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>So we all
shackle ourselves in one way or another. So what can we do to get ourselves
free? Nothing! That’s the point! Getting us free of shackles is God’s job, not yours!
That’s what worship is all about. Worship is God’s favorable judgment for you.
You come each Sunday as a shackled sinner, and God forgives your sin and
removes those shackles through His proclaimed Word and the Sacraments. He has cleansed
you by water and the Word, freeing you from your sins in Holy Baptism. He has
judged you worthy to come to the wedding banquet of the body and blood of
Christ. If more Christians understood and believed that worship is not an
obligation to be met, but the place where Christ is dispensing His gifts of
salvation and eternal life, Sunday morning could not come soon enough, and the
Divine Service could not last long enough!</span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>You are those
who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. That is how the beginning of this 14<sup>th</sup>
Chapter of Revelation frames our text. St. John
says: <i><span>“Then I looked, and behold, on
Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him
144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. …It
is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from
mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb...”<b> </b></span></i>He washes you
from your sins in your Baptism, and you are here! It is here that salvation is
proclaimed to you, and you are present to hear it. You come with your heart heavy
with the guilty burden of sin, and Jesus proclaims it forgiven through the
servant He puts here for that purpose. The Lamb of God is really present with
His body given into death for you and His blood shed at the cross for you, and
you are here to receive it.</span><span> You have no reason whatsoever to fear the
judgment of God, because He judges you to be forgiven: set free from sin,
death, and the devil by His victory at the cross! You are set free—free to
worship Him without fear, free to live forever as a redeemed child of God. In
the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-37544462900446587602023-10-24T21:46:00.005-05:002023-10-24T21:46:58.507-05:00Sermon for 10/22/23: Twentieth Sunday After Trinity<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfJM_kyNe5ylP9pM7lU6CAGh3JV0CwjjixqX7zGY-COIfulTqoa-WwpxtUWISOBAEs_IW2DkY_NVZi8HYY5uso6ZabqTSmhQdKrkUC7RUI5Ub4oMRmfiSgtGP8GuKxkrezUFFqxdfu4xpHin7T7zP_ushnAzCSvp1enuL87jzIxoMOPbhtsgHNw/s1528/H-74%20Trinity%2020%20(Mt%2022.1-14).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="1520" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfJM_kyNe5ylP9pM7lU6CAGh3JV0CwjjixqX7zGY-COIfulTqoa-WwpxtUWISOBAEs_IW2DkY_NVZi8HYY5uso6ZabqTSmhQdKrkUC7RUI5Ub4oMRmfiSgtGP8GuKxkrezUFFqxdfu4xpHin7T7zP_ushnAzCSvp1enuL87jzIxoMOPbhtsgHNw/w199-h200/H-74%20Trinity%2020%20(Mt%2022.1-14).tif" width="199" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/ev5wth17wzxp1lo2usy6gffppzzeawdt" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>SERMON VIDEO coming soon.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Sober Singing<br /></span></b><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A15-21&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:15-21</a><br /> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>St. Paul</span><span> wrote to the Ephesians, <i>“<span class="texteph-5-15">D</span><span class="texteph-5-18">o not be
drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…</span>”</i>
It seems around here that there are two or three churches for every bar or
club. Even so, I suspect that the taverns have more people on a Saturday
evening than there are in the churches on Sunday morning. People generally
prefer to consume distilled spirits over receiving the Holy Spirit. Looking for
comfort, strength, courage, or whatever else in the bottom of a bottle may be a
fruitless search, but it’s still a more popular alternative because it doesn’t
require you to do or say or believe anything. This is why people prefer to get
drunk on Saturday evening over attending the Divine Service on Sunday morning.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Of course, it doesn’t help when churches are led by
preachers whose doctrine changes like the wind. As soon as the social justice
warriors change the standards of human conduct, many pastors are quick to fall
in line. It used to be shameful for a woman to preach; today it is thought to
be shameful to refuse women preachers. Homosexuality used to be known as a sinful
perversion of God’s created order; today it’s considered evil to speak against or
fail to support same-sex relationships. Whatever the fashionable and favorite
sin of the moment, the world acts as if it is hateful and evil to agree with
God when He condemns that sin. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Those who abandon divine truth to be popular with the
world make their appeal to the love of Jesus. “Jesus is love,” they say, “and
so anything done in the name of love must be good.” But the world does not know
what love really is; “love” has become just another word for excusing sin. When
the Church bows to the world, it abandons truth. When there is no Law to
condemn us in our sin, the world sees no need for a message of the forgiveness.
Jesus Himself has becomes irrelevant in the eyes of the world, no matter how
often His name is invoked.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But where the church has kept the treasure her Lord has
given her; where God’s law is preached without compromise, condemning us for
our sins; where Christ’s suffering and death for us is proclaimed to real
sinners guilty of real sins; where the sacraments of Christ are administered as
our Lord instituted them; it is there that God blesses us with the riches of
heaven. He joins us and speaks to us where we live; He draws us into communion
with Himself. Heaven and earth, God and sinners, are reconciled, and we find
our little bit of heaven right here on earth.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When Christians gather together as the church, we make
melody in their hearts to the Lord. We sing to God. We worship Him. We give thanks
to Him. But we also sing to one another, <i>“speaking
to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”</i> We sing together our
faith, our confession. We say to each other what we believe. Confessing the
faith marks us as Christians. The apostle reminds us that we share the faith
with one another by means of music. We confess our faith in our God in the same
way. The thanksgiving we offer to God is offered in the name of the Lord Jesus
because it is in His name—the name placed on us in the waters of Holy Baptism—that
we are children of God. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>That bring us back to Paul’s command not to be drunk. He
presents a clear contrast between getting drunk, where we lose control, and
being filled with the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher. He is our
Comforter, our Counselor, and our Advocate. He is not the Spirit of
unbridled emotional exuberance; He is the Spirit of truth. He teaches us
the truth. He tells us that we are to love God with our heart, soul, and mind.
We don’t learn the will of God for us by losing our minds or losing control; we
learn the will of God for us through being transformed by God. Spiritual
enlightenment is a wonderful work of God for us. It takes place within the
minds of His people as the Holy Spirit opens the Word to us. We don’t choose between
getting high on alcohol and getting high on religion; we choose between living
in conformity with the evil in our world and living as Christians. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>We go to church because we cannot live the Christian
life without the Christian faith. We need the Gospel. Our faith depends on it.
We need to confess our sins to God, for our sins have captured our affections
and we cannot set ourselves free. We need to hear the Gospel; we need to hear
that we are forgiven by the blood of Jesus and we are set free. Just as surely
as Christ’s body and blood are given us to eat and to drink, God forgives us
all our sins for the sake of Christ. Our sinful hearts will deny this. The
world will scoff at it. The devil will rail against it and slander those who
preach it and confess it. But it is our greatest joy; it is what opens our lips
to sing God’s praise. And when we confess this truth together, when we sing it
together, God binds us together and builds us up as Christ’s church, with a joy
no alcohol or narcotic can match. In the name of the Father and of the Son
(†) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God which passes all understanding will
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-87078903405863896522023-10-15T20:22:00.001-05:002023-10-15T20:22:52.287-05:00Sermon for 10/15/23: Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0rhyphenhypheniXwiG7s-8MW3WrdX8zCzo37Ze2x1nVdnzOmdGAn_WzXJ0pwuSPKb0Te70Bc5aY6fcGF9xvSjqv8J0b3JHsjKY1eXN15VItO5ugAR0aKOqZx2z3jRceGcuer6p0WxaTVykyqGPBHHJ9wwgP2RHP_-B3n-vtknpTJR0TC5OKZWRmXN8Y7Cdg/s1512/H-73%20Trinity%2019%20(Mt%209.1-8).tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1512" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0rhyphenhypheniXwiG7s-8MW3WrdX8zCzo37Ze2x1nVdnzOmdGAn_WzXJ0pwuSPKb0Te70Bc5aY6fcGF9xvSjqv8J0b3JHsjKY1eXN15VItO5ugAR0aKOqZx2z3jRceGcuer6p0WxaTVykyqGPBHHJ9wwgP2RHP_-B3n-vtknpTJR0TC5OKZWRmXN8Y7Cdg/w200-h199/H-73%20Trinity%2019%20(Mt%209.1-8).tif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://app.box.com/s/88ujd0vw1s76z0urt9iosywmzedj96bn" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/ey1nl4I-vDs" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon video</a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Dreams Come True<br /></span></b><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+28%3A10-17+&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Genesis 28:10-17 </a></span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Jacob had a dream. Perhaps this dream was,
to some extent, initiated by the stresses of life. Jacob was on the run from
the wrath of his brother, Esau, who had threatened to kill him. He was on the
run from his father, Isaac, who was disappointed by the deception Jacob had
used to gain the blessing intended for Esau. Whatever the case, it was a dream
the Lord was going to use for His purposes and Jacob’s eternal blessing. </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, a
grandson of Abraham and Sarah. His twin brother, Esau, was born first, with
Jacob following, grasping his brother’s heel. From birth on, Esau was the
sturdiest in stature and was a gifted hunter and provider. Jacob was slighter
in stature. But God often chooses what seems to us to be the weaker—think of
Abel and Joseph, Gideon and David, Jeremiah and even Jesus Himself, who did not
stand out among men in ways that one would look for in the Messiah. This helps
explain why, in today’s Gospel reading, our Lord’s pronouncement of the
forgiveness of sin and then healing the paralytic completely confused the religious
leaders.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>It was through cunning and deception that
Jacob secured the birthright and blessing away from his brother. And although
favored by his mother, he could not remain safely in his home; he ran for
protection to his mother’s brother, Laban. And now he has this dream, followed
by God repeating His promise as given to Abraham and Isaac. And this same
promise of life and salvation has been kept not just to those three, but to all
who share their faith in the one true God.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Jacob awoke from his dream afraid. It had
been an overwhelming experience. He had seen the glory of God firsthand. God
had spoken to him as God had spoken to Adam and to Noah and to Enoch and to his
grandfather and his father. Despite his failings and shortcomings—and they were
many—Jacob had been set aside by God in a way that went far beyond his thinking
when he had fraudulently secured the birthright and blessing from his brother.
This was an overwhelming moment for him, wondering what God was going to do
with him in all of this.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>But God causes all things to happen so
that sinners will call upon Him in the day of trouble, that He would deliver
them. St. Paul
said: <i><span>“All things work together for
the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.”<b> </b></span></i>And
now God had called Jacob according to the purpose He had for him. As little as
Jacob’s faith may have been, God kept him in that faith, never letting him go.
Jacob was like that paralytic. He had no strength, no ability of his own, to
get to Jesus. Still, Jesus saw this man’s faith and healed first his soul, which
needed healing first, through the forgiveness of sins. The ability to get up
and walk was secondary, but it was a visible sign to all that Jesus does indeed
have authority over all things in heaven and on earth. </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>When we look at Jacob honestly, we are
looking into the mirror of weakness and sin. On that night, with nothing but a
rock for a pillow, God used Jacob’s brokenness to pull him back into the fold,
into that promise of life and salvation given to Adam and Eve, to Abraham and
Isaac, and, eventually to David and Solomon. That promise remained, even as
God’s people were exiled to Babylon.
That was the promise Jesus brought when He healed and forgave Jew and Gentile
alike. That was the promise with which Jesus sent out His disciples, that good
news of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life offered to all. And it is with
that same promise that the Holy Spirit works the miracle of faith in the hearts
of those who hear Him. </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>God shows His great love for mankind as He
restores Jacob and all who are like him. Remember Peter: at the miracle of the huge
catch of fish, he asked Jesus to get away from him because he was a sinful man.
He knew he did not deserve the love and forgiveness of God. <i><span>“I do not know the man,”</span></i> Peter
would later say of Jesus, but then he wept bitterly, only to be restored as
Jesus sent him out to feed His sheep.</span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Like Jacob, your dream, your desire to put
the past behind you and to be restored to God, has come true. You have heard
Jesus speak the words that your sins are forgiven, just as the cripple in the
Gospel heard those same words. God keeps His promise to all people, continuing
to be their God and promising to never leave nor forsake them. The Son of God
kept His promise as He fulfilled all and conquered all, even death and the
grave. And now, like Jacob, He has brought you back through His Word. No longer
will you flee from your deceptions; no longer will you run from your former life.
You are God’s dear child for eternity through Holy Baptism. At the Last Day,
God will send His angels at the last trumpet; He will gather you together with
all the faithful from the four winds, from the ends of the earth. Thanks be to
God for this remarkable promise, this dream come true. </span><span>In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="normaltext" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The peace of God which passes all understanding will
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen. </span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24211042.post-67241449995647525382023-10-04T12:34:00.003-05:002024-02-28T10:05:43.000-06:00Sermon for 10/3/23: Southern Illinois District Pastors Conference<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnvMgi_rCVn1Ne0oatxgapUBvsw3lc35weE27z3hMY1GY52OQj7jdOZ7XeXg1-O52e8QguecQTY5-b7vtQZVxrT7vMs3_ufyd1aAEF6UJ29CMaUGgdYYGpi4sOOr3oByeiuyBrcgQWIJ2v25LsjISLBfRJDVesFC3NAemuG9jhEngNiy2i9pyfw/s1080/narrow%20gate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnvMgi_rCVn1Ne0oatxgapUBvsw3lc35weE27z3hMY1GY52OQj7jdOZ7XeXg1-O52e8QguecQTY5-b7vtQZVxrT7vMs3_ufyd1aAEF6UJ29CMaUGgdYYGpi4sOOr3oByeiuyBrcgQWIJ2v25LsjISLBfRJDVesFC3NAemuG9jhEngNiy2i9pyfw/w200-h200/narrow%20gate.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This was the sermon I preached for Matins yesterday at the Southern Illinois District Pastors Conference. I've been a pastor for over 23 years; this was the first time I've served in this capacity. Interesting sensation, to bring the Word to your peers. But I guess that's what I get for volunteering, for trying to get more involved in things that I had to say no to before. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://app.box.com/s/kc5kkl9135kjlz1w4d2hixktsugz0ult" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the sermon audio</a>.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="normaltext" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><span>Faithful Preaching for the Narrow Gate<br /></span></b><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A15-22&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 7:15-22</a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">If
you’ve ever seen the Halloween special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,”
you may recall that Linus Van Pelt believes in the Great Pumpkin. On Halloween,
as Linus believes, the Great Pumpkin rises from the pumpkin patch he deems to
be “the most sincere,” and he flies around, bringing toys to all the good
little boys and girls in the world. In hopes of luring the Great Pumpkin to his
local pumpkin patch, Linus cries out, <b>“Just look! Nothing but sincerity as far
as the eye can see!”</b> Linus may be sincere, but ultimately he is a false
prophet: the Great Pumpkin does not exist, no matter how sincere Linus may be. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Our
text is a firm warning for our parishioners to heed the voice of the Good
Shepherd, to flee from false teachers, to refuse to partake of the bad fruit of
their lies and deceit. I remind my congregations that it’s their job to keep me
faithful, to test what I preach and teach against what our Lord says in His
Word; and if I should preach contrary to the Word of God, it is their duty to point
out my error to me and even to drive me out if I remain an unfaithful prophet.
A false teacher may tell people what they want to hear, but false preaching is
neither edifying nor fruitful for their salvation; false preaching is the wide
path that leads to the inviting and beautifully-adorned gates of Hell.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">In
that way, this text is also a warning to us who are called to preach the Gospel
that we must not be false teachers, that we must not tickle the ears of our
hearers with pleasant but false teachings. We know that the Church is built on
the solid rock of Peter’s faithful confession: <i>“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”</i> Naturally we all
strive to be faithful to the Word of God, to the confession that Jesus is our
Savior, as we preach and teach; in fact, we promise to do so with the help of
God in our Ordination vows. We know we must answer before the righteous Judge
on the Last Day for the souls placed in our care.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">And
yet…we know how sinful mankind measures success. We know that a church where
the attendance is shrinking is seen as a failing congregation and the pastor of
that shrinking congregation is viewed as a failure. There is a little false
prophet whispering in your ear, trying to convince you that you could be a
success, that you could have a growing congregation with a growing general fund,
if only you would tone things down a bit. Perhaps the church would not shrink
quite so quickly—or maybe even grow—if you would be a little less blunt in your
preaching against sin. Oh, you can still preach against sin, but maybe be more
generic; don’t call out sins by their names. The abortion industry, for example,
is growing quickly here in Southern Illinois.
With people flocking in by the trainload to murder their God-given children,
maybe you could stop calling it murder. With cohabitation being the norm
instead of the exception these days, maybe you could let it slide. Do you
really need to preach against gossip when you know it will upset the group that
meets in the parking lot after the Divine Service? Would it not possibly help
the bottom line in your parish if you’d be a little more tolerant? “Lord, Lord,
did we not make the attendance numbers rise in your name? Did we not increase
the congregation’s budget in your name?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">That
might be the case, but such preaching is negligent; it is not faithful to the
Word of God. The truth of the matter is that the Gospel is an offense. Man may
judge you by the size of your parish and the number of digits in your general
fund, but our Lord does not judge the way man judges. The Lord knows well the
difficulties presented by His teaching, but He never compromised the truth of
what He said. On the contrary, Jesus at times said things that were so
difficult to accept that He lost many of His followers. While that may have
troubled His loving heart, it never moved Him to change what He said. He
explained how the world would receive those who claim Christ as Master by faith:
<i>“<span class="woj">If the world hates you,
you know that it hated Me before <span>it
hated</span> you.</span><span class="textjohn-15-18"> </span><span class="woj">If
you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet</span><span class="textjohn-15-19"> </span><span class="woj">because you are not of the world,
but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.</span>”</i> You
must preach the offensive Gospel, even if it means your congregation doesn’t
grow; even if it means your congregation shrinks or even closes; even if it
means the Lord’s enemies cast you out. You cannot compromise for the sake of
self-preservation. Bureaucracy exists to protect itself, but the Church exists
so that people will die to sin and rise to new life in the waters of Holy
Baptism. The Church exists so that sheep will walk through the narrow gate that
leads to eternal life.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">It
is a difficult path. You enter the kingdom
of God only by following
Jesus through the narrow gate. The true prophets speak the Word of God; false
prophets would pass off their own words as God’s Word. What is the Christian to
do? Does God leave you to try and sort out all of this yourself, to distinguish
the true from the false? St. Paul
tells us, “<i>The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then
heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,
that we may also be glorified together.</i>” The Holy Spirit bears witness to
you, so that you may cry out, <i>“Lord,
Lord!”</i>—not in fear or doubt or deception, but in the boldness of faith. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Our
Father in heaven does not forsake His children. He gives His Holy Spirit to you
so you may know that you belong to Him, so that you may know that it’s truly the
voice of Christ you hear and preach. He gives His Holy Spirit to you to keep you
on the narrow way. He set you on that narrow path in Holy Baptism. But He does
not leave you to take that path alone; Jesus walked that narrow road to His
death for you so that, having been baptized into His death, you would also
share in His life. He speaks His word of forgiveness to you when the temptation
to compromise overtakes you. He gives you food in His own body and blood to sustain
you for the difficult journey. On the Last Day, there will be no need to
convince Jesus that you were faithful to Him, for Christ Himself will be your
boast, your confidence, your certain entrance through the narrow gate. Covered
by the Lamb Himself and bearing the good fruit of His cross, you have eternal
life. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.</span></span></p>
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com0