tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74747982664519743442024-03-12T19:17:33.894-07:00Scottish LutheranThoughts from the study of a Lutheran PastorMike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-8286181037730177692012-04-08T21:29:00.002-07:002012-04-08T21:29:54.241-07:00The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord 2012 Sermon<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7474798266451974344" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7474798266451974344" name="OLE_LINK1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Easter Sunday/4.8.12/Fort Q & IH/Isaiah 25:8<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A man is walking from the lake carrying two fish in a bucket. He is approached by the game warden who asks him for his fishing license.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The fisherman says to the warden, “I did not catch these fish, they are my pets. Every day I come down to the water and whistle and these fish jump out into my bucket and I take them around to see the sights only to return them at the end of the day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The warden, not believing him, reminds him that it is illegal to fish without a license. The fisherman turns to the warden and says, “If you don’t believe me then watch,” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The Warden now has swallowed the fisherman’s story hook, line and sinker and says: “Well, I have to see this!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The fisherman looks back with a sly smile on his face as he throws the fish back into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The warden says excitedly, “Now whistle to your fish and show me how they jump out the water.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The fisherman turns to the warden and says, “What fish?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I bet you can relate to that warden – I bet you can remember a time when you swallowed someone’s practical joke or story “hook, line, and sinker.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">When you were completely sucked in - We have all been there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In fact it goes back to the very beginning doesn’t it? All the way back to Adam and Eve<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">They were the first ones to swallow a deception hook, line, and sinker weren’t they?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">They swallowed Satan’s sly lie, they bit into the devil’s deception - hook, line, and sinker.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">“If you eat of that fruit you will not die – you will be like God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Adam and Eve both took the fruit and ate – and with it they swallowed death<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Death for themselves and death for every one of their sons and daughters who would come after them – right down to you and me as we sit here this very morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 324.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We are not so much better than Adam and Eve are we?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Ever notice how at Christmas and at Easter the magazine covers and the TV shows always have something to do with a so-called shocking secret revealed about the Bible and what it says about Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We are tempted to swallow this pseudo-scholarship and it raises doubts in our mind just as it did for Adam and Eve – did God really say?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We are tempted to swallow all kinds of false teaching and preaching that we hear on the radio or TV by so called ministers of the Gospel who are really only snake oil salesmen seeking to charm you out of what is in your wallet<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We are tempted to swallow all kinds of unbiblical teaching and thinking that we hear all around us in the world – the modern day orthodoxy of our culture often times is completely contrary to what God’s Word reveals as true<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Many Christians who are not well founded upon God’s Word in the Bible have not only nibbled at some of this false teaching but have swallowed it hook, line and sinker<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">It is a dangerous world out there and there are all kinds of lures, all kinds of bait, the devil tries to use to entice our sinful flesh to bite and swallow<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But the devil’s basic strategy has not changed since Adam and Eve – he is basically asking the same question to try and introduce doubt into the believer’s heart – “Did God really say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">That question of the devil’s is no more strongly heard than at the graveside of a loved one<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We look down at a casket being lowered into the ground and we can hear the question: Did God really say? Did God really say that by grace through faith in Jesus there is eternal life and the resurrection of the body? Did God really say?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">At the death of a loved one it can feel not so much that we have swallowed anything but that we have been swallowed up in darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But in the midst of the struggles we have with our sinful flesh and the devil’s deceptive lures we have a clear Word of God, a clear promise<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The prophet Isaiah wrote: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He will swallow up death forever.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A clear promise full of hope for all of us this morning – all of us who face the struggles of this life, all of us who have faced the death and loss of a loved one, all of us who will one day face our own death.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">“He will swallow up death forever”</span></i><span style="font-size: 15pt;"> Isaiah prophesied. And the prophecy, that promise from God, was fulfilled in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">This morning I am going to tell you about a time when the Devil took God’s bait and swallowed it hook, line, and sinker<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And in so doing death was swallowed up forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Picture Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Kneeling in anguished prayer. Sweating blood. He prays: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The cup of which our Lord speaks is the cup of God’s wrath that will be poured out upon Him on the cross. The cup of which He speaks is the cup of suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">On Good Friday – Jesus will drink of that cup upon the cross<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">He will drink it to the dregs. He swallowed all of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And there He died. The sins of the whole world upon Him. There He suffered hell – forsaken of the Father. For you. For me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The devil rejoiced to see Jesus dead on the cross. The devil with a smile curling at his lips would have gone forward to claim his newest and most precious of all victims. The devil went forward and swallowed Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And it is here, dear friends, it is here, that the devil took the bait. It is here that the death dealing devil took God’s bait and swallowed hook, line, and sinker.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For the devil in his insane evil foolishness thought he had won, thought he was victorious over God and His plan to rescue the world<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And so he swallowed Jesus – not realizing that this was God’s plan all along!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Not realizing that he was not swallowing some man – but He was swallowing the Son of God, He was swallowing God Himself<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And at that the deceiver had been deceived, at that by deception the deceiver would be destroyed<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">God gave a mighty yank and pulled the devil out of the water and up onto the shore<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">There on the shore the devil flopped around and Jesus walked up, the risen and resurrected and fully victorious Jesus, and lifted his heel and with all the might of God he smashed down with his heel and crushed the devil’s head<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The strife is o’er, the victory’s won!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">God speaks to you this day through His holy Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Despite what you might hear in the world around you. Despite the devil’s deceitful whispers you might hear in your ear<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The truth of God’s victory drowns out all the devil’s prattle. The truth of God’s victory drowns out all the world’s words<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Hear this loud and clear this day dear Christian friends!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And because He lives so shall you and so shall all who die in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">St. Paul writes: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jesus took upon Himself all the sins of the world on the cross. Your sins and mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jesus was swallowed up into the tomb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In the tomb your sins were swallowed up. In the tomb your death was swallowed up – forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In the tomb your sins and your death were buried – never to be seen again. Death is dead!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But the tomb could not hold Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jesus rose victorious from the grave. Jesus rose conquering sin, death, and the devil<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 324.0pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jesus rose and lives as our triumphant king giving freely to His people His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 324.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">You who face the many struggles of this life – hear God’s Word of promise to you this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">You who mourn the death of a loved one – hear God’s Word of victory to you this morning<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">You who will one day face death itself – hear God’s Word of triumph to you this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For He speaks it directly to you because He did it all for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But even more than speaking He comes to you with His risen body and blood in Holy Communion<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In Holy Communion you swallow the medicine of immortality<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 252.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In Holy Communion you swallow salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In Holy Communion the risen Jesus is with you personally, strengthening you to face the struggles of this life, giving you life to face death.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 288.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Isaiah prophesied” “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He will swallow up death forever”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jesus fulfilled that prophecy. Death and the devil have been defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">You receive this victory simply by grace through faith in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We journey forward into our lives, knowing we will face trials, knowing we will face struggles and temptations, knowing we will one day face death – but we go forward with confidence because we know our risen and victorious Lord Jesus is behind us, beside us, and in front of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And so in that confident trust and with hearts full of faith we gather on this highest and most holiest of all festivals with Christians here in God’s house, we gather with millions of Christians around the globe this day, we gather with the whole host of heaven including the faithful who have gone before us in the mystical body that is the Church of Christ, and we rejoice and we sing, we celebrate and we feast, because death has been defeated! Death has been swallowed up forever!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 216.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!</span><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div id="wrchoverdiv" style="display: none;"><div id="wrccontainer"><div id="wrcheader"><div id="wrctitle">WebRep</div></div><div class="wrchorizontal"></div><div id="wrccurrentvote">currentVote</div><div class="wrchorizontal"></div><div id="wrcrating"></div><div id="wrcratingtext">noRating</div><div id="wrcweighttext">noWeight</div><div id="wrcflags"><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_shopping"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_social"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_news"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_it"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_corporate"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_pornography"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_violence"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_gambling"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_drugs"></div><div class="wrcicon" id="wrcicon_illegal"></div></div><div class="wrchorizontal"></div></div></div><div id="wrc-float-icon" style="background-image: url(safari-extension://com.avast.wrc-6H4HRTU5E3/5d83cd36/images/float/green-3.png); display: none; height: 42px; left: 15px; position: fixed; top: 15px; width: 42px; z-index: 2147483646;"></div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-76421190457454330702011-12-24T21:31:00.001-08:002011-12-24T21:36:58.481-08:00Christmas Eve Sermon 2011<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas Eve/12.24.11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We are going to start with everybody’s favourite kind of joke: a knock knock joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Knock Knock. Who is there?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Mary. Mary who?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Mary Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">“Merry Christmas!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">This has become an interesting phrase hasn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">It has even become a controversial phrase.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Should we expect to hear someone wish us a merry Christmas when we are out shopping somewhere? Should we be offended if the cashier at Walmart wishes us happy holidays or Season’s greetings instead of merry Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">That is an interesting question isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I have my own take on it – and it might surprise you – but we aren’t going to talk about that tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I want to talk about what we should really mean when we say “Merry Christmas!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We don’t use the word “merry” all that often really.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">“Merry” means to be cheerful, lively, happy, and light-hearted according to one dictionary I checked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But we don’t use the word all that often. We don’t say “Merry Easter” or “Merry Birthday!” or “Merry anniversary!” or “have a merry day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">No, we reserve the word “merry” generally for Christmas – we wish you a merry Christmas! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">It is a kind and well meaning sentiment. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But what exactly do we mean by having a merry Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A merry Christmas is when we have all our family and friends around with laughing and love and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A merry Christmas is when we have nice clean white snow and a fire crackling in the fireplace.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A merry Christmas is when the Christmas tree has a bunch of presents wrapped beautifully underneath<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A merry Christmas is when the turkey is browned just right and the stuffing turns out moist and the cranberries are perfect and the gravy is not lumpy, and the Christmas pudding has just the right amount of rum…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A merry Christmas is when the kids open their presents and their eyes open up wide in astonishment and joy at their gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">There are a lot of things we need to have just right so we can have a merry Christmas isn’t there?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">All those things are great things and are wonderful to have at this time of year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But what if all of that doesn’t happen or fall into place this year?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if all our family and friends aren’t all gathered in the same place this year?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if instead of laughing and love and fun there is tension, anger and distrust?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if we don’t get much snow or the snow is all dirty and melting?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if you don’t have a fireplace for a warm crackling fire and instead have a lonely, empty, cold feeling room?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if the presents under the tree are fewer this year?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if the Christmas meal didn’t turn out or if there is an empty chair at the table to remind you of someone who is not with you this year?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if the kids are all grown up and the magic of Christmas just isn’t there anymore?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What if the kids were not all that impressed with your gift? What if the kids are now teenagers and are generally unimpressed with most everything you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">If everything is not perfect can you still have a merry Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I would suspect that there are very few of you here today who can say that everything is perfect tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For some of you a lot of things might be very good – but not perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For some of you a lot of things are far from perfect – maybe you are even feeling like things are terrible and are miserable during this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">So what is so merry about Christmas anyway?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The truth is that Christmas is a merry celebration – but it is not a celebration of our families, not a celebration of our gifts, not a celebration of our food – No, Christmas is a merry celebration of the birth of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas is a merry celebration of the greatest gift of all time – the gift of a Saviour<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas is a merry celebration because God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas is a merry celebration because in Jesus we see forgiveness, life, and salvation<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas is a merry celebration because in the baby laid in a manger we see the love of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas is a merry celebration because this gift from God is for you – personally.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">That is why for centuries Christians have gathered with family and friends for the festival we call Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">That is why for centuries Christians have gathered around a feast to celebrate the birth of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">That is why for centuries Christians have gathered in merriment to give gifts in celebration of the greatest gift – Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">That is why for centuries Christians have held special Services at church to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to receive His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Christmas is a merry celebration because of Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">What has happened in our day and age is we have forgotten the real reason for the merriment of Christmas and instead have only looked to the things that are to help us celebrate the birth of Jesus <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">We have made Christmas only be about our family gatherings and our feasts and our gifts <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And if those things don’t line up just so – well, we feel, it is not such a merry Christmas after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But when you keep in mind that those things are meant only to be a part of the celebration of the birth of Jesus – the very reason we would gather together and have a feast and give gifts<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Then no matter what the circumstances are in your life you can celebrate the birth of Jesus – because He is God’s gift to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">You can be merry not because of anything that is or is not happening in your life right now – but because the truth is that God sent Jesus because of His unfathomable love for you<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The truth is that Jesus would lived for you a perfectly sinless life and that perfect life is credited to you by grace through faith<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The truth is that He loved you so much that He carried your sins to the cross and there died for them and received the punishment you deserve<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306.0pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The truth is that Jesus would defeat all your enemies – sin, death, and the devil when He rose from the grave<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306.0pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">When you keep all this in mind, all that the gift of Jesus means for you now and into eternity – it is a merry Christmas no matter what the circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">It is a merry Christmas because of Jesus. And Jesus does not just come to you once a year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us – promises to be with you always.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">He promises to be with you all the year – He promises to be with you to uphold you and strengthen you as you face all the ups and downs and uncertainties of the new year and the years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">He promises to be with you with forgiveness and love, grace and mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But where does He promise to be for you?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198.0pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In His Word and Sacraments in His Church – nowhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234.0pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">He promises to be with you and strengthen you when you read and hear His Word in the Bible, when you receive holy Communion, His very Body and Blood where He promises to strengthen you in your faith, and He promised to be with you always in your baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270.0pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And Jesus always keeps His promises.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">So it might be true that not everything is perfect as you would like in your celebration of Christmas this year<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">But don’t confuse the lack of perfection in your life with the celebration itself and the reason for merriment this Season<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90.0pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Remember the angel’s announcement to the shepherds in the field that holy night, and hear it again announced to you this holy night:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126.0pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For unto you this day is born a Saviour – Jesus Christ the Lord</span></i><span style="font-size: 15pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162.0pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 15pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Therefore – have a Merry Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-63184222841604875412011-01-30T13:27:00.000-08:002011-01-30T14:22:44.545-08:00What do you mean?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TUXj5QKu1PI/AAAAAAAAASs/kJ1FZ6PE7lg/s1600/fingers-crossed.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 293px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TUXj5QKu1PI/AAAAAAAAASs/kJ1FZ6PE7lg/s320/fingers-crossed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568107087045514482" /></a><br />I have come to realize, and have heard others say similar things as well, that nobody understands what another person is saying anymore. <div><br /></div><div>We often hear certain Christian groups referred to as fundamentalist. The church body to which I belong has been called fundamentalist by some. What does that really mean? What is really being expressed by those who refer to groups of people as fundamentalists?</div><div><br /></div><div>When I hear a report about fundamentalist groups the sense I get from the reporter is that this group of people are somehow a little "off." That they are not the mainstream within their group. That the people are somehow scary, brain-washed zombies.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that is not really the meaning of the term "fundamentalist." Within Christian usage it goes back to an attempt to bring about unity in the Church by finding agreement in the every core basics of Christianity. In a sense the attempt was to identify those things that could not under any circumstances be altered. Within a wider framework it means a strict adherence to a certain set of beliefs.</div><div><br /></div><div>So - really when someone is referring to someone else as a fundamentalist they are saying: "so, you really believe what you say you believe." or: "you really mean what you say!"</div><div><br /></div><div>So when I say that the Bible is the Word of God - I mean it. This, according to some, makes me a fundamentalist. Some Lutherans of another stripe have referred to me in just such a way. So - when they say the Bible is the Word of God, don't worry, they are not fundamentalists - they don't really believe it.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I say the Apostles' Creed - I actually mean and believe what I say. In a historical and physical sense. The things that I say I believe happened - I believe happened. But those who would call me a fundamentalist - don't worry, they don't.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those who accuse others of being fundamentalists are just play acting. They say the same things as I say but think themselves too enlightened to actually believe it. They say the words but wink and grin at each other while they mock those who actually hold to it. It is how elitists lie. For some reason this group is unable to say what they really believe - that what the Christian Church has held as true for 2000 years is not really true. That they are more enlightened now than everyone before them. That they actually deny the very basics of the Christian Faith. They reinterpret the Christian Faith to make the realities of the historic Christian Faith irrelevant. It is a lie wrapped in pious actions and language that goes down smooth and easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is made me all the more appreciate a church body's public confession of what they believe. It is sad but true - I need the public confession of another church body so I know what they mean when they say - I believe in Jesus Christ... . What do you mean? The Lutheran church is blessed with a robust explanation of what we believe. There is not a lot of ambiguity. Here it is. This is what we believe. Take it or leave it. And we believe what we say.</div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-1347116014781687402010-12-18T15:52:00.000-08:002010-12-18T16:03:00.352-08:00Insightful"A mood develops in which there is little respect for the past and even less knowledge of it. As the mood envelops pastoral work we are charmed into forgetting the very wisdom that we are called upon to share with others: the majestic reality of God and the immediate significance of each personal and local detail in the story of redemption. We are told that we must be <i>au courant</i> in the ways of looking at, studying, and working with persons, and that psychology and sociology will revolutionize our capabilities, putting us in the vanguard of those who will achieve a new human potential. But the whole work which has to do with the human's relation to God and God's will for the human does not come from knowing more about the times but from knowing humanity - and God. It has to do with continuities , not novelties; with what is essential in the human condition, not with what is accidental. that being the case, we are far more likely to get help from those whose experience has been tested in a variety of climates and cultures, and been demonstrated in the testing to be trustworthy." -- Eugene Peterson - <i>Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work</i><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I am still working through my summer reading list I had intended on completing - in the summer :-) I have read a few books that were not on that list in the meantime but now I am back to re-reading books that I read while in college and seminary that I felt were influential. the four books Peterson wrote on the pastoral ministry I recall being very influential when I read them 12-14 years ago. I am on volume 1. I think the above that Peterson writes is bang on. though I am uncomfortable with some of Peterson's approach to Scripture I think he has a lot of good things to say. I saw him give a presentation about 9 years ago and I was impressed. So - back to his books for the next little while.</div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-15212971655881864002010-12-01T18:34:00.000-08:002010-12-01T18:37:35.565-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TPcGIzls8BI/AAAAAAAAASQ/hSGfs7-pPW0/s1600/chrys.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TPcGIzls8BI/AAAAAAAAASQ/hSGfs7-pPW0/s320/chrys.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545908214487117842" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><b>The 6th Annual St. John Chrysostom Lutheran Preacher's Retreat</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">June 20-22, 2011</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">St. Michael's Retreat - Lumsden, SK</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Speaker: The Rev. Warren Hamp - Faith Lutheran Church - Kitchener, ON</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">For more information visit: http://lutheranpreachers.worthyofpraise.org/</span></div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-78990779145745882682010-11-08T14:14:00.001-08:002010-11-08T14:17:21.629-08:00Free Speech in England - So shall it be in CanadaHere is a reasonable explanation of an important issue. Section 5 in England sounds eerily like our Human Rights Tribunals/Commissions here in Canada. See Ezra Levant and Mark Steyn for examples of the heinous abuse of their powers in our country. Anyway - take a look at this video clip - seems reasonable to me.<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n4l_SBJBJ1M?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n4l_SBJBJ1M?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-12911387011458240702010-10-31T14:54:00.001-07:002010-10-31T14:54:49.692-07:00Reformation Day SermonReformation Day/10.31.10/Fort Q & IH/Romans 3:28<br />“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”<br />The date today is October 31. For Lutherans this day is significant because it is Reformation Day. The day that we pause and reflect upon some of the core teachings of the Bible. The core teachings that the Lutheran Reformation brought back from the periphery and placed in the centre of the Christian Faith where it belongs. Often these are referred to as the “Sola’s” of the Reformation. Christ alone. Grace alone. Faith alone. Scripture alone.<br /> Reformation Day is not a day for pride. Reformation Day is not a day to look down upon those who are not Lutherans. Reformation Day is a day to be filled with humble thanksgiving. It is to be a day of thanksgiving for the undeserved, unmerited, gracious goodness of God to us poor sinners. We rejoice and give thanks for the gifts God gives us for the sake of Jesus Christ. <br /> However we are bold to say that what we believe as Lutherans today, in the direct line of the Reformers of the 16th Century, is what the Christian Church has always believed, taught, and confessed. What we believe is not new. What we believe is not something Martin Luther came up with 500 years ago. No! What we believe is what the Bible teaches. What we believe is catholic in the truest sense of the word. It is universal. What Lutherans believe, teach, and confess is what the Bible teaches and confesses.<br /> But who cares really? What difference does it make? Does it really matter if you go to this church or that? They are all pretty much the same aren’t they? I mean the Anglican church’s liturgy and the Roman Catholic church’s liturgy are pretty close to what we do. The Baptists and Alliance folk believe in Jesus don’t they? What is the big deal?<br /> Today we will see little ones, and some not so little ones, running around all dressed up in various costumes. Princesses and pumpkins, cats and hockey players, firemen and barbies. But, there are also those who will dress up like monsters. Vampires, ghouls, ghosts, etc. Monsters. Of course we know that monsters aren’t real. It is all for pretend and fun. It’s a little spooky. But there is one monster that I want to tell you about on this October 31st that is very real. It is the scariest and most deadly monster that has ever been. This monster is alive and well today.<br /> The Monster of Uncertainty. Luther knew this monster well. In fact, it was he who coined the term – the Monster of Uncertainty. This is not a monster I have made up. It is real. It lives today. This monster prowls about looking to terrify consciences. This monster prowls about looking to cause doubt and fear. This monster prowls about looking to destroy trust and hope and joy. This monster prowls about looking to destroy peace.<br /> The Monster of Uncertainty roars: “Did God really say?” The Monster of Uncertainty takes Jesus out of view and places you as the only player on the field. The Monster of Uncertainty calls into question God’s promises.<br /> How do you know God loves you? How do you know that you are not left alone by God? How do you know your sins are forgiven? How do you know that particularly dark sin in your past is forgiven? How do you know that when you die you will not be damned to hell? How do you know that the gates to heaven are open for you?<br /> Well, how do you know? Are you absolutely certain that God loves you? Are you absolutely certain that your sins are forgiven? Are you certain that when you die you will be welcomed into heaven? Does the Monster of Uncertainty lurk in the background of your life? Is the Monster of Uncertainty growling in the dark corners of your life? Does the Monster of Uncertainty strike fear and terror in your heart?<br /> If you seek to answer these questions by looking to yourself – the Monster will win. You will never have any peace – only uncertainty. You will never have any comfort – you will only hear the Monster of Uncertainty growling and striking doubt and fear in your heart.<br /> If you look to yourself and the good things you have done hoping that you have earned God’s love and merit – ask yourself – how do you know if you have done enough? Are you sure? Are you certain?<br /> If you look to yourself and base your faith upon your action of deciding and accepting Jesus – ask yourself – are you sure you gave all your heart to Jesus? Are you sure you really decided to accept Jesus? Maybe it was just an emotional thing? Did you really mean it?<br /> The Monster of Uncertainty points you away from Jesus and has you look at yourself for your assurance and your certainty of God’s love and forgiveness. The Monster of Uncertainty wants you to find your certainty and assurance somewhere in you. <br /> Lutherans reject all of this and this is why what you believe matters. This is why not all churches are the same. Not all churches have an answer to the Monster of Uncertainty. Many churches will have you look to something in yourself for your certainty of salvation. You see Lutheran theology – which is Christian theology – points you in the exact opposite direction as the Monster of Uncertainty. We look not to ourselves for our assurance and certainty of God’s love and forgiveness. We look to Jesus. We look not to what we have done to earn God’s merit – we look to Jesus and what He has done for us. We look not to our accepting of Jesus – but to His accepting of us by grace through faith.<br /> How do you know what Jesus did 2000 years ago in His life, death on the cross, and His resurrection is for you? For you specifically? Individually? <br />Because Jesus says so.<br /> He said so in your baptism. Through the blessed waters of Holy Baptism He claimed you as His own and promised to always be with you and to remove your sin. Notice – not what you do – but what Jesus has done and promised to you. Therefore – you can have certainty that it is true for you.<br /> Jesus speaks His word of forgiveness in the Holy Absolution to you and by His doing He erases your guilt. Again – this is not something that you do –it is something that is given to you by the Lord’s promise. His forgiveness of your sins does not rely upon you but upon Jesus Word and faithfulness.<br /> In the Sacrament of Holy Communion He gives Himself to you – personally and individually. He promises to be there in the Sacrament for you in His Body and Blood with the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith. You don’t do anything to make this so. It is so because Jesus says it is so. It is sure and certain because it is not reliant upon you but upon Jesus.<br /> Jesus provides you with these sure and certain places to find Him and His gifts for you. He does not want you to suffer through life with doubts and uncertainty regarding His love for you, His forgiveness of you, and His promises of eternal life for you. <br /> For you. Specifically. Individually. For you. Jesus speaks it. Jesus promises it. Jesus gives it. For you. There is no doubt. There is no uncertainty. The One who rose from the dead and defeated sin, death, and the devil has spoken. This is most certainly true.<br /> The Monster of Uncertainty is slain not by your efforts. The Monster of Uncertainty is slain not by your good works or merit. The Monster of Uncertainty is not slain by the strength of your faith. The Monster of Uncertainty is slain by Jesus. The Monster of Uncertainty is slain when we look to Jesus and Him alone for our life and salvation. The Monster of Uncertainty is slain when we by grace through faith trust Jesus’ Word and promises – the Word and promises that are given for you.<br /> Dear friends, you can leave here this morning and go out into the scary world without doubt and fear. You can be fearless in the face of your sin and failure knowing that in Jesus you are forgiven. You can be fearless in the face of the trials and struggles of this life because you know that for Jesus’ sake you are beloved by God and are never left alone. You can be fearless when you face death itself because you know that in Jesus your death has been conquered – it no longer has dominion over you. <br /> There is no doubt. There is no uncertainty. Jesus has accomplished it all for you. Jesus has given you all that He has done for you through His Word and Sacraments in the Church. On this Reformation Day let us rejoice in this Good News of Jesus Christ. Let us take comfort and have peace in our Lord Jesus’ work for us. Let us humbly acknowledge the great heritage of faithful biblical teaching that has handed down to us through the millennia. Let us seek to share this wonderful Good News with others who may be haunted by the Monster of Uncertainty. But above all else let us find peace in our Lord Jesus: For His sake - You are forgiven. You are loved by God. You have been given eternal life. This is most certainly true. Amen.Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-53731358917280591662010-10-02T15:13:00.000-07:002010-10-02T15:14:01.203-07:00Funeral Sermon for John CravenFuneral for John Craven/10.02.10/Fort Q/John 19:16-27<br /><br /> Today we gather to say goodbye to John. Though it has been two months since John died the pain and sadness remain. It is difficult when a loved one dies. The loss is felt for a long time. The hole that is left in our lives, in our hearts, remains. We gather this afternoon to say good bye. However we also gather to give thanks to God for the gift of life that He gave to John and our opportunity to share it with him. <br /><br /> It was my privilege to serve as John’s pastor for several years. He was the first person I talked to in Fort Qu’Appelle after I graduated from Seminary and was sent here by the Church. He helped organize the move from Edmonton and made sure all the arrangements that could be made for us when we got here were made. He was the first person who greeted me. He was the first person who took me for a tour of the church – then considerably smaller than it is now. He was the first President of a congregation I worked with as a rookie pastor. For my first few years in the Office of the Holy Ministry John was a constant companion. He would often stop into the church during the day to see what I was up to. Some might say he was making sure the new young pastor knew what he was doing. He would scold me because he saw the light on at the church too late into the night sometimes and tell me I ought to be home. He put many hours into this congregation both in his administrative role as President and also with the building project that began shortly after I arrived. I got to know John very well. And I know one thing: he would tell me to be quiet about all that now. No more talking about me. Talk to the people about Jesus.<br /><br />We gather this afternoon so we might support one another, comfort one another, and encourage one another as we face this trial and struggle. Doris, all the family, and all who are gathered here this afternoon – it is OK to mourn. It is OK to be sad. There is no shame in it. There is no need for embarrassment. How else do we react when a loved one is gone? This is natural. This is normal. However, in the midst of your sadness and loss – hear Good News. Hear THE Good News. Here the Good News of Jesus Christ.<br /><br /> John 19:16-27: “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,<br />“They divided my garments among them,<br />and for my clothing they cast lots.”<br />So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.<br /><br /> In several instances throughout the Gospel of St. John there is a reference to “the disciple whom he loved.” This disciple is not named but is referred to as the “beloved disciple.” Who was this beloved disciple of Jesus? The beloved disciple was John the Evangelist. John who wrote the Gospel which bears his name was the disciple whom Jesus loved. Now why did he refer to himself in this way throughout the Gospel – never referring to himself by name? There are a few theories. One is that he was being modest, humble, he did to want to be identified. Another reason given is that perhaps John wanted all readers of the Gospel to be able to identify with this disciple – the disciple whom Jesus loved.<br /><br /> Just as John the Evangelist was loved by Jesus so was our brother John whom we say goodbye to this afternoon. John was loved by Jesus and is still loved by Jesus. But not because John was perfect. Jesus loves John not because John has somehow earned His love by all his service to the Church. No, Jesus loves John purely out of unmerited grace and mercy. I am sure, I know, John would agree. He knows he did not earn God’s love. But by grace through faith John has received it. It is a gift that God gives. You don’t earn a gift. You only receive a gift with thanksgiving.<br /><br />Jesus loves John so much that He lived a perfectly sinless life, died on the cross paying the penalty for his sins, and rose again. In our Lord’s resurrection He has defeated death, He has defeated John’s death. Yes, John has been taken away from us, but death has not won. “Death where is thy victory? Death where is thy sting?” No, Jesus has conquered death. John is with Jesus who loves him. John is with Jesus and is at peace. John is with Jesus awaiting the Last Day when Jesus will return and there will be the resurrection of the body where soul and body in a miraculous way will be joined together again to live for eternity with God.<br /><br /> Jesus loves John. When John was baptized Jesus reached down and washed him of his sin. In the waters of Holy Baptism Jesus reached down and claimed John as his own – His precious and beloved child. He promised to always be with him. And from that day forward Jesus kept His promises to John and continued to love and care for him. Jesus loved and cared for John through His Word and Sacraments in the Church. Jesus continued to feed and nourish John in his trust and faith through hearing His Word regularly in Divine Service Sunday mornings and through regular attendance at Bible studies. Jesus continued to care and love John as He forgave him his sins as John came to Services and confessed his sin and received the Absolution, the forgiveness of his sins, from Jesus. Jesus continued to care and love John as He strengthened him in his faith and the forgiveness of his sins through the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the very Body and Blood of Jesus given and shed for him. Jesus was with John through his entire life – just as He had promised him in his baptism. And on July 12, 2010 Jesus was with John in his death. Jesus was with John and took him to be where He is – in peace – awaiting the Last Day and the resurrection of the body when sin and death will finally and totally be destroyed. Jesus loved John all through his life. Jesus loved John through his death. Jesus loves John this very day in heavenly peace.<br /><br /> I know John would want me to add one more thing to the sermon preached at his funeral. Well, first he would check his watch to see how long the sermon has been so far – he always timed me to the second and would tell me how long the sermon was on the way out the door Sunday mornings. But John would want you to know that just as he was and is loved by Jesus – so are you. All that Jesus did for John He has done for you. Jesus lived a perfect life in your place, Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins, and Jesus rose from the dead and has defeated your death. Not because you’ve earned it. Not because you are good enough or have done enough good things… but because out of His grace and mercy Jesus loves you and forgives you. It is a gift. You receive it by grace through faith.<br /><br />All that Jesus did by loving and caring for John throughout his entire life Jesus offers to you as well. But you might be asking – where do I find this? Where do I find Jesus and His gifts? Well that is easy. You find Jesus and His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation in His holy Word in the bible and in the Sacraments in the Church. Just as Jesus sustained John through life and death to eternal life through these means – so Jesus promises to do the same for you. Seek Jesus where He has promised to be for you - in His Word and Sacraments in the Church. There you will find forgiveness, life, and salvation. There you will find Jesus and all the treasures of heaven.<br /><br />This day we say good bye to John. However we say good bye with the knowledge that he is safe and at peace with Jesus. We say good bye with the trust that because Jesus lives so shall we live. We say good bye with hope because of the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. Doris and all the family and all who mourn John’s death – as you go through the difficult times ahead without John know that you do not go alone. Your Lord and Saviour Jesus is with you. He will sustain you and strengthen you through His Word and Sacraments to face the tough times. And know that Jesus loved John. Jesus loves John now and into eternity. And know for certain as you leave this place - Jesus loves you. Thanks be to God. Amen.Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-86889963024161432592010-09-15T08:59:00.001-07:002010-09-15T09:10:03.291-07:00What Books Would You Burn?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TJDuYInI-wI/AAAAAAAAARo/KXL5XxelzXw/s1600/338037420_b740ce3bf4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TJDuYInI-wI/AAAAAAAAARo/KXL5XxelzXw/s320/338037420_b740ce3bf4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517171641924778754" /></a><br />Let's forget about the silly pastor in Florida who wants to burn the Koran. He has had enough publicity for acting like an idiot.<br /><br />I am not in favour of burning books. It brings to mind Farenheit 451 and all that. However this crazy thing with the burning Koran has me thinking. If we would want to burn the Koran because it is evil - what other books would you burn?<br /><br />Here is a list for starters in no particular order*:<br /><br />Purpose Driven Life<br />Your Best Life Now<br />The Prayer of Jabez<br /><br /><br />*I am not really going to burn these books. I just think they are terrible. Truly terrible. Really, really bad.Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-54981835327401342882010-09-13T13:54:00.000-07:002010-09-13T13:59:55.204-07:00Lutheranism 101<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TI6QZ_4xrBI/AAAAAAAAARg/SMveoZPfnKk/s1600/124357.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/TI6QZ_4xrBI/AAAAAAAAARg/SMveoZPfnKk/s320/124357.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516505369896135698" /></a><br />Below is a link to the new Lutheranism 101 blog. Lutheranism 101 is new book being published by Concordia Publishing House and I was honoured to have been asked to contribute a chapter. The link below goes to the Lutheranism 101 blog which has information about the book as well as some helpful information about Lutheranism. It is a great place to go if you are curious about what Lutherans believe.<br /><br />http://www.lutheranism101.com/<br /><br />And if you are interested in ordering a copy:<br /><br />http://www.cph.org/p-17404-lutheranism-101.aspx?SearchTerm=lutheranism%20101Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-33398900842216866972010-05-28T16:06:00.000-07:002010-05-28T16:08:02.867-07:00Steyn Hits It Out of the Park...again....Another must read by Steyn:<br /><br />http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/05/27/were-too-broke-to-be-this-stupid/Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-59737911485060791102010-05-27T13:19:00.001-07:002010-05-27T13:19:56.327-07:00Must readhttp://gottesdienstonline.blogspot.com/2010/05/piety-matters.htmlMike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-17147266174154058452010-04-12T21:42:00.001-07:002010-04-12T21:42:56.009-07:00<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aC-ADdJSyo4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aC-ADdJSyo4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-90112113661298091632010-04-01T13:46:00.000-07:002010-04-01T13:48:45.728-07:00Holy Week ServicesBelow is the schedule of Holy Week Services this week:<br /><br />Maundy Thursday: 7:30pm @ Our Saviour - Fort Q<br /><br />Good Friday: 10:30am @ St. Paul - Indian Head<br />Good Friday: 7:30pm @ Our Saviour - Fort Q<br /><br />Easter Sunday: 9:30am @ Our Saviour - Fort Q<br />Easter Sunday: 11:30am @ St. Paul - Indian HeadMike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-84700384234694341032010-02-24T08:42:00.000-08:002010-02-24T08:43:54.735-08:00Tiger Woods CommentaryHere is a link to a commentary I was asked to write for LCC InfoDigest:<br /><br />http://infodigest.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/was-tiger-woods-apology-sincere/<br /><br />Tell me what you think!Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-50723973919515654482010-02-20T08:50:00.001-08:002010-02-20T08:51:24.924-08:00Great Promotional Video for Issues, etc.<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8tLcvtW-qJo&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8tLcvtW-qJo&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-33569410478070890182010-02-05T08:11:00.001-08:002010-02-05T08:16:42.340-08:00Construction at the Parsonage<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S2xDxXj372I/AAAAAAAAARQ/D34XJzP0cDo/s1600-h/IMG00046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434793365746478946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S2xDxXj372I/AAAAAAAAARQ/D34XJzP0cDo/s320/IMG00046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S2xDq23hR-I/AAAAAAAAARI/VRbR6NGK-tU/s1600-h/IMG00040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434793253891295202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S2xDq23hR-I/AAAAAAAAARI/VRbR6NGK-tU/s320/IMG00040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S2xDlQyDYOI/AAAAAAAAARA/_PKoSsz7FwA/s1600-h/IMG00036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434793157768470754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S2xDlQyDYOI/AAAAAAAAARA/_PKoSsz7FwA/s320/IMG00036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>The good people I serve here at Our Saviour have decided to put in a bathroom and a bedroom in the basement of the parsonage. We are most thankful! Soon, Naomi and Abigail will not have to share a room... oh the joy!</div><div><br />I helped out Monday and Tuesday. I am useless - but I managed to hammer in a few nails and stay out of the way the best I could. Only two injuries to report. A sore thumb and a badly "stubbed" toe. I'll survive.</div><div> </div><div>Yesterday and today the plumbing and electrical is being installed and tomorrow the drywall should go up.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-47503738942941985722010-01-27T08:19:00.001-08:002010-01-27T08:20:34.689-08:00St. John Chrysostom - January 27thToday is the day the Church remember St. John Chrysostom. A brief biography can be found here:<br /><br /><a href="http://lutheranpreachers.worthyofpraise.org/why.html">http://lutheranpreachers.worthyofpraise.org/why.html</a>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-57523046688052363302010-01-26T09:49:00.001-08:002010-01-26T09:49:52.823-08:00Temple Prostitution - a Modest ProposalFollow the link and read this funny, sad, scary article...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.alpb.org/forum/index.php?topic=2501.0">http://www.alpb.org/forum/index.php?topic=2501.0</a>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-21343481195738996912010-01-24T14:30:00.000-08:002010-01-24T14:37:37.328-08:00The 5th Annual St. John Chrysostom Lutheran Preacher's RetreatThe 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> Annual St. John <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chrysostom</span> Lutheran Preacher's Retreat will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">held</span> June 7-9, 2010 at St. Michael's Retreat in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lumsden</span>, SK Canada (just north of Regina, SK). The speaker will be the Rev. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Klemet</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Preus</span> from Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN and the author of <em>The Fire and the Staff</em>. (<a href="http://www.cph.org/p-657-the-fire-and-the-staff.aspx">http://www.cph.org/p-657-the-fire-and-the-staff.aspx</a>)<br /><br />More information will follow regarding the 2010 retreat. More information and audio <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">files</span> from previous retreats can be found at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">retreat's</span> website:<br /><br /><a href="http://lutheranpreachers.worthyofpraise.org/">http://lutheranpreachers.worthyofpraise.org/</a>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-6885375688234331532010-01-18T12:58:00.000-08:002010-01-18T13:18:24.117-08:00What do we call...What do we call the tendency in the church to speak lots of words but ultimately say nothing?<br /><br />In the realm of politics we call it "political correctness." There are other currents flowing under political correctness to be sure - but it does often lead to saying lots of words but in the end saying nothing and often being incomprehensible.<br /><br />In the corporate world I have heard it referred to as "corporate speak" which is a mixture of political correctness and business. It is also rather incomprehensible.<br /><br />But what do we call it in the church? The tendency to use lots of nice sounding words but to be so careful to say nothing that might be remotely offensive. The tendency to make statements that have words that are "fuzzy" and unclear and attempt to be profound?<br /><br />I think I have coined a term. Ready?<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ecumenispeak</span>. What do you think?<br /><br />Let me tell you what I think clearly and perhaps even offensively.<br /><br />I think it is brilliant. I think it is on the same level as Colbert's "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">truthiness</span>." I think I should be interviewed on Issues, etc., because of the brilliance of coining this word.<br /><br />Don't you?<br /><br />Ecumenispeak. I think it sums it up. It sickens me.Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-47832405763536239262010-01-08T08:48:00.001-08:002010-01-08T08:48:44.384-08:00Ecclesia Immunodeficiency Heresy (EIH)<a href=http://www.extremetheology.com/2010/01/ecclesia-immunodeficiency-heresy-eih.html>Ecclesia Immunodeficiency Heresy (EIH)</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-42688975906313353472010-01-05T16:52:00.000-08:002010-01-05T16:59:46.958-08:00Bonhoeffer's Life Together<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S0Pgd1szy5I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/oD0Gh97zlA4/s1600-h/bonhoeffer-life-together.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423425179520060306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/S0Pgd1szy5I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/oD0Gh97zlA4/s320/bonhoeffer-life-together.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Interesting how some things work out sometimes. The day before we left for five days vacation after Christmas I was looking through my books for a short quick read while away. I came upon Dietrich Bonhoeffer's <em>Life Together.</em> This was a book I read while in first year seminary in Dr. Dean <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hempelmann's</span> class - Introduction to the Pastoral Ministry. I don't know if it was because of the adjustment to life at the seminary or if I was over burdened with work or what it was - but I didn't "get" it at that time. I read the book but was not overly impressed. I read it over the Christmas break. It is a great book and speaks to our contemporary situation very well.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What is interesting is that I have recently been playing around with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">iTunes</span> and seeing what it is all about. I went to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">iTunes</span> U and looked around and found Concordia Seminary - St. Louis had begun a campus wide study of <em>Life Together</em> this past Fall and there are two convocations to download. How interesting! I am curious to see what the convocations are all about!</div>Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-39676043955593954822010-01-03T19:04:00.001-08:002010-01-03T19:04:47.100-08:00Christmas 2 Sermon: “Do and Done”<p> </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Christmas 2C/01.03.10/Fort Q & IH/Ephesians 1:13-14 <p></p> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The difference between these two words is the difference between your salvation and your damnation. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Seems too simple doesn’t it? <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">One grants you entrance into heaven and one sends you to hell. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">One is a verb and one is a past participle. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">One of the words indicates action needed and one indicates action completed. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The difference between these two words is the difference between Christianity and all other religions of man. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">One word calls you to action – the other word calls you to trust. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">One word calls you to look to yourself – the other word calls you to look outside yourself. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">We naturally tend to be people of action. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">We are doers. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">We don’t like to be told we can’t do something. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You tell me I can’t do something and I will show you I can. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Anything you can do I can do better. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The rebellious nature in us all rises up against the cant’s of life. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">I can do that. I want to do that. I will do that. Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">I will do what I want, where I want to do it, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">We are doers. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Every false religion of man is a religion for doers. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">And that is why we find them so attractive, so seductive. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Every false religion is an attempt to bridge the gap between us and God. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">In one way or another every false religion is an attempt to do something to appease God or earn His favour. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">This plays to our pride. It gives us the false sense that we can do something. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Some Christians even get this wrong – they will say all you have to do is believe. All you have to do is make a decision. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do, do, do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">All this doing will damn you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You cannot do what is demanded. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You cannot do enough. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You can never bridge the gap. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You cannot do anything to appease God or earn God’s favour. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Even what you do “do” is tainted with sin. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Buddhists have it wrong. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Muslims have it wrong. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Jehovah’s Witnesses have it wrong. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Mormons have it wrong. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Some Christians have it wrong. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Some Lutherans have it wrong. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do you? <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">If it is not done by Jesus it is left to you to do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">If it is left to you to do - you will fall short because of your sin. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">This not a question. This is certain. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Your sin will damn you no matter what you do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">If the doing is left to you and not to Jesus you are damned. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">That is what will be done with you if Jesus has not done it all for you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Listen to what St. Paul writes in his letter to the Christians at Ephesus nearly 2000 years ago and hear it as if it were written to you: <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (1:13-14) <p></p> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Listen to what has been done by Jesus for you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You were sealed with the Holy Spirit – this is baptism. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">This is not something that you do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">This is something that is done to you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">This is something that has been done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">No “do” here. This is past tense. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Nothing left to do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level9 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of the Christian Faith, is so foreign and so unnatural to us that we instinctively reject it <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">We are doers <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">And Jesus comes and says we can do nothing and He has done it all for us <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Without the work of the Holy Spirit in us we spit in Jesus’ face <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">We become offended and angry at Jesus for telling us what we can and cannot do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Without the work of the Holy Spirit we turn to the false religions of man and their false ways of “doing” to appease God and earn His favour. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Without the grace of God working through the Holy Spirit we are lost and dammed in our own doing. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">But the Holy Spirit does come through the Word and Sacraments in the Church <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Jesus does not leave you in your lost state of hopelessly doing. He sends the Holy Spirit, the comforter. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Holy Spirit comes and does His gracious work in your heart <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Holy Spirit works in you to make you recognize your sin and your complete lack of ability to do anything for your salvation <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Holy Spirit works in you so you come to repent of your sin and seek forgiveness <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The Holy Spirit turns you from looking at yourself and your “doing” to looking to Jesus and what He has done for you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Do and done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Take comfort dear Christian – it is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">There has been nothing left undone. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">There is nothing left to you to do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">In Jesus all has been done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">You have been sealed and guaranteed it. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">In Holy Baptism all that Jesus has done is given to you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">His perfectly lived life without sin or failure. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">His death upon the cross for your disobedience. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">His resurrection from the dead. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Nothing for you to do. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 234pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level7 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is something that is given to you – it is outside you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 270pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">In the Words of Holy Absolution the removal of your guilt and sin is done to you by Jesus <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">There is no “doing” here. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is based upon that which was done by Jesus. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Jesus grants you forgiveness because of His life, death, and resurrection. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">In the Sacrament of Holy Communion you come forward and receive the body and blood of Jesus <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Nothing you do makes it so <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done because Jesus promises to be here for you in His body and blood granting you strength and faith. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 306pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">This is the Christian Faith. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is a “done” faith. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done by Jesus. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done to you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done for you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt"> <p> </p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is not something that is left “up in the air” as if we wonder how things will turn out in the end. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">The devil has been defeated. Death has been destroyed. Sin has been slain. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 126pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: symbol"><span style="mso-list: ignore">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">Jesus has done it. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 162pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">   </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">He has done it for you. <p></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 198pt; text-indent: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; font-family: wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: wingdings"><span style="mso-list: ignore">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">  </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15.5pt">It is done. <p></p> </span></p> Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474798266451974344.post-16434552037179975012010-01-01T09:17:00.000-08:002010-01-01T09:33:02.201-08:00The Eighth Day of Christmas<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/Sz4xwiZPgQI/AAAAAAAAAQw/LIK4dtI9nU8/s1600-h/jesus_birth_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421825711336816898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SwXIrczTBR0/Sz4xwiZPgQI/AAAAAAAAAQw/LIK4dtI9nU8/s320/jesus_birth_1.jpg" /></a><br />Merry Christmas! I know many have moved on and think Christmas is over - but it is the eighth day of twelve.<br /><br />A couple years ago I had the idea (stolen from someone else) that we should try and observe the twelve days of Christmas in our family. To aid us in doing this we would give a gift to our three kids each of the twelve days. In a sense - spreading out the present opening madness from one day to twelve. Sometimes the presents are not exciting toys (socks, soaps, etc) and sometimes they are exciting gifts like Lego and Cabbage Patch Dolls.<br /><br />As is often the case with my ideas it means that my wife has to implement it. I didn't realize how much work it would be - but she does it. She finds a gift for each of the three kids for the twelve days of Christmas. Figures out which gifts to give on which day depending upon where we may be on that day. Also, to "equalize" the gifts so that one child does not receive a pair of socks and another an exciting race car. She does a lot of work in planning and shopping and I am thankful for it.<br /><br />I enjoy waking up each of the twelve days and having the kids excited to open another gift. They probably don't get any more than they would normally - we just spread it out. They enjoy it and so do I.<br /><br />And at the end of it all is the Epiphany of our Lord on January 6th. At our church I started a few years back the tradition of having a grand potluck supper where people bring a dish from their cultural background - a lot of German and Scandinavian dishes show up. I brought a haggis one year. This to represent that Jesus has come for all people of all nations as the Magi were the first non-Jews to worship the Lord. After the Potluck supper we have Epiphany Vespers. It is a wonderful evening.<br /><br />Merry Christmas! Enjoy the twelve days and look forward to celebrating the Epiphany!Mike Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555200228537464762noreply@blogger.com0