The Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2014
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time
The Hymn #260 O Lord Look Down 1.4
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #495 From Greenland's Icy Mountains 3:23
The Good Tree - Faith
The Communion Hymn # 307 Draw Nigh 3:72
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 309 O Jesus Blessed Lord 3:70
KJV Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
KJV Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Eighth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast caused us to come to the knowledge of Thy word. We pray Thee: graciously keep us steadfast in this knowledge unto death, that we may obtain eternal life; send us now and ever pious pastors, who faithfully preach Thy word, without offense or false doctrine, and grant them long life. Defend us from all false teachings, and frustrate Thou the counsels of all such as pervert Thy word, who come to us in sheep's clothing, but are inwardly ravening wolves, that Thy true Church may evermore be established among us, and be defended and preserved from such false teachers, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
The Good Tree - Faith
Luther described false teachers this way, and we should not forget that they have these same characteristics today.
Luther says this about false teachers:
False Doctrine Tolerated
"And such false teachers have the good fortune that all their folly is tolerated, even though the people realize how these act the fool, and rather rudely at that. They have success with it all, and people bear with them. But no patience is to be exercised toward true teachers! Their words and their works are watched with the intent of entrapping them, as complained of in Psalm 17:9 and elsewhere. When only apparently a mote is found, it is exaggerated to a very great beam. No toleration is granted. There is only judgment, condemnation and scorn. Hence the office of preaching is a grievous one. He who has not for his sole motive the benefit of his neighbor and the glory of God cannot continue therein. The true teacher must labor, and permit others to have the honor and profit of his efforts, while he receives injury and derision for his reward."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110f. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. Psalm 17:9.
God Punishes Ingratitude by Allowing False Teachers
"In the second place such teachers are disposed to bring the people into downright bondage and to bind their conscience by forcing laws upon them and teaching works-righteousness. The effect is that fear impels them to do what has been pounded into them, as if they were bondslaves, while their teachers command fear and attention. But the true teachers, they who give us freedom of conscience and create us lords, we soon forget, even despise. The dominion of false teachers is willingly tolerated and patiently endured; indeed, it is given high repute. All those conditions are punishments sent by God upon them who do not receive the Gospel with love and gratitude."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. John 5:43.
False Teachers Flay Disciples to Bone
"In the third place, false teachers flay their disciples to the bone, and cut them out of house and home, but even this is taken and endured. Such, I opine, has been our experience under the Papacy. But true preachers are even denied their bread. Yet this all perfectly squares with justice! For, since men fail to give unto those from whom they receive the Word of God, and permit the latter to serve them at their own expense, it is but fair they should give the more unto preachers of lies, whose instruction redounds to their injury. What is withheld from Christ must be given in tenfold proportion to the devil. They who refuse to give the servant of truth a single thread, must be oppressed by liars."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111f. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
Avarice in False Teachers
"Fourth, false apostles forcibly take more than is given them. They seize whatever and whenever they can, thus enhancing their insatiable avarice. This, too, is excused in them."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
They Lord It Over Us
"Fifth, these deceitful teachers, not satisfied with having acquired our property, must exalt themselves above us and lord it over us...We bow our knees before them, worship them and kiss their feet. And we suffer it all, yes, with fearful reverence regard it as just and right. And it is just and right, for why did we not honor the Gospel by accepting and preserving it?"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
We Are Dogs and Foot-Rags
"Sixth, our false apostles justly reward us by smiting us in the face. That is, they consider us inferior to dogs; they abuse us, and treat us as foot-rags."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
This is one of the best known and least followed passages on the efficacy of the divine Word.
The good tree does not describe virtue or merit, but the result of the righteousness of faith. Because believers receive the forgiveness of sin through faith, the good tree is the justified sinner.
The doctrine of works is the religion of the world, and people slip into it easily. They define good and evil solely by what a person does, with virtue described as whatever is accepted by that group or sect or cult or political group.
Some think that anyone from their school or seminary is automatically good or incapable of anything really wrong. And they believe that anyone outside that circle is de facto wrong or evil.
Jesus makes this very clear - It is not from saying, Lord, Lord, or claiming to perform miracles in His Name. He will say, "Depart from Me, evildoers."
How Do We Know?
How do we know the good tree is symbolic of those justified by faith - and not as often assumed by people, good through works?
So many claim the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant, and they are - but they do not follow through with their studies.
John 16:8 tells us what sin is. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, because "they do not believe on Me."
The unbelieving world starts with works and defines what is good by condemning evil and beating down sin by condemning sin, outlawing sin, punishing sin, and really getting nowhere. We have heard about the abuse of children for decades, but it is worse than ever. Why? Because the Christian message has been lost and parents do not care for their children. Their base nature takes over. Unbelieving society takes a few stabs at correction, but the blind are leading the blind. Children are a cost and a bother. They are dirty, messy, smelly, and cry a lot.
In contrast, a Christian family is energized by the Gospel and fully away of sin and forgiveness at all times. Believing parents bear the fruit of love, and that love naturally goes to those who are most dependent on them. Children remain children, with all the bad things natural for their age, but parents delight in raising them, helping them, teaching them, and enjoying them.
Simply by raising children in faith, believing parents set the stage for the growth of the Kingdom of God, which is good in itself. His governance will have no end. It will grow until the end of time, as Isaiah 9 predicted.
Those children are most likely to have believing children who also bear fruit in the Gospel.
And this does not simply apply to parents but to all Christians. There can be one person who hears the Word and believes. And that starts a new chain of believers, as God predicted in Isaiah 55. The Word always has an effect, and God prospers that effect.
The Bible Is Consistent
Because the Word of God is one unified Truth, we know that one verse cannot contradict another verse. Through faith we have the righteousness of Christ, which is the definition of "good" in the Bible.
Jesus commended faith in all those who professed their belief in Him. The Canaanite women continue to ask Him to heal her daughter, even though all the outward signs were negative toward her and her pleas. She continued to believe in Him and in His compassion, and her prayer was granted.
From what I hear and read, I think most people believe in the infinite power of God. Even those people who denounce God are confessing that in their own disturbed way. If God is so powerful, why doesn't He cure cancer or feed all the children, they ask out loud.
People who resent that God has not answered their prayers in their way - they are confessing this power too. He has it but will not share it with me. He seems inordinately fond of apostates and unbelievers.
The other part of faith in belief in God's infinite compassion. That is described so well in Luther's sermons and commentaries, when he writes about hardships and bearing the cross. (Those quotations have been viewed almost 19,000 times.)
"One Christian who has been tried is worth a hundred who have not been tried, for the blessing of God grows in trials. He who has experienced them can teach, comfort, and advise many in bodily and spiritual matters."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1381. Genesis 27:28-29.
"In order to keep your faith pure, do nothing else than stand still, enjoy its blessings, accept Christ's works, and let him bestow His love upon you. You must be blind, lame, deaf, dead, leprous and poor, otherwise you will stumble at Christ. That Gospel which suffers Christ to be seen and to be doing good only among the needy, will not belie you."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 110. Third Sunday in Advent. Matthew 11:2-10.
"We have the comfort of this victory of Christ--that He maintains His Church against the wrath and power of the devil; but in the meantime we must endure such stabs and cruel wounds from the devil as are necessarily painful to our flesh and blood. The hardest part is that we must see and suffer all these things from those who call themselves the people of God and the Christian Church. We must learn to accept these things calmly, for neither Christ nor the saints have fared better."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 263. Sunday after Ascension, Exaudi. John 15:26-16:4.
"Therefore God must lead us to a recognition of the fact that it is He who puts faith in our heart and that we cannot produce it ourselves. Thus the fear of God and trust in Him must not be separated from one another, for we need them both, in order that we may not become presumptuous and overconfident, depending upon ourselves. This is one of the reasons why God leads His saints through such great trials."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 21. First Sunday after Epiphany. Luke 2:41-52.
"Secondly, God permits His saints to suffer these trials as an example for others, both to alarm the carnally secure and to comfort the timid and alarmed...But when we see and hear that God has in like manner dealt with His saints and did not spare even His own mother, we have the knowledge and comfort that we need not despair in our trials, but remain quiet and wait until He helps us, even as He has helped all His saints."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 40f. First Sunday after Epiphany, Second Sermon. Luke 2:41-52.
"Now it is the consolation of Christians, and especially of preachers, to be sure and ponder well that when they present and preach Christ, that they must suffer persecution, and nothing can prevent it; and that it is a very good sign of the preaching being truly Christian, when they are thus persecuted, especially by the great, the saintly, the learned and the wise."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 97. Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. Matthew 8:23-27.
"Not only is Christ hidden from the world, but a still harder thing is it that in such trials Christ conceals himself even from His church, and acts as if He had forgotten, aye, had entirely forsaken and rejected it, since He permits it to be oppressed under the cross and subjected to all the cruelty of the world, while its enemies boast, glory and rejoice over it, as we shall hear in the next Gospel."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 67. Second Sunday after Easter. John 10:11-16.
"There is another temptation also in the time of trouble which was punished severely among the people of Israel and which alas is common as compared to the other temptation and equally irrational. That temptation occurs before God's Word is heard; this after we hear the Word, namely thus: when we know that God has promised help in the time of any trouble, but are not content with it, go forward and will not abide His promise, but prescribe time, place, and manner for His help; and then if He does not come as we expect and desire, faith vanishes."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 366. Epiphany. Matthew 2:1-12.
God's compassion is shown in the way He deals with hardships, trials, and the cross. All these things happen to keep us close to Him.
When someone goes to school and endures even more schooling at a seminary, he is greeted with all kinds of praise for wanting to become a minister. All the kindly people have something good to say about that. Vicarage is often easy because it is a big established church where people are used to being kind to the vicar and his wife.
But when he begins in his first church, all kinds of trouble arise. If he is a believer (let's not assume) and preaches the Word of faith, the demons of Hell arise to chew on him and attack his family. They pick on his children, his wife, and everything about him.
From Luther's standpoint, this is a perfect example of the Gospel dividing people and being especially effective. If the congregation is lulled to sleep, the opposition is slight and the church officials are happy. The temptations are great to give the unbelievers and the apostate synod leaders what they want, peace and money. But lo, if the teaching of faith in Jesus causes an uproar and a riot, as it did with Paul's preaching, everyone wants to shut that down.
So the new pastor has a dilemma, whether to please man or please God. Jesus clearly teaches that faith in Him is God-pleasing. Satan likewise teaches that worship of him will be rewarded on earth (leaving out the second part, which is eternal torture).
Satanic temptation is to tell a congregation, a pastor, an individual - You are doing nothing. You are a failure. You are mocked and scorned by everyone. You have no friends, except for other zanies like you. Give up this fanaticism and be reasonable.
The truth of the Gospel is this - that is the rewarding moment, when it is clear that the Word of God has alarmed them. They believe - but their hides bristle. They are like the dogs who cannot attack but who put up a big show by raising their hackles and snarling.
I had a nasty little chihuahua follow me around the neighborhood. He was known as a biter and I knew he wanted my ankle in his teeth. I kept pointing at him, saying, "You." He kept 20 feet away, perhaps knowing that I might defend my ankles from his nasty little teeth.
The ankle-biters abound in this Age of Apostasy. They are blue ribbons rather than penalties. "I must be pleasing God, because the great, the saintly, and the wise are going out of their way to be mean."
I was going to wrap up book publishing for the 10th time in my life when one of my Old Testament students wrote, "Keep publishing for the Kingdom, Dr. Jackson." The individual does not know me personally, but that was quite a message. It does not matter if all the "conservatives" ban me and refuse to do anything to promote the work done - which they should love to read.
Everything done in faith glorifies God's Name, and it will prosper.
