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| Norma A. Boeckler |
Oculi Sunday, The Third Sunday in Lent, 2019
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
The Hymn #175 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
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 Ephesians 5:1-9
The Gospel Luke 11:14-28
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #172:1-5 O Sacred Head
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 Ephesians 5:1-9
The Gospel Luke 11:14-28
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #172:1-5 O Sacred Head
Jesus versus His Opponents
The Hymn #172:6-10 O Sacred Head
The Hymn #172:6-10 O Sacred Head
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 #151 Christ the Life
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 #151 Christ the Life
KJV Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a houseagainst a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
Third Sunday in Lent
Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast sent Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh, that He might overcome the devil, and defend us poor sinners against the adversary: We give thanks unto Thee for Thy merciful help, and we beseech Thee to attend us with Thy grace in all temptations, to preserve us from carnal security, and by Thy Holy Spirit to keep us in Thy word and Thy fear, that unto the end we may be delivered from the enemy, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Background for the Sermon
Most modern commentaries start with imbalance and wobbly into Never-never-land. The reason is the great divide in the 19th century, marked by F. Schleiermacher's faith without belief. The Halle University Biblical scholars began treating the Bible as just another book about religion, refusing to accept anything in the Scriptures that spoke of the divine or miraculous.
The only way to save the narrative is to make the Bible about that culture or to make it completely subjective - what does this mean to you?
This text deals with the divinity of Jesus, the opponents, and Satan. One ancient professor was asked if he believed that Satan exists. He said, "Giving the evil in this world, how can you deny it?"
When people realize how the elite of the world - these scandals are American, European, royal, super-rich, governmental, Roman Catholic - they will be sick with grief and revulsion. Much of it is based on actual Satanic worship, obsession with the occult, and a return to ancient, disgusting, pagan practices.
Perhaps the Christians in America will realize they are being seduced into paving the way to total destruction of Christianity, because so many "leaders" have been turned out by apostate schools that hate the Bible as revealed truth. Over 30 years ago, I was almost alone in leaving before ELCA was formed. The vast majority of captive ELCA clerg and laity shuffled toward soul-slaughter until 2009, when large numbers - even bishops - finally said "No" to the radicals. Yet 3.5 million remain, and their media darling is Nadia.
Background for the Sermon
Most modern commentaries start with imbalance and wobbly into Never-never-land. The reason is the great divide in the 19th century, marked by F. Schleiermacher's faith without belief. The Halle University Biblical scholars began treating the Bible as just another book about religion, refusing to accept anything in the Scriptures that spoke of the divine or miraculous.
The only way to save the narrative is to make the Bible about that culture or to make it completely subjective - what does this mean to you?
This text deals with the divinity of Jesus, the opponents, and Satan. One ancient professor was asked if he believed that Satan exists. He said, "Giving the evil in this world, how can you deny it?"
When people realize how the elite of the world - these scandals are American, European, royal, super-rich, governmental, Roman Catholic - they will be sick with grief and revulsion. Much of it is based on actual Satanic worship, obsession with the occult, and a return to ancient, disgusting, pagan practices.
Perhaps the Christians in America will realize they are being seduced into paving the way to total destruction of Christianity, because so many "leaders" have been turned out by apostate schools that hate the Bible as revealed truth. Over 30 years ago, I was almost alone in leaving before ELCA was formed. The vast majority of captive ELCA clerg and laity shuffled toward soul-slaughter until 2009, when large numbers - even bishops - finally said "No" to the radicals. Yet 3.5 million remain, and their media darling is Nadia.
Jesus versus His Opponents
KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered [GJ - marveled].
As we can see in the Gospel of John, so the Gospel of Luke shows the rapid increase of opposition as Jesus performed the miracles and spoke with divine certainty and power - not like the Scribes and Pharisees. Today that would be answering a question with "Scholars are divided." Or - "That is a graaaaaaay area of Scripture."
The people marveled at this miracle because Jesus took impossible cases and cured them. The opposition of unbelief is so great that the more God does, the more they deny it. For example, we know well how carefully preserved the text of the Bible is, Old Testament and New Testament. But the training in seminary is weak, and the vast majority of clergy have no trouble with the radicals gradually dropping verses out of the New Testament and using footnotes as subtle, little attacks. The Virgin Birth of Isaiah 7 is footnoted "or young woman." There it is, the greatest possible miracle in heaven or earth is a young woman will have a baby. The rationalists are happy and the rest do not care.
We had heating pipes in the new concrete floor of the new addition. However, the tipsy plumber drew them in such a way that they would never work. When that was pointed out, he said, "Satan did this."
1. This is a beautiful Gospel from which we learn many different things, and in which nearly everything is set forth as to what Christ, his kingdom and his Gospel are: what they accomplish and how they fare in the world.
In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here. Now all mutes are also deaf, so that in the Greek language deaf and dumb are one word.
By this act Christ draws us to himself, leads us to look to him for every blessing, and to go to him in every time of need. He does this that we also, according to the nature of love, should do unto others as he does unto us.
In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here. Now all mutes are also deaf, so that in the Greek language deaf and dumb are one word.
By this act Christ draws us to himself, leads us to look to him for every blessing, and to go to him in every time of need. He does this that we also, according to the nature of love, should do unto others as he does unto us.
15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
People have to realize that unfaith answers divine work and faith with hatred, slander, and all kinds of personal attacks. Not only do those unbelievers attack, but they enjoy their work and are not satisfied until they have done everything possible to inflict pain.
Margaret Thatcher said, far more eloquently than my paraphrase, "When my opponents have attacked me and my family in the most personal way, I am happy, because then I know they have no legitimate arguments left."
In David Scaer's new book, Surviving the Storms, he attacks the living and the dead for teaching Justification by Faith, although he cannot form a sensible argument in favor of Objective Justification (without faith). He seems to pit the health of Holy Mother Missouri against the toxins of Dr. Walter A. Maier I, II, and III.
The opponents here were saying, Jesus is able to cast out devils because He is in league with the Chief of Devils. The Lord of Flies (Beelzebub) refers to dung since the two go together, dung and flies.
2. Secondly, it is here demonstrated how Christ and his Gospel fare in the world, namely, that there are three kinds of hearers. Some marvel at him; these are pious and true Christians, who consider this deed so great that they are amazed at it. Some blaspheme the Gospel; these are the Pharisees and scribes, who were vexed because they could not do the like, and were worried lest the people should hold Christ in higher esteem than themselves. Some tempt him, like Herod desired a sign after his own heart, that they may make sport of it. But he answers both parties; at first, the blasphemers in this Gospel, and later on the tempters, saying that no sign shall be given this wicked generation except the sign of the prophet Jonah, of which we read in the verses following. He answers the blasphemers in a friendly way and argues five points with them.
This accusation of being in league with Satan should remind us that Satan is derived from "the opposer." The big shock for seminary graduates comes from being congratulated and blessed for years, only to find out what opposition is in the first parish.
The Word of God provokes two kinds of reactions in the pew. Believers love to hear the Gospel and the wonders of God's work. Disguised unbelievers blaze up, their eyes aglow, filled with hatred for what they have heard, but converting it to something the pastor is wearing, something about his family, the flowers, anything that works to punish and subdue the Word.
16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Demanding a miracle can be idle curiosity, but it is certainly not faith. Many have been trained - through Cho and other fakes - that they have a right to claim a long list of things from God, even though that comes from the occult. Cho's book, The Fifth Dimension, shouts this message - not being servants of the Word but God's individual bosses.
This can be be a subtle temptation for anyone, whether we say trial or temptation. We can imagine, "God will prove His power to me if He does this one, simple thing." The opposite is true - we should pray for all our needs and trust that God will provide in the way that will serve His will, something so complicated that no one can imagine it or give Him advice about it.
Flash Mobs
Flash Mobs prove God's work among us. As some realize, a flash mob is an event videotaped where one person begins to dance or sing a few notes in a public place. Sometimes one instrument will play. Little by little, others join in the activity. The crowd grows and so do the numbers of participant. At some point the crowd realizes this is a carefully rehearsed group of skilled people. I was bamboozled by some dancing to "Do Re Mi" in a train station. Finally I saw dozens of kids running down the stairs and stopping to dance a little. "This was planned!" With musical instruments, every single person has to play the right notes in the right way for the composition to be better than the boys band in The Music Man. So we can look back at events in our lives and see that everything led up to this place where we can use God's gifts for His Kingdom, especially when we have faced many reverses, opposition, and open hatred.
As Jesus showed in His temptations, demanding from God is tempting Him.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
If Jesus is driving out demons through the power of Beelzebub, then Satan's kingdom is divided and must collapse. The oncologist asked about ancient history at our last visit, especially concerning the Ides of March, which we were approaching. I pointed out how Julius Caesar took on the role of Emperor. After that time, when one emperor was deposed or assassinated, his family was also wiped out. The same was done in advance with Ottoman Muslims. A reign began with death, to prevent division.
The blessings of the Reformation have continued, but so has the opposition. Now the "conservative" Lutheran leaders have the same attitude as Zwingli and Calvin, as shown by their contempt for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Naturally, the Lutheran kingdoms are collapsing from the division.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
The Jewish religious leaders healed people, so they say, so if they did so, did the Lord of the Flies work with them, too? People without faith will attack and keep that attack going, without regard to the truth. Many times they will open up an avenue for a quick rebuttal.
A lot can be said for anger. An angry opponent is thinking, and that thinking should revolve around what the Word says. If we can keep on that topic, the Word will do its work, either in hardening and blinding, or in converting and enlightening.
Some may be convinced by the Word because they hear the fight, first-hand or second-hand. Man's own logic is not strong enough or in harmony with the Word.
Jesus said, "It is either the devils' kingdom or God's Kingdom." That is actually the Two Kingdom language of Luther. Confused experts call the spiritual regiment and the material regiment the Two Kingdoms. Not so. Both distinctions are important, and the Two Kingdoms are especially so.
When we are in God's Kingdom through faith and His grace, what we do honors God. The tiniest baby believer, in cooing and smiling, is glorifying God.
Satan does not rage against his own kingdom but against God's. His time is growing shorter, so he wants to pull in as many Christians as possible. He may have 1,000 arts in doing this, but the Word of God has 100,000 arts.
The Stronger Man
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
This is one of those parables that makes no sense at first, but is remarkably clear with a little explanation. The strong man is easy to picture, because that is the history of the world. Many strong kingdoms have been overthrown by stronger opponents. The Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD pitted the invaders against the resident King Harold. He is now called Harold the Usurper, who lost to William the Conqueror, my French kin, the stronger man.
The strong man in this parable is Satan, who ruled over earth after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden, endlessly pursuing those two orchard thieves and their descendants until hardly anything was left of Israel. It was just a stump with a green branch growing from it. Satan's kingdom on earth was filled with wealth and power and the most evil activities imagined.
But a stronger Man came along - Jesus. He defeated Satan with the divine power of Redemption - paying the price for our sins. If you like political intrigue, this is the highest form. Jesus let Himself be captured, tortured, and killed - though He loved life - because He needed to fulfill the Words of Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.
As I said before, I have challenged my Old Testament students to read those passages and see if they are not exactly what happened in the Passion of Christ. They are startled by the phrase by phrase fulfillment of those two passages.
Those accounts - plus others - are the Gospel. The Gospel is not about us or me, but about Christ. That is the objective truth, that God accomplished this through His Son. This Gospel message of Christ releasing us from sin is the efficacious power to create faith and to sustain faith in the Savior.
If everyone on earth is forgiven, then everyone is in God's Kingdom. But that is not so. The New Testament teaches us repeatedly that being "in Christ" is the same as believing in Him.
So when tempted, even though we are weak and sinful, we remain in the Kingdom of Jesus, and the stronger One keeps us from being captured by Satan.
This has great rewards, but not the kind Cho, Schuller, and other clowns promise. Christ took away Satan's weapons and wealth, so that heaven and earth belong to believers.
Some might say, "Does that include a 25 year-old Lincoln that smokes like a diesel bus?" Yes, God gives us the means and the skills to do everything we need to do to expand His Kingdom, which is His work alone.
For example, we are giving away over 100 Lutheran works that would have been heavenly to own in seminary and graduate school, so many titles that there is something for everyone, including animal books.
God gives us the people, skills, and avenues to accomplish a lot while the apostates sit on endowments of tens of millions of dollars and still fail in the basics. For example, one of the oldest seminaries in America, Episcopalian, has $60 million in endowments and almost no students, a faculty known for strife.
In Our Lives
The Stronger Man is important to remember and trust in all our struggles. Trust in Him lays hold of the divine power which no one can defeat even when they imagine they have won.
Several of my Biblical students have suffered from horrible health problems, self-caused or developed in life. The most afflicted are the best writers and most faithful in doing their work. Their spiritual insights are striking because they have been through so much. They are testimonies about how God's power is made known, to show His grace is sufficient.
I am pleased to know that many of my students agree about the success salesmen being frauds.
Remaining Faithful
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
This analogy is very good to remember. The person who has expelled his demons has to expect them to come back with reinforcements. If the abode is unguarded, lacking the Holy Spirit in the Word, it is easily occupied again. Everything is worse than before. This is a good warning for all, because many have told me about years they have gone without the Gospel until they left lukewarmness - or being lost - behind.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Luke knew Mary, and this is placed as a warning about the future. Blessed are they - rather - that hear the Word and keep it. Ignoring this warning, the Medieval Church replaced Jesus with Mary to a large extent.
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
