“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:19-20

Our Christian faith is based on truth, the Truth. It is not based on wispy wishful thinking or good feelings. It is based on reality that is higher and deeper than humans can comprehend. It is based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Holy Word. God has given us this revelation and the ability to believe it so that we may know Him and live with Him. Attempts to undermine and discredit Christ and His Word have and always will fail. 

Those who deny the truth of Jesus Christ crucified and risen are deceived and caught in the darkness of their sin. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) God our Savior “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:4-6a).

When someone asks you what you believe, tell them in no uncertain terms. Tell them about Jesus, what He did and why He did it. It has been recorded and preserved by God for that purpose. “…these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 10:31) This is the revealed truth of God. You do not have to speculate or obscure any facts about Jesus. “And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 22:6a) And you do not have to worry about what people think. Some will think it is foolish, but others will be saved! “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)

Tell people about Jesus, invite them to church and Bible study to abide in Christ’s Word and to be His disciple. They will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31) 

“I discipline my body and keep it under control.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

The Lenten season is the forty days before Easter not counting Sundays beginning on Ash Wednesday. It serves as a penitential season of the Church. The tradition of fasting during the forty days of Lent has been practiced for centuries. Sundays are not counted because they are not days of fasting. We read accounts of fasting throughout the Bible. Jesus Himself fasted forty days in the wilderness after His baptism in the Jordan. 

Fasting is not about impressing other people or meriting God’s grace. However, exercising self-discipline is good for your spiritual wellbeing. The Augsburg Confession, one of the confessional books that our church holds to, includes the following. “Our adversaries object by accusing our teachers of being against discipline and the subduing of the flesh. Just the opposite is true…They have always taught that Christians are to bear the cross [Matthew 16:24] by enduring afflictions. This is genuine and sincere subduing of the flesh [1 Peter 2:11], to be crucified with Christ through various afflictions. Furthermore, they teach that every Christian ought to train and subdue himself with bodily restraints, or bodily exercises and labors. Then neither over-indulgence nor laziness may tempt him to sin. But they do not teach that we may merit grace or make satisfaction for sins by such exercises. Such outward discipline ought to be taught at all times, not only for a few set days. Christ commands, ‘Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness’ (Luke 21:34). Also in Matthew 17:21, ‘This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.’ Paul also says, ‘I discipline my body and keep it under control’ (1 Corinthians 9:27). Here he clearly shows that he was keeping his body under control, not to merit forgiveness of sins by that discipline, but to keep his body in subjection and prepared for spiritual things, for carrying out the duties of his calling. Therefore, we do not condemn fasting in itself [Isaiah 58:3-7], but the traditions that require days and certain meats, with peril of conscience, as though such works were a necessary service.” (Augsburg Confession XXVI, 30-39)

Fasting is an opportunity to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus [Luke 9:23]. It allows you to demonstrate the control God has given you over your body and desires. The more you desire or crave something, the more beneficial fasting from it will be. 

As we approach Ash Wednesday, consider fasting during the forty days of Lent. Abstain from something you desire and allow the Lord to use the discipline to strengthen your faith in Him. Maybe fast from unhealthy foods or consider fasting from unhealthy screen time. Then use the freed-up time for prayer and reading God’s Word (“Guide to Prayer and Meditation” is a helpful resource). And let the Lord train you in resistance to sin and readiness for service. 

“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us.” 1 John 1:3a

January 6 is the day churches celebrate Epiphany, the divine manifestation of our Lord. (At Zion, we will observe Epiphany on Sunday, January 5.) As we move from the Christmas season to the Season of the Epiphany of our Lord, we embrace the manifestation of God in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ as well as the ongoing mission and ministry of His Gospel. It is a good time to focus on the Office of Holy Ministry and on the Church’s collective work of evangelism, outreach, and world missions, as the glory of God in Christ is revealed to the nations in the preaching and administration of His Gospel.

We have been brought into the fellowship of the Church by God’s grace through the blood of Christ. We experience this fellowship in the Divine Service. What we see and hear in the Divine Service we proclaim to others so that they may have fellowship with us.

There are many who do not know the love of God, but you do. God has revealed Himself to you through His Word and Sacraments. And now you can tell others of the love and mercy that you have in Christ. 

We make known the love of Christ through what we do as well as what we say. The love of Christ is made known when we live according to the reality that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we live in thankful obedience to Him and His Word. The love of Christ is made known as we selflessly love others in response to the love we have received in Christ. As you love others, some may ask about the reason for the hope that you have. Or a person who does not know the love of Christ may ask you why you live the way you live. Some may open up to you about fears, anxieties or guilt that they experience. And with the compassion of one who has also experienced fear, anxiety and guilt, you can tell them about the One who takes these from you. You can also offer to bring their concerns to the Lord in prayer on their behalf. If they do not have a church home or pastor to speak with, invite them to Zion and have them contact me. 

Our Lord has made Himself manifest to us, and He continues to make Himself manifest to others through us. That’s why we proclaim to others that which we have seen and heard in Christ. We do this so that they too may have fellowship with us in Christ. 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Change is inevitable it seems. All that we know, apart from the Lord and His Word, is changing. And because of sin, these changes tend toward a negative direction. Creation has been dying, decaying and falling apart ever since sin entered in. Science uses this axiom of things moving from order to disorder to explain and understand much of what occurs in nature (i.e. the Second Law of Thermodynamics). Without an external force or energy, stuff breaks down and falls apart. 

God has provided our planet with an external source of energy – the sun – to enable life and growth on this otherwise dying and decaying planet. But the sun itself is in decay. It too will need an external source of energy to prevent it from eventually burning up. Our Lord has already told us that this heaven and earth will pass away and there will be a new heaven and earth when He returns in glory on the Last Day (cf. Revelation 21:1). 

And God has provided you and me with an even greater source of energy – Himself – the source of energy. God came to us as a man and through His death and resurrection gave us access to Himself. He comes to us now through His Word and Sacraments, bringing us life and energy in Him. He sustains us until His return when He will bring us fully into His presence where there is no decay, loss, or disorder. 

Your Baptism joined you to Jesus, the eternal source of power, life, and order. Jesus is the force that transforms you by the renewal of your mind (as Paul states in Romans 12 above). He has overcome your fallen nature which is in decline and conforming to the dying world. Like the laws of nature in this fallen world, our spiritual lives tend to move in a negative direction from godly (ordered according to His perfect Law) toward sinful (disordered and incongruent with God’s Law). Christ is your source of life, renewal and order against the negative forces. In Him, we live and move and have our being (cf. Acts 17:28). 

The appeal in Romans 12 is to let God transform you by presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice to God. You have been made holy and acceptable in Baptism by the blood of Christ. We present ourselves to God sacrificially, allowing Him to take our old decaying nature and give us new life in Christ ordered according to His good, acceptable and perfect will. Christ comes to us in His Word and Sacraments transforming us by the renewing of our mind. We present ourselves to God in fear, love, and trust, repenting and submitting to Jesus. Though the world and your sinful nature work to conform you to disorder, decay and death, Christ transforms you for good.

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Luke 12:48b 

Since God has freely given and continues to give so much to us as members of His Church – forgiveness, life, salvation, sonship, citizenship in heaven, peace, hope, love, joy…, we are wise to consider what is required of us in return per Jesus’ words from Luke above. Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (CPH, 2017) offers a partial answer along with related scripture passages under the question, “What are some of the privileges and responsibilities of members of the Church?” (pg 216) I encourage you to review the answer, but here is the first listed:

“We should regularly receive the Word and Sacraments within the community of believers.” “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32) Jesus gives the privilege of being His disciple, knowledge of the truth and freedom. The responsibility required in return is to simply abide in His Word. 

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” The privilege of being chosen to bear fruit comes with the responsibility of abiding in Jesus and allowing Jesus to abide in you. This happens when we receive Holy Communion and when we hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Holy Scripture.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Having been given the word of Christ, we are required to let it dwell in us richly. We can do this by teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom (from His Word), singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (based on His Word). And we are “required” to do this with thankfulness in our hearts. 

Rather than burden us with overwhelming, unrealistic requirements for what He has given, our gracious Lord keeps it simple and even provides the means to fulfill them. When we gather for the Divine Service, we are allowing Christ to fulfill our “requirements” as we abide in Him and His Word and let His Word dwell in us richly with thankfulness in our hearts. 

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required…” Why should we “regularly receive the Word and Sacraments within the community of believers”? So, the Lord can fulfill what He requires of us! 

“And from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16) 

“For these are not lazy or dead, but are creative, living words.” Luther’s Large Catechism 

Luther has much to say about God’s Word in his Large Catechism explanation of the Third Commandment. Here are some excerpts.

“Whenever God’s Word is taught, preached, heard, read, or meditated upon, then the person, day, and work are sanctified…Therefore, I constantly say that all our life and work must be guided by God’s Word, if it is to be God-pleasing or holy.” (LC 92)

The Word is so important that set times are appointed for preaching and teaching it (Sundays and Wednesdays at Zion). Unwillingness to hear and learn God’s Word is a sin, especially at the time appointed for this. “So much depends upon God’s Word. Without it, no holy day can be sanctified. Therefore, we must know that God insists upon a strict observance of this commandment and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose.” (LC 95)

“Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing but also learning and retaining God’s Word in memory. Do not think that this is optional for you or of no great importance. Think that it is God’s commandment, who will require and account from you about how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word.” (LC 98) More than simply hearing it, we must learn and honor the Word.

“Likewise, those fussy spirits are to be rebuked who, after they have heard a sermon or two, find hearing more sermons to be tedious and dull. They think that they know all that well enough and need no more instruction. That is exactly the sin that was previously counted among mortal sins and is called akadia (i.e. apathy or satisfaction). This is a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many so that he may surprise us and secretly take God’s Word from us.” (LC 99) 

“Let me tell you this, even though you know God’s Word perfectly and are already a master in all things; you are daily in the devil’s kingdom. He ceases neither day or night to sneak up on you and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against these three commandments and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God’s Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, the Word is so effective that whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, it is bound never to be without fruit.It always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these are not lazy or dead, but are creative, living words. And even though no other interest or necessity moves us, this truth ought to urge everyone to the Word, thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away.” (LC 100-102. Emphasis mine) I pray these truths urge you to God’s Word.

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27,28b

You and as many as were baptized into Christ are all one in Christ Jesus because He made us all one by design. This was not your idea nor mine. This is the will of God. Gathering His people together around His Word and Sacraments is also God’s will and design, not a mere human idea. We do this now and we will do this in eternity. Our Lord wants us to experience this oneness reality regularly and tangibly in the Divine Service where He calls us together to hear His Word, receive His Sacraments, pray, sing, and give thanks (cf. Romans 10:14; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 15:30; Psalm 30:4). 

You are one with the baptized in Christ. You are not independent or separated from Jesus or His Church. The Devil and the world would like you to believe that you do not need to gather with other believers, let alone to hear Christ’s Word, receive His Sacraments, pray, sing, or give thanks. This is an old lie to lead some of the baptized into isolation, away from Christ and the church, to suffer a slow spiritual death alone. 

Satan’s desire to draw the baptized away from Christ is obvious, but so is Christ’s victory over Satan obvious in His Resurrection. You are one in Christ who is seated far above all rule and authority and dominion. Satan has no power over you. However, Satan and the dark forces of the world are working to convince you that you are not one in Christ with the baptized, that you chose to be a part of His Church, that you do not need His Word and Sacraments, and that you can do whatever you want, even leave Jesus. While Satan cannot take you from Jesus, he can try to convince you to leave. 

Jesus wants you to remain in Him. Though the forces at work to draw us away are great, Jesus is greater. So, He calls you to gather where He will serve you together with the baptized through His Word and Sacraments, to keep you united with Him, and to increase your love for others. 

May your love for others impel you to invite them to Zion, especially those who have been drawn away, to tangibly experience oneness in Christ together with the baptized.