You are invited to attend a service this coming Thursday the 18th at 6:30 to celebrate the ascension of our Lord Jesus.
Sunday the 14th is Mothers’ Day. Moms are gifts from God. Your mom gave you life. For many of us, our mom was the first person to tell us about Jesus. If at all possible, let your Mom know how much she means to you.
May 14th is also the 6th Sunday of the Easter season. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the service are #353 Jesus Came, The Heavens Rejoicing; #683 Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me; and #603 We Know That Christ is Raised. Those present for communion will also sing #619 Thy Body Given For Me, O Savior; and #816 From All That Dwell Below the Skies.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 66:1-4, 8-9, 16-20; Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22: and John 14:15-21.
The scriptures speak of Christians being justified and being sanctified, and what these terms mean can be confusing. Justification is best considered a legal term, with the sense of being acquitted of a crime. St. Paul writes in Romans 4:25 that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (NIV). Paul seems to equate justification to being forgiven by God or being reconciled to God. This acquittal, forgiveness, or reconciliation was accomplished by Jesus when He was crucified and raised from the dead for you. He has paid the penalty of your sin. Justification is a completed work we receive through faith. Because it is complete, it ought to give us peace and comfort. God no longer holds your sin against you. There is nothing else you have to do to please God but to trust what Jesus has done. Sanctified is a bit different, with the meaning of being holy or clean or set apart. It is sometimes used similarly to justified. Because Jesus has paid for our sin, God sees us as clean and has set us apart to be His people. But sanctified usually has the added meaning of living a holy life and doing godly things. Since sin still clings to us, and we daily sin much, we struggle with this holy living. In this sense, sanctification is never done and striving for it can cause us continual concern. Sanctification is a struggle for our sinful desires often tempted and misled by the secular world. We like to compare ourselves to others. We seem to live on a pendulum swinging between arrogance (thinking our efforts show us to be good people) and despair (thinking our sinful thoughts words and actions show us to still be lost and condemned people.) The way out of this dilemma is to not focus on your works, but to instead focus on Jesus. His works determine your relationship to God. (See St. Paul’s conclusion in Romans 7:21-25) Remember you are justified and sanctified by Jesus. Any good works we do are a response to His mercy and completed work. That is, good works are done in thanks to God, not to earn His favor. Jesus has already brought you into God’s favor. Be aware though, your faith will be tested. It is possible to fall away. The Holy Spirit will instruct and motivate us to sanctification and godly living. As the Holy Spirit points us to Jesus to assure us of salvation, He also leads us to do works pleasing to God and helpful to our neighbor. Trust Jesus; He is your salvation. He won’t fail you.
In Psalm 66 the psalmist urges all people to praise God for His acts of deliverance. That deliverance will often include struggle and testing. But God in His mercy does not abandon or ignore His people. He will even use hardships to accomplish good for you.
In Acts 17 St. Paul is in Athens Greece on a missionary journey. The locals hear what he has to say about Jesus and many want to hear more. He is asked to come to the market where public discussion and debate took place. He sees all the altars, temples, and statues honoring false gods. He uses the opportunity to proclaim the truth and superiority of the true God. False gods are depicted by statues of wood and stone. Worshippers try to rouse them, but they cannot help. There is no life in them. But the true God is living, most evident in Jesus who has been raised from the dead. It is this Son that we should worship. He is the assurance of eternal life.
In the 3rd chapter of St. Peter’s first letter, the apostle urges Christians to give witness to Jesus, even if it should include suffering. Christ is a perfect example of doing good even though it meant ridicule, abuse, and crucifixion. His death makes it possible for us to approach God. Baptism joins us to Jesus. In that way, connected to Jesus, baptism saves you from sin and God’s wrath. This verse, 1 Peter 3:21, is one of the Scripture texts used to encourage all people, even children, to be baptized.
In the gospel reading, John chapter 14, Jesus alerts the disciples that he would soon be leaving them. This is preparation for His approaching crucifixion and burial, and also for His subsequent ascension. But Jesus assures them that He is not abandoning them—He will send the Holy Spirit to defend, comfort, and counsel their spirits. The disciples were instructed to show their love for Him by being obedient to His instruction. The Holy Spirit continues to instruct and motivate us to believe and do what Jesus taught. As mentioned above in the discussion about sanctification, our work is not yet perfect. But Jesus work is perfect. Because He lives, you too will live. Keep your attention on Him.
COLLECT: Gracious God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right, and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me now if you have any prayer requests or questions about this Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
