Soap Box Warning!

My apologies... this got a little longer than I intended, but it is especially relevant considering conversations, questions, and social media posts I have seen shared by fellow Christian brothers and sisters. I do think it's worth the extra few minutes to read!
 
During the past two weeks, I have seen multiple online videos of politicians (from both sides of the aisle!) and “pastors” claiming the banner of Christianity, that completely butchered the Bible. With no shame or remorse, just arrogance and Satan-crafted confidence, they wield verses as weapons to highlight their superior piety and intelligence. People taking select verses to validate their personal argument—with no regard for their reckless and irresponsible misuse of the timeless, authoritative scriptures.  Sad, though true, we live in a moment when Scripture is quoted everywhere—on social media, in political speeches, on protest signs, and in sound bites meant to persuade. No matter what side of any given issue a person is on, they weaponize scripture to exalt themselves and demonize others. They pick and choose to validate feelings. Verses are pulled out like slogans, trimmed to fit agendas, and wielded as moral cover. The problem is not that Scripture is being quoted. The problem is how it is being quoted; it is regularly being detached—from its context, from Christ, and from the total authority of God Himself as revealed from Genesis to Revelation.
 
This is not a new problem. The apostle John warns the early church, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1) This testing is not cynical suspicion; it is faithful discernment. Lutherans have long understood that the Word of God is living and active, but it is not clay for us to reshape. We dare not make it do what we want, conform it to our own image or opinions.  Scripture is not validated by cultural approval or political usefulness. Scripture does not ebb and flow with our fluid feelings. It does not oscillate or morph by the standards of the culture or the leanings of the day.  Scripture validates us—exposing sin, calling to repentance, and proclaiming Christ crucified for sinners.
 
When Scripture is quoted by culture, politicians, or self-ascribed religious experts, the question is not merely, “Is that verse in the Bible?” but “Is it being used as God intends?” This careful practice of responsible discernment is called Biblical Hermeneutics. It is the discipline of rightly interpreting Holy Scripture according to its context, purpose (intent), and Christ-centered meaning. It asks not only what the text says, but how and why God is speaking through it. Just a couple of weeks ago, had we not been snowed out in church, you would have heard the account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. The devil himself deceptively quotes Scripture, yet he does so while twisting its meaning and severing it from God’s promises. (cf. Matthew 4) He manipulates the text for his evil objective. A verse ripped from its context can sound righteous, while ultimately leading away from Christ. This at best unhelpful; at worst, it leads to destruction.
 
The authority of Scripture rests in what it does and in who it comes from. All Scripture fundamentally points to Jesus Christ. As Martin Luther taught, the true test of interpretation is whether a passage “drives Christ.” When Scripture is read apart from Christ, it can be reduced to moralism, ideology, or weaponized proof-texts. When Scripture is used only to justify power, excuse sin, or sanctify personal preference—without repentance or grace—it has been emptied of its true authority. This is a very dangerous game. We hijack the truth, turn to self-idolatry, and essentially kick God to the curb. 
 
But when read through Christ, as intended, the entirety of the Bible exposes sin honestly and proclaims forgiveness boldly. The Word always has that purpose: to kill and to make alive, to accuse and to forgive, to drive us from ourselves and into the mercy of Jesus. Truth be told, if the scriptures don’t make you squirm uncomfortably from time-to-time, then you’re probably not reading it right.  This is why the Church must remain a place where Scripture is heard in full: law and gospel, judgment and mercy, cross and resurrection. We test authenticity not by how loudly a verse is proclaimed, but by whether it agrees with the whole counsel of God and points to Christ. As Jesus says, “The Scriptures… bear witness about me.” (John 5:39) Testing Scripture’s use is not arrogance; it is humility. It confesses that God’s Word stands above culture, above parties, above leaders, and above our own hearts. It acknowledges that we, too, are capable of misusing God’s Word for comfort—without truth or truth without love.  So, return again and again to the Word as it is preached, taught, and confessed in the Church. Listen carefully. Ask hard questions. Listen for distorted voices. Be wary of misinterpretation. Refuse easy slogans. Let the scriptures interpret the scriptures. Most importantly, cling to the promise that the same Word that exposes falsehood also delivers forgiveness—freely, fully, and finally—in Jesus Christ.
 
Sermon over. Thanks for hanging on! 😉
 
Quite frankly, this issue has always frustrated me. When it comes to God… everyone’s an expert. Self-proclaimed of course.  “Well, the God I believe in would…”  Really? I don’t think so. Just because I have a car doesn’t mean you want me working on your car! Just because I also have a heart… doesn’t mean you want me performing a bypass surgery! 

​Check the book, and let’s allow God to speak and act for Himself.
 
“God has already said everything He needs to say—it’s our job to strive to understand it.” (John MacArthur)
 
“Nothing helps more powerfully against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts than occupying oneself with God’s Word, having conversations about it, and contemplating it.” (Martin Luther)

Are you ready for some football?  ​Each year the NFL crowns a champion in what fans lovingly call “The Big Game.” Last year’s Super Bowl was the most-watched television event in American history with 127.7 million viewers.  Will you be numbered among the millions tuning in this year?  After two weeks of buildup and anticipation, this year’s matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots takes center stage on Sunday.  Super Bowl Sunday is all about victory. Two teams prepare all season for one game, one moment, one trophy. Fans hope, cheer, and trust that this will finally be the year. (Unless, of course, you’re a fan of one of our pathetic, local NY teams.)  But even the best team can lose. One play can change everything. An interception. A missed field goal. One mistake can undo months of preparation. One thing is for certain... come late Sunday night, one team and fanbase will be ecstatically celebrating a Super Bowl victory; the other, not so much.
 
As believers in Christ, we gaze at a victory far greater and far more certain than any football championship. Repeatedly in scripture, we are reminded that the struggles we face in life—sin, suffering, doubt, fear—have already been decisively defeated in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, the outcome is not in doubt. There is no overtime, no last-second collapse, no heartbreaking loss. No sitting on the edge of our seat, nervously chomping on our fingernails. Spoiler alert! The outcome is already known. At the cross, Jesus definitively took on sin, death, and the devil—and in His resurrection, He won decisively—for all time and for all people. The score wasn't even close!  The Apostle Paul doesn’t encourage the churching by saying that God might give us victory, or that we have to earn it, train for it, work really hard for it.  He says God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Book it. Count on it. It'd one. That’s good news, especially when life feels more like a losing season than a championship run. When guilt weighs heavy, when grief lingers, when fear whispers that the score is already decided—Jesus reminds us that the game is over, and He has already won. “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)
 
Super Bowl victories fade. Team championship apparel wears out. Records are broken.  Powerhouse teams and dynasties eventually start to age or get broken up. The banners may stay up in the rafters, but the fanbase quickly moves into a “What about next year?” mindset. But Christ’s victory is eternal. Baptized into Him, we live every day knowing that forgiveness is ours, death is defeated, and our future is secure—not because of our performance, but because of His. So… enjoy the game. Or the commercials. Or the food. Or the halftime hoopla. Take it all in. Cheer loudly. Stuff your faces. Celebrate the spectacle of it all. But remember... long after the trophy is handed out, the stadium is empty, and the confetti has all been cleaned up... the greatest victory still stands—Jesus Christ is risen! 

​We are the victors, redeemed and forgiven. 

​If you’ve ever tried to get a passport, you know it is not for the faint of heart. You gather documents like a detective on a cold case: birth certificate (original, not a copy), proof of citizenship, photo that somehow manages to look nothing like you, forms in triplicate, and fees that must be paid exactly right. Don’t you dare think of using anything other than black ink, and—of course—you better not show up to the Post Office without an appointment. Finally—don’t forget there is an expiration date. Wait so many years and then you get to do this whole wonderful process again.
 
Miss one thing? Back to the beginning. Wrong form? Rejected. Photo slightly smiling? Absolutely not. The passport process is not interested in your intentions. They want perfection.  They are run by rules, orders, and restraints. Oh, that and money—fees for this and charges for that. And honestly, that makes sense. Earthly governments work on requirements. You earn, prove, qualify, and wait.
 
But then we come to eternal life—and everything flips. Thanks be to God, the kingdom of heaven does not operate like the passport office.  There is no application form for salvation. No photo ID required. No background check. No fee. No “processing time.” No line to stand in nervously hoping you didn’t forget something important.  Instead, Jesus says: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
 
Thus, we breathe a deep sigh of relief. Because if eternal life required documentation, we’d all be sent home for missing paperwork called “righteousness.” If salvation depended on effort, we’d all be stuck in a fruitless holding pattern forever.  But Scripture is clear: “By grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8–9)  In other words, eternal life is not earned—it is gifted. No stamps, no signatures, no approvals needed. Christ has already met every requirement on our behalf. His perfect life is credited to us. His death pays our debt. His resurrection opens the border we could never cross on our own. And here’s the best part: unlike a passport, this gift never expires, never needs renewal, and can’t be revoked because you filled out something wrong.
 
So yes, in the event you need to get a passport or renew a license, go ahead, and gather your paperwork. Double-check your forms, and stress a little over your necessary documents. That’s fine. But when it comes to your place in God’s kingdom, rest easy. Fret not. Your name is already written in the book of Life; it’s been there since your baptism. The approval has already been granted. And the welcome is already waiting. 

Family movie nights are great this time of year. All cozied up, under fuzzy blankets and wearing festive jammies. Surrounded by Christmas decorations, sweet smells of the nearby Christmas tree, and enjoying special treats. Earlier this month, our family watched The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. We have seen it many times. We've seen all the versions. It is one of the many, many movies we enjoy watching this time of the year.

“The Grinch hated Christmas!
The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why.
No one quite knows the reason.”

Let’s be honest, we all have times where we resemble the mean one who is as cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel. You may not be a nasty, wasty skunk... but you do probably get occasionally grinchy. You're not alone. Overwhelmed by all the things we convince ourselves we have "to do" before we can enjoy the season. Indeed, we all have moments of “grinch-ness” during this time of the year; and there could be all sorts of reasons for it. Maybe it’s because we will not get the Christmas bonus we were waiting for. Maybe we are told that we will not get the one gift we really want this year. Maybe our Christmas tree has prematurely keeled over and lost all its needles. Maybe the one gift our kids/grandkids really want has us racing all over the place. Maybe the fun, old-fashioned family celebrations have gone awry. Maybe we are left to celebrate alone at home this year. Maybe our friends won’t let us play any games with them. Maybe we feel like we’re melting under the heat and pressure of all we still have to do. Maybe we are just sad that we can’t go home for the holidays or be surrounded by family. Maybe our spouse or child is a scrooge. Maybe the bells of Christmas are too hard to hear over the distracting noise of worldly politics and hardship.

​Maybe… Maybe… Maybe…
 
Whatever the case… let us find time to rejoice in the reason for this season. Mary was the first recipient of the Christmas story and after she heard and experienced it all she spent time to let it sink in. The angels, the shepherds, the birth of the Savior… “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Take time this Advent season to treasure up and ponder the gift of Jesus. Open your Bible. Find a devotional booklet. Spend a few minutes in prayer. This will be worth the time and effort to fend off unwelcome grinch-ness during this Christmas season.

"Cheer up, dude. It's Christmas" (The Grinch)

This past Tuesday morning, while raiding the Walmart shelves of all their pre-built gingerbread houses, I was within earshot of two employees talking with each other. They were loud, and clearly not happy.  I have no idea what the context of their conversation was, but some of the phrases I overheard them say were: “How were we supposed to know?”  “That might be true, but I had no idea.” “Well, no one told me.” Their tones were clearly infused with much exasperation and annoyance.  Again, I have no idea what their gripe was about. I quickly carted up my gingerbread boxes and went on my way. Curious though I was, I did not want to eavesdrop on their frustrations. However, their complaints come to mind as we near our Last Sunday of the Church Year this coming weekend.  As I’ve mentioned in church recently, the last weeks of the church calendar focus on the return of Jesus.  “And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the end, whose kingdom will have no end.” (Nicene Creed)
 
Jesus is coming. Again. In Glory. With a purpose. To establish His Kingdom and usher in a new creation. To sift the wheat from the chaff, to separate the sheep from the goats, to divide the righteous from the unrighteous.  In this moment, all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. This is the beautiful, comforting promise of the scriptures. When will this be? Of course, no one knows.  Thus, in the meantime, we have a job to do.  The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:14, “How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them?” (CEV) This is not a desperate plea only for the church to raise up pastors and missionaries. This is a directive for all of God’s people to be vocal about their faith. They echo the words of Jesus from a couple of Sundays ago urging His disciples to look for the opportunities around them to bear witness (cf. Luke 21:13).  As Christians, we have been declared righteous by God—only by His grace revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  This means that whenever Christ does return, we have nothing to fear. We are saved already and will be kept forever safe in the hull of His church. 
 
This is not an exclusive club; it is open to all. 
And... there is always room for more!
With the holidays approaching, can you invite a friend or neighbor to hear the Good News about Jesus, the Word made Flesh, with you? 

How about at our Thanksgiving Eve worship? Advent by Candlelight? Advent Luncheons? Live Nativity? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day worship? How about a local Christmas concert? A movie or play based on the Nativity story? A Sunday worship service (no matter where that might be)? Invite them. Sit with them. Take them out for a meal or hot cocoa afterwards.
 
Opportunities abound here at church, and in many other places this time of year, to engage people with the hope and joy of Jesus. Going back to the perturbed words of the Walmart employees… how else could they know? What if no one tells them?  Not about some new store policy or shelve-stocking mandate, but about the reason for our Christmas celebrations!
How will your dear friends and family know, unless you speak up and invite them?
 
“Love people, serve people and point them to Jesus when they ask why you care.” (unknown)
 
“I believe as we work, God will always give us opportunities to tell others about his Son. ... We are there to reach out to love them and to save them, and as a Christian, I do this in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Franklin Graham)
 
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, [doing so] with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

Psalm 99:1 declares: “The Lord reigns; let the nations tremble.”   In every age, God’s people have looked around at the world and wondered what’s happening. Leaders rise and fall. Nations boast and threaten. Policies change. Uncertainty spreads. Divisions increase. Hostility gets louder. It can be easy to feel anxious or powerless as we watch the news or think about the future. But God’s Word reminds us of something far greater and far more certain: the Lord reigns. 

Our God is not surprised by the events of this world. He is not wringing His hands or trying to regain control. He is not shocked; He is not mocked. From His throne, He rules over all things — presidents, parliaments, wars, and economies. Even when earthly rulers seem powerful, their authority is only temporary and permitted by the One who holds all power in His hands. As the prophet Daniel said, “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others” (Daniel 2:21).
 
To be sure, much of our reality and God’s action is thus veiled in mystery. We cannot pretend to know or fully comprehend the works of God; so much remains hidden. We will never fully grasp all the things God allows to take place—whether we applaud them or are offput by them. Nevertheless, for those who belong to Christ, this truth is not meant to make us fearful but comforted. Because the same Lord who reigns over the nations is also the Lord who hung on the cross for our salvation. His sovereign rule is not cold or distant — it is loving and purposeful. He rules for the sake of His people, for the good of His Church, and for the glory of His name.
 
So… when the headlines seem heavy or politics seem chaotic, we remember—Jesus is still Lord. He always will be. God not only preserves His creation, but He is actively involved in caring for it. He exists in it. He is present in our modern-day context. Our crucified, risen King sits on the throne even now. His kingdom cannot be shaken, and His promises cannot fail.

• “This, therefore, is also essentially necessary and wholesome for Christians to know: That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that He foresees, purposes, and does all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible will.” (Martin Luther)

 

• “For if you doubt, or are too proud to acknowledge, that God foreknows and wills all things, not contingently, but necessarily and immutably, how can you believe, trust, and rely upon His promises? … The greatest and only consolation of Christians in all adversities lies in knowing that God does not lie, but brings all things to pass immutably, and that His will can neither be resisted, changed nor hindered.” (Martin Luther)

 

• “Most Christians salute the sovereignty of God but live like they believe in the sovereignty of man.” (R.C. Sproul)

 

• ““If I go to Jesus, he’s not under my control. He lets things happen that I don’t understand. He doesn’t do things according to my plan, or in a way that makes sense to me. But if Jesus is God, then he’s got to be great enough to have some reasons to let you go through things you don’t understand. His power is unbounded, but so are his wisdom and love.” (Tim Keller)

God has a funny sense of humor.  After sharing with you all this past Sunday morning, how my family thinks I’m the G.O.A.T., I was quickly put back in my proper place.  Yesterday, at our NJ District Pastor’s Conference, I was given some very humbling news—at least for me and the rest of the preachers in attendance.  According to most recent research and statistics, pastors are the least effective persons when it comes to actually bringing outside people into church.  You read that correctly.  I am the least effective.

Apparently, I’m not as important as I think! People see a preacher coming and they run the opposite direction. For the most part, studies show that before a preacher can even begin a conversation with the intent to invite people to church, their audience is already compiling excuses in their heads and looking for a quick exit from the conversation.  Bummer! 
 
But… all hope is not lost!  The good news is that YOU are the ones who have the power. You are the effective outreach-ers to our community on behalf of our church. You are the effective bringers of the Gospel. You are the listened to inviters for our community. And you don’t have to go stand on a soapbox in the middle of a crowd; you can stay off the random street corners.  The same research shows that most fruit is gathered and collected as you engage people you already have relationships with—seeking to connect people to Jesus where you live, work, and play.  Jesus wasn’t joking when he said, “the harvest is plentiful” (Matt. 9:37). 

This crop is indeed ripe for picking, and it is filled with our closest friends, neighbors, and coworkers. And I’ve seen it happen here!  The evidence is in church on Sunday mornings, about 3-4 pews from the front, on the pulpit side of the sanctuary.  Longtime member Janet, about a year ago, invited her friend Ellen.  Ellen has been coming ever since.  Months later, Janet and Ellen invited Susan. Susan has been coming ever since.  All three of them have more recently invited other friends to join them—and they have.  Ellen and Susan will be in our New Member Class in the New Year.  Perhaps they’ll have a few other friends sitting beside them. These three ladies tell me that their goal is to “fill up an entire pew.” 

Praise God! 😊
What a wonderful, goal.
One that we should all have.
Let’s fill up these pews!

​I’m not sure about your neighborhood, but ours has been extremely “lit” the last few days!
 
Homes up and down our block are arrayed in bright, flashing lights.  Lamps and lanterns hang from the front porches.  Fireworks and sparklers go off late into the night, driving my poor dog into a restless panic. Men are dressed in special apparel and women wear dresses with bright colors and floral patterns. Sweets and gifts are shared with each other. Why?  All of our Indian neighbors have been celebrating Diwali. This is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals (usually spanning about five days) and commemorates the desired victory of good triumphing over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and inner light over spiritual darkness. Specific tribes/regions additionally ascribe other various meanings based on their pantheon of gods. Diwali is a celebration and honoring of their many different Hindu gods.  Yet no matter which story is associated with Diwali, they all share the common theme of good defeating evil, a new beginning. Moreover, as I understand this celebration, it is all about looking inwardly to the self—to an inner “force” that pushes our own illumination of good over evil.
 
To be sure, looking inward is not a bad thing.
Deciding to do better is commendable.
Desiring a fresh start is not bad.
Being more intentional about doing good is admirable.
 
However, as Christians, we believe that no matter how hard we try, we cannot be the “light” that this world so desperately craves. Darkness is indeed a problem; but we are not the solution. We cannot put an end to the darkness and evil of our corrupted world.   No amount of well-intended soul searching will solve the problem of sin and conquer evil.  This is only done by Jesus; He is the redemptive illumination.  In John 8:12, Jesus says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  If the underlying story of Diwali, irrespective of its origin, is the victory of good over the forces of evil and the power of light that outshines darkness, followers of Christ can see strong gospel themes inherent in it.  In fact, we have the singular person who destroys evil and restores people.
 
While Christians can respect Diwali’s cultural significance or even celebrate the joy it brings to our neighbors, we should see it primarily as an occasion to point to Jesus. We don’t need to speak of victory in a general sense. Our new beginning is not something we still search for, but something we are certain of. Looking outside of ourselves, we look to Jesus. We find a certain guarantee that our victory over darkness is already done and accomplished—it is found in a singular person, with flesh and blood!  Jesus is the true Light who conquered all evil on the cross and shines forever through His resurrection. As followers of Christ, we look for ways to invite our Hindu friends to encounter the same Jesus—the one who, through his life, teachings, and bold claims, embodies the true meaning behind the symbolism of Diwali.
 
So, smile politely at your neighbors. Respectively wave as they go past. Graciously receive any gifts or treats they bring over. But also look for an opportunity to talk about the Light of Jesus. Find the common ground. Utilize our shared imagery. Take time to ask them about what light means to them. Then pray boldly that God will give you the courage and wisdom to show them the light of Jesus that lives inside of you. Talk about the “Light” that does not come from within, but from above!  “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
 
“This little light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine!”
 
“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

You're not good enough... and that's OK!

​Last night on the news, I heard a prominent, powerful person being interviewed by the press. They said they wanted to “do good things” so they can make God happy. They wanted to do good things so they could get to the next level, so they could get to heaven. 

​Good goal. Misguided intentions. Very bad theology.
 
Of course, this frame of mind is not unique to one individual. And though it is heart-wrenching, it is not at all surprising. About four years ago, a research article was published by American Worldview Inventory that said well over 50% of self-professing Christians believe good works will help get them to heaven. The study also found that “huge proportions of people” associated with churches whose official doctrine says eternal salvation comes only from embracing Jesus Christ as savior “believe that a person can qualify for Heaven by being or doing good.” That included plenty of Lutherans too.  Furthermore, only one-third of American adults (35%) continue to embrace the traditional biblical view that salvation comes exclusively through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Four years later, with church attendance and biblical literacy on the steady decline, I suspect these percentages have not gotten any better. It is a sad situation that half the Christian church (at least in our country) thinks they can earn their way into heaven.
 
So let me be clear, you can’t. You are not good enough.
Don’t even try.
You’re wasting your time.
It is not possible.
 
People are taught from childhood to work hard and be the best at what they do. As children they compete to make the team. As older kids they compete to earn the college scholarships. As adults they compete for the best-paying jobs. Hard work can bring rewards. Sometimes children and adults may win awards and ribbons in contests simply for trying or just for participation. In the places where we are employed, the reward is a paycheck. That is how things work in our world. Hard work may bring rewards, in trophies, ribbons, or wages.
 
But, when it comes to establishing a relationship with God, none of this hard work can accomplish anything. No matter how hard we try, we cannot make God meet us on our own terms. We cannot earn His favor or measure up to His standards. Last week during 1st Communion class, we read these words: “For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:22b-23)  This makes it pretty clear. We are not good enough. We never will be. No matter how hard we try, it is not possible.  Your best efforts are futile; your good intentions mean nothing. There are no awards for trying to earn forgiveness from Him. Even the most skillful business negotiator cannot reach a deal with God. We have nothing to bring to the table. “None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. ” (Romans 3:10b-11). We can’t even win a participation award because “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” (Isaiah 64:6b)

You're not good enough. But that's OK. In fact, it is a prerequisite for God's grace. 
 
We are sinners. We fall short of God’s glory. We cannot make a deal that will save us. God alone can make that deal and He has done so in Christ. We are justified by God’s grace as a gift through faith in Jesus. It was not our work that saves us, but the work of Jesus Christ—His sinless life, His redeeming death, and His resurrection. This past Sunday, we sang these words, “Thy works, not mine, O Christ … they tell me all is done.” Everything has been done. We need not try to add anything more; there is nothing left to earn. It has all been given to us by the nail-scarred hands of our Savior. We have been reconciled to God because Jesus suffered the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins.
 
Make no mistake. It is still a good thing for us to “do good things.”  But remember, such effort never effects our salvation; it only reflects our new life in Christ.  Baptized into the Name of the Triune God, we have been born again to a new life. Now, dressed in Jesus’ righteousness, our work as His followers begins! We live to serve Him through serving others. Like living, thriving trees, through the work of the Holy Spirit we produce the fruit of good works. These works of love and service and witness glorify God and draw attention, not to us, but to our Savior, who alone can atone for sin.
 
“Thy works, not mine, O Christ,
Speak gladness to this heart;
They tell me all is done,
They bid my fear depart.
 
“Thy righteousness, O Christ,
Alone can cover me;
No righteousness avails
Save that which is of Thee.”  (LSB 565, stz. 1,4)


h/t to LHM Daily Devotion from 10.5.25

A couple of weeks ago, one of our members shared with me the attendance records of our church from the first ten years of its inception (1957-1967).  Apparently, there were a lot more Lutherans in New Jersey about sixty years ago!  For instance, during the year of 1966, the average Sunday morning attendance here was 327 people, with nearly 100 adults in Bible study—each week.  Not too shabby! 
 
We are not quite there yet, but we are trending in the right direction. Thank you for being so faithful in our worship together. At the beginning of this year, we encouraged each household/family from our church membership to prioritize worship at least two Sundays a month. Why? Because we are stronger when we are together—praying together, loving each other, helping each other.  We are a healthier and more faithful church—and can make a more noticeable impact in our community—when we worship and Bible study together!  Twice a month… not too daunting. So many of you have done that. You have shown up. Thank you!  And if you haven’t, it is never too late!
 
Why is this important?  Worship is not about filling a box on a spiritual checklist. It is not about impressing God. It is not about satisfying the pastor’s quota.  Worship is intended for your benefit.  It is the spiritual comfort that God offers to us in the Word of Absolution, the Good News proclaimed in the sermon, our mutual prayers, and the peace bestowed in the Lord’s Supper.  Worship is not what we do for God as we sing or kneel, but chiefly what God freely gives to us through His Word and Sacraments.  It puts us in the most profound Gospel reception spot, where our loving God comforts troubled sinners with the tender words that our iniquities are pardoned for Jesus’ sake.  The reason we attend worship with our fellow redeemed is so that together we can receive the comfort of God’s precious gifts.  Author Roger Pittelko writes, “The dictionary understanding makes worship our action or our response.  It turns worship into an anthropocentric activity that is measured and normed by what we do, by what we understand God to be.  The evangelical Lutheran understanding of worship is just the opposite.  It is from God to us.  It begins with God.  It is Him pouring into us, lifting us up.  Worship has its foundation and sources with God.” (Lutheran Worship: History and Practice) 
 
May our church, King of Kings, continue to be an open, welcoming place for all who walk in to hear the bold, unapologetic teaching of God’s Word. Let us be a place where people are comforted by the Gospel and uplifted by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  We haven’t quite hit 327 worshipers each Sunday (yet), but by His grace, we will get there! 😉
​