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! 😉
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