First Lesson: Proverbs 8: 1-4, 22-31
Responsive Reading: Psalm 8
Second Lesson: Romans 5: 1-5
​Gospel Lesson: John 16: 12-15

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Jimmy Durante was one of the most famous American entertainers in the first half of the 20th Century.  His career began as a Piano player who eventually added to his act singing and joke-telling leading him to be a Vaudeville, Radio, Theater, Movie, and finally Television star[1].

One night stood out as perhaps the most remarkable evening of Jimmy Durante’s fifty plus year career.  In the middle of the Second World War, Ed Sullivan who would soon become a famous T.V. star in his own right was organizing a variety show for soldiers at a hospital in Staten Island, New York City[2].

Word was received that the great Jimmy Durante was in town for other obligations, so Sullivan invited Durante to perform.  Durante agreed, but he let Sullivan know he needed to keep a tight schedule to fulfill his radio obligations that day.  Durante let Sullivan know his schedule would only allow him to perform one song.  Sullivan agrees to the request.

Durante goes on stage for a surprise performance; the soldiers go wild with applause after hearing Durante’s jokes and songs.  Jimmy Durante begins exiting to leave for his other obligations.  Ed Sullivan takes the stage to explain why Durante needed to go.  Jimmy Durante though surprised everyone by returning to the stage for an encore.  Durante performed number after number from within his act.  For many of the wounded soldiers, this was the greatest night of their lives[3]. 

Durante finally ends his performance; Ed Sullivan goes backstage worried that Durante couldn’t’ fulfill his other obligations.  Ed Sullivan asked why Jimmy Durante stayed?  Why did he miss radio-appearance that was potentially way more financially lucrative? Durante told Sullivan, “Go look at the front row?”.

Sullivan peaks his head onstage where he sees two soldiers sitting  in the center of the row; both men had lost arms during the war, while they were unable to clap on their own, they would clap both their remaining hands together[4]. 

Upon seeing this sight, Durante could not have left this performance early for an ordinary radio show.

Now here’s the thing about the Jimmy Durante and two soldier story.  Each person involved was vital to it taking place.  If not for Jimmy Durante’s God-given entertaining talent the soldiers don’t get so excited, but without both of the two soldiers working together using their hands, Jimmy Durante probably leaves early to find a different captivated audience elsewhere.

Three beings, each of equal importance see to it that the hospital is brought to joyful hysteria on that night in Staten Island. 

Today’s Gospel lesson tells a similar story[5].  Jesus is seeking to prepare the Disciples for his departure from this world.  Jesus intends to explain to the Disciples two things: 1. The benefits of upcoming his death and subsequent Resurrection. 2. The work of the Holy Spirit who is coming down to the Earth after him.  Jesus describes the Spirit’s ultimate work to calm their fears and strengthen their faith[6].

Today’s Sunday of the Church Year is known as Trinity Sunday.  It is the day when we reflect upon how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together for our salvation.

As we seek to understand the Trinity better, it’s helpful to describe what the Trinity isn’t.

The Trinity is not the worship of three separate Gods.  The Trinity is three different beings, not three different Gods.  For example, We believe God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit were all present at the creation of the world. 

Jesus presence at the beginning is described at the start of John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God[7] …Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made[8]…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us[9].”

The Holy Spirit being present at the beginning of the world is described in the second verse of Genesis: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters[10].”

The Father, Son, and Spirit being distinct entities can be seen elsewhere in the scriptures[11].  In the 10th Chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus declares: “I and the Father are one.",  yet Jesus would pray not to himself  at the Cross but rather to his Father in heaven when he prayed: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last[12].”

One chapter before Our Gospel, Jesus declares in the limits of his human flesh: “for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you[13].”

In our Gospel lesson for Today, Jesus differentiates himself from the Holy Spirit by declaring: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth[14].”

Earlier, I described the Trinity as three separate beings, not three different Gods. Here’s what I mean.  Later Today, I will celebrate Father’s Day . Now you ask my Sister and me to plan dinner there are going to be some differences.  Anne is a yoga instructor who doesn’t eat Red Meat.  So we have some different ideas to as to what the best restaurant will be.  Trying to find a place to make both of us and my Dad all happy takes some work but some form of compromise works itself out when you have such conflicting opinions.

Such a thing doesn’t happen with the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all three-beings with one,  unified mission that is bringing salvation to the Earth.  Each member of the Trinity has different roles in the process: creator, savior, author of faith.  

For years and years, the Early Church debated how the Father, Son, and Spirit worked together before deciding that the mystery of the Trinity’s is best explained by what we confess in the Apostles Creed: “We believe in God the Father… and, we believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord… and, we believe in the Holy Spirit[15].”

How does Trinity work? Let me talk about our favorite Baseball team the Minnesota Twins.  The Twins currently have the best record in Baseball at 47 wins and 22 losses.  How are they doing this?

The Twins are hitting the ball well.  They’ve been on pace to set a league record in Home Runs.  The Twins have an endless array of long-ball hitters: Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler, C.J.Cron, Nelson Cruz, and Miguel Sano. 

The Twins have been winning with pitching.  At the top of their rotation are Jose Berrios, and Jake Odorizzi with Taylor Rogers coming out of the bullpen.  All these guys might make the Major League All-Star game. 

The Twins have been winning out in the field with one of the fastest players in Baseball Byron Buxton patrolling Center Field.  

Now the Trinity is also not different modes of God.  The Father does not begin as Clark Kent go into the Phone Booth and become the Son, Jesus Christ.  

You put one of the Twins’ regular pitchers at the plate to try to hit a Home Run; you would soon see they were not intended to hit.  You put one of the sluggers in Center Field; the other team would probably score a bunch of runs against players not to meant to specialize in the field.  You ask a non-pitcher to pitch, you’d see why pitching for many needs to be a lifelong specialty.

Hitting, Pitching, and Fielding are all vital parts of Baseball, but specialists best do these roles in given areas.    Twins outfielder Byron Buxton could have been a Major League Pitcher throwing baseball nearly 99 miles per hour in high school, yet he knew this wasn’t his intended role in Major League Baseball. 

The Trinity works similarly.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all have unique roles within the story of our salvation.  The Holy Spirit was never intended to assume human flesh like God the Son.  Jesus was never meant to remain on Earth after ascending into heaven, creating and building the Christian Church would be the work of the Holy Spirit. 

While the God the Son and Holy Spirit were witnesses to the creation of the world, they were not active in the process like the God the Father.  The Trinity is not a pecking order or ranking system.   All three parts of the Trinity are equally  vital in working together to achieve human salvation.   The God who gives breath.  The God who wins eternal life upon a cross. The God who creates faith.   All three parts (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) team up “for us” for the sake of our victory over sin and death. 

Let me close this morning with an analogy of the Trinity given by Saint Patrick of Ireland.  Saint Patrick once upon a time compared the Trinity to a three-leaf clover.  He pointed to each of the three leaves to ask, “Is this one leaf or three?” The hearers would study the clover, before finally declaring “both.” To which Saint Patrick would reply, “So as it is with God.” Amen
 

[1] “Jimmy Durante.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 9.May.2019. Web. June.11.2019.
[2] Chapman, Brian. “One-Armed Soldiers Clapping.” Legends & Rumors. Blogger.com. 10.Mar.2010. Web. June.11.2019.
[3] Chapman, Brian. “One-Armed Soldiers Clapping.” Legends & Rumors.
[4] Hansel, Tim. Holy Sweat. Word Book Publishers. Pg.104-105. 1987. Web. June.11.2019. Found on Sermon Illustrations.com under Teamwork. 
[5] John 16:12-15
[6] Adkins-Jones, Timothy L. “Commentary on John 16:12-15.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 16.June.2019. Web. June.11.2019.
[7] John 1:1.
[8] John 1:3
[9] John 1:14.
[10] Genesis 1:1-2.
[11] Stier, Leon. The Trinity (d) “ Email Mediatations. 22.May.2016. Web. June.11.2019. 
[12] Luke 23:46.
[13] John 15:15.
[14] John 16:13.
[15] Stier, Leon. The Trinity (d) “ Email Mediatations. 

First Lesson: Genesis 11: 1-9
Responsive Reading: Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b
Second Lesson: Acts 2: 1-21
​Gospel Lesson: John 14: 8-17 (25-27)

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
The year was 1851, a new group of western settlers within the Oregon Territory, wished to govern themselves[1].  In 1852, this group of settlers decided to appeal to the U.S. Congress for new independent territory.  The floor debate broke out early in 1853; the original proposed name was the “Territory of Columbia.” For its division from Oregon between north and south was taking place at the Columbia River.
Representative Richard Stanton of Kentucky[2] hated this name; he was worried that the “Territory of Columbia[3]” would be confused with the “District of Columbia” where the nation’s capital Washington D.C.  sat.  So Representative Stanton proposed an alternative name for this new territory named after the nation 1st’s President George Washington. The Territory of Washington was incorporated in 1853 and became a state in 1889 hopefully never to be confused with Washington D.C. ever again. 

Today’s first lesson[4] tells a similar tale where a group of settlers seek to become famous.  But in the end, they created nothing but confusion among themselves. 

Our lesson comes from the 11th Chapter of the Book of Genesis.  The story comes right after the well-known Biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood.  Noah and his three sons: Ham, Shem, and Japeth and their descendants spread throughout the Earth.  They still had one thing that tied them together: “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech[5].”

Many of Noah’s descendants settled in a place called Babel or Babylon.  As soon as they settled in Babylon, they began to plan to make Babylon their permanent home.  The first thing they sought to do was build a: “tower that reaches to the heavens[6].”  They did this so they would become so famous that God would know them.   

God seeing their plans intervenes: “Coming down and confusing their language so they would not understand each other[7].”

Why did God do this?  Why did he stop the construction of the Tower of Babel?  God had seen pride nearly destroy humanity multiple times in earliest days of creation: first in Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, then Cain killing Abel, and finally needing to flood the Earth because the people had grown so prideful and wicked[8].  God needed to make the point that human sin will lead to nothing but brokenness and separation from God going forward.  So God scattered the people to repopulate the Earth and confused their language. 

The Year was 1173[9].  The place was Italy.  Plans were made for a 180-foot high marble stone tower.  Prominent local architects and builders were hired.  A problem would arise on the building site having nothing to do with the builders or the materials.  The problem was the land on which the tower was built.  The tower built in Pisa, Italy was named “Pisa” because it was Greek for area of marshy land[10].  The Leaning of Tower of Pisa was born because a structure was built on land that could never possibly support its weight[11].

What had taken place at Babel is Noah’s descendants had lost sight of their foundation.  They thought their salvation would be found in more possessions, more status and fame, yet this wouldn’t be enough until they dared to try to reach heaven themselves.  So God brought down their tower to remind them of the source of their salvation.  God placed a curse upon the Earth, where people would be separated by their speech for generations and generations. 

The story of Abram begins right after the Tower of Babel reminding us that God vows never to abandon his people[12].   Abram would not have any children with his wife Sarah for 99 years, yet just as God had previously promised,  he would end up the father of a great nation with descendants as “as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.” Through  Abraham’s family tree, salvation would come to the Nation of Israel through Jesus Christ[13].  The people of Israel were forced to wait thousands of years to witness salvation coming down from out of heaven upon a cross.

What Abraham's  story reminds us is that it is often in our greatest confusion that we find our greatest clarity. 

Once upon a time in Kansas City, Missouri a young cartoonist was fired.  The reasons given were that the young man lacked “imagination.” And “good ideas.”  He then started his own animation studio in Kansas City only to see it file for bankruptcy[14].  The man then decided to move to California to try to start another animation studio with his brother.  This idea seemed destined for failure. In 1928, he created a character named Mortimer Mouse who would soon be renamed Mickey Mouse[15].  Walt Disney had spent years in confusion and uncertainty before great clarity came into his life. 

Here’s something interesting about Walt Disney nearly eighty years after being fired by the Kansas City Star newspaper. The animation company bearing his name purchased the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) which owned the Kansas City Star newspaper[16]. 

The clarity amid confusion at the Tower of Babel would also eventually come.  It was the Festival of Weeks or Shavuot[17]. It was a celebration of the day in Israel’s history when God spoke to the people on Mount Sinai delivering the Ten Commandments.  So people from all over the world were gathering in Jerusalem: Libyans, Egyptians, Romans,Arabs and Asians, all were gathering[18].   While they all worshiped the God of Israel, they dating back to the days of Babel were separated by a lack of common language. 

On this day, of Shavuot also known as Pentecost in Greek, Jesus’ disciples were standing among the crowd.  Remember, Jesus’ disciples were primarily a group of fishermen from Galilee.  They were not experts in foreign languages.  The crowd saw what appeared to be tongues of fire come upon the Disciples.  The Disciples then began to speak in the tongues of every language of the Earth.  Peter began to preach and three-thousand new Christians were created by the Holy Spirit on this day.   Pentecost is the day where  Babel’s curse is no more[19].  Peter proclaims human pride as a way to the salvation was broken upon a cross. 

What happened on the Day of Pentecost?  Let me tell a story; I was in fourth grade.  In music class, we were learning to play the recorder as our first instrument. We go through the semester with me paying particularly little attention during the lessons. Finally the exam is the next day.  Nine o clock at night, I’m forced to admit that I’m unable to identify or play any of the notes.  My parents were gone and they would have been furious if I failed a recorder exam. 

They had a babysitter staying at the house.  She happened to be a very talented church musician. She stayed up with me until I learned how to play the recorder.  I passed the exam on the next day.  A  seemingly hopeless situation had been given “new life.” I was given the gift of “musical” language that I could not achieve on my own.

The following is what the Holy Spirit does on the Day of Pentecost.  The spirit gives us the ability to confess the faith into which we are baptized and often unable to confess on our own.  The spirit gives us belief when so many forces within this world tell us not to believe. 

To illustrate this further, let me close with one final story.  Meredith Wilson’s Music Man tells the story of Harold Hill[20].  Harold Hill is a traveling scam-artist going from town to town promising to form boys bands  then collecting money for instruments and uniforms before leaving town to find his next group of suckers.  Harold arrives in River City, Iowa.  Harold like had so many times before convinces the town to believe in his charm.

Finally, a gentleman from Harold’s past arrives in River City vowing to expose Harold Hill as a fraud with no musical credentials to his name[21].  Harold Hill seems destined to end up in jail.  Harold is handcuffed when the town’s folks meet to decide his fate.   The mayor finally puts Harold on the spot asking: “Where’s the band?” 

Finally, a group of boys enters the gym, and through some power other than their band director, the boys begin playing Beethoven's Minuet in G (Min-U-ET)[22].   Regardless of how the band actually sounded, every mother thought their child’s music to be the most beautiful music they had ever heard.  Before long the whole town celebrates  to a rousing rendition of 76 Trombones performed by the previously inept boys band.   Harold Hill is set free. 

What did the Holy Spirit do on the day of the Pentecost?  

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”-Romans 10:9. 

The Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost brought clarity to the confusion by leading people to confess “Jesus is Lord and Savior”.   A number of years ago, the Tower of Babel was built where people attempted to reach heaven from themselves.  The pride of this act brought death and pain for generations. What happened on the day of Pentecost is God came down from heaven in the form of the Holy Spirit. It was this Holy Spirit who created 3,000 new, unexpected believers speaking every language from around the Earth[23].   This Holy Spirit would keep spreading the message of salvation through human voices many times the world over: into the German, Swedish, and Norwegian language of many of our ancestors and then to the language where the Gospel was first proclaimed to us.   Reminding us that heaven’s trombones and trumpets will sound all around us when we least expect it.    Amen
 
                          

[1] “Washingston Territory.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 9.Apr.2019. Web. May.30.2019.
[2] “Richard Stanton.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 12.May.2019. Web. May.30.2019. 
[3] Unknown Source. “Confusion.” Sermon Illustrations. Web. May.30.2019. 
[4] Genesis 11:1-9. 
[5] Genesis 11:1
[6] Genesis 11:4. 
[7] Genesis 11:7
[8] Donovan, Richard Niell. “Bibilical Commentary: Genesis 11:1-9.” Sermon Writer. 2006.2010. Web. May.30.2019. 
[9] “Leaning Tower of Pisa.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 26.May.2019. Web. May.30.2019.
[10] Leaning Tower of Pisa Website. “Leaning Tower of Pisa Facts.” Tower of Pisa.org. 2018. Web. May.30.2019. 
[11] Perkins, Alan. “Leaning Tower of Pisa had Poor Foundation.” Sermon Central. 2019. Found on Family Times.net.May.30.2019.
[12] Donovan, Richard Niell. “Bibilical Commentary: Genesis 11:1-9.” Sermon Writer.
[13] Genesis 22:17. 
[14] Gillett, Rachel. “How Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, and 19 Other Successful People Rebounded After Getting Fired.” Business Insider. 7.Oct.2015. Web. May.30.2019. 
[15] “Walt Disney.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 25.May.2019. Web. May.30.2019. 
[16] “Kansas City Star.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22.May.2019. Web. May.30.2019. 
[17] “Shavout.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 29.May.2019. Web. May.30.2019. 
[18] Acts 2:9-11
[19] Stier, Leon. “The Tower of Babel and Pentecost.” Email Mediatations. 24.May.2015. Web. May.30.2019.  
[20] “The Music Man.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22.May.2019. Web. May.30.2019. 
[21] “The Music Man.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[22] Schick, Steve. “The Music Man (1962).” Text Week: Movie Illustrations for Holy Spirit. Web. May.30.2019. 
[23] Acts 2:41. 

First Lesson: Acts 16: 16-34
Responsive Reading: Psalm 97
Second Lesson: Revelation 22: 12-14, 16-17, 20-21
​Gospel Lesson: John 17: 20-26

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
When I was in 9th Grade, I played Basketball on the Junior Varsity team.  I had all sorts of disadvantages to being a good basketball player: I was short, slow, lacked jumping ability, couldn’t dribble well with my left hand, and so I spent a lot of time sitting on the bench.  My playing time was limited to only moments when the game was long decided.  I decided though to work hard over the summer between my 9th and 10th-grade year. I attended Basketball camp, and really worked on my shooting skills. 

10th Grade starts- the first game of the year, I played well the team won by an unexpectedly big margin, I would soon be sitting the bench for varsity rather than junior varsity.  I then got elevated to a starter for the junior varsity point guard; things were finally working out on a basketball court. 

The next game starts, I start turning the ball over repeatedly against a tough press, the coach pulls me like two minutes into the game down 10-0. We get blown out.  As the season progressed, my time at the end of the bench got longer and longer.

At the end of the season, I made a decision that I regret over twenty plus years later; I stopped playing basketball.  I figured sitting on the bench wasn’t worth it, I thought I knew more than the coaches.

Now I was never going to be given any money as a basketball player, but because of my impatience, I gave up an activity that with a different attitude could have brought me great joy in my final years of high school.
Today’s First lesson tells the tale of two men who found hope in great adversity and we’re ultimately better off because they saw their mission for the sake of the Gospel was indeed worth it.

Our lesson from Acts 16 begins with Paul and Silas visiting Philippi[1].   They were going to a “place of prayer,” like every other day[2].  They then encounter a slave girl who made her owners a great deal of money through fortune-telling.   The lesson describes the woman as being possessed by an evil “spirit” that allowed her to predict the future.  The first time, she encounters Paul and Silas, she starts yelling at them, perhaps in a mocking tone.  Finally, Paul commands her spirit to come out, she gives up fortune telling, but her owners are outraged[3].

Paul and Silas are then seized and dragged[4] into the marketplace[5].

An angry mob strips them of their clothes and begins beating them with rods[6].

They were delivered repeated hard blows, before being thrown into prison[7]. 

The Jailer put their feet in shackles[8].

They experienced all these things because they traveled far from their homes, wanting to start a new church in Philippi. Now intending originally to preach to the Philippians “Freedom from their sins”, they were now captive within a Philippian prison. 

Whereas I was upset about my lack of talent playing Basketball, Paul and Silas opening their mouth within Philippi had led them to a jail cell.  No one could blame Paul and Silas for keeping their mouths shut, getting out, going home, and never speaking of the Philippians again.

Paul and Silas, though in their Jail Cell kept on singing hymns of praise and kept on praying for God to work through them[9]. 

Finally, an earthquake shakes the foundation of the prison; all the doors open, all the chains are loosened. The Jailer awakes, he is distraught at what he sees. He draws his sword, planning to kill himself fearing he had lost all his assigned prisoners, Paul basically shouts out “Stop.” 

Amid great turmoil, comes great opportunity. The man turns on the prison lights before declaring to Paul and Silas: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved[10]?”

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.[11]”

Later that evening, the Philippian Jailer and his entire household were baptized[12]. 

The Jailer who was ready to take his life is described as filled with “joy” as our lesson ends[13].

All these great things involving the Philippian Jailer and his family take place because Paul and Silas believe their mission is greater than any obstacles that ultimately seek to impede it.

Our life often works the way that it did for Paul and Silas.  What we can see are the moments when we’re beaten and shackled.  What we often fail to see is the moments to come when doors swing wide open and we’re about to celebrate in the presence of others[14].

Wilma Rudolph was born in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee in 1940[15]. Wilma had a tough start to her life. An early bout with polio made it difficult for her to walk. She would require leg braces and seven years of therapy to be able to walk on her own finally.  At the age of 12, she wanted to play basketball; she was cut from the team[16].  Wilma would not be deterred she would practice every day. The next year, she made the team. While playing basketball, she attracted the notice of a college track coach.  At the age of sixteen, Wilma was competing as a sprinter in the Olympics.  She got eliminated in the prelims.  Wilma Rudolph though didn’t give up; she used her disappointment as motivation to hope for a different outcome down the line.  In 1960, at the Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single game[17].  The sickly African-American girl who was unable to walk on her own was now a gold medalist because she had a vision of what could eventually “be” within her life.

The question for us this morning is whether we are like Paul and Silas thinking the same way when it comes to the things of faith.

Once upon a time, there was a gentleman who began praying for his five friends[18].  He did this for many months before one of them becomes a believer.  The gentleman keeps praying, sees no results for the next ten years.  Finally, two more of his friends embrace the Gospel.   Gentleman keeps praying sees no fruit for fifteen more years until his fourth friend cries out for “salvation.” The man kept praying for his fifth friend, every night until his death.  Nothing seemed to be taking place.  A short time though after the man’s funeral, the fifth friend became a believer[19]. 

Here’s a famous example on the value of persevering in faith.  A group of Andrew Jackson’s childhood friends, one day gathered[20].  They couldn’t believe that Andrew had not only become a renowned military general but ultimately, the President of the United States.  They started talking about other kids with whom they grew up, who seemed Andrew’s superiors, especially when it came to brains. 

One of Jackson’s childhood friends declared: “Why isn’t Jim Brown, famous, he was smarter and could beat Andy three out of every four times they wrestled.” The friends were confused; they knew a wrestling match was over after three defeats.  Sure this was the way things usually worked, but not for Andrew Jackson. He would keep on fighting, till Jim Brown got tired, and Andrew would be declared the winner. 

Andrew Jackson knew how to handle a setback, yet he had the courage just like Paul and Silas to keep on going forward.

Every church claims to be a welcoming church. Every church claims to be a missional church.  These things though seemingly, don’t often bear fruit.  Even as Christian people, it’s easy to believe that a certain fate is inevitable. People have believed this as long as there’s been a Christian church out to be proved wrong. I struggle with this myself.

Once upon a time, there was an elderly lady who came across a young man who was ready to “quit.”  The man declared: “I am beaten every time.’ “I must give up.”  The lady looked at the frowning young man before saying: “Did you ever notice that when the Lord told the discouraged fishermen to cast their nets again, it was right in the same old spot where they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing[21].”

God had brought Paul and Silas to Philippi; the trip seemed destined to end in disaster.  Here’s what Paul and Silas kept believing: “That even if they died in a Philippian prison cell, they would find hope, no differently than how the Roman crosses had been transformed from symbols of torture to symbols of new life before their very eyes. 

Let me close with one final story, Winston Churchill was born in 1874[22].  He grew up hating school, he frequently misbehaved, he was described by teachers as un-punctual and careless “ He was diagnosed with a speech impediment.  Years later, he was asked to address the commencement class at his former school. Churchill by this time was now the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Churchill gave his speech in 1941 early into World War II, a few months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Britain had already been devastated by German bombing campaigns.   Winston Churchill would proceed to speak at his former school some of history’s most famous words[23]:
“never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy[24].”

Churchill’s words remind us what Paul and Silas believe as they sat in a Philippian jail cell.  No matter how dark the days might be, no matter how powerful of forces threaten to overwhelm you, remember that spiritual forces made known upon a cross are way more powerful than these. The forces of love, forgiveness, and hope shall never leave you.   Amen
 
 
 
  


[1] Acts 16:16-34. 
[2] Bratt, Doug. “Acts 16:16-34.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 2.May.2016. Web. May.21.2019. 
[3] Bratt, Doug. “Acts 16:16-34.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[4] Piper, John. “Delivered in God’s Good Time.” Desiring God Ministries. 26.Jan.2018. Web. May.21.2019. This is found on Email Mediatations.
[5] Acts 16:19
[6] Acts 16:22
[7] Acts 16:23
[8] Acts 16:24
[9] Acts 16:25-26. 
[10] Acts 16:30.
[11] Acts 16:31
[12] Acts 16:33.
[13] Acts 16:34.
[14] Piper, John. “Delivered in God’s Good Time.” Desiring God Ministries.
[15] “Wilma Rudolph.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 14.May.2019. Web. May.21.2019. 
[16] Today in the World. Moody Bible Insistute. Jan.1992.Pg.10. Found on Sermon Illustrations under perserverance. May.21.2019. 
[17] Wilma Rudolph.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[18] Our Daily Bread. “George Muller.” Found on Sermon Illustrations under perserverance. May.21.2019. 
[19] Our Daily Bread. “George Muller.” May.21.2019.
[20] Our Daily Bread. “Andrew Jackson.” Found on Sermon Illustrations under perserverance. May.21.2019. 
[21] Unknown Author “Elderly Lady and Young Man.” Found on Sermon Illustrations.com under perserverance. Web. May.21.2019. 
[22] “Winston Churchill.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 21. May.2019. Web. May.21.2019.
[24] Eclov, Lee. “Churchill's Real "Never Give Up" Speech.” Preaching Today. Web. May.21.2019.  

First Lesson: Acts 16: 9-15
Responsive Reading: Psalm 67
Second Lesson: Revelation 21: 10, 22 - 22:5
​Gospel Lesson: John 14: 23-29

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
I was in Middle School when I attended a family wedding in Kansas City.  The day after the wedding , my parents wanted to make the trip educational, so we journeyed to nearby Independence, Missouri.

The first stop was to the Presidential Library of Harry Truman, who my Dad had met when he was a young boy. The second stop was to the Independence Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  My family was given a tour of the temple by a young woman on her two-year Mormon mission. 

As a Confirmation student at the time, I was allowed to ask a question.  I asked her, “What was the difference between Lutherans and Mormons?”

Her answer which I still remember was, “Lutherans believe in the salvation of the individual, whereas we believe in the salvation of the family.” 

Latter Day Saints emphasis on the family’s salvation can be seen in their focus on collecting genealogy records.  The Mormons own the largest database of family trees in the world.  Collecting family trees also ties into the Mormon beliefs of needing to “baptize the dead[1]”.  Latter Day Saints take seriously their calling of seeing that the dead family members, along with themselves may enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now while differences between Lutherans and Latter Day Saints go beyond the understanding of the family, the role of the family in one’s faith brings us to our lesson Today from the 16th Chapter of the Book of Acts[2].

Let me give a rundown of our lesson. Paul is on a missionary journey to Phillipi in modern-day Greece. Paul journeys with his companions Timothy and Silas to the river just outside the city where they meet a woman named Lydia. 

Lydia was a wealthy woman who made her money as a dealer of purple cloth.  Purple cloth was known as royal cloth and came from the most expensive of all dyes. Sea Snails were the source of purple cloth so that further explains its expense[3].  When Lydia meets Paul, it is evident that she is open to things of faith[4]:  Our lesson says before their meeting, “She was a worshiper of God[5].

Paul began preaching to her about how Jesus is God made known upon a cross.  So, therefore: “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message[6].” Lydia, being Greek, is described as the first European Christian. 

So after Lydia’s conversion, Paul, Timothy and Silas journey to her home where: “she and the members of her household were baptized[7].”  Was Lydia married or single? The scriptures don’t say. How many children did Lydia have? What were their ages? Again, we don’t know the answer. 

Here’s what we do know stories of whole households being baptized occur in multiple places within the New Testament. 

Acts 16:33- Paul and Silas visit the Home of a Philippian jailer when: “the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately, he and all his household were baptized.”

1st Corinthians 1:16- The Apostle Paul declares: “ And I baptized also the household of Stephanas."

So what we can say for sure about this information is that when the head of household converted in Lydia, the Philippian Jailer, or Stephanas a family baptism would soon follow.  Such baptisms appear to be common in the New Testament church. 

What we can’t say is whether very young children or infants were present or included within these family baptisms.  There is no evidence that any member of the family (regardless of age or level of understanding)  was excluded from these households baptisms.

 What we also know is that in Matthew’s Gospel[8], Jesus is brought little children to pray for, the Disciples rebuke those who brought forth the little children, Jesus then rebukes the Disciples by declaring: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Now our Baptism friends will often declare: “There are no “specific” examples of babies being baptized within the New Testament.”  Now even if you believe based on no evidence that the households’ baptisms didn’t contain any very young children.  You also can’t find an example of where it is said someone for any reason (age included) shouldn’t be baptized.

 The most dramatic Baptismal command takes place at the end of Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus declares: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit[9].”

All nations would seem to include all people, both young and old alike.

 Baptism for many doesn’t quite work this way.  Baptism for many serves as the final spiritual exam, the great test that we need to pass.  Being judged on evidence not grace is the typical way the world works, so it makes sense.  

Digging deeper within the scriptures Baptism seems to be something entirely different[10].  Baptism is described as  the act of being born again[11] through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ[12].  It is the act which saves by the washing us of our sin and joining us to the promises given by God to his children no matter what twists and turns their lives ahead might have in-store.  The witness of the scriptures is to describe Baptism as an act where God is active, whereas we are passive.  If this is the case, then we are in no position to deny someone baptism because we think they might be too young.

So why baptize entire households?

Let me close Today with the following story.  If you were the ask anyone to name the most prominent family in American history.  The Adams Family of Massachusetts would probably be at the top of the list.  John Adams was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He eventually was elected the Second President of the United States of America[13].

His wife Abigail was also a remarkable woman. Abigail was self-taught, but was such a constant reader, that her husband consulted her on political matters like no other First Lady in the country’s early history. Abigail was a rare spokeswoman in the 18th Century for expanding woman’s education opportunities of which she had been deprived[14].

Their son John Quincy Adams was a successful lawyer, U.S. Senator, Ambassador, and Secretary of State. John Quincy would serve as the sixth President of the United States[15].  If this were all you knew about the Adams Family, you would think they were the perfect American family[16].

Here’s what you maybe don’t know about the Adams family’. The oldest daughter also named Abigail[17] married a man named William Stephens Smith[18].  Smith’s parents thought the courtship to be too short and that created tension among the in-laws.  Smith was reckless with his money and ended up in deep debt due to failed land speculation in the early 1800's. Abigail and William Stephens Smith spent their remaining days living on a farm in Upstate New York.  Both husband and wife died young, so therefore John and Abigail Adams were forced to assume care for their grandchildren.

Charles Adams became a lawyer, he engaged in affairs outside his marriage, he wasn’t on speaking terms with his father for long periods of times, and he was such a drinker that he died young of cirrhosis of the liver[19].

Thomas Adams, like his brother, was also an alcoholic who died in 1832 deeply in debt[20]. 

Further down the family tree, Louisa Adams wife of John Quincy Adams was a sickly woman most of her adult life[21]. She suffered from migraines, and fainting spells. John Quincy and Louisa did not have what historians consider to be a “happy” marriage. Historians describe her as deeply depressed upon moving into the White House.  John Quincy describes her marriage as having “It’s share of trials.” As she found the men of the Adams Family, both “cold” and “insensitive[22].”

Their first two sons were both alcoholics who died young. The second son, John Adams II was expelled from college for leading a student rebellion at Harvard[23].  All three sons quarreled over the same woman in Mary Catherine Hellen. Their third son, Charles wrote the following of his family tree: “The history of my family is not a pleasant one to remember.” The Adams Family despite it’s holding of the Presidency  is more similar to families we know that at first,  than they may appear[24].

In Today’s Lesson, we talk about the Baptism of Lydia’s entire household.  Like the Adams Family or many of our families, I don’t imagine Lydia’s family to be perfect.   Lydia’s family reminds us, though, why we baptize? We baptize babies because we all need Baptism. We’re imperfect in this life, so we all need to be uplifted within the waters of Baptism to God’s continual care.  Baptism is the greatest possible testimony that the only thing that we can bring to our salvation is our sin that is need of saving. 

In Acts 2, Peter declares on the Day of Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children.[25]”

The day I spent at the Independence, Missouri temple did show to me how Lutherans can be different from others.  We are not saved because we come from perfect families, or are perfect ourselves.  We are saved because, in the waters of baptism, God declares us to be a member of his household through faith for all of eternity.  Amen
               

[1] “Baptism for the dead.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 3.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[2] Acts 16:9-15
[3] “Tyrian Purple.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 12.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[4] Bratt, Doug. “Acts 16:9-15.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids,MI. 25.Apr.2016. Web. May.20.2019. 
[5] Acts 16:14.
[6] Acts 16:14. 
[7] Acts 16:14.
[8] Matthew 19:13-14. 
[9] Matthew 28:19. 
[10] Cooper, Jordan. “Outline for a Bible Study on Infant Baptism.” Just & Sinner (Pathoes Blog Network).
[11] John 3:5.
[12] Romans 6:1-4
[13] “John Adams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 18.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019.
[14] “Abigail Adams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 18.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019.
[15] “John Quincy Adams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 18.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019.
[16] Sermon Illustrations. Com “Family.” Found in US News &World Report on Dec.12.1998. Web. May.20.2019.
[17] “Abigail “Nabby” Adams Smith.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 5.Mar.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[18] “William Stephens Smith.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 9.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[19] “Charles Adams (1770-1800)” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 10.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[20] “Thomas Bolyston Adams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 29.Jan.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[21] “Louisa Adams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 26.Apr.2019. Web. May.20.2019. 
[22] Louisa Adams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[23] “John Adams II.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 10.May.2019. Web. May.20.2019.
[24] Sermon Illustrations. Com “Family.” Found in US News &World Report on Dec.12.1998
[25] Acts 2:38-39. 

First Lesson: Acts 11: 1-18
Responsive Reading: Psalm 148
Second Lesson: Revelation 21: 1-6
​Gospel Lesson: John 13: 31-35

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
I want to tell you this morning about a gentleman named Tom Ciola [1].  Ciola opened his first health food store in 1970.  He had a successful career as a bodybuilder and powerlifter. Ciola was in such good shape that he was named Mr. New York in the year 1975.  Ciola’s health discipline is especially incredible considering he’s the rare bodybuilder who rejects taking steroids for only natural supplements.  Tom Ciola is also an extremely devout Christian and he’s an author.

His first book published in 2001 was titled Moses wasn’t Fat[2].  How does Ciola know Moses was in really good shape?  Moses worked all day in the fields of Egypt and was able to lift the stone tablets known as the Ten Commandments easily[3].  So Ciola uses this as evidence that we need a specifically Christian diet plan.

So in 2002, Ciola got to work.  Ciola determined that the Bible mentions seven holy foods that God calls good in the Book of Deuteronomy: wheat, barley, vines (raisins), figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey[4].  These were the foods that God described as evidence of the newfound promised land upon leading the Israelites out of Egypt.  So Ciola set out to make a Bible-based energy bar based on these seven holy foods of the Old Testament.  The product would be organic to be in line with Biblical farming methods.  Ciola soon determines additional ingredients were required in puffed rice and raspberry flavoring for taste and texture[5].  Bible Bars appear to be a hit.  Ciola soon gets a big market, 2500 health food stores and Bible book stores begin to sell his bar.  He was for a while adding 30-40 new stores per week[6].  What happened to Bible bars? When I did an internet search, I came up empty for options regarding purchasing such a seemingly perfect snack. 

Tom Ciola is correct when he points out that the Bible spends an extensive amount of time talking about what foods to eat: fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, and nuts along with what foods not to eat: such as shellfish or pork products such as bacon or sausage. 

Ciola makes the point, Christians have been debating what they can or should eat for as long as there’s been a Christian church.

In the Early 1840’s, William Miller was the founder of a church group known as the Seventh Day Adventists.  Miller believed the church’s mission was preparing for Christ’s imminent second coming.  One of the ways the Adventists did this was by making a healthy lifestyle a vital part of their belief system.  They would advocate for Vegetarianism[7].  They would follow Kosher restrictions from the Book of Leviticus to such a degree that they would never eat Oreo cookies which were be made from pig fat known as lard. 

One of the most famous Seventh Day Adventists was a gentleman named John Harvey Kellogg[8]. Kellogg wanted a breakfast option for Adventists as opposed to the standard fare of “bacon” and “eggs.”  So he developed a product known as Kellogg’s “Corn Flakes” of which you’ve maybe heard of.

Seventh Day Adventists have many health habits beside their diet though: they don’t drink, use tobacco, or any illegal drugs.  A strict Seventh Day Adventist might not even drink coffee, tea, or cola[9]. 

What the Seventh Day Adventists do works quite well.  The National Institute of Health did a study in 2005 which showed that the average Seventh Day Adventist because of their strict diets, live on average 4-10 years longer than the ordinary Californian[10]. 

Now I want to tell you Today about another guy, who was very religious and had very clear ideas over what was the best way to eat as a believer.  His name was Peter.  He was known for being one of Jesus’ disciples.  Maybe what I should say about Peter is he grew up with very strict ideas about what to eat, then got older and saw his life change, especially his diet.

In our lesson, some good Jewish believers wander upon Peter eating at the house of Gentiles .  Now one of the significant issues in the 1st Century Church had to do whether Christians should eat meat.  The reason this was controversial had to do with its selling in the Roman marketplaces[11].  Roman butchers tended to pray for blessing upon the meat to Roman gods.  Jewish Christians would be unsure if this meat was handled in accordance with proper health regulations as laid out in Old Testament books like Leviticus and Deuteronomy.  So for Peter going into the home of those Gentiles who didn’t follow the Old Testament dietary laws as he did would have been controversial. 

So Peter explains his changed idea over with whom and what to eat to his fellow Jewish believers as such.  One day while Peter was praying, he saw a vision. Peter’s vision consisted of a large sheet coming down from heaven containing: ‘four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds[12].’  

The Lord commands Peter: “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.[13]”

Todd Marinovich was born in 1969[14].  Todd’s father Marv played Football at University of Southern California when they won the National title in 1962.  Marv tried Professional Football only to see his career flame out due to over-training and over-eating.  Marv then became an athletic trainer. 

Marv vowed that his son’s career would be different.  When his wife was pregnant, she didn’t touch sugar or salt.  When his son Todd was a baby, he only ate: “vegetables, fruits, and raw milk[15].”  When Todd was growing up: he wouldn’t eat McDonald’s, nor touch Oreo cookies. When other children invited him to Birthday parties, he would bring his own cake and ice cream so as not to touch refined sugar or flour.  Todd would only eat natural beef and never dare tough store-bought ketchup[16].  By the time, Todd Marinovich was a freshman in High School; his dad’s plan seemed to be working as he was considered to be amongst the top high school football players in the country and would eventually play in the NFL.   

Now imagine asking Marv Marinovich if his son can now indulge at the first bit of success in all the foods that he had spent his whole life avoiding?  The question would have seemed silly at the time.

Now things were the same way for Peter as the Lord put this vision of the four animals before him: “Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth[17].”

Peter had seen the Risen Lord; he had been tasked to be the leader of the First Christian Church; he had witnessed all sorts of conversions. The last thing, Peter now would ever do would be switching his lifelong diet.

The voice from heaven had to ask Peter four times to change his mind.  “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.[18]”

As soon as this vision ended, it became clear that the Lord had way bigger plans for Peter than what he did or didn’t eat[19].

Three men soon after the vision ends, come to visit Peter. Peter is invited to the house of a gentile man named Cornelius[20].  Peter could have never imagined that he’d been sitting down to eat and ultimately praying with a Roman solider, but the vision of the four animals changed everything.

Peter began to preach; he saw the Spirit of the Lord come upon these Gentile men like it came upon Peter’s fellow Jews on the Day of Pentecost[21].  

All this happened, because Peter saw it’s okay that he could be a little, less strict with his life-long diet?  So much so that Peter ends the lesson declaring: “So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way[22]?”

So what does this all mean to us? It speaks to how we ultimately understand the Christian scriptures.  Now most of us in this room have probably enjoyed either Ribs, Bacon, Pulled Pork, Sausage, or Porketta (Leviticus 11:7), Shrimp, Crab, or Lobster (Leviticus 11:9-12) or even touched a football (Leviticus 11:7). 

Are all of us hypocrites who are being unfaithful  to the Bible for doing so?   No, because the point of the Old Testament is to speak to God’s activity within the nation of Israel, this is essential history because it sets the stage for Jesus Christ, whereas the New Testament describes God’s activity through Jesus Christ for all the nations of the earth. The major point of the New Testament is how the Cross of Christ changes everything.

Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the (Old Testament) law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Whether Christians should keep a stringent diet like Tom Ciola, Todd Marinovich, the Seventh Day Adventists, or the Disciple Peter is not the question of their salvation.  One’s diet only affects this world concerns it does not concern your standing in the world that is to come.  

Let me close with a final story concerning Grandma.  Grandma rarely practiced a healthy habit in her life.  It was always interesting to have meals with Grandma.  She would always eat her dessert first.  If her table mate didn’t want her dessert, she’d eat that second.  When they’d put meals before her, she’d only really like the meat if it was fatty, turkey she never cared for much.  When she wanted me to get her food, it was “McDonald’s cheeseburgers with extra ketchup.”   So my Dad wanted me to talk to her about eating a healthier diet, she was like “92” at the time. 

I said: “At her age, let her eat what she wants.”  When you’re at that point in your life, as the Disciple Peter would learn it’s not your diet that’s going to save you.

One time, a number of years back, I was driving Grandma when she wanted to stop for breakfast. She told me to pull over at a gas station; I asked her what she wanted there, only for her to declare “A Hershey Bar.”
I never saw Grandma eat a cornflake, I couldn’t even imagine her eating something so soggy, yet that’s ultimately alright.   Amen


[1] “Tom CIola.” Fresh Fiction for Today’s Reader.  Web. May.9.2019. 
[2] Ciola, Tom. Moses Wasn't Fat. Axion Publishers. 1.Jan.2001. Web. May.9.2019 found on Amazon.com
[3] Ellerburg, Harris. Review comment for  Moses Wasn't Fat published on Amazon on 19th, October, 2010. This was accessed on May.9.2019. 
[4] Washingston Times. “Holy health food.” 29.July.2002. Web. May.9.2019. 
[5] Neary, Lynn. “Bible Bar.” National Public Radio: All Things Considered. 15. Nov.2002. Web. May.9.2019. 
[6] Neary, Lynn. “Bible Bar.” National Public Radio: All Things Considered.
[7] “Seventh Day Adventist Church.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 9.May.2019. Web. May.9.2019. 
[8] “John Harvey Kellogg.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 23. Apr.2019. Web. May.9.2019.
[9] Seventh Day Adventist Church.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[10] Seventh Day Adventist Church.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[11] “What does the Bible say about eating food/meat that has been sacrificed to idols?” Got Questions. Web. May.9.2019.
[12] Acts 11:6.
[13] Acts 11:7. 
[14] “Todd Marinovich.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 6.May.2019. Web. May.9.2019.
[15]“ Todd Marinovich.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[16] “Todd Marinovich.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[17] Acts 11:8.
[18] Acts 11:9
[19] Bratt, Doug. “Acts 11:1-18.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 18.Apr.2016. Web. May.9.2019.
[20] Acts 11;12.
[21] Acts 11:15
[22] Acts 11:17. 

First Lesson: Acts 9: 36-43
Responsive Reading: Psalm 23
Second Lesson: Revelation 7: 9-17
​Gospel Lesson: John 10: 22-30

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“No man is poor who has had a godly mother[1].”-Abraham Lincoln

I want to begin by telling you the tale this morning of one of the most remarkable Christian women who has ever lived.  Even if you haven’t heard of her, you have experienced her impact.

Ann Reeves Jarvis was born in Virginia in 1832.  She was the daughter of a Methodist minister[2].

In the 1850's, Jarvis began having children of her own.  Jarvis had only four of her dozen children survive to adulthood.  The majority died of diseases like measles, typhoid fever, and diphtheria which were prevalent within the poor, Appalachian communities in which she lived[3].

In 1858, Jarvis had an idea to organize what was known as “Mother’s Work Day[4].”  The goal was to reach out to the poor people of Appalachia by collecting and distributing medicine,  providing nursing care, feeding the hungry, and providing shelters for children with tuberculosis[5].  Jarvis’ idea was so popular that it quickly spread[6]. 

“Mother’s Work Day” though soon ran into a significant obstacle when the Civil War broke out.  The divide was an extraordinarily complicated issue in Virginia as the Western part of the state where Jarvis lived broke away out of loyalty to the Union cause.  This new border in what was now known as “West Virginia” pitted neighbor against neighbor and even family member versus family member. 

Mrs. Jarvis would not be deterred; she organized a meeting of the “Mother’s Work Day” clubs to vow to continue their work together whether their home was part of the Union or Confederacy.  They proceeded to take the unheard-of action of seeking to nurse soldiers from both sides.  The “Mother’s Work Day” Society would not abandon their mission even as the Civil War went on around them[7]. 

The end of the war brought all sorts of animosity and hatred among neighbors.  So Mrs. Jarvis then organized what was known as “Mother’s Friendship Days” to seek to reconcile former enemies[8].

One of Ann Reeves Jarvis daughters, Anna Jarvis perpetually admired her mother’s love and compassion.
 

So in the wake of Ann Reeves Jarvis’ death in 1905, her daughter organized what was known as “Mother’s Day” in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia.  The day soon became a tradition to honor the work of women like Ann Reeves Jarvis whose kindness in changing and challenging times bettered the lives of the weak and wounded around them[9].   

The idea of “Mother’s Day” quickly spread.  In 1914, nine years after Ann Reeves Jarvis’ death, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday[10].

Ann Reeves Jarvis died illustrating the very best of a mother’s love towards a child, a reflection of the love that Christ pours out on his church, and because of women like her, Mother’s Day exists.

Today’s First Lesson comes from the Book of Acts the 9th Chapter[11].  It tells the tale of another remarkable woman of faith named Dorcas. 

Dorcas was in many ways like Ann Reeves Jarvis; she was always doing good and helping the poor.  Whereas we celebrate Mother’s Day, we also remember the work of our Mission Circle as their quilts decorate our pews.  Dorcas did something similar; she made robes and clothes for the disadvantaged to wear as a focal point of her ministry[12].

Tragedy strikes Dorcas as she gets sick and dies.  All the other widows of Joppa were devastated by her loss. Some were recipients of her charity, whereas others worked alongside her.  What we can say for sure about Dorcas is she was a leader among one of the first Christian communities. 

Everyone was wondering what was going to happen now that Dorcas was dead[13].  Widows in the early church wouldn’t inherit property, there was no such thing as Social Security, so widows in her day would only survive because of the charity of people like Dorcas.

So then the widows of Joppa hear that Jesus’ disciple Peter is visiting a nearby town.  They send two men to get Peter hoping that  the “unbelievable promises” of Resurrection  in which they’ve heard might apply to Dorcas.[14]  Peter arrives, he prays, Dorcas rises from her sleep, and resumes her great deeds among the widows of Joppa.  Because of Dorcas, it says many people in Joppa, became believers in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ[15].  Dorcas might have been appearing to only be sewing clothes, but it soon became evident that God’s work through Dorcas went way beyond this.

For example, the story of Martin Luther, the 95 Theses, and the Lutheran Reformation is well-known.

What isn’t as well known is the impact that Mothers had on the Reformation[16].  When word of the 95 Theses got out, women began flocking to the new-found church.

These were woman who longed for grace in their life: they may have had to bury unbaptized children, had difficult teenagers who they couldn’t make sense of from one moment to the next, and widows like Dorcas for who every day was a challenge[17].

It was these women who were the backbone of the Reformation as teachers, charity workers, wives, and mothers[18].  The most famous of these women was Katherine Von Bora a runaway nun, who desired different responsibilities as a Christian woman than living in a convent.

The women who upon being married became known as Katie Luther would  tend to the fields, raised cattle, managed the family finances as Martin was known for being quite poor with money, and brewed her beer.  She was Martin’s closest source of support, as he struggled with frequent bouts of depression.

Towards the end of his life, Martin said about Katie: “The greatest gift of grace a man can have is a pious, God-fearing, home-loving wife, whom he can trust with all his goods, body, and life itself, as well as having her as the mother of his children.”

While there wasn’t Mother’s Day during Luther’s life, he certainly would have supported its celebration.  Luther understood the influence of mothers to the church.  Luther understood that without mothers there are fewer children raised in the faith, fewer pastors, and missionaries to spread the Gospel through the ends of the earth.

How this happens isn’t always obvious.  Mother’s Day is a bittersweet holiday for many of us.  Some dreamed of being a mother but weren’t for one reason or another, some had a complicated or broken relationship with their mother, whereas others have lost their mother in a relationship that can never be replaced.
2 Timothy is a letter by the Apostle Paul to his co-worker in the Gospel Timothy. Paul reminds Timothy how his faith came from his mother and his grandmother’s role in his life[19]. 

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”-2 Timothy 1:5. 

Well, recently as many of you know I lost my grandmother.  It will be the first Mother’s Day that I’ll celebrate without her.  While her loss is not unexpected, it does represent the end to a significant chapter of my life. 

What I can say is when I was growing up, or in college, she would always call me on the phone when a preacher was on T.V., sometimes it’d be Billy Graham, other times it would be some random motivational speaker with no religious content.  Grandma would think they looked like a preacher so that she would be just as excited.

She would always speak glowingly about preachers, she would embarrass me with her normal colorful behavior one minute, then preach a sermon at me five minutes later.

I remember one time when I was working here at Sychar; she got particularly mad at me before declaring; “I hope I see you in heaven.”  She could leave me speechless at times because of her bluntness like no one else I’ve ever met.   

What I can say for sure though is when I was in Confirmation, I would always stop by her house while waiting for class to begin.  She was never going to let me miss class, in spite of any arguments that I might make.  When I struggled going through Seminary with whether I wanted a career in the ministry, I knew if I ever broke the news to Grandma that I would never hear the end of it.  Her presence reminds me that it is those closest to you who not only influence your faith but the course of your whole life.

Even if actions might seem to be insignificant at the moments, they are taking place.  These are the things that we celebrate Today in women such as Dorcas with children or without.  

Let me close this morning with the following story to illustrate this.  Ida Tarbell was a journalist in the early 20th century.  Her most well-known work  is The History of the Standard Oil Company[20]. This book was so influential that it became the subject of the national debate over regulating monopolies.  Her articles drove circulation for McClure’s and American magazine. She was considered brilliant for her ability to take complex topics and explain them to a broader general audience[21].  Tarbell was having her 80th Birthday; someone asked Tarbell to describe the greatest person she had ever met, over her long and distinguished career. 

Tarbell replied: “The greatest person are those I have ever met are those nobody knows anything about[22].”

Tarbell then made her point clear: “I ask you, who was greater, Thomas A. Edison or his mother?”

The question might seem silly upon first listen.  Thomas Edison invented the phonograph which gave birth to the record player, the motion picture camera which made Hollywood movies possible, and the light bulb whereas no one has given much thought to Nancy Edison over the years but consider the following[23].

When Thomas Edison was a young child, his teacher sent home a note declaring  “Your child is dumb.  We can’t do anything for him.”.  Nancy Edison was outraged, she wrote the teacher back the following; “You do not understand my boy.  I will teach him myself[24].”  Thomas Edison never went back to school.  Now let me ask you again, “Who was more important Thomas Edison or his mother, Nancy?”

Nancy Edison reminds us that there is no higher Christian calling than being one’s mother. Her story mirrors many others.  You might not have heard of Ann Reeves Jarvis or Dorcas before today, but this is o.k.  Many of the most important woman in the world the ones that help raise children, nourish them in the faith, and support children in all circumstances have never been heard about outside their own home.  Happy Mother’s Day!  Amen


[1] Lincoln, Abraham. “Mother.” Sermon Illustrations. Web. May.1.2019. 
[2] “Ann Jarvis.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 3.Nov.2018. Web. May.1.2019.
[3] Ann Jarvis.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[4] Ann Jarvis.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[5] Stier, Leon. “The Story of Mother’s Day.” Email Mediatations. 11. May.2015. Web. May.1.2019.
[6] Stier, Leon. “The Story of Mother’s Day.” Email Mediatations.
[7] Stier, Leon. “The Story of Mother’s Day.” Email Mediatations.
[8] Stier, Leon. “The Story of Mother’s Day.” Email Mediatations
[9] Stier, Leon. “The Story of Mother’s Day.” Email Mediatations.
[10] Stier, Leon. “The Story of Mother’s Day.” Email Mediatations.
[11] Acts 9:36-43.
[12] Acts 9:39. 
[13] Bratt, Doug. “Acts 9:36-43.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 11.Apr.2016. Web. May.1.2019. 
[14] Acts 9:39.
[15] Acts 9:42.
[16] Stjerna, Kirsi. “Luther and the ‘church mothers’ : They jump-started justice for women.” Living Lutheran. 22. Sept.2015. Web. May.1.2019.
[17] Stjerna, Kirsi. “Luther and the ‘church mothers’ : They jump-started justice for women.” Living Lutheran.
[18] Stjerna, Kirsi. “Luther and the ‘church mothers’ : They jump-started justice for women.” Living Lutheran.
[19] 2 Timothy 1:5.
[20] “Ida Tarbell.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 25.Apr.2019. Web. May.1.2019.
[21] Ida Tarbell.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[22] Jones, Iijon. “Mother.” Sermon Illustrations. Web. May.1.2019. Taken from January 8th, 1994 edition of Morning Glory.
[23] “Thomas Edison.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 30.Apr.2019. Web. May.1.2019. 
[24] Jones, Iijon. “Mother.” Sermon Illustrations.

First Lesson: Acts 9: 1-6, (7-20)
Responsive Reading: Psalm 30
Second Lesson: Revelation 5: 11-14
​Gospel Lesson: John 21: 1-19

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“The true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children.”- Nelson Mandela

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”- Proverbs 3:5-6

Today we gather to celebrate the Confirmation of Hunter Dow.  We affirm the faith given in his baptism when he was just a baby. We celebrate the gifts that God has given Hunter to live out ministry within the world.

With this in mind, let me begin with a few words about Hunter from some of those who know him best. 

William Kelley Football Coach Ward Kaiser[1]:  Hunter is “Very personable, wants to do the right thing, very helpful to others and tries to set a good example.”

Silver Bay FFA Advisor Leah Bott[2]:  “Hunter processes unique qualities for a student his age, most notably his genuine care and concern for other students. He is a friend to everyone and goes out of his way to help others feel included and valued. Hunter has a strong work ethic and a positive attitude that will carry him far in all of his endeavors."

Track Coach Rick Frericks[3]: “Hunter has made a great commitment to track.  He is a hard worker and a wonderful teammate. He comes to each practice with unbridled enthusiasm.  Hunter is a leader among the young men I coach.  A real pleasure to coach him.”

Hunter, I’ve worked with you since you’ve been nine years old.  We’ve gotten jacked in the weight room together. I’ve watched you run track where I’ve had fans of other schools who don’t know you; comment to me“that kid “from Silver Bay” never gives up when running the eight hundred.

I’ve seen how deeply you care about your family and want to do well in their eyes. I remember why we’re never going to play toilet plunger vs. toilet brush hockey again at Confirmation.

But as I let your Mom know a few weeks back: “I cannot say enough good about the type of young man that you are becoming.”

As we reflect upon the meaning of Hunter’s confirmation, we hear the words of our Gospel lesson[4].  John 21 is the third Post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus within John’s Gospel.  Last week, Jesus appeared to Thomas only a week after his death[5]. Now Today’s lesson takes place at some point in the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven[6].

Here’s the context for our lesson. The Disciples go out fishing,  they fish the whole night long and catch absolutely nothing.

Morning comes, an unidentified stranger is standing along the shore who calls out to the Disciples: “Friends, haven’t you (caught) any fish[7]?”

The Disciples thinking this fellow merely wanted a report on the fishing conditions respond: “No[8].”

The unidentified man gives them advice: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.[9]”

Jesus’ disciple Peter immediately knew what such a miraculous catch of fish meant.   A similar episode took place earlier in Jesus ministry when he was recruiting his first disciples.  Peter put his net down and “ (he) had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break[10].”

Peter gets so excited to see the post-Resurrection Lord again that he shouts out “It is the Lord[11].” Peter jumps out of his boat (not thinking things through) and swims all the way to shore with the rest of the Disciples following.

So what happens when the Disciples and Jesus reunite upon the shore for possibly the last time?

Was Jesus going to perform another miracle? Was Jesus going to make some really, profound never heard before point about the Kingdom of God[12]?

No Jesus does something much more straightforward.  Jesus instead invites the Disciples to breakfast. Jesus cooks them up fish and bread[13]. 

Jesus earlier in his ministry had performed the unbelievable miracle of feeding 5000 people with five loaves and two fish.  Now in his last meal with the Disciples, Jesus manages to feed seven people with 153 fish.[14]

Jesus does these actions as he’s getting ready to leave this world behind and task the Disciples with the work of carrying out his ministry.   Jesus is making a point though to not only them but also Hunter and ultimately ourselves.

Jesus is seeking to show the disciples the meaning of the ordinary.  Moses was merely tending to sheep on a mountainside when God spoke to him in a burning bush[15].   Jesus for his last encounter with the Disciples cooks them breakfast.  What our lesson reminds us is that God’s callings are not confined to stain-glassed buildings.

God is reminding us that he is found in the halls of the school, God is located in the monotony of track practice; God is found when driving younger classmates around. 

Today as we reflect on Hunter’s  upcoming ministry in the world.  We see God is calling to more than just acolyting or attending Wednesday evening Confirmation class.    The Church is bigger than any one building, the calling placed upon Hunter this morning is to be the Church in the world around him.

Be the Church as a brother, son, teammate, student, employee, and in the future possibly husband, and father. 

The thing is to note is Christian callings do not always promise to be easy. 

Right after I got done with Seminary, to earn some money, I went to work as a substitute teacher.  My first day was going to be at one of the middle schools in Forest Lake where I knew zero kids, and my previous experiences with middle schoolers as a Junior High camp counselor were difficult at best. 

Faith will often put in us in uncomfortable situations.  I remember one of my first few days teaching, losing my “cool” during a last hour class which I was struggling to keep on task.  I remember another day, not  long after that when showing a movie in class “kids started throwing rice, in the windowless room.”  I probably wanted to quit after this.  I thought that surely God could call someone else for a task such as this one.   I’d was hoping ministry would merely be reading something written by Martin Luther. 

I eventually came to learn about working with youth to always “expect the unexpected.”  Try to be a positive presence for good no matter the circumstances.  I’ve never lost sight that I wasn’t the best student or the best-behaved kid growing up.  I will never forget the teachers, adults, or even older students who showed me grace at the moments when I didn’t deserve it.   It is all these moments from getting in trouble as a youth to substitute teaching that led me to this place on this day. 

Hunter, you are about to enter into a new chapter of your Christian calling.  It was much the same way with Jesus’ disciples as he prepared to leave the Earth behind in our lesson. Their four years of Confirmation would soon be over.   Jesus would soon ascend into heaven.  The Disciples were going to be tasked with figuring out the tough church stuff on their own. 

Let me close this morning with Jesus final’ instruction to the Disciples: “Take care of my sheep[16].”  “Feed my sheep.[17]” Hunter, you are no longer considered a child in the eyes of this church. You are now tasked with helping to bring up the children of not only this church, but ultimately this world.

A few years back,  our Little Fishes met right before Confirmation. Hunter would show up early, play, and have fun with them.   These kids were drawn to Hunter to the point where other adults would comment on it. 

Hunter the tasks to “Take care of my sheep” will be uncomfortable at times.  You will be called to show kindness and patience to kids who are socially awkward, off-task, and might only seem to make your life more difficult at that very moment. 
 
We don’t celebrate on this day what you are as impressive as your accomplishments like making the A Honor Roll may be. We celebrate the faith sustained from your baptism. We celebrate the paths of ministry that Our Lord will call you down in the days ahead.  We promise as a congregation to be the place where you receive the necessary words of God’s grace and forgiveness in the years ahead.  Remember Our Gospel lesson, the nets in your life will burst with fish at those moments when you least expect it. 
 
 
Amen
 
[1] 4-22 email.
[2] 4-23 email.
[3] 4-22 email.
[4] John 21:1-19. 
[5] John 20:19-31.
[6] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 4. Apr.2016. Web. Apr.23.2019. 
[7] John 21:5. 
[8] John 21:5.
[9] John 21:6
[10] John 21:6. 
[11] John 21:7. 
[12] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[13] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[14] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.”
[15] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[16] John 21:16
[17] John 21:17

First Lesson: Acts 5: 27-32
Responsive Reading: Psalm 118: 14-29
Second Lesson: Revelation 1: 4-8
​Gospel Lesson: John 20: 19-31

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Bethany Hamilton was thirteen years old. Bethany lived in Hawaii and was one of the country’s best young surfers[1].  Bethany went out for her routine morning surf with a friend, her father, and her brother.  Bethany, like she had done hundreds of time before, had her left arm dangling in the water with no more menacing a threat than harmless turtles in the area.  Only on this morning, a tiger shark attacked severing her left arm just below her shoulder.

She was rushed back to shore with her life in grave danger.  Bethany would lose sixty percent of her blood and spent the next three months of her life in a hospital.  She was thought to be finished as a competitive surfer with only one good arm.  Bethany before this incident was an active member of her church’s youth group[2].  She initially struggled with doubting God’s ways in the loss of her arm.

Everyone who has ever seen their dreams crushed like Bethany Hamilton can understand her doubt.   Now Today’s Gospel lesson tells us a similar story.

Mary Magdalene had just returned from Jesus’ tomb proclaiming: “I have seen the (Risen) Lord[3].” The Disciples couldn’t at first believe such a foolish sounding thing.

They had seen Jesus arrested by the Romans; they knew he was sentenced to be crucified by the Romans; they knew the Romans never failed to kill an intended victim properly.   The Disciples initial reaction upon hearing Mary Magdalene’s claims of resurrection probably would mirror many of ours: “They rolled their eyes, they smirked.” The Disciples didn’t  go looking for Jesus; they instead stayed home thinking there was something better to do with their Sunday evening.

The Disciples remained so afraid of the Romans in the wake of Jesus’ death; they locked the door to the room in which they were staying[4]. The Disciples had seen plots by both Romans and their fellow countrymen in the last week against both Jesus and Lazarus.  They weren’t going to take any chances.

But when the Disciples least expected to see Jesus, he was standing in the room alongside them.

“Peace be with you.”  He showed the Disciples his hands and his sides and they all begin to celebrate.

Jesus then proclaims: “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven[5].” Everyone seems ready to go home happy, everyone except for the lone disciple Thomas.

Thomas was gone when Jesus appeared.  Where was Thomas?  My old preaching professor David Lose theorizes that Thomas after the crucifixion did whatever fans do when your team loses the big game[6].  Thomas planned to get on with his life. Thomas was planning to travel home.  Thomas’ dreams were crushed, so Thomas sought to get out of Jerusalem to save his life.  

So now Thomas hears Jesus is risen, Thomas is skeptical. Thomas knew the Romans always used spears to pierce victim’s sides.  Whereas the Disciples had told Thomas, Christ rose from the dead, Thomas wasn’t there to see it, and Thomas hadn’t seen Jesus since.

So Thomas declares boldly before his fellow disciples: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas of all characters in the Bible gets a bad rap.  He is forever known as Doubting Thomas though he merely requests the same amount of proof that Mary Magdalene and the other Disciples had already received.

The Bible besides Thomas includes many stories of doubters[7].  Gideon lived in Israel shortly after the people returned from Egypt[8]. Israel was on the verge of collapsing into the hands of the mighty Midianite army. God begins to speak to Gideon, instructing him that he would be the man through which God would save the nation. Gideon doubted.  Gideon had never been a recipient of good fortune in life before this. He was the guy that always got caught in unexpected rainfall.  Gideon had no physical attributes that inspired great confidence. One could say that Gideon lacked self-esteem. No way God could use Gideon to save the nation. So Gideon demanded signs.  He tested God twice before the hard shell surrounding his doubt began to crumble. God’s promises though led Gideon to an eventual victory.

Job doubted as God let him lose his wife, his kids, his possessions, and finally his health. Jeremiah doubted as he saw the wicked Babylonians conquer his nation’s capital.  While King David is known for the 23rd Psalm declaring: “The Lord is My Shepherd.”, the 22nd Psalm where he cries out: “My God, My God why have you forsaken me” is often forgotten[9].”

Many similar arguments can be found in the pages of scripture regarding doubting God out of disappointment made by those who struggle with their faith today[10].

In seeking to understand Thomas further, I came across the words of Henry Drummond who distinguished between a “doubter” and an “unbeliever[11].”  A doubter is searching for God, whereas an unbeliever is searching for the temptations of this world. A doubter is a person who may have a thousand questions for God about the universe, whereas the unbeliever doesn’t care. A doubter struggles to find God’s purposes, whereas unbeliever merely struggles with the challenges of everyday life[12].

So Thomas shouldn’t be singled out for his doubt; in fact, God seems rather doubt tolerant[13].  Thomas had a tough last week seeing one of the closest people in the world to him die brutally via crucifixion.   Thomas doubted because he was skeptical of being burned again by “false”  hope. 

So what ends up happening to Thomas? One week after Thomas had given his speech about how he will not believe.  Jesus appears before Thomas in a locked room. Jesus declares: “Peace be with you!” “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas upon hearing these words calls out to Christ for eternal salvation.  Thomas’ life would forever change after encountering the Resurrected Lord.  Thomas would switch his plans to return home, instead traveling to India to be the first believer to spread the hope of Resurrection within this foreign land.

Thomas came to realize that God’s plans for Thomas were bigger than even Thomas’ doubts. 

What happened to Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who suffered a shark attack? She doubted God, eventually returned to youth group, and started surfing again on a custom made surfboard. Bethany would win an ESPN Espy award for Best Comeback Athlete when she returned to being a nationally completive surfer[14].

Twelve years after Bethany Hamilton’s accident, she would declare: “12 years ago I lost my arm, but since then I have gained so much! I'm so thankful for my life...just as it is! If not for my faith in God, I can't say I would think the same thing. God is good[15]."

Thomas would witness an arrest and attack of Jesus at the hands of the Romans.  Thomas doubted that he would ever see Jesus alive again. Thomas’ doubt though would soon turn to belief before his very eyes. Thomas’ life would never be the same ever again.

What do these stories of Bethany Hamilton, Gideon, and Thomas mean for us?

Let me close with one final tale, Field of Dreams tells the story of a struggling Iowa farmer named Ray Kinsella[16].  Kinsella one night hears a foolish voice crying out: “If you build it, he will come.”  Kinsella interprets the voice to mean that he needed to build a Baseball field in the middle of his corn crop to hopefully bring about reunion with  his long-dead father.

The most skeptical person around Ray  is his brother in law Mark[17]. Mark continually demands that Ray use his good judgment and sell the farm. Mark fears what would happen to his sister Annie and niece Karin if Ray persists in his foolish beliefs.  Ray claims to be watching long-dead baseball players, whereas Mark merely sees empty bases.

Mark eventually  gets so heated at Ray that they scuffle. Ray’s young daughter Karin is knocked to the ground unconscious[18]. Ray’s foolishness seems destined to cost Karin her life. Mark the doubter appears to soon be proven right.

Then a miracle happens that leaves everyone speechless.  To Mark the Doubter, what appeared to be an invisible baseball player leaves the field, to save Karin from choking to death. 

Mark’s doubt is turned to belief. Mark begins to beg Ray not to sell his farm.  Mark had witnessed a supernatural event like no natural event he had ever known, so he would never understand life in the same way, ever again. The greatest skeptic about Ray’s baseball field had become the greatest believer!

The Resurrection of Jesus does the same thing to us.  It speaks to our doubts, our fragility, and our failures.  In the moments of our greatest desperation, Christ appears before us speaking the words to Thomas from earlier in John’s Gospel: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you[19]?” Amen
 


[1] “Bethany Hamilton.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.  11.Apr.2019. Web. Apr.11.2019. 
[2] “Soul Surfer.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 29.Dec.2018. Web. Apr.11.2019. 
[3] John 20:19-31
[4] John 20:19. 
[5] John 20:23.
[6] Lose, David. “Blessed Doubt.” In the Meantime (David Lose.net). 29.Mar.2016. Web. Apr.11.2019. 
[7] Chris. “Three Bible Heroes Who Doubted.” Bible Gateway. 9.Aug.2012. Web. Apr.11.2019.
[8] Weldy, Brandon. “Gideon the Great Doubter.” Medium. 28.May.2018. Web. Apr.11.2019.
[9] Yancey, Phillip. “Faith and Doubt.” Philip Yancey.com. 2009. Web. Apr.11.2019. 
[10] Yancey, Phillip. “Faith and Doubt.” Philip Yancey.com.
[11] Markquardt, Edward. “Thomas the Doubter.” Sermons from Seattle. Web. Apr.11.2019. 
[12] Markquardt, Edward. “Thomas the Doubter.” Sermons from Seattle.
[13] Yancey, Phillip. “Faith and Doubt.” Philip Yancey.com.
[14] Bethany Hamilton.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[15] Ong, Czarina. Bethany Hamilton: I lost an arm to a shark but gained so much faith in God in return “Christian Today. 6.Feb.2017. Web. Apr.11.2019. 
[16] The following analogy comes from Text Week under movie scenes for the week of Easter 2C under seeing/not seeing.
[17] “Field of Dreams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 2nd April.2019. Web. April.11.2019. 
[18] Field of Dreams.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[19] John 14:1-2.  

Acts 10: 34-43
Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15: 19-26
​John 20: 1-8

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”-John 11:25-26. 

I want to begin by telling you the story of a young girl named Mary Ann Bird.  Mary Ann was born with a cleft palate and disfigured lip[1].  Mary Ann was also deaf in one ear.  Children growing up were cruel to Mary Ann.  They would continually make fun of her very obvious physical ailments.  “What happened to your lip Mary Ann?”  They shouted mockingly in her direction. 

The worst day every year for Mary Ann was the day of the annual hearing test.  The test was given in the days when teachers administered the test in front of the classroom.  Mary Ann dreaded further mockery from failing in front of all her classmates.  Mary Ann would secretly try to cup her good ear, so somehow some way she would pass.[2] 

This year, Mary Ann’s teacher was Miss Leonard.  Miss Leonard was the most popular teacher in the school.  Miss Leonard was a short and stout woman, but everyone was drawn to Miss Leonard’s kindness.  Every student yearned to be Miss Leonard’s teacher’s pet[3]. 

Then came the day of the dreaded hearing test.  For most students the lines were straightforward: “The sky is blue.” Or “You have new shoes.”

Mary Ann was next, Miss Leonard began to whisper into her ear seven words that would forever change Mary Ann Bird’s life. 

Miss Leonard whispered into Mary Ann’s ear: “I wish you were my little girl[4].”  I imagine tears came to Mary Ann’s eyes as she heard for the first time in her life such powerful words of grace. 

Mary Ann would be forever changed from this day forward.  She would believe that she was lovable and find it a long, happy marriage living to see the birth of her great grand- children.  She was known to those around her for her sense of care.  She was a devout Christian, who led Bible study, and attended church until her death[5]. 

Now this morning, I want to tell you a similar story.  This woman’s name was Mary Magdalene.  Mary Magadalene’s ailment was not physical, but spiritual.  Mary Magdalene was possessed by a demon[6].  Her life is forever changed when she encounters Jesus earlier in his ministry as he drives seven demons out of her. Mary Magdalene then becomes one of Jesus’ closest followers.  She was a witness to his crucifixion, his burial, and now this Sunday morning she journeys to visit his tomb.  

She immediately notices the stone guarding his tomb is no longer there.  She goes to find the Disciples Peter and John to investigate what she thought had been a grave-robbing.  They see strips of Jesus’ burial linen and cloth lying on the ground. The Disciples finding no sign of Jesus’ body then return home. Mary Magdalene stays behind to weep at the cruelty of Jesus’ death and grave-robbing.

Mary Magdalene looks towards the tomb sees two figures sitting there in white asking: Woman, why are you crying [7]“

Mary replied: “They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they have put him[8].”

Mary Magdalene then turns around is startled as she sees a man standing there who she wasn’t expecting to see. She didn’t instantly recognize him. “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Said the unidentified man.

Mary thinks this was the man who worked the gardens outside the tomb.   Mary’s probably getting angry by this point at all these questions from strangers before declaring: “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Earlier I told you the story of Mary Ann Bird having her life changed by seven words. “I wish you were my little girl.”  Mary Magdalene’s life was changed by one word;  hearing her name “Mary[9].”

As soon as she heard her name, the gates of heaven were open, Mary Magdalene became the First Christian, the first believer in the Resurrection, the first person to see sin’s power crumble before her very eyes.

Mary Magdalene gets so excited that she runs from the tomb, to tell the other Disciples.  Mary Magdalene would spend the remaining days of her life telling everyone who would now listen that she had seen the Risen Lord! The Grave had now been conquered.

The Apostle Paul would describe the Resurrection witnessed by Mary Magdalene impact for all believers quite well a generation later when he declared:
“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”-1st Corinthians 15:12-14.

Christ’s Resurrection to Jesus’ earliest followers meant a chance for all who believe to rewrite their obituary from death to life permanently.

Let me close this morning with one final story to illustrate what exactly took place for Mary Magdalene when she heard her name called out by the Risen Lord.

The year was 1867.  A 34-year-old scientist named Alfred Nobel invented dynamite.   Dynamite was immediately quite popular in both construction and warfare. It was especially widely used within the mining industry in this country. Alfred Nobel soon became very, very rich[10].  He eventually becomes the owner of 100 factories that made explosives within more than twenty different countries. Alfred Nobel’s life was going great until one day in 1888 when Nobel’s brother Ludvig died of a heart attack[11].

A newspaper in France heard that a Nobel had died and assumed it to be Alfred. The paper proceeded to write the nastiest obituary they could in the wake of what they thought to be Alfred Nobel’s death. They called him a “merchant of death,” they attribute his fortune to finding new ways to “mutilate and kill.” Alfred Nobel was distraught upon reading this nasty obituary. Alfred Nobel vowed to become known for something else[12]. 

The year was 1895.  Alfred Nobel signed his last will in Paris at the Swedish-Norwegian Club. Nobel was going to give his entire fortune worth nearly 300 million dollars (today) to establish prizes for those who have given the greatest benefit for humankind in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and ultimately peace[13].  The Nobel Peace Prize which sought to preserve life was ultimately born out of death.
 
Alfred Nobel died in 1896[14].  Now when people hear his name, he is no longer known as the inventor of “dynamite,” he is rather known for his efforts at bringing forth peace.  All this happened because his obituary was ultimately wrong.

Easter Sunday is a celebration of another obituary being wrong that Mary Magdalene believed had already been permanently written.  Jesus was no longer dead; he was now risen! Mary Magdalene would no longer be defined by her fear over what lied ahead. She would no longer be defeated by guilt over her past sins. Mary Magdalene instead hears on this day: “My body was given and shed for you.” “I have claimed your salvation.” “Life does not end in death for Mary Ann Bird, Alfred Nobel, or Mary Magdalene; the tomb is indeed now empty.  Our Savior is now calling out our name!  Amen
 
 
 
 

[1] Charette, Brian. “On Compassion: The Whisper Test.” Leader Helps. 6.Feb.2017. Web. Mar.28.2019.
[2] Robb-Dover, Kristina. ““The Whisper Test” Belief Net. Web. Mar.28.2019. 
[3] Hoezee, Scott. “John 20:1-18.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 21.Mar.2016. Web. Mar.28.2019. 
[4] Hoezee, Scott. “John 20:1-18.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[5] Charette, Brian. “On Compassion: The Whisper Test.” Leader Helps
[6] Luke 8:2.
[7] John 20:13.
[8] John 20:13.
[9] John 20:16.
[10] Andrews, Evan. “Did a Premature Obituary Inspire the Nobel Prize?” History Channel. 9.Feb.2016. Web. Mar.28.2019. 
[11] Unknown. “Alfred Nobel Obituary.” Sermon Illustrations. Web. Mar.28.2019. 
[12] Andrews, Evan. “Did a Premature Obituary Inspire the Nobel Prize?” History Channel.
[13] Unknown. “Alfred Nobel Obituary.” Sermon Illustrations.
[14] “Alfred Nobel.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 5.Feb.2019. Web. Mar.28.2019. 

Responsive Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29
​Gospel Lesson: Luke 19: 28-40

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
When I was a student at Luther Seminary, I would have the chance to attend a lot of Minnesota Twins games.  I lived about four miles from the Metrodome and on Student Night could get tickets for $3. 

My first year at Luther was 2003.  The Twins had a slow start to the season but ended the year strong winning the division and advancing to the playoffs.  The Twins were considered to be the little, plucky engine that could. The Twins nearly folded as a team one year earlier, due to what they claimed to be a lack of money playing in the Metrodome.  The Twins only survived due to a judge’s injunction.

So in the playoffs in 2003 the opponent was going to be none other than the New York Yankees.  The Yankees were the wealthiest team in Baseball.  Their players’ salaries were over a 180,000,000.  They spent three times as much money on their team as the Twins and over 50% more than any other team in Baseball.  The Yankees had won four of the last seven World Series.   There was seemingly no bigger villain at the time then the really, big city New York Yankees. The Yankees were blamed by many Twins fans for us nearly losing our team.

The two teams were playing a best of five series. The Twins won the first game in New York but lost the second.  They were now going to play in the same Metrodome where the Twins had never lost a World Series game.  Optimism among Twins fans was high.

On the Friday before the Weekend games, there was going to be a rally in Downtown Minneapolis.  I was going to go.  I brought the one bit of Twins gear that I had in my room which was an over-sized plastic sundae Twins batting Helmet to wear upon my head.

The first speaker on this day was the Governor of Minnesota at the time, Tim Pawlenty.  Pawlenty was celebrating a particularly good fall with both the Vikings and Gophers football undefeated into October when the Governor declared they might have to rename the state: “Winnesota.”

I would eat up every act designed to whip the crowd into a frenzy.  The batting helmet kept sliding off my head in my cheering.  There could be no greater victory for my native, Minnesota than beating the bigger, bad arch-rival New York Yankees.

My enthusiasm was such at the rally that in a crowd of thousands, I was interviewed and featured by the Star Tribune for a next days’ story on passionate Twins fans.  

What ended up happening with the Twins and Yankees, we’ll get back to that story in just a little bit.

A similar scene of sorts takes place within our Gospel for Today. People were excited.  Word of Jesus’ latest and greatest miracle the Resurrection of Lazarus had spread.

Jerusalem was already one of the bigger cities in the ancient world. Now with the festival of the Passover ready to begin, its population would increase seven-fold.  Everyone would have heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in nearby Bethany mere miles away. 

The great enemy for the people gathered in Jerusalem on this day was the Romans.  The Roman Empire was dominant during Jesus’ life. They controlled the World from the British Channel to the Deserts of North Africa. Their empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the heart of the Middle East.  The World was at relative peace in Jesus’ day because no one dared challenge Roman Rule.

Roman Rule though was despised among the people of Judea. Riots against the Romans were commonplace.  The Romans were hated for the taxes they charged to subjects of the Empire. The Romans were hated for disrespecting the Jewish Religion by seeking to elevate their emperors to equality with God[1]. 

Like the Twins and the Yankees, the good guys and the bad guys were truly set up heading into Palm Sunday among the crowd who would soon gather.

On one side was the mighty Romans who dominated the world and its subjects.  On the other side was the great hope coming from the rumors that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.   If Jesus had done this, there was no telling what he might do next, especially if he confronted the Romans. 

  The week ahead was seemingly going to be the best chance to take down the Romans since they seized the land nearly ninety years prior.  

Emotions were going to run especially high as the Roman soldiers were going to be on prominent display to try to stop further violence from breaking out during Holy Week[2].  

So with this background in mind let’s look towards Luke’s Gospel from which our reading comes[3]. Here’s what stands out from Our Gospel reading.

Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem upon a young colt, people through their coats on the ground as an act of reverence[4].

The exchange that ends the passage stands out. 

As Jesus is coming down the road, the Disciples are excited!

They start shouting out: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest[5]!”    

Among the witnesses to this scene were the Pharisees. The Pharisees couldn’t believe that Jesus’ disciples would get so excited at his presence like they did.  They ask Jesus to rebuke the Disciples for their enthusiasm.  Tell them to stop making so much noise.  The Pharisees would be mad if Jesus’ Disciples got so excited that their head coverings fell off. 

You see this exchange sets the stage for Holy Week.  The Pharisees would reappear later during Holy Week.

John 18:3-4: “So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.” Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

As for the Disciples, Judas betrays him, and right before his trial.

Matthew 26:56: “Then all the disciples deserted him (Jesus)  and fled.”

Holy Week had started pretty good for the Disciples.  They witnessed Jesus march into town on a donkey to a cheering crowd; they then watched him stroll into the Temple and overturn the money-changer's tables.  They sat down for what they never imagined to be their Last Supper.  They saw Jesus arrested and the hope from earlier in the week was crushed before their very eyes.

Back to the Twins and Yankees. What happened in the day after I went to the exciting rally nearly losing my batting helmet? The Yankees won the next two days.  The Twins season was over. 

Fast forward to 2004; The Twins are playing the Yankees once again. The Twins win the first game in New York, lose the second in extra innings.  Back in Minnesota, this time My Dad and I have tickets to the games. We watch the Yankees drill the Twins in Game 3. Game 4 was the Day of My 25th Birthday; victory seemed inevitable. The Twins were going to turn it around winning 5-1 heading into the 8th Inning.  Yankees tie the game in the 8th Inning. The Yankees win the game in the 11th Inning[6].

50,000 Twins fans leave the stadium in silence as the mighty Yankees had triumphed yet again.  The players go clean their lockers out.  A long, cold winter comes to Minnesota.

The Disciples probably had a similar response when they heard the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate had put Jesus to death. 

Crucifixion was previously undefeated as a death sentence.  The Disciples probably imagined they were going to be returning to their lives as mostly ordinary fishermen in Galilee. When people ask if they knew “Jesus” put to death by the Romans.  They like Peter would try to distance themselves.    They would be hesitant to admit that they were ever as enthusiastic as they were on Palm Sunday.

Seeing Jesus march into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Disciples could never imagine the turn of events that the week ahead might bring: potential victory, inevitable defeat, and finally Resurrection from the grave itself! The Disciples could never imagine what they were about to witness was soon to send them to every corner of the globe only now they would shout out: “He is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed.” 

Palm Sunday reminds  that no matter how mighty an opponent might appear to be within your life whether it be the New York Yankees, the Romans, or sin and death.  Jesus is marching onward into Jerusalem towards victory. Amen


[1] Markquardt, Edward. “Riots of Pilate.” Sermons from Seattle. Web. March.19.2019. 
[2] Taylor, Rev.Dr. Nancy. “Players and Protagonists in the Kingdom of God.” Day 1. 20.March.2016. Web. March.21.2019. 
[3] Luke 19:28-40. 
[4] Luke 19:36. 
[5] Luke 19:38. 
[6] Baseball Reference. “2004 American League Divison Series (Game 4).” Minneapolis. 9.Oct.2004. Web. Mar.21.2019.