Brent Kuhlman

Pentecost 4

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:38:47 -0600

Click here to listen to an mp3 of this sermon.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8)
21 June 2009

St. Mark 5:21-43

No sleeping, snoring Jesus this week. No boating this weekend. He’s on the beach after calming the storm and after healing a demon possessed man who lived in a cemetery. Lord Jesus. Lord of the winds and the waves. Lord over sin, death, and the devil. No wonder a great crowd is waiting for Him on the shore. People have been waiting. Waiting for generations. For centuries. For the kingdom of God. For the Christ. And here He is – fully awake -- on the seashore.

In Mark’s Gospel people come out of the woodwork. People you’d never expect. But word has been leaking out that the Messiah has come. And so off these hungry-for-the-Gospel-people go looking for Jesus. Trusting in Jesus. Giving Him the highest of worship: faith.

Today there’s two. No “little” faith with them like the disciples in the boat last week. Or total rejection by the Gerasenes just a few verses before this text.

First up: Jairus -- the big shot synagogue ruler. Has a little girl. Twelve years old. She is very sick. Deathbed sick. Hospice sick. There’s not much time left. Down to just hours. Maybe even minutes. Where does Jairus look for help? To whom does he desperately look?

Not to himself. Jairus is nothing. But to the Savior who has burst on to the scene! Jairus gets through the crowd to Jesus. But the mighty synagogue official comes before Lord Jesus only as a beggar. Falls down before Jesus’ feet and out spills the beggar’s cry of faith: “My little girl is at death’s door. Please, please come. Lay your hands on her and bless her Jesus so that she can get better and live.”

They take off. Off to the house. “Hurry Jesus! We don’t have much time!” Everyone’s on the edge of their seats to see what will happen. Jesus marches along to save a little girl from the icy grip of death itself. As they go the throng of humanity presses, squeezes and pushes against the Lord Jesus.

They’re making progress. Going as fast as they can to the house. Then all of sudden Lord Jesus hesitates. No. Comes full stop! Someone has touched His coat! And Jesus perceives that He’s helped someone because His divine healing power flowed from His body. He won’t budge until He finds out who came to Him in faith. “Which one of you touched my garments?” Jesus asks.

Are you kidding Jesus? Good grief! There’s a whole mass of humanity pressing up against you! It’s a scene of human gridlock and yet you ask, “Who touched me?”

During this delay Jairus is probably getting quite anxious. Every second counts. But Jesus delays. He wants to know. Someone who believes in Him touched Him.

And lo and behold it is a woman. An unclean, outcast from the worshiping community hemorrhaging-for-twelve-years-woman. Spent all her savings on physicians. And their health care only made her condition worse. She’s heard that Messiah has come. So she dares to come up from behind Him to touch – just touch a piece of His coat. And she felt it. The healing. The hemorrhaging dries up.

His eyes meet up with hers. She’s terrified. She too is reduced to being only a beggar before the Lord. Falls down before Him. Confesses what she, an unclean, hemorrhaging woman has done. “It was me Lord! I touched you! I’m sorry. I was so sick. The physicians took all my money. Made my condition worse. You’re all I have left Jesus. You’re the only one who can help me!”

And Lord Jesus, in this mass of humanity, is there entirely for her. Yes, that’s right, there just for her – this poor, poor woman. He absorbs her uncleanness. Takes it in His body in order to take it to Calvary and die for it. And in exchange she is cleansed. Restored. Redeemed. She is not just a woman. Now she is a: DAUGHTER! She belongs. She’s a part of God’s family.

Jesus praises her faith. Her faith in Jesus. “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your sickness.”

But this delay has cost Jairus dearly. While Jesus was having this divine service on the road, messengers arrive to tell Jairus that his daughter has died. “No need to bother with this Jesus anymore Master Jairus,” they say. “He’s of no use now!”

Jesus overhears this conversation. He steps up to the plate. “Do not be so afraid any more. I’m here. Only believe!”   An outstanding promise from the One who is the Resurrection and the Life. “Do not fear. Only believe.”

So off they go again to the house. Jesus lets Peter, James and John go along. Once they get to the house the commotion and lamentation is in full swing. In those days mourners were even hired.

Jesus acts like nothing is wrong. And really with Him nothing is ever wrong. “Why all the weeping and wailing? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping!” And their crying turns into hilarious laughter. The only time in the New Testament that Jesus evokes laughter. It’s a mocking laughter. “What an idiot! What a maroon! Of course she’s dead! Who is this fool Jairus?” And the world still laughs at this Jesus who treats death like a sleep.

Jesus leaves the mockers outside and goes in to the little girl’s bedroom. Takes Dad, Mom, Peter, James, and John with Him. Grabs her hand. He’s there entirely for her. “Talitha kum! (Little girl, it’s time to get up now!)”

And His words do what they say. They give what they say. The twelve year old daughter “immediately” gets up and walks around the room.

The woman was hemorrhaging to death. Jairus’ daughter died. But Jesus was there entirely for them. Two daughters. One healed. One raised from the dead. Both given even more: salvation.

Today you’ve come out of the woodwork. Expecting good gifts from Lord Jesus. You have His promise too: “Do not be afraid. Only believe. Believe that I’ve raised you from the dead in Baptism to live a new life of faith in Me.” Yes, indeed. Jesus is here entirely for you. With all the power of His dying for you. His Body. His Blood. For you for you to eat for pardon from all your sin. That’s His promise. Once you were dead. But now you are alive. And then more to come. Resurrection and eternal life on the Last Day. "I’m here entirely for you too. Do not be afraid. Only believe."

In the Name of Jesus.

Pentecost 3

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:24:39 -0600

Click here to listen to an mp3 of this sermon.

Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7)
21 June 2009

St. Mark 4:35-41

Jesus is asleep. Sleeping soundly. That’s just fine until disaster strikes. All of a sudden a massive sea storm hits. It rages out of control. And Jesus just goes on snoozing. Even as the boat’s filling with water and going under. The fishermen and boating disciples are squared up to the possibility of experiencing a tragic death by drowning at sea. What any maritime sailor or fisherman fears the most. And where’s Jesus? At the stern sacked out on a soft cushion. What a time to be sawing logs! What a time for Jesus to be taking a nap!

Didn’t have life jackets in those days. No cell phones or ham radios to issue an S.O.S. No coast guard or boat patrols. The boat is no match for the waves. The sea faring disciples are no match for the furious tempest. They can’t bail fast enough. All they’ve got is a snoring Jesus! That’s right, a sleeping, snoring, completely at peace Jesus! The storm doesn’t bother Him a bit!

Can they trust a sleeping at the stern Jesus in the midst of such a deadly storm? How about you?

The disciples have their doubts. The stormy sea seems greater than Jesus. “Good grief Jesus! Don’t you care that we’re drowning? Peter, take him by the shoulders and shake Him! Wake up Jesus! Wake up!”

What is it in your life that appears bigger than Jesus? Something that you believe Jesus can’t handle? Especially a slumbering Jesus? What sin or sins? Is it death? Is it Satan? Hell? An illness? Family or work problems? What dangers? Too big for Jesus are they?

Faith is little when the object of faith – Jesus -- grows little!

And so as the storm rages the disciples struggle to trust a sleeping on the stern cushion Jesus. Little faith – little Jesus.

What’s the storm or storms in your life that block or hinder you from trusting Jesus who goes into the deep sleep of death on the cross? “Don’t you care Jesus? Are you sleeping on the job? Wake up! Wake up!”

He does care. Very much. He entered our world because He cares. Took on our flesh and blood because He cares. Preached the good news of God’s kingdom, healed the sick, cast out demons, and absolved sinners because He cares. He goes to the cross to die -- all because He cares so deeply!

And so Jesus asks the disciples and us today: “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”

So Jesus gives the disciples, you, and me a bigger dose of Himself. He wakes up. Stands up in the boat. Rebukes the wind and commands the sea to: “Hush up! Be still!”   His words do what they say. No winds. No waves. Perfectly calm. Saved from certain death by drowning by the words from His mouth.

The disciples and we are nothing. Jesus is everything! Who are we compared to Jesus? Even an asleep at the stern Jesus? Nothing! Job learned this lesson too after suffering misfortune and tremendous tragedy in his life.

“Who is this Jesus then?” the disciples ask each other. “That even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus is the One who laid the foundation of the earth. He set the boundaries for the oceans. Jesus is the Lord of all – Lord of everything He’s created. We are not.

“So why were you so afraid?” Jesus asks. “Why let wind and waves terrify you when I’m with you? Do you still have no faith?”

That is a huge question from the Lord Jesus! Why are we so afraid? What do we trust more than Jesus? Who do we trust more than Jesus? Especially when our lives are thrown into chaotic disorder?

What’s the answer? What’s the honest answer? It’s because we struggle to believe. We’d rather not trust Jesus above all things. We’d rather not love Him with all our heart. We are bound and determined to reserve control of things and situations for ourselves. Use this gimmick or that idol to ensure and create our own wellbeing and eternal welfare. Or to put it this way: we reserve the right to keep two hands on the rudder because sometimes Jesus is asleep at the stern.

For this Jesus would lead us to repentance and faith. The good news is that we are not in control. Jesus is.

He is with us in His little boat the holy Christian Church. Sometimes she appears to be going under as she encounters all sorts of worldly temptations and demonic attacks. But Jesus remains the captain of His ship. You’re safe and sound with Him. He went into the deep sleep of death for you on the cross.

And in what looked like utter and complete weakness Jesus revealed His power. For now you are covered in His sin cleansing Blood. He speaks His holy and saving Name on you in Baptism. Breathed His own life giving breath into you through the Word of Absolution. He speaks and gives you His Body and His Blood as the medicine of immortality. He bespeaks you righteous with His Word of forgiveness.

“Who is this Jesus that even the winds and the waves obey Him?” He is the Savior. Calmly leading you to heaven through every storm and every disaster. Gently guiding you to trust only in Him even when everything appears to be going under. Even when it appears that He doesn’t care.

He does. He took all your fears, your deepest dreads, everything that troubles you, terrifies you, keeps you up at night, causes you to panic in His Body on the cross. Absorbed it all into His death. Nailed it all to the tree. Buried them in His tomb. And now with His words of “I died for you; you are forgiven; heaven is yours,” everything is calm, ordered, and in peace.

In the Name of Jesus.

Pentecost Two

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:46:08 -0600

Click here to listen to an mp3 of this sermon.

Second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6)
14 June 2009

St. Mark 4:26-34

When the Lord does a kingdom of God it comes as a big surprise. Who would have thought the kingdom of God on the earth would look like this: God taking on human flesh? Born of a virgin? Betrayed? Abandoned? Hated? Arrested? Beaten? Suffering a horrific cruciform death at the hands of the Romans? Buried in an empty tomb?

But on that cross Jesus is king! Sets up His kingdom! His reign on the earth. Jesus reigns among sinners on Good Friday as the Savior. The history of the universe climaxes when Jesus is grave yard dead – taking the world’s and your sin in His body to bury it in the black hole of His tomb.

Behold the kingdom of God! When Jesus is lifted up on the tree of the cross! That tree meant death for King Jesus. Your sin damned Him there. But that tree means life for you! His blood shed there cleanses you from all sin. All the sin you’ve ever committed and will commit. All the sin that has been or will be committed against you. King Jesus dies for you. Giving His life into death for you and for your salvation.

Now that’s a king! That’s a kingdom! Right here on the earth. The kingdom of God comes with the Lord Jesus Christ!

And all this is what Jesus was up to when speaking in parables. “Always speaking in parables” to the people. Explaining what they meant to the disciples.

Two parables today. The parable of the growing seed and the parable of the mustard seed. They’re kingdom parables. I.E. stories that describe the kingdom of God or God’s reign on the earth in Jesus.

Jesus says: “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on to the ground.” “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed planted in the ground.”

Right off we learn that the kingdom is sown. It’s been planted on the earth. That’s Jesus. He’s the king and the kingdom all wrapped up in one. The first sermon Jesus preached made this absolutely clear when He proclaimed: “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand,” (Mark 1:15). And since the kingdom of God has arrived in the person of Jesus, it is time to “repent and believe in the Gospel,” (Mark 1:15).

The Lord Jesus comes. Planted smack dab on the earth in Mary’s womb. Born in the city of David. And heaven cracks wide open with the angelic hosts proclaiming “peace” that comes with kingdom of God King Jesus who reconciles sinners with His Father. Yes, indeed, the kingdom comes. Like a seed planted – like a mustard seed planted deep into the soil of this earth.

And we have no control. God the Father is the farmer that plants His Seed, His only begotten Son Jesus into our midst. And Jesus just does His thing: lives, dies, and rises as the atoning sacrifice for all our sin. Here’s how Jesus describes it (I embellish for fun and to make Jesus’ point even clearer): “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil. That’s it! Just throws it willy-nilly on the ground, heads back to the house, calls it a day and hits the sack. He gets up with the roosters at sunrise. Puts the coffee on. Whips up a Swiss cheese omelet. Watches the Price Is Right. Unclogs the kitchen sink. Winds the cuckoo clock. Shops on-line. Throws an evening supper party for friends: roasted lamb, asparagus, red potatoes, and the best Merlot. Watches the late night news programs and calls it another day. Does the same routine day after day, week after week, month after month – not giving even a thought to the Kingdom Seed He’s planted.”

Sound kind of reckless, doesn’t it?

And yet Jesus says: “and the seed sprouts up and grows all by itself . . . first the blade, then the head, then the grain, and then the harvest. ”

Same with the mustard seed – the extremely small mustard seed. “The kingdom of God is like that seed,” Jesus says. To the human eye it looks like a nothing. And yet planted, it does its thing. It grows. Larger than any thing you’d ever expect in the garden. Puts forth tree like branches so that the birds can lark around and nest under its shade.

Yes, indeed, the kingdom of God has been sown. That’s Jesus. He’s the seed planted into our sinful world that grows, that is, does its work. The work of salvation for you on the Tree planted on Mount Calvary.

You have been kingdom-ed! The kingdom has been sown in and among you. Jesus has planted His death and resurrection smack dab into your life. Spreads the shade of His Good Friday reign over you in your Baptism and in the giving of His precious Body and Blood for you in the Sacrament.

Forgiven, you are His little birds that rest and nest in the shade of the branches of His cross. You frolic in the bird- bath that is your Baptism. Singing and chirping the praises of Kingdom of God Jesus who reigns right in your midst with all the angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven.

In the Name of Jesus.

Festival of the Holy Trinity

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:35:40 -0600

Trinity Sunday
7 June 2009

Job 1 / John 3:14-17

The agony and heartache. The pain. Two weeks ago we unexpectedly lost our good friend and brother in Christ, Norman Kupke. And then came last Saturday afternoon’s awful collision on the highway just outside of Broken Bow.1

Times like this put your faith in God to the test. Can He be trusted? Does He even care? Is there any hope?

Do you remember Job from the Old Testament? Tragedy after tragedy in his life. The catastrophes came day after day, week after week. And Job didn’t ever say anything. But then came the biggest disaster any parent could ever encounter. It was the day he received the horrific news that a tornado destroyed the home of one of his sons and that all his children were killed as a result. All his children: dead in a matter of moments! Can you imagine? The immense pain. The colossal anguish. The uncontrollable sobbing.

All this reminds me of being at the ball field on Saturday, May 30. Hearing the news of Jake Ita’s deadly accident. His mother’s immeasurable anguish. Body shaking. Mind racing. Death had unexpectedly bored an enormous black hole into her life -- on of all days -- her son’s birthday.

But then comes the biggest surprise of all from Job. Do you remember what Job did and said after he lost all his children in one day? Here’s what he did and said: “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head.” We would expect this wouldn’t we? His heart is broken. But the comes the shocker of all shockers. After he rips his robe and shaves his head the text says: “Then he fell to the ground IN WORSHIP.”   He worships! He gives praise to God. Doesn’t blame God. Doesn’t curse God. Praises God in the worst of all calamities. Amazing!

Job then goes on to say: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised,” (Job 1:20-21).

The Lord has given. The Lord has taken away.

May the name of the Lord be praised even today as well. Even in the midst of our greatest tragedies and heartaches.

Why? Because God the Father has opened up His heart to us. God the Father has revealed Himself to us through His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”

Notice the verbs. And note who’s doing them. “Love.” “Gave.” God loves. God gives.

God loves you. Yes, you. Even when things happen in your life that seem to say just the opposite. He loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son into your flesh, born of the Virgin Mary, to bear your sin and answer for it all. To atone for all your sin and be your Savior.

The entire nature of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is this: that the Holy Trinity surrenders Himself to sinners in the promise of salvation. The very promise of which Jesus Himself speaks in the text: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

What a promise! From God Himself through His beloved Son. He’s not out to condemn you. That will come only if you insist on it. I tell you the truth: God doesn’t hate you. He loves you for Jesus’ sake. God keeps His promises. He doesn’t lie.

So you are given to hold fast to Jesus. He is the Savior. He came from the Father in heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit to save the world and you who live in this world! And that’s Good Friday. His bloody wounds. His gory death. That’s Easter Sunday. His resurrected body from the grave. Never to die again.

And what Jesus did -- He did for you. For Job. Job’s family. For Jake Ita, his father, his stepmother and all his family too. His promise to you who believe is this: eternal life. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life,” (John 3:14-15).

In John 11 Jesus blows our minds with another bold promise that only He can and will keep: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Job, who lost all his children in one day, believed this. In the midst of such loss came his bold confession of faith: “I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh [my resurrected flesh] I will see God,” (Job 19:25-26).

Brothers and sisters in Christ: hold Jesus to His promises. He loves to be caught in His promises. Especially when we loose our friends and the ones we love.

If you want to tear your clothes or shave your head like Job, go ahead. You’re free to do so. After all, your heart has been broken. And once again we have learned that we are all beggars before the Lord. Beggars eager to hear and receive His gifts.

God the Father has given you His Son Jesus into death to win your salvation. Both the Father and the Son have sent the Spirit through the Word to bestow the benefits of His Good Friday death. That’s why you are baptized in the Triune Name. And with His Name the Holy Trinity is with you to bless you. Born again as new creatures through water and the Spirit. And the very Body and Blood that Jesus offered on the cross for you as the atoning sacrifice for your sin He now gives you in the Sacrament with the promise that it is for the forgiveness of your sin. And where there is forgiveness of sin there is the promise of life and salvation.

Such are His promises. He’s there with His promises of the Gospel. We know God the Holy Trinity from His Gospel promises like the one we’ve heard today from Jesus:   “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

The is why Job could say and we can confess with him even in the midst of such pain in our lives: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised,” (Job 1:20-21).

Indeed, may the Name of the LORD be praised! In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

1 A word of explanation to the reader. On Saturday, May 30, fifteen year old Jake Ita (a classmate and friend of my son), his father Thad Ita, and stepmother Tricia Ita died as a result of a two vehicle head on collision. His ten-year-old sister Martina Ita (a classmate and friend of my daughter) was seriously injured and remains in the hospital. Jake’s nineteen-month-old half-sister Jaelyn Ita was not harmed. Why all this in a sermon within the liturgical context of the Day of the Holy Trinity in the church year? In the midst of this tragedy in our community I want to communicate what Oswald Bayer has observed in Dr. Luther’s teaching from the Scriptures, namely, that: “The triune nature of God is nothing other than the God who reveals himself in the gospel,” (Martin Luther’s Theology, 336). Martin Luther’s hymn “Dear Christians One and All Rejoice” confesses this so well. See Lutheran Service Book, #556. One stanza reads like this: “He said to His beloved Son: ‘It’s time to have compassion. Then go, bright jewel of My crown, And bring to all salvation.’”

Pentecost

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:18:58 -0600

Day of Pentecost
31 May 2009

John 15:25-26; 16:4b-15

Loads of talk these days about the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit this. Holy Spirit that. Lutherans are accused of not talking about the Holy Spirit enough. “Poor Holy Spirit,” they say. “You Lutherans don’t give Him enough attention. Talk more of the Holy Spirit.”

Nonsense! The Holy Spirit isn’t the star of the Holy Trinity. He’s the shy member of the Holy Trinity. Yes, that’s right, I said it: THE SHY MEMBER OF THE TRINITY! The Spirit refuses to talk about Himself. He’d rather talk about someone else. The Holy Spirit doesn’t want the spotlight on the Holy Spirit. He wants someone else in the Holy Trinity to get all the attention.

Who is that? Jesus. Yes, that’s right: Jesus!

When it comes to Jesus, shy member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is very bullish. Very focused. Jesus says: “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.”

Did you catch that? “He [the Holy Spirit] will testify about me,” Jesus declares. The Spirit, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth, bears witness to Jesus. To Jesus! Not to Himself! But to Jesus.

The Spirit’s all about Jesus. The Spirit’s all for Jesus. Jesus: conceived by the Holy Spirit-ed word put into Mary’s ears. Jesus: standing in the sin-infested baptismal water of the Jordan. Why? To take that sin, carry it all to Calvary, and answer for it all in His Body on the cross. Upon that Jesus the Spirit descends in the form of the dove.

Jesus is the Savior who takes on our flesh and dies with your sin in His Body. Jesus sheds His Blood for your cleansing. Jesus is the sacrifice that atones for your sin. Jesus takes the damnation sinners deserve. Jesus crushes the slimy serpent’s head and puts death to death through His Good Friday and Easter work.

And so the Spirit testifies to Jesus. In this work the Spirit is the Counselor or Comforter.

What is your sin? Name it. What have you failed to do? What are your false gods? Who is it – what is it -- that you trust more than Jesus? What is it that the devil always dredges up from your past in order to take you straight to hell?

The Spirit, the Spirit of truth, sent by the Son from the Father, comes to your help. Your aid. For your comfort. The Spirit speaks up. Comes out of His shell to tell you: “A sinner you are. Absolutely. And you certainly deserve God’s temporal and eternal punishment. But cling to the life of Jesus who died for you. Who baptized you with His Name and who gives you His own body and blood in the Sacrament. All your sins belong to Jesus not to you! He’s taken them and answered for them. He doesn’t hold them against you. I’m here to give witness. Not to Myself but to Jesus. He died for you!”

How wonderful. The Spirit preaches Jesus. “He will testify about me,” Jesus teaches so clearly.

And when there’s a crucified and risen Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins sermon going on, you know that the Holy Spirit is at work.

When your hearing Jesus preached into your ears – when sinners are baptized in Jesus’ name – when sinners are given to hear the invitation to eat and drink at the altar – the Holy Spirit has rolled up His sleeves and is busy at work. Testifying to Jesus. “Bringing glory” to Jesus as Jesus Himself says.

The Holy Spirit’s all about comforting you with Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. He could care less if you notice Him or not.

Now if you insist on not believing the Spirit’s witnessing and glorying in Jesus, then your end will be hellacious! Think you’re too good for Jesus then you stand condemned already by the Spirit. Listen to Jesus: “When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin . . . in regard to sin because people do not believe in me.”

There are many tragic and heartbreaking things in this life. But the biggest is what Jesus doesn’t want but it still happens. Some people just insist on it: it’s unbelief. Rejecting the Holy Spirit’s witness and glorying in Jesus the Savior.

And yet the Spirit goes on giving witness and glorying in Jesus. Especially in the righteousness of Jesus. And the righteousness of Jesus is this: What’s His is yours. His life, suffering, death and resurrection all counts for you. His going to the Father in His ascension counts for you too. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit filled Word and Sacraments, lords His sin forgiving and life giving work over you. His life passes muster before the Father for you. Not yours.

Jesus reigns over you with His bloody wounds. Covering your sin with His blood.

And so the devil, the prince of this world, is judged. He lies, deceives, and pretends that he’s still in charge over you. But he’s not. Jesus has won. Jesus is Lord.

And the Spirit takes “what belongs to Jesus” – the blessings of Jesus’ suffering and death – “and makes it all known to you.” Good Friday’s benefits – forgiveness, life and salvation – are given in Baptism, the preached and written Gospel, Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper. The Spirit “speaks only what He hears” Jesus says.

And what the Spirit hears is Jesus. Jesus: the crucified and risen One. Jesus is all the talk among the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. And the Spirit’s job is to give witness and to give all glory to Jesus.

With Jesus you are forgiven. You have salvation. Heaven is yours.

And so every Sunday as you hear Jesus preached as the crucified and risen Savior that He is for you, the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, is at work doing His thing. Shyly and yet very bullishly. And what joy and pleasure: every Sunday is a little Pentecost, namely, a pouring out of the Holy Spirit into your lives for trusting and believing in Jesus. What comfort!

In the Name of Jesus.

Norm Kupke Funeral

Brent Kuhlman — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:05:10 -0600

Funeral: Norman Willis Kupke
29 May 2009 (Friday of Easter 7)

St. John 11:21-45

On Tuesday morning I spoke the absolution. “Norm by Jesus’ command I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” His lips moved with a silent “Amen.” I prayed the Lord’s Prayer. His lips again gave the “Amen.” And then again at the Benediction. The “Amen” to what he always believed by the Holy Spirit. The “Amen” he gave every Sunday in the divine service. All his life.

Do you trust Jesus? Norm did.

After all, Norm, the man who loved to fish, had been fished. Caught in God’s net. God put His little fish Norm in the water of Holy Baptism to swim with the big fish: Jesus Himself! Safe and sound are the little fishes as they remain in the baptismal water with Big Fish Jesus.

Or to put it another way. Norm, the man who loved to put his boat in the water, through Holy Baptism, was given to float the Lord’s boat or better said the Lord’s ark. The holy Christian Church. Talk about a boat ride! And he never wanted to get off this ark. For he was safe and secure in the boat with Jesus! Even in the midst of all his latest rough rides. After all Jesus promises: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,” (Mark 16:16). Norm loved that promise from Jesus.

It’s easy to trust in Jesus when things are going well. But now’s the time when the rubber hits the road. In times of illness. Diabetes. Heart. Trouble walking. Trouble breathing. Struggling to pay the all the bills and keeping insurance in retirement. The aneurism. Surgery. And then Tuesday’s code blue.

Ask Martha. Ask Mary. Lazarus was sick. Death-bed sick. And then their beloved brother died. They asked Jesus to come. Begged Him. But Pastor Jesus shows up only after the funeral. After the burial. Talk about arriving too late. Talk about questionable pastoral care! “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” is their complaint.

But the fact is: Lazarus is dead. Four days dead. And so too Norm.

Can Martha and Mary trust Jesus with their brother’s death? How about you with Norm’s? Or even with your own?

I ask you this because Jesus doesn’t mess around with trivial things. He’s all about most important things. Eternal life or death things. The thing that matters the most.

And that’s faith in Him! That’s what Jesus is into! That’s what Jesus is most interested in.

Listen. He says to you, me, Martha and Mary: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

“He who BELIEVES in me,” He promises great things. Things that just blow the mind. Things that give great joy in times of great heartache and sorrow. “He who believes in me will live, yes live, even though he dies and is buried six feet under. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

And then, of course, the biggest question from Jesus: “Do you believe this?”

This is the eternal life or death question. From the Lord Himself. Martha’s answer: “Yes, Lord I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, was to come into the world.” And so did Norm believe.

And so to prove that what He says is true Jesus marches to Lazarus’ tomb. Barks out orders: “Take away the stone. I don’t care if his corpse has already begun to decompose and stick! Didn’t I tell you that if you BELIEVED, you would see the glory of God?” “Lazarus come out!”   And His words do what they say. Lazarus comes out: alive. Raised from the dead.

Lazarus: an object lesson that reveals that Jesus is indeed the resurrection and the life just as He promises.

“Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.”

Believed in Jesus because of what they saw.

But all you get is Jesus’ promise. His Word. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” And that’s enough. For His words are Spirit and they are life. He raised Lazarus through His word.   On the last day He’ll raise you too and Norm with a word: “Time to get up.”

Until then there’s faith in Jesus. That’s the whole point of a funeral: faith. Norm wouldn’t want you glorying in him. Norm would point you to Jesus His Savior who is the resurrection and the life. Norm would say: “I’m nothing. Jesus is everything! He died for you. He rose for you. Your sins are forgiven. You can trust in Him.”

Indeed! Believing in Jesus will see you through the long haul. Even through death itself. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies,” Jesus promises, “and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

So Norm’s where he’s always been: in Christ! Christ has him. Always has. Always will.

The day will come when we believers will have a happy reunion with Norm in heaven and rejoice to live in our resurrected bodies given to us on the last day. Then there will be no more diabetes. No more heart or kidney troubles. No more dying. No more tears. For “we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” Our bodies will be raised “imperishable” and clothed with “immortality.”

Fishing? Boating? In the new heaven and the new earth (2 Peter 3:13)? We’ll have to wait and see. Can you imagine the size of the bass and walleye? He may even get the itch to grade a road and plant a huge garden to share and enjoy its bounty. And maybe Norm will even be in the mood to try a few rounds of golf with me. I’ll even buy.

But what about haircuts? Do you think my resurrected head will still have the hair that can wear a flat top? I sure hope so. After all, Norm will have the strength to hold up his resurrected arms and use his resurrected barber skills to give me a flat top to end all flat tops. And you’ll all be jealous!

On second thought, no you won’t because there won’t be any envy after the resurrection either. Just the unending joy and love of having eternal life.

And all this because of Jesus’ promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the Name of Jesus.

Easter 6

Brent Kuhlman — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:48:51 -0600

Sixth Sunday of Easter
17 May 2009

St. John 15:9-17

We have received so much from the Lord Jesus. The enormity of His love for us is mind-boggling. He came down from heaven. Took on our flesh. Took our place. Shed His blood and died for us sinners – His enemies. Yes, that’s right, for His ungodly enemies. Laid down His life on the cross for us. Took all our sins and answered for them in His body. He chose us to be His own. He calls us His friends. Refuses to treat us as His enemies. Gave us His Spirit so that we trust in Him and His gifts. So immense is His love for us. We deserve none of it. Absolutely none of it!

What does Jesus expect in response from us who believe in Him? Or does He expect anything at all? Does He? He sure does. But I’d better let Jesus Himself say it. If I say it you may just blow me off. And that’s all right. Blow me off all you want. But it’s quite another thing to blow off the Lord Jesus who chose you and appointed you to bear fruit.

Oops! I leaked it out. Did you catch it? “Appointed you to bear fruit.”   Those are the Lord’s words, not mine. His idea. His will. Not mine.

Here’s what He says to you for whom He died: “This is my commandment: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”     “This I command you: that you love one another.”

Commandment. That’s pretty serious when Jesus says: “my commandment.” I.E. it’s not optional. It’s what He expects from us. Love for one another. That’s the fruit of faith in Jesus.

Love one another. The person next to you in the pew. The people all gathered here in this church. The people in your family. The people in your community. The nation. The world.   After all, Jesus died for them too. Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you.

And that’s where it’s really dicey isn’t it? Because there are people in your life that for whom you don’t care. And there are people who don’t care for you. And then the love grows cold. And as love cools – hate heats up. Then the devil steps in to stoke the hate flames so that relationships are destroyed.

“He hit me so I had to hit him back! She called me the “B” word so I gave it back to her in spades! He doesn’t like me so I don’t like him either. She said so many venomous things about me so I had to give it right back behind her back. He dropped the “F” bomb right in my face so I bombed it right back at him numerous times.” Tit for tat. Quid pro quo. Dog eat dog. The way of the world. No wonder it’s all such a mess.

But not so among you who believe in Jesus. Who bear His Name. Who have been given to eat and drink His most holy body and blood that given into death for your salvation. Who are forgiven everything for His sake. To you (not rocks or the church pews) Jesus says: “This is my commandment: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”     “This I command you: that you love one another.”

Jesus doesn’t need your love. You neighbor does. Your neighbor needs your help. Desperately! Your children. Your grandchildren. Your fellow church members. Your classmates. Your fellow citizens.

Jesus expects us to live not for ourselves, but for others.

For example. Why do most Americans work? So they can play on the weekend. Play in retirement. That’s why Americans play at their work and work at their play. That’s right: they play at their work and work at their play. That too is the way of the world. It’s all about the self. Fulfillment of self. Pleasuring one’s self.   Self this. Self that. A life turned in on itself.

But that’s the life of a slave. A prison. Self becomes an idol that never gives you any rest.

The opposite of the worship of the self is the freedom that faith in Jesus gives.   Instead of turned inward faith gives birth to the life of sacrificial love for people in your life. A life lived outside yourself. FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS. The life of love for one another.

There is where true joy is found. Joy that is complete. Laying down your life in self-sacrificial service for your neighbor. Meeting their needs not yours. Providing for what they need.

You are Christ’s friends. His died for all sin forgiven friends.

He has good use for you in this world. Listen again to what it is: “This is my commandment: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”     “This I command you: that you love one another.”

In the Name of Jesus.

Easter 5

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:16:06 -0600

Easter 5
10 May 2009

                                                                                    + Jesu Juva +

2 Timothy 1:5 “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

The apostle to the Gentiles is rotting in a Roman prison cell. Why? Paul preached that Jesus rose bodily from the dead. He proclaimed that this crucified but risen Jesus is the one true God who forgives sinners because of His sacrificial death on the cross. Such preaching and such a preacher is a threat to all the false gods and false religions of the world. And so prison is his earthly reward. A rabble-rouser. A disturber of the peace. And there’s no hope of Paul being acquitted and set free. Soon the apostle’s neck will be exposed to the Roman sword. Executed for confessing that Jesus is the Savior!

Paul longs to see his preaching companion and his emissary for twelve years, Pastor Timothy, one more time before the executioner’s sword makes him shorter by a head. Paul begs faithful Pastor Timothy to visit him at Rome. But that might not happen. Once winter arrives travel by sea would make it impossible for Timothy to travel to the empire’s capital. So prisoner Paul puts in writing all that he hopes to tell Timothy in person if and when he arrives.

Paul fondly remembers Timothy’s sincere faith in Jesus. The same faith that Timothy’s Hebrew Grandma Lois and Hebrew Mother Eunice had. These two women raised Timothy from infancy (2 Timothy 3:15) in the Old Testament promises that the Savior was coming. And in the preaching of crucified but risen Jesus, Timothy, Lois and Eunice believed the promise fulfilled.

Paul doesn’t mention Timothy’s father. We do know from Acts 16:1 that his father was Greek. But that’s all we know. The implication is that Timothy’s father did not believe in Jesus.

So it was up to the women: Grandma Lois and Mother Eunice. Up to them to take Timothy to church, teach him the Bible stories, teach him how to pray, and model the faith in God’s promises by their lives. And they did. From the time Timothy was born. Before he could ever walk or talk. And they kept it up. Through the tough teenage years and no doubt through the rebellious times in a young man’s life.

Thanks be to God for the women! For Grandma Lois and Mother Eunice! They were God’s instruments to pass on the faith to little Timothy.

He didn’t turn out like his father. By God’s Holy Spirited Word and God’s mercy his faith in Jesus produces much fruit. Timothy is a pastor in the Christian Church. One who publicly proclaims and defends the Gospel of Jesus the Christ! Who makes certain that the church is supplied with pastors for the preaching of the Gospel! And it wouldn’t have been possible unless the Lord used his grandmother and mother.

Thanks be to God for the mothers and grandmothers given to you! Whom God used as His instruments. Moms to give birth to you. Grandmas to help raise you. Put the band-aids on the skinned knees and elbows. Take you to the doctor when you had the flu.    Attend all the teacher’s conferences, ball games, and band recitals. Pay for school lunches, prom dresses, tuxedos, and senior pictures. Putting you on their cell phone plan. Helping with the car insurance. Scrimping and saving to put you through college. Perhaps a down payment on your first home. Spoiling the grandchildren.

Thanks be to God for Moms and Grandmas! Who brought you to Holy Baptism – the washing of regeneration and new birth by the Holy Spirit. Who taught you how to pray. Drug you to Sunday School and the divine service week after week, month after month, year after year. Drove you all those Wednesday nights to youth catechesis. Helped you memorize the answers to the Small Catechism questions like: “What is Baptism?” “What is Confession?” “What is the Sacrament of the Altar?” “Where is this written?”

Mothers and Grandmothers are God’s good gifts to us just as they were to Pastor Timothy. Doesn’t mean they’re perfect. They aren’t. Family members know their sins, flaws, and imperfections better than anybody.

And when those mistakes, warts, defects, and sins flare up we have the divine call to use Jesus as the Mediator that He is. To let Jesus and His love and forgiveness get between us so that we don’t destroy each other and our relationships. Especially with the ladies the Lord has given us in this life.

Jesus has forgiven you everything. Died for you. Answered for all your sin on the cross. Loves you that much. Salvation is yours for His sake. That’s His promise. Faith trusts His promise.

And so faith gives birth to love. Love for one another. Love not for yourself. But for others. Especially your mother. Especially your grandmother. They need your love that flows from your faith in Jesus. After all, love is patient. It is kind. Love bears all things. It doesn’t keep score.

No wonder that at the end of his life the apostle Paul rejoiced in Timothy’s sincere Christian faith.

And although I don’t think I’m at the end of my life – only God knows that – I pray that God gives me many more years with you here at Trinity. And as I am reminded of your sincere faith, your mother’s and your grandmother’s, I give thanks to Jesus who loved us so much that He gave Himself into death as the propitiation for all our sins.

Have a happy Mother’s Day.

In the Name of Jesus.

Easter 4

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 03 May 2009 07:35:08 -0600

Trinity Murdock / Easter 4
3 May 2009

                                                                                    + Jesu Juva +

St. Matthew 28:19
Baptism of Dylan Rae Bornemeier

Gifts. The Lord gifted Brad and Julie a beautiful baby daughter: Dylan Rae. “Children are a gift from the Lord.” That’s Psalm 127.

Dylan’s been given many gifts so far. Baby Shower gifts. Birthday gifts. Just for fun gifts. Even John Deere green gifts. Imagine that at the Bornemeier home!

The Lord’s always in a giving mood. That’s just the way He is. Big gifts too. The gift of life. Parents. Brothers and sisters. Grandpas and Grandmas. A home. Tricycles, tractors and wagons. Barbies, play cell phones and pretend laptops. Sketchers and Wranglers. Flip flops and sweat pants. Cheese burgers and French fries. Eyes that see. Ears that hear. Hearts that beat. Lungs that breathe.

And then there is the Christmas gift named Jesus. The Father gave His only begotten Son into death. The death of the cross. Behold the Good Friday Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Lamb of God Jesus sacrificed as the only sacrifice that atones for all sin and for every sinner.

Yes, that’s right, I said it! And I never get tired of saying it. For the Lord sent me to preach it. Jesus died for all sin and every sinner. What sin didn’t He die for? What sinner did He leave out of His bloody death? And the answer is: . . . none! Lamb of God Jesus is Good Shepherd Jesus. He lays down His life into death for you His sheep. For the forgiveness of your sins. For life and salvation.

And Lamb of God Good Shepherd Jesus isn’t done dishing out gifts. He’s as generous as ever. Even for a little girl named Dylan.

That takes us to Matthew 28:19 which we heard earlier in Holy Baptism’s liturgy. Freshly risen from the dead Jesus says: “Make disciples of all nations.” How are disciples made after His resurrection? Jesus explains: “By baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Holy Baptism. What’s holy belongs to Jesus. He institutes it. And He gives it as pure gift. For “all nations.”

Who would you dare to exclude from the “all nations” of Jesus’ mandate for Holy Baptism? Would you like to be the one to tell Jesus that little babies like Dylan Rae can’t be included? I don’t think you want to do that.

After all, we just heard in Holy Baptism’s liturgy that Moms and Dads brought their little children to Jesus to have Him put His hands on them and bless them (Mark 10). That’s when the adult disciples played know it all church bouncers and rebuked the parents: “Folks, let’s not bother Jesus with the kids and waste His time. Keep the little ones away from Him. He’s not for them! He didn’t come to bless children!”

When Jesus heard such nonsense He was very irritated and extremely disappointed. He said to these foolish adult disciples of His: “Let these children come to me. Do not exclude them. My kingdom belongs to them too. I came not just for the adults but for the kids too!”

Jesus died for all. Now He wants “all nations” to receive the benefits of His dying through the gift of Holy Baptism. No wonder Brad and Julie brought Dylan Rae to church today. Thank God we didn’t have the foolish disciples guarding the church doors trying to keep the kids out. For you, me and Dylan Rae are included in the “all nations” words of the Lord. Jesus died for you. And He died for Dylan Rae. And now He wants “all nations” to be baptized.

“Make disciples of all nations by baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

So what’s the big gift Dylan Rae received today at the font? That you were given at your Baptism?

It’s one of the biggest gifts you could ever receive from the Lord. Figured it out yet? It’s going to blow your minds. And yet at the same time bring great joy and comfort to your hearts.

The gift is the Triune Name! God put His most holy Name on Dylan Rae in Holy Baptism. And you too at your Baptism. “Baptize in the Name,” Jesus says.

God’s Name is never a nothing. With His Name the Holy Trinity gives Himself to you and for you. He is there with His Name to be God for you. For little Dylan Rae.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The one true God. Graciously gives His Name with the water of Holy Baptism. And with His Name comes flooding in all the treasures and benefits of heaven itself.

And what are those benefits? Salvation. God’s Name alone has the power to deliver you from all your sin, death, and damnation. Satan must flee from the Triune Name. Death itself must die before the Triune Name. Sin cannot accuse you and damn you before the Triune Name. For God is with His Name. God is for you and for your salvation with His Name.

To be baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is to be baptized by the Holy Trinity Himself. With His Name God’s doing and giving.

So Dylan Rae now bears God’s most holy Name. Given to her in Holy Baptism. And You too who are baptized in that Name.

No wonder the apostle Peter said today in the first reading from Acts 4: ““There is no salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

No wonder Jesus Himself promises: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,” (Mark 16:16). Even the “little ones” believe in Jesus. Jesus says so in Matthew 18:6.

Holy Baptism: “In the Name of the Triune God.” What a magnificent gift from Him! And it’s a gift to which God always remains faithful. So much so that you can say against all your sin, the devil, and death: “But I am baptized in God’s Name! He is for me and with me with His Name. You can’t take that away from me.”

Happy Baptism Day Dylan Rae! Happy bearing the Triune Name!

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Easter 4

Brent Kuhlman — Sun, 03 May 2009 07:30:05 -0600

Easter 4
2 May 2009
Lamb of God / La Vista, NE

                                                                                   + Jesu Juva +

Acts 4:1-12

“One nation under God.” “In God we trust.” But the big theological question is: which God? Yahweh of the Jews? Allah of the Muslims? Thor of the white pagans in prison? Zeus of the ancient Greeks? North Star of the Pawnees? Buddha of the Buddhists? Elohim of the Mormons? Jehovah of the Jehovah Witnesses? Vishnu and Shiva of the Hindus? Or Jesus of Nazareth?

Many say: “It doesn’t matter Reverend! All fit the bill of God. Just as long as you believe in something or someone Reverend! And believe it sincerely!” Ah yes. The pluralism of America. Leave God generic. Generic God talk. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

And so the politicians boldly pronounce their generic benediction at the end of their speeches like generic god priests: “And may God bless America!”   Which god? Well, you fill in the blank.

And so the news networks, the talking heads, and pundits are all comfortable reporting on the merits and benefits of all the world religions. After all, one has to be faithful to the ultimate religion of cultural diversity from which one may never apostasize.

So the talk goes like this: “I believe in God. Which one? Don’t know. But I do believe in God.” Or if you really want applause, pats on the back, and advance in academia or the TV talk show scene it goes like this: “I follow Vishnu.” Or, “I follow Allah.” Or, “I’m really into Thor.” That’s perfectly fine in the discourse of the public square. In fact, it’s honored.

But don’t dare say: “Jesus. He’s God. I trust only in Him.” Don’t even attempt to say: “Christian” or “Christianity.” That’s anathema! So unPC! After all, the world’s problems (oppression, racism, sexism, war) are said to be the result of Christ’s name and patriarchal Christianity.

Move from gereric, “I believe in God” to the very specific and narrow “I believe in Jesus Christ,” and the red lights and sirens start to go off! All that “I believe in Jesus as the one true God and Savior” and you’re just asking for trouble. Begging to be put on a government watch list of right wing fanatics that may just be domestic terrorists bubbling under the surface!

Peter and John obviously didn’t get the memo on the generic God talk and the cult of religious diversity. Peter commits the gravest of all sins. He dares to preach the following: “You ask by what power or in whose name we heal this lame man? Well, listen up. Let us say it as clear as we can. It’s BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST THE NAZARENE, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – BY THIS NAME – THE NAME OF JESUS – this man stands here before you in excellent health.”

That’s very specific Jesus talk. Very precise Jesus confession.

Peter doesn’t tone down the sermon. And you know how it is with a preacher. Can’t get him to shut up. He keeps on going preaching Jesus! Even among His greatest enemies: the Sadducees, the captain of the temple and former high priest Annas, his son-in-law Caiaphas, and his Levitical sons John and Alexander.

Preacher Peter says: “Jesus, yes, Jesus, He’s the stone rejected by you the builders. But in your rejection of Him as the one true God and Savior of the world He is now the very cornerstone. The cornerstone of the one true church on the earth.”

The leaders had rejected this Jesus. Like builders rejecting a defective stone. But God raised Jesus to be the capstone, the cornerstone that holds the entire salvation job together!

And so Peter goes on with the boldest and yet most comforting of all sermons: “No other name but the name of Jesus saves you.”

Indeed! Jesus is the name, the only name that saves you from sin, death and damnation! The name of Jesus saves you the judgment of God’s Law that demands perfection. Jesus. Jesus is the name above all names. The name “Jesus” means “God saves.” Jesus alone saves you from all your sin. Jesus’ name will see you through the long haul and He will raise you from the dead for eternal life with Him.

The church marquee at Trinity, Murdock says: "He is risen. That makes all the difference." Indeed. Jesus did what He said He would do. He promised He would come out of the grave. Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Joseph Smith died. Only Jesus rose victoriously over death for you. Only His Name saves. And so Jesus and His saving Name naturally sparks controversy in the world. Peter and John were arrested, imprisoned and forbidden to preach in Jesus’ Name. That may happen to you too eventually in this country. If that does happen, don’t be surprised. Jesus warned us ahead of time to “beware     . . . for they will deliver you up to the courts . . . bring you before governors and kings for My sake,” (Matthew 10:17-18).

So if it pleases the Lord to allow us to suffer for the sake of Christ’s Name, do not despair. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He laid down His life for you. He is the only gate to heaven.

He has put His Name on you. His saving Name. You are baptized in His Name. And with His name comes His promise: that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Not in this world nor the next.

So by what power did Peter and John heal the lame man? The precious Name of Jesus. By what power do you claim salvation and eternal life? The precious, saving Name of Jesus. “There is no salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

In the Name of Jesus.