Rich was asked to preach at the Reformation Rally held at Christ Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, Canada, on October 31, 2010.
Reformation Day – Oct. 31, 2010
Sermon – Reformation Day – Oct. 31, 2010
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O, Lord.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
I had returned late the night before from a long trip and was sleeping late. The phone startled me as I fumbled to answer it – the message was terse “turn on the TV.” September 11 was a morning I will not forget. I watched as the second plane flew into the tower. I followed the news the rest of the day – a plane hit the pentagon, a plane crashed in a field. What was happening? I shuttered as I realized it had been less than 24 hours since I landed.
The day’s events brought back other memories – the Challenger exploding, the Oklahoma city bombing, the fire that destroyed the administration building of my college, the tornado that passed over my school – images of destruction forced their way into my mind. I sat on the couch and asked questions that others asked – “Why?” and “Where is God in all of this?”
The answer to the “Why” would be revealed – the answer to “Where was God?” came in the words of the Psalm
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our trouble.
Disasters – troubles – surround us.
Every day we hear reports about severe weather – hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, thunderstorms, lightening strikes destroy. Losses are reported not only with dollars, but also counted with numbers injured or killed. Where is God?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Every day mankind finds a way to do harm to others – robberies; shootings, property destruction, bullying, fighting and dying seem to be common everyday on the evening news. It seems as if daily some person or group is bent on doing harm. Where is God?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Each night I lie down in bed and summarize the day’s events – each night I am amazed at all the disaster I caused by my actions or words. I look back and think, “the good that I would do – that I did not, the evil that I would not, that I did” Sometimes sleep comes late as I am haunted by the words of hate, the words of anger, the words spoken in haste that would have been best unsaid. I shutter when I recount those actions that cased a disaster in my life. I ask, God where are You in all of this?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Martin Luther faced the trials and troubles that plague us today. He faced severe weather. He faced man’s attacks on his fellow man. He faced scorn and ridicule for unpopular opinions. I am guessing, but I believe he also would review the day’s events and conclude that the good that I would do – that I do not and the evil that I would not – that I do. He doubted his salvation, he doubted his works, he doubted the power of the Gospel in his life. He was a man – just like men today – strong-willed, set in his way and outspoken.
Luther very well could ask the question, “Where is God?”
His response was summed up in his Reformation hymn – A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need that hath us now o’er taken.
Luther trusted a powerful God – one who defeat every foe.
Luther could see God at work in his life in the hands, the voices and the life of those who ministered to him. Luther once said that we all wear the masks of God – that we are God’s feet, hands and voices in the world. Behind the mask of our humanity is the face of God. Luther saw God in those who supported him, we see God in those who surround us.
The people around us who are wearing the mask of God become the fortresses of strength we need.
And so it was in my life. My wife of 35 years lay in the hospital bed – pale and barely breathing. The cancer had spread through her body, weakening her organs, taking her life a piece at a time. Her time on this earth was almost ended and we gathered in the hospital room – her family – her friends. The silence was deafening as I took her hand and gazed into her face as she breathed her last breath on this earth. The next time she opened her eyes she would gaze into the face of God.
The words came to my lips – “Our Father, who art in heaven…” I heard myself speaking the words aloud, but soon my voice gave way to emotion. “Hallowed be Thy name…” The nurse behind me spoke clear and strong. “Thy Kingdom come…” I looked into the faces of my children; my brothers, my sisters, my family and friends gathered and heard them loudly proclaiming the words our Savior taught so many years ago. As I looked into their faces, I, too, had a brief glimpse into the face of God – their masks were lifted just a tad as I saw God smiling at me through the tears.
God was there – He was my fortress and refugee.
Time after time I can remember the times when the people in my life were the hands, the feet and the voice of God to me.
I was in fifth grade and it was summertime. I was at my friend’s house – Skip was a classmate and his dad was a beer distributer. His dad asked us if we wanted to ride with him on his route that day – we would go into the city of Chicago and deliver barrels of beer to the bars on his route. We didn’t hesitate – yes we would go. He then asked me to check with my mother to see if it would be alright. I called, she said, “no.” Skip’s dad asked what she said, “Have a great time and be careful.”
I had the best time that day – burgers at the bar, climbing steps out of the basements after we delivered the barrels. It was a perfect guy day.
I returned for supper and mom asked what I did, “Hung out with Skip,” I replied – it was kinda true.
Not another word was said. I went to bed that night and the guilt came down hard. I disobeyed my mother. I lied to her.
Sleep eluded me as I tossed and turned, each minute the guilt bore down heavier. I was pond scum. I was dirt.
Finally, I went out to see mom – between sobs I confessed the evil I did. I cried. I repented.
She hugged me, forgave me, and then grounded me. It was the happiest grounding I ever had – her mask slipped just a little as I heard the words “I forgive you.” I have heard her words repeated over and over as the pastor proclaims, I, a servant of the Lord, forgive you all of your sins.”
Luther’s hammer pounded on the church door 493 years ago. He was tacking up a proclamation – a challenge – to debate the power of the Gospel – to declare the famous words of Grace alone, faith alone and scripture alone. He chose his date on purpose. The next day would be all saints day – people of the parish would gather together to ponder and pray for the fate of their departed relatives. Luther’s hammer was ringing out the beat – it is not what they did – it is not what you do – it was what Christ did on the cross.
Luther’s hammer echoed in remembrance of the hammer blows that rang out on the first Good Friday as the soldiers pounded down the nails that would seal our eternity on the cross of Calvary.
God was there – a might fortress.
Luther’s own mask slipped a little when he brought the people the saving words of scripture to them – in the language they could read for themselves. No longer would the parishioners be at the mercy of the educated. No longer would they have to just believe based on hearing alone – they could test the ideas against the word of God in a language and a way they could understand.
I am very privileged to play a small part in a similar process today. Lutheran Hour Ministries is constantly searching for ways to bring the truth of the Gospel in a very clear and understandable way to the world. The Lutheran Hour reaches out through the radio as does Woman to Woman. The Men’s network, MissionU and five 14 each in their own way try to deliver the Gospel in a way that speaks clearly and in understood by their specific audiences. We are committed to “Bringing Christ to the Nations…and the Nations to the Church.”
We may face tough times in our lives – problems will be with us – finances, illnesses, security and all sorts of disasters will befall us. At any time we can lose all we have by fire, flood, earthquake, wind and evil men – we will continue to lay down at night with regrets over deeds and words of anger and hurt. We will continue to sin. We can ask – where is God?
He is our Mighty Fortress – through Christ there is nothing that will separate us from Him. He will always be there with us. His power and might defeat every enemy – from our sinful flesh to Satan himself.
He is seen in those around us who are His hands, feet and words to us.
Lord, use us to be You to those around us – in all we do, all we say – You are a mighty fortress.
Amen.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O, Lord.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
I had returned late the night before from a long trip and was sleeping late. The phone startled me as I fumbled to answer it – the message was terse “turn on the TV.” September 11 was a morning I will not forget. I watched as the second plane flew into the tower. I followed the news the rest of the day – a plane hit the pentagon, a plane crashed in a field. What was happening? I shuttered as I realized it had been less than 24 hours since I landed.
The day’s events brought back other memories – the Challenger exploding, the Oklahoma city bombing, the fire that destroyed the administration building of my college, the tornado that passed over my school – images of destruction forced their way into my mind. I sat on the couch and asked questions that others asked – “Why?” and “Where is God in all of this?”
The answer to the “Why” would be revealed – the answer to “Where was God?” came in the words of the Psalm
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our trouble.
Disasters – troubles – surround us.
Every day we hear reports about severe weather – hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, thunderstorms, lightening strikes destroy. Losses are reported not only with dollars, but also counted with numbers injured or killed. Where is God?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Every day mankind finds a way to do harm to others – robberies; shootings, property destruction, bullying, fighting and dying seem to be common everyday on the evening news. It seems as if daily some person or group is bent on doing harm. Where is God?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Each night I lie down in bed and summarize the day’s events – each night I am amazed at all the disaster I caused by my actions or words. I look back and think, “the good that I would do – that I did not, the evil that I would not, that I did” Sometimes sleep comes late as I am haunted by the words of hate, the words of anger, the words spoken in haste that would have been best unsaid. I shutter when I recount those actions that cased a disaster in my life. I ask, God where are You in all of this?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Martin Luther faced the trials and troubles that plague us today. He faced severe weather. He faced man’s attacks on his fellow man. He faced scorn and ridicule for unpopular opinions. I am guessing, but I believe he also would review the day’s events and conclude that the good that I would do – that I do not and the evil that I would not – that I do. He doubted his salvation, he doubted his works, he doubted the power of the Gospel in his life. He was a man – just like men today – strong-willed, set in his way and outspoken.
Luther very well could ask the question, “Where is God?”
His response was summed up in his Reformation hymn – A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need that hath us now o’er taken.
Luther trusted a powerful God – one who defeat every foe.
Luther could see God at work in his life in the hands, the voices and the life of those who ministered to him. Luther once said that we all wear the masks of God – that we are God’s feet, hands and voices in the world. Behind the mask of our humanity is the face of God. Luther saw God in those who supported him, we see God in those who surround us.
The people around us who are wearing the mask of God become the fortresses of strength we need.
And so it was in my life. My wife of 35 years lay in the hospital bed – pale and barely breathing. The cancer had spread through her body, weakening her organs, taking her life a piece at a time. Her time on this earth was almost ended and we gathered in the hospital room – her family – her friends. The silence was deafening as I took her hand and gazed into her face as she breathed her last breath on this earth. The next time she opened her eyes she would gaze into the face of God.
The words came to my lips – “Our Father, who art in heaven…” I heard myself speaking the words aloud, but soon my voice gave way to emotion. “Hallowed be Thy name…” The nurse behind me spoke clear and strong. “Thy Kingdom come…” I looked into the faces of my children; my brothers, my sisters, my family and friends gathered and heard them loudly proclaiming the words our Savior taught so many years ago. As I looked into their faces, I, too, had a brief glimpse into the face of God – their masks were lifted just a tad as I saw God smiling at me through the tears.
God was there – He was my fortress and refugee.
Time after time I can remember the times when the people in my life were the hands, the feet and the voice of God to me.
I was in fifth grade and it was summertime. I was at my friend’s house – Skip was a classmate and his dad was a beer distributer. His dad asked us if we wanted to ride with him on his route that day – we would go into the city of Chicago and deliver barrels of beer to the bars on his route. We didn’t hesitate – yes we would go. He then asked me to check with my mother to see if it would be alright. I called, she said, “no.” Skip’s dad asked what she said, “Have a great time and be careful.”
I had the best time that day – burgers at the bar, climbing steps out of the basements after we delivered the barrels. It was a perfect guy day.
I returned for supper and mom asked what I did, “Hung out with Skip,” I replied – it was kinda true.
Not another word was said. I went to bed that night and the guilt came down hard. I disobeyed my mother. I lied to her.
Sleep eluded me as I tossed and turned, each minute the guilt bore down heavier. I was pond scum. I was dirt.
Finally, I went out to see mom – between sobs I confessed the evil I did. I cried. I repented.
She hugged me, forgave me, and then grounded me. It was the happiest grounding I ever had – her mask slipped just a little as I heard the words “I forgive you.” I have heard her words repeated over and over as the pastor proclaims, I, a servant of the Lord, forgive you all of your sins.”
Luther’s hammer pounded on the church door 493 years ago. He was tacking up a proclamation – a challenge – to debate the power of the Gospel – to declare the famous words of Grace alone, faith alone and scripture alone. He chose his date on purpose. The next day would be all saints day – people of the parish would gather together to ponder and pray for the fate of their departed relatives. Luther’s hammer was ringing out the beat – it is not what they did – it is not what you do – it was what Christ did on the cross.
Luther’s hammer echoed in remembrance of the hammer blows that rang out on the first Good Friday as the soldiers pounded down the nails that would seal our eternity on the cross of Calvary.
God was there – a might fortress.
Luther’s own mask slipped a little when he brought the people the saving words of scripture to them – in the language they could read for themselves. No longer would the parishioners be at the mercy of the educated. No longer would they have to just believe based on hearing alone – they could test the ideas against the word of God in a language and a way they could understand.
I am very privileged to play a small part in a similar process today. Lutheran Hour Ministries is constantly searching for ways to bring the truth of the Gospel in a very clear and understandable way to the world. The Lutheran Hour reaches out through the radio as does Woman to Woman. The Men’s network, MissionU and five 14 each in their own way try to deliver the Gospel in a way that speaks clearly and in understood by their specific audiences. We are committed to “Bringing Christ to the Nations…and the Nations to the Church.”
We may face tough times in our lives – problems will be with us – finances, illnesses, security and all sorts of disasters will befall us. At any time we can lose all we have by fire, flood, earthquake, wind and evil men – we will continue to lay down at night with regrets over deeds and words of anger and hurt. We will continue to sin. We can ask – where is God?
He is our Mighty Fortress – through Christ there is nothing that will separate us from Him. He will always be there with us. His power and might defeat every enemy – from our sinful flesh to Satan himself.
He is seen in those around us who are His hands, feet and words to us.
Lord, use us to be You to those around us – in all we do, all we say – You are a mighty fortress.
Amen.
