Tillich, 1948. Chapter 14, "Doing the Truth"

Chapter 14, “Doing the Truth” pp. 114-117

John 3:17-21

We know the truth, but how do we do the truth? If truth is simply a theory, even one we can act in accord with, Jesus’ statement that he is the truth makes no sense.

Are theory and practice actually divided? No, if something actually works in theory it does work in practice. God’s truth, in fact, always does work. It overcomes, transforms practice. here, doing the truth is nothing less than living the gospel. This living out of Christianity is how the truth is found.

There is no distinction in Christ between theory and practice. Those who believe live out their faith.

Bridges, 2008. Chapter 6, "God's Power over Nature"

Chapter 6, “God’s Power over Nature” pp. 99-111

God is sovereignly in charge of nature. We often seem to think that natural forces merely happen. But although there are physical laws, they operate according to God’s will.

How do we respond to God’s care for the weather? On p. 103 Bridges observes that our complaints are complaints against God. We also deprive ourselves of peace by thinking our opinion is better than God’s plan. Most of the time God uses his natural power as an expression of his blessing for his people. At other times he shows his power in a striking way. Occasionally a severe condition may be a judgment against sin.

What of natural disasters? While we wrestle with the tragic events in our world we are not to make our judgment against God. Rather we often are moved to compassion and loving service to our neighbors. In Isaiah 45:7 we read that God takes responsibility for all disaster.

God’s power in nature is also seen in illness and physical affliction. God shows his glory and providence through all our suffering. All suffering can be traced back to the Fall. But God still rules over all creation. Again, Bridges shows, God’s care includes childbearing and childlessness. We remember that no matter the situation God is also perfectly loving.

Sermon for 1/5/14 "Where Will We Find Jesus?" Luke 2

Sermon:“Where will we find Jesus?”

Where’s Elizabeth?  uh-oh

distress

panic

fear for future

Where was Jesus?

 temple

 asking questions

 answering questions

 receiving from God’s word

 perfectly safe

Maybe we’re missing something other than Jesus?

 Solomon - needs wisdom to guide the people

 Ephesians - need to find their confidence to live for God in this life

What’s the answer?

 God in His Word, revealed in the place and through the means he has appointed, gives us all we need.

1) in His Word

2) where He promises - OT place of sacrifice - NT in the place where Christ crucified for sinners is proclaimed (Word preached and sacraments administered)

This is why I fight the weather to go to church - aside from the fact that I work here and live across the street.

This is why for many years we considered it worth the half hour drive, more in bad weather, to attend a church where the Word of God was preached rightly.

 life is rough - for what is important we will get ourselves up and try to receive what we need

 maybe sometimes we have to receive through other means

   shut-ins - never be afraid to call on the pastor to bring you the Gospel

   illness - the pastor isn’t afraid of your illness, good to call for help

   weather emergencies - don’t endanger yourself to attend worship, but be ready to push yourself

Where are we going to find Jesus?

 Joseph and Mary doubtless had other things that they planned to do when they arrived home

 Everything else is cancelled when we go to find our Savior

   we need what he has

   we need what he does

   we need what he gives

As we move into the season of Epiphany, starting tomorrow, the season of realization of what Jesus is really like and how he has come to save us, we begin by receiving his gifts - forgiveness, life, and salvation. We’ll be gathering, week by week, in all our opportunities, to experience sitting with Jesus, learning from him, being gathered into him, and trusting that he is still there for us. We find him where he has promised to be.

Stuempfle, 1990. Chapter 6, "Law and Gospel in the Sermon"

Chapter 6, “Law and Gospel in the Sermon” pp. 76-95

As Stuempfle has discussed Law and Gospel he has run a risk that Law, Gospel, and the requirement of obedience may be seen as three distinct entities which are quite independent. In fact they are interrelated, working together in an organic manner. In this final chapter he tries to pull everything together and show how living realities work in sermon preparation.

First, the Scripture is in the position of greatest authority. The preacher must listen to the message of God’s Word, finding the balance of Law and Gospel.

Second, the particular congregation is listening in a particular setting. Every sermon belongs in its context. We cannot divorce the sermon from the hearers or we fail to communicate.

Finally, the preacher acts as the catalyst for God’s Word to speak to the congregation. It is the preacher who ties the Word of God to the world in which the congregation exists.

Stuempfle closes the book with a narrative description of how he considered God’s Word on two different occasions to prepare sermons. He walks through his self-discovery of God’s particular message for a particular congregation.

Tillich, 1948. Chapter 13, "Knowledge through Love"

Chapter 13, “Knowledge Through Love” pp. 108-113

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Paul speaks of that which is fragmentary and vanishing and that which is complete and eternal. Some of the great gifts of God are among the fragmentary - prophecy, etc.  It is only love, specifically love as the person of God, which will not pass away.

How is this eternity known? We only know fully as we are united with God in love. It is the love in which we see God as he is that causes us to know him.

How do we know God at present? We know him only partially. We see fragments but not the whole. Our love for God is still partial so we cannot know him fully. We desire to know fully, but we cannot do so. In the end we are afraid of what we might find or not find. Our knowledge is hindered by lack of love and trust. We are conscious of this, yet we cannot overcome it in this life. As we are surrounded by a fragmentary life, we look forward to the time when God will make it all sensible.

Brueggemann, 2001. Chapter 5, "The Call to Obedience"

Chapter 5, “The Call to Obedience” pp. 62-75

The Bible does call Christians to obedience. We are to forsake sin. Yet at the same time we are rescued from sin by a God who loves and forgives without reserve. While on the one hand we wish to proclaim the freedom involved in grace, we need to proclaim God’s demands that we live a holy life. Luther can be taken to say that the Christian very naturally does good works. Yet God’s Law still speaks to us, both in its political and theological uses.  Even as Luther proclaims the freedom of the Christian he tells his hearers of the requirements they face.

How can we preach the call to obedience without a spiral into moralism? “We will sound the call to obedience as a consequence of grace and not its cause” (p. 66). All our obedience flows from God’s grace. We are well advised to describe rather than command good works.

“We will articulate the call to obedience with concreteness” (p. 69). We all know we are to do good. How do we do that? What does it look like? Giving examples of obedience may help hearers identify what it can look like in their own lives.

“We will point to spheres of obedience in the public as well as the private sector” (p. 72). Our actions have consequences which extend to business, politics, all areas of life. We live a life for Jesus within our culture.

Bridges, 2008. Chapter 5, "God's Rule over the Nations"

Chapter 5, “God’s Rule over the Nations” pp. 79-98

God’s sovereignty over nations and rulers is well established in the Bible. The idea may seem remote from our lives, but it is actually important. Guarding (and sometimes establishing) freedom to live as a Christian is of great importance. Even in “secular” situations we can realize that governments make good or bad decisions under God’s control. This manifestation of God’s sovereignty is not always clear. Yet is is there. The Gospels and Acts show many situations where a government and its officials unwillingly fulfilled prophecy.

1) God establishes government for the good of all people. Therefore, we pray for rulers.

2) God determines who rules in government. How they glorify God may be a mystery, but they do accomplish God’s purpose.

3) God determines the limits of government.

God also rules the decisions rulers make. Sometimes the decisions are wise and sometimes foolish. All are made freely and at God’s command. Christians trust that God is still caring for his children. We pray for our leaders and do what we can to influence them.

God is also the ruler in military actions. We therefore trust God, not our military force.

God’s sovereign rule over nations is greater than we normally imagine. We need to pray and trust God to spread the Gospel through all nations.