Warning: Narrow Door!

Sermon preached at Our Savior for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, August 29, 2010. Sermon text: Luke 13:22-30

The city of Quito, Ecuador is very big, it is very old, and it is filled with big, old churches. I got the opportunity to tour some of them, but none of them were as impressive as the basilica. This huge, neogothic cathedral took nearly 100 years to build. It's filled with sculptures and gargoyles, and two huge clock-towers reach a height of nearly 400 feet in the air.

But none of that is really the best part of the basilica. The best part is found when you go deep inside and start climbing the stairs. There are so many stairs. And as you go up and up, the stairs get smaller and smaller. The doorways and passages that you go through get pretty tight, and it can be a struggle to fit yourself through. But when you finally do, when you finally find yourself going outside, it's all worth it. Because you go outside right near the top of one of the clock towers. And from there you don't just get a good look at the basilica, you can see the entire city and the mountains surrounding it. It's one of the most beautiful views in the entire city. It took some work to go through those narrow spaces, but it was all worth when I got to that view.

But that view pales in comparison to what we will see in heaven, in the eternal life that Jesus our Savior won for us. That won't be just a view, that'll be the end of all troubles, all pain. There God will wipe every tear from our eyes as he gives us all the good things that his Son won for us.  There we will have perfect joy and peace forever.

But here's the thing. We're not there yet. For now, we are still living in this sinful, painful, trouble-filled world. And Jesus, our Savior, gives us a warning. He says that there is a narrow door to get to heaven. Many people will want to get through this door, but not everybody will. But those who do will sit at the feast in God's heavenly kingdom forever. So let's listen to Jesus' warning. And let's make every effort to go through the narrow door.

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" (Lk. 13:22-23) Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, where he would be arrested, tortured, and crucified. But as you know, he didn't just get on a plane or a greyhound bus to get there. It was a long journey, and Jesus didn't spend his time just traveling. He taught. He preached his good news in every little village and town he came to. And he took every opportunity to answer questions that people gave him.

This was one of them. "Are only a few people going to be saved?" It's a question quite a few people have today. Many today would probably prefer to answer that everyone will be saved no matter what. But that's not what the Bible says. And it's not what Jesus says in our text, either. He doesn't directly answer the question this person asked, but he does give us all a warning about entering eternal life.

He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." (Lk. 13:24) Jesus makes it clear to us. Not everyone will make it through the narrow door to heaven. In fact many will try and fail. So make every effort to enter through the narrow door.

This is a scary thought, isn't it? And if this little text we're using today from Luke was the only part we had of the entire Bible, we might get the wrong idea from it. We might think, "Well, we've got to make every effort to go through the narrow door. That means we have to try really hard to get to heaven. We've got to do lots of good works, lots of good things, to get God to accept us, and then and only then will he let us into heaven."

But that's not how it works. The rest of the Bible makes it pretty clear. The Apostle Paul said that all our works and accomplishments were like garbage compared to knowing Jesus. He said he considered everything worthless that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (Philippians 3:8-9) Paul knew that you don't get into heaven because you were so good. You get there because Jesus was so good for you, by faith!

Think about it this way. I mentioned earlier how I climbed to the top of a clock tower in a big cathedral. What if I tried to do that wearing a huge backpack, dragging a couple of suitcases, and trying to balance a stack of books in my arms? It'd be hard to walk down the street like that, but it'd be impossible to fit through the narrow stairways and passages to get to the top of that tower.

Well, it's impossible to get to heaven with your good deeds, your accomplishments, with all the things you've done in your life. You can't do it! You'll never get through the narrow door with what you've done -- I mean the worst stuff you've done and the best stuff. None of it! Only Jesus can get you through. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) As we read in the book of Titus, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:5)

We get to heaven because of Jesus Christ, not because of us. That's how we get through the narrow door! But still, many will not get through. So it's good for us to remind ourselves why many won't get through so we can really take Jesus' warning to heart.

Listen to the vivid story Jesus told to the people in our text. Make every effort to enter through the narrow door...Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' (Lk. 13:24-25)

It makes sense when you remember how we get into the door. By faith! By trusting in Jesus for our salvation -- the faith that God gives us by his Holy Spirit by Word and Sacrament. The people who don't get in the door don't know Jesus. They don't believe in him.

They might think they know Jesus. Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' (Lk. 13:26-27) Thinking Jesus is a great teacher isn't enough. Believing in Jesus for a while and then falling away isn't going to cut it. If the end of the world comes, and you don't have faith in Jesus as your one and only way to heaven you will be lost forever.

Jesus' description of hell is sad. There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. (Lk. 13:28) How sad to be stuck outside the door, to be locked out of eternal life. How sad to finally know the truth, that Jesus is the one and only Savior, but to know it too late. That's how it will be for many people, Jesus tells us.

There's a name for the time we have in our lives: it's called our time of grace. It's the time that God gives us to be brought to faith in his Son our Savior. Listen to Jesus' warning. Use your time of grace. Make every effort to go through the narrow door!

How do you do that? By staying connected to God's power for you, by staying connected to the means of grace. Continue to remember your baptism, where the Triune God put his name on you and made you his own. That baptism is still powerful for you today!

Continue to grow in God's Word! It's not just an interesting collection of stories; it gives us life! The Holy Spirit uses the message of Jesus to create and maintain saving faith in our hearts. Grow in that Word! Study it! Read it! Hear it! Live it out in everything you do in your lives! Come to the Lord's table when we have the Lord's Supper, not because the people around you are doing it, but because Jesus is there! He's there to give you his body and blood! He's there to give you forgiveness, life, and salvation!

Yes, friends, your time of grace is now! Don't get distracted by the things of this world, by the temptations and stuff and doubts that want to pull us away from our Savior. Stay in the Word and sacraments! Jesus said, People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Jesus came so you would be one of those people! So look to him! Go to the narrow door! You don't need anything of your own. You just need your Savior.

 

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God’s Grace Is No Laughing Matter

Sermon preached at Our Savior for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Sermon text: Genesis 18:1-14

They say laughter is the best medicine. Do you think that's true? Laughter can definitely be a good. It's hard to think of many sounds better than the laughter of children. When you laugh, it just makes you feel better. The troubles and worries pressing on your mind seem a little bit lighter. Everything seems little bit better, a little more joyful, when you're laughing.

The Bible mentions that laughing will be a common occurrence in our lives. In Ecclesiastes it says there's a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. (Ecc. 3:4) Even though there aren't any Bible verses that mention Jesus laughing, I'm sure he did. I like it when you see paintings of Jesus laughing; it's nice to see him with joy and a smile on his face and not always looking extra serious.

But I'm sure you all know that it's not always the right time for laughing. Kids, if you're being disciplined by a parent or teacher, do not start laughing. They will get very angry. Everyone else, if you're in court, and the prosecuting attorney is asking you very serious questions about where you were when a crime occurred, don't start laughing. It won't look good. And when God makes you a promise, when he comes to you with all his undeserved love for you, don't laugh it off. Don't treat it like it's not important. Don't refuse to believe it.

You might be thinking, "No! It wouldn't happen; I would never laugh in God's face!" But it happens. It happened in our text from Genesis today when Sarah laughed at God. And it could happen in your life, too. God has so many gifts of his grace that he constantly wants to give us. And when we don't think those gifts are important, or when we don't believe God could really give them to us, we might as well be laughing in his face. But God's grace is real! It's for you! He has done everything you need! You can always count on that. Because of that, God's grace is no laughing matter. He comes to visit us, and he keeps his promises.

The Spirit Speaks / We Speak

Sermon preached at Our Savior for the festival of Pentecost on May 23, 2010. Sermon text: John 15:26-27

Some businesses have a "silent partner." This is the person who has a stake in the business, but never speaks or makes decisions for the company. He simply provides his part of the money for it, shares in the profits, and no more. He's a silent partner.

That's how we might think of the Holy Spirit: God's silent partner. We can think of all sorts of things that God the Father and God the Son say and do. Our text for today consists of the words of Jesus. We've heard the words that God the Father spoke as he created the world: "Let there be light!" (Gen. 1:3) But the Holy Spirit? It's probably a little harder to think of what he does, let alone to think of anything he says.

Think about Jesus' baptism. Jesus was the one baptized, and he speaks to John the Baptist beforehand. (Matt. 3:15) God the Father speaks afterward, from the sky, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:17) The Holy Spirit was there, too, but he was silent. We just hear that he descended on Jesus "like a dove." (Matt. 3:16) All in all, it's pretty easy to think of the Holy Spirit as the "silent partner" of God. It might even be easy for to think the Holy Spirit doesn't really do that much at all.

But he does! The Holy Spirit is vitally important for our life, for our faith, and for our eternity. And don't think for a second that

Love Takes Time…with the Body of Christ

This sermon was preached on 10/18/09 at Our Savior. It is the second in a series called “Love Takes Time,” which is a stewardship emphasis on our use of time. The sermon text and series title were produced by the WELS for congregations to use as a stewardship emphasis. The sermon itself, though, is my own work.

Love Takes Time…with the Body of Christ

What would the perfect church be like? What would it be like to be in the perfect congregation? Think specifically! What would this church look like if it were the perfect congregation? I can see it now. A packed house every Sunday for worship. There are multiple Bible classes every Sunday to keep up with the need. Every day of the week there's a Bible information class or some other class. Kids are everywhere, going to Sunday school, confirmation classes, teen classes, and youth group events. People are reaching out, visiting the sick, helping the poor, improving the community. Members are constantly telling their friends, relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors about their Savior and their church. Oh yeah, and everyone gets along, always. There's never any complaining. Everyone is working together, and they're doing it joyfully, not because they have to, but because they love their Savior and they want to do all they can for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Well, how close are we? Maybe we're not quite ready to call ourselves the perfect congregation yet. In fact, every one of us, from me the pastor to the youngest or oldest or newest member -- we all have to admit that our own actions have made this congregation less than perfect. We've complained. We've divided instead of united. We've grumbled about the work to be done. We've let someone else do it all. We've taken our brothers and sisters in Christ for granted. We've failed to talk about our Savior to those we know. We've ignored the needy and the community. Perfect? We're not close to perfect.

So how do we get there? Obviously when we think of things that aren't perfect, we want to fix them. But how? Do we start all sorts of new programs and classes and then "strongly urge" people to come to them? Maybe we start requiring a certain level of church attendance, and if they don't live up to it; they're gone. Maybe we could invest in a laser-light show style worship to keep things exciting around here and keep people fired up. The problem is, those solutions might cause more harm than good.

And then we look at the early Christian church from our text in Acts and we really start wondering how we could live up to their standards. The early Christians didn't just go to church when they felt like it; we hear that "they devoted themselves" (Acts 2:42) to public worship. And in addition to that, "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles." (Acts 2:43) Hmm. I'm not sure how we'll pull that off.

Outside of worship, the Christians were constantly together. "All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." (Acts 2:44-45) Think of the generosity we're talking about here. They share everything with each other, and if anyone needs anything, they give it. Wow! It makes me realize how much of my own stuff I want to keep for myself. How about you?

Those early Christians also had some pretty amazing fellowship with each other. "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:46-47) This wasn't a "see you next Sunday" kind of fellowship. Their lives were completely devoted to each other because they were all devoted to their Savior. And we think, how could we keep up with that! Guess we'll need a lot more sign-up sheets...

But the idea of trying to be the perfect church or somehow trying to keep up with the early Christian church in Acts 2 is an idea that takes us in the wrong direction. It focuses on us, instead of where our focus should be. You might remember that one of the names that the Bible gives for the Christian Church is the body of Christ. Jesus has ascended into heaven, but he still rules all things for the church, which is his body. (Eph. 1:22-23) To be a better church, a better congregation, we can't focus on programs or results. We can only focus on our head, on the only one who can bring us together -- we look, appropriately, to our Savior.

See, with all the amazing things that the early Christian church did there in Acts, it's easy to forget how they got there. That's the beginning of our text. It takes us to the day of Pentecost, and to Peter preaching a sermon to a huge crowd of people. As our text starts, the crowd is stunned. It says, "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart." (Acts 2:37) But you have to go back a verse to see what they heard.

It was Peter uttering the most devastating words -- and the most comforting words -- ever spoken: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)

No wonder the crowd was cut to the heart. They had killed the Savior. They thought he was an impostor. They'd been convinced that he was a troublemaker, and when the opportunity came to get rid of him; they took it.

Oh sure, not every one of the thousands of people Peter was talking to was directly involved in Jesus' death. Maybe they didn't all arrest him or flog him or spit on him or drive the nails into his hands and feet. But they did all kill him. They killed him with their sins, with their lies, with their hatred, with their unbelief.

And the worst part of it is, so did you. Yes, everyone at Our Savior Lutheran Church, I have news for you: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Yes, you crucified him. No, you didn't hammer in the nails or crack the whip or thrust the spear. But you have sinned. You have put up roadblocks to the unity of your fellow Christians. You have taken your Christian family for granted. You've treated the Good News like old news. And each sin put Jesus on that cross. For each sin Jesus suffered hell.

So like the crowd on Pentecost, we ask, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) Where can we go with this guilt we feel? The answer we need is the same one Peter gave: "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.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)

Just about everyone here has already been baptized, but the power is just as real for us now! Repent. Look at your sins and turn from them. Then turn to Jesus. Turn to the Holy Spirit's power given you in your baptism. There you will find forgiveness. There you will find that your sins have been washed away. Your baptism connects you to Jesus' death (Rom. 6:3). The very death your sins brought Jesus is the same death that Jesus used to take away your sins! You are right with God again! You want to be renewed spiritually? You want new life breathed into our church, into our congregation? Look to your baptism! The Holy Spirit is still at work in you, renewing you and building you up.

And in the same way our worship here together as a body of Christ builds us up, too. It's so easy to think of these services as just words, just a little ritual that we go through. It can be so automatic and thoughtless and we can make it mean nothing by our carelessness. But it isn't nothing. Every word and action in our services point to Jesus. Every word of Good News from the Bible is a gift from God that builds up our faith, that the Holy Spirit uses for our good. You want to renew the Church, come here to worship with hearts ready to repent of your sins, with ears ready to hear with joy the Good News of Christ, and with mouths ready to confess and sing your Maker's praise!

That's what the early church did in Acts. They weren't so different than we are! "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The Apostles' teaching -- that's like how we hear and learn God's Word here at church. Fellowship --that's the time we spend together as brothers and sisters in Christ. The breaking of bread -- that can be eating together, like we often do, or -- more likely -- it refers to receiving Jesus' body and blood with the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper, another incredible gift we receive! Prayer -- we do that too, as we pray to God in thanks and in requests with boldness and confidence that he hears us because of his Son!

So, no, we're not the perfect church. Sure, we have sins and problems and struggles. But we also have a Savior! We have a Savior who loved us so much that he took all of our sins, all of our problems and our struggles, and he bore their burden on the cross. He's forgiven us, and he wants us to cast our cares on him.

And you know what? He will bless us. He will bless us as we take the time to go back to the very means that he has promised to bless us in. Return to your baptism and the real power of the Holy Spirit working in you. Return to the Word and Sacraments proclaiming your forgiveness in so many different ways in these worship services.

When we do that, our love will grow. Whether we look just like that early Christian church or not is beside the point. Our love will grow as Christ's love grows in our hearts. Yes, love takes time. But we as the body of Christ will continue to grow in Christ's love, and his love will shine out for us more and more as Christians, as a congregation, and as his church.