+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 14:1-6
Theme: Home
Dear family, friends, and loved ones of Tyler, and especially you Deanne, Andrew, Ebony, Ashlee; and all of you gathered here in their support,
“In My Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.”1 That is the promise of the One who holds the keys to the house. Tyler is home. He has no worries, cares, or anxieties. He has no distresses, demands, or difficulties. He is not burdened with regret. We may be overwhelmed with remorse, and understandably so. We might even be resentful. Not Tyler! His soul has been received directly into the presence of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The power of sin and all of its consequences has been broken for him- for all eternity. He is home.
Tyler no longer needs anything from us. This casket contains only his mortal frame; a frame destined to be raised again on the great day of the resurrection of the dead. No, Tyler needs nothing from us, yet he gives to us more than just memories of times past. The brevity of his life gives us opportunity to refocus our priorities and perspectives. Paying lip-service to our mortality is a dangerous business. Life-expectancy is a statistical calculation. It means nothing for individuals. The order in which things normally happen doesn’t always hold. When expectations are shattered, we can be devastated. Losing those who are young and vibrant challenges our guttural instinct. It raises questions of unfairness and injustice.
Grief has no rules. It only has victims. Shock, numbness, anger, guilt, regret, despair, hopelessness…these swirl around in a complex vortex of darkness and doubt. The heart becomes sick. Foundational convictions are challenged and reviewed in our minds. Can God really be trusted? Does life have purpose? What does it all mean? The details of our futures are not revealed to us. Such knowledge would often cripple our participation in the present. Tyler led a vibrant, active, genuine life. He was not restricted by fear. He lived in the present, valuing each day.
I had the privilege of spending a year with Tyler in 2009 during confirmation instruction. Students were given a 10-point quiz each week as we worked our way through the basic teachings of the Christian faith. It’s nearly impossible to get young, healthy kids to reflect on the frailty and preciousness of life. Life seems too certain, too much a given at that age. But it is possible to teach 13-year-olds that life has a source, a purpose, and a destiny. There’s more to existence than meets the eye. On this particular quiz, for which He received perfect marks, Tyler was answering a question about the very crux of the gospel. Why is the gospel truly good news? It is good news because it resolves the greatest crises of existence. Sin, death, and separation from God are defeated by the One who suffered to serve us. The One who was crucified.
Tyler did not go to a cross for punishment. That debt was already paid. The Substitute has already been sacrificed; for Tyler, for you, for me. Christ understands grief. He entered a darkness from which no human had returned. He entered the crucible of punishment for the collective sins of fallen humanity. He emerged victorious over death. Tyler’s confirmation verse was, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”2 Words spoken by Christ, they remind us tomorrow is not guaranteed, so we should hold tightly the promise of God’s grace. It is life to the soul.
We live in an increasingly volatile world. Terrorism, violence, addiction, and despair remind us of the fallenness of humanity. Collectively and individually, we are vulnerable. Life is precious. Every breath is a gift. Nothing temporal is certain. Eternal things, though, are otherwise. Salvation is by grace, through faith. There is no other way. Death wins lots of little victories. It cannot win the war. It causes a lot of pain, but it has no permanent authority over God’s people.
Life at any age involves a contest against the temptation to give up or give in, the struggle against serving ourselves, instead of others. Tyler knew how to compete. His passion involved the thrill of the chase and the determination needed to accomplish the goal. But there is only one race that needs to be completed. Tyler has crossed the finish line. He has done it earlier than most.
We still have valid questions. Why Tyler? Why now? Why in that way? But we won’t pretend to have answers. We won’t pretend to grasp reasons. We won’t offer shallow solutions. No one can know the mind of God? But we do know the work of Christ. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though He dies.”3Tyler is celebrating Easter: Life! Life with no encumbrances. Life as the unmediated enjoyment of God’s presence.
The One who holds the keys to the heavenly mansion says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”4 The place prepared for Tyler Lange is now occupied. Thanks be to God!
Deanne, Andrew, Ebony, Ashlee; may God Almighty wrap you in His strong but gentle love until the day of your reunion with Ty. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Christian Burial of Tyler Shane Lange
26 May 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 14:2
2 Revelation 3:11
3 John 11:25
4 John 14:1-2
Friday, May 26, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
Sixth Sunday of Easter (A) 2017
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: Acts 17:22-33
Theme: Mute Idols And the Speaking God
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
During his missionary ventures, St Paul visited Athens, Greece. It was still one of the world's intellectual centres at the time. Not coincidentally, he secured an audience with those who gathered at the Areopagus. It was the venue for philosophical discussion. The city, like most of the world in that era, was not short on religious devotees. Paul likely visited the Parthenon where the goddess Athena was worshipped, in addition to the temple of Rome and Augustus. Many at the time believed their fate was in the hands of the pagan gods, whom they needed to appease to gain their favour. The gods were perceived to be short-tempered, unpredictable, and often contradictory in their demands.
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”1 Paul's reference to the altar dedicated to an unknown god was his opening to introduce the identity of the true God: The Christ who came in flesh and blood. Paul was preaching to them about Jesus and the resurrection. To the Athenians, these were strange new teachings. It was certainly an affront to their idols.
Every age has its idols. Ours is no exception. Some idols are perennial favourites. Money is always near the top of the list. Greed is still a common vice. The Scripture says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”2 Jesus Himself said, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."3
Devotion to sports often gets top billing today. Good competition is healthy, and athletic pursuits of achievement are honourable. But think of the hope invested in victory and the anguish of defeat experienced by so many! Some struggle to find meaning and purpose in life if sporting heroes or dreams fail them. Responsibilities to family and society are pushed aside and God certainly doesn’t get a look in. Many other examples such as work, pleasure, or reputation, could be added to the list.
We won’t find public altars built to unknown idols among us today. But the idolatry enthroned within the heart is no different. The word of God speaks to us with the same message. Paul continued saying, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”4 There is a reason the First Commandment has primacy. When it’s disregarded both the internal and external ordering of life breaks down. Civility can still hold sway, but only while people still find meaning in life. Otherwise, restraint is necessary. It’s little wonder so many in our society are caught in cycles of addiction, depression, and despair? It’s not just a matter of lack of self-control. A deeper crisis is evident. Missing hope for the future, needing inspiration for the present, lacking meaning for daily living, people turn to destructive behaviors that get them through the moment. The cost is high.
One of the great challenges of pagan idolatry was that you could seldom be certain where you stood with the gods. There was always a price to secure their favour. But the true God is not a selfish and heartless idol. We know where we stand with Him. God's grace in Christ comes with no strings attached. There are no prerequisites to qualify us for His mercy. The Father finds nothing desirable in us, but He finds His Son faithful. He is not drawn to our goodness, but He is accepting of Christ's righteousness. He's not impressed with our obedience, but He's glorified in Christ's sacrifice. He supplies all that we lack.
The love of God does not fade, it does not tire, it does not get bored. God's passion for us never loses its vibrancy. When we go astray He searches for us with the diligence of a shepherd looking for lost sheep. When spiritual sickness attacks our souls, He tends to us like a physician treating a dying patient. When we are under duress from Satan's temptations, He protects us like a soldier defending a helpless child. The pagan idols were believed to have done none of these things. Christ says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”5
Dear friends, the precious blood of Christ was spilled for you. The crown was fitted. The nails were driven. The cross was lifted…for YOU! He stayed only a Sabbath’s rest in the grave that you might have life in heaven for eternity. You don’t need to rely on any of your own holiness because His is more than enough. We are saved by grace, through faith. You are His baptized and you are fed with His heavenly mana. The apostle says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”6
Thursday marks the day of Christ’s bodily ascension to the Father’s right hand. Jesus said to His nervous disciples, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”7 What magnificent assurance! He speaks that to you in your time of need, your time of darkness, your time of doubt. You will not be orphaned. Tuck that away in your heart. Etch it on your mind. The problem with getting too comfortable with only our favourite verses of Scripture is that we can become complacent. But, you will inevitably find more fabulous expressions of God’s promises. Don’t jettison the old ones, just add more.
Take God at His word. He is trustworthy. Jesus is “the founder and perfecter of our faith.”8 Faith is not an inanimate object. Faith cannot exist without the operative power of the Holy Spirit. The believing person is the person within whom the Spirit is living. Christ lived among sinners and the Holy Spirit lives within them. He lives within believers as the bearer of truth. Christians do not have the Spirit as some generic "lifeforce". He makes known the Son so that we might know the Father as well. These are mind-blowing facts. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters at the first creation and gave you new life in the waters of baptism dwells in you now. The same Jesus who received Stephen at his stoning and the thief on the cross in his dying hour receives you. He will welcome you when mortality has run its course because He has already received you. He will raise you bodily from the grave, not as a new miracle, but as a continuation of His victory over death. The apostle’s good news for the people of Athens is good news for us too. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Sixth Sunday of Easter
21 May 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Acts 17:22-23
2 1 Timothy 6:10
3 Luke 12:15
4 Acts 17:30-31
5 Matthew 10:29-31
6 Romans 8:38-39
7 John 14:18
8 Hebrews 12:2
Text: Acts 17:22-33
Theme: Mute Idols And the Speaking God
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
During his missionary ventures, St Paul visited Athens, Greece. It was still one of the world's intellectual centres at the time. Not coincidentally, he secured an audience with those who gathered at the Areopagus. It was the venue for philosophical discussion. The city, like most of the world in that era, was not short on religious devotees. Paul likely visited the Parthenon where the goddess Athena was worshipped, in addition to the temple of Rome and Augustus. Many at the time believed their fate was in the hands of the pagan gods, whom they needed to appease to gain their favour. The gods were perceived to be short-tempered, unpredictable, and often contradictory in their demands.
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”1 Paul's reference to the altar dedicated to an unknown god was his opening to introduce the identity of the true God: The Christ who came in flesh and blood. Paul was preaching to them about Jesus and the resurrection. To the Athenians, these were strange new teachings. It was certainly an affront to their idols.
Every age has its idols. Ours is no exception. Some idols are perennial favourites. Money is always near the top of the list. Greed is still a common vice. The Scripture says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”2 Jesus Himself said, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."3
Devotion to sports often gets top billing today. Good competition is healthy, and athletic pursuits of achievement are honourable. But think of the hope invested in victory and the anguish of defeat experienced by so many! Some struggle to find meaning and purpose in life if sporting heroes or dreams fail them. Responsibilities to family and society are pushed aside and God certainly doesn’t get a look in. Many other examples such as work, pleasure, or reputation, could be added to the list.
We won’t find public altars built to unknown idols among us today. But the idolatry enthroned within the heart is no different. The word of God speaks to us with the same message. Paul continued saying, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”4 There is a reason the First Commandment has primacy. When it’s disregarded both the internal and external ordering of life breaks down. Civility can still hold sway, but only while people still find meaning in life. Otherwise, restraint is necessary. It’s little wonder so many in our society are caught in cycles of addiction, depression, and despair? It’s not just a matter of lack of self-control. A deeper crisis is evident. Missing hope for the future, needing inspiration for the present, lacking meaning for daily living, people turn to destructive behaviors that get them through the moment. The cost is high.
One of the great challenges of pagan idolatry was that you could seldom be certain where you stood with the gods. There was always a price to secure their favour. But the true God is not a selfish and heartless idol. We know where we stand with Him. God's grace in Christ comes with no strings attached. There are no prerequisites to qualify us for His mercy. The Father finds nothing desirable in us, but He finds His Son faithful. He is not drawn to our goodness, but He is accepting of Christ's righteousness. He's not impressed with our obedience, but He's glorified in Christ's sacrifice. He supplies all that we lack.
The love of God does not fade, it does not tire, it does not get bored. God's passion for us never loses its vibrancy. When we go astray He searches for us with the diligence of a shepherd looking for lost sheep. When spiritual sickness attacks our souls, He tends to us like a physician treating a dying patient. When we are under duress from Satan's temptations, He protects us like a soldier defending a helpless child. The pagan idols were believed to have done none of these things. Christ says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”5
Dear friends, the precious blood of Christ was spilled for you. The crown was fitted. The nails were driven. The cross was lifted…for YOU! He stayed only a Sabbath’s rest in the grave that you might have life in heaven for eternity. You don’t need to rely on any of your own holiness because His is more than enough. We are saved by grace, through faith. You are His baptized and you are fed with His heavenly mana. The apostle says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”6
Thursday marks the day of Christ’s bodily ascension to the Father’s right hand. Jesus said to His nervous disciples, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”7 What magnificent assurance! He speaks that to you in your time of need, your time of darkness, your time of doubt. You will not be orphaned. Tuck that away in your heart. Etch it on your mind. The problem with getting too comfortable with only our favourite verses of Scripture is that we can become complacent. But, you will inevitably find more fabulous expressions of God’s promises. Don’t jettison the old ones, just add more.
Take God at His word. He is trustworthy. Jesus is “the founder and perfecter of our faith.”8 Faith is not an inanimate object. Faith cannot exist without the operative power of the Holy Spirit. The believing person is the person within whom the Spirit is living. Christ lived among sinners and the Holy Spirit lives within them. He lives within believers as the bearer of truth. Christians do not have the Spirit as some generic "lifeforce". He makes known the Son so that we might know the Father as well. These are mind-blowing facts. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters at the first creation and gave you new life in the waters of baptism dwells in you now. The same Jesus who received Stephen at his stoning and the thief on the cross in his dying hour receives you. He will welcome you when mortality has run its course because He has already received you. He will raise you bodily from the grave, not as a new miracle, but as a continuation of His victory over death. The apostle’s good news for the people of Athens is good news for us too. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Sixth Sunday of Easter
21 May 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Acts 17:22-23
2 1 Timothy 6:10
3 Luke 12:15
4 Acts 17:30-31
5 Matthew 10:29-31
6 Romans 8:38-39
7 John 14:18
8 Hebrews 12:2
Monday, May 15, 2017
Fifth Sunday of Easter (A) 2017
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 14:1-9
Theme: Source of Certainty
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Heaven is a present possession for believers. It’s true not because the soul magically exists in an eternal state. No, the soul has no independent life. Death is a certainty for all who remain estranged from God. We have no life in and of ourselves. The fantasy that all people, regardless of belief or conviction, will automatically transition to a future existence of peace and happiness is a mere illusion. And it’s a Satanic one at that. Were it true there would be no need to proclaim the gospel at all and no purpose for the sacrifice of Christ. Heaven is a present possession for believers because the gift of faith means they are already participating in the eternal life of God. The risen Christ secures immortality for all the faithful.
It was these vital truths that Jesus was discussing with His disciples today. He said to them, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”1 Then He said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”2 The reassurances were necessary because the disciples were still full of uncertainty. The time of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion was near. They were feeling vulnerable and afraid. They were soon to receive a reality check. They would be facing a foreboding world of darkness, but they would be bearing the blazing light of the gospel.
Reality checks are a helpful exercise in rebalancing our equilibrium. Commonly, a “reality check” refers to the experience of being pulled back into line, dragged back out of some private world that is more of an illusion than a reality. It presupposes a lack of perspective. Perhaps you’ve said it to or heard it from your spouse or your children. Normally it means the individual is re-familiarized with the worldview of the majority. But the concept can also work in reverse. And it can be applied spiritually.
Do you sometimes wonder if you are living in an alternative universe? If most others are out-of-sync with what you know to be plain common sense and clear and evident reason? The culture we’ve been accustomed to is quickly transforming. Biblical perspective is quickly being lost. Past standards of truth and certainty are being abandoned. More trust is being placed in intuitive human assessment and less in God’s revealed parameters. It’s happened before. The reading from Acts is a reminder of the violent opposition often faced by the early Christians. Stephen received a stunning reality check: The Jews would not receive him, but God did.
Dear friends, the truths of Christianity have stood the test of time. We must be wise to the charge that the Bible is out-of-date or out-of-touch. God’s law of love is not obsolete, and the good news of Christ’s saving work is never irrelevant. God’s truth does not consist of ancient, arbitrary rules set by a fickle divine being. Do we really think we are the first society to grapple with the parameters of sexual expression, fidelity in marriage, and the vulnerability of the unborn and the aged? Are we so arrogant as to think we have greater understanding of the meaning of human existence than those who lived much closer to the time of creation, or others who lived near to the time of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we think progress in technology equates to superiority in understanding the meaning of life? Or do we think accumulated wisdom translates to enlightenment of the soul?
People today are conceived as the same crass, selfish sinners as those of every generation. To be sure, we are born into different circumstances and different opportunities are open to us. We have privileges and material comforts that only the wealthiest enjoyed for most of the history of humanity. But, are we nearer to God than they were? Do we have easier access to divine things than they did? Do we understand God any better than others? We face the same foes they did and we’re no better equipped to deal with them. Sin is a clear and present danger. Hell is an eternal threat. Mortality is an insurmountable crisis.
Speaking into a climate of darkness and doubt, Christ gives light and conviction. Dear friends, faith is never strengthened by uncertainty. God does not want us to grasp at this, dabble in that, and fidget with every new idea and possibility that’s rolled out in hope of making someone rich or stroking another’s ego. “There is nothing new under the sun.”3 Today’s mantras of political correctness are just old ideas with new masks. Sin has no creative element, only the drive to express full independence from the Creator. For the unbeliever, sovereignty is the measure of success. Skepticism is the pinnacle of perfection.
True stability is found in dependency on the Saviour. Autonomy is the broad road that leads to destruction. All things must be measured by the plumb line of Scriptural truth. God has spoken. Hesitation, vagueness, and ambiguity are neither the methods nor the fruits of the Holy Spirit. See today, how the Lord Jesus Christ seeks to bolster the faith of the disciples with rock-solid confidence. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”4 The Holy Spirit is not a skeptic. The Holy Spirit is the Counselor and the Comforter. We know we are in God’s good graces. “We believe, teach, and confess that our righteousness before God consists in this, that God forgives us our sins purely by His grace, without any preceding, present, or subsequent work, merit, or worthiness, and reckons to us the righteousness of Christ’s obedience…”5
What could give us greater confidence than the promise of Jesus that He prepares a place for believers in the home of the Father! These are not hollow words. They are not fictional wishes providing emotional crutches for those too weak to stand on their own. This is the rock-solid gospel pledge that gives perspective to all that we would call prosperity and adversity in this life. What good is all the temporal prosperity in the world if we are bereft of Christ when we draw our final breath? Conversely, what temporal adversity can overcome us knowing the eternal joy that awaits us?
The same promise is made to us in baptism. In this sacrament of water and word the Holy Spirit claims us for the Crucified One. The power of eternal death over us is made null and void because death’s strength has already been shattered by Christ’s resurrection. Having risen Himself, imagine what an easy thing it is for Him to raise us also! In baptism we are placed on the narrow road and the journey begins. The same promise is reinforced in Holy Communion; our food for the pilgrimage.
It’s a journey within the fellowship of the saints and among the sheep of His flock. The Scripture says, “But you are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”6 Think of the opportunities you have to be salt and light! You know those who are caught in cycles of darkness. God is not asking us for miracles, He does those. He’s calling us to be faithful in our vocations. Mothers, today we recognize your vocation as one that serves the most fundamental purposes of God: The provision and protection of life. Yet, we shouldn’t really need a designated day as we already have a commandment to honour mothers and fathers every day.
Today Jesus gave His disciples a reality check. Their hope and future resided in the crucified, risen, and ascended Christ. It didn’t rest in His temporary accomplishments or theoretical ideas. The same is true for us. Christ is not the author of ideas; He is the determiner of outcomes. He does not pledge Himself to us in concepts, but in blood. He bears scars, not hypotheses. There is nothing unclear about His mission, His passion, His identity. His love is unexcelled. A life time of appreciation will never plumb its depths. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Fifth Sunday of Easter
14 May, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 14:6
2 John 14:9
3 Ecclesiastes 1:9
4 John 14:1
5 FC, Epitome III
6 1 Peter 2:10
Text: John 14:1-9
Theme: Source of Certainty
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Heaven is a present possession for believers. It’s true not because the soul magically exists in an eternal state. No, the soul has no independent life. Death is a certainty for all who remain estranged from God. We have no life in and of ourselves. The fantasy that all people, regardless of belief or conviction, will automatically transition to a future existence of peace and happiness is a mere illusion. And it’s a Satanic one at that. Were it true there would be no need to proclaim the gospel at all and no purpose for the sacrifice of Christ. Heaven is a present possession for believers because the gift of faith means they are already participating in the eternal life of God. The risen Christ secures immortality for all the faithful.
It was these vital truths that Jesus was discussing with His disciples today. He said to them, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”1 Then He said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”2 The reassurances were necessary because the disciples were still full of uncertainty. The time of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion was near. They were feeling vulnerable and afraid. They were soon to receive a reality check. They would be facing a foreboding world of darkness, but they would be bearing the blazing light of the gospel.
Reality checks are a helpful exercise in rebalancing our equilibrium. Commonly, a “reality check” refers to the experience of being pulled back into line, dragged back out of some private world that is more of an illusion than a reality. It presupposes a lack of perspective. Perhaps you’ve said it to or heard it from your spouse or your children. Normally it means the individual is re-familiarized with the worldview of the majority. But the concept can also work in reverse. And it can be applied spiritually.
Do you sometimes wonder if you are living in an alternative universe? If most others are out-of-sync with what you know to be plain common sense and clear and evident reason? The culture we’ve been accustomed to is quickly transforming. Biblical perspective is quickly being lost. Past standards of truth and certainty are being abandoned. More trust is being placed in intuitive human assessment and less in God’s revealed parameters. It’s happened before. The reading from Acts is a reminder of the violent opposition often faced by the early Christians. Stephen received a stunning reality check: The Jews would not receive him, but God did.
Dear friends, the truths of Christianity have stood the test of time. We must be wise to the charge that the Bible is out-of-date or out-of-touch. God’s law of love is not obsolete, and the good news of Christ’s saving work is never irrelevant. God’s truth does not consist of ancient, arbitrary rules set by a fickle divine being. Do we really think we are the first society to grapple with the parameters of sexual expression, fidelity in marriage, and the vulnerability of the unborn and the aged? Are we so arrogant as to think we have greater understanding of the meaning of human existence than those who lived much closer to the time of creation, or others who lived near to the time of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we think progress in technology equates to superiority in understanding the meaning of life? Or do we think accumulated wisdom translates to enlightenment of the soul?
People today are conceived as the same crass, selfish sinners as those of every generation. To be sure, we are born into different circumstances and different opportunities are open to us. We have privileges and material comforts that only the wealthiest enjoyed for most of the history of humanity. But, are we nearer to God than they were? Do we have easier access to divine things than they did? Do we understand God any better than others? We face the same foes they did and we’re no better equipped to deal with them. Sin is a clear and present danger. Hell is an eternal threat. Mortality is an insurmountable crisis.
Speaking into a climate of darkness and doubt, Christ gives light and conviction. Dear friends, faith is never strengthened by uncertainty. God does not want us to grasp at this, dabble in that, and fidget with every new idea and possibility that’s rolled out in hope of making someone rich or stroking another’s ego. “There is nothing new under the sun.”3 Today’s mantras of political correctness are just old ideas with new masks. Sin has no creative element, only the drive to express full independence from the Creator. For the unbeliever, sovereignty is the measure of success. Skepticism is the pinnacle of perfection.
True stability is found in dependency on the Saviour. Autonomy is the broad road that leads to destruction. All things must be measured by the plumb line of Scriptural truth. God has spoken. Hesitation, vagueness, and ambiguity are neither the methods nor the fruits of the Holy Spirit. See today, how the Lord Jesus Christ seeks to bolster the faith of the disciples with rock-solid confidence. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”4 The Holy Spirit is not a skeptic. The Holy Spirit is the Counselor and the Comforter. We know we are in God’s good graces. “We believe, teach, and confess that our righteousness before God consists in this, that God forgives us our sins purely by His grace, without any preceding, present, or subsequent work, merit, or worthiness, and reckons to us the righteousness of Christ’s obedience…”5
What could give us greater confidence than the promise of Jesus that He prepares a place for believers in the home of the Father! These are not hollow words. They are not fictional wishes providing emotional crutches for those too weak to stand on their own. This is the rock-solid gospel pledge that gives perspective to all that we would call prosperity and adversity in this life. What good is all the temporal prosperity in the world if we are bereft of Christ when we draw our final breath? Conversely, what temporal adversity can overcome us knowing the eternal joy that awaits us?
The same promise is made to us in baptism. In this sacrament of water and word the Holy Spirit claims us for the Crucified One. The power of eternal death over us is made null and void because death’s strength has already been shattered by Christ’s resurrection. Having risen Himself, imagine what an easy thing it is for Him to raise us also! In baptism we are placed on the narrow road and the journey begins. The same promise is reinforced in Holy Communion; our food for the pilgrimage.
It’s a journey within the fellowship of the saints and among the sheep of His flock. The Scripture says, “But you are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”6 Think of the opportunities you have to be salt and light! You know those who are caught in cycles of darkness. God is not asking us for miracles, He does those. He’s calling us to be faithful in our vocations. Mothers, today we recognize your vocation as one that serves the most fundamental purposes of God: The provision and protection of life. Yet, we shouldn’t really need a designated day as we already have a commandment to honour mothers and fathers every day.
Today Jesus gave His disciples a reality check. Their hope and future resided in the crucified, risen, and ascended Christ. It didn’t rest in His temporary accomplishments or theoretical ideas. The same is true for us. Christ is not the author of ideas; He is the determiner of outcomes. He does not pledge Himself to us in concepts, but in blood. He bears scars, not hypotheses. There is nothing unclear about His mission, His passion, His identity. His love is unexcelled. A life time of appreciation will never plumb its depths. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Fifth Sunday of Easter
14 May, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 14:6
2 John 14:9
3 Ecclesiastes 1:9
4 John 14:1
5 FC, Epitome III
6 1 Peter 2:10
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Fourth Sunday of Easter (A) 2017
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 10:1-10
Theme: Shepherds and Sheep
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Christ is a humble shepherd. Jesus was never condescending. He never spoke down to people. Jesus came down to people, to be sure! He rent the heavens and condescended into our world of sin from the realms of holiness. We call this His humiliation. He was conceived and born in human likeness, thus lowering Himself to become part of our created sphere. He had existed purely in eternity. His humiliation reached its apex when He suffered and bore the cross to the point of death. It was all selfless sacrifice because it did not benefit Him. Yet, when He extends this profound love to us He is never patronizing. This fact is quite remarkable.
Why is this relevant to our Scripture today? The claim is often made that the discourses of Jesus are composed mostly of simple stories for simple people. The inference is drawn that Jesus often “dumbed it down” to make it accessible to His disciples. Extrapolation then gives rise to the idea that God only wants us to have a simplistic faith. But the entire New Testament tells a different story. The disciples are constantly vexed, dumbfounded, and confused. Today, for example, Jesus compares His work with that of a shepherd, a common occupation in Palestine. Still, we find this detail in verse 6 of John 10, “Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them.”
They could not understand because they were not tuned into spiritual truths. Christ spoke clearly, though it was mysterious to those blinded by sin. Christ could be very sharp with His words. He could cut to the heart. He rebuked. He exhorted. He spoke the truth candidly and frankly, as well as compassionately. But He did not condescend and He never fostered naivety. He said, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”1 Certainly the Holy Scriptures are clear and there is no contradiction in them. And the message of the gospel is simple. But it still requires the Holy Spirit to understand it. And then the Holy Spirit continually teaches the believer so that faith becomes more vibrant and well-grounded. There is no graduation. There is no cessation of learning. The Holy Spirit teaches the mind and the heart, the will and the soul. It is the will of God that our faith be immovable.
God wills that we hear His voice and follow Him as our Shepherd. It’s worth reflecting on the nature and consequences of God’s will. If God does not permit something, then no plans we make will ever come to fruition. Think of Christ. Jesus was the target of homicide. Not all attempts were clandestine. More than once public stoning was initiated. All efforts were in vain. It wasn't His time. Human treachery is no match for divine purpose. We cannot bring to pass what God does not permit.
It does not mean we are puppets. You can pursue a career, change jobs, get married, have children, take a holiday, and embark upon a countless number of other things, all within the parameters God permits. And God tends to be quite magnanimous in this regard. God gives you the freedom to make such decisions. You can even express generosity and philanthropy. Yet He warns that at any moment plans can be thwarted and judgment rendered. James critiques an overly presumptuous mindset saying, “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”2 Still, daily decisions are a privilege from the Lord and He often gives us more than one godly option. Therefore, we need nor wring our hands in anxiety about making bad decisions regarding nonessentials. Christianity is not a religion of fatalism. This is how it is in external matters.
However, dear friends, you cannot have one single, holy, selfless, godly thought, let alone do righteous things, apart from the Holy Spirit. And neither can I. We can initiate nothing truly spiritual and godly under our own power. We can't even produce an inkling or a premonition. We are born spiritually blind and dead. But the risen Saviour raises us from spiritual death and gives us abundant baptismal life. He changes your will. He brings it in tune with His will. This miracle isn’t a one-off event, but the continuing dynamic of His presence. He shepherds us. “The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.”3 Trust in the true Shepherd is based on the proven reliability the sheep continually benefit from. The Good Shepherd looks after the sheep. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”4
The task of shepherding God’s people is charged to those called to the Office of the Holy Ministry. The Greek work for shepherd is the same as the word for pastor. St Paul gives this charge to pastors of the early church, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds (pastors) of the church of God which He bought with His own blood.”5 Pastors are under shepherds of Christ, the Chief Shepherd. Christ always remains the head of the church. He is the Groom. The church is the bride. Pastors are “friends of the Bridegroom”, tending to the Bride with His word and truth, dispensing the love and forgiveness which He procured. The pastoral ministry is a vocation of service.
A flock of sheep can appear very uniform to the outside observer. One sheep looks like another and their gregarious habits make them appear even more similar in their behavior. The specialist in sheep husbandry knows differently, however. Quirks and idiosyncrasies soon become evident. The analogy fits well for individuals in the body of Christ. We share a common humanity, a common burden of original sin, a common propensity to sin some more, and a common need for the gospel. But each of us is also idiosyncratic. Some of the temptations I am prone to may be very different from the ones that trouble you. The specific way I hear the gospel and receive comfort from it is also different than the way you hear it.
It is a blessing, indeed, that God has gifted us with this individuality. The Spirit uses these nuances to equip us to serve His church and His world.
Like sheep, it is good for us to be liturgically gregarious. We gather together around word and sacrament and together participate in divine things. The Christian assembly is the place of green pastures and still waters6. It is also important that we be vocationally gregarious. That is, as we live out our faith in our vocations we do so within community. No one can serve, worship, or love God in complete isolation. St. Paul says, simply, “Love one another with brotherly affection…rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another…Never be conceited.”7
We tend to associate being shepherded with that comfortable feeling of being watched over and provided for. But it involves so much more than sentimental consolation. Our Shepherd has borne the cross. He has defeated death. He has slain the dragon. He has poured out His blood which we receive in this sacramental meal. He lives never to die again. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Fourth Sunday of Easter
7 May, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Matthew 10:16
2 James 4:13-16
3 John 10:3-4
4 John 10:11
5 Acts 20:28
6 See Psalm 23:2
7 Romans 12:10, 15-16
Text: John 10:1-10
Theme: Shepherds and Sheep
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Christ is a humble shepherd. Jesus was never condescending. He never spoke down to people. Jesus came down to people, to be sure! He rent the heavens and condescended into our world of sin from the realms of holiness. We call this His humiliation. He was conceived and born in human likeness, thus lowering Himself to become part of our created sphere. He had existed purely in eternity. His humiliation reached its apex when He suffered and bore the cross to the point of death. It was all selfless sacrifice because it did not benefit Him. Yet, when He extends this profound love to us He is never patronizing. This fact is quite remarkable.
Why is this relevant to our Scripture today? The claim is often made that the discourses of Jesus are composed mostly of simple stories for simple people. The inference is drawn that Jesus often “dumbed it down” to make it accessible to His disciples. Extrapolation then gives rise to the idea that God only wants us to have a simplistic faith. But the entire New Testament tells a different story. The disciples are constantly vexed, dumbfounded, and confused. Today, for example, Jesus compares His work with that of a shepherd, a common occupation in Palestine. Still, we find this detail in verse 6 of John 10, “Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them.”
They could not understand because they were not tuned into spiritual truths. Christ spoke clearly, though it was mysterious to those blinded by sin. Christ could be very sharp with His words. He could cut to the heart. He rebuked. He exhorted. He spoke the truth candidly and frankly, as well as compassionately. But He did not condescend and He never fostered naivety. He said, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”1 Certainly the Holy Scriptures are clear and there is no contradiction in them. And the message of the gospel is simple. But it still requires the Holy Spirit to understand it. And then the Holy Spirit continually teaches the believer so that faith becomes more vibrant and well-grounded. There is no graduation. There is no cessation of learning. The Holy Spirit teaches the mind and the heart, the will and the soul. It is the will of God that our faith be immovable.
God wills that we hear His voice and follow Him as our Shepherd. It’s worth reflecting on the nature and consequences of God’s will. If God does not permit something, then no plans we make will ever come to fruition. Think of Christ. Jesus was the target of homicide. Not all attempts were clandestine. More than once public stoning was initiated. All efforts were in vain. It wasn't His time. Human treachery is no match for divine purpose. We cannot bring to pass what God does not permit.
It does not mean we are puppets. You can pursue a career, change jobs, get married, have children, take a holiday, and embark upon a countless number of other things, all within the parameters God permits. And God tends to be quite magnanimous in this regard. God gives you the freedom to make such decisions. You can even express generosity and philanthropy. Yet He warns that at any moment plans can be thwarted and judgment rendered. James critiques an overly presumptuous mindset saying, “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”2 Still, daily decisions are a privilege from the Lord and He often gives us more than one godly option. Therefore, we need nor wring our hands in anxiety about making bad decisions regarding nonessentials. Christianity is not a religion of fatalism. This is how it is in external matters.
However, dear friends, you cannot have one single, holy, selfless, godly thought, let alone do righteous things, apart from the Holy Spirit. And neither can I. We can initiate nothing truly spiritual and godly under our own power. We can't even produce an inkling or a premonition. We are born spiritually blind and dead. But the risen Saviour raises us from spiritual death and gives us abundant baptismal life. He changes your will. He brings it in tune with His will. This miracle isn’t a one-off event, but the continuing dynamic of His presence. He shepherds us. “The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.”3 Trust in the true Shepherd is based on the proven reliability the sheep continually benefit from. The Good Shepherd looks after the sheep. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”4
The task of shepherding God’s people is charged to those called to the Office of the Holy Ministry. The Greek work for shepherd is the same as the word for pastor. St Paul gives this charge to pastors of the early church, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds (pastors) of the church of God which He bought with His own blood.”5 Pastors are under shepherds of Christ, the Chief Shepherd. Christ always remains the head of the church. He is the Groom. The church is the bride. Pastors are “friends of the Bridegroom”, tending to the Bride with His word and truth, dispensing the love and forgiveness which He procured. The pastoral ministry is a vocation of service.
A flock of sheep can appear very uniform to the outside observer. One sheep looks like another and their gregarious habits make them appear even more similar in their behavior. The specialist in sheep husbandry knows differently, however. Quirks and idiosyncrasies soon become evident. The analogy fits well for individuals in the body of Christ. We share a common humanity, a common burden of original sin, a common propensity to sin some more, and a common need for the gospel. But each of us is also idiosyncratic. Some of the temptations I am prone to may be very different from the ones that trouble you. The specific way I hear the gospel and receive comfort from it is also different than the way you hear it.
It is a blessing, indeed, that God has gifted us with this individuality. The Spirit uses these nuances to equip us to serve His church and His world.
Like sheep, it is good for us to be liturgically gregarious. We gather together around word and sacrament and together participate in divine things. The Christian assembly is the place of green pastures and still waters6. It is also important that we be vocationally gregarious. That is, as we live out our faith in our vocations we do so within community. No one can serve, worship, or love God in complete isolation. St. Paul says, simply, “Love one another with brotherly affection…rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another…Never be conceited.”7
We tend to associate being shepherded with that comfortable feeling of being watched over and provided for. But it involves so much more than sentimental consolation. Our Shepherd has borne the cross. He has defeated death. He has slain the dragon. He has poured out His blood which we receive in this sacramental meal. He lives never to die again. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Fourth Sunday of Easter
7 May, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Matthew 10:16
2 James 4:13-16
3 John 10:3-4
4 John 10:11
5 Acts 20:28
6 See Psalm 23:2
7 Romans 12:10, 15-16
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Third Sunday of Easter (A) 2017
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: Luke 24:25-27
Theme: Knowledge, Faith, Sight
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The rebuke was firm, but compassionate. The risen Jesus spoke to those who were confused and disillusioned about His death, saying, “‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”1 By “Scriptures”, Jesus meant the Old Testament. The God who created in the beginning was the same God who sent His Son to redeem that fallen creation. Jesus set about explaining how He had accomplished that through what many believed was His tragic and premature death.
Imagine what an amazing time of instruction it was! The resurrected Lord Jesus opened the meaning of the Scriptures to them. The Teacher taught of Himself. It wasn’t ego-tripping. It was a rare opportunity to learn divine things from the Holy One. The Divinity taught the way of holiness. The Man taught the way of godliness. God taught the way of “manliness.” The new Adam taught the daughters of Eve, long in the tooth of sin. The new Adam taught those born in the likeness of Seth2.
Dear friends, Christ still teaches. He speaks. We are here every Sunday because The Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures to us. He can and does do this because Jesus has broken the hold of darkness. Jesus says, “These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”3 Where the Scripture is proclaimed Christ still speaks. He opens minds and hearts. He closes the book on all things needed to accomplish our salvation.
And what does Jesus teach? He teaches truth and love. That sounds simple. But, remember, sinners are masterful accomplices of twisting, distorting, ignoring, or rephrasing what they don’t want to hear. If we don’t believe this is true, especially about ourselves, then we have a dangerously inadequate understanding of the nature of sin and thus, our need for grace. We are not easily taught. Making us receptive, is itself, part of the Spirit’s work.
Perhaps the most misunderstood teaching in the entire Bible is that of love? God’s love is broad, deep and all embracing. But it is not open to reshaping based on human opinion. The misapplication and misunderstanding of God’s love tends towards license on the one hand and legalism on the other. Both are perversions of biblical truth. There is no contradiction between love and truth. In other words, that which is true about God, His intentions, and His will never stands in contrast to the expression of His love. Christ did not love us by simply ignoring our transgressions against Him. He endured the punishment that was due us. God’s commands are an expression of His will. He wills that we have stability and wellbeing. In a fallen world that requires concrete parameters. Even in judgment God is expressing His love for sinners by calling them to repentance. When we are being chastised we only feel God’s anger. It must be that way so that we are receptive to His grace. The Scripture says God, “disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.”4 God’s proper work is to show us His grace; His love.
Biblical love, divine love is not tolerance, lenience, or apathy. God doesn’t say, “I prefer that you don’t lie to me or to one another, but if you do, it doesn’t really matter.” It does matter. God calls us to account for breaking His will. The infraction must be resolved. But we’re not able to atone for our transgressions. The love of God to the sinner is then expressed in forgiveness, not tolerance or apathy. Christ pays the debt. He makes reparations. Think of Peter’s words today, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”5 It’s never okay to sin because we believe God doesn’t care and will just indifferently ignore (“forgive”) our sin. That belief undermines the value of Christ’s sacrifice.
On the other hand, biblical love is not legalism. It doesn’t entail checking off a list of requirements regardless of the right attitude of the heart. External actions properly performed cannot bring us the assurance that we have obtained or are walking in God’s love. We might be running, standing, sitting, or lying down in the presence of God, but the believing heart is always kneeling. That heart-posture is the work of the Holy Spirit. Legalism essentially involves trusting in our own obedience to God, rather than in Christ. Even our repentance doesn’t earn forgiveness from God.
The Bible says God is love.6 But, this love is not nebulous, esoteric, inaccessible, or theoretical. Christianity is not about mere speculation about a powerful and holy, but distant Deity. Christianity is incarnational. God exists in the person of Jesus in our dimension of time and space. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”7 He still stands as the bearer of peace among us. Christ’s ascension doesn’t mean He has left and now rules in absentsia through the Holy Spirit, like an absentee landlord. Christ retains His physical nature, including His scars, even in heaven, but is accessible to us now through His word and sacraments.
God’s love is concrete. It is manifest in the daily provision He gives us, but, more importantly, in the self-revelation of His Son. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, when Christ says you are absolved, then your sins are truly wiped away. You are reconciled to the heavenly Father. You have the consolation of the Holy Spirit. There are no conditions or obligations to be met. You are restored. You are His baptized. You are fed with the Lamb of God Himself, His body and blood.
Understanding the concreteness of God’s love to us in Christ has direct bearing on how we relate to others. The Ten Commandments are not burdens weighing down our consciences but rather the framework for living out our faith in our daily vocations. We are the arms, legs, hands, and feet of Christ to others. We are ambassadors of His word and His presence. Jesus immediately began teaching on that first Easter Sunday. He still does. The Bible never imparts to us merely trivial or academic information. God’s word extends to us the blessings of the Word-become-flesh, the Immanuel. The Saviour who was born in a manger was also nailed to a cross, laid in a tomb, and has now risen from the dead. He is the living God. Amen.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Third Sunday of Easter
30 April, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Luke 24:25-27
2 See Genesis 5:3
3 Revelation 3:7
4 Hebrews 12:10
5 1 Peter 1:18-19
6 See 1 John 4:4
7 John 1:14
8Hebrews 9:26
Text: Luke 24:25-27
Theme: Knowledge, Faith, Sight
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The rebuke was firm, but compassionate. The risen Jesus spoke to those who were confused and disillusioned about His death, saying, “‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”1 By “Scriptures”, Jesus meant the Old Testament. The God who created in the beginning was the same God who sent His Son to redeem that fallen creation. Jesus set about explaining how He had accomplished that through what many believed was His tragic and premature death.
Imagine what an amazing time of instruction it was! The resurrected Lord Jesus opened the meaning of the Scriptures to them. The Teacher taught of Himself. It wasn’t ego-tripping. It was a rare opportunity to learn divine things from the Holy One. The Divinity taught the way of holiness. The Man taught the way of godliness. God taught the way of “manliness.” The new Adam taught the daughters of Eve, long in the tooth of sin. The new Adam taught those born in the likeness of Seth2.
Dear friends, Christ still teaches. He speaks. We are here every Sunday because The Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures to us. He can and does do this because Jesus has broken the hold of darkness. Jesus says, “These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”3 Where the Scripture is proclaimed Christ still speaks. He opens minds and hearts. He closes the book on all things needed to accomplish our salvation.
And what does Jesus teach? He teaches truth and love. That sounds simple. But, remember, sinners are masterful accomplices of twisting, distorting, ignoring, or rephrasing what they don’t want to hear. If we don’t believe this is true, especially about ourselves, then we have a dangerously inadequate understanding of the nature of sin and thus, our need for grace. We are not easily taught. Making us receptive, is itself, part of the Spirit’s work.
Perhaps the most misunderstood teaching in the entire Bible is that of love? God’s love is broad, deep and all embracing. But it is not open to reshaping based on human opinion. The misapplication and misunderstanding of God’s love tends towards license on the one hand and legalism on the other. Both are perversions of biblical truth. There is no contradiction between love and truth. In other words, that which is true about God, His intentions, and His will never stands in contrast to the expression of His love. Christ did not love us by simply ignoring our transgressions against Him. He endured the punishment that was due us. God’s commands are an expression of His will. He wills that we have stability and wellbeing. In a fallen world that requires concrete parameters. Even in judgment God is expressing His love for sinners by calling them to repentance. When we are being chastised we only feel God’s anger. It must be that way so that we are receptive to His grace. The Scripture says God, “disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.”4 God’s proper work is to show us His grace; His love.
Biblical love, divine love is not tolerance, lenience, or apathy. God doesn’t say, “I prefer that you don’t lie to me or to one another, but if you do, it doesn’t really matter.” It does matter. God calls us to account for breaking His will. The infraction must be resolved. But we’re not able to atone for our transgressions. The love of God to the sinner is then expressed in forgiveness, not tolerance or apathy. Christ pays the debt. He makes reparations. Think of Peter’s words today, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”5 It’s never okay to sin because we believe God doesn’t care and will just indifferently ignore (“forgive”) our sin. That belief undermines the value of Christ’s sacrifice.
On the other hand, biblical love is not legalism. It doesn’t entail checking off a list of requirements regardless of the right attitude of the heart. External actions properly performed cannot bring us the assurance that we have obtained or are walking in God’s love. We might be running, standing, sitting, or lying down in the presence of God, but the believing heart is always kneeling. That heart-posture is the work of the Holy Spirit. Legalism essentially involves trusting in our own obedience to God, rather than in Christ. Even our repentance doesn’t earn forgiveness from God.
The Bible says God is love.6 But, this love is not nebulous, esoteric, inaccessible, or theoretical. Christianity is not about mere speculation about a powerful and holy, but distant Deity. Christianity is incarnational. God exists in the person of Jesus in our dimension of time and space. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”7 He still stands as the bearer of peace among us. Christ’s ascension doesn’t mean He has left and now rules in absentsia through the Holy Spirit, like an absentee landlord. Christ retains His physical nature, including His scars, even in heaven, but is accessible to us now through His word and sacraments.
God’s love is concrete. It is manifest in the daily provision He gives us, but, more importantly, in the self-revelation of His Son. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, when Christ says you are absolved, then your sins are truly wiped away. You are reconciled to the heavenly Father. You have the consolation of the Holy Spirit. There are no conditions or obligations to be met. You are restored. You are His baptized. You are fed with the Lamb of God Himself, His body and blood.
Understanding the concreteness of God’s love to us in Christ has direct bearing on how we relate to others. The Ten Commandments are not burdens weighing down our consciences but rather the framework for living out our faith in our daily vocations. We are the arms, legs, hands, and feet of Christ to others. We are ambassadors of His word and His presence. Jesus immediately began teaching on that first Easter Sunday. He still does. The Bible never imparts to us merely trivial or academic information. God’s word extends to us the blessings of the Word-become-flesh, the Immanuel. The Saviour who was born in a manger was also nailed to a cross, laid in a tomb, and has now risen from the dead. He is the living God. Amen.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Third Sunday of Easter
30 April, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Luke 24:25-27
2 See Genesis 5:3
3 Revelation 3:7
4 Hebrews 12:10
5 1 Peter 1:18-19
6 See 1 John 4:4
7 John 1:14
8Hebrews 9:26
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
ANZAC Day Address 2017
ANZAC DAY ADDRESS 2017
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus Christ, John 15:13
Not all trauma is meant to be documented. God alone has the tally. Humans have collected bits and pieces here and there; these personal remembrances of conflict. Our gracious God snatches away some of the most heart-rending memories for our own protection. He quickly smothers the terror like a mother cradling her baby, like a comrade falling on a grenade. It allows those who are still in the fray to cope, to carry on. And carry on they did, so that others could live securely.
They are not all numbered, but they shall not be forgotten. How many have been lost down through history? How many acts of sacrifice have gone unrecognized? How many heroic deeds were unrecorded; from Gallipoli to Kokoda, from Desert Storm back to the Somme? The bravery, the valor, the loyalty; these particulars were often known only among comrades. We are privy only to the details they chose to share. Danger unified them. Hope sustained them. Love galvanized them. They saw unspeakable horrors. They heard desperate cries. The stench of decay filled their nostrils. The taste of death clung to their lips. Their consciences carried aspirations of freedom. Their hearts bore the ideals of democracy. They fell so that our way of life could still stand.
The WWI diary of Archie Barwick records this entry from the 27th December 1916, it was a post-Christmas reflection, “A fellow has had many opportunities now of seeing the ravages caused by war. The throwing back of the [German] lines enables one to visit the ground that once was no man’s land…which remains in many instances littered with the debris of a series of long and terrible fights…the ground over which both sides are fighting is one vast cemetery, & as new trenches are cut bodies come out or form part of the walls. It is a gruesome place this Somme...”
And so it is in many of the theaters of war. We can scarcely imagine having as our residence a place with walls lined by the corpses of the slain! Yet, walled in by the dead, they fought for life. Captive to the conditions they fought for freedom. Lingering in dark shadows they trusted light would dawn on the horizon. The stability and privileges we enjoy in our society are the fruit of their sacrifices.
Not all details are remembered, but their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. God alone has the tally. We shall never be privy to the scope of experience the participants of war endure; their suffering, their grief, their glory. Empathy is beyond our capacity, but gratitude is vital for mentoring the next generation. Sacrifice wasted in the present darkens future prospects.
Wars and conflicts seem never to cease. It is the way of a fallen world. A measure of peace is maintained by vigilance. Liberty is guarded by careful investment in shared values and common goals. There is a cost. These are never a given, always a gift. Human strength has its limits. There is always striving, always failing, always hoping. But the cosmic war has already been won. There is no greater love than the sacrifice made by Him who is the Prince of Peace. The Son of God laid down His life for friends and enemies alike. His love cannot be conquered. It cannot be defeated. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), no one else did, no one else can. In spite of all human treachery, Life prevails. In the midst of our darkness, He is light. He knows the scars of warriors. He knows the scars of nations. He knows those hidden scars never disclosed. His own scars tell the story of death and of life.
Today we remember the fallen and those details of their sacrifice which God permits. We commend the rest to His keeping. May the Almighty, for the sake of His Son, grant us the courage to use our freedom wisely, the ability to defend it safely, and the generosity to extend it to others.
Pastor Darrin Kohrt, Concordia & Outlying Lutheran Congregations
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus Christ, John 15:13
Not all trauma is meant to be documented. God alone has the tally. Humans have collected bits and pieces here and there; these personal remembrances of conflict. Our gracious God snatches away some of the most heart-rending memories for our own protection. He quickly smothers the terror like a mother cradling her baby, like a comrade falling on a grenade. It allows those who are still in the fray to cope, to carry on. And carry on they did, so that others could live securely.
They are not all numbered, but they shall not be forgotten. How many have been lost down through history? How many acts of sacrifice have gone unrecognized? How many heroic deeds were unrecorded; from Gallipoli to Kokoda, from Desert Storm back to the Somme? The bravery, the valor, the loyalty; these particulars were often known only among comrades. We are privy only to the details they chose to share. Danger unified them. Hope sustained them. Love galvanized them. They saw unspeakable horrors. They heard desperate cries. The stench of decay filled their nostrils. The taste of death clung to their lips. Their consciences carried aspirations of freedom. Their hearts bore the ideals of democracy. They fell so that our way of life could still stand.
The WWI diary of Archie Barwick records this entry from the 27th December 1916, it was a post-Christmas reflection, “A fellow has had many opportunities now of seeing the ravages caused by war. The throwing back of the [German] lines enables one to visit the ground that once was no man’s land…which remains in many instances littered with the debris of a series of long and terrible fights…the ground over which both sides are fighting is one vast cemetery, & as new trenches are cut bodies come out or form part of the walls. It is a gruesome place this Somme...”
And so it is in many of the theaters of war. We can scarcely imagine having as our residence a place with walls lined by the corpses of the slain! Yet, walled in by the dead, they fought for life. Captive to the conditions they fought for freedom. Lingering in dark shadows they trusted light would dawn on the horizon. The stability and privileges we enjoy in our society are the fruit of their sacrifices.
Not all details are remembered, but their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. God alone has the tally. We shall never be privy to the scope of experience the participants of war endure; their suffering, their grief, their glory. Empathy is beyond our capacity, but gratitude is vital for mentoring the next generation. Sacrifice wasted in the present darkens future prospects.
Wars and conflicts seem never to cease. It is the way of a fallen world. A measure of peace is maintained by vigilance. Liberty is guarded by careful investment in shared values and common goals. There is a cost. These are never a given, always a gift. Human strength has its limits. There is always striving, always failing, always hoping. But the cosmic war has already been won. There is no greater love than the sacrifice made by Him who is the Prince of Peace. The Son of God laid down His life for friends and enemies alike. His love cannot be conquered. It cannot be defeated. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), no one else did, no one else can. In spite of all human treachery, Life prevails. In the midst of our darkness, He is light. He knows the scars of warriors. He knows the scars of nations. He knows those hidden scars never disclosed. His own scars tell the story of death and of life.
Today we remember the fallen and those details of their sacrifice which God permits. We commend the rest to His keeping. May the Almighty, for the sake of His Son, grant us the courage to use our freedom wisely, the ability to defend it safely, and the generosity to extend it to others.
Pastor Darrin Kohrt, Concordia & Outlying Lutheran Congregations
Second Sunday of Easter (A) 2017
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 20:23
Theme: The Mandate of Forgiveness
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The news reached the eleven disciples before Jesus Himself did. First, He walked the road to Emmaus. The disciples, meanwhile, had a few more hours to collect their thoughts before seeing Jesus face to face. Imagine the shame and regret they struggled through! They had abandoned Him in His hour of need. How would He respond to them now? Would He rebuke them? The disciples were huddled together with the doors locked. The risen Christ passed right through the locked doors into their presence. He greeted them with peace. What a weight was lifted from them! The risen Christ holds no grudges.
Thomas was not present that first Easter Sunday when Jesus appeared. His refusal to believe the others has been the focus of many sermons throughout the ages. He had to witness the scars firsthand. Jesus was risen. He still is. In response, Jesus commends the work of the Spirit. He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”1 The Holy Spirit grants such faith to us “Thomases”, who believe on the testimony of many witnesses, though we don’t feel the scars. Still, we taste, touch, and see His body and blood in Holy Communion.
But more happened in those first reunions than just dispelling the doubt of Thomas. Jesus immediately began to prepare the apostles to be sent out into the world. He would charge them with an awesome responsibility. The crux of the matter is stated like this by Jesus, “If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven: if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”2 He had taught them this before. In the preaching of God’s word unrepentant sinners must be warned their guilt remains unresolved before God, and repentant sinners but be assured, beyond doubt that their sins are forgiven. Christ established the Office of the Ministry for just this purpose.
God is in the business of forgiveness. Humans prefer the commerce of sin. The fact that we don’t see eye to eye on these matters necessitated the coming of Christ end encompasses the whole purpose of the Scriptures. The misunderstanding of sin is a condition of original sin. A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, "Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness from sin?" There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. "Sin," he said. Dear friends, we are often like the small boy than we’d like to admit. We easily suppose we have no serious sins that need to be dealt with. Those who don’t believe they are seek will not seek a doctor. Those who do not believe they are sinners will not seek a Saviour.
Dear friends, Jesus had said earlier to His followers, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, - and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him.”3 And do you know how the apostles responded to that? The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"4 They understood immediately how difficult and treacherous this business of forgiveness is. They knew, from experience, like we all do, that it is no easy thing. Remember, forgiveness is never earned. If we are waiting for the other person to merit forgiveness, then we really want is satisfaction or revenge. Forgiveness is always an extension of undeserved grace. God has extended it to us in Christ. We couldn't earn it from Him in a thousand lifetimes. But Jesus acquired it with the selfless giving up of His own life.
When human capacity reaches its limits- the ability to forgive or to turn the other cheek is exhausted- it's then that Christ carries us. It's then that the cross becomes real. It’s then that the rubber meets the road in baptismal living. When we stop looking for solutions that are really nothing more than veiled negotiations to get our own way, it's then that the love of Christ must do what no human effort or ingenuity can do. Reconciliation with those who have sinned against us is not easy. It mirrors the reconciliation between God and humans; that required holy blood to be shed. So, what is required for broken relationships that need to be mended? Well, more of the same. It requires the Holy Spirit, who convicts consciences and softens hardened hearts.
Acting like a doormat doesn’t mean forgiveness has been received or reconciliation has occurred. Denial doesn’t mean forgiveness has been received or reconciliation has occurred. Claiming victory or admitting defeat doesn’t mean forgiveness has been received or reconciliation has occurred. Forgiveness is not about winning, or dominating, or giving up. It is about believing what God has done for us in Christ and trusting it is valid also for our relationships with others.
The joy and struggle of forgiveness should be central to our prayer life, just as it sits right in the middle of the Lord’s prayer. “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”5 What does this mean? “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, not have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace…so we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.”6
And indeed, He does not deny us His grace because the atonement was already accomplished at the cross. The cross is not merely one illustration of sacrifice in competition with others. The crucifixion is the defining event of God's self-disclosure. In it we see who God really is. It is the one necessary redeeming event. The Bible says, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”7 And again, “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”8 The work is completed. The job is finished. We gather now, as we do every Lord's day, not to attempt again what Christ has already done, but to benefit from His perfect accomplishment.
We cannot truly forgive unless we believe we have been forgiven. The power is above and beyond us. Yes, we can forgive those things which we have already decided didn't really offend us. We've moved on and the relationship isn't compromised. But it's another story when the effect of the offence alters our attitude towards the person. We recognise the resentment lodged deep in the heart but our feelings cannot overcome it. We may know the person is genuinely sorry, but we still want them to feel our pain. At these times forgiveness relies on the truth of God's promise. We believe that Christ will resolve all imbalances and inconsistencies. His sacrifice was the atonement for all the injustices humans have perpetrated against one another. It doesn't mean our hearts will suddenly be at peace about something that hurt us deeply. Scars remain. Memories linger. But it does mean we can go forward leaving it in God's hands. We can treat the person as if the past has been forgotten.
Leaving the past behind is part of our Easter joy. The new life we have in baptism originates with the resurrected Jesus and is sustained only through Him. The Holy Spirit continually renews us in our baptism every time His forgiveness is received. That doesn’t mean we sit back apathetically and reflect on God’s blessings to us in the past (though we should always be reflecting on His blessings), it means we face each day renewed and equipped to mirror Christ’s love to others. We may be a dim reflection: We leave the perfect clarity to Him. He still bears the scars. Amen.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Second Sunday of Easter
23 April, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 20:29
2 John 20:23
3 Luke 17:3-4
4 Luke 17:5
5 Luke 11:4
6 Luther’s Small Catechism
7 Hebrews 10:12
8Hebrews 9:26
Text: John 20:23
Theme: The Mandate of Forgiveness
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The news reached the eleven disciples before Jesus Himself did. First, He walked the road to Emmaus. The disciples, meanwhile, had a few more hours to collect their thoughts before seeing Jesus face to face. Imagine the shame and regret they struggled through! They had abandoned Him in His hour of need. How would He respond to them now? Would He rebuke them? The disciples were huddled together with the doors locked. The risen Christ passed right through the locked doors into their presence. He greeted them with peace. What a weight was lifted from them! The risen Christ holds no grudges.
Thomas was not present that first Easter Sunday when Jesus appeared. His refusal to believe the others has been the focus of many sermons throughout the ages. He had to witness the scars firsthand. Jesus was risen. He still is. In response, Jesus commends the work of the Spirit. He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”1 The Holy Spirit grants such faith to us “Thomases”, who believe on the testimony of many witnesses, though we don’t feel the scars. Still, we taste, touch, and see His body and blood in Holy Communion.
But more happened in those first reunions than just dispelling the doubt of Thomas. Jesus immediately began to prepare the apostles to be sent out into the world. He would charge them with an awesome responsibility. The crux of the matter is stated like this by Jesus, “If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven: if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”2 He had taught them this before. In the preaching of God’s word unrepentant sinners must be warned their guilt remains unresolved before God, and repentant sinners but be assured, beyond doubt that their sins are forgiven. Christ established the Office of the Ministry for just this purpose.
God is in the business of forgiveness. Humans prefer the commerce of sin. The fact that we don’t see eye to eye on these matters necessitated the coming of Christ end encompasses the whole purpose of the Scriptures. The misunderstanding of sin is a condition of original sin. A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, "Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness from sin?" There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. "Sin," he said. Dear friends, we are often like the small boy than we’d like to admit. We easily suppose we have no serious sins that need to be dealt with. Those who don’t believe they are seek will not seek a doctor. Those who do not believe they are sinners will not seek a Saviour.
Dear friends, Jesus had said earlier to His followers, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, - and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him.”3 And do you know how the apostles responded to that? The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"4 They understood immediately how difficult and treacherous this business of forgiveness is. They knew, from experience, like we all do, that it is no easy thing. Remember, forgiveness is never earned. If we are waiting for the other person to merit forgiveness, then we really want is satisfaction or revenge. Forgiveness is always an extension of undeserved grace. God has extended it to us in Christ. We couldn't earn it from Him in a thousand lifetimes. But Jesus acquired it with the selfless giving up of His own life.
When human capacity reaches its limits- the ability to forgive or to turn the other cheek is exhausted- it's then that Christ carries us. It's then that the cross becomes real. It’s then that the rubber meets the road in baptismal living. When we stop looking for solutions that are really nothing more than veiled negotiations to get our own way, it's then that the love of Christ must do what no human effort or ingenuity can do. Reconciliation with those who have sinned against us is not easy. It mirrors the reconciliation between God and humans; that required holy blood to be shed. So, what is required for broken relationships that need to be mended? Well, more of the same. It requires the Holy Spirit, who convicts consciences and softens hardened hearts.
Acting like a doormat doesn’t mean forgiveness has been received or reconciliation has occurred. Denial doesn’t mean forgiveness has been received or reconciliation has occurred. Claiming victory or admitting defeat doesn’t mean forgiveness has been received or reconciliation has occurred. Forgiveness is not about winning, or dominating, or giving up. It is about believing what God has done for us in Christ and trusting it is valid also for our relationships with others.
The joy and struggle of forgiveness should be central to our prayer life, just as it sits right in the middle of the Lord’s prayer. “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”5 What does this mean? “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, not have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace…so we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.”6
And indeed, He does not deny us His grace because the atonement was already accomplished at the cross. The cross is not merely one illustration of sacrifice in competition with others. The crucifixion is the defining event of God's self-disclosure. In it we see who God really is. It is the one necessary redeeming event. The Bible says, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”7 And again, “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”8 The work is completed. The job is finished. We gather now, as we do every Lord's day, not to attempt again what Christ has already done, but to benefit from His perfect accomplishment.
We cannot truly forgive unless we believe we have been forgiven. The power is above and beyond us. Yes, we can forgive those things which we have already decided didn't really offend us. We've moved on and the relationship isn't compromised. But it's another story when the effect of the offence alters our attitude towards the person. We recognise the resentment lodged deep in the heart but our feelings cannot overcome it. We may know the person is genuinely sorry, but we still want them to feel our pain. At these times forgiveness relies on the truth of God's promise. We believe that Christ will resolve all imbalances and inconsistencies. His sacrifice was the atonement for all the injustices humans have perpetrated against one another. It doesn't mean our hearts will suddenly be at peace about something that hurt us deeply. Scars remain. Memories linger. But it does mean we can go forward leaving it in God's hands. We can treat the person as if the past has been forgotten.
Leaving the past behind is part of our Easter joy. The new life we have in baptism originates with the resurrected Jesus and is sustained only through Him. The Holy Spirit continually renews us in our baptism every time His forgiveness is received. That doesn’t mean we sit back apathetically and reflect on God’s blessings to us in the past (though we should always be reflecting on His blessings), it means we face each day renewed and equipped to mirror Christ’s love to others. We may be a dim reflection: We leave the perfect clarity to Him. He still bears the scars. Amen.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Second Sunday of Easter
23 April, 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 20:29
2 John 20:23
3 Luke 17:3-4
4 Luke 17:5
5 Luke 11:4
6 Luther’s Small Catechism
7 Hebrews 10:12
8Hebrews 9:26
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