Isaiah 65:1-9; Galatians 3:23-4:7; Luke 8:26-39

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It’s an odd fact of life that we all wish we were a different age. As children, we’re always wishing we were older. We’re looking forward to our next birthday (of course because of presents) but with age, we also understand there is more freedom. I find it generally true that most of childhood is looking forward to the next age benchmark. At the same time, once we grow up, many begin glamorizing their youth wishing they were younger again.

Of course, there are benefits and struggles at every age. We shouldn’t wish life away nor despise the maturity which age has brought. It is also true that with age comes greater freedom. We won’t let a four-year-old do the same thing as a forty-year-old. We restrict the actions of children because they haven’t developed the maturity to make every important decision.

This is much the same relation we have with God and faith. As Paul discusses in our Epistle reading this week, we’re all captive to sin under the law. As Paul declares, “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith,” Galatians 3:24. Because of our “immaturity” in faith, God gave us the law as a “guardian” or “parent”. We aren’t able to make the decision to believe in God or to do what is pleasing in his sight. Rather, we need someone to guide and instruct us.

Similarly, if we look at our Gospel lesson this week, we find a man who is demon-possessed. He’s literally a slave to the demons, and in turn the evil and sin which they promote. His condition is so extreme that he’s living alone among a cemetery, in the place of death. Likewise, we all find ourselves captive to sin and death. We’re captive to the law as well, which means that we’re always trying to work ourselves into paradise but never able to actually get there. 

Everything changes though when Christ comes. The demon-possessed man finds his release and freedom and so do we! Jesus enters this barren and death-filled land and finds the man held captive. By the word and command of Jesus, the demons must leave. Then we hear about the man, “Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid,” Luke 8:35. As Jesus comes to the man, instilling faith, he’s freed not only from demons, but the law and death. Likewise, before faith and Christ, we too are held captive to sin and death. But after Christ comes, after we’re washed clean in baptism, we too have freedom in Christ! By the cross of Christ, Satan and death must flee from us! As Paul says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons,” Galatians 4:4-5. No longer are we slaves to the law and sin, but sons and daughters of God! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer: 

O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding. Cast out all sins and evil desires from us, and pour into our hearts Your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Acts 2:14a, 22-36; John 8:48-59

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Have you ever tried stuffing a box with more items than would fit? Trying to squeeze things into too small an area causes many issues. The box rips, the items are overflowing, and so on. It’s a challenge that has no answer... other than finding a bigger box. But if that option is taken off the table, we’re stuck.

This is part of our issue with our celebration of the Holy Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity is a key doctrine, one that is foundational to the Christian Church. However, it’s too “large” of a doctrine to every fully fit in our brain. The Trinity is one teaching that we teach but can never fully comprehend. To understand who God is, how He can be Trinity is something so far beyond our human comprehension. For God has no comparison or equal in all of creation, so any attempt to do so is futile.

This doesn’t mean we don’t know anything about the Trinity. As we will see in our readings this week, God has revealed himself in this way, as one God, yet three persons. Consider Jesus’s discussion with the Jews from John, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, “He is our God.” John 8:54. Jesus claims to be glorified by God (the Father), yet later he will claim to be God himself. But from Acts, we also read, “[Jesus] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing,” Acts 2:33. While far from an exhaustive list, we already have established God the Father, Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Spirit, but a repetition that there is only one God.

This teaching will always confound people. It has made many doubt the Christian faith. But it remains central to understanding God and faith. For we hold that God is one, but is three persons. And these three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are all distinct from one another, but share in the oneness of the divinity. Without such a teaching, without confessing our faith in the Holy Trinity, we are left questioning the first commandment. Which God shall we believe in and worship? 

God has thus revealed himself to us in this way and we can speak no other way about God than how he has spoken to us. God is one. There is only one God, yet three persons. And this is important because it’s the Holy Trinity that offers us salvation. It’s the Father who has sent the Son to become incarnate for us. It’s the Son (Jesus) who has suffered for our sins and offers us forgiveness. It’s Jesus who has died on the cross and rose from the dead so that we wouldn’t have to taste eternal death. It’s the Holy Spirit who has come to dwell in our hearts to bring to us the victory of Jesus and the reward of life eternal! God has work for one purpose, the salvation of man. For this is the glory of God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that by His work in our world, we may have eternal life! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:23-31

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I feel like I’m always forgetting things. The process of recalling knowledge previously learned can become complicated at times. There’s always the problem of simple confusion. We mix up one thing for another because they’re similar, but not the same. Or it’s something that isn’t as easy to remember, like particular dates. How many people remember the exact date that something happened? Some... but not many.

Indeed, part of learning is being able to remember accurately. We drill knowledge into kids from a very young age and then count on them being able to recall what we taught for the rest of their life. The problem with this is forgetting. We forget or are unable to recall the information to mind when we need it. This is why, as a society, we’ve become so dependent on being able to look things up in a moment’s notice.

In our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus speaks about the coming of the Holy Spirit, even as we celebrate his coming on Pentecost. Of all the things that happen on Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit is the most important. However, it’s not because it’s the Holy Spirit’s turn to take center stage. Rather, this is what Jesus says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you,” John 14:26. The Holy Spirit will help us remember... Jesus. He helps us recall everything that Jesus has told us.

Indeed, we are all forgetful. Even the disciples forgot many things which Jesus had told them. But it’s not necessarily the forgetfulness that’s the problem. Rather, it’s that as sinful human beings, we sometimes want to forget what Jesus has told us. Much of so-called “Christianity” today has forgotten Jesus’ words. Many people ignore what Jesus has taught and said so that they won’t be convicted of their sin. 

This is why we must remember. It’s important that we learn Jesus’s words and commit them to memory. From this memory comes growth and maturity. On this Pentecost celebration, the Holy Spirit comes so that we may remember ALL of what Jesus has told us and done. This is why Peter stands up among those gathered on that Pentecost quotes the prophet Joel, even as he says, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32). The Holy Spirit has come so that we may call upon the name of the Lord, so that we may call upon Jesus. For it’s Jesus who speaks forgiveness to us. It’s Jesus who teaches us the ways of eternal life. It’s Jesus who died on the cross for us and rose from the dead so that we may have eternal life. This is the Spirit’s work, not to focus on himself, but rather to continuously point us back to Jesus. He brings to remembrance all that Jesus has done so that we may believe in him and call upon him and be saved! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Acts 1:12-26; Revelation 22:1-20; John 17:20-26

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It’s quite common for us to ask for prayers for one another. We share our struggles and burdens with one another that we may pray and show our concern for one another. Of course, this is what we’re called to do as Christians. Prayer is an important part of our walk in faith. By prayer, we lift up one another to God so that He may give us his grace and mercy amidst our concerns. 

If only we believed in prayer as much as we’re supposed to, though. Indeed, it would seem that many of us treat prayer as a last resort, as a “what have I got to lose” type of response to someone’s struggles. Worse yet, it’s not uncommon to hear a church prayer list turn into a gossip list. For when someone asks us to pray for them, do we actually follow through? Do we go to the Lord in prayer with the cares and concerns we’ve been given?

Here is where we should deeply consider our Lord’s words this week. Jesus prays to his Father prior to his passion, his resurrection, and as we celebrate this week (Thursday), his ascension into heaven. Jesus lifts up his cares and concerns before his Father, as we read, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,” John 17:20. Jesus prayed for his disciples. He knew they would have a monumental task before them. But notice that Jesus doesn’t stop there. He prays for all who would believe through their word. That’s you and me! Prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection, his biggest concern was us! And for us, he prayed!

Jesus knew full well what we would face too. Persecution was bound to come to those who follow the crucified Lord. Jesus didn’t want us to fall into temptation, all that the world would put before us, but rather to follow and trust in him throughout our whole life. For this is the secondary effect of prayer, as Jesus says, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,” John 17:22. Prayer is meant to unify the church together as we pray for one another. We’re meant to be united in thoughts and concern for one another that we pray for one another even as others pray for us.

It is no small thing to say that Jesus prayed for you and me. Jesus doesn’t think prayer is a last resort, nor is it a last-ditch effort. Rather, when Jesus prays, he knows it will be answered… even in his own life, death, and resurrection! Everything for which Jesus prayed—for us to believe, for all believers to join him in eternity, for the church to be united in prayer—is accomplished by Jesus’ suffering and dying for us on the cross! It’s because of Jesus’ death and resurrection that we may be united and may have eternal life in Jesus’ name! But that’s not all. By right of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to us who shall unite us in this faith and preserve us until Jesus comes again to bring us to dwell in his presence for all eternity! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27; John 16:23-33

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“It never hurts to ask.” “The worst they can say is no.” There’s something about humans that we never like asking for help. We have to convince ourselves to do it with statements such as these. Call it pride or whatever. But it never fails that we’d rather stay silent while being in need than speak up and risk humiliation. How often though do we ask for help and are surprised by the help given? We know the answer isn’t always yes, but it’s not always no either. 

For this reason, it doesn’t surprise me that we often treat prayer this way too. We wait until things are truly desperate before thinking about praying to God. Prayer has long been seen as a “last resort” by many Christians. Perhaps we worry too much about how God will answer. What if He says no? What if He thinks its unimportant? What if I ask it in the wrong way? 

In our Gospel reading, Jesus is with his disciples in the upper room, prior to his passion. He’s teaching them all about the time when he will be gone. While this is a reference to his death on the cross, it sits well within our Church year to help us contemplate Jesus’ Ascension into heaven (officially celebrated this year on May 29). “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father,” John 16:28. Jesus wants them to know that even though he is no longer with them physically, that shouldn’t stop them from petitioning the Father. They shouldn’t be afraid to speak to the Father directly “for the Father himself loves you…” John 16:27.

What should stop us then from praying to the Father? There is indeed no shortage of things for which to ask. Jesus’ words ring true for us, as he said, “In the world you will have tribulation,” John 16:33. In this world, we face the assaults of the devil and the world daily. Shortages of food, medicine, money, and basic supplies leave us anxious and worried about caring for ourselves and our families. Afflictions of the flesh, namely diseases, pain, health problems, stress, anxiety, and the like fill up our plates with more than we can handle. To top it all off, temptations leave us spiritually drained and wanting any sort of relief. 

Let us pray! Why must we waste away in silence when we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and delights to give us good things? “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you… Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full,” John 16:23-24. Run to your Heavenly Father with all your hurts and sorrows. Speak to Him as a beloved child of God knowing He will listen and answer your prayers. I once had it explained to me this way: God’s a big guy… there’s nothing so big He can’t handle it, nor is there anything so small that He doesn’t care. For the Father sent to you His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. He gave him up to death, even death on a cross that he may forgive you all of your sins and give you all that is good. So, hear Jesus say, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world!” John 16:33. So, how much more shall we pray to God our Father, knowing that in Christ, He has already overcome all things!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-7; John 16:12-22

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Sometimes, we’re not ready to hear what someone has to tell us. Whether it’s for the sake of maturity or a lack in understanding, we’re not always told everything. Especially when we were children, our parents would try to keep harsh realities from us so we had the chance to maintain our innocence. This withholding of information isn’t meant for harm, but rather out of love so that even good information at the wrong time doesn’t lead one astray.

Consider that in faith, we all become children again at first. There are new things to learn, hard truths that aren’t always digestible. We’re not always ready to hear what God has to tell us. This doesn’t mean that we’ll never learn. It simply means we must “grow up”, gain the understanding and maturity to handle it first. 

In our Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples that he can’t tell them everything he wants to because they’re not ready for it now. Jesus withholds information from the disciples because he loves them and knows it wouldn’t help them at this moment. Rather, Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come,” John 16:13. Jesus doesn’t leave his disciples without a teacher, a companion even. For Jesus knows his time with his disciples is limited and that his departure will be hard for his followers.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you know it is the last time. We know this sorrow well because we know that everything in this life is finite, temporary. Having to say goodbye is a regular occurrence for us and having the finality of such words affects us greatly. Whether it’s losing friends to moving, or losing family to death, or losing relationships to disagreements or the like, there is much sorrow over the loss. This isn’t even to consider the other sorrow we face in everyday life. The pain and suffering that come about because life is finite, temporary, or short is overwhelming. As Jesus said, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy,” John 16:20. 

Jesus knew that his time with his disciples was limited. They wouldn’t understand at the moment why Jesus would leave, but Jesus knew it was for their good and for ours. As Jesus said, “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me,” John 16:16. Jesus would be taken from the disciples by his death on the cross. They would no longer see him because Jesus would die for their sins, and for ours. Yet, as Jesus foretold, again a little while, and you will see me! Jesus wouldn’t remain dead, but would be raised from the dead! But we deal now, not with Jesus’ death, but his ascension into heaven. For a “little while” we shall no longer see Jesus because he has been taken from before our eyes, yet we look forward in a “little while” when Jesus shall return on the clouds. Even though we have sorrow now, we also have joy knowing that Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit and that Jesus shall come again on the last day!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Acts 20:17-35; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I’ve seen these commercials for various noise generators. We all know that there’s a lot of noise around us already, so these apps offer the ability to drown out unwanted noise to help you focus or sleep. White noise is likely the best known. It’s the combination of all noises that overpowers unwanted distractions. But these apps also offer brown noise, pink noise, blue noise, and many others. Each “color noise” aids with a different task, but in general allows you to cut out unwanted noises around you... like noisy roads.

Aside from all the noises around us all the time, we have many voices speaking to us too. Different people tell us different things because they want us to do what they tell us. Whether it’s the government, school, work, family, friends, or God, we’re inundated with voices bouncing around our head. It gets to be so much that we never know who to truly listen to and follow.

Yet, like newborn infants, there’s one voice that pierces through all the others. Just as a baby knows his mother’s voice, so are we to recognize the voice of Jesus. As Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,” John 10:27. As Christians, there’s one voice we’re to hear and heed above all the others. Jesus speaks to us tender words of love and care. It’s his voice that we’re to know points us toward safety and security. When he speaks, we listen. He is our Good Shepherd.

As sweet and tender as the voice of our Good Shepherd is, we make the mistake of thinking other voices sound the same. We still wander off from time to time, chasing after other voices that we think will lead us to the things we want. Money, love, affection, security, and so on. We’re the sheep that wander away from the fold, looking for greener pastures, while wandering in the desert. Yes, sheep aren’t all that intelligent of creatures. And we can be those sheep from time to time. 

When we wander off, when we run away from the fold and our shepherd, we need to stop and listen. Listen to him who calls us each by name. Listen to the voice of our shepherd calling us back to his fold. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” Psalm 23:1. Jesus seeks us out, even when we wander. We need not worry that our shepherd has forgotten us. No, the Lord is my shepherd. He calls me by name. He leads me back to green pastures. He places me by still waters. He restores my soul. Indeed, Jesus leads us back by laying down his life for us. He goes to the cross that we shall not want. He provides his own body and blood for us that we shall never be found wanting. Yes, the Lord is my shepherd. I hear his voice as he calls tenderly to me and all believers that he may lead us to the comforts of eternal life! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.