Sermon in Rockford 06.12.2009

Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us join our hearts in opening prayer and thanksgiving. Dear Heavenly Father, we again this morning have been granted this time to gather around your holy word. And we pray that your word would be opened unto us to comfort and instruct us, to encourage us and give us strength for the endeavor of faith on this earthly journey. Mourning, illness, distress. Allow your word to be heard in the world of unbelief around us. Let the light of your kingdom be seen. Draw those who do not own the hope of eternal life unto the hearing of your word. Grant unto them faith as your grace gift, dear Father.

Father, we thank you for all of your great and abundant blessings. Amen. And above all, for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

For our service this morning, I will read from the book of Psalms, Psalm number 80, beginning with verse 14, unto the end. The words are as follows in Jesus' name.

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vine. And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down. They perish at the rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself. So will not we go back from thee; quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts. Cause thy face to shine, and we will be saved. Amen.

Today, as we have already remembered so beautifully in singing and lighting of the Advent candles, we have remembered that it is the second Sunday in Advent. And the first Sunday carried this theme, Our King Comes with Humility. Today, we have this theme or thought, Our King Comes with Glory.

When I thought of the message of the songs we already sang this morning, they tied in so beautifully with the message of this portion of God's Word. How we as children of God have a beautiful hope. And how times of sorrow and distress and difficulty are turned into great glory and joy. So it is good to think of that thought, Our King comes in glory. And times of sorrow and distress will turn to great joy and glory.

This particular psalm, as I understand it, is one of the psalms of Asaph. And he was a gifted musician in the time of David. David appointed him to lead the music in their worship service. So perhaps he was like our song leaders are for us today. And he lived during the time of David and David's son Solomon, and then Rehoboam. He saw in the time of David a time of warfare, the children of Israel against the enemies. A time of peace and work when Solomon reigned. And then again a time of warfare under Rehoboam, when the kingdom of Israel was divided, became a divided kingdom between Israel and Judah, and again was in warfare with its neighboring nations.

We didn't read the entire psalm, but three times during this psalm, very similar words are repeated, where it says, Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. Turn us again, O Lord, God of hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

When we read this psalm, and have a feeling for what was taking place in the lives of the children of Israel, and afterward, we don't know exactly when this psalm may have been written, but it certainly reflects the time and the life there of God's chosen people. Again, a time of battle, a time of distress for them. Enemy forces had been victorious. They experienced distress and sorrow, even a time of exile away from their homeland.

And in this psalm is a prayer on their behalf to God. To turn the hearts which had fallen away from God, and been deceived by the enemy of souls, turn them again to God, and cause his face to shine on them, so they would be saved.

And here in one of the earlier verses, it reflects this feeling of distress. O Lord, God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears, and giveth them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Certainly, in a temporal sense, with a people at war, and having succumbed to the enemies, we could see this distress that they felt, and this prayer from Asaph, who was a righteous man. A prayer from the righteous to God on behalf of his people, that God would turn their hearts toward him again, and shine gloriously upon them, that they would own the hope of salvation.

But also, we can see a spiritual picture that perhaps isn't so far from us either today. When it says, Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves, we can get a glimpse of this persecution which they felt as they were looked upon by the people around them, the enemies.

We, too, as God's children, experience those times, and they do cause sorrow and distress. When, perhaps, in some way, the world around us looks at the lives of God's children in a critical way, in a mocking way. Perhaps poking fun at how we believe concerning the matters of our time, whether it be the pleasures of the world, the size of our families, the number of our children, the things that we cannot join with them in. They laugh among themselves. They do not understand the child of God who desires to walk, keeping faith in a good conscience, and not partake of those things, those events or activities, those ways of life which cause offense and distress over one's own condition and righteousness before God.

So here, this prayer belongs to us too. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved. That we wouldn't be so distraught over the persecution we feel and suffer from the world. But we would still experience joy and peace here dwelling in the kingdom of God and look upon those enemies with love for they do not understand.

As we visited yesterday here in the meeting, the annual meeting of the boards of the Midwestern area congregations, the topic taken from the ministers meeting in Finland this past summer, the essence of God's kingdom, we heard and were reminded again how this is a kingdom of peace and joy.

But one of those matters which troubled Asaph, the writer of this psalm, was feeling the persecution of the enemies among the children of Israel at that time.

And a little further in this psalm, he speaks how God had brought the vine out of Egypt, referring to the children of Israel, the kingdom of God as a vine, remembering how God had led them from bondage in Egypt unto a new land.

And there when this vine was planted through God's gift and grace, it prospered and took roots and grew. But then again, times came, such as in this time of warfare. It describes how the hedges which were around the vine to protect it had broken down so that all they which pass by the way do pluck at her.

That the borders that protected this vine had become broken down so that it was easier for the enemy to attack.

And again, if we think of this in terms of our lives today in God's kingdom, we know the kingdom has borders. There is an outside of the kingdom. There is an inside of the kingdom. And we as God's children are so fortunate, so blessed, to be dwelling inside of God's kingdom.

And we know to enter this kingdom, it is a matter of personal faith, entering through the door of repentance and forgiveness.

But the enemy of souls would want to obscure the borders of the kingdom. When matters are understood clearly, it is a sign for those outside of God's kingdom to know that they are not of this faith, they are not of this name. They would need to enter.

And for those inside of the kingdom, when the borders are clear, it is protection for us from the onslaughts of the enemy of souls.

But when the enemy is able to break down those hedges or those borders, then it becomes easier for the enemy to attack and deceive.

And again, we can think of so many matters in the life of God's children where God has been able to so preciously reveal to us his will. He has spoken through his spirit in the congregation.

And as we have been reminded so often, he who hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.

We have also had that prayer on our own behalf that we would be able to hear and accept what the spirit has said unto our congregation mother. And we desire to be obedient in this way as we endeavor in faith.

And then the borders are clear. But when the enemy is able to make these large gray areas and cause confusion and cause many questions, even foolish questions. And when the matters begin to be looked at not with eyes of faith, but with the mind of man, those areas are confusing and the borders become obscure.

Here, too, the psalm writer was concerned over this kind of a condition in a natural sense when their people had been overtaken by the enemies. The borders of their country, their land were lost. The enemy was able to overtake them.

Spiritually, when we lose sight of those borders, it's easy also for the enemy to attack and to in some way deceive or sneak in.

And thus, this prayer reflected in this psalm comes forth again to turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved.

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven and behold and visit this vine. And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself, it is burned with fire, it is cut down, they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself. So will not we go back from thee, quicken us, make us alive according to your word, and we will call upon thy name.

Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

And so we see here a prayer and also a wonderful hope that the difficult times which the psalm writer saw and felt, lived through, experienced, had heard of, that they would be one day turned to days of glory, of joy, glory.

And with this we look toward the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know during this Advent season we remember, wait, and prepare not only for the birth of Jesus, but also for his second coming. Amen.

Yet, before that time of the second coming, God's word tells us that there will be difficult times. There will be times of persecution. Times when the word of God no longer can be openly proclaimed in the way that we enjoy it today.

The gospel text for today from the 21st chapter of Luke speaks then of that time of the second coming and what it will be like.

And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. Men's hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

There will be much fear. There will be much seeking for the truth. There will be great times for the deceivers. For those who claim they are Christ yet are of false faith.

And the times as written in Matthew will be so difficult even of persecution for the believers that the days will be shortened for the sake of the elect.

This is the picture that God's word gives as that day of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ approaches.

Jesus in his own words speaking of this time says, And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Brothers and sisters, we can't begin to picture or comprehend what that moment will be like when Jesus comes again the second time. And we also cannot comprehend how difficult the days might be before that second coming.

But we have something that the world doesn't have. We have faith. We have faith. And we have hope.

And I've thought of these matters as Paul writes in Corinthians. Faith, hope and charity. And the difference between faith and hope and charity.

And Luther teaches how faith and hope are for this life. But charity or love goes beyond this life into life eternal. The love. The love.

But we only need faith and hope in this life because once eternal life has come, faith and hope have been fulfilled.

So faith, we believe. We believe. And we have the assurance of God and his promises that they are true according to his word.

Through faith we believe this. And we have the assurance of God and his promises that they are true according to his word.

But also we have hope. That no matter what we might experience today in this life, the distress, whether it be temporal or even our struggles in faith, we have hope that this will not always be, but one day will be a better day.

One day we no longer have to experience that which we may suffer today.

Have you ever thought what it would be like to not have hope? If we didn't have hope, what would be there? I think only distress and despair would be left if we had no hope.

But we have hope. And it gives us also strength and encouragement to keep endeavoring and to make those promises each day. To want to travel as a child of God. To keep faith and a good conscience. To accept our lot in life and to try to be content.

Even when matters seem difficult. That we don't understand why it may be the way it is. But nevertheless, God is guiding. God is protecting. We put our trust and our hope. Our faith in him. And we have that hope that he will care for us. And the difficult times will one day end.

And so when we think of the times of sorrow and distress that one feels. And the experiences, the life and the battle of the journey. Or how the times may be. As we approach the second coming of Christ.

Oh, how beautiful it will be when that moment comes. What a time of glory. It will be when our King comes again. This time to gather his own.

And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud. With power and great glory.

And when these things begin to come to pass. Then look up and lift up your heads. For your redemption draws nigh.

And it is the same prayer of hope. That is reflected in this psalm of Asaph. Turn us again, O Lord, God of hosts. Cause thy face to shine. And we shall be saved.

When God turns toward us, his people. And when he is able to turn us toward him. His face shines upon us with love and grace and mercy. We feel comfort and warmth and joy. And we feel the assurance of his promises that heaven's home awaits us. We shall be saved.

This is the beautiful picture for us today. This Advent season. When our King comes. He will be a King of glory.

Brothers and sisters. Uplift your hearts. Even this day. To believe all sins and doubts forgiven. In Jesus' name. And precious blood.

And as we today have that opportunity again to partake of the Lord's Holy Supper. Remember. Remember. How Jesus gave his body and blood unto you and unto me. That we would partake of it in remembrance of him. Remembering his love. And knowing that he instituted this supper. This supper to help us in faith. To strengthen our faith.

I ask, feeling my own sinfulness, that you could preach that gospel unto me. I want to believe with you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.