Services/Sermon in Rockford 04.11.2018

May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever. Amen.

Let us quieten this morning in opening prayer and thanksgiving. Holy and righteous God, our beloved Heavenly Father. Father, we pause this morning before your holy face with hearts of thanksgiving and prayer. We have awakened to a new day of grace, remembering the abundant blessings and gifts that you've granted unto us, your children.

Lord, you have fed and clothed us. You have provided everything that we need for this temporal journey. You have given us our homes and families, our loved ones. Those loved ones that bring such joy into our lives. Also those homes where we feel a place of security in this sinful and corrupt world. A place where the gospel is preached and sins are forgiven.

Your Father, you have also gifted us with your kingdom. This kingdom of grace, where your word calls sinners on to repentance. And your word gives strength for the endeavor. Father, in this kingdom is found everything that we need for our spiritual journey. It is our mother. A mother that cares for us with such love, with patience and long-suffering.

But most of all, this morning, we thank you for sending your only begotten Son. Who you sent into this sinful world to suffer many things that you needed to suffer. To fulfill that holy and demanding law. And to shed his innocent blood on the middle cross of Golgotha. So that through him, on this day of grace, we have hope of everlasting joy. One day, there in the glory of heaven.

As we gather this morning around your holy and precious word, we pray for your service blessing. You know the hearts of your children. You know because this is your kingdom. And we are dwellers therein. So we pray. We beseech you, dear Father. Send your word. That comforts and teaches, admonishes, rebukes. But most of all, send that forgiving gospel. That washes away sin. So that we can, with hearts of joy, make footsteps towards heaven.

This morning, we also remember loved ones not with us. Wherever they are in their place of watching. Sick or infirmed. Trials of life. Whatever the case may be. We pray, dear Father, that you would comfort them as only you can.

We now pray, dear Father, for your service blessing. All of this we ask in the name of your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

This morning, I thought to read from the 13th chapter of St. John. These words of the Apostle often come to mind when we are gathering at the communion service of God's children. I will read from the first 15 verses. The words are as follows in Jesus' name.

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him.

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God and went to God, he riseth from supper and laid aside his garments, and took a towel and girded himself.

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with a towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter, and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.

Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head.

Jesus saith unto him, He that is washed needeth not to save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.

And ye are clean, but not all.

For he knew who should betray him, and therefore said, Ye are not all clean.

So after he washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

You call me Master and Lord, and you say, Well, for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, he also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters, I would bring greetings, brief greetings to you from our minister's teleconference we had on Thursday evening. This is held every fall, around this time of year. And this year there were, in that teleconference, 106 of the 118 ministers in North American Zion joined there. God bless that evening. We enjoyed the riches of God's grace. God bless.

This portion of God's word, as I mentioned, often comes to mind when I think of the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples. They had gathered there for the feast of the Passover. And Jesus knew that his hour of death was coming. He didn't have much time left to be with his own. But in this text, it says that Jesus loved his own even unto the end.

And we see, even in this text, the serving love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent into this world for one reason. And that was to redeem man from sin. Because of the fall in the Garden of Eden, sin came on every man. And without the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his redemption work, all would be without hope.

Yet God promised for his own that he would send his Son into this world, and so he did.

Now, when the child of God today endeavors, we journey towards heaven. And we journey by faith. The Bible says that it is only by faith that we please God. Not by works, as the Apostle said, if it were by works, then we could boast of our own goodness. But it is only through the merit work of Christ that we are heaven acceptable.

On this endeavor, we feel the burden of sin. This old portion that will never depart from us until we lay in the grave is a constant travel companion with us. Remember how the Apostle Paul wrote that of this battle where he says, the good that I would, I do not, and the evil that I would not, that I do.

This is the endeavor of a child of God. The Apostle prayed that this thorn that was in his flesh would be removed from him. He didn't like it any more than we like it. The Bible says that he prayed three times that this thorn that was in his flesh would be removed. It doesn't say what that thorn was in his flesh.

And I believe it's for this reason that all of us as God's children can appreciate that which Paul battled, because each one of us carry this sinful flesh and this flesh battles against that new man that is in us. And this battle will go on until we take our last breath from this life.

I have often pondered this in my mind even in watching those ones who are with illness or sickness and they are nearing the end of their life how the body doesn't want to give up. The body doesn't want to leave this life but rather flesh and blood battles to remain.

I remember many years ago visiting a nursing home where a dear brother was battling in the last days of his life and he was battling with the last parts of Alzheimer's and he was laying in the bed and he was physically shaking to the point that he was almost vibrating or levitating above the bed and nothing that a person could do or could say to him that would comfort him.

This agitated state that thought the body, the flesh doesn't want to die but rather would want to remain.

And in this kind of a sinful body we carry this living soul. This living soul on the other hand yearns and aches to make it to the glory of heaven.

Today we, in the theme of today's text, speak about how we are citizens of two countries. We are a citizen of this world but also we are a citizen of heaven.

As God's children we often say that we walk with our feet firmly planted in the soils of this earth but our hearts are far away in the glory of heaven. We are waiting for that day when we would be called home.

When I think back to that event with that dear brother and I was getting ready to say goodbye to him I had no words that would comfort him and I thought well when I depart the least I can do is preach the gospel to him.

And when I reached down and I said those words quite quietly that dear brother as you near the shore of heaven you can yet believe all of your sins and doubts forgiven in Jesus name and precious atoning blood and that dear brother there was a peace that came over him he quieted even physically for a while for a moment and I thought even here we see how powerful that gospel message is that God has left for his children to use.

This gospel of forgiveness, the core message of the gospel, that dear child of God sins are forgiven Jesus name and precious blood it quietens even the most restless soul and this is the hallmark the joy the beauty the treasure of God's kingdom.

I believe this is also what is illustrated in this text when Jesus was there with his own it says he loved them unto the end.

After supper was completed Jesus took a basin of water it says he rises from supper and laid his garments and took a towel and girded himself.

Now Jesus took on the form of a servant he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

This job was the job of a servant typically in those days when visitors would come into the home a servant was called to wash the feet of the visitors but this was often done by the lowliest of servants.

But now Jesus took that upon himself he became as Lord the servant of all and he went from one disciple to the other.

But then we see when he came to Simon Peter Peter said unto Jesus and asked him this question are you going to wash my feet?

And Jesus answered and said unto him what I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter.

This was more than the physical washing of feet this was also as illustrated in God's word forgiveness of sins.

In the Bible it speaks about this water of life the forgiveness that Jesus gives.

This gospel message is that which has been entrusted to God's children to use.

This is that which separates all of the churches of this world from God's kingdom.

Although Peter didn't know at this point what it meant later on in the book of John 20th chapter of John it speaks of how after Jesus resurrection he appeared unto his own.

The disciples were behind locked doors they were fearful of those things that had happened to Jesus might also happen to them but Jesus appeared unto them and the first words out of Jesus' mouth were peace be unto you.

He breathed on his disciples and said receive ye the Holy Ghost.

Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whosoever sins ye retain they are retained.

Also in the book of Matthew Jesus gave those keys of the kingdom to his own.

I give you the keys of the kingdom. Whosoever sins you forgive on earth are also forgiven in heaven. Whosoever sins you retain, they are also retained.

God entrusted this word of reconciliation to his own. God entrusted that word of forgiveness, the preaching of the gospel to his own.

It is not done through the strength of man, but rather the power of the Holy Spirit gives life to that word.

And when sins are forgiven, when sins are preached forgiven, they are washed away.

How has it been for you, dear brother and sister, on your endeavor? Have you felt that sin of the journey attaches?

In many places in scriptures it speaks of how that sin so easily attaches.

The writer of the book of Hebrews says, Come boldly unto the throne of grace.

He speaks of how our journey is easily become, our feet become soiled.

And come boldly unto the throne of grace in that time of need.

The child of God, although we believe by faith, we trust in what God has done for us through his beloved Son.

He has set for us in his kingdom a table. A table that is set so low that even the weakest and poorest traveler can eat from that table of grace.

And this table has been set against all sin and defilement.

This gospel message, the message of the angels even on that first Christmas, when they sent those greetings from heaven, that Jesus, the Savior of mankind, has come.

It is that same message that we today hear in God's kingdom, where we can believe, despite our sinfulness and our corruption, that our sins are forgiven in the name and precious blood of Jesus.

How was it when you were a little boy or a little girl growing up, and you felt and experienced when sin would come?

Even today, there's many children here and Sunday school students, you have been given a believing home in which you can grow.

It is a blessing that God gave you. Same kind of blessing he gave me.

When I could go to rest at night in my own home, and mother or father or one of my brothers or sisters could reassure me of the gospel.

And that gospel of forgiveness brings peace.

I have recently received a writing from a dear sister in faith.

And this writing is so powerful to read because it speaks of her own life when she was, from the time as a little girl, that she had a troubled conscience.

She recognized that she was a sinner. But there was no place for her to put that sin away.

She struggled for many, many years trying to find this forgiving God of which she read of in the scriptures.

She searched for God's kingdom a kingdom of forgiveness.

Her life took her many, many different places. Many different churches. Visited with many different pastors, priests, rabbis.

She sought for peace, but did not find it.

So much so that she was working as some youth worker in one of her churches.

And she addressed a group of people, young people.

And she asked them that, how many of you would want to find a loving God?

The hands all raised that were in that room.

And she told them, he is not here. But I hope someday to find him.

She also told those young people to go, to search, to seek, that you might also find.

Her journey took her many, many different places.

She studied many different doctrines and religions and faiths.

It wasn't until she found a believing man when she finally found God's kingdom.

She had offended this man. She was being cared for him. She was being cared for by him for some medical situations.

And she had offended him.

And she called him one night and said that, I realize I've offended you and asked for forgiveness.

This stopped this believing man and he asked her that, what are you asking forgiveness for?

He says, I can forgive you.

But she says, no, I want my sins forgiven.

But, this believing man preached that gospel of forgiveness that in Jesus' name and precious blood, all of your sins are forgiven.

This lady writes of how then all of that which she had been searching for for years finally came.

She found God's kingdom and her sins were washed away.

Today, she is sincerely believing with us.

And she said, one of the most remarkable things after all, after all of these churches, some were charismatic, some were in different ways, shapes, and forms, but she had found a peace that she had never found before.

And so, when she was going to services for the first time, she went to services thinking that this might be something that was very special.

And it was, but for different reasons.

When she got to the church and she looked around, she looked at everybody and said, now this, really, is God's kingdom.

All of these people who seem to be so simple, plain, nondescript, quiet, meek, lowly, these are really God's children.

But then she remembered the peace that she had found.

And she said, surely, this is God's kingdom.

That gospel that she heard is that same washing of regeneration.

It is that same gospel that has been entrusted to each of you today, dear brothers and sisters.

And this was the same instruction and encouragement that Jesus gave to Peter and also to us.

And when Simon Peter, he told Jesus that when Jesus said, if I wash thee not, thou hast no part of me, then Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head.

And Jesus then said, very importantly, that he that is washed need not to save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.

And ye are clean, but not all.

He knew that Judas Iscariot was not a believing man. Jesus did, of course.

Sometimes there's this kind of idea that when we fall into sin, we fall out of faith.

It doesn't automatically happen that way.

Of course, sin separates us from God.

And sin steals faith from us.

That's the reason that in God's kingdom we are encouraged to put sin away as it attaches.

Because it steals faith.

And we eat then of those crumbs of grace that fall from the Father's table and they nourish us.

They strengthen us.

The Gospel gives us strength to take another step as we journey homeward.

So Peter, and we also need to be taught that by falling into sin it doesn't mean that we leave God's kingdom.

But rather, this Gospel message strengthens us to be able to believe.

For he knew who should betray him and therefore said he, ye are not all clean.

So he was speaking of this Judas Iscariot.

So after he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and again sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you.

He asked this question to his disciples.

Do you know you call me Master and Lord and you say, Well, for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, he also ought to wash one another's feet.

This, as we often call it, the core message of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins, is that which gives us strength for this endeavor.

As one brother recently mentioned in this way that we are saved by faith and at home we are sitting in our living room and in the kitchen our cupboards are full of food.

If we never go to the kitchen to eat of that food, we will stay in the living room and starve to death.

This is the same in a very clear and simple picture of what that food of the Gospel is.

It gives us strength to believe.

It gives us courage to take another step towards heaven.

The Apostle Paul said he is not ashamed of that Gospel for it is a source of power to all who believe.

Your brothers and sisters today, how has it been for you?

Has that Gospel sustained you?

Has that Gospel strengthened you?

It is that Gospel that has been preserved in God's kingdom for us that we can eat of it and ask of it in our time of need.

Be ashamed of that Gospel.

But use it freely.

Parents, use it freely in your home with your children.

Encourage those little ones that they can believe their sins forgiven in Jesus' name and precious atoning blood.

It sustains them, it sustains us.

And today, dear brothers and sisters, you can each uplift your heart to believe.

As you find yourself surely doubting and sinful and fearful, believe all your sins forgiven in Jesus' name and precious atoning blood.

It belongs to you little children as well.

It's not only for moms and dads.

I think it's especially given for you little children.

When I was a little boy, I needed that Gospel.

And I ate for that Gospel.

And when mom or dad would come and preach that Gospel to me, it brought such joy into my heart.

And now as I'm an older boy, that Gospel still sustains me, it is also that which comforts me.

And I ask today, brothers and sisters, can I still believe my many sins and doubts forgiven?

I want to believe, as you do, because I know in believing this way, we all will make it one day to the glory of heaven.

Now also come to this table that Jesus has set for us, communion table, where we can eat of his body and drink of his blood, to be strengthened on this endeavor.

One day, brothers and sisters, our journey will end by believing there in the glory of heaven.

In Jesus' name, Amen. Amen.