Sermon in Ishpeming 14.05.2006

Amen. Continuing our services on this Mother's Day, we read from the second chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, verses 4 through 9. Amen.

Once again, with that prayer of faith that God would grant utterance unto His word for the benefit of our undying souls, and unto the praise and honor of His holy name. In Jesus' name, the words are:

But God, who is rich in mercy for His great love, wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace are ye saved, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them. Amen.

My heart joins with the words of our brothers when they acknowledged you, dear mothers. Amen.

If we were to find another word that would describe mother or motherhood, it would seem that the best we could find would be love. It is understood that there is no greater example of love than that love which a mother has for her child, for her children. And this is especially true for you believing mothers.

We know even in the world there are those mothers who dearly love their children and take care of them, who are faithful, faithful to their duty of motherhood. And yet we know there are some who despised and hated their children, even unto murdering them. And this is according to Scripture.

Was it not the Old Testament prophet Isaiah who said that a mother may forsake her child? And we have, even locally in the media, noticed how this has been so. But, as our brothers have mentioned, it is a very high office. And it is one by and through which God our Heavenly Father has given us.

God our Heavenly Father continues His creation work. And so, as our brother mentioned this morning in his sermon, what a precious reminder it is that we do remember our mothers. And we can easily understand that every one of us here have a mother. Some of us have lost our mothers who have slept away.

Personally thinking of this, what precious memories of a mother whose love and patience and long suffering carried even such a poor one as I. And it was not only the motherly love, but it is that love of Christ. That forgiving love.

And so, feeling lacking for words, but yet wanting to say to you mothers, that you have a very noble and high calling. And it would be with this prayer of faith that you would be comforted and consoled in those words which we have already heard. How that God, in His love and mercy, will care for you, carry you, and give you strength as you young mothers, especially who have many young children, struggle.

As a man or as a father, it feels beyond my imagination what you face each and every day. And as our brother mentioned, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. But it comes to mind those words of the Apostle when he said that there is no trial or temptation, or would we say of any difficulty that you might face, that God is not able to help you and carry you.

Give you strength to bear for that moment. And give you strength to do what is necessary for that moment.

We heard in this text here that God is rich in mercy. He is a patient and a loving Father. And He promises not to place any burdens upon you that you would not be able to bear. For even He is the giver of what is necessary to see each day through and to continue to look forward.

Christ is the giver of what is necessary to you. And as John creates this text, it is toured in a way that I say, is sleeping in Your flipped-back state, and flapping Your left carpet through His confession. And please don't only look Prosperin Vous et Seraie but look at the deities and angels who touched lay if they see what them. Quickly natural life comes to a close.

So may God give you strength and bless your lives and that you would always be able to comprehend through faith that you as a mother give a picture of our spiritual mother here upon this earth, the kingdom of God.

As the apostle has written that picturing the kingdom of God when he said that new Jerusalem which is from above is free and is the mother of us all.

Jesus also used this when he was teaching and when he was approached by those who said that his mother and his brethren were gathered to come to see him, and he pointed to the disciples, the believers, and said that whosoever believeth on me the same is my brother and my sister and my mother.

This is a mystery dear brothers and sisters that we as the children of God have been given to comprehend by and through faith. It is a mystery as Jesus has said that is hidden from those who are lost, from those of this world.

How comforting it is to receive the words of Jesus into our hearts when he said unto you has been given to the people of Israel. This is a mystery dear brothers and sisters to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God but unto them it is hidden, that is those on the outside.

So our short text here reminds us very preciously how it is by the grace of God that we are today the children of his kingdom enjoying his goodness and most of all experiencing that love through which we have been able to hear the gospel of the forgiveness of sins.

Perhaps there are times in our everyday lives when everything feels so busy and our time is consumed with our work and our families and all other things that pertain to this life that we need to remember how God's word so simply and preciously reminds us and teaches us first that we of ourselves are nothing and we have nothing.

Apostle says that what have ye which ye have not received? And so when we pause to think of this that we as children of God yet we are sinners and we are dependent upon that love and grace of the Father.

And here the apostle was reminding these Ephesian believers who had received the grace of repentance were experiencing a precious visitation time in their lives and he wishes the apostle wishes to remind them how this has taken place how they have received of God this greatest gift through his love and his mercy.

He says but God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins has quickened us or made us alive together with Christ. And then he adds by grace are ye saved.

I think of those words also of the apostle when he said that concerning that love that Jesus reveals through his kingdom through his own that he willingly submitted himself to the persecution in the ridicule of the world experiencing in behalf of mankind all the trials and temptations in onslaught of the enemy of souls.

Submitted himself even unto the death of the cross. And as our brother mentioned yesterday in his sermon concerning this love greater love hath no man than he would lay down his life for his friends. And this Jesus did.

But the words of apostle Paul also remind us how of a greater magnitude is that love when he said that when we were yet enemies of the Lord Jesus yet he loved us and he gave his life and shed his blood by and through which we have been able to receive the forgiveness of our sins.

In another place the apostle says that to this effect that we having received redemption by and through his blood even the forgiveness of our sins. Without this forgiveness we would be totally lost and hopeless.

It is from this love that God has granted this forgiveness so greatly has he loved us that he gave his son through whom we have received this hope and through whom we have a hope unto that eternal day of rest.

Because he has in our behalf not only given his life and shed his blood but he has through the resurrection victory defeated us. Defeated all powers of evil of sin and death and hell.

And so our hope and our faith is established on him who is the victor over the enemy and through whom we have that hope as the apostle says a living hope unto everlasting life.

As the apostle continued here he says and hath raised us up together and made us to stand up together. To sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

We have been lifted from the way of death from the way of sin and death the way of hopelessness and this heavenly place is here on earth in God's kingdom.

It is here where we experience that love and that care. It is here where we are reminded when we stumble when we make mistakes we are reminded through the word which teaches us that as we have been forgiven so ought we to forgive.

Sometimes this is a very difficult lesson to comprehend. But yet God speaks through his kingdom through his congregation by and through the Holy Spirit and it is a spirit of love it is a spirit of truth and it is a spirit that discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And so how good it is that we can enclose ourselves into the care of God. Of the voice of that spirit that speaks in our midst and teaches us and reminds us how greatly we have been loved and how as unmeriting sinners we have been able to receive through the power of the gospel the forgiveness of our sins.

And from that love then are we able to love even as apostles and saints. Even as apostle John writes that our love is first toward him who has begotten us but it is also toward them who have been begotten even as we have been begotten.

And so this love is revealed unto us and as our brother reminded us last evening also how that we have been chosen. We have not chosen him but he has first chosen us and he has called us as Luther says through the gospel we have been called to be partakers of that grace and forgiveness which is abundant.

And so the apostle continues that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus for by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God and not of works lest any man should boast.

All has been accomplished by and through the Lord Jesus and in looking at the texts for this day a psalm text found in the first four verses of the 98th Psalm described the psalmist describes we could say the Lord Jesus and I will read those first those four verses:

O sing unto the Lord a new song for he hath done marvelous things his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory.

The Lord hath made known his salvation his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praise.

And so that right hand that holy arm of God the Father is the Lord Jesus he in all perfection fulfilled the work that the Father sent him to do even as he himself testified as to what the Father had done for him and what the Father had sent him to do he has also accomplished and even more than that.

Brothers and sisters isn't it comforting when he said Jesus said that he has withheld nothing from us but all that the Father hath given him he hath given even unto us and we today are able to experience that when through the Holy Spirit we are able to be taught instructed guided and perhaps most preciously comforted.

Even the Apostle Paul mentions this concerning comfort when he wrote this in the second letter to the Corinthians and he said blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

And so that joins with what the Apostle also has said that that which he has received he also gives and so it is that if one has not first received this he is not able to give but as we have received by and through the Gospel the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins and have experienced that love then it is not from ourselves but it is from that spirit that lives in our hearts by faith.

And how precious it is to be reminded even today brothers and sisters when the Apostle in the last verse of our text says that for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in it.

And it is in us but that that they took and did in their own strength it is this trick through which 부ْ Clinic leads before God when Jesus defiled or not good. He is able to remake that vessel onto His honor and glory.

And so that gives us this picture how that God's created being, man, mankind, was made holy and perfect and without flaw or blemish. And was given to live in paradise.

But the power of evil, the enemy of souls, defiled that vessel. But here again, as we heard in this text, that God who is rich in mercy and for His great love wherewith He loved us, He was able to remake that vessel onto His honor and glory.

And that remaking or reconstruction, that repair has been accomplished by and through the merits of the Lord Jesus. That which would have been impossible for man to do, God accomplished through His Son.

And this work continues even today. He, in His love, cares for those whom He has called. He, in His love, protects us, guides us, teaches us, and assures us through the power of the gospel that when our sins are forgiven, we have peace with Him, our Creator.

And we do have that living hope in our hearts to one day reach that eternal home in heaven.

And we have in these last days also been able to experience the power of that gospel in the mission work that has been carried out in many parts of the world.

God who is rich in mercy and in that love through His kingdom, He continues to call those whom He will call.

And so, even we, brothers and sisters, who are partakers of this grace, have much reason to acknowledge and to thank our Heavenly Father for that great love that He has shown us and for that forgiveness which He daily and richly offers through His kingdom.

He knows our framework as the Old Testament prophet has said and that we are but dust. But yet His love is so great that He wishes to continue to give us and continually help us and guide us and comfort us.

And so, we are reminded that we in ourselves have nothing. But that good work which Apostle here is speaking about is that work which is the work of the Holy Spirit through those who have received this grace and forgiveness.

And as a gift, that Spirit through which we are guided and through which we are strengthened and given strength to fight against the enemy of souls and all manner of evil and the temptations and things that are so attractive to our flesh and blood that are in the world today.

Especially for you young brothers and sisters, how important it is that you would always be able to recognize God's kingdom as your place of refuge. A place where you will find security. And a place where you will be uplifted and comforted and assured that the Lord Jesus has gained the victory for you and for all believers.

Actually for all mankind. For those who would believe upon Him and follow the way that He has prepared. Following Him in doctrine, in life and in suffering.

Trust and believe, brother and sister, young and old, in that love and mercy that is so abundant. Trust that He who has begun this good work in you is also able to complete it unto that day when faith will be changed to seeing.

Again the words of that hymn come to mind concerning that which is accomplished by the believers in this life. And it is how the songwriter recognizes the work of the Holy Spirit when he said, O Holy Ghost, thou fount of grace, the good in me to thee I trace.

And so we have reason to thank our Heavenly Father that He has in His love carried us and nurtured us and through His Spirit continues to teach us in these evil days.

There are so many things that surround us as we have in the latest issues of the Voice of Zion been able to read the dangers that lurk in the internet, in the internet, in the videos, in the things that are of this world.

What a precious admonition to be watchful and to endeavor to preserve faith in a good conscience.

And so, even in these matters often times we find ourselves to be tempted and make mistakes and become overcome by trials or temptations.

Yet, the mercy seat is in our midst and the Spirit will always teach us that it is here where we can find rest and peace unto our souls.

When our hearts become troubled and tormented because of sin, always remember that invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace where you will find mercy and grace to help in time of need.

The Gospel is preached freely from God's kingdom and it is without constriction or restriction. And the forgiveness is unconditional.

Even in this there is always a lesson to be learned and even I recently experienced how the enemy of souls is so convincing in areas when it comes to this.

How important it is to be reminded that the forgiveness of God is unconditional and so we also should forgive with that same forgiveness that we have received.

And so I ask you brothers and sisters also as a faulty and poor one with many errors and mistakes made in this journey of faith if I can believe yet together with you all my many sins and faults and failings forgiven.

I wish to renew that promise to believe and to travel with this precious flock.

It seems that as age creeps up that even more and more it becomes a reality that time is so short and so the time of this life is so short and it becomes shorter and shorter.

So how good it is that we can be assured that when this journey comes to a close that we would be able to enter into that land of peace and rest.

And I am sure that it is your hope even this afternoon and especially you dear mothers be uplifted and encouraged to yet believe journey faults and sins and doubts and fears forgiven in Jesus name and precious blood and be of good comfort trusting again that he who has begun this good work in you is able to complete it unto that day of victory.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Let us join our hearts in thanks and prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father we thank thee for the blessings that we have received this day and throughout our lives. We thank thee for these moments that we have been able to be in the hearing of thy word and in the fellowship of thy congregation.

We ask dear Father that thou would give each one of us strength to war against the powers of sin and strength to attend to draw onto that mercy seat when the trials and burdens of this life weigh down where we are able to hear the comforting words of the God.

We ask thee to protect and guide each one of us unto the victory of everlasting peace and rest.

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.