Sermon in Ishpeming 21.08.2005

May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, strengthen and comfort your hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today being the 13th Sunday after Trinity and the subject or topic, Our Neighbor, a text from the Epistle to the Romans seems to consider this message. As Apostle writes, beginning with the first verse, we read in Jesus' name. Brethren, my heart's desire in prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart who shall ascend, that is, to bring Christ down from above. Or who shall descend into the deep, that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what sayeth it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart. That is, the word of faith which we preach. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture sayeth, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Amen.

According to the gospel writer Luke, Jesus was once approached by a lawyer who was tempting, trying to tempt the Lord Jesus and asking what he should do to be saved. And Jesus said, asked him, what does the law say? And he said that thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy strength. And love thy neighbor as thyself.

At another occasion, Jesus was questioned, what is the great and the greatest law? And Jesus quoted these words. And when we think on this law, which is truly a law of love, love toward God and love toward our neighbor, that lawyer asked Jesus, who is our neighbor? And I'm sure, maybe that text was used today here, but I'm sure you remember, brothers and sisters, how Jesus gave that example of the man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. And he was overtaken by thieves and beaten half to death. And there came a priest who passed on the other side and said, and was it a Levite? Thank you. A Levite who also came and saw and he passed on the other side. But the Samaritan came and ministered unto the person and brought him to an inn, took care of his wounds and gave the innkeeper two pence. And said that if it would be more, he would also honor that.

I remember years ago, a certain brother was explaining this and he said that this part I remember, that the two pence represent the name and blood of the Lord Jesus. That through the forgiveness of sins proclaimed by the gospel in Jesus' name and blood, that you can verses here when he says I say the truth in Christ I lie not my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart for I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh who are Israelites to whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises whose are the fathers and of whom is concerning the flesh as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God be blessed forever.

When we consider this love toward our neighbor we do not stop at considering our brothers and sisters in faith whom we love with the love which we have received as a gift of God. Apostle John writes that the first fruits of faith is love and he also writes in one of his epistles that commands your faith your holiness and our love how the Lord gives the workers respected give them grace and service according to Christ then he will loose their peppernames and the salt of the judges and layzą and will die be these that through this it seems that it is so great and way beyond what we can even imagine. And that is the picture of God's love.

Apostle John also wrote that we have not first loved him, but he has first loved us. And Jesus, this unites perfectly with the words of Jesus when he also reminds even you and I, brother and sister, today that you have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. Apostle writes also that it is an election of grace. By the grace of God, we have been chosen, we have been elected, and we have been given the gift of faith, the gift of love, the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the spirit of love. For God is love, and the Holy Spirit is God in the third person. And this love was made manifest in the whole world, even as Jesus himself said in that familiar portion that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. And that whosoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

These words of Apostle reveal that love that he had, especially toward his fellow countrymen, those of the Israel nation, for he was himself an Israelite, a Jew. And I am sure you, brother and sister, together with me and all believers, have a very special concern and love for our next of kin, for our own family and relatives who have, because of sin, fallen from faith. This is what the Apostle here is mentioning, that he had such a great concern and love for his fellow countrymen. He said that, for I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh.

It also reminds of that love that King David had for his son, Absalom, who died in unbelief. That he loved him so greatly that he would have willingly taken his place in suffering and death.

When we think of our neighbor and who is our neighbor, it is not at all limited to those of our own families or those brothers and sisters in the family of God. But our neighbor is anyone who would be born into this world. And it would not matter of what nationality or tongue or wherever they might be. Jesus himself also reminds us that in loving not only our neighbor, but also our enemies and pray in their behalf.

With our own minds and our own reasoning, this would feel to be impossible. That how could we have a love towards someone who would be our enemy. And we might, in our minds, just for consideration, think of some of the most ruthless people in this world. It feels as though for what they have done and the trouble they have caused and perhaps the tens or hundreds or even thousands or millions whom they have themselves murdered. It seems very impossible to our hearts and minds that we could love someone like that. Our flesh and blood would declare and would judge revenge.

It is said in the epistle to the Hebrews concerning the expression of love of the Lord Jesus. It was of his heart's love that he gave his life and shed his holy and innocent blood through which remission of sins is proclaimed.

The example of righteous Abel. When he brought his sacrifice before God, it was acceptable. He brought an innocent lamb which by faith he could foresee the sacrifice that God had promised when he would give his son, the Lord Jesus, to pay his sin debt. But his brother Cain, from his own works, brought his sacrifice and it was not acceptable. And he became angered. Angry, perhaps we could say angry with God, but angry and jealous over his brother's sacrifice which was acceptable. And he slew his brother Abel.

The writer to the Hebrews says that the blood of Jesus speaks better than the blood of Abel. The blood of Jesus speaks better things than the blood of Abel. Righteous Abel, when his blood spilled to the ground, cried revenge because he was of flesh and blood. But he was justified by and through faith. With eyes of faith, the innocent lamb, through the innocent lamb he was able to see the crucified Lord Jesus. And not only the crucified Lord Jesus, but was able to believe that he was the Lord, he is the Lord of life. And that through his victorious victory, he too owned that victory by faith.

It could be said of righteous Abel as it is said of faith father Abraham, that he believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

So in our text, Apostle here is explaining how righteousness which is acceptable to God is only received by and through faith. The righteousness which is of faith. And it is the righteousness of God. For it is a gift that he has given. It is the most holy faith as I believe it is the Apostle Peter writes.

And so the Apostle here reminds us dear brothers and sisters again. And it is good that we are reminded and that we review these very basics concerning our hope of salvation. Which we have received through the promises of God. And having been made righteous by and through that faith upon him who has, who is the author and finisher of our faith. The Lord Jesus.

The Apostle describes his fellow countrymen in this way as we heard. He said that first of all that it was his desire in prayer that they would be saved. And then in all honesty and according to God's word he is saying in this way for I bear them record that they have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge.

It is the very same in the world today. There are many countless numbers of various faiths who have a very zealous zeal of God. But it is not according to knowledge. And what is that knowledge? It is that knowledge that comes from faith. Believing that we ourselves are not able to fulfill God's holy law in order to be justified. And even if we could for example fulfill 99% 99% of our faith we would not be able to fulfill 99.99% of the law and fail in one point. God's word teaches us that if we fail in one point we are guilty of the entire law.

And what does the law or how does the law judge? It judges very simply and very harshly. If you sin you must die. But the Apostle here says concerning that law he says for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes it.

Jesus has fulfilled that which we are unable to do. He has fulfilled it in behalf of all mankind. We are told in scripture that he was tried and tempted in all points such as we are but yet without sin. And that makes him able to rescue you and I and all who would believe upon his name and believe that message that he has prepared that he was sent to prepare and that is the gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

That gospel dear brothers and sisters we own by and through faith in our hearts. And that gospel reminds us again and again that it is of grace through faith that we are saved. Not by any works as Apostle writes that we should boast.

That gospel also teaches us and gives us strength to fight against sin. Sin is deadly. Apostle writes that the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So then we heard here how the Apostle gives these examples and I will try to remember how a certain dear brother explained these some years ago here at our services. When he says but the righteousness of faith which is of faith speaketh on this wise. Say not in thy heart who shall ascend into heaven. That is to bring Christ down from above. And that is that one is not able to justify himself through prayer. That is to pray which is a very common doctrine of the world today. To pray to God in heaven for forgiveness.

It happened as we were attending the exhibit of the LLC at the FinFest last week. A certain lady came to visit. And this was her understanding and her doctrine. She admitted and she agreed with many things that we talked about except that she believed that she received forgiveness through prayer by praying to God. And I felt lacking and weak in trying to remember and describe how we understand and believe that the gospel is preached here and sins are forgiven here on earth first and then they are forgiven in heaven.

But being a very self-righteous Pharisee type lady she was not able to even hear or consider anything less than that. A person is justified when he prays to God for forgiveness and then of course lives an honorable and honest and just life. So it is not possible and this is what the apostle here is referring to.

And as I remember that dear brother explaining that no one can justify themselves through prayer unto the heavenly father who is in heaven. And then secondly the apostle says who shall discern who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead.

And as I remember this brother explained that it is not through remorse deep remorse or penitence or sorrow that would make one righteous. Certainly this is important for one who is traveling the way of unbelief that he becomes sorrowful for his sin. But that does not justify it is then that the gospel is able to free such a one from his sorrow and hopeless state.

So the apostle here says but what sayeth it that is the word of faith that we speak from God's kingdom. It says the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach.

And then further in this same chapter the apostle says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So simple a way has God prepared salvation the way unto salvation for sin fallen man. One does not have to be highly educated knowledgeable fluent in the scriptures and so forth. But even the smallest and weakest and poorest and what's the word that's used in the Bible the foolish will not be rejected but it is only necessary that such a one would hear and receive that word and believe the word.

The word of reconciliation which apostle describes saying that God has entrusted us with the word of reconciliation. He has given us his kingdom as Jesus told his own. It is my father's good pleasure to give you a kingdom. And from this kingdom God speaks the living gospel through the power and office of the Holy Spirit.

And so though we often feel our own weakness and lacking yet this word of faith even in outward weakness and lacking is a powerful message. It is able to affect in the heart of a seeking one. Even the most simple words is able to affect the heart of one who is sorrowful for his sin and is seeking peace and rest and the hope of everlasting life.

There are many testimonies of this. How those who have been distressed over their sin and have sought have been seeking places. I can't remember who it was some years ago was explaining how they had gone from various faiths and churches and never were able to find peace until God approached them from his kingdom. And they were able to hear and receive the message of the gospel. The proclamation of the forgiveness of their sins and in Jesus name and precious blood and joy and peace fill the heart and the living hope of everlasting life became the became the goal and the promises were made to travel with the children of God following that way which has been open and prepared by the Lord Jesus.

As it is often said in this way following him in doctrine in life and in suffering.

And so as we heard in the last part of our text that for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture sayeth whosoever believeth unto righteousness upon him shall not be ashamed.

I wonder how it is with you brother and sister sometimes when in a certain environment with certain people that you would feel very timid and could we use the word ashamed to confess your faith. I know it has happened with me. And it seems like especially when it is with those people that you are best acquainted with and have known perhaps for years and had never really confessed your faith or talked to them and in a moment comes where it is necessary you feel it to be necessary to say something.

You cannot agree with what they would perhaps try to convince of concerning the life of faith and the hope of everlasting life. It seems much easier to be in a group of strangers. For example on an airplane where you have this kind of a thought that well whatever you say to this person you probably will never have to face them again. So it is much easier.

We have sometimes discussed this and it feels that the comfort zone is farther away from home where you are among strangers and you have boldness to confess how you believe. But yet dear brother and sister it would not be for this reason that we should talk about this so that we would become that we would despair and find ourselves to be such poor confessors of the Lord Jesus of this precious gift that we have received.

Even in this we are assured that grace abounds. We find ourselves lacking and faulty. And afterward often feel ashamed in this that why was I so reluctant to say anything concerning this precious gift of faith that I own. That has been given unto me.

It is good that we can discuss these matters with one another and find that the gospel is able to free us from these kinds of doubts and lackings. And through the power of the gospel we are again encouraged to open our mouths to speak when those opportunities might come before us.

The apostle here said whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. And we can in boldness say brothers and sisters that we will not be ashamed on that day when Jesus when we must stand before the Lord Jesus.

How good it is that when we are believing that our sins are forgiven in his name and blood we will have boldness in that day and await that moment that he will call us. Come ye blessed of my Father to inherit that reward which has been promised you from the foundations of the world.

We have dear brothers and sisters a very precious hope. A living hope. We can easily understand that each one of us must one day depart from this life. It is good that we can in faith await that day.

And it comes to my mind that the confirmation school this summer a question was raised in this way that what if we would fall into sin and then die? And this thought question has been in my mind many times. And I have tried to think that well God does not allow us when we sincerely are believing and want to believe and we want to reach that goal that God does not allow us to go in such a way.

And I thought the very simple answer was given in this way. That God prepares us for death. So we can trust that He is faithful when we are sincerely believing and it should happen that we fall into sin. God will provide us a way to free ourselves.

But we must always remember also that this does not give us permission to sin, to live in sin. There is a great difference between falling into sin and deliberately or willfully living in sin. If we would begin to tempt God and begin to think that well this or that sin is not so great then the enemy of souls uses those opportunities then to lead us further and further. And what would result is the loss of faith.

So how important it is that we are as we endeavor in our everyday journey of faith that we would travel in obedience of faith in fighting against sin and when sin besets, which it does every day by thought, word and deed. But if some particular matters are a burden we have a precious grace privilege that we can put away those sins and believe them forgiven in Jesus name and precious blood.

So this evening dear brothers and sisters as we consider this topic our neighbor and if we do find ourselves to be so weak and lacking in making known this mystery of faith that we have received there is grace and forgiveness. We can believe all our faults and our doubts and our lackings. All are forgiven in Jesus name and precious blood and be of good comfort.

And I have found myself to be such so many times and ask if I can also believe this and all my sins forgiven. In Jesus name, Amen.

And before we close with the benediction I almost forgot we had a supper with the Lord. We had a supper with Ed and Angie this evening and in a few minutes they will be boarding a plane to get back to their home in Spokane and they both asked if I would bring their loving greetings to you brothers and sisters.

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.