"Life,
Now and Later"
Text:
1 Timothy 4:6-11
Grace, mercy and peace be
multiplied to you as heirs of Everlasting Life – a Life that you even now enjoy
as Children of God our Heavenly Father, and as joint heirs with Jesus Christ,
God's Son, our Savior. Amen.
Dear Fellow Christians, later today and tomorrow hundreds of
your brothers in the Church of the Lutheran Confession will head to Eau Claire,
WI to take part in the 28th Convention of the CLC. I too plan to get
into the car and head west on I-94. Together with my family we are looking
forward to the upcoming wedding, as well as the renewal of old acquaintances.
Do you see any problems with that plan? The problem, of
course, is that if I get into my car and head west on I-94 I will never get where I want to go – not in the time
allotted for my travel anyway.
In much the same way each one of us travels day by day
through this vale of tears enroute to an indescribably joyous gathering of all
the saints on the Last Day. We have been brought to life (converted) by the
Holy Spirit and that life that lives in us now will, by the grace of God, never
be taken from us – ever. The problem is not destination; the problem is
direction. All Christians are agreed on where we want to end up, yet an
ever-increasing majority seems confused about the path laid out by our God as the
only way to get where we all want to be.
This is where doctrine
enters the picture (disparagingly known as "the D-word" in some
circles.) Doctrine, simply defined, is anything and everything the Bible
teaches. Christians are often strong on faith and their ultimate goal, but weak
on doctrine. Using the image we developed earlier, Christians are strong on the
vehicle and the destination, weak (in the extreme) on directions. The Christian
Church today seems to be of the opinion that any old route will get you there;
it's faith in Jesus that is the key. So many Christians today seem to take
their cue in all of this from the unbelieving world, which has always believed
that any old vehicle and any old route will get you to whatever place you
picture as heaven.
Unbelievers are truly lost in this world, but Christians
aren't – or aren't supposed to be. By
definition a Christian is someone who
believes that what Jesus Christ did for us through his perfect life and
innocent death on the cross has actually paid the full penalty for all sins. A
Christian is an heir of heaven through faith in his Savior Jesus. That being
true, is doctrine really all that important? Aren't there, in fact, different
interpretations of God's Word that make different doctrinal paths to heaven not
only a reality but a necessity? Is there any real problem with that?
Our text for this morning addresses this and other weighty
matters, and therefore we read and study it now with great interest, thought
and prayer. Our text for this morning is found in Paul's First Letter to
Timothy, the Fourth Chapter:
1 Timothy 4:6-11 If you instruct
the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have
carefully followed. 7 But
reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself
toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is
profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that
which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of
all acceptance. 10 For to this end we
both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of
those who believe. 11 These
things command and teach.
These are the words of our kind and merciful God – kind, because he has here reached out to
us poor, hopeless, helpless sinners, and merciful
because it is we who had rebelled against him and deserved only his hatred and
punishment. Let us make careful use of the gift of these words. To that end we
pray, "Sanctify us through Your truth, O Lord. Your Word is truth." Amen.
Dear Fellow Servants of the Lord Jesus, I witnessed it again
not that long ago. A dear Christian man from another city lamented the fact
that almost none of his children attend a conservative, Christ-centered church
faithfully. In fact one son is already dead, a suicide. What is more, not one
of his grandchildren goes to church at all, and they seem to have quite a
laundry list of serious temporal problems. While one can certainly sympathize
with the pain such a thing must bring to the man's heart, we would all do well
to examine his sad situation with an eye toward our own. What could have been done
differently? How can we learn from any mistakes he might have made, and thereby
avoid them ourselves?
While it is most certainly true that sinful human beings
can, all on their own, abandon the good path on which their parents led them,
many times the seeds of the problems are sown by the parents themselves.
Obviously this, in itself, ranks parenting among the most important work any of
us will ever do. In this case the man tipped his own hand when he admitted, "I don't pay much attention to
doctrine. I leave that up to the Pastor. I just go to church and listen to the
gospel." Does that sound so
bad? How many here today could use those same words to describe his or her own
attitude or feelings about religion? Now ask yourself, how many here would like
to trade places with this man and carry the dread he feels concerning the
family he loves? How many would do anything in their power to avoid such
catastrophe?
God gave us doctrine for a reason. Arrogant mankind today
believes that society could and should dictate not only right from wrong, the world also believes that we should be free to
pick and choose which parts of God's Holy Word we will follow. Returning to the
comparison between doctrine and directions, the best way I know of to
get lost is to take a wrong turn or two. So also while it is certainly true
that faith in Jesus Christ alone saves, it is also true that the quickest and
surest way to destroy saving faith is to abandon the path (the doctrine) laid
out for us by our God.
Listen again to what Paul told Timothy in our text: "If
you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus
Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have
carefully followed." Note the two things Paul emphasized here to his
fellow-pastor, Timothy. He spoke of being "nourished in the words of faith,"
(remember we are saved by grace through faith
alone) but he also added, "and of the
good doctrine which you have carefully followed." Note two other
things about these words. Not any doctrine would do, and not just any old
haphazard following would do. Timothy was to hold to and instruct the "good
doctrine." It is good
because God made it good by causing it to be recorded in his Word. Bad doctrine is the nonsense manufactured
by men. Paul dismisses that sort of thing with these words: "But
reject profane and old wives' fables..." Jesus also condemned and
dismissed such nonsense in Matthew 15:8-9, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their
heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Not any old doctrine will do, nor is it true that any old
interpretation is fine with God. There are directions that will get us lost;
directions that will guide us where our Lord does not want us to go. It is for
good reason that God in his Word continually stresses fully and carefully
following the right doctrine. Why? Why is it important to God that we fully and
carefully follow everything that he taught us in the Bible? It is important
because he loves us with a pure and holy love we can hardly even comprehend
here in time. Sinners though we are, God's desire is that we spend eternity
with him in heaven. God in his wisdom knows that the best and safest route to
an eternity with him is the path he has outlined in his Word. That is what
doctrine is all about. It is never supposed to be an end in itself. It is a
loving means to the most blessed of all possible ends.
Go back to the picture of directions for a moment. Suppose a
loved one – a son or daughter just newly licensed – decides he or she wants to
drive to grandma's house several hundred miles away, and needs directions. How
careful would you be in giving those directions? Could you ever imagine
purposely telling your child to turn left when grandma's house is to the right?
Could you imagine recommending that your child just do what he or she thinks is
best? Nuts, right? How is it then that so many are
perfectly content to play fast and loose with something so critical as the path
to heaven?
What are we talking about here in practical terms? What do
we mean by doctrine? We already
defined doctrine as anything the Bible teaches, but how does that really affect
us day by day here in time? Pick a doctrine at random – Holy Communion
comes to mind. The Bible teaches that only those who can properly examine
themselves should come to Communion. Why? Certainly not because
we are running some sort of exclusive club. Far from
it. God has given us this doctrine
because communing in an unworthy manner can lead to our spiritual harm. A
loving God does not give us doctrine to harm us. He gives us doctrine because
he loves us and wants to protect us. Suppose you are driving along a country
road and come upon a sign that says, "Danger! Bridge out ahead!"
Would you regard that sign as unloving because you wanted to take this route
and now you can't? So also God's "signs" aren't intended to harm or
anger us, but to protect and save us.
Another doctrine connected to Holy Communion is the use of
wine and unleavened bread (rather than grape juice and crackers.) Why do we
need to fuss about such things? Because God wants to give us spiritual
strengthening from this sacrament. At some point this benefit would be lost if
we tampered with God's plan. At what point? We don't know, so why not walk as
our loving God instructed us to walk? Why would anyone choose a different
route?
Take a moment and pick a doctrine – any teaching found in
the Bible. You will find that it was given out of love and compassion, never
anything else. Why do we baptize infants? Because infants are sinners
and need forgiveness, and the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works saving
faith through the Word and water of Baptism. Why keep this great gift from the
youngest of sinners? The Doctrine of Fellowship?
God knows that error leads us away from faith in Jesus Christ. All error erodes
saving faith, and the only way to deal with error is to separate from it. Error
is like bad directions. It takes only one to lead you into some very bad
places.
The world, of course, sees God's doctrine on fellowship as
cold and exclusive. God sees it as loving and tragically necessary. The Doctrine of the Last Things? Why does it matter
what we believe about how the world will come to an end and whether or not
there will be a rapture and a one thousand-year rule
of Christ here on earth? God loves us too much to allow us to imagine that
there will be an obvious time to repent after the so-called rapture. He knows
how tempted mankind will be to reject the Holy Spirit until that time, and that
the only solution is to be ready at all times.
God our Father not only demonstrates his love in the gospel
message of Jesus Christ, he also demonstrates his love for us in every Biblical
doctrine. What child of God would want to reject that love and choose another
path?
Our text tells us, "But godliness is profitable for all
things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to
come." Don't miss this amazing fact revealed to us in our text. We
will not one day inherit eternal life; we have it right now. "The
life that now is" will never end for the Child of God. This body
of ours may have to pass through temporal death (if Christ does not return
before our time of grace on earth is ended) but that spirit he has quickened in
us will never die. Never. It will simply go on living
in eternity with God, never passing through death. Jesus, our Savior, has given
us the life that never ends. It is our possession now, and no one can take it
from us. So it is that the Holy Spirit in our text urges us not to throw away
the precious life that we have been given.
That is also why Paul says in our text, "For to this end we both
labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the
Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." This is the
message we want to now share with the world – a positive, up-beat, glorious
message that we all share the same Savior, Jesus Christ. He died for all sins,
theirs as well as ours. Thanks be to God for the
vehicle of faith by which we are saved, the destination that is now certainly
ours, and the loving path he has laid out for us to follow. God is good, and I
want my neighbor to know just exactly how
good. Amen.
Scripture
Readings and Sunday Bulletin for June 15, 2008
NKJ Jeremiah 20:7-13 O LORD, You
induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I
am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. 8 For when I spoke, I cried out; I
shouted, "Violence and plunder!" Because the word of the LORD was made
to me A reproach and a derision daily. 9 Then I said, "I will not
make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His
name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not. 10 For I
heard many mocking: "Fear on every side!" "Report," they
say, "and we will report it!" All my acquaintances watched for my
stumbling, saying, "Perhaps he can be induced; Then
we will prevail against him, And we will take our revenge on him." 11 But the LORD is with me
as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not
prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting
confusion will never be forgotten. 12
But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, and
see the mind and heart, let me see Your vengeance on them; for I have
pleaded my cause before You. 13
Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For He has delivered the
life of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
NKJ Romans 5:12-15 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered
the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all
sinned -- 13 (For until the
law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death
reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the
likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to
come. 15 ¶ But the free
gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died,
much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus
Christ, abounded to many.
NKJ 1 Timothy 4:6-11 If you instruct
the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have
carefully followed. 7 But
reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward
godliness. 8 For bodily
exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having
promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying
and worthy of all acceptance. 10
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in
the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who
believe. 11 ¶ These things command and teach.
ST. PAUL
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
2510 E. Divide Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 223-4885 Cell: (701) 425-5483
Website – www.bismarcklutheran.org
Mr. Mark Johnson, President (222-1855)
Mrs. Eileen McEnroe, Organist
Michael Roehl, Pastor
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – June 15, 2008
|
The Opening Prayer by the Pastor
The Opening
Hymn ‑#11- (Red Hymnal)
"Safely Through another
Week"
The Order
of Service – Supplement page 12ff. (Brown Hymnal)
The
Scripture Lessons: (Printed on the back page of this bulletin)
The Old Testament
Lesson:
(Jeremiah 20:7-13) Jeremiah here makes it clear that God
sends tests to His people. In such times we are to humble ourselves under His
mighty hand and to await His good pleasure. Too often we proudly rebel. In the
end God is always proved right and just. The Christian who humbles himself is
always strengthened. May God give us such a spirit through His Spirit!
The Psalm of the Day – Psalm 118 (Brown
Hymnal page 29)
The New Testament
Lesson: (Romans 5:12-15) What
a clear and simple explanation of sin and grace we have in our Epistle Lesson!
Man brought sin and condemnation upon himself. Life is now offered through
Jesus Christ. As many as died in Adam, that is how
many have been declared not guilty in Jesus Christ.
The
Confession of Faith ‑
The Apostolic
Creed – page 15. (Brown Hymnal)
The Pre-Sermon Hymn ‑#744- (Brown Hymnal)
"How
Great Thou Art"
The Sermon – 1 Timothy 4:6-11 (Printed on the back page of this bulletin)
"Life, Now and Then"
The
Offertory – (Supplement
page 16 insert)
The Post Sermon Hymn ‑#352- (Red Hymnal)
"O
Savior, Precious Savior"
The Offering (Hymn #777- Verses 1 & 2) (Brown Hymnal)
The Prayers of the Day followed by the
Lord's Prayer
The Benediction
The Closing Hymn ‑#36- (Verses
1 & 2)
(Red Hymnal)
"Now
Thank We All Our God"
Silent Prayer
Attendance ‑ Last Sunday (72) 2008 Average (52)
This Week at St. Paul:
Today -10:00 a.m. – Worship Service
-11:00
a.m. – Fellowship
Hour
Monday -12:00
p.m. – 2008 CLC Convention in EC
Friday -12:00 p.m. –
Close of CLC Convention
-5:00 p.m. –
Gullerud-Roehl Wedding
Next Sunday -10:00 a.m. – Worship Service
-11:00 a.m. – Fellowship Hour
CLC News – Pastor
Paul D. Nolting of Mankato, MN has returned the call to Markesan, WI. The 28th
Convention of the CLC is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Please keep the needs of the
Synod in your prayers, as well as safe travel for all participants at this year's
convention.
Roehl-Gullerud Wedding – The prayers of the congregation are also requested for
Shannon Roehl and Aaron Gullerud, who are scheduled to be married at Messiah
Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI this coming Friday. May God richly bless them
as they begin their lives together as husband and wife.
Pastor Out of Town – Pastor Roehl is scheduled to attend
the CLC Convention in Eau Claire, leaving this afternoon. He can be reached,
while away, on the cell phone (701) 425-5483.
Hecla Seminar – Prince of
Peace in Hecla is offering a seminar for High School and College aged ladies
entitled "Women of the Kingdom." The event, scheduled for July
12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will focus on such topics as Being a
Christian Woman In the World, But Not Of the World; Role Models: Biblical vs Worldly; Dating vs.
Christian Courtship; and Maintaining a Christian Witness at a Public
College. Please see the Pastor for further details. A
reminder that information regarding many other summer CLC events is also available
upon request.