Here’s a brief selection from Gerhard’s sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity on Luke 5:1-11 (Jesus preaching to the crowd from the boat and the large catch of fish).

Peter’s small boat is a picture of the Christian Church.  For just as God’s Word resounds from Peter’s small boat is also how one hears Christ’s word in the Christian Church.  This makes Peter’s little boat much dearer and nobler than a great transport ship laden with gold, silver, precious stones, and other such perishable goods.

Just as a great haul of fish is caught here by the power of Christ’s word is also how many different peoples are gathered together into the Church by Christ’s Word.

. . .

The boat begins to sink; but, of course, since Christ is on board, it cannot sink completely.  Likewise, in the sea of this world, the Lord God knows how to protect His little ship against all danger, just as the ark, or ship, of Noah was preserved in the towering water of the Great Flood. (p.63-64)

What great comfort it is to be reminded of the power of Christ’s words — for it gathers and enlightens, forgives and sanctifies, and where there is forgiveness there is life and salvation.

Thanks for reading Sailing with Christ.

The sermon was never preached, although it had been written.  Over the years I’ve read and reread that sermon.  This sermon wasn’t intended to be a “farewell”.  Yet, it has provided me comfort then, as it still does today.

As my dad reflected on the message the angel Gabriel gave to Mary, he wrote:

It is truly wonderful.  God would become flesh.  This “Son of the Most High” would deliver us from the power of sin, death, and the devil, and give to us a kingdom that is forever.  Though King Herod would try to kill this baby Jesus, he would live that he might suffer and die for the whole world.  May our hearts praise God as those of old did.  God be praised for giving us a Savior.

I think my dad would have gladly joined in on that Advent Sunday with these words of Paul & Ruth Manz.

Rejoice in heaven all ye that dwell therein, Rejoice on earth ye saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon, For Christ is coming soon!

E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, And night shall be no more; They need no light nor lamp nor sun, For Christ will be their All!

Thanks for reading Fourth Sunday in Advent.

If you are a frequent listener of Issues Etc., you probably have heard Todd Wilken do sermon reviews of the likes of Joel Osteen and Rick Warren and some good Lutheran pastors (with some good sermons).  Todd provides a “3 Step Plan” for diagnosing a sermon and adds a bonus 4th Step.

What is our primary reason for going to church?  I would say we are there first and foremost to receive God’s gifts — one of which is to hear God’s word.

Todd’s diagnostic plan, while certainly not perfect, guides us to see if Christ is the center of the sermon.  Next week, why not give it a try.  Or if you’re a pastor, consider it while preparing your sermon.

1. How often is Jesus mentioned? (Just a simple tally)
2. If (1) is true: Is Jesus the subject of the verbs?  (Is it what Jesus has done for you or what you do for Jesus?)
3. If (2) is true: What are those verbs that are used?  (e.g., the helping Jesus, the saving Jesus, the dying/crucifed Jesus).
4. Bonus Question:  What has the preacher told me is my problem and what solution did he give me for the problem?

A related and worthwhile read from a few months back is Soaked In Christ’s Blood.

Thanks for reading Christ (or lack thereof) in the Sermon.

Here is another quote that immediately precedes the quote from the previous post.  At this point Savonius is saying the communion liturgy.

Here, nothing depended on himself [Savonius].  Here he was simply a steward, a nameless link in the long succession of hands which Christ had used throughout the ages to distribute His gifts to men.  For the first time he felt it a relief, rather than a compulsion, to be nothing but a servant of the church, without any contribution of his own, and with no other glory to seek than to steward the holy heritage honorably. (Pg 34-35, 1973 edition)

That is the pastor I want — a steward of the gifts God gives through His Word and Sacraments.  I don’t need a psychologist or an administrator.  I don’t need a motivational speaker or an academic.  I need the gifts God gives — and Christ uses pastors to do this.

Thanks for reading The Hammer of God – The Pastoral Attitude.

Pastors bring the forgiveness of sins from the cross and wrap you with it, like a warm blanket on a cold, winter’s night. They take his blood and wash you with it. Like a mother after you’ve played in the mud, a pastor scrubs you clean (even behind the ears) with Christ’s blood.

Yes . . . we need that scrubbing. We also probably need some high pressure washing. He concludes:

Expect to be soaking in Christ’s blood when the pastor says, “Amen.” Expect to be alive because Christ has wrapped you with his love and breathed new life into your ears. Not only should you expect it, you should demand it. It is your heritage. It is God’s good gift. AND…it’s yours.

If you’ve read this far, you need to read his whole blog post. Please click here.

As a side note: The imagery in Rev. Cholak’s post reminds me of my current bedtime reading – a collection of sermons by Chad Bird called “Christ Crucified“.

Thanks for reading Soaked in Christ’s Blood.