Sermons

In Jesus Christ, who is salvation, fellow proclaimers of salvation They Went Out……… I. Trusting in God’s power II. Proclaiming God’s Word INTRODUCTION “That’s just not me!” “I am not able to talk to others” “I am afraid that I might say the wrong thing” Do any of those phrases or ones like them sound familiar? Aren’t those often our reaction when we are asked to take the precious message of salvation. When our Lord asks us who have the confidence and hope of faith to share it with others, isn’t our reaction all too often “Lord you’ve got the wrong person – not me”? With those excuses still resonating in your ears, notice what is said of the disciples – “they went out” Remember who these men were – they were not even high school graduates – they were Galilean, Jewish fisherman and they simply they went out As we listen and learn from God’s Word today, it is my prayer that our response be that of the disciples They went out. May we learn from the disciples that they went our 1) trusting in God’s power and 2) proclaiming God’s Word Listen again to the account of our Lord sending his disciples out as recorded in Mark 6:7-12. I. Trusting in God’s power For just a moment I would like you to imagine that you are standing in the disciples’ sandals. A staff, sandals and the clothes you have on your back (no money, no food) and stay wherever people will let you. How would you do if that is what Jesus were to say to you? If he were to ask you to leave God’s house exactly as you are – leave your wallets and purses here, leave behind the automobile that you came in and go out trusting that wherever you end up tonight, someone is going to give you a place to stay – what would you say? Jesus’ point is two-fold: Our Savior’s call to his disciples is the same call he gives to each one of us – not just from the pulpit or in the day school, Sunday School or VBS classroom – but wherever he puts us and whenever the opportunity is given – speak his Word trusting that he will give us the words to say and the strength to do so. This also applies to us as a congregation. We have gathered together as a group of believers known as Faith Lutheran congregation. We rejoice as we just sang in the hymn that we can gather week after week to praise our God and King, but one of the other purposes of our congregation as expressed so well by the architecture of our sanctuary is to go out with the Word. How do we do when it comes to supporting this with our offerings? Do we bring our offerings with an attitude of “God has blessed me so richly and I want to bring him proper thanks”? Or does the devil tempt us to say “God, you know the economy’s a little tight right now, who knows – I might be the next one to lose my job, I’ve got to hold a little back. Our Lord reminds us that when it comes to our offerings and setting the priorities of our congregation, we need to trust in him, knowing that he will give us what is needed when the opportunities are presented. I would like to expand the circle one step wider. For the past 9 months we have heard about the challenges which our synod is facing – budget shortfalls in the millions of dollars, having to recall missionaries and deciding what work takes priority. Maybe you are or are not aware that this past week our synod met in convention in Watertown and had to wrestle with that question of “Are we as a synod trusting fully in the Lord as we plan and carry out or work?”. Not matter where we are along the way in sharing the Gospel – individually, as a congregation or even as part of the WELS, our Savior invites us “trust in me, I will give you what to say and will take care of you.” II. Proclaiming God’s Word This leads right into the other thing we can learn from the disciples as they went out. They simply proclaimed the Word of God. But did you notice what was said of the disciples as they proclaimed the Word? “....they preached that people should repent”. The disciples were not afraid to proclaim all of God’s Word – including the Law, telling people that they were sinners. Our Lord is going to give us plenty of opportunities to share with those who mourn the comfort of the resurrection. He is going to provide numerous chances to tell of the hope we have even in life’s darkest moments. But are we also willing, parents to children, each of us to family members or others around us to also be willing to share the Law when needed? To tell people that their lifestyle or actions are out of line with God’s Word. Maybe it is just sharing our favorite Bible passages, perhaps an opportunity to share the Gospel is the Holy Spirit telling us to dig deeper and learn more of the Word. But whatever it is and wherever it is, our Savior says “let the one who has my Word speak it faithfully” CONCLUSION After the end of the Civil War, our U.S. government appointed administrators to assist in the reconstruction of the South. One thing struck these men as they toured their areas of responsibility – although signs had been posted and declarations read telling all that the slaves were now free, the slaves were not leaving. Curiosity plagued several of these administrators and they vowed to get to the bottom of the problem. They went to several large plantations known to be run by harsh and cruel taskmasters. They asked the slaves why they weren’t leaving. The slaves replied simply “we don’t know anything else”. Doesn’t that sadly sum up the mentality of many in our world today? They know no other life than the one of slavery to sin. By God’s grace we know what it is to be free and to live free through the power of God’s Word. When our Savior asks us, like he did the disciples to go, knowing that he is with us and simply wants us to speak his Word, may it be said of us like it was of the disciples they went out. Amen.