Rev. Dustin ParkerEasy Button
this sermon was written and delivered by Deacon Don Harrell, back in September. As I was about to post Deacon Jennings sermon (who preached this morning) I realized I never posted Don's. It is a good thing for a pastor to be able to see two men develop in their ability in proclaiming Christ crucified, and know that they will deliver that message, when so delegated.
Easy Button
The young lady reaches over and removes the hat from the young man’s head (revealing his full head of hair) and places it on hers. They continue their conversation despite the distractions going on around them at the carnival booth they’re working and the 9 shots of Novocain the young man received earlier that morning. She laughs at his jokes (which these days elicit groans), smiles at him as he chats up those coming to the booth. His heart rate is around 180 and he doesn’t quite know how to react to her attention. After awhile, she says it’s time for her to go and starts to walk off. She’s thinking to herself “I’ve got his hat! He HAS to call me to get it back!” He realizes “She has my brother’s hat! I need to get that back or I’ll never hear the end of it from him!” He runs over to her and she thinks to herself “He’s going to ask me out! …”I need my hat” he says. You can picture the disappointment on her face can’t you? It’s now obvious to just about everyone here what’s going on. But at the time, the young man had NO idea. The young lady eventually got her man, but that full head of hair has been gone for about a decade now.
The Jews were also looking for their man. The Son of Man (uppercase S and upper case M). The one they pictured from Daniel 7: 13 “…and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came on like a son of man (lower case s and lower case m), and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” To the Jews, the Son of Man was the undefeatable world conqueror sent by God to put at their feet the “super powers” of those days, the Romans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians and have them look up to Israel. They were so caught up in the image of the kingdoms of earth being subjected to them and a conquering king, in no way did they connect the Son of Man and a cross, even though many of Old Testament prophets gave them these signs. Micah told the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Zechariah of His entering Jerusalem on a donkey and His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver. Isaiah foretold the miraculous birth and that He would preach the Good News to the poor and brokenhearted and David that the Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced and the soldiers would cast lots for his things. An invincible leader of the armies of heaven? Yes. Some one who would die an accursed death for all? No. Even though many Old Testament prophecies are clear the Messiah would be a Savior for their sins.
Are we any different today? Do we not look for signs, that “easy button”? Lord if you will just send me a husband/wife, give me that perfect job, find me that house and heal my family member. God fill the seats in the church and in our school and then I will know you are here with me. Whether married or single, employed or not, whether the school ministry of Concordia stays open or not, isn’t God still with us? Does any of that change Christ’s work on the cross? We open our business sections to look at our stocks, turn on the T.V. or radio to listen to what’s happening in world. We turn everywhere except where God wants us to…the cross, the cross where the power and wisdom of God is revealed. But also where we are smacked right between the eyes with the fact that we can not save ourselves, we…can not…save…ourselves.
This concept of the cross was offensive to the Jews and it was beyond thought for the Greeks. The concept of God becoming a man and relating to man on his level was inconceivable. The thought of undeserved forgiveness freely given with open arms was ridiculous. Then to be put to death, willingly, as the worst criminal, on an instrument so crude and degrading and then being called Lord and Savior?! Absurdity! It contradicted all human logic and wisdom, all philosophy on being in control of one’s destiny. It was a show of complete weakness! No, the Greeks were wisdom seekers. They had to prove that they were wise enough, that they had all the answers. So the Greeks went about chasing philosophy after philosophy, going from religion to religion and from teacher to teacher. Just like the Greeks, we today want to find and have all the answers to gain the approval of God. If only I could memorize the Small and Large Catechism, the Book of Concord and the Athanasian Creed, I would be acceptable in the eyes of God. We are constantly and consistently searching for ways to keep control of our lives. “How-To” books fill our shelves. We look to Palm and Tarot card readers, and astrology. We want that “easy button”.
It was pointed out that in last week’s children sermon I couldn’t focus on the crucifix around my neck but only on this empty cross. Why? I was asked. “Because His work is done.” I replied. “Is it really?” came the response. “Do you no longer sin?” Do you no longer have the need for the saving grace of God found in the work of the cross? Yes and yes. But I also know this. All the answers are here at the foot of the cross, where we are reminded that His broken body and His shed blood have won life and salvation, where we have been freed from the guilt, punishment and power of sin through the suffering and death of Christ. This is that easy button, “given and shed for you.”
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
Easy Button
The young lady reaches over and removes the hat from the young man’s head (revealing his full head of hair) and places it on hers. They continue their conversation despite the distractions going on around them at the carnival booth they’re working and the 9 shots of Novocain the young man received earlier that morning. She laughs at his jokes (which these days elicit groans), smiles at him as he chats up those coming to the booth. His heart rate is around 180 and he doesn’t quite know how to react to her attention. After awhile, she says it’s time for her to go and starts to walk off. She’s thinking to herself “I’ve got his hat! He HAS to call me to get it back!” He realizes “She has my brother’s hat! I need to get that back or I’ll never hear the end of it from him!” He runs over to her and she thinks to herself “He’s going to ask me out! …”I need my hat” he says. You can picture the disappointment on her face can’t you? It’s now obvious to just about everyone here what’s going on. But at the time, the young man had NO idea. The young lady eventually got her man, but that full head of hair has been gone for about a decade now.
The Jews were also looking for their man. The Son of Man (uppercase S and upper case M). The one they pictured from Daniel 7: 13 “…and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came on like a son of man (lower case s and lower case m), and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” To the Jews, the Son of Man was the undefeatable world conqueror sent by God to put at their feet the “super powers” of those days, the Romans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians and have them look up to Israel. They were so caught up in the image of the kingdoms of earth being subjected to them and a conquering king, in no way did they connect the Son of Man and a cross, even though many of Old Testament prophets gave them these signs. Micah told the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Zechariah of His entering Jerusalem on a donkey and His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver. Isaiah foretold the miraculous birth and that He would preach the Good News to the poor and brokenhearted and David that the Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced and the soldiers would cast lots for his things. An invincible leader of the armies of heaven? Yes. Some one who would die an accursed death for all? No. Even though many Old Testament prophecies are clear the Messiah would be a Savior for their sins.
Are we any different today? Do we not look for signs, that “easy button”? Lord if you will just send me a husband/wife, give me that perfect job, find me that house and heal my family member. God fill the seats in the church and in our school and then I will know you are here with me. Whether married or single, employed or not, whether the school ministry of Concordia stays open or not, isn’t God still with us? Does any of that change Christ’s work on the cross? We open our business sections to look at our stocks, turn on the T.V. or radio to listen to what’s happening in world. We turn everywhere except where God wants us to…the cross, the cross where the power and wisdom of God is revealed. But also where we are smacked right between the eyes with the fact that we can not save ourselves, we…can not…save…ourselves.
This concept of the cross was offensive to the Jews and it was beyond thought for the Greeks. The concept of God becoming a man and relating to man on his level was inconceivable. The thought of undeserved forgiveness freely given with open arms was ridiculous. Then to be put to death, willingly, as the worst criminal, on an instrument so crude and degrading and then being called Lord and Savior?! Absurdity! It contradicted all human logic and wisdom, all philosophy on being in control of one’s destiny. It was a show of complete weakness! No, the Greeks were wisdom seekers. They had to prove that they were wise enough, that they had all the answers. So the Greeks went about chasing philosophy after philosophy, going from religion to religion and from teacher to teacher. Just like the Greeks, we today want to find and have all the answers to gain the approval of God. If only I could memorize the Small and Large Catechism, the Book of Concord and the Athanasian Creed, I would be acceptable in the eyes of God. We are constantly and consistently searching for ways to keep control of our lives. “How-To” books fill our shelves. We look to Palm and Tarot card readers, and astrology. We want that “easy button”.
It was pointed out that in last week’s children sermon I couldn’t focus on the crucifix around my neck but only on this empty cross. Why? I was asked. “Because His work is done.” I replied. “Is it really?” came the response. “Do you no longer sin?” Do you no longer have the need for the saving grace of God found in the work of the cross? Yes and yes. But I also know this. All the answers are here at the foot of the cross, where we are reminded that His broken body and His shed blood have won life and salvation, where we have been freed from the guilt, punishment and power of sin through the suffering and death of Christ. This is that easy button, “given and shed for you.”
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
