“We’re Number One!”  How many times have we seen the crowd yell this?  How many big foam Number One hands have we seen waving in the stands?  How many times have Cub fans had to compliment another fan that his team is number one?  Yes, a good Packer and White Sox fan has had to humbly do the same.

 

            It is a coveted thing to be considered number one.  The GE Plastics Plant in Ottawa, Illinois, was proud to display on its grounds from Ford Motor Company a Quality 1 flag indicating that this plant had met and exceeded Ford’s expectations for the product it received from this plant.  Number one in service.  Number one in sales.  Number one in customer satisfaction.  And, the company who is second claims to be the company who tries harder.  These are all evidence how important it is to be number one, and how much we desire to be associated with number one.

 

            Jesus is our savior and king.  He is number one in our hearts as we gather here today.  In his life he brings us to who number one really is.  At his birth, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest.”  At the temple a twelve-year-old Jesus confidently stated that he was about his father’s business.  At his baptism and transfiguration God the Father announced that Jesus is his son in whom he is pleased. 

 

            In his prayer just before the betrayal and his suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection, Jesus prayed that all of these things would bring glory to his heavenly father.  Jesus did nothing to bring glory and honor to himself, but always to glorify the father.   

 

            In this prayer, Jesus prayed for himself, the disciples, and all who would believe in him.  He prayed for you.  He prayed that our heavenly Father would always guard and protect us, keeping us in his grace through the work that Jesus would soon do. 

 

            God showed his approval, giving that number one rating to Jesus three days later when he raised him gloriously and eternally from the dead.  Thursday, Ascension Day, we celebrated as Jesus was taken bodily into heaven to sit again at the right hand of God the Father Almighty who restored Jesus as ruler over all inheaven and on earth.

 

            And, when the disciples witnessed all of these great things, they returned to Jerusalem not shouting, “We’re Number One!” but singing praise to God our heavenly father for all he has given us in Jesus.

 

            That is an important thing for us to know as we recall Peter’s words that “Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  Only God can save you from Satan’s schemes and antics.  The only way to receive this protection is complete trust in God in his word, his commands, and his promise that at the last day you will be taken harmlessly into his kingdom, forever separated from all harm, danger, sadness and evil.  You will have only the everlasting joy of singing “Alleluia,” “Praise God,” forever and ever.  God has made you number one in his love for you, forgiving you, making you holy again as he restores you in faith and in baptism to his image again.

 

            It is for that reason we gather here today, to hear this great blessing God has given you.  That is the reason for this past Thursday’s service with Good Shepherd and St. John, to rejoice together with others in the faith for the great love and wonders God gives and continues to do for you.  That is the reason for Bible Study and Sunday School and all of the teaching and ministry and mission activity at Immanuel, to spread the love of God to others so they know and love him for his great love for them.  That is the reason for Voters’ meetings as this Tuesday’s, to learn the details of what these ministry and mission items are, so we all can gather as number one in God’s sight preparing Immanuel for its role as a mission outpost in this community and world.  That is why we plan a Friendship Sunday to remind each one of our role to bring others to know and rejoice in God our maker, redeemer, and sanctifier.  That is the reason for the upcoming REFOCUS Living Retreat in two weeks, for each individual to prepare himself and herself for the opportunities God gives us to be his witnesses here in Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois and throughout the nation and world.

 

            Jesus prayed that he would fulfill his father’s will to save you and bring glory to God almighty for his love to you.  Jesus prayed that you would be kept in the true faith and protected from Satan and all of his wily ways so that you can be with him eternally and bring others to know God’s great love for them too.

 

            This Sunday is also Mother’s Day.  We thank and praise God for the blessing of our mothers who brought us into life.  We thank and praise God for the blessing of those who have served as mother figures in our lives, the Mary’s and Martha’s, the Lydia’s and Dorcas’s, the Hannah’s and Rahab’s and Ruth’s, the Eunice’s and Lois’s, the Elizabeth’s and the list goes on.  None of them are great in their own right.  But God made each woman, each mother who she is just as he has made each one of us who we are and given what we have.  To that we sing “Glory to God in the highest…” for our mothers and other loved ones, our daily bread, our abilities and individual being, for his good and perfect and unfailing love, giving us his one and only Son to save us and make us his own again in his kingdom. 

 

            God is number one.  He made his son number one.  This is all because he loves you so much, he wants you number one with him in his kingdom again. 

 

            In Jesus’ name.  Amen.