Today’s Scripture

Psalm 16            1 Kings 19:14-21            Galatians 5:1, 13-25            Luke 9:51-62

 

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 

This week we celebrated our nation’s 228^th anniversary of freedom dating back to the Declaration of Independence.  From the beginning days of our nation through today, we have had to stand the test of freedom.  We have had to stand independent of other forces and influences that could consume us.  Although we have defended our freedoms on foreign soil, the most critical and ongoing test of freedom is amongst ourselves and here at home.  It is difficult to exercise freedom without falling back on laws and customs that enslave us instead of releasing us. 

 

As Christians, we are free from the things of this earth that restrict us.  We are free from the Old Testament regulations that, when followed as God gave them, pointed to and gave the same freedoms we have today knowing Christ crucified.  Yet there are the very subtle ways in which we find ourselves held slavery to the things opposite God’s will and commands to us.  In the world around us are activities, customs, and other practices that we can so easily become accustomed too and enslaved in those activities.  As you get caught up in these things, you are taken away from your freedom, freedom won by Christ.

 

Take, for example, what arguably is the most popular church in our nation today.  St. Sport! 

 

 

Arguably the most popular church in all of our society is St. Sport on Sunday’s.  We’re either playing the game or watching it.  It is either amateur or professional.  It is either participating in the game or being a spectator and fan.  But St. Sport certainly has a significant and faithful following.  As Christians we certainly have the freedom to enjoy the pleasures God has given in this earth, including cinnamon rolls, sports, and other entertainments.  But when do we become prisoners of those things as opposed to celebrating the joys given in them? 

 

When living your faith, do you make the practice or your faith a work that enslaves you instead of receiving the gifts given through Jesus Christ, God’s word and sacraments, as the greatest blessings to enjoy in this earth and for eternity?  Do the practices and pressures of the world around you make you feel alone and persecuted in this world? 

 

            Elijah cried out to God when he felt all alone also.  God comforted him telling him there were not just a few like him, but seven thousand faithful left in Israel.  He also sent Elijah out to anoint Elisha to succeed him as the continuing prophet to God’s people.  God encouraged Elijah that the world was not entirely lost, but that he would keep a faithful group of people throughout all time.

 

            Today, we are frustrated.  We have church pews not full as we remember them a number of decades ago.  Youth programs appear to be diminishing.  But, there remain faithful members.  Our congregation, although not as full as a few years ago, continues its mission of a Lutheran Day School.  Our Sunday School enrollment has been growing moderately over recent years.  Contributions not only at Immanuel, but nation-wide in churches have been increasing in recent years.  We are not alone in God’s mission here, but are joined and encouraged by many around us.  We are not alone in God’s mission here as he leads us by his word, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the love he gives in Jesus Christ.

 

            Immanuel Lutheran Church is currently stepping forward with some aggressive programs of ministry and mission.  Today we install David Einoris as a Lay Minister here at Immanuel.  He will assist in ministry to our own members in the visiting ministries.  He will lead us in mission being our primary resource in structuring outreach ministries, to reach out and evangelize this community.  It is an important step in faith and growth in our congregation.  We are also beginning a video ministry to bring services to the living rooms of home-bound members and in the near future on cable and other accesses into the living rooms of our neighbors in Des Plaines.  At a time when three parochial schools adjacent to us have closed their doors this summer, Immanuel continues to faithfully support and maintain its school, trusting God for the long term and not in knee-jerk reaction to the temptations of society to give up missions as this.  We also face the difficult challenge of excellence in all of our ministries from preaching and worship services to Bible Study to Sunday School to youth programs to evangelism techniques to matching the high standards of education demanded in today’s society.

 

            We are a bunch of Elijah’s to whom God is saying, “Go out and anoint new prophets.”  He is telling us to go out and bring those in our congregation and community to hear the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ and to receive the blessings given in the sacrament of the altar.  We are called as the Galatians to “stand firm” against the yokes of slavery to practice our faith as a “good work” or obligation, or to bow to the society’s yokes of slavery to the self-gratifying pleasures of this world?  Those Jesus called in the Gospel reading are examples of each one of us when pulled by the forces of society as excuses in our timidity to follow his example in our daily thoughts, words and actions.  We are all too often held as slaves to our feelings of inadequacy, guilt, aloneness.  It is difficult in this world and society to stand firm in the freedoms we live when following Jesus’ example and command to love each other as he loves us.

 

            David chose for one of the passages we will read as part of the Rite of Installation Ephesians 4:11-16.  This passage reminds us that not all can do nor are expected to do all of the work of the church alone.  But, each one is given various abilities and strengths that when all are used combined complete the mission of the church.

 

            As Christians, we are part of the church at large.  We are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  Yes, there are the straight pieces one looks for first to set the border.  The church itself, God’s word in the Bible, the creeds expressing the true faith, and baptism and the Lord’s Supper are those straight edges we know the members will fill in.  Each one of you, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, is a different shape, different talents and abilities.  Each one of you interlocks with each other in a unique and strong way.

 

            A jigsaw puzzle, when all of its pieces are in place, can be picked up and moved.  It may bend, flex a bit, but it holds together.  If even one piece is missing, it can fall apart so easily.    Together, all in faith hold the story of Christ for others to see, hear, and come to believe also.  Together we have a great picture to portray:

 

• God is Love
• God is Just
• God is Righteous
• God created all things in the heavens and on earth
• God sustains all things in the heavens and on earth.
• God made man in his image and breathed the breath of life, his life, into man
•  
• Man turned from God in his sinfulness
• God loves man and promises to deliver forgiveness.
• God kept all of his promises to his people throughout history
• God fulfilled his greatest promise sending his Son, Jesus Christ, true God and true man to work salvation – forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life in heaven
• God keeps his promises as he preserves us today
• God keeps his promises as he preserves all of his people today
• God keeps his promises as his word is preserved and proclaimed today
• God will keep his final promise, sending his Son to come again with all the company of angels to gather up all those who remain in faith to live eternally in the house where Jesus has prepared your room for you.

 

God has sent us today to be his witnesses, free from the guilt and baggage of sin, to live and proclaim his glories to others so they too can live free now and eternally.

 

As Christians you are set free from many of the burdens and temptations and lifestyles that enslave us.  As Christians, we know freedom given in the love of Christ who unequivocally forgives all sins laid at the cross.  As Christians we can walk confidently in the turmoil of this world trusting God who has a place especially for you in his heavenly home.  As Christians, remember that God did not bring us together to anoint David or any other single person to do the work for us, but has placed you in this world to work together to share his love in Jesus Christ with others, seeing the joy when they too begin living the freedom from sin and its guilt and punishment to lives eternal with our Lord.

 

Amen.