The sermon for December 7 was based on Luke 21:25-36.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The storm of Judgment Day looms on the horizon. Its thunder peals in the distance. Open your eyes and ears. See and hear that the Day is quickly coming. You cannot avoid it by ignoring it. All these things around you shall pass away. Not a single present under your Christmas tree will last into eternity. The tree and even the nativity set will burn on the Last Day, if not sooner. But one thing will never pass away-the Word of Jesus. And so, even now, already now, as you see the signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, know that Judgment Day is coming. Look up. Lift up your head. Rejoice. It is your Redemption who draws near!

Man is still powerless against the upheavals of nature. We are weak against the winds of a hurricane or a tornado. For all of our technology, all of our cleverness, nature still overwhelms us. You cannot control it. You cannot harness the thunder or ride the lightening. If you try, they would destroy you. Nor can you tolerate it too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry. You must be protected from the weather. Clothing and shelter are vital to your survival.

So, likewise, you stand, weak and puny, against the Law of God. You must be sheltered, lest you die. Your works, your deeds, your righteousness are blown away like dry leaves in the rushing wind before a hurricane. You are no match for the strictness and strength of the Law. You do not measure up. Against this mighty judgment you are exposed and vulnerable. Your heart is sleepy; your mind is dirty with the filth of sin. All that you can call your own is shameful. You cannot stand before the Law of God.

You have nothing in which to boast or brag. You may think yourself honorable, upright, and decent, but you are not, not in the judgment of God's Law. You stand in your self-righteousness and condemn those around you: "Oh he thinks he is better than everybody else. He is a snob, a jerk. I'm glad I'm not like him." But you are! In your presumed wisdom you look into the hearts of others and discern their evil motives as though you were God. And with great irony, you are guilty of that which you accuse them. You say, "He thinks he is better than me, but he isn't. He is a hypocrite." You think that you are not guilty of such terrible crimes, that you are humble. No so! You are worse than those you condemn. In condemning others you think that you are better. But when you call others "Hypocrite," that is what you are. Repent. The only proper emotion regarding your works is shame. Repent, for your sleepy heart and sinful mind, for being slow to love and quick to judge.

You must turn from your evil ways and be turned toward God. You must never cry for justice. Cry, instead, for mercy. Cry to the God of patience and comfort. Learn again to fear the Name of the Lord. For the Sun of Righteousness has arisen in Bethlehem and has gone to Jerusalem to win your salvation. He has come with healing in His wings. He has come in mercy. His tomb is open. Death has lost its sting. Repent, O Christian, and rejoice. Your redemption draws near! There in the manger, there on the cross, you find honor instead of shame. And soon that great and dreadful Day shall be upon you. And what a glorious day it will be! Finally, the Lord will relieve you not only from the chaos and suffering of this world, but also from your own selfishness, your own vain hypocrisy, and your own shameful, hurtful behavior. God has honored you by becoming a Man! He has not left you to your shame. He has rescued you; and, in Him, you are free.

And so you shall stand in the coming Judgment, by Grace. Jesus Christ is your Shield, your Fortress. He makes you strong. In Him the storm of God's Judgment is a gentle summer breeze, pleasant and refreshing. His Blood has washed you clean, purified your heart and mind. His works, His deeds, His perfection, and His honor stand in your stead, as your holy substitute, and by Him the requirements of the Law are met in you. You are forgiven. In Him, your mind is pure and upright. You dwell on His Words day and night and in them you find peace, joy, and hope which will never pass away. Out of this great, perfect love to and for you, flows love from you to others. In Jesus Christ your heart is brave and your mind is pure.

The storm of Judgment looms on the horizon. Its thunder peals in the distance. Open your eyes and ears. See and hear that the Day is quickly coming. You cannot avoid it by ignoring it. All these things around you shall pass away. But one thing will never pass away: the Word of Jesus. The Word of Jesus with the water of Baptism washes you clean and shelters you with Christ's righteousness. The Word of Jesus in pastoral Absolution keeps you pure and sinless to stand unmoved against the accusations of the Law. The Word of Jesus makes bread His Body and wine His Blood to feed you with forgiveness, life, and salvation. These Words of Jesus will never pass away. If you try to weather the storm of Judgment Day on your own, you will be destroyed. And so, O Christian, even now, already now, as you see the signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, know that Judgment Day is coming. Find refuge in that which will not pass away: His true and certain Word. Find shelter in His holiness bestowed in His Body and Blood. Find honor in His wounds. Find life in His death. Look up. Lift up your head. Rejoice. It is your Redemption who draws near! Amen.

The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Last Updated: 7/15/2008