Sermon - 11-17-24

Jesus has called each one of here this morning and we have answered that call. He wants to speak to us today and give us a message of trust and hope. Through word, sacrament, and each other we are reminded of Jesus’ love for each one of us and then he calls us to share that love with others and then encourage them to share it.

Through times of happiness and joy as well as times of disappointment, anxiety and anger we can come here to experience Jesus though word, sacrament and each other. Many of us are still trying to process the election. Each of us are at a different place. Wherever we are emotionally, we can bring it to Jesus.

Here at Faith, even if we don’t always understand each other’s views, all our welcome. Our welcoming statement reads: We welcome you as God’s beloved child, “for in Christ Jesus… [we] are all children of God through faith.” (Galatians 3:26). No matter your age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, marital status, neurodivergent status, faith background, political leanings, or mental, intellectual or physical ability – you are welcomed here just as you are. In this church, we commit to pursue gender and racial equity in all that we do, and to support one another as chosen family, being parents and siblings for each other regardless of who we have as biological family (Mark 3:31-35). For we are all one in Christ Jesus and rely on the unconditional nature of God’s love and grace to be our help and guide as we strive to serve our world.

Our second lesson from Hebrews addresses the importance of drawing near to Jesus to receive his acceptance and love, and the author reminds followers of Jesus that we can have the confidence to this. It is only through Jesus’ work on the cross that we are able to do this. The author of Hebrews encourages us to meet together and experience Jesus and then encourage each other to love and do good deeds. 

But who is the author of Hebrews and who is the audience, to whom was this letter written? Scholars have not agreed upon who actually wrote this letter. The letter was written to second generation Christians, thus an established church. At some time, this church had suffered persecution. It was a church that was marked with generosity and liberality.

Scholars believe that it was written by a great teacher, one who had a great knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures, to a small group or college of Christians in Rome. The author wrote this letter as they were separated from them, and it seemed they were drifting away from the faith. The teacher reminds this small group of the new covenant or agreement that Jesus had now made with all people. 

The author reminded them of what Jesus had accomplished through his death and resurrection and fulfilling what had been promised in the Hebrew scriptures. Jesus represented a new way of living in freedom and love. A new way that was not about power and control. It was a new way that Jesus welcomed all people.

This is what we have attempted to define to the best of our ability who “all” means in our welcoming statement. Not all people including some Christians agree with this and that is their opinion. We want to be a safe place for all people here at Faith.

We are entering into unchartered territory in our country with all new leaders. Some people are excited, others very fearful. I believe Jesus is telling us today that our focus needs to be on him as he is the only one who offers us freedom from sin, death and power of the devil. Jesus is the one that we can trust and have hope in. Jesus and his followers are then called to provoke one another to love and good works.

We are very thankful for everyone at worship today and especially those who chose to visit us today. As I have been saying we welcome all people into a safe place to experience Jesus and his love through word, sacrament and each other. I firmly believe that Jesus has called all of us here today to hear his message of trust and hope. He stands ready to receive us at any time and in any place.

Even as followers of Jesus, we often look for him in the wrong places. We have and will continue to hear things that are God’s will. People who are vying for power and control will have skewed versions of God’s will. This is when we need to take these things and our feelings to Jesus. We are in a safe place, but hopefully all of us have other safe places too.

In our Gospel lesson today, Jesus tells his disciples that they will hear many people saying that they are acting in his name. These people will use fears, such as wars and rumors of wars. Jesus told them not be alarmed. 

Jesus tells his disciples not to fear, just he tells us not to fear. Remember these things have been going on for many years. We see this through all of the Hebrew Scriptures. This is still going on today. Wars, people vying for power and control. Low self-esteem causing people to show disrespect for others.

It is happening now and unfortunately will continue and we may wonder where God is. It may become more difficult to follow Jesus’ teachings. Just as the author of Hebrews encouraged his students, we are encouraged. The Message puts it this way:

^19-21 So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God in Jesus Christ, into “the Holy Place, the safe place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice on the cross, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body which was broken for you and me.

^22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out because of Jesus’ work on the cross. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. In Hebrews we are reminded that Jesus will never walk off and leave us.

Jesus always keeps his word. With this kind of support, let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on to love, not hate and to do good works as long as we are on this earth.

The message of trust is stated in Hebrews that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Also, that Jesus never fails. I believe our hope is in our working together to love our neighbor, encouraging each other. Faith Lutheran Church is a safe place to do this.

Let us pray, Jesus, thank you for calling us here today to experience you through word, sacrament and each other. We have answered your call and have come to hear a word of trust and hope. Thank you for your work on the cross that we may approach God in your name. May your Spirit spur us on to share your love and to do good works and encourage each other to do the same. In Jesus’ name.