Sermon Easter 5 Cantate John 16:5
Sermon Easter 5 Cantate
John 16:5
Alleluia! Christ is risen; He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Philippians 1:2 (ESV)
This morning our Gospel teaches us that Christ’s departure from this world was for our good so that the Holy Spirit might come and guide us in all the truth. The world, however, and its ruler the devil, are thereby already convicted by the Spirit’s presence.
His word, Baptism, Supper all, Help counter ev’ry evil; In faith the Holy Spirit, In this to trust doth teach us. Amen.
Many people in nearby Frankenmuth wonder what could possibly happen next ever since one of the residents there made the city remove some small crosses that were decorating the Main St. bridge over the Cass River.
The same person has threatened possible legal action concerning the city’s shield which has, among other symbols, Luther’s seal, which also includes a cross.
Since then, crosses have popped up on private property throughout Frankenmuth. On front lawns, in the fronts of businesses. Last week’s edition of the Frankenmuth News had many letters to the editor concerning this matter, and adds wee even taken out in support of the cross and the idea that Frankenmuth was founded as a religious community.
It seems hard to imagine that someone would question the presence of the cross which has been part of the historical heritage of a community. Frankenmuth is a nice town, it’s one of the nicest places I have ever been to—and I have probably been to more places than most people—and a good number of our members live in town or have Frankenmuth addresses—and I’m sure that it’s by choice.
The fellow complaining about the cross says he thinks its presence is breaking Constitutional law that separates Church and state. So I guess he sees a religious symbol as the same thing as the religion. Which makes symbols very powerful, and it also places a lot of responsibility upon those who bear the symbol.
One writer to the Frankenmuth News suggested that the matter was part of the on going battle we Christians face with the powers of darkness. I believe she quoted the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter 6,
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual foces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
Others cautioned against getting too carried away by the whole thing. Perhaps they’re afraid of the appearance of religious fanaticism.
I’m not surprised that this matter would come up after the death of a prominent Christian like Mr. Wally Bronner. Everyone who knows Frankenmuth knows that while it certainly is not a perfect place—it certainly has many people who want to live as and remain Christians.
The fact is that Christian life has its tension. The Christian has this battle within himself everyday. Half wants to sin—indeed, enjoys sinning—while the other half hates sin and wants to avoid it at all costs. The Apostle Paul himself described the frustration of wanting to do good and being unable; and wanting to shun sin and embracing it.
And around us we battle against all that opposes Christ and wants to overthrow Him and His kingdom—and destroy us as well. And if you try to avoid the battles of the Christian life you eventually will have no faith at all. The purpose of faith is to carry us through the battles to heaven.
It seems to me that we Christians don’t talk about the devil much anymore. That’s right—and I mean both the preacher in the pulpit as well as those in the pews—there is very little talk about the devil these days.
It used to be that when something bad happened, we’d say that the devil was up to it. We’d pray to God to protect us from the evil foe—that he’d have no power over us. We’d ask that God frustrate every scheme of the devil.
But that no longer seems to be the case. Who talks about the devil? Seriously! In your last conversation about oil prices: was the devil mentioned or was someone else or something else blamed? The rising cost of groceries: the devil, or the recession we’re in? Members of this church who neglect the Word, do not make regular use of the Means of Grace, and fail to support the ministry of the Gospel? The devil fault, or who else?
When I was a boy, my pious Wisconsin Synod grandmother would say things as when a storm was coming, “Mark, pray that God protect us from the devil!” Lightning didn’t send the tree onto the house, the devil did.
Today? We’re told that terrorism happens because of political or religious differences. Christian symbols are blasphemed because of varying interpretations of the nation’s Constitution.
When someone breaks into our homes we blame society, or poverty, or television. When our neighbor speaks ill about us, slanders us and makes our lives miserable, we are less likely to say it is Satanic as we are to come up with the explanation of a personality disorder, or we’re told they’ve always been that way.
In short, to talk about the devil is to appear superstitious, medieval, unscientific. Science has its evolution, medicine its mental illnesses, religion its differences. And no room is left for the devil among any of them.
This is not to say that most Christians would deny there is a devil. It’s just that we put him in a red suit, add a pair of horns, give him a pitchfork and pointy tail: comical and really non-threatening. Perhaps more of an embarrassment than anything.
Jesus believed there was a devil. In this morning’s Gospel he called him “the ruler of this world.” He was tempted by him in the Wilderness. He was harassed by him in the Garden of Gethsemane. And He experienced the full onslaught of the devils taunts—and hell itself—on the cross.
Jesus battled the devil for us because we are unable. He cast out demons. Preached the Gospel against those who served him. And was Himself accused of being in cahoots with Beelzebub.
The main part of Jesus’ mission here on earth was to deal with Satan. He was sent to earth to deal with the ruler of this world. That’s why in the Gospel He says that He is returning to the father and He tells his disciples, “I am going to him who sent me.”
For on the cross He accomplished all that the Father had sent Him to do on our behalf. He crushed the head of the serpent. He was lifted up on the cross, died and then overcame and defeated the devil when He rose again on the Third Day. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (ESV)
In our Gospel Jesus speaks about returning to the Father so that Holy Spirit may come and that there may be faith in Him.
The Holy Spirit brings comfort, especially for all who have felt the tempter’s power. I know that each of us have in one way or another felt the power of the devil against our weak faith. Maybe by reminding that we all are sinners and that, hard as we try, we sin daily and constantly deserve God’s wrath and punishment for it. Or perhaps it is the nagging memory of a past sin that won’t go away and is a constant reminder of your past; how you lived your youth. Or perhaps it is something you’ve done that you fear others will find out and you will be greatly shamed if it is exposed. Maybe the law’s been broken. Someone’s been hurt. A great lie has been covered up. You can’t sleep or rest because of it. There’s no peace. Or maybe it is fear of the devil himself and what he might do to you, of the power he appears to have. You feel too weak to ever go up against him and do battle against his dark forces.
My dear friend in Christ: hear Jesus’ Words today, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit upon His Church. We have His Word of truth. We preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. We know that by the cross Jesus has defeated the devil and his ilk. We need not fear this world, our flesh, or the devil.
Further, the Holy Spirit has been given to you in your Baptism. When you were made a child of God that which was your previous life and guilt and shame was wash away in the tidal wave of saving waters. The Holy Spirit then took-up residence within you.
And know these things: the devil is not divine. He is not like God. His two attributes are these: he is a liar and a murderer. He’s not omniscient, he doesn’t know everything. He’s clever and watches people, and learns from them, and sets us up to be trapped. He’s also not omnipresent that is, present everywhere. His minions, the demons, who are fallen angels, do his bidding—but the devil is limited. He may be the ruler of this world. But that’s limited and only temporary. The devil is not omnipotent. He is not all powerful. He can do a lot of mischief, but He cannot destroy this world completely or the Church—try as he may. Jesus says that even the very gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church.
And let this be your comfort today and always: The Holy Spirit whom Jesus has sent into the world comforts us in every trial and need. We need not be afraid. As we near the end of this Easter Season, we rejoice that once again Christ’s life and mission has been our privilege to hear and to speak and to taste and see.
The Holy Spirit will keep you in the one true faith until we enter into heaven to live with Jesus. You need not fear anything, not when the past and tradition is threatened; not when haters of Jesus’ cross rise up against it; not when our very lives and well-being seem to be at a loss.
For we are well provided for. We have Christ’s Word and His Forgiveness. We Have the Holy Spirit Who comforts us. And we have His promise that in these He is with us always, to the very end of the age. Amen.
