1. John 2,12-17. 22. Trinity

1. John 2,12-17  5223

22. Trinitatis 69 

Berthilla, Abbess of Chelles Abbey (near Paris), France. ✠ 692 

5. November 2023 

1. ℣ If Thou, Yahweh, shouldst mark iniquities: who shall stand?  

℟ But there is forgiveness with Thee: that Thou mayest be feared, O God of Israel  (Psalm 130,3-4). 

O Yahweh, who blesses; make us to dwell in unity so that this temporal life is good, pleasant and fulfilled in eternal life forevermore.  Amen. (Psalm 133,1.3b Gradual). 

2. »I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His Name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.« 

3. This past Wednesday the Church commemorated the saints on All Saints Day. The exact date moved around the calendar until it finally settled on 1. November. As early as 373 the Church set a day aside remembering the saints; at first it was on the Sunday after Pentecost (the Orthodox Church retains this day for commemoration). In 417 it was on the Friday after Easter. Pope Boniface IV moved it to 13. May in 610, then a century later Pope Gregory III (731-41) moved it to 1. November, and Pope Gregory IV (827-44) reaffirmed this date a century later; and so it has remained the date for the Western Church. As Lutherans, we remembered all the commemorated saints throughout the year on that day.  

4. Our Lutheran Confessions say this concerning the saints: „Concerning the worship of saints our churches teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good work. But the Scripture does not teach the invocation of saints or to ask help of saints, since Scripture sets before us the one Christ as the Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest and Intercessor. Christ is to be prayed to, and has promised that He will hear our prayer“ (AC XXI,1-3).  

5. The final verses from our sermon text speak to this. When you read the stories and histories of the plethora of saints, on thing is clear: the saints did not love the world nor the things of this world. This is not to say they rejected this temporal life, although some did who became ascetics, monks or nuns, but many of them lived their lives and vocations in service to Christ and their neighbor. They rejoiced in all the blessings God gives in and through the world, while they rejected the wickedness of the world. 

6. The saints knew that the world is not enough. The words of Christ were in their hearts and minds: »Do not be anxious about your life, but seek first the reign of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you« (Matthew 6,25.33). »It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom« (Luke 12,32).  

7. Our Treasure is Jesus Christ, and that is where our heart is. The Devil, the world and our sinful flesh all try to focus us on other worldly treasures. We must daily re-focus our heart, mind and body upon Jesus Christ. This can be done in many ways, and I will mention a couple. 1. We should daily remember our Baptism, for it works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the Devil and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this. Our Baptism indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever (Small Catechism). 2. Daily devotions focus our heart and mind on Christ and discipline the body. These devotions can be simple or elaborate. A Scripture lesson, a Hymn, a Reading from a sermon or a Church Father and a Prayer are good, straightforward elements in a devotion.  

8. In Luther’s famous hymn we sing: One little word can fell the Devil (lsb 656,3). This little word is a mighty Word, for it is the Word of God, Jesus Christ, who has saved us and redeemed us and made us righteous. Jesus is more valuable than the entirety of the world’s wealth. Christ is the most costly gift give to us by our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Peter quotes the Prophet Isaiah where he writes in his epistle: »Behold, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a Cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame« (Isaiah 28,16; 1. Peter 2,6). Jesus has redeemed us that we may live under Him in His kingdom (Small Catechism). 

10. Jesus prayed for us: »Father, I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth« (John 17,14-19). 

9. Of Christ’s grace I say

Praise and thanks always

I wear His priceless gift

With joy as it befits

Boasting now and ever

Of God’s majesty

In the hope hereafter

Of blessed eternity.

(Ich freu mich in dem Herren elkg 566,4 2021 Bartolomäus Helder (vor 1635) 1646/48. 

This is most certainly true. 

10. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

11. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us; grant unto that with all our hearts, minds and strength we may evermore seek Thy face; and finally bring us in Thine infinite mercy to Thy holy presence; so strength our weakness that, following in Thy footsteps, we may obtain Thy mercy and enter into Thy promised joy.  Amen.  (22. Trinitatis, 2. Vespers Collect. The Daily Office.)

To God alone be the Glory 

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

 

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover. 

The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House. 

Cyril of Alexandria. Commentary on Isaiah. Patrologiae Cursus Volume 70. Copyright © 1857 Parisiis.