Last Sunday in the Church Year

November 20th, 2005
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wieting
Text: Matt. 25:31-46

Grace to you and peace from Him who was and who is and who is to come. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Time is ticking away! Time is running out! Fifteen years have gone by since you called me to serve as your pastor. Our Son Mark who soon hopes to be taller than his father doesn’t remember that time at all.

Time is ticking away! Time is running out! The appointed readings for this Sunday remind us that with each passing day the world is moving toward its appointed end. And so are you for Scripture says, “It is appointed for men once to die, and then the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). As Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “In Adam all die!” As we sang in the Introit, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am.” Time is ticking away!

Time was also running out for Jesus and He knew it! His teaching about separating sheep and goats on Judgment Day was the last teaching He would give to His disciples before the events of Maundy Thursday and His death on Good Friday. Since entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus’ teaching and acting had been the center of attention. Tension had been rapidly building. He had cleansed the temple and foretold its destruction. He told parables of the two sons and of the wicked stewards in the vineyard and of those too busy to come to the wedding feast. He warned of love growing cold and of sudden judgment as at the time of Noah and the flood. He told parables of the ten virgins and the talent, hidden and wasted. His teaching then reached a crescendo in the Gospel appointed for today, in the judgment of the nations. This teaching was not a parable! Time is ticking away! This is the future event that will bring the curtain down on the earth, when heaven and earth pass away.

This judgment scene immediately precedes the recording of Jesus’ suffering and resurrection. This judgment scene is the definitive conclusion to the prior teachings of Jesus. In the courtroom on Judgment Day Jesus will be the judge. In the final judgment unbelievers will be revealed. On the Last Day the time of grace will be ended. Then, there will be no more opportunity to hear the message of Advent that we will soon hear again, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

God who is now able to set aside the enormous debt of a sinful servant (Matt. 18:21-35) will then no longer change the sentence of those who have acted uncharitably toward Jesus’ brothers (25:40). Those who have treated Jesus’ disciples with contempt will receive the condemnation Jesus promised them (Matt 10:15-23). Jesus’ judgment will be based on how seriously his followers took to heart his teachings as seen in their treatment of those who bore His Word. The King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

The separation that Jesus sets forth here is not a new idea. John predicted that Jesus would separate the chaff from the wheat (Matt. 3:12). Earlier Jesus spoke of separating the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:25-40) and the good fish from the bad fish (13:47-50). The consistent witness of Scripture is that there are only two categories into which all of mankind will be divided. This is a separation based not on race or wealth or community standing or perceived human kindness. This is a separation based upon Christ and His Church and in our text it is put forward as sheep and goats. “Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.”

On the surface it appears that this separation takes place on the basis of one’s benevolent treatment of the poor and needy in general. And this God teaches His people to do. When His people have the goods of this world He would have them remember those who do not, both inside and outside the church. But God is not teaching here that human charity is the key to unlock heaven.

Note carefully Jesus’ own words, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (v.40). The “least” Jesus speaks of are His brothers, His followers. Acceptance or rejection of Jesus’ followers involves acceptance or rejection of the Sender Himself. As Jesus said to the disciples He sent out, “He who listens to you listens to me, he who rejects you rejects me” (Lk. 10:16). Or as He said at another time, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name ­­BECAUSE YOU BELONG TO CHIRST will certainly not lose His reward” (Mk. 9:41).

This text does not teach anyone to judge their standing on Judgment Day based upon how charitable or merciful they think they are. This is what the religions of man do naturally. This is what almost all funeral eulogies offer as the basis for comfort. But those blessed by the Father in our text were not looking at their own charity. They kept no record of their attention to those who were hungry or naked or prisoners because of persecution for Christ. They had in no way counted on deeds of love to get recognition. In fact, they were surprised by the Lord’s commendation. “The righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we…feed you…or give you drink…or clothe you…or visit you?” They weren’t aware of their good works for their eyes were on Jesus, their Lord.

Such is not the case with those who are eternally cursed. They protest their guilty sentence and appeal to their good works. “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?” They thought they had covered all the bases. Lord, how can you say that we have fallen short? We supported charities. We did as much or more than the next person. By all indications they were sincere and well-meaning people. But it doesn’t matter. No matter how good their works were, they were not good enough. Their eyes were on their good works and not on the Lord they were addressing.

Jesus once said ‘Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but He who does the will of my Father in heaven.” The protest of the goats revealed that they did not believe in Christ as the Father willed. Their faith was not in Christ but in themselves. They called Jesus ‘Lord’, but they had sought to make their own way. They believed they had done enough to make their future secure. They ultimately demand to be judged by their works and they are. “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Such is the verdict for all who seek to be justified by the law (Rom 3/Gal 3).

What an amazing paradox! Those who are saved see nothing in themselves. Those who are damned see nothing lacking in themselves. They are pleased with their ministries to others. What an indispensable picture of the only righteousness that stands before God on Judgment Day! True righteousness sees no righteousness in itself! “Lord, when did we do this?” False righteousness expects to be called good and argues when it isn’t. ”Lord, when did we…not help you?” Jesus makes clear the reason for the separation, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

To me! You see, Christ is the heart and center of this text. Over thirty times in these few verses Jesus uses titles or pronouns referring to Himself. He is not egotistical. But He is the one and only reason for the separation in the judgment! Thank heaven for that separation! It is the best of news! By nature we are all sinful goats separated from God. If Jesus hadn’t come to divide us from our sinfulness and our failure to do God’s will, eternal separation from God would be the judgment for all people of all nations. “But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.

Listen again to what He says to those on his right. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Did you hear it? Jesus will say, “come…inherit the kingdom.” You can’t earn an inheritance! You can’t purchase an inheritance! The only thing you can do is to receive it joyfully purely as a gift! It is something acquired by another that is simply given to you.

That’s what Jesus was in Jerusalem to do, to acquire this inheritance for you. It was “prepared for you from the foundation of the world”, but it was won for you when Christ came into the world in the flesh. It was won for you just three days after Jesus spoke these words. Then, He was regarded as a stranger, even by His own disciples, and no one took him in. Then, He was imprisoned only to see a notorious prisoner Barabbas set free in preference to Him. He was thirsty but no water was offered to Him. He hung naked in shame and no one clothed him. He was sick to the point of death and no one tended to Him. Jesus Himself became the least of the brothers so that you and I might become sons of God.

Dear Christians, the single goal of His life was ransoming us sinners. If God were to judge by what we deserved, then on Judgment Day there would be one man on the right, one holy sheep, and all the others on the left, you and I included. He is the only sheep who properly takes in strangers and feeds them with the bread of life and perfectly clothes the naked with His own righteousness. But God poured forth His wrath in judgment on Him as our substitute on Calvary. Jesus in fact saw His crucifixion as the moment of judgment. It was a day of clouds and thick darkness on which He rescued us scattered ones.

By God’s free grace and favor, the one true sheep is also the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. On the Day of Judgment God roared from on high and said to His beloved son, “Cursed are you”, “depart from me”. On the Day of Judgment God damned the sin of the world in His own Son on the tree of the cross. There also came the day when God took you to that place of judgment baptizing you into the death of Christ (Rom. 6) and clothing you with Christ (Gal. 3).

As time ticks away on this church year do you think you are lacking in some of what you should have accomplished? Thank God you do so! Do you see the goat in you wanting to justify him or herself? Thank God you do! Do you look at your treatment of Christ’s most insignificant followers and believe you are lacking in visiting and feeding and caring and supporting and clothing them? Thank God! For time is ticking away, also toward Judgment Day. “O Lord, make me know my end and the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am.”
But hear this! “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive…Christ the firstfruits, than at his coming those who belong to Christ.” Death could not hold him! It cannot hold you! The inheritance that He has given to you is one of life and love, not of death and separation. The same blood which flowed from His wounds on the cross is the same Blood He bids you to drink today – why – for the remission of sins. He who is coming back soon in judgment comes now to refresh you with the fruit of the Judgment He has borne for you. He bore it all.

That’s where the grand surprise comes from on Judgment Day! Do you see what Jesus is doing through you? You never will fully and that is good for your eyes are to be fixed on Jesus, not yourself. But the little things you do are huge because you are in Christ. Feeding and teaching a Christian child, honoring and obeying Christian parents, working patiently as a Christian in your vocation, just hanging in there under suffering, defending those who are mocked for confessing Christ, supporting the proclamation of the Gospel with your money, aiding Christian sufferers in sickness or suffering. In fact all that you do in obedience to the commandments and in love for your neighbor is no small matter because of Christ. You will be judged by the works God does for you in Christ. When God sees Christ in you He sees Christ’s works flowing from you.

It’s not the works your eyes or your heart are set on. Nor should they be. “Lord, when did we…do this?” It is the Lord your eyes and your heart are set on – as well they should be. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” To Me! There is only one name under heaven by which men are saved. It is not your own. It is your savior’s name. He Himself seeks out His scattered sheep. He judges between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. He destroys the fat and the strong. But, He brings back the strayed. He binds up the injured. He strengthens the weak. He feeds His sheep on good pasture and rich pasture and makes them lie down in good grazing land. He, the Son of David, the King of kings, is their shepherd.

Time is running out on our earthly lot. But in the deepest sense that is good news. He who is coming back is our Bridegroom. He has rescued us from the coming wrath. He would have us anticipate His return with courage and joy. He would have us pray with hope and confidence “Thy kingdom come”.

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions.” According to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which dwells righteousness.” Grace to you and peace from Him who was and who is and who is to come. Amen.

2nd Last Sunday in the Church Year

November 13, 2005
Chaplain Christensen
Text: Matthew 25:14-30

The cry of children on the playground, "It's not fair!" is never far from our lips. We look with envy on the good fortune that comes to our neighbor and mumble, "It's not fair." Behind that judgment, of course, stands the assumption that God is not fair, that we deserve something more, something better than our classmate, our co-worker, or our neighbor.

The Gospel is not about fairness--it is not about our getting what we deserve. If it were, it surely would not be Gospel, good news. The Gospel is about the lavish grace of God in Christ Jesus-grace by which we are saved without any merit or worthiness on our part. Fairness would mean that we would get only the results of our sin. Fairness would mean that we get punishment rather than pardon, hell instead of heaven. God does a most "unfair" thing. He lays the punishment of our sin on the back of His Son and in exchange He lays the righteousness of His Son over our sin. If you insist on fairness from God, you demand damnation. Delete the category of "fairness" from your spiritual vocabulary.

God is the donor of all that we have. James puts it like this in his epistle: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). What do you have that you did not receive? "We brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out" writes the Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy. All that we have is from the hand of the Father who has created us. That's what we confess in the Catechism: "I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil." Then, remember how Luther brings the Explanation of the First Article to a conclusion: "All this He does only out of fatherly, divine, goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true."

All that we have is from God. He can take no credit for the gifts that He has given us. It's all from His "fatherly, divine, goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me." And the gifts we have been given are not small or insignificant, even though we often take them for granted. God is the giver of all these gifts and as they are His gifts, He is quite free to distribute them as it pleases Him. Just as the master apportions out the varying number of talents to the different servants, so God has not given each human being the same set of abilities, skills, and circumstances. Yes, we are all equally redeemed by the blood of Christ. But that doesn't mean that we are equally endowed and equipped. Paul uses the imagery of the human body to illustrate just this point: "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleases." In the parable, the master gives something to each of his servants. To the first, he gives five talents; to the second worker, two talents are given; while the third man receives one talent. Now it should be noted that a talent was the greatest unit of accounting in Greek money--about ten thousand denari. A single talent--the amount given to the last servant- is the equivalent of approximately a lifetime of wages for the average working person. That's no small amount of money!

The master distributes his talents to his servant and then he leaves town. When he returns, he calls in the servants to give an accounting of the money that was entrusted to them. The man with five talents brings his master ten talents. The servant who had been entrusted with two talents hands over four talents. Finally, the man who had been given one talent turns that solitary talent back over to the master. The first two servants are commended for their stewardship, while the final servant is condemned as wicked and lazy.

Commenting on this parable, Martin Franzmann says "Every gift of the Christ imposes its claim on the recipient and asks of him fidelity, whether that gift be large or small . . . The Christ measures a man not by what he has received but by his fidelity to what he has received" (Concordia Bible With Notes, 64). It is the way of faithfulness to make the most of the gifts that God has given us, to use them, invest them, and yes-even take risk with them that these gifts might bear fruit.

The one-talent man is not judged because he had only one talent but because he was unfaithful to the gift that had been entrusted to him. He took his little shovel and in his own mousy apprehension that the master was as small-minded as himself, he tucked away the talent in the ground. One writer says that "laziness, not lowliness drafted this servant's plan." So when the master returns to collect what rightfully belongs to him, this servant comes with excuses. "Lord, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours." This unfaithful servant comes to the master with resentment and blame. He comes with a "nothing-attempted, nothing-lost, noting-gained" attitude that is contemptible. He is judged and cast out of the master's presence.

This parable draws us back to the gifts that God has given over to our stewardship and ultimately back to the Giver Himself. The Giver is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave us His Son as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world and in giving us His Son, the Father gives us all things. In the gift of the Son, we know that God is not a hard man, reaping where He did not sow, and gathering where He has not scattered seed. We know that God is the author and giver of every good and perfect gift. He gives His gifts not that they might lie buried in the sand, but that they might be put to use freely and faithfully to His glory and the good of the neighbor.

God grant that through the body and blood of His Son that we might be strengthened in faith toward Him and in fervent love toward one another to so use His gifts and at the end of our days hear His words "Well done, good and faithful servant. . .enter into the joy of your Lord." Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen.

This sermon was adapted from a sermon by the Rev. John Pless, found in University Lutheran Chapel Sermons Archive, entitled “USE IT OR LOSE IT” Matthew 25:14-30 (Trinity IX, 1 August 1999)

All Saints

November 6, 2005
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wieting
Text: Rev. 21:22, Matt 5:1-12


In the Name of Jesus, Amen: Blessed is the Bride of the Lamb in heaven described by John. She walks in light yet has no need of the Sun. The Lamb is her lamp (21:23). She touches nothing unclean. No lie touches her heart or her ears for such cannot enter God’s presence (21:27). She lives from the river of life and the tree of life. From them she receives perfect healing. The curse of this sinful world is removed (22:1-3). She sees the face of her Holy Bridegroom and with Him she reigns forever and ever (22:4, 5). Blessed is the Bride of the Lamb in heaven.

Dear Christians this is the beating heart of all our hope. Our Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again, is coming back. He will not abandon us to the grave. The best is yet to come! The Blessedness to come is so far beyond the joys of this life that “no eye has seen nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him” (I Cor. 2:9). If you can’t quite get heaven downsized to your earthly thoughts and emotions, then God be praised. If you have it all figured out in your imagination and from the spiritual ideas of others, that isn’t heaven. The best that is yet to come is beyond our imagining. Yet, by God’s clear promise, this is the beating heart of all our hope.

This is also the present state of your loved ones who have died in Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again will not abandon us to the grave. Those who have died in Christ are not dead. Their bodies sleep in the grave, returning to dust, awaiting the return of Christ on the last day. That resurrection of all flesh will take place in the twinkling of an eye. Yet even now, their souls live. They live as the blessed Bride of the Lamb. They live seeing the face of Christ (the beatific vision) and they delight in His presence. They enjoy eternal pleasures at God’s right hand. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Rev. 14:13). Yet their deeds were really not done on their own. As the prophet Isaiah said so clearly, “LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works” (Is. 26:12).

Today we remember with thanksgiving the departed saints whose works God performed for them; saints such as Moses and Isaiah, Matthew and Paul, Mary and Martha, Luther and Walther. Today we remember with thanksgiving and mark by reading their name recently departed members of this congregation, whose works in faith, God performed for them. Today we also remember departed saints from years ago, including your own friends and relatives who confessed Jesus as Lord in this place. To name just a few: Anita, and Bud and Charlotte and Donna and Ethel and Frieda and Gladys and Helen and Ida and Irma and Jerry and Lorraine and Lester and Marvin and Nadine and Paula and Roy and Tom and Vi and William and on and on, including those you name in your hearts.

Those who have died in the faith, receiving Christ’s forgiveness join us with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven as we sing with them their song, “Holy, Holy, Holy”. Here as the risen Christ comes to teach and feed His people, His saints accompany Him. Here heaven meets earth. This is the beating heart of the Church’s life. This is what we must stop speaking of as “going to church”. This is what we must lovingly bear witness to as “meeting with the risen Christ to receive His gifts.”

Yesterday the lead article in the Milwaukee Journal spoke of young adults and baby boomers who desire a different path to God. Sunday worship and sermons are out. Small group study and service projects are in. Attending Church is out. Attempting somehow to be the Church is in. Detailed creeds confessing Jesus and His work are out. Allowance for divergence from biblical teaching is in. The people interviewed were serious and sincere. But in the most basic truth they were sincerely wrong.

What is crucial to understand is that right from the beginning the beating heart of the church was weekly worship to receive God’s Word and Sacrament. This is exactly what the Holy Spirit led the Christians after Pentecost to be devoted to with all their strength (Acts 2:42). This is what the very word “church” meant in the first centuries – not a building – not primarily people trying to be the church in various ways – but the people of God gathered together weekly to meet with the risen Christ and to receive His Word and Sacrament.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek to know one another more personally or to serve one another more purposely as those interviewed expressed a desire to do. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get together for other purposes of study and discussion. What it does mean is that what occurs weekly when the crucified and risen Christ comes to teach us and feed us is not some optional activity called “going to church”. It is the beating heart of all our hope. It is where Christ comes into our midst to give us forgiveness, life and salvation. It is no simple oversight that this article discussing other paths to God made no mention of the true body and the true blood of Christ given us Christians to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sins. If you know someone misled by the views of those called “revolutionaries” do speak the truth, do humbly bear witness to the hope that we have in Christ Jesus, with gentleness and respect (I Peter 3:15, 16).

Dearly beloved, this is the beating heart of all our hope. The crucified and risen Christ is coming back. He will not abandon us to the grave. He comes into our midst now to prepare us to dwell with Him for eternity. His Word does what it says. So does His blood. That which He shed upon the cross, the blood that washes the robes of the martyrs white as new fallen snow, also passes your lips. Received in faith, His Blood washes your soul as sparkling clean as their robes. Is it not a wonder that as He comes among us today to serve us, the saints at rest are in His presence.

While we miss them, they do not miss us. They are free from the pain and suffering of this earthly life. They never again have to hear the evening news. They no longer experience sadness or loneliness or confusion. They will no longer be lied to nor lie to themselves. They will never worry for their loved ones. They will never lose a child. They will never suffer violence. They will never have their hearts broken. They will never feel defeated or depressed. Their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The peace which they enjoy is the peace that passes all understanding. With Him they reign forever and ever. Blessed are those who have died in the Lord.

But blessed also are you who live in the Lord. Jesus described you in this way, poor in spirit, those who mourn, the gentle, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted and insulted and lied about because of Christ and His Word.

The first Beatitude sums up all the rest. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The beatitudes are all talking about the same people – the Church of Christ – you, His saints. Not only are the saints poor in spirit (making no claims over against God), they mourn over the sin and death of this cursed world. Not only do they mourn over sin and death, they hunger and thirst for the righteousness that comes in Christ, for themselves and for others. Not only do they hunger and thirst for righteousness, they are mocked and insulted for such concern. Yet the beatitudes are theirs as a gift.

This gift comes from the only man who lived the beatitudes, Jesus Christ In Christ you are humble and merciful and pure in heart and peacemakers. For you can’t be the body of the humble, merciful, pure Prince of Peace and not be who He is! In baptism you were clothed in Christ (Gal. 3:27). He put His name on you. In Christ your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. What John described in heaven is your future as well.

That future is crucial to your present struggle and suffering. It is the beating heart of all that we hope for. Christ will not abandon you to the grave. The best is yet to come! So persevere in confessing His Name. Be strong in bearing the burdens of today.

You are not the only one who grows frustrated and weary. You are not the only one who thinks the church on earth should look and act more like the church in heaven. You are not the only one who mourns the decay in society and the dangers threatening the church from the inside. You are not the only one who is tired and wants to rest. This is how it always is with the saints on earth. They are waiting. In the midst of this waiting there is sorrow and uncertainty and struggle. Some days are better than others, but there are no days when everything is just right. Here, you His saints must bear a cross, not as a piece of jewelry but as a gift of Christ.

We are after all pilgrims here with no lasting city. We are also and always a target for the lies of the devil that promise glory now. He seeks to devour us by offering us life in this dying world apart from Christ. He seeks to make us believe that what we see is what we get.

But the truth is, the best is yet to come and you can’t see it just yet! The truth is Christ who died and rose again is coming back and He will not abandon you to the grave. Your blessedness rests in Him. In Him you shall be comforted. In Him it will soon be said also of you, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

In the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory and honor, now and forever. AMEN.