“Contend Earnestly for the Faith Once and for All Delivered to the Saints!”

“Contend Earnestly for the Faith
Once and for All Delivered to the Saints!”
Jude 3

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus,
Many people have noted that war is just about the only thing we humans do well –
unfortunately, we’re very good at it! Beginning with conflicting ideology, escalating to harsh
words, and culminating in bloodshed, as St. Paul says in Romans 3:15-17, "Their feet are swift
to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not
known." Lest anyone think this is something only from the New Testament, mark that the
Apostle is actually quoting Isaiah 59:7–8. And lest anyone else think he or she is excused from
this terrible condemnation, note also that it is spoken of all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles,
including Paul himself! (Rom. 3:9)
Some, maybe even most people in our society nowadays, categorically deny this truth,
especially of themselves. Thus “they deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them.” (1 John
1:8) Many such people actually call this denial “Christian truth,” even though it is a clear
rejection of the Word of God on the subject. But even a cursory glance at human history will
demonstrate that even if most of the people simply want to be left alone to live our their lives
in peace, there are always those who will not let them do it.
So throughout the Bible, we are assured that such warfare, from mild to wild, must and
will go on until the end of the world. Jesus Himself says it will be so until the Day when He
returns, at the end of time. (Luke 21:5ff) So the many, many preachers who speak as if this
were not so – who teach that mankind can achieve lasting world peace – are liars, “teaching
as their doctrines, the precepts of men.”(Mark 7:7) Therefore, we are forced by the very Word
of God to speak these words of war – spiritual war – against them! This is to illustrate for you
that while there may occasionally be brief periods of time and place which are free from
outward warfare on earth, from Adam’s fall into sin there never has been, nor will there ever
be, even a moment of Spiritual peace on earth, for the Devil rules in this kingdom. In this
warfare, the weapons are not knives and guns and bombs, but words. And these words are
often harsh words, bayonet sharp words, words designed to cut and wound and yes, even to
kill! Jesus used such words against people, especially the Greek word @Û"Â, which means
“woe,” and because it is the exact opposite of “Bless you,” should be translated “Damn you!”
when used like this: "Woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe
to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall
mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers
used to treat the false prophets!” (Luke 6:24-26) Especially did He use it against His spiritual
enemies, the Pharisees, saying seven times in Matthew, “Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites...!” (Matt. 23:13-29) And in Luke’s account, when one of the Lawyers complained
that He was insulting them, Jesus tripled the woe! (Luke 11:42-52) Likewise, the Apostles of
our Lord hurl vicious, but true, attacks against those who oppose them, calling them “enemies
of the Cross of Christ,” “foolish (lit. stupid) ”Galatians,” “adulterers,” etc. Even our brief lesson
from Jude contains such condemnation in verse four, and later on, in verse eleven, Jude
pronounces a “Woe” against them. But this shouldn’t surprise anyone, since our text in verse
three is a clear call to spiritual warfare. Thus St. Jude, in what has become the penultimate
book of the Bible, here urges us to “Contend earnestly for the faith once and for all delivered
the Saints!”
After the Apostles, there is hardly anyone in Church history who can compete with
Martin Luther in the matter of contending for the faith. It really began 491 years ago next
Friday, October 31, 1517, when he nailed his 95 theses for debate on the door of the Castle
Church at Wittenberg, Germany. That was the day that marked the beginning of the end of
the most powerful and successful attack that Satan has ever brought to bear against Christ’s
holy Church. Girded with the Sword of the Spirit, as David once opposed the giant Goliath
with a slingshot, a single monk toppled the kingdom of Antichrist in such a way that it seems
unlikely that it will ever be able to raise itself to its former glory. And yet all this was not
accomplished in a single moment, as it was with David. It took years of mortal struggle, yet
in the end, God prevailed through Luther, and the Gospel of Christ was once again restored
to its rightful supremacy in Christian doctrine.
Did the battle of the Reformation bring peace to the Church? Oh no! For ultimate
triumph comes to Jesus’ Bride only in heaven above. Here on earth, the battle must be carried
on till the last trumpet sounds! But why? Why must we spend our lives involved in this
spiritual warfare? Tell us, St. Jude, why must we “Contend earnestly for the faith once and for
all delivered the Saints?” He answers:

I. Because this Faith isn’t Our to Give Up!

A. Because it is The Faith – the only true one!
1. This is the objective faith which we believe, not the subjective faith by
which we believe. It is Christian Doctrine!!!
a. It was delivered to us, not asked for, not invented by man, not
deserved!
b. Tens of thousands of Christians have given their lives for this Soul-
Saving Doctrine, beginning with Abel, 2nd son of Adam & Eve.
2. It is the only faith by which anyone can be saved!
a. All other religions of man teach that if you would enjoy life after
death, you must both earn and deserve it!! They are All religions of
the Law!
b. But Christ’s religion is of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins
through His sacrifice on the Cross.
(1) Are you a sinner? If you answered “yes,” Good for you!!!
(2) For Christ did not come to seek and to save the righteous
people, but only sinners!

B. But what of love for our neighbor? How can we fight against him, especially if he
thinks he is a Christian?
1. What kind of love would allow a neighbor to be lost forever for lack of The
Truth of Christ?
a. Even Jesus’ “woes” pronounced against the Pharisees were a last
attempt to save them!
b. Thus Jude writes:“Concerning our common salvation, I was
compelled (by Christ) to write to you, encouraging you to contend
earnestly for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints!!!”
2. This faith is not what men believe by nature or emotion – it was delivered
from God to mankind!
a. In the O.T., through the Promise of the Christ to come.
b. In the N.T., through the Witness of His coming, His life, His death
– His sacrifice for the sins of all men of all time.

II. Because a False Peace is Worse than any War!

A. Many say, “peace, peace, when there is no peace!” (Jer 6:14) “From the prophet
to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of My people
superficially, saying, ‘peace, peace!’ when there is no peace. And were they
ashamed when they committed this abomination? No, not at all – they didn’t
even know how to blush! Therefore they shall fall when I punish them, and they
shall be cast down!”
1. Out of love of a peaceful and comfortable life, such words seek to deny the
existence of evil on earth!
a. Such teaching as that the Christian should always be at peace with
the world, or that worldly peace is possible or God-pleasing, no
matter what the cost!
b. Men are lost eternally in this “peace.” We battle not for earthly,
temporal goods, but for eternal values; not for human honor, but for
the honor of God; not for this life, but for the next, the eternal one!
“Whoever wishes to save his life, he shall lose it, but whoever loses
his life for My sake, and the Gospel’s, shall save it!” (Mark 8:35)
2. But love demands sacrifice, even of life itself if necessary, and there are
many casualties in this war.
a. Who wants to be considered a heartless and loveless person?
b. Our Lutheran Confessions say, “It is a sad and difficult thing when
one separates so many countries and peoples by teaching a singular
doctrine (of Christ). But here stands God’s command that each
person shall guard himself, and not be in fellowship with those who
teach a wrong doctrine.”
c. Many confessors fall by the wayside and give in to the constant
pressure to just give up a little in doctrine to make friends!
d. Many at the periphery of the Church give up without even firing a
shot: “If that’s what this Church is about, I’m going elsewhere.”

B. The “Peace that passes all understanding” is not among men, but between God
and man through Christ!
1. Jesus let our sin kill Him to win this peace, saying:
a. “My Kingdom is not of this world!” (John 18:36) (Below: Matt. 10:34)
b. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth, but a sword!
c. “Peace I give you, My peace I give you, not as the world gives, do I
give to you!” (John 14:27)
2. Which is worth more: earthly, temporal peace; or the Word of God which
alone give eternal peace?!? C.F.W. Walther: “Dare we, can we, be silent
just so that the temporal peace is not disturbed” Is it more horrible that
the temporal peace is taken from man, or is it not much more horrible that
the Word of God, which alone is able to save our souls, is pilfered from us?
‘What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and forfeit
his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

III. Because this Warfare is Commanded by God our Savior, and is Therefore Most Blessed!

A. No man of sound mind wants war!
1. Yet equally, no man of sound mind wants capitulation to the eternal enemy
of mankind, Satan, for eternal salvation is at stake – ours & theirs.
2. Thus we mourn and lament over the attacks of satanic forces against our
Savior – but we fight!
a. But it is those who want to be “liberated” to interpret God’s Word
according to their own prejudices, who cause the battle, not us.
b. “Surely, aborting an unborn fetus, especially when it’s not wanted
by the mother is more godly than forcing a unwanted child on a
woman’s body!”
c. “God didn’t write these condemnations of homosexuals, woman
pastors, etc., men did!”

B. But no Christian has the right to be at peace with an evil world! (James 4:4-5
“You adulteresses!, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility
toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself
an enemy of God!! Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He
jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?)
1. This battle is commanded by our Savior. Who will hear God’s “Contend,”
and argue, “Don’t contend”?
2. Will we be universally loved for our contention? Was Jesus?
a. "They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will
be hated by all nations on account of My Name!” (Matt. 24:9)
b. But in heaven...in Heaven... “Blessed is a man who perseveres
under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown
of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”(James
1:12)
3. Then can we win this battle? Answer: “That’s not our business here and
now, but ultimately, Yes!!!”

Dear Fellow Redeemed in the Blood of Christ,
The festival of the Reformation is a great one in our Church, not because it brings to
remembrance such beautiful scenes and a peaceful past, but the opposite. The very word, “Reformation,”
denotes a struggle to make over again something that had gone far astray from its
God-intended purpose! And the struggle goes on. This is a day of shouting “Victory to our God,
and to His Christ!” It is also a day of renewing our purpose, our resolve and our vigor to fight
on to the end of our lives, even as did our fathers in the faith. After all, to do so is merely to
follow in the footsteps of Isaiah and Jeremiah, of Paul and Jude, of Luther and Chemnitz, and
of all those who have faithfully fought for, and thereby brought “the faith once and for all
delivered to the Saints” down to us here today! And even while we do so, we have perfect peace
through that very faith: the faith that consists of Christ and Him crucified, dead, buried,
raised on the third day, and returned to His Father’s Right Hand to rule all things on our
behalf. These things are more than adequate. Thanks Be To God for His infinite grace in
mercy in Jesus. Amen.

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

“The Two Great Questions of Religion”

“The Two Great Questions of Religion”
Matthew 22:34-46

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus,
People have many questions about religion, but they ultimately boil down to just one:
“What must I do to be saved?” The Pharisees thought they had the answer, so they sought out
Jesus in order “to trap Him” concerning the fundamental question of their religion: “Which is the
great commandment of the Law?” They thought that if he answered wrongly, they could discredit Him in the eyes of the people, and if He answered correctly, they would be able to claim Him as their ally against their enemies, the Sadducees. But Jesus has a surprise for them, because after answering their question correctly, He in turn asks them the fundamental question of His religion: “What do you think of the Christ?” These two questions, are in fact “The Two Great Questions of (all) Religion”: 1) Which is the great(est) Commandment of the Law?; and 2) What do you think of the Christ? It becomes clear from Jesus’ presentation that day that no one can be saved who cannot answer both of them correctly!

I. The First Great Question: “Which is the Great(est) Commandment of the Law?

A. The Pharisees only ask the question to try to trap Jesus. (vs. 35)
1. He had just “Put the Sadducees to silence” by proving that there is such a
thing as resurrection from the dead. “Our God calls Himself the God of
Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob; but He is not the God of
the dead, but of the living!” (Matt. 22:32)
2. The Pharisees hated the Sadducees, and were glad that Jesus had put them
in their place.
3. Yet they still hated Jesus, because He constantly disagreed with their
doctrines – perhaps they could trick Him into agreeing with them by means
of a deep theological question.
a. If He selects one Commandment above the others, they would charge
Him with disrespect for the Law of God.
b. They had 613 commandments, 248 positive and 365 negative!
c. They sent one of their greatest “Lawyers” to question Jesus.

B. Jesus answers: “The highest Law is Love!”
1. Love God your SAVIOR (Yahweh) with all you are. (Dt. 6:5; vs. 37)
a. With all your Heart (the seat of your will.)
b. With all your Soul (your very life-force, your being.)
c. With all your Mind (your intellect)
2. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Lev. 19:18, 34; vs. 39)
a. Not commanding love of self, as liberals claim, but only acknowledging
it. (Buls: “you can’t read an imperative after a comparative (ñH), it
isn’t grammatical!”
b. This Commandment puts everyone else at the very least equal to
yourself, but really above yourself, as Jesus consistently taught.

C. The Moral Law (the 10 Commandments) is as important in the New Testament as
the Old, serving as:
1. A Curb,
a. 1 John 3:15 “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you
know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him!”
b. 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the
lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father,
but is from the world!”
2. A Mirror,
a. Romans 7:7-9 “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never
be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through
the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not
said, "You shall not covet. But sin, taking opportunity through the
Commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from
the Law sin is dead. And I was once alive apart from the Law; but
when the Commandment came, sin became alive, and I died!!”
b. Rom. 3:20 “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His
sight; for through the Law comes (only) the knowledge of sin.” and
3. A Guide (Ruler). (vss. 37 & 39, plus:)
a. Ps. 50:15 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and
you will glorify Me."
b. Ps. 119:105 “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path!”
c. Rev. 2:10 “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life!”

D. But God’s Law can save no one!
1. Because no one can keep it perfectly, as it demands. (Gal. 3:10-11 For all who
rely on the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS
EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE
LAW, TO DO THEM. Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the
Law; for "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.")
2. St. Paul, continuing in Romans 7:10-11 “And this Commandment, which was
supposed to bring life, proved to be death for me; for sin, taking opportunity
through the Commandment, deceived me (into thinking I could please God by
keeping it), and by it killed me!
3. Therefore, far from making sinners better, the Law actually makes them
worse in the sight of God!!
a. The “Lawyer” (Scribe) is amazed at Jesus answer. (Mark 12:32-33
"Right, Teacher, You have truly stated that He is One; and there is no
one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all
the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor
as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.")
b. And Jesus responds to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God!”
(Mark 12:34)
(1) Because he had nearly understood and expressed that no one
can keep the Law of God and thus be saved!
(2) Yet this Lawyer was not yet in the Kingdom, but just close,
because he did not know the One who was speaking to him; so
Jesus issues him an invitation by means of the other “Great
Question”of religion:

II. The Second Great Question: “What do You Think of the Christ – Whose Son is He?”

A. The Pharisees are quick to answer: “The son of David.”
1. As clearly taught throughout the Old Testament.
a. Is. 9:7 “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no
end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that
time on and forever. The zeal of the SAVIOR of hosts will accomplish
this!”
b. And as commonly confessed by the people of Judah: Matt. 21:9 “The
crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is He who comes in the Name
of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
(1) This had happened only two days earlier!
(2) Jesus is having His final go at converting the Pharisees, on the
Tuesday of Holy Week! (God’s grace is incredibly long suffering!)
2. But they expect a Messiah who is no more than a human “son of David!”
a. A political Messiah, to deliver them from the grip of Rome.
b. A “Bread-king” to feed them for free: John 6:14 “After the people saw
the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, ‘Surely this is
the Prophet who is to come into the world.’ But Jesus, knowing that
they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to
a mountain by Himself!”
c. Even as many people today still think of the Messiah: Jews, Liberal
Christians, Millennialists, Mormons, etc.

B. Yet Jesus wants to bring them closer – even into – to the Kingdom of God!!!
1. Jesus’ next question is designed to get the Lawyer to admit that he doesn’t
know the answer, so that He who is the Christ can explain it to him: "How
is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls Him 'Lord, saying, 'YAHWEH SAID TO
MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT THINE ENEMIES BENEATH THY
FEET” (Quoting Ps. 110:1, the most quoted O.T. vs. in the N.T., 5 times in full,
plus at least another 8 times quoted in part or referenced.)
a. For the Old Testament is equally clear that the Messiah is also true
God!!!
b. Thus Jesus Himself must explain that He is both man and God – two
natures in One Person, which is utterly inconceivable to human
reason!!!
2. This “Personal Union” of God and man in Jesus is of utmost importance to our
salvation.
a. Only the God-man can keep the Law in our place!
b. Only the God-man can pay the penalty for our sins!
(1) Heb. 2:14 “Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He
Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death
He might render powerless him who had the power of death,
that is, the devil!”
(2) As a sufficient sacrifice: Ps. 49:7 “No man can by any means
redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him, for the
redemption of his soul is too costly, and he should cease trying
forever.”“
c. Only the God-man can trample His enemies under His feet! (vs. 44b)
d. Only the God-man can be seated at the Right Hand of God! (44a)

Dear Fellow Redeemed in the Blood of Christ,
All these things the learned Lawyer, the self-sufficient Scribe had yet to learn. For he and
his fellow Pharisees did not understand that answer to the first great question of religion does not gain one entry into the Kingdom of God, but absolutely prevents it!! Nor had they carefully
considered that the second great question of religion is designed to lead one to the solution for the problem posed buy the first question: Only the Christ of God, the Savior who is God incarnate – God clothed in our humanity – can and does save all who trust in Him. Correctly understood,
the first question leads only to despair, but the second one saves!!! So, dear Christians, what do
you think of the Christ – Who is He, and what has He accomplished on your behalf? Answer:
“Why, He is the Only-Begotten Son of God, who has willingly taken on our sin, that we might gain His righteousness!!!” Thanks be to God for this heaven-sent answer, and the faith by which we believe it. Amen.

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

“Government of our Savior, by our Savior and for our Savior!”

“Government of our Savior, by our Savior and for our Savior!”

Romans 13:1-7

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus,
In his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln described our government as “of the people,
by the people and for the people.” Obviously, he was referring to the democratic ideal by which
each person can vote for the representatives who are to govern the country as a republic. But,
of course, Mr. Lincoln was also quite religious, and most likely a Christian (albeit an errant one).
So he began this brief address with reference to “the proposition that all men are created equal,”
and concluded it, “that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that
government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” It
is clear that he was fully aware of the greater and ultimate power behind this human form of
government – that is, God. Therefore, I do not doubt for a moment that Mr. Lincoln would have
heartily agreed to the proposition implied by our sermon title, namely, that all governments of all peoples and of all times are actually and ultimately the “Government of our Savior, by our Savior and for our Savior!”

I. All Government on Earth is Of our Savior!

A. Lincoln’s “Of the people” means government over the people.
1. He was apparently rephrasing a line out of a sermon by abolitionist minister
Theodore Parker, which read, “Democracy is direct self-government, over all
the people, for all the people, by all the people.” (Reported by Lincoln’s law
partner, William Herndon, who wrote a biography of Lincoln in 1888)
2. Therefore, Lincoln was not arguing that the every individual was to be selfgoverning.
This requires either a Republican form of government, or the
ability to hear every citizen’s opinion on every issue – ugh!

B. But God rules over all men, whether peasant or king, rich or poor, believer or
unbeliever!
1. In the Kingdom of the Right (hand), He rules by His Gospel, as preached by
His called servants.
2. In the Kingdom of the Left, He rules through various forms of governments,
as led by his appointed servants. (vs. 4 “For he (your ruler) is God’s servant
to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the
sword for nothing; for he is God’s servant, an avenger who brings wrath
upon the one who practices evil!”)
a. Payback is the name of the game – revenge through government, not
private citizens! (Rom 12:19 “Never take your own revenge, beloved,
but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is
Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord!!”
b. The ruler’s job is to reward good behavior and punish evil behavior
both among the citizens of the country, and over against other
governments, whether friendly and hostile. (vss. 3-4 “For rulers are
not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have
no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from
the same.”)
c. We Christians are therefore subject to whatever government God has
placed over us, just because it is He who has placed us under that
government! (vss. 1-2 “Let every person be in subjection to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God,
and those which exist have been appointed by God. Therefore he
who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who
have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”)

II. All Government on Earth is By our Savior!

A. If the government is good, this should be obvious to all, especially Christians.
1. But since both governors and those governed are sinners, there will always
be complaints about government, mostly from below, which is sin.
2. And no one can agree with their government all the time, because it is God’s
avenger for our sin!

B. If the government is evil, only Christians can understand that it is because the
citizens deserve evil!!
1. To many of his subjects, Cyrus the Great II (559-530 B.C.), king of the Medes
and Persians, was evil.
2. Yet he was especially chosen by God, and given divine protection as he
slaughtered tens of thousands of enemies to create his empire!
a. (Isaiah 45:1-3 “Thus says Yahweh to Cyrus His anointed, whom I have
taken by the right hand, to subdue nations before him, and to loose the
loins of kings; to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:
I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter
the doors of bronze, and cut through their iron bars. And I will give
you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, in
order that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, the God of Israel, who
calls you by your name!”)
b. This was written by Isaiah at least 120 years before Cyrus was born!

III. All Government on Earth is For our Savior!

A. The only good governments are those that promote the only true God, Yahweh, who
is identified as Jesus Christ in the New Testament!!! (“Jesus” means “Yahweh
Salvation,” which in turn means “I Am Salvation!”)
1. The Persian government of Cyrus was “good” because God established it to
free His people!!!
a. He captured Babylon on Oct. 12, 539 B.C., and killed king Belshazzar
that very night. (Dan. 5:25-30 "Now this is the inscription that was
written by the hand that appeared and wrote on the palace wall
'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' "This is the interpretation of
the message: 'MENE' - God has numbered your kingdom and put an
end to it. "'TEKEL' - you have been weighed on the scales and found
deficient. "'PERES' - your kingdom has been divided and given over to
the Medes and Persians." That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean
king was slain!”)
b. 2,547 years ago today!!)
c. Then Cyrus sent the Jews home with the Temple vessels and money
to rebuild both it and the city!
2. Even Nebuchadnezzar, who had captured the Jews 70 years earlier, was
appointed by God to do so!
a. Dan. 1:1-2 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah,
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with
some of the vessels of the house of God.”
b. Dan. 2:37-38 "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of
heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the glory;
and wherever the sons of men dwell, or the beasts of the field, or the
birds of the sky, He has given them into your hand and has caused you
to rule over them all.”
c. Dan. 2:40 "Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron;
inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that
breaks thing in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces!” (The
Roman Empire, prophesied 400 years before it existed!!)
d. Dan. 2:44 "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set
up a Kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that Kingdom will
not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these
kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever!” The Kingdom of Christ!!!
e. Dan. 4:17 "The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and
bestows it on whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men."

B. But even evil governments must work for God our Savior, and accomplish His good
purpose!
1. The Roman government of Caesar was certainly evil toward Judah, but Jesus
created it to bring about His own birth, life, death and resurrection in a way
that would glorify Him and His Kingdom!
a. Its appointed census was used to bring Joseph & Mary to Bethlehem,
“too little to be counted among the clans of Israel From you One will go
forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from eternity!!!”
(Micah 5:2)
b. Its government over Judah was used to prevent the Jews from stoning
Jesus to death, and to provide that He might be cursed by “hanging on
a tree.” (Deut. 21:3; Gal. 3:13)
c. Thus the entire “Pax Romana” was designed and established by God
to provide the setting for the salvation of the world!!!
2. So can we pay taxes to an Emperor who claims to be a god? Jesus says, “Give
back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” For these are the things of the
Kingdom of God’s Left hand!
3. But what about God? Jesus says, “Give back to God the things that are
God’s!” For these are the things of the Kingdom of His Right Hand , which
is to say, of Jesus, the Christ, the Savior of all the World!!!

Dear Fellow Redeemed in the Blood of Christ,
We Christians are indeed citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven – forever!!! But so long
as we live as sinners in a fallen world, we must also be citizens of whatever earthly kingdom God
has placed us in. There we are to be good citizens, obeying the laws of the land, until and unless
they conflict with God’s law (Acts 5:29). And there we are to glorify our Savior by hearing His
Word, partaking of His Sacraments, and spreading the fame of His Name throughout all the
world! This is your privilege as citizens of whatever “Government of our Savior, by our Savior and for our Savior” you find yourself members of. Thanks be to God for His everlasting mercy in
Christ. Amen.

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

“The Peace of God Which Passes all Understanding Shall Keep Your Hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus!”

“The Peace of God Which Passes all Understanding

Shall Keep Your Hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus!”

Philippians 4:4-13

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus,
Lutheran Pastors are generally taught to end every sermon with the words of
Philippians 4:7, except that rather than stating it as a promise, they speak it as a blessing,
“The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ
Jesus.” Thus God actually bestows this blessing on His dear people through the mouth of His
appointed spokesmen to them. And it is an effective and a marvelous blessing indeed, for it
conveys the very peace of God in Christ Jesus, that is, the forgiveness of sins. And this is God’s
answer to:

I. Our Main Problem: Sinful Anxiety about Life.

A. All our worry displays our lack of faith in God.
1. Jesus commands us: “Do not be anxious for your life!” (Matt. 6:25 “...as to
what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what
you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?)
2. St. Paul says we should be anxious for nothing! (vs. 6)
a. Neither for this life.
b. Nor for the next one!

B. All our complaining denies the power and love of God.
1. He feeds even the birds of the air – are you not worth much more than
they? (Matt. 6:26 [even though “They neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns!”])
2. He clothes even the grass of the field - how much more you? (Matt.6:28-29
"And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the
field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even
Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God
so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is
thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of
little faith?”)

C. All our self-centeredness is idolatry!
1. We are often jealous of “the prosperity of the wicked.” (Ps. 73:2-3 “As for
me, my feet came close to stumbling; my steps had almost slipped. For I
was envious of the arrogant, as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.)
a. We think that we deserve better because we are more godly. (Ps.
73:13-14, 16 “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed
my hands in innocence; for I have been stricken all day long, and
chastened every morning! When I pondered to understand this, it
was troublesome in my sight.”)
b. Our attitude proves us to be as “senseless and ignorant as beasts.”
(Ps. 73:21-22 “When my heart was embittered, and I was pierced
within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before
Thee.”)
(1) We are “A nation of whiners”! (Dr. Jack Fyans)
(2) We complain of our lack even though we have more than
anyone else on earth!
2. Christians are here commanded to “Rejoice in the Lord always!” (vs. 4
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”)
a. But I would rather feel sorry for myself.
b. And I would rather be able to rejoice in my own goodness!

II. Our Only Solution: Peace from God through Faith in Christ Jesus!

A. Through Christ, God has “Swallowed up death forever”! (Is. 25:7-8 “Upon this
mountain He will swallow up the covering which covers all peoples, even the veil
which veils all nations. He will swallow up death forever!”)
1. He came and suffered for the wicked even for us!
a. He gave up everything for us. (Phil. 2:5-7 “Although Christ Jesus,
although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with
God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of
a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”)
b. He took our sins upon Himself.
(1) (Phil. 2:8) “And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.”
(2) (Col. 2:13-14) “And when you were dead in your
transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made
you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our
transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt
consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us;
and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the
cross.”
2. He rose again as the Victor over sin, death & devil.
a. (Heb. 2:14-15) “Since then the children (of Adam) share in flesh
and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that
through death He might render powerless him who had the power
of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver those who through fear
of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
b. (Col. 2:15) “When God had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He
made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through
Jesus !”

B. Through the Church, God brings Christ and His gifts to us.
1. The Word being preached here & now saves you! (1 Thess. 2:13 “For this
reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the
word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for
what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who
believe.”)
2. The Sacrament offered here today joins you to Christ in both body & soul!
(1 Cor. 10:16 “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless the communion of
the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break the communion of the
body of Christ?”)
3. If we seek these things first, Jesus promises to provide whatever else we
need! (Matt. 6:33 "But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness; and
all these things shall be added to you!”)

C. Through these gifts God gives us His Peace!
1. Which “Surpasses all understanding!” (vs. 7a)
2. Which “Guards our hearts and our minds!” (vs. 7b)

III. Our Life in Christ Jesus: Peace, Joy, Forbearance, Contentment, Hope.

A. Peace (vss. 6-7) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus!”

B. Joy (vss.4, 8) “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

C. Forbearance (vs. 5) “Let your forbearance (patience, willingness to suffer wrong
& not insist on your rights!) be known to all.” Thus we show them Christ in us,
for them!

D. Contentment (vss. 11-12) “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be
content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble
means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance
I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having
abundance and suffering need.”

E. Hope
1. (vs. 5b) “The Lord is near!” (The Parousia!)
2. (vs. 13) “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”
3. (Is. 6:8b-9) “God our SAVIOR will wipe the tear from every face; and He
will remove the shame of His people from the whole earth; for our SAVIOR
has spoken it! And they will say in that day, "Behold, this is our God for
whom we have waited, that He might save us; this is our SAVIOR, for
whom we have waited – let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation!"

Dear Fellow Redeemed in the Blood of Christ,
The Psalmist Asaph complained that out of jealousy toward wicked people who were
nevertheless prosperous, he had become like “a senseless beast” before God! Yet, he believed
that God nevertheless held him by the hand to guide him into heaven! (Ps. 73:23-26) Because
of this great hope he proclaimed that he no longer desired anything on earth except God and
His Word. This is the very definition of the “Peace of God which passes all understanding
which does guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” May it be yours today and
forever. Amen.

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