We’ll begin our road to the cross tonight, February 22, with our Ash Wednesday service.  Instead of focusing only on the suffering of our Lord, in our midweek services this year we’ll view the entire The Gospel of John movie in 6 segments of about 25-30 minutes each.

The midweek services will be held at 6:30 P.M. at Citizens Bank of Mukwonago – Waukesha Branch (2.5 miles east of Rose Glen on Hwy. 59, at the SE corner of Hwy. 59 & Center Rd).

Beginning at 6:00 P.M., light food will be served which can be eaten during the movie.  We’ll celebrate Holy Communion tonight for the Ash Wednesday service, as we remember Jesus’ suffering and death and his precious blood that has washed away our sins.

Insurance Plans Required to Provide Free Contraception

A question was asked in our Sunday morning Bible class about a recent development in health insurance.  President Obama’s administration wants to require all health insurance providers to cover all forms of birth control free of charge to those covered by the insurance.  Read President Mark Schroeder’s response at:  http://www.wels.net/news-events/wels-response-recent-hhs-requirements

Three Book Bible Challenge

How are you doing on the three book Bible challenge?  If you come to the midweek Lenten services, you’ll go through the entire book of John – so that’s one you can add to your list of “completed books.”  God will bless your reading of his Word, and you will be a blessing to others as you live it.

Congregational Meeting

This last week we had our annual congregational meeting.  The various ministry coordinators reported on last year’s activities and plans for the current year.  We also heard the latest developments regarding our land.

You should have received the minutes yesterday via email.  If you didn’t receive them, check your junk e-mail to make sure you can receive emails from Living Word.  If you can’t find the email there, contact me to make sure I have your current email address.

Hope to see you tonight as we begin Lent.

In Christ,

Pastor Borgwardt

OK, because we have children with short attention spans (maybe Mom and Dad do, too, sometimes) and we came off a long weekend of basketball, we chose Philemon Sunday night for our first book of the 3-book Bible challenge. Yes, that simple 25-verse book of the New Testament. But it’s packed with some great encouragements on how we ought to look at our fellow Christians, regardless of their seemingly important or unimportant status in this world.

Fragment of Philemon on papyrus

As you may know, Paul was writing this letter to Philemon, who became a believer when the Holy Spirit worked belief in his heart upon hearing Paul’s message. Philemon appears to have been the leader in his local church, because it was at Philemon’s home that this church met, and perhaps a leader in his community as well. The subject of Paul’s letter was Philemon’s slave named Onesimus, who had deserted Philemon and apparently ended up in Rome, where he perhaps sought out and found Paul, who was under house arrest.

Onesimus came to faith when he heard the prisoner Paul’s message — “became my son while I was in chains” — and apparently became very useful to Paul in delivering messages. But Paul decided that Onesimus ought to return to Philemon since he was Philemon’s property. And while Onesimus could be executed for his desertion as a slave, we see Paul plead with Philemon to welcome Onesimus back.

Paul sheds some light on the situation when he writes, “Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever — no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.”

Think about that. Even if Philemon welcomes Onesimus back, it could be as a slave. But better than before, Onesimus will be a believer in Christ. In this way, even while Onesimus will have a lowly position where he takes orders with no authority, he can be an encouragement to Philemon because he is his brother in Christ. And even though Philemon may be Onesimus’ boss, with likely much wealth and high regard in his community and seemingly no social connection to his slave, Philemon can be an encouragement to Onesimus because he is his dear brother in Christ.

Paul also reminds Philemon of another reason why he should welcome his slave back: “So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self.”

When Paul says, “you owe me your very self,” he’s reminding Philemon that he once was a lost sinner condemned to eternal damnation, just like Onesimus was a lost and condemned sinner — that was until he heard the words that Paul preached and the Holy Spirit worked faith in his heart. And now, the same thing was done for Onesimus. Yes, it was wrong for Onesimus to flee his master, but God used it for something good — to bring a lost soul into the family of believers. And now Paul encourages Philemon to have a forgiving heart toward his runaway slave.

The book of Philemon made me think of our family of believers at Living Word. Some of us hold positions of leadership in the church that this world would deem to be important positions. Some of us are doing many tasks unseen or unknown by fellow members — tasks that this world would deem to be menial or seemingly unimportant. Some of us have been blessed with a great deal of financial security, while others may have lost their jobs recently and carry the anxiety of wondering whether they can pay the mortgage or meet day-to-day living expenses.

But what Paul is teaching us is that we should never think too highly of ourselves or think too lowly of ourselves, and neither should we think too highly of others or too lowly of others. When it comes to our fellow believer at Living Word, we are equals. There is equality in knowing that our Savior died for us and we each have an equal share in everlasting life in heaven.

Rejoice in each member of Living Word’s salvation that was earned by Christ.

Here is a brief time line showing the highlights of Jeremiah’s ministry. The years below are before Christ (B.C.), so the numbers go down as time passes.

Jeremiah and Josiah

Rembrandt's Jeremiah

You might remember that Josiah is known for his attempts at a reformation within the church in ancient Judah. You might not remember that almost a third of Jeremiah’s ministry coincided with Josiah’s efforts.

We often hear of prophets beginning their ministries at age 30. We’re not told how old Jeremiah was, but I think he was probably younger than that because he complained that he was too young to do what God asked him to. Maybe he was in his early 20s or so? If that’s true, he would have been virtually the same age as King Josiah.

You can see from the time line above that Josiah started his reformation just 5 years into Jeremiah’s ministry. I wonder how much of an influence Jeremiah had on Josiah. The timing would lead us to think he did have an effect.

Josiah’s efforts at reform seem to have had mostly a superficial effect on the people though. If the changes had gone deeper into the people’s hearts, it hardly seems that Jeremiah’s messages would have been needed over the next ~40 years.

What Happened?

Jeremiah 2:5 – This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me?”

Can anyone find fault with God? Sure they can. That is, some people think they can. Haven’t you ever heard anyone finding fault with God? Ever heard anyone ask God, “Why?” Ever heard anyone complain that God isn’t fair? You may even have heard stronger questions than those.

In the verse above, God is turning the question on his people. “What happened?” he asks. “Where’d you go? Why? What did I do wrong?”

The true answer to those questions is that God, of course, did nothing wrong. People just thought they knew better and didn’t want to admit that they were wrong. Do you like to admit when you’re wrong? I sure don’t. Admitting I’m wrong makes me look bad. It might make other people think less of me (whether or not that’s something I even care about). I want other people to like me, to think well of me. Letting them know I screwed up isn’t going to help that cause.

But that’s really all a digression, isn’t it? What other people think when I’ve done something wrong, isn’t what matters. What I do about my mistakes is what counts. I have little problem admitting to myself that I messed up. It’s admitting it to God – the only Person who really counts – that can be rough. But it’s also absolutely necessary.

That’s where many, many people in Judah went wrong over and over again. They didn’t want to ‘fess up to God, so many even went so far as to turn to idols of wood and stone that they made themselves or hired someone to make for them. Anyone here ever made an idol? Anyone here ever resisted repenting of something you did wrong? Same difference.

Can you think of something right now that you probably should confess? Just do it. Yeah, right now. You’ve got time. You know it’s the right thing to do.

Maybe you’re still reading because you couldn’t think of anything at the moment that you needed to ask forgiveness for or maybe you’re just going to do it later or maybe you did take a break between this paragraph and the previous one. In any case, know that God pardons you for whatever you mess up, not because you ask him to, but because Jesus took the punishment for you.

What happened there? Law followed by Gospel. We’re not going to see a lot of Gospel in Jeremiah. There will be enough, yes, but much of the book is going to be God (through Jeremiah) yelling at his kids.

So here is a New Year’s challenge for members and friends of Living Word.  Easter is April 8 this year.  As a congregation, consider reading three books of the Bible over the next three months, before Easter.  Any three books will do.  You can choose long books or short ones – some are less than 25 verses (if you don’t know which ones they are, you’ll have to find out!).

You can certainly go through those three books on our own.  But, to spur one another on, you can also go through those books with others.  You could get a small group together in your home or in a coffee shop and meet as often as you’d like.  You can also use Living Word’s Website to blog about it – actually, it’s set up specifically to do that.  You can share what struck you about a certain passage, or what you didn’t know before, or something you already knew but was good to hear again.  If you are interested in using our Website to do this, send your first blog to Pastor or to Gary Sonnenberg, and it will be posted.  Then anyone can join you in going through that book and commenting on it as they go.

And don’t keep it to yourself – think of a neighbor or friend you’d like to challenge as well.  May God bless our study of his holy, saving, and living Word as we reflect on his love for us in Christ.

Image: Aleksandr Kutsayev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Angels told shepherds.  A star directed the wise men.  They found the hope they needed on that first Christmas as God fulfilled a long-anticipated promise.  The Savior was born.  Jesus had come to bring peace between God and sinful mankind–and the hope of eternal life.  This Christmas, join Living Word as we remember the only message that brings us hope for our lives today and for the future:  Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christmas Eve Worship    Saturday, December 24th, at 4:30 pm

Christmas Day Worship    Sunday, December 25th, at 10 am

See you Thursday, if not sooner.

Pastor John

An Opportunity to Give—Just a reminder that we are collecting food for those in need in the Waukesha area.  Bring your non-perishable goods to church and place them in the box.  Another opportunity to help others is by remembering how blessed we are, and how God will bless us as we share our blessings with others.  Monetary gifts can be given by putting an offering in an envelope with the word “Blessed” on the outside.

Advent Service—We’ll gather on Thursday, December 15, for our Advent service at Citizens Bank of Mukwonago—Waukesha branch (located 2 miles east of Rose Glen on the corner of Hwy. 59 and Center Rd.).  The service will begin at 6:30 pm as we remember what Christmas is all about—our loving God came into this world to save us.

See you Sunday if not sooner.

In Christ,

Pastor Borgwardt

For example, what is the most dangerous animal that has ever lived? Answer? The mosquito, responsible, the authors say, for the deaths of about 45 billion humans because of all the diseases they spread like Malaria and West Nile Virus and Yellow Fever.

The tallest mountain?

Do we touch things? Technically, no, because when the electrons of the molecules that make us up get close to the electrons of the molecules that make up something else, they repel each other. So although it seems that we touch something, at the molecular or atomic level, we actually don’t.

What’s the tallest mountain in the world? Mount Everest, at 29,029 feet? Nope, that’s the highest peak, but Mauna Kea, a volcano on the island of Hawaii, is the tallest because most of it is under water. Measured from its seabed base to its summit, it is a whopping 33,465 feet in height, over 6 miles tall, and almost three-quarters of a mile taller than Mount Everest.

How many inches in a foot?  Twelve, of course—let’s not get carried away.

Those books are a fun way to get us to question or re-think everything we’ve been taught, from who the first president of the United States was to the one who invented the telephone.

When John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea, his message, and method of baptizing, had a similar effect.  He challenged the Jews to re-think their whole concept of the Messiah.  Let’s see if we’re ready for the coming of the Christ as we Re-think Baptism by looking at Mark 1:1-8:

Text:  ¹ The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 ² It is written in Isaiah the prophet:

   “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— ³ “a voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

 ⁴ And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶ John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John was a celebrity.  ⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.   Here’s a good example of how writers in the Bible used exaggeration or hyperbole to prove their point.  Did every last man, woman, and child hike the 20 or so miles in rugged terrain to get to the desert of Judea, the same wilderness area west of the Dead Sea where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered?  No.  But we don’t miss his point—he attracted hundreds and thousands of visitors.  Some were there simply to see what was going on—it had been 400 years since God had last sent a prophet to his people.  They wondered what he looked like, what he said.  To some he was just a curiosity and nothing more.  After all, what kind of a man would live off of insects and honey?  He even looked like a prophet of old—just as Elijah himself was described:  ⁶ John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist.  To some, he was a threat—which showed by how he would later die at the hands of Herod.  To still others, though, he brought something that their religious leaders the Pharisees and teachers of the Law hadn’t taught them.  John challenged them to re-think everything they thought they knew about the Messiah.

Mark starts his gospel account of the Messiah’s life, death and resurrection this way:   ¹The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  From these clear words of Mark right at the beginning of his book, to the words of the centurion who said as he stood at the foot of Jesus’ cross, “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39), Mark drove home his point about the Messiah—he was none other than the Son of God himself, not just a mere man.  The Jews of John’s day had all kinds of ideas of who the Messiah would be—the one who would make their lives easier, the one who would bring Jewish rule back to whom it belonged, the one who would defeat all of Israel’s enemies and establish his kingdom on this earth as David and Solomon of old had done.  But John’s message was very different—they had to totally re-think what they thought they knew of the Messiah.

And Mark made sure those who read his Gospel account saw the Messiah for who he was—he wanted to make sure they didn’t miss it.  Even the one who pointed to the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament:   ² It is written in Isaiah the prophet:

   “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— ³ “a voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

This is the only Old Testament quotation that Mark uses in his Gospel.  He was writing to Gentiles, or non-Jews, who would not have been familiar with the Bible the Jews knew, the Old Testament.  But Mark shows that fulfilling Old Testament prophecy was one way to identify the Messiah when he came, but another way that was just as necessary was what the Messiah did to show who he was.  So Mark focused on what the Messiah did—mainly his miracles—that also showed him to be the Son of God.  Those were prophesied in the Old Testament also, but they could stand in their own right as a mark of the Promised One.

But the Jewish people had to be convinced.  They had been taught so many wrong things about the Messiah, that they didn’t know what he would be.  Only a faithful few still saw him as the one who would save them from their sins.  And that’s why John came—to show that the Messiah was here to establish his kingdom of grace, not to set up some earthly kingdom, which some Christians still think today—to show that forgiveness would cost the Messiah his life, not a trifle that would cost God nothing—to show that following his example would require us to carry our own cross of suffering and pain, not to make our lives easier by making all of our enemies fall at our feet, which some Christians also still think today.  His message was radically different than what God’s people expected, even most of his faithful followers.

 ⁴ And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  John’s message was one of repentance.  Repent means to re-think.  They had to re-think how sinful they were, just as we do today.  They had to re-think how much it would cost to pay for those sins, just as we have to see today.  Our sins caused the Almighty to die.  Such love the world had never seen before, and will never see again.  And yet, every time that message of John is repeated today, the gospel that points to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, that same love comes to more hearts.

For the most part, John’s listeners weren’t ready for the Messiah.  They had all kinds of reasons to come out to hear him—he was a curiosity, or everyone else was going, or they wanted to see how strange he was.  But some came to realize that the gospel was something they couldn’t do without.  They repented.  They believed in the One who was to come, who was about to be revealed.

Are you ready for Christ’s coming at Bethlehem?

Why are you here today?  Was it because that’s just what you do on Sundays, but you didn’t think about it too much?  Are you here because you’re supposed to be here?  Because your parents dragged you here?  Are you here wondering when the sermon will be done so you can get home and watch some football or relax?

Or are you here because you need to here once again that there is forgiveness for even the sins you have committed, and eternal life.  If so, John’s message is for you:  ⁷ And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

We find Jesus himself explaining what this verse means. How would Jesus baptize us with the Holy Spirit?  In Acts 1:5 Luke quotes Jesus as saying:  “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  This was fulfilled when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on the early church on the Day of Pentecost.  They were able to speak in tongues they had never studied.  But they were made bold to preach and teach about Jesus who had fulfilled his mission.  His mission was fulfilled for you and me and every sinner.

What joy fills our hearts when we re-think what this baptism of repentance was all about—sins forgiven through the blood of Christ.  God bless your preparation in anticipation of celebrating his birth.  God bless your preparation in expectation of his second coming at the end of time.  Repent, and believe the good news.  Amen.

This sermon, based on Mark 1:1-8, was preached by Pastor John Borgwardt at Living Word Lutheran Church, Waukesha, WI, on 12/4/2011.

Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pie Social—Stick around after the service for our pie social.  It’s a great time to get to know each other a little better—and all around plenty of desserts!  And don’t hesitate to bring a friend!

An Opportunity to Give—Take a few minutes to read the post entitled Opportunity to Show You’re “Blessed.”  It shows a need in our body of believers, and an opportunity to fulfill that need.

See you tonight and Sunday if not sooner.

In Christ,

Pastor Borgwardt