 Sermon Text for November 1, 2015
"Who Do You Think You Are?" #83-09
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on November 1, 2015
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(What Kind of People are Saints?)
Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries
Text: Isaiah 51:4-6
The Lord says....Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out fromme, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
Grace, and mercy, and peace to you, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Have you ever noticed that people who are trying to balance themselves don't look down? If you look down, you fall. Just watch a talented surfer for example. They don't look down at their feet. Their eyes are straight ahead - focused above the water, focused on where they are going. Good surfers don't look at the ocean beneath them or at the board on which they are standing. They keep their eyes up, on their destination. Steering also begins with the eyes. Where your eyes go, there you lean and there your board goes. One of the greatest struggles in learning to surf is getting your eyes up on the horizon instead of on your board or on the ocean. If you look down, that's exactly where you will go.
In our reading for today, God demands to be seen for who He is. He challenges us to see who we are from His point of view. Now, some of you might ask Him, "Who do You think You are? Why should we listen to You, Lord? What right do You have to march in here and command our attention?"
God sounds off; so that you and I can truly get the picture. He makes some bold assertions. He claims that those who listen to Him are His. He says that His Word is worth listening to, that righteousness goes out from Him, that salvation is near Him, that law goes out from Him, that His mighty arm will judge, that the coastlands wait for His arm and hope in His arm, that His salvation is forever, that His righteousness will never be dismayed. Just Who does this God think He is?
Well, Isaiah gives us a glimpse. God is the Creator. He created the world from nothing and sustains the world from all the simple to the complex. He has the authority to speak to all of His creation because of it; and that includes you and that includes me!
Not only that. He has a stake in how all things turn out in this world and He, the Creator of the universe, says that He is going to hold all things accountable to Himself some day!
Knowing God, getting right with God, trusting in God, this is the most important thing in our lives and that's why Isaiah reminds us of God's challenge to: Lift your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation, says the Lord, will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
But we all have a very difficult time focusing on things that matter, don't we? Come on, be honest. You don't think about the things of God much, the eternal things. You might be more interested in the game today, your investment tomorrow, or your career moving forward, temporal things. Eternal things, that day is for later, if it comes at all.
In that sense, you are just like the people to whom Isaiah is writing. They, even though they were blessed by God, they took their eyes off of Him; they looked down to their things rather than up to His things. They went their way, so God gave them a glimpse of their way by allowing the nation of Babylon to defeat them and literally take them into captivity from the land they loved. They were disoriented, confused. They were lost.
They didn't know whether to look up anymore, to look out, they didn't even know what to look at to make sense of what was going on in their lives. Sinful human beings can get like that in a hurry, can't we?
Remember when I told you that surfers have to keep their eyes up while surfing? Eyes on the horizon or you are in the drink. But now, playing golf well is exactly the opposite, isn't it? One of the most important things to know about golfing is to keep your eyes down, to look at your ball. Don't look up. If you've ever played golf, you know how hard it is to resist the urge to look up and see where your ball is going. But, look up? You'll probably mishit the ball, hooking it into the woods, shanking it into the trees, or maybe just dribbling it a few yards in front of you. Looking up while swinging is the last thing anyone should do.
Here's my problem. Even with the simple things in life, human beings, all of us, we can't seem to fix our gaze where it belongs. When surfing, we tend to look down; when golfing, we tend to look up. Exactly the opposite of what we're supposed to do. And when it comes to what really matters in life, our relationship with God, we are sinfully myopic to our concerns alone, blind to God, and eternally shortsighted.
That's why God has to speak clearly today to you and to me about who He is, who we are, and what we need most in our lives!
To get to the heart of this section of Scripture we've got to turn that question around first. It's not "Who does God think He is?" No, the question that really gets us started today is, "Who do we think we are? What's our standing in the universe? Do we really understand fully the mysteries of space, the expanses of galaxies and stars light years away when we can't even fully understand ourselves and the worlds close by in which we live?"
Who do we think we are? Our strength and wisdom often pales in comparison to the simple powers of the wind, the waves, the sun, the heat. We can be helpless before it all in an instant.
Tsunamis, earthquakes, the stories go on and on. Humanity watches and responds. But we are helpless against such things. The earth quakes and the skies darken and we can only hope to predict when and where the disaster might strike. But we are really powerless against it all.
And with our wisdom and study, we can't even seem to get along with each other better today. Our relationships break down with greater regularity. We tend to hurt those we love even more. And many of us are growing up feeling as if there is no one out there who really cares about us at all.
And as wonderful as our science has been in recent years, it remains powerless to deal with the greatest problem in humanity, death itself. We tempt ourselves into thinking that we will conquer illness completely. We pat ourselves on the back when we hold some things at bay. But, with all of our gadgets, our drugs, our medicine, our money, we can't stop death. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, our lives come and go and we fade even from our own people's memory.
God's first challenge to us is who are you? In light of the heavens and the earth, who are you? In light of the forces in our world that affect us, who are you? In light of the death that is so inevitable for us all, who are you? Sobering words, penetrating realities, can you see it for yourself?
That's important to do; but here's another point that is even more important. Such clarity of your own life before the powers of the world, that's not the main point of our text today. God isn't merely showing His strength to make sure that you and I know how puny we are in His Presence. He isn't flexing His muscles to instill fear. He is calling us, all people, to faith not in ourselves but to faith in Him. He's trying to get us to look up when we need to look up, to look down when we need to look down by looking to Him for all things!
Isaiah, chapters 40 through 55, addresses even God's people as those who are lost without Him. In fact, at this moment they are lost because of their disobedience. They are in exile. They are no longer where the people of God are supposed to live, in Jerusalem. Their temple has been destroyed. They have been conquered. All because they took their eyes off the One Who loved them, redeemed them, restored them, and even made them a people.
God is trying to get the Israelites, and yes, even you and me, to look to Him, to listen to Him and Him alone for salvation. Don't look up on your own. Don't look down on your own. Look to God, listen to Him. Listen to His strong word of love and grace. So where should we look to see God in all of His majesty?
Some might say, look up to the heavens. What do you see there; the sky, the stars, the sun, the moon? The heavens might be impressive. Space is vast. Up there expanse is unsearchable because of its enormity. Up there are stars that are thousands of light years away. Up there are planets and galaxies that are so far removed that we have to believe in their existence based on a theory.
Look up and you will be impressed by the heavens. Look up and you will see what many have even been tempted to worship throughout history. Look up and you will see the enormity that might even hint at God Himself.
But as you are looking, listen to what God says of the very heavens He has created. In spite of its majesty and impressive attributes, even the heavens will pass away. Even the amazing vastness of space is transitory. Even the sun and the moon and the stars will eventually be no more.
Okay then, some of you might say, look down. See the earth, the place of life itself in the middle of the cosmos; the place where we live; the planet that sustains us. See this world and its beauty. Look down and see the creation that God has given to us. See the variety of plants and animals, the complexity and simplicity of all that exists and is But even here, we see clearly, all is temporary and God's Word says that it too will pass away.
Some say okay, even better. Look around then. See all the people in their various lives and pursuits. Look around and see all that has been accomplished by humanity. Look around and see the success of all those around you. But God reminds us even there all this is not only temporary but under the eternal judgment of the Creator of the universe because of our own sinful hearts.
When it is all said and done, God wants us to look ultimately in none of those places. Why? Because while those places might bring awe and wonder, God wants us to know Him more fully, to trust Him, to believe in Him, and to reflect, not so much His power, but powerfully reflect His love.
Where are you going to look then today? Look to God Who became Man, in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Look to God Who not only promised you forgiveness, life, and salvation, but journeyed to a cross so that you might live with Him forever by faith.
Look to God's Word that doesn't prescribe some religious machinations for sinful people who can't do them anyway, but proclaims a salvation that God has indeed affected for all of us.
Way back in Isaiah, he told the people to look to a Suffering Servant Who was going to come and bear their burdens and affect their freedom. The New Testament writers of the Bible say that at a specific time in history this Servant Messiah appeared, lived a life of perfection, suffered a death of substitution for sinners, and made possible a reconciliation of powerless, sinful people to a holy, powerful God in heaven Who loves us.
Isaiah doesn't just tell us this, Jesus Himself says it in Mark 13 where He says that the heaven and earth will pass away but His Word will never pass away; that Word is a message of forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who put their trust in Him.
Look and listen to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. In Him God is well pleased and with Him our lives can be redeemed and restored now and forever. In Him, that's who we are, not just who we think we are.
Your mind might be spinning a bit right now. You might be thinking, "Pastor, what makes you so sure that this message in Jesus is the one we all need." Let me just say this, with an open mind and heart take a closer and closer look at Jesus, give a closer ear to His Word and you will see for yourself. You don't need me to tell it to you (although I'll keep introducing you to this Jesus every Sunday on this program!)
The Bible says that He is the Light, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that He is the Door to Life, that He is the Good Shepherd of Life. If you get to know Him, you'll see that Who He says He is; He is for you!
I don't know about you, but when I'm out in the woods at night doing a little camping or hiking, things can get pretty scary, pretty fast. If you've ever been away from the city lights, I mean really out in the wilderness on a moonless night, you know what darkness can do. But you also know the allure of light just at that moment. When true, powerful, light shines through that darkness, what do you do? You fix your gaze on it, you walk to it, and if you are really in trouble, you run to it. That's what powerful, beaming light does in the middle of darkness.
Well, let me leave you with a challenge then that I think Isaiah would say to you if he were here. Look to the Light of Jesus Christ in the Word of God; fix your eyes on that, draw near to that, and you will see with your eyes, with your heart, with your mind, the powerful love of God that is here for you right now! That's His enduring salvation in the midst of a world that is passing away. So, look and listen to Him.
He calls you to read His Word, to hear His voice because He loves you. You might be feeling very insignificant in the midst of all that is around you right now, but you as a person matter to God. He sent the very suffering Servant Jesus Christ to make sure that you know that!
Look and listen to Him.
He calls you to be part of His people. I know, I know, we're sinners. I hope that doesn't cloud your vision of Who God is for you and for us. In fact, it should clear things up for you too. He has a righteousness and a salvation for you, as a gift, one that you don't deserve or earn; just like the rest of us.
Look and listen to Him because He sends His strong arm ultimately to save you and me. Isaiah probably couldn't even imagine that from heaven, to a manger, to a cross, to a grave, and then through a resurrection, finally to be at the right hand of the Father, that's the work of the Suffering Servant, God's mighty arm in Christ that would save all people.
So, Who does God think He is? Well, He tells us straight today. He is the powerful Creator, the God who saves His people. What right does He have to claim people as His own? He sent His Son to die for them, for you, for me, for all. His righteousness and salvation are given to all the people of the earth as a gift. Those who believe in Jesus receive that salvation and righteousness which will never end. And that is what this One promises to all who put their trust in Him.
The only question right now then is who are you? Are you one shaped by your hopes and dreams or are you one whose hopes and dreams are shaped by who He is for you? One lasts for a time, one lasts forever. Don't just look up, or look down, or look around. Look to Him for all things, for life and salvation with, it Him lasts forever and can never be taken away. Count on it. In Jesus. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for November 1, 2015
Topic: What Kind of People are Saints?
ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, along with churches around the world we are celebrating All Saints Day. And one of our listeners asks, "Well, what kind of people are saints?"
SELTZ: Good question, Mark. The church does refer to certain people as saints. St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Paul, St. Peter, and so on, these are writers of the New Testament of the Bible. The Catholic Church too even elevates some people to a special status of sainthood; with qualifications they say are required to become a saint.
ANNOUNCER: Now was there something special about these people that made them saints?
SELTZ: Yes and no. The first people I mentioned all wrote parts of the New Testament. So they are special to the church. We thank God for them and praise them for the gifts that they have given to the Church. These are people that God worked through in order to bring His Word to all people to tell the Good News of Jesus. We call them saints because God has done a holy work through them.
ANNOUNCER: Does that mean the saints themselves are holy?
SELTZ: Yes and no. Saints are holy. No, saints are not perfect. They are sinners just like all of us.
ANNOUNCER: So saints are holy but they are also sinners. How does that work?
SELTZ: Saints are holy. That's what the word saint means. The Greek word used for that is "The holy ones." So, a saint is literally a holy person. But, from the Bible's point of view, it is not that they are holy because they are perfect or holy because of the things they do.
ANNOUNCER: Right. The Bible is clear when it teaches that all people are sinners. So then how can a person be a saint when they sin just like the rest of us?
SELTZ: That's the big point. People are saints when they are DECLARED HOLY or holied by God! People are saints because God has forgiven their sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
ANNOUNCER: So then a saint is a forgiven sinner?
SELTZ: From the Bible's point, yes. That is exactly right. All forgiven sinners are saints. When God forgives our sins, we are holy in His sight because He covers our sins and by faith, God gives us gifts and He gifts us with the holiness of Jesus. That's what it means to be holy.
ANNOUNCER: Therefore, all believers are saints.
SELTZ: That's correct. Ephesians 1:1 says that Paul sent a letter for all the saints in Ephesus. He wasn't writing to a certain select group of holy people in the church. He wrote to all the people in the church at Ephesus. And he called all believers saints.
ANNOUNCER: So I guess that makes me a saint too.
SELTZ: That's right; all who believe in Jesus. They're saints. They are holy in God's sight by faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ.
ANNOUNCER: So is there nothing special about St. Matthew, St. Mark, or the other saints that people talk about?
SELTZ: Well, there actually is something special about them. Like I said before; there is nothing special in them that qualifies them to be holy. That's God's doing. But we do honor them as special because of what God accomplished through them. When we refer to people as Saint somebody, we are really praising again God for His work through them.
ANNOUNCER: Should we pray to the saints?
SELTZ: No. We don't pray to the them, we honor them because of what God did for them and does through them. We pray to Jesus, we honor saints. So, we are graciously invited by God to pray directly to Him again through Jesus Christ.
ANNOUNCER: But, we can certainly model the behavior of the saints.
SELTZ: Very much, in fact, they demonstrate a trust in God for all things and that's something we can all learn from. In fact, their prayer life to Jesus, that's a great example to start to follow.
ANNOUNCER: So, can't the saints pray better than we can?
SELTZ: Again, something is holy because of Jesus, not us. He even makes our prayers acceptable to God. Even the saints, they would tell you that, and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do just that.
ANNOUNCER: So then are the saints important?
SELTZ: They are important. God worked through them to accomplish His will and to show His love to everyone. Also, the saints who went before us serve as examples of how to live and to persevere in the faith. And think about this. We have Christians in our lives presently that God is working through, and whose example we should follow in faith.
ANNOUNCER: So, here on All Saints Day we can praise God for all His saints.
SELTZ: Both those who have gone before and those who are in our lives now, even as we strive in God's grace to be saints for those we love.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Action in Ministry for November 1, 2015
Guest:
Rev. Mark Frith
ANNOUNCER: You're listening to The Lutheran Hour. This is Action in Ministry. Pastor Seltz, in today's message you showed us how Christ loves and serves us in a very personal, intimate way.
SELTZ: Week after week, Mark, we see Jesus in action among His people and we wanted to bring some of that dynamic even again back to The Lutheran Hour. Now, for those who are listening in you're still going to be able to hear it so keep on listening. We're so glad you do. Now you're going to be able to see it and even be a part of the program as it's being recorded.
ANNOUNCER: And with us today is our colleague, The Rev. Mark Frith. He's part of a team that's working to develop a new concept called Lutheran Hour Live. Mark, thanks for joining us.
FRITH: Thanks for having me.
SELTZ: Both of you guys know how excited I am about Lutheran Hour Live because I and a lot around here, we're pastors at heart. A pastor gets to be with his people in the local church in the community; and Lutheran Hour Live, I think, is going to be a way for us as an organization to be even more a part of that with the people of God. I think it's going to bring a lot of energy to the program, to our listeners as well because this is an event as well as a message. What do you think about that, Pastor Frith?
FRITH: Well, I think because of your excitement there is quite a buzz around here at Lutheran Hour Ministries and about this upcoming event, our first live event. It's going to be a pilot so we're going to test this in Orlando November 13, 14, and 15 which is really a part of our Regional Outreach Conference where we gather men and women, pastors, teachers, and the like to become better equipped and better skilled in reaching others for Jesus. And so, Pastor Seltz, you're going to be recording several messages in front of a live audience.
SELTZ: Yeah, that's going to be really exciting.
ANNOUNCER: How do you suppose a live sermon like that will compare with the sermons you preach now?
SELTZ: We've already tested this a little bit and the sermon....there's an energy to preaching and teaching with and among God's people. You're going to be able to hear that, I think, even in the messages themselves. If you're there, you'll also be able to see it and you'll be able to be a part of that. I've been an evangelist in all kinds of places: Dallas, Tampa, New York City, Los Angeles; and I learned something. You can have a great message, but people...they still want to see your face. They still want to shake your hand. They want to know that you're on this journey with them with Jesus Christ.
FRITH: This allows you, Pastor Seltz, to do what I think you do best and employs one of your greatest strengths and that's connecting with people. You mentioned that it's real time but that really brings a great dynamic to the outreach training event that's there. It allows those who are there...it focuses a bit on them but connects them across the country, across the world, and you do that.
ANNOUNCER: How can people be a part of this event in Orlando?
SELTZ: Well, first of all you can join Pastor Frith and myself and come and be there. Bring your friends. Bring your neighbors, especially those who might not have a church home because we're going to have a Question and Answer period as a part of that recording where I actually will answer the questions that come from the audience and the gathered folks there so it's going to be an exciting opportunity.
FRITH: We certainly hope that this works well and that we're going to be able to do this in other cities too.
SELTZ: That would be great, wouldn't it?
ANNOUNCER: Now, if you can't make it to Orlando in November, how can you still support or connect with this?
SELTZ: Well, we need your prayers so keep praying and also keep listening in but remember these ROCs and all these different things, you are the hands and the feet. You are Lutheran Hour Live, if you will, in your neighborhood. So, continue to share that good news of the gospel with those that God brings into your midst and be a part of what Pastor Frith is doing out there in the community.
FRITH: Gentlemen, thanks for having me.
SELTZ: It is great to have you with us. Thanks again.
ANNOUNCER: And for more information about the Regional Outreach Conference and Lutheran Hour Live, call 1-855-john316. That's 1-855-564-6316. Or go online, lutheranhour.org and look for the tab that says Action in Ministry. Our email address is: info@lhm.org.
Music Selections for this program:
"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.
"For All the Saints" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
"How Firm a Foundation" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
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