WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

EDITED WORSHIP VIDEO WITH WORDS (linked when ready)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

All Saints Day 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 3, 2024
Revelation 7:2-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Teaching catechism class to the 7th and 8th graders in school and in church gives me opportunities to give life advice.  One lesson I give to the boys is that to be a good husband they need to be able to do two main things.  They need to be able to work and kill bugs.  If a guy can do those two things the other stuff can be worked out.

            It is good to have a job and be able to provide for your family.  You like being able to pay for the things you need; clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home.  You like the independence of being able to take care of yourself and those who rely on you. 

            When you hear the news of a company shutting down and laying off workers it can cause you to wonder.  What if it were me?  What if that was my company?  How long could I keep going on savings?  There is a fear of losing everything and becoming a beggar. 

            Being a beggar would be rough; having to rely on the generosity of others rather than on yourself.  It is hard to be helpless.

Here at Immanuel we have a number of parking spaces close to the building for members and visitors who are less able because of a handicap or disability.  Those who are more able park further away.  Now, if we want to be honest we should have a sign on every parking space, “reserved parking for the Spiritually Unable.”  Not just spiritually handicapped or spiritually disabled, but spiritually unable. Parking for the helpless; the powerless. 

            Just like we talked about last Sunday for Reformation, you are spiritually unable.  You bring nothing to the table to negotiate with God.  You cannot earn forgiveness, you cannot buy forgiveness, you cannot trade for forgiveness.  You are spiritually unable. 

            In the winter of 1545 and 46, Martin Luther knew that health was failing and he predicted he would be dead before Easter. Luther did die in Eisleben Germany on February 18, 1546 after a long, cold winter journey from Wittenberg. After he died they found a scrap of paper in his pocket with six words; “Wir sind Bettler, das ist wahr.”  We are beggars, this is true. 

            Luther was right.  We are beggars.  You are a beggar.  I am a beggar.  In life you fear becoming a beggar, and then you find out that it is true.  You come to Jesus with nothing. 

What does Jesus teach about the spiritually unable?  What does Jesus say about helpless spiritual beggars?  Jesus says you are blessed now and at the judgement day. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  

            You see, being poor in spirit is not a virtue, it is an inability.  It is not something you strive for as a Christian -- it is who you are as a Christian.  Being poor in spirit is knowing that you cannot save yourself.  Being poor in spirit is knowing you are helpless.  In helplessness you mourn over the evil -- the evil in your own heart and the evil in the world.  There is so much evil in you and around you, and you are helpless to stop it.  There is the evil of greed and selfishness and hatred and lust and pride that infects all people and bubbles up from within. There is evil in the world where defenseless unborn children are sacrificed on the altar of sexual freedom and politicians say that this is our greatest freedom.  There is the evil of children and the elderly being neglected and abused.  The evil of the poor being taken advantage of in their poverty.  The evil of division and discord and warfare in the world. There is so much evil and you cannot stop it, so you mourn. 

            Being helpless -- being spiritually unable -- can be so uncomfortable when you want so badly to be independent.  But God’s ways are not the world’s ways.  Jesus teaches Mark 10:15 (ESV) 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 

            Matthew 5:3 (ESV) 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  The Holy Spirit, dwelling in you, gives you the knowledge that you are helpless…that you need Jesus – and this is the entryway into the kingdom of heaven; the reign of heaven.  Most Sundays you begin worship on your knees confessing that you are a sinner.  You have done this so much you have worn out the kneelers and they need to be replaced.  You know you are a beggar…you know you cannot do it on your own. 

You are a beggar, but Jesus does not leave you empty.  He fills you with His blessings.  Jesus did it all for you on the cross and gives you the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.  He brings you under the reign of Jesus.  Jesus is King who rules and protects you and all His Church -- pouring out grace and forgiveness on His people.  Now, Jesus’ kingdom is different.  John 18:36–37 (ESV) 36 Jesus answered [Pilate], “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 

Jesus reigns over His Church but, for now, His rule is incomplete.  He has not yet fully restored the earth.  And so you pray, “Thy Kingdom come…on earth as it is in heaven,” and you mourn the wickedness in the world as you look forward to the Last Day when Jesus will return and destroy all evil.   Matthew 5:4 (ESV) 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  

You are now forgiven and redeemed, but the world is not yet fully restored.  The day is coming when Jesus will return and evil will be destroyed and you will have eternal peace.  Then there will be no more living in this difficult “now and not yet” time between Jesus’ ascension and His return.  So you pray over and over, “Thy kingdom come.” 

            You are spiritually unable, you are spiritually helpless, you are powerless, you are meek, you are lowly.  You want everything to be right but it is so messed up.  You hunger for righteousness.  You thirst for righteousness.  You cry, “O Lord!  Thy will be done!”

            Into your life of struggle and longing, Jesus’ words bring eternal comfort.  Matthew 5:5–6 (ESV) 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  The meek will receive the whole world.  Righteousness will come to those who are desperate for everyone to be right with God. 

            For now you wait for the Lord to return and make all things right forever.  You wait. Your loved ones who have died and are at peace with the Lord also are waiting for Jesus to return.  For now, for the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, it is a time of waiting.  The disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven and waited for His return.  We continue the wait for Him to return and restore the earth. 

Through Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection from the grave He earned salvation for all people.  Jesus offers the white robe of righteousness to all people everywhere.  There is a robe ready for each person.  Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit you know you need it. You know that you do not want to be found naked on the Day of Judgement. 

When Jesus returns, those alive in Christ will be taken up.  Those who have died in Christ will be raised from the dead, and body and soul will be reunited.  All will go before the judgement throne of Jesus, the King of the Universe.  Those who rejected the robe of Christ’s righteousness will go to damnation with the devil and his angels.  Those wearing the white robe of Christ’s righteousness -- the Saints of God -- will go marching into the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem.  This is the great multitude that no one can number every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.  Indeed you want to be in that number.  You will be in that number when the saints go marching in. 

Through Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection from the grave He earned salvation for all people.  Jesus offers the white robe of righteousness to all people everywhere.  There is a robe ready for each person.  Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit you know you need it. You know that you do not want to be found naked on the Day of Judgement. 

Tragically, many reject Jesus’ gift.  Even more tragically, many who have had the robe get distracted by the deceitfulness of wealth and the busyness of life and take off the robe of righteousness.  Many do not want the Kingship of Jesus.  They may want Jesus to give them good advice or help them from time to time, but they do not believe they are spiritual unable.  They may think they need a little guidance, a little help, but they are certainly not poor in spirit, they are certainly not meek and lowly.  That would be all too humiliating.  That is not the way of the world. 

            The way of the world is to work hard and take care of yourself.  It is thought to be dishonorable to be a beggar.  Your sinful self wants to do it yourself, but you know the truth.  You are helpless and powerless like a child. You know that salvation is 0% from you and 100% from Jesus.  This humble understanding frees you from worrying and wondering and working at being saved and frees you to serve God by serving each other.  Your salvation is secure so you can focus on love and service. Shine the light of Christ in the darkness of this world. 

            You are spiritually unable -- and are blessed; now and for eternity.  Wir sind bettler.  Das ist wahr. We are beggars.  This is true.  Amen.