Series A – All Saint’s Day – Sunday, November 1, 2020 | Pr. Chris Rosebrough
| Welcome to the Teaching Ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church. Kongsvinger is a beacon for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is located on the plains of Northwestern Minnesota. We proclaim Christ and Him crucified for our sins and salvation by grace through faith alone, and now, here’s a message from Pastor Chris Rosebrough: |
| Time Stamp | Transcript |
| 0:28 | the holy gospel according to saint |
| 0:29 | matthew the fifth chapter |
| 0:32 | [Music] |
| 0:39 | seeing the crowds Jesus went up on the |
| 0:41 | mountain and when he sat down his |
| 0:43 | disciples came to him |
| 0:45 | and he opened his mouth and he taught |
| 0:46 | them saying blessed |
| 0:48 | are the poor in spirit for theirs is the |
| 0:50 | kingdom of heaven |
| 0:51 | blessed are those who mourn for they |
| 0:53 | shall be comforted |
| 0:55 | blessed are the meek for they shall |
| 0:56 | inherit the earth blessed are those who |
| 0:58 | hunger and thirst for |
| 1:00 | righteousness for they shall be |
| 1:01 | satisfied blessed are the merciful for |
| 1:04 | they shall receive mercy |
| 1:05 | blessed are the pure in heart for they |
| 1:07 | shall see god and blessed are the |
| 1:09 | peacemakers for they shall be called the |
| 1:11 | sons of |
| 1:12 | god blessed are those who are persecuted |
| 1:14 | for righteousness sake for theirs is the |
| 1:16 | kingdom of heaven |
| 1:17 | and blessed are you when others revile |
| 1:19 | you and persecute you and utter all |
| 1:20 | kinds of evil against you falsely on my |
| 1:22 | account |
| 1:23 | rejoice and be glad for your reward is |
| 1:25 | great in heaven |
| 1:26 | for so they persecuted the prophets who |
| 1:28 | were before you |
| 1:29 | this is the gospel of the lord in the |
| 1:32 | name of Jesus |
| 1:34 | amen all right so this is the feast of |
| 1:37 | all saints now notice i put the emphasis |
| 1:42 | on the word |
| 1:42 | all and that’s kind of the reason why is |
| 1:44 | because if you’ve been in the church or |
| 1:46 | at least |
| 1:47 | churches that follow the historic |
| 1:48 | lectionary and the historic |
| 1:50 | practices of the church all saints is |
| 1:52 | usually focused in |
| 1:54 | on well the dead those who are departed |
| 1:56 | but |
| 1:57 | i’m going to focus in on the word all |
| 1:58 | because you know what the greek word all |
| 2:00 | means |
| 2:01 | it means all now i know the reforms say |
| 2:03 | all means some but they’re wrong when |
| 2:05 | they say that |
| 2:06 | so i just want to make sure make sure we |
| 2:08 | got that clearly figured out |
| 2:09 | but all of that being said our epistle |
| 2:12 | text today |
| 2:13 | is amazing in reminding you |
| 2:16 | that we are part of the same |
| 2:18 | congregation although |
| 2:20 | separated at this point not seeing |
| 2:23 | Christ with our own eyes not being in |
| 2:25 | the physical presence of Christ and his |
| 2:27 | throne |
| 2:28 | but we are part of that great multitude |
| 2:30 | that revelation described for us today |
| 2:33 | and so consider our epistle text in this |
| 2:36 | regard |
| 2:36 | listen to these words behold what manner |
| 2:39 | of love the father that he has given to |
| 2:42 | us |
| 2:42 | that we should be called the children of |
| 2:45 | god think of it this way |
| 2:47 | have you ever stopped to think what a |
| 2:48 | motley crew we are yeah i know |
| 2:51 | some of the people here present |
| 2:52 | physically i also |
| 2:54 | know some of you people who are present |
| 2:56 | joining us online |
| 2:57 | and all i can say is what a motley crew |
| 3:00 | of ungodly sinners |
| 3:01 | we all are and that’s the scandal of |
| 3:04 | this |
| 3:05 | all saints is that we both |
| 3:08 | this because the scandal is is that god |
| 3:10 | has shown such great love to us |
| 3:12 | that we sinners all of us |
| 3:16 | idolaters blasphemers murderers |
| 3:19 | adulterers |
| 3:20 | thieves coveters and liars alike |
| 3:23 | that we should be called the sons of god |
| 3:28 | oh behold what manner of love the father |
| 3:31 | that |
| 3:32 | he has given to us that you and i |
| 3:35 | can be called the sons of god and listen |
| 3:37 | to these words next in our epistle text |
| 3:40 | and so we are |
| 3:44 | oh that just puts a wooden stake in the |
| 3:47 | heart of the vampire known as |
| 3:49 | self-righteousness |
| 3:51 | because self-righteousness would teach |
| 3:53 | you well |
| 3:54 | if you try hard enough even if you’re |
| 3:56 | good enough then |
| 3:57 | then maybe then you might be worthy to |
| 4:00 | be called a child of god |
| 4:02 | ba humbug all |
| 4:05 | who are in Christ who have been forgiven |
| 4:08 | of all of their sins |
| 4:09 | are children now of god |
| 4:13 | not children hopefully we’re not sitting |
| 4:16 | on the adoption block waiting for god |
| 4:18 | the father to go yeah well maybe i’ll |
| 4:20 | adopt you maybe i won’t |
| 4:22 | hoping for the adoption papers to go |
| 4:24 | through the adoption papers have gone |
| 4:26 | through the gospel has come to you |
| 4:28 | the mighty working of the holy spirit |
| 4:31 | has worked in you |
| 4:32 | the forgiveness of sins regenerated you |
| 4:35 | brought you to penitent faith in Christ |
| 4:38 | you have been |
| 4:39 | washed into the waters of baptism united |
| 4:42 | with Christ in his death and his |
| 4:44 | resurrection |
| 4:45 | and so you are presently now |
| 4:49 | a child of god i remember one time |
| 4:53 | a a a lady who attended here for some |
| 4:55 | time |
| 4:56 | took me aside after a sermon and said |
| 4:58 | you know pastor i’m a little |
| 5:00 | uncomfortable about something that you |
| 5:01 | do |
| 5:02 | and i said really all right what is it |
| 5:03 | that i’m doing that is making you |
| 5:04 | uncomfortable |
| 5:06 | she says you’re preaching to everybody |
| 5:08 | here as if they’re Christians |
| 5:10 | and i said well of course i do because |
| 5:11 | it was a Christian congregation who |
| 5:13 | called me to preach the word to them |
| 5:15 | and if i don’t think the Christians here |
| 5:17 | are Christians then who am i serving |
| 5:21 | you see that’s kind of the point that’s |
| 5:23 | the scandal of salvation by grace |
| 5:25 | through faith alone |
| 5:26 | i can say with confidence you who |
| 5:28 | believe in Christ that you |
| 5:30 | are a child of god and i have biblical |
| 5:32 | precedent to do so because this text |
| 5:34 | says |
| 5:35 | so we are now and if you don’t think |
| 5:37 | that’s |
| 5:38 | enough well the text goes on to say see |
| 5:41 | this is the reason why the world does |
| 5:42 | not know us |
| 5:43 | is that it did not know him so beloved |
| 5:47 | we are god’s children |
| 5:50 | now the text says |
| 5:53 | not later now and what we will be has |
| 5:56 | not yet appeared but we know that when |
| 5:58 | he appears we shall be like him |
| 6:00 | because we shall see him as he is |
| 6:03 | and everyone who thus hopes in him |
| 6:06 | listen to what john writes here |
| 6:08 | everyone who thus hopes in him purifies |
| 6:11 | himself |
| 6:12 | as he is pure how is one purified |
| 6:15 | by hoping by trusting by believing |
| 6:18 | we are saved by grace through faith |
| 6:21 | apart from works |
| 6:22 | and so you’ll note then it is out of |
| 6:25 | line |
| 6:26 | it is out of order it is bad theology |
| 6:29 | every time one of you Christians even |
| 6:32 | myself included would say something as |
| 6:34 | foolish as |
| 6:35 | well i’m no saint but you see that’s an |
| 6:38 | idiom that we use |
| 6:39 | oh knock it off if you are in Christ |
| 6:42 | then you |
| 6:43 | are a saint you have been made holy the |
| 6:45 | greek word for |
| 6:46 | saint is hagios the plural hagioi |
| 6:50 | and what does it mean the holy ones |
| 6:54 | you who are in Christ you are the |
| 6:56 | children of god |
| 6:57 | now god is your father now you have been |
| 7:01 | reconciled to god |
| 7:02 | now by the work that Christ did 2 000 |
| 7:05 | years ago |
| 7:06 | you see god was in Christ reconciling |
| 7:09 | the world to himself |
| 7:10 | not counting your sins against you |
| 7:13 | not counting my sins against me you see |
| 7:16 | god made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin |
| 7:19 | so that you might be the righteousness |
| 7:21 | of god and all of that being said then |
| 7:23 | consider this |
| 7:24 | wonderful vision that we get of the |
| 7:27 | great multitude that no one could number |
| 7:30 | from |
| 7:30 | every nation from tribes and peoples and |
| 7:32 | languages |
| 7:33 | including of all people the norwegians |
| 7:35 | who knew that they could make it too but |
| 7:37 | they do |
| 7:39 | and that’s the point and what were they |
| 7:41 | do they were standing before the throne |
| 7:43 | before the lamb |
| 7:45 | clothed in white robes palm branches in |
| 7:48 | their hands |
| 7:49 | these white robes are the garments of |
| 7:51 | salvations the very sa |
| 7:53 | the righteousness of Christ given to us |
| 7:55 | by grace through |
| 7:56 | faith his righteousness given to us |
| 7:59 | because he had received |
| 8:01 | our ungodliness our |
| 8:04 | sins our iniquities and he bled |
| 8:07 | and died for all of that and as a result |
| 8:10 | of this clothed and right |
| 8:12 | white standing up in the throne in the |
| 8:15 | presence of Christ |
| 8:16 | all the saints now are doing this |
| 8:18 | presently |
| 8:20 | they are worshiping in the presence of |
| 8:22 | Christ |
| 8:24 | and this is a good place to mention the |
| 8:26 | fact that those |
| 8:27 | who have preceded us have gone |
| 8:30 | on to glory have fallen asleep |
| 8:34 | in Christ that this is where they are |
| 8:37 | and if Christ tarries and you begin to |
| 8:39 | grow weary |
| 8:40 | and you fall asleep too because that’s |
| 8:43 | what happens to us all |
| 8:45 | then you two will be with Christ to be |
| 8:47 | absent from the body is to be present |
| 8:49 | with the lord the scripture says |
| 8:50 | and listen to what this great multitude |
| 8:52 | sings in their praise |
| 8:54 | salvation belongs to our god who sits on |
| 8:58 | the throne |
| 8:59 | and to the lamb and i would know indeed |
| 9:01 | salvation does belong to our god |
| 9:03 | it’s his and what does he do with it he |
| 9:06 | gives it away |
| 9:07 | for free as a gift |
| 9:10 | he doesn’t sit there and say no mine he |
| 9:12 | says no |
| 9:13 | this is my salvation and i’m gonna give |
| 9:15 | it away |
| 9:17 | to everyone who calls on the name of the |
| 9:19 | lord and as a result of this the angels |
| 9:21 | the living creatures the elders |
| 9:24 | all there in worship fall down before |
| 9:27 | god |
| 9:27 | and their response is amen blessing and |
| 9:30 | glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and |
| 9:32 | honor and power and might |
| 9:34 | be to our god forever and ever |
| 9:38 | amen who are these clothed in white the |
| 9:41 | angel asks |
| 9:41 | john and responds with the answer these |
| 9:44 | are the ones coming out of the great |
| 9:45 | tribulation |
| 9:46 | now this is probably for a little bit of |
| 9:48 | a future uh |
| 9:50 | lesson but i’m going to note here the |
| 9:52 | great tribulation |
| 9:53 | you’re already in it it’s not something |
| 9:55 | in the future it’s been |
| 9:57 | present for quite a long time now and |
| 9:59 | you’ll note |
| 10:00 | that those who are mentioned here and |
| 10:02 | the benefits the beautiful things that |
| 10:04 | they have |
| 10:05 | are the same promises that are given to |
| 10:07 | all Christians |
| 10:08 | not merely those who quote die in the |
| 10:11 | very very |
| 10:12 | last of the days they have washed their |
| 10:14 | robes |
| 10:15 | made them white in the blood of the lamb |
| 10:17 | indeed you have done that as well |
| 10:19 | what an amazing detergent the blood of |
| 10:21 | the lamb is that it can |
| 10:22 | whiten our robes and make us clean and |
| 10:26 | spotless |
| 10:27 | sinless before god therefore |
| 10:30 | they are before the throne of god serve |
| 10:32 | him day and night in his temple |
| 10:33 | and he who sits on the throne will |
| 10:35 | shelter them with his presence |
| 10:37 | that’s a promise for all of us they |
| 10:39 | shall hunger no more |
| 10:40 | neither thirst any more the sun shall |
| 10:43 | not strike them nor any scorching heat |
| 10:46 | anymore you see this is the picture of |
| 10:48 | the fulfillment of our salvation |
| 10:50 | the very thing that the apostle peter |
| 10:52 | writes about in 1st peter |
| 10:55 | chapter 1 when he admonishes us to keep |
| 10:58 | our eyes on this blessed |
| 11:00 | hope that we have peter writes blessed |
| 11:02 | be the god and father of our lord Jesus |
| 11:04 | Christ |
| 11:05 | because according to his great mercy |
| 11:08 | uh oh we have a modifier great mercy |
| 11:11 | it’s not just merely mercy |
| 11:12 | it’s great mercy some might be |
| 11:14 | scandalized here for |
| 11:16 | peter might actually be some kind of a |
| 11:17 | weird soft antinomian because he’s |
| 11:19 | making mercy sound like it’s so amazing |
| 11:22 | so amazing and so great that it can |
| 11:24 | forgive even you |
| 11:25 | oh watch out for that peter man he’s got |
| 11:28 | too much gospel going on he’s got to |
| 11:29 | stop |
| 11:30 | gospeling us nonsense |
| 11:33 | according to his great mercy god has |
| 11:35 | caused us |
| 11:36 | to be born again to a living hope |
| 11:39 | through the resurrection of Jesus Christ |
| 11:41 | from the dead |
| 11:42 | to an inheritance that is imperishable |
| 11:46 | undefiled and unfading |
| 11:49 | kept in heaven for you brothers and |
| 11:52 | sisters we have an |
| 11:52 | inheritance and you’ll note this is an |
| 11:55 | inheritance that |
| 11:56 | doesn’t fade it doesn’t matter how long |
| 11:58 | it takes for you to get to heaven |
| 12:00 | the luster the shine the beauty of this |
| 12:04 | inheritance |
| 12:05 | will never fade it is as new today |
| 12:09 | as it was when Christ first set it aside |
| 12:12 | for you |
| 12:12 | and you’ll note inheritance are things |
| 12:14 | that we receive when somebody dies |
| 12:17 | and that’s a good thing to think about |
| 12:18 | when we think about salvation because |
| 12:20 | who died to give us such a great |
| 12:22 | inheritance it was none other than |
| 12:25 | our brother Jesus and it |
| 12:28 | is it is his last will and testament |
| 12:31 | to give you an inheritance a world |
| 12:34 | without |
| 12:35 | end in his presence forever and |
| 12:38 | this inheritance is unfading as |
| 12:40 | currently being kept in heaven for you |
| 12:43 | and you according to peter in verse 5 |
| 12:45 | are now |
| 12:46 | presently being guarded through faith |
| 12:49 | for a salvation |
| 12:50 | that is ready to be revealed in the last |
| 12:53 | time |
| 12:54 | in this then you rejoice though now for |
| 12:57 | a little while if necessary you have |
| 12:59 | been grieved by various trials |
| 13:01 | and i would note it seems necessary that |
| 13:03 | we all be grieved by various trials |
| 13:05 | have you noticed that 2020 hasn’t |
| 13:07 | exactly been the best thing ever |
| 13:09 | i was kind of sad when i found out we |
| 13:10 | were going to get an extra hour of 2020 |
| 13:13 | today |
| 13:13 | i was not happy about that i’d like to |
| 13:15 | get the whole thing over with |
| 13:17 | so but if you have to be grieved by |
| 13:19 | various trials so what |
| 13:22 | your salvation will be revealed in the |
| 13:24 | last time |
| 13:25 | and all of these trials well they test |
| 13:28 | the genuineness of your faith |
| 13:29 | and your faith according to peter here |
| 13:31 | is more precious |
| 13:32 | than gold and even though it is tested |
| 13:35 | by fire and perishes but our faith |
| 13:37 | doesn’t perish when it is tested by fire |
| 13:40 | instead our faith may be found then to |
| 13:42 | result in praise and glory and honor at |
| 13:45 | the revelation of Jesus |
| 13:46 | and though you have not seen him dear |
| 13:49 | saints you do |
| 13:50 | love him note here even peter is writing |
| 13:54 | to people that he already assumes |
| 13:56 | are children of god and Christians and |
| 13:58 | not striving to be potential Christians |
| 14:00 | and is reminding us of the very hope |
| 14:02 | that we have in Christ |
| 14:04 | and the very goal the terminus of our |
| 14:07 | faith in Jesus though you have not seen |
| 14:10 | him you believe in him and you rejoice |
| 14:12 | with joy |
| 14:12 | that is inexpressible and filled with |
| 14:15 | glory and you are presently |
| 14:17 | obtaining the outcome of your faith and |
| 14:20 | what is the outcome of your faith |
| 14:22 | well i would beg to differ with joel |
| 14:24 | osteen it’s not your best life now |
| 14:26 | the outcome of your faith is the |
| 14:28 | salvation of your souls |
| 14:30 | and here in this revelation text we have |
| 14:33 | this beautiful picture |
| 14:34 | of what the salvation of our souls looks |
| 14:37 | like |
| 14:37 | complete face to face reconciliation |
| 14:40 | with our god |
| 14:42 | being able to worship in his presence |
| 14:44 | and praise his name with the angels and |
| 14:46 | archangels |
| 14:47 | and when even the creatures of heaven |
| 14:50 | which is what |
| 14:51 | our destiny is that’s kind of the whole |
| 14:54 | point and so all of that being said |
| 14:58 | again i remind you all saints you’re |
| 15:00 | part of the all |
| 15:01 | and so consider then just briefly |
| 15:05 | Jesus’s sermon on the mount which is our |
| 15:08 | gospel text |
| 15:09 | have you ever stopped to think that the |
| 15:12 | sermon |
| 15:12 | on the mount is the first of Jesus |
| 15:15 | sermons recorded for us in scripture |
| 15:18 | if Jesus is the alpha and the omega this |
| 15:20 | sermon |
| 15:21 | is the alpha sermon and as the alpha |
| 15:23 | sermon Jesus doesn’t start by rolling up |
| 15:26 | his sleeves and saying you know |
| 15:28 | i was pretty happy being up there in |
| 15:30 | heaven and i |
| 15:31 | you guys couldn’t get your act together |
| 15:33 | so finally i decided to come down here |
| 15:35 | and scold you enough |
| 15:36 | to kind of motivate you to get your act |
| 15:38 | together and here’s a list of things |
| 15:40 | that you need to do in order to be |
| 15:41 | blessed |
| 15:42 | that’s not what he did in Jesus’s alpha |
| 15:46 | sermon |
| 15:46 | the very first words out of Jesus’s |
| 15:49 | mouth in this beautiful manifesto of a |
| 15:51 | sermon |
| 15:52 | is his proclamation of |
| 15:55 | present blessings for all who believe in |
| 15:58 | him |
| 15:59 | you see if you’ve ever heard a sermon |
| 16:00 | where somebody’s taken the beatitudes |
| 16:02 | and turned them into a to-do list of |
| 16:04 | things that you have got to do |
| 16:06 | in order to be blessed they don’t know |
| 16:08 | what they’re doing |
| 16:09 | because Jesus is here in the greek he is |
| 16:13 | he’s basically pronouncing present tense |
| 16:16 | blessings on the people who are being |
| 16:19 | described |
| 16:20 | and who is being described in this text |
| 16:22 | in the beatitudes |
| 16:24 | the saints those who believe in Jesus |
| 16:28 | that’s you that’s me so hear then |
| 16:31 | the blessings of Jesus on you o saints |
| 16:34 | here’s what Jesus says blessed are the |
| 16:37 | poor |
| 16:38 | in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of |
| 16:41 | heaven |
| 16:41 | and you can almost hear the self |
| 16:43 | righteous and those out there decreeing |
| 16:45 | and declaring who claim that they are |
| 16:47 | the head and not the tail |
| 16:48 | who are out there performing signs and |
| 16:50 | wonders and claim to be rich in all |
| 16:52 | kinds of conquering |
| 16:53 | abilities sitting there going say what |
| 16:56 | what do you mean the poor in spirit |
| 16:59 | are blessed that’s the point what does |
| 17:02 | it mean to be poor in spirit |
| 17:04 | it means to recognize that you are |
| 17:07 | poverty stricken |
| 17:08 | spiritually you got nothing to offer god |
| 17:12 | you haven’t got a farthing in your |
| 17:14 | threadbare pocket that you can offer to |
| 17:16 | Jesus |
| 17:17 | in exchange for the salvation that he is |
| 17:20 | offering |
| 17:21 | it means coming to Jesus and saying |
| 17:23 | Jesus |
| 17:25 | i am a sinner have mercy on me |
| 17:28 | i got nothing i’m not obedient enough |
| 17:32 | i don’t obey enough in fact to talk |
| 17:35 | about my obedience as a joke |
| 17:37 | i’m not rich in obedience |
| 17:41 | i’ve got nothing |
| 17:44 | blessed are the poor in spirit Christ as |
| 17:46 | theirs is the kingdom of heaven |
| 17:48 | blessed are those who mourn but you sit |
| 17:51 | there and go well everybody mourns |
| 17:52 | everybody loses somebody and experiences |
| 17:54 | mourning well that’s not the morning |
| 17:56 | Christ is talking about this is the |
| 17:58 | morning that david experienced |
| 18:00 | when david wrote psalm 51 and says |
| 18:02 | against you only o lord have i |
| 18:05 | sinned create in me a clean heart o god |
| 18:08 | renew a right spirit within me do not |
| 18:10 | cast me away from your presence and do |
| 18:12 | not take your holy spirit from me |
| 18:15 | it’s the mourning and lamenting of sin |
| 18:18 | and every one of the saints knows what |
| 18:20 | this morning is |
| 18:22 | it’s recognizing i don’t measure up |
| 18:26 | and what does Christ say to those who |
| 18:28 | mourn in this way |
| 18:30 | they shall be comforted comforted with |
| 18:32 | the words |
| 18:33 | of well done good and faithful servant |
| 18:36 | why because the good news comforts us |
| 18:39 | and assures us |
| 18:40 | that though our sins be a scarlet Christ |
| 18:42 | washes away all of them and makes them |
| 18:44 | white as snow |
| 18:45 | through the detergent of his blood |
| 18:48 | blessed are the meek |
| 18:49 | for they shall inherit the earth and |
| 18:51 | this in contra distinction |
| 18:53 | what’s the opposite of meek well the |
| 18:54 | arrogant the prideful |
| 18:56 | oh i thank you lord that i am not sinner |
| 18:59 | that i’m not like that guy over there |
| 19:01 | that i |
| 19:01 | tithe all the way down and you know and |
| 19:04 | offer you know |
| 19:05 | 10 of my revenue every single |
| 19:09 | sunday and all you just go on list all |
| 19:11 | the things that’s just arrogance |
| 19:13 | the meek says lord everything i have i |
| 19:16 | receive from your hand |
| 19:18 | everything these are the ones that |
| 19:21 | Christ say |
| 19:22 | shall inherit the earth blessed are |
| 19:23 | those who hunger and thirst for |
| 19:25 | righteousness |
| 19:27 | have you ever just said to yourself |
| 19:30 | i wish i could be done with sin |
| 19:34 | you yearn for your eyes to see the face |
| 19:37 | of |
| 19:38 | Christ to no longer have within you the |
| 19:40 | temptations that arise because of your |
| 19:42 | own |
| 19:43 | sinful nature because of the world |
| 19:45 | because of the devil |
| 19:46 | and the thing you look and long for the |
| 19:49 | thing you hope |
| 19:50 | for is a world where there isn’t rancor |
| 19:52 | where there isn’t sin where |
| 19:54 | righteousness |
| 19:55 | shines like the sun where there’s true |
| 19:57 | love for each other and true love for |
| 20:00 | god |
| 20:00 | oh yeah that’s what we’re talking about |
| 20:03 | here |
| 20:04 | and that’s something that is common for |
| 20:06 | the saints |
| 20:07 | in fact all of them and what does Christ |
| 20:09 | say for those who hunger in this way |
| 20:11 | they will be satisfied you will be |
| 20:13 | filled to the full you will not be |
| 20:15 | disappointed |
| 20:16 | and blessed are the merciful for they |
| 20:18 | shall receive mercy brothers and sisters |
| 20:20 | what do we pray in the lord’s |
| 20:21 | prayer forgive us our trespasses as we |
| 20:24 | forgive those who trespass against us |
| 20:26 | you see we forgive because we are |
| 20:29 | forgiven |
| 20:30 | and so you’ll note this again is a |
| 20:32 | description of the saints |
| 20:34 | presently this is a description of you |
| 20:36 | you shall receive |
| 20:38 | mercy and blessed are the pure in heart |
| 20:40 | for they shall see |
| 20:42 | god and i know that when you look into |
| 20:44 | your heart just like me |
| 20:46 | you do not see purity you see sin but |
| 20:49 | again |
| 20:49 | what did our epistle text say in this |
| 20:51 | regard john |
| 20:52 | said everyone who hopes in Christ |
| 20:56 | everyone who has faith in him purifies |
| 20:59 | himself as he is pure |
| 21:00 | we are purified our hearts are purified |
| 21:03 | by the working of god |
| 21:04 | because of faith in Jesus Christ do not |
| 21:08 | forget that so |
| 21:09 | you have already been made pure of heart |
| 21:11 | your heart of stone has been replaced |
| 21:12 | with the heart of flesh |
| 21:14 | and blessed then are the peacemakers and |
| 21:16 | the peacemakers here are not talking |
| 21:18 | about people who broker peace deals |
| 21:20 | between the muslims and the jews in the |
| 21:22 | middle east |
| 21:23 | this is talking about those who reckon |
| 21:26 | who recognize that as Christians |
| 21:27 | we are partakers in the ministry of |
| 21:29 | reconciliation |
| 21:31 | that god was reconciling men to himself |
| 21:33 | by not counting their trespasses against |
| 21:35 | them |
| 21:35 | and we go and proclaim the good news of |
| 21:38 | the free forgiveness of sins |
| 21:40 | so that men may experience peace and |
| 21:43 | shalom |
| 21:44 | with god again |
| 21:47 | they will be called the sons of god but |
| 21:50 | mark my words on this dear saints |
| 21:52 | we have not left the church militant to |
| 21:55 | join the church triumphant |
| 21:57 | we have not even remotely done that yet |
| 21:59 | unless of course you’re already dead |
| 22:03 | that being the case those who are the |
| 22:04 | peacemakers who preach the gospel |
| 22:06 | Christ warns us and reminds us |
| 22:10 | that we should expect persecution |
| 22:12 | blessed are those who are persecuted for |
| 22:14 | the sake of righteousness |
| 22:15 | theirs is the kingdom of heaven and |
| 22:18 | blessed are you when others revile you |
| 22:20 | and persecute you and utter all kinds of |
| 22:23 | evil against you |
| 22:24 | falsely that’s right you can expect to |
| 22:27 | be slandered |
| 22:28 | it goes with the territory but don’t |
| 22:30 | this |
| 22:31 | Christ says that when this happens again |
| 22:34 | you are |
| 22:34 | blessed and when and when you take on |
| 22:37 | this mentality of all saints |
| 22:39 | i am part of that group i am part of all |
| 22:42 | of the saints |
| 22:43 | even the ones worshiping in heaven then |
| 22:45 | you recognize |
| 22:46 | that a heavenly perspective here is |
| 22:48 | what’s called for |
| 22:49 | when you are persecuted and evil is |
| 22:52 | spoken against you |
| 22:53 | you now have the freedom to rejoice and |
| 22:56 | to be glad |
| 22:57 | and trust the words of your savior who |
| 23:00 | assures you that your reward is great in |
| 23:02 | heaven |
| 23:03 | for so they persecuted the prophets who |
| 23:04 | were before you |
| 23:06 | brothers and sisters for all saints |
| 23:10 | today |
| 23:11 | again let me remind you behold what |
| 23:13 | manner of love the father that he’s |
| 23:14 | given to us |
| 23:16 | to us sinners he’s loved us so much that |
| 23:18 | he sent his only begotten son |
| 23:20 | so that we who believe in him might be |
| 23:22 | called the sons of god |
| 23:24 | and so we are so |
| 23:27 | you are so rejoice this all saints day |
| 23:31 | that your name is numbered among the |
| 23:33 | great multitude that cannot be numbered |
| 23:35 | all because of the grace and mercy of |
| 23:37 | Christ and the salvation that |
| 23:39 | belongs to him that he has so freely |
| 23:42 | given you as a gift |
| 23:43 | in the name of Jesus amen |
| If you would like to support the teaching ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, you can do so by sending a tax-free donation to: Kongsvinger Lutheran Church 15950 470th Ave NW, Oslo, MN 56744 We thank you for your support. All of our teaching messages may be freely distributed as long as you do not edit or change the content of the message, and, again, thank you for listening. |
LutheranLectionary.org 