The 3^rd Midweek Advent

SERMON

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

In Christ Jesus, who instructs us explicitly regarding what we are to do as we await His second advent, dear fellow redeemed:

HE’S COMING! During our midweek services this Advent Season we have considered that very short and simple theme and asked ourselves how we might best prepare for His coming. We have considered how we ought use His precious Word, first of all, in our personal lives, and then, secondly, within our congregation. Today we want to carry our consideration one step further and ask ourselves—WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS’ WORD IN OUR WORLD? He’s coming—that Advent cry ought to make us consider the Great Commission contained in our text in a new and more urgent light. It is essential that we both listen to and carry out Jesus command, for the time will come when Jesus will return and at that point all mission outreach will end. Will Jesus at that point find us faithful in our striving to carry out His commission? Let us consider how we can and should be using Jesus’ Word to fulfill His command.

Jesus is here calling for an active, evangelical (that is gospel-centered) ministry. The purpose of such a ministry is to “make disciples of all nations” for our Lord Jesus. That means that we would hope to lead people to believe in and entrust themselves to the Lord Jesus as their Savior from sin and their only hope for eternal salvation. The means to accomplish that ministry is through the use of baptism and the preaching of Jesus’ Word. Notice as well that contrary to the attitudes and beliefs of many, we are to teach “all things that I (Jesus) have commanded you!”

It is just such a ministry that we want to maintain here at Immanuel. We want to make disciples of people throughout our area by means of a ministry based upon Jesus’ Word, the Bible, and His sacraments. It is not enough merely to preserve sound teaching and preaching for our own sake and for that of our children. That, of course, is important and must remain one of the important goals of our congregation, but it ought not be the only one. We rather want to be a congregation of believers whose eyes and ears are open to opportunities to share the gospel message we have by God’s grace preserved with others.

The gospel is the special treasure of the church. Unfortunately, however, people can tend to horde treasures rather than share them. We want to seek every opportunity to give the gospel away, for as we give it away it become ever more dear to us for we see its blessing and power at work in the lives of others. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the results of individuals being set free from fear and the bonds of Satan as individuals learn to know and believe in Jesus. This, therefore must remain the primary goal of congregation—to share the Word of our Savior with lost souls so that the Spirit might work saving faith in the hearts of many! It is a good thing, therefore, to discuss as we did at the Deacon’s Meeting last night proposals for different outreach programs we could establish here in our Mankato area during the coming year. It is also good to here that the computer web site established by our congregation is already being used four times as often as it was just six months ago. We have, in effect, the opportunity to share Christ with anyone in the world who has access to the inter-net.

Let us, however, now consider a wider field than our work here in the Mankato area. God would have us “make disciples of all nations!” This we are to be doing as we “go” about our individual callings in this world, but how can we do that? We do that in conjunction with our fellow Christians, who share a common faith and ministry from our Lord. We do this through our involvement in our church body, the Church of the Lutheran Confession. This year we have set a goal of $33,000 for the work of missions. With a bit of effort we can reach that goal by year’s end.

For what, however, will these monies be used? Of that $33,000, approximately $6,000 will be used for administrative costs and to provide retirement benefits for workers who have dedicated their lives to the Lord’s service. In addition, approximately $14,000 will be used to support the operation of Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Immanuel Lutheran College provides a Christ-centered high school education for many of our synod’s young people, as well as programs on the college and seminary levels especially for students who wish to enter the teaching or preaching ministries of our church. This work is absolutely vital for our church body, for Immanuel Lutheran College is the source of the majority of our pastors and teachers. History teaches us that if a church body is to remain faithful to the Word of God and the mission God entrusts His people, they must have an orthodox school to train their future workers. It is important for us to support this work. It is important for our parents and grandparents to encourage their children and grandchildren to consider the option of full-time work within God’s kingdom. It is important that our young people ask themselves, whether their talents and abilities might be best used in such a service to their Savior. It may well be that those individuals who will fill this pulpit in the future, or who will travel to distant parts of our United States, or who will cross the oceans to work with our sister synods in Asia and Africa are sitting here this evening. Our God, who asked Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us,” still asks the same question today. Who among you will answer with Isaiah, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8)?

The remaining portion of our mission goal, approximately $13,000, goes directly to the work of mission outreach. Currently those monies support ten missions here in the United States and Canada. Our gifts, offered by faith and in love, support gospel outreach in places like Live Oak, Florida, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ketchikan, Alaska, and Vernon, British Columbia. People all over our country have the opportunity to here the gospel of Jesus’ love, because the Lord moves us to join our fellow believers in this outreach. In addition, through our prayers and offerings we join fellow believers in Japan, India, Nigeria, and France in efforts to reach out in many cases to people who have previously had no contact with Christianity.

My dear friends, HE’S COMING! WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS’ WORD IN OUR WORLD? This evening I have suggested that we can all become involved in accomplishing that mission through participation in our synod’s program of gospel outreach. God has given and continues to give us many opportunities. I would simply conclude our devotion this evening by encouraging everyone on of you to become as actively involved as possible in our evangelical ministry. Support the work, first and foremost, with your prayers. Support the work generously with your contributions. It is important for the work that adequate funds are on hand. Seek to become well informed by reading the various synodical reports that are presented in your bulletins. Attend, if possible, our conference and synodical meetings as delegates or visitors. Continue to bear in mind that the second advent of our Savior is approaching. Lost souls need what we Christians alone can offer—forgiveness of sin and life everlasting through the blessed name of Jesus—for apart from Jesus the Scriptures clearly tell us there is no salvation! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting