We Walk by Faith, not by Sight
By James Wiese on July 10, 2021
Devotion for 50th Year Reunion of our graduating class from Northwestern Prep July 10, 2021 21:2269
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10: We Walk by Faith, not by Sight.
Look at me. What do you see? Here’s what I looked like when we graduated. Past…present. Now tell me what you see.
When I look in a mirror today, I see a guy that looks like Arnie Jr! That’s not going to change. That’s where I am in life. What you see is what you get! Many times, that’s true, but not always. I wonder what our profs thought as they looked at us 50+ years ago.
Think of what you were like in Sexta. Oh, brother! Prof Tommy can identify with that. What if our profs had only judged us by what they saw? Maybe they did at times. What if God judged us that way? What you see is what you get!
By grace He doesn’t judge that way. And He has changed and utilized all of us over time in the way He knew best for our good and for the good of His Kingdom. And there’s more to come.
But this is our reality today. Time has marched on. We are not what we once were. Paul described that changing life in Christ that he felt in terms of a tent. He said: “We know that if the earthly tent that is our home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, not made by human hands…we long to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
How many of you have lived in a tent…long-term, not just a night or two camping? Some of our classmates were in the armed forces. Greg, Fonda, any others of you? Did you live in a tent for a while? How long? Ah, but it didn’t last. Imagine that you are still living in that tent. I think you’d be tired of it by now, don’t you?
Think of it another way. Do you have a home you call your own, a dwelling that’s yours and you feel comfortable in? How long have you been there? Where else have you lived?
I figured it up again this week. Not counting the different schools which I attended, I have lived in 15 different homes. And I did live in a tent for the good part of a year when I went off to see the world. Permanent dwelling? Hardly! We’ve moved around. We are wayfarers, wanderers, travelers, temporary dwellers here. And our time here in Prep was a part of that.
But the less than permanent dwelling which Paul is describing is his physical body. It was wearing out with age and other problems. Imagine what a regular tent would look like if you lived in it for some 60 or 70 years – torn, tattered, falling apart. That’s the way Paul felt for he had endured so many trials as a Christian and especially for preaching the Gospel: shipwreck, prison, beatings, etc. His tent was wearing out. So are ours.
But if you have Christ and trust Him as your Savior, when you pass this life, you will put down and settle in with a glorified body like His and a permanent home where there are no worries and ills that our temporary “tents” have. Your eyes can’t see it now; but your faith in God’s promises does. That thought refreshed Paul on His way when his “clay jar,” which he called it earlier, got tired and he was worn out by his “tent-life” here in this world.
He wrote, “We are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight. We are confident and would much prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home or away.”
Our goal in all things, whether we are here on earth or like Dan Hanke or Phil Mischke (and ???) who are above in heaven, is to please God. Not to gain salvation – Christ has already done that for us. What we could never buy, earn, or obtain on our own, He gives us through His death and life for us. So, we don’t seek to please God to save ourselves. No! It’s because He saved us that we walk confident in faith, seeking to please Him. Much of that blessing and confidence in faith was instilled in us during the time we spent here. For that we are grateful.
I’m grateful that God blessed me with classmates like you during my time of tenting here. I’m thankful for the teachers and gifts I enjoyed while I was here at Prep, even if back then I didn’t always see it. And although our tents may have a tear or two in them after 50+ years, as we continue to walk by faith and not by sight, even greater gifts are in store for us above.
May God continue to strengthen that faith that He nurtured for us here, while we were together, until we join our classmates, friends, relatives, and those like our profs who now walk by sight at the side of our Savior above. God grant it to us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 11, 2021
“He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore… whenever I am weak, then am I strong.”
2 Cor.12:9-10
F o r O u r V i s i t o r s
The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.
U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e
“O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness come to my relief. My spirit grows faint within me. Do not hide Your face from me…for I put my trust in You” (Psalm 143).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Weakness Exposed; Strength Revealed. Over the years people have continued to rebel against the Word of God. In so doing they have forfeited God’s grace that could be theirs.
At first, they rejected God’s prophets; then Christ Himself; then the apostles whom Christ sent in His name. Still, God graciously proclaimed His Word and many hearts believed. Nothing kept the Gospel from advancing in the world, not even the ailments and weaknesses of the messengers whom God sent. Instead, He worked through their weaknesses to reveal His divine strength and grace so that Christ might be preached. Through it all, He made His people stronger.
To that end we pray: God of all power and might. You are the Giver of all that is good. Help us love You with all our hearts, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in Your tender care; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –
The Old Testament Lesson: Ezekiel 2:1-10
God calls Ezekiel as His prophet. He was to go to stubborn Israel who had rebelled against Him. Whether they would listen or not, one thing they would know for sure from the message Ezekiel brought – a prophet of God’s Word had been among them.
The Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
As human weakness is exposed, the Christian learns humility and persistence in prayer. Paul was given great visions. But to keep him humble, the Lord allowed a “thorn in his flesh” to torment him. Yet, in the midst of his trouble, God strengthened Paul with His grace in Christ.
The Gospel Lesson: Mark 6:1-6
When Jesus addressed the people in His hometown, they were amazed at His teaching. But sometimes familiarity breeds contempt. He was rejected by those who knew Him best, even though His divine words and abilities were clearly revealed in all that He said and did.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Organist: Jane Rips
The Preacher: Rev. Matthew Brooks from Jefferson City, MO
Point to Ponder: A preacher was once asked if he thought he had grace enough to be a martyr. He replied, “No. What do I want with a martyr’s grace right now? If the Lord ever calls on me someday to be a martyr, He will give me a martyr’s grace then. What I need for today is His grace for the present circumstances that He has given me.”
That is so true. God will give us whatever we need for the circumstances of life; His grace will sufficiently meet our needs today. And tomorrow He will give us the strength we need then. So, let us live in Him one day at a time, trusting His promise: “As your day, so shall your strength be. For my grace will be sufficient for you.”
— Author unknown
With your Savior at your side, Foes need not alarm you;
In His promises confide, And no ill can harm you.
All your trust and hope repose In the mighty Master,
Who in wisdom truly knows How to stem disaster. (CW #478 st.3)
Outline of Our Worship
Lord, Hear Us
Opening Thoughts on the Service
Entrance Hymn: #478
Order of Worship: Hymnal page 38, “Service of the Word”
Lord, Feed Us
Ezekiel 2:1-10
Psalm of the Day: #143 Hymnal page 118
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Hymn Response: #439
Mark 6:1-6
Sermon Hymn: #455
Sermon Text: Mark 3:20-35 “Living as Conquerors”
Rev. Matthew Brooks, guest preacher
Lord, Accept Our Response
Apostles’ Creed: Hymnal page 41
The Offering
Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer. pg.43
Hymn: #474
Lord, Bless Us
Closing Prayer & Blessing: Hymnal pages 43-44
Silent Prayer
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Series B
Old Testament: Ezekiel 2:1-10 – God’s Prophet to Rebellious Israel
1He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2The Spirit entered me as he spoke to me and brought me up to my feet. Then I heard him speaking to me.
3He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to disloyal nations, who have been disloyal to me. They and their fathers have rebelled against me to this very day. 4These children of mine are brazen-faced and hard-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you are to tell them that this is what the Lord God says. 5Then, whether they listen or do not listen—for they are a rebellious house—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – Paul’s “Thorn”; God’s Strength
7Therefore, to keep me from becoming arrogant due to the extraordinary nature of these revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, so that I would not become arrogant. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that he would take it away from me. 9And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will be glad to boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shelter me.
10That is why I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, then am I strong.
Gospel Lesson: Mark 6:1-6 – Jesus Rejected; a Prophet Not Honored
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown. His disciples followed him. 2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did this man learn these things? What is this wisdom that has been given to this man? How is it that miracles such as these are performed by his hands? 3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own house.” 5He could not do any miracles there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6He was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went around the villages teaching.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project.
C a l e n d a r & A n n o u n c e m e n t s f o r Z i o n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h
Today
July 11 |
Mon
July 12 |
Tues.
July 13 |
Wed.
July 14 |
Thurs.
July 15 |
Fri.
July 16 |
Sat.
July 17 |
Next Sun.
July 18 |
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service on line – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Brief Bible Study
Pentecost 7 |
6:30 pm
Monthly Church Council Meeting
|
11 am
Midweek Bible Class
Confirmation
Choir |
|
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service on line – Facebook with Holy Communion 10:15 am Fellowship & Quarterly Meetings after worship
Pentecost 8 |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
Preaching the message of God is not a popularity contest. The size of the crowd and the level of cheering is not what it is about, but rather being faithful in speaking God’s word to the specific people and situation. Sometimes that ruffles feathers. The response from people and the obstacles in life are humbling but should lead us to pay attention to the message and not the messenger, unless the message is from Christ Himself.
The Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (answers are found on the back side)
- Does a greater level of faith guarantee God will grant your prayer request?
- For what reason did God not remove that specific struggle Paul was experiencing in his life?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Dea Windsor; Clyde Johnson; Dave Ballou; Greg Miller; Lou Schulz; Norine Richardson; Barbara Long; Jodi Milam; William & Laurie Moon; Patsy Mickelson; Lance & Jodi Milam; Pauline Jaeger, Randy’s mother, diagnosed with cancer; Ken Burns, former member at Zion in hospice care in Iowa.
Thank You to Rev. Matthew Brooks for conducting the service for us today. Rev. Brooks and family live in the Jefferson City area. He was a pastor at Peace Lutheran, Jefferson City, and Grace Lutheran, Columbia, in the early 2000s. He would like to meet you all after the service. Pastor and Liz will be returning home after his 50th class reunion from Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown, WI, this evening.
No Face Mask Regulations Facemasks are no longer required in a church setting. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, especially with the upswing in Covid cases in our community, you may do so. Masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizer are in the narthex and the fellowship hall for your use. We are again passing the offering plate in our worship service.
Upcoming: Church council meeting, Tuesday, July 13; Quarterly Voters and Women Working for Christ meetings, July 18.
During the Upcoming Week elections will continue to be held on-line for the remaining Wisconsin Synod ministry positions outside of the praesidium. You can find these on the synod website. Pastor Lehmann is a delegate this year, but because of the pandemic will not be attending in person. He has been assigned to Floor Committee 4, Planned Giving. If you have suggestions or questions as to the election process or convention proceedings, please share them with him. A hard copy of the convention’s business at the end of July may be found in the narthex.
Forward in Christ’s latest edition for July has arrived. There are plenty of copies for family and friends in the narthex. Pastor did not write a set of Daily Devotions this past week.
The Week in Review
Last Sunday’s Worship Attendance: 27; Communed: 21: Bible Class: 10; Offering: ; Midweek Bible Class:5; Offering: $1,499 .
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Pentecost 8: Amos 7:10-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13 (Series B)
Answers to Today’s Epistle Lesson Brief Study:
- Often well-intentioned Christians will say that someone’s situation didn’t get better because they didn’t have enough faith. Paul was surely a man of great faith. The Lord revealed to him things that others never saw and heard. God is not a “genie in a bottle” to respond to shortsighted requests. God’s loving plans for us dictate His wise, caring response.
- The Lord knew how sinful nature can pull us away from Him, especially pride. The “thorn in the flesh” was God’s tool to keep Paul humble and to connected to his real strength—the Lord. When we are “weak,” we despair of ourselves and give the task to God. God’s power stands out more brilliantly with the miracles He accomplishes when we are “weak.”