Lord, Thy Will Be Done by Us… That We Put You First in Our Lives.
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on June 16, 2023 in Exodus20:2-6
Sermon for the Second Sunday after Trinity June 18, 2023
Text: Exodus 20:2-6 Summer Sermon Series 23:2391
Theme: LORD, THY WILL BE DONE BY US…
That We Put You First in Our Lives.
This, of course, is the first commandment in numerical order. It’s not #1 by chance or the roll of the dice. It is first for a reason.
When Jesus was asked which of the Ten Commandments was the greatest, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” (Mt.22:37). Loving Him is your top priority. Put Him above all things. Let nothing draw your heart from Him being “tops” in your life. Have your whole being consumed in Him. This is #1 in the Christian’s life of faith. Can you honestly say, “God fills my entire life”?
If that were the case, if you held to this commandment, all the others would fall into line behind it. Keep this commandment and you will have no trouble keeping the Fourth, the Fifth, the Seventh, the Eighth, or any others. If you truly put God first, you would never lie, cheat, steal, hurt, dishonor your parents, say any bad things about others, never miss church, never use His name in vain, and so on because God, whom you would set above all, has commanded them and you will gladly do as He says. But if you can’t keep this one, you won’t keep the others either. And whenever you transgress any of the other 9, you first sin against this commandment, for God has spoken, but you have not done what He has said. In the words of a popular song of the past, “You did it your way.” Thereupon, you placed yourself over God. You became your own idol. In breaking any commandment, you have broken this one first, for out of this one all the others proceed.
Think of it this way. In terms of building a house, the First Commandment is like the foundation of your home. If you prepare the ground properly, give close attention to the forms, supports, and the pouring of the concrete so that you set a strong foundation on which your home will be built, then that home will stand solid for years. But if you do not take care to get the foundation right, you will have problems throughout the house – water seepage, cracked walls, shifted doors, and so on.
Building a solid house of faith begins here. Put God First in Your Life. “Have no other gods before Me,” literally, “Have no other gods against My face,” or “in My presence.”
I. He is of highest importance in life.
“No other gods before Me.” The simple meaning here is, “Worship me alone as God.” What does this mean? To understand it, one has to ask, “What is it to have a god?” or “What is God?”
A god is that to which we look for all good. It is that which we consider to be of highest importance in our lives. It is where we seek help in every time of need and turn for refuge in every distress. Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is your god. Listen to this parable of Jesus and identify what is “god” for the person in the parable: Luke 12:16-21.
If “god” is that to which a person looks and reveres as highest importance in life… if “god” is that upon which we set our hearts and in which we put our trust… if “god” is that to which we cling and in which we confide, then the “god” of this man was his wealth and possessions, his barns and bountiful harvests, his drink, food, and merry making. These displaced the God of heaven in his heart.
Like this rich man, many a person thinks he has “God” and all needs if he has money and riches. In them he trusts and proudly shows that he cares for none other. He surely has a god. It is called mammon – that is, money, riches, possessions, anything on which he fixes his whole heart. He who has much of it, deems himself secure. He who has little of it, doubts and despairs of getting it. In either case, it is his focus in life, his #1 concern. Jesus’ words hold true, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Mt.6:24). Take care lest you think this does not describe you for, since the fall, this desire for wealth cleaves to all our natures until we are in the grave.
In like manner the one who holds skill, wisdom, power, influence, family, friends, honor and looks to them as of highest importance also has a god – but not the one true God. Notice how secure and proud people are when they enjoy such things, and how despondent they are when they are without them. To have a god means to have something in which the heart puts all trust.
In Martin Luther’s day, some people placed their trust in the saints. If a person was afraid of illness and wanted to be healthy, he didn’t go to God above. He trusted and went to St. Sebastian to keep him healthy (Lenker,vol.24,45). When I was a child, people placed statues of St. Christopher in their cars to protect them from accidents. In the O.T. the children of Israel wanted to worship a god they could see. So, they built and bowed to a golden calf. All fixed their hearts and trust elsewhere rather than in the true God.
Whatever or whoever your heart desires, clings to, and confides in – whatever is of highest importance in life, that is your God. So, what is most important to you?
It’s of highest importance to put the Lord God of heaven first – that we set no other gods before Him. So, we pray: LORD THY WILL BE DONE BY US That We Put You First in Our Lives…
II. He alone can and will bless us.
Is He first? Do we look only to Him and trust Him, expecting from Him only good. He alone can and will bless us for it is He who gives us body and life, food and drink, nourishment, health, protection, and all temporal and eternal blessings. It is He who protects us from misfortune; He who saves and helps when calamities fall; He from whom we receive all good and by whom we are delivered from all evil. That is true even for those who fail to look to Him. Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mt.5:45). All are to trust in God alone and look to Him, expecting from Him only good. That is why we call Him “God.”
It is interesting to note that our English language (together with the Germanic ones which are related to English) has a fine and worthy name for God that other languages don’t have. It is said that the word “God” is derived from the word “good,” and means one who is an eternal fountain, overflowing with sheer goodness, from whom springs everything that is good and is called good. (Lenker, p.47). Even if we receive good from the hands of men, it all comes from God by virtue of His commands and ordinances. Father, mother, employers, governing officials, those who are friends – when they provide us with that which is good, we receive blessing not from them, but from God through them. All people and things are channels and instruments by which God can and will bless us.
Best of all, when we had gone apart from Him in sin against this and all the commandments, He sent His only begotten Son to keep them when we have not. Jesus always put His heavenly Father and God’s will first. And when we didn’t, He gave His life to atone for our sin against this commandment. None of this could we ever have done on our own. Yet, God alone sought to bless us through His Son. And then He said, “Will I not also, along with my Son, freely give you all things?” (Ro.8:32). How great His blessings to us!
May we each regard this commandment as exalted above everything and not treat it as a light matter but strive with might and mane to keep it. Diligently examine your heart and ask whether or not you cling to God alone as the highest importance in life and the only one who can and will bless you.
Do you possess a heart that expects from Him nothing but good (whether or not the world sees it that way)? Do you, especially when in great need and distress, renounce and forsake all others, looking only to God for help? Then you have the only true God. But if your heart turns elsewhere to something from which it expects more good and more aid than it does from God – if you forsake Him and flee first to any other thing, then you worship idols. You have another god. Then you must heed His warning: “For I the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of those that hate me, but showing loving-kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Ex.20:5f). He means what He says, and He says what He means.
He will not allow His commandment to be cast to the winds, but He guards it well and gives precious promises and rich rewards to those who keep it. It is the chief part of all wisdom and knowledge.
To that end we pray, LORD, THY WILL BE DONE BY US That We Put You First in Our Lives. As the family in faith fears and trusts God, they place all things in His hand and are able to deal well with every eternal situation. God grant it to us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The Second Sunday after Trinity June 15, 2023
Welcome in our Savior’s name. We are glad to have you worshipping with us today as we heed the Lord’s invitation to join Him in the “feast of salvation” that He has prepared.
During the Sundays in the Trinity season, which ends in November, the color of the paraments is green. Green is the color of living plants, signifying life and growth. As we see the color in the Church’s adornments, we are reminded that faith is a living and growing thing. But life of any kind would not be possible were it not for the love of God who created, preserves, and provided for our salvation by giving His Son for us. In Him we live and move and have our being. In response to His love for us, we return our love to Him in loving Him above all things. The color green symbolizes this life of faith that we now live as His redeemed children.
As we begin our summer sermon series on the Ten Commandments, the first three Commandments direct us in that love to Him. Christians put Him first in their lives, having no other “gods” before Him, as the First Commandment directs us today.
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The Christian Responds to God’s Love
The Preparation
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: “Speak, O Lord, As We Come to You” #633
Order of Worship: Service: Setting Two with Holy Communion: pages 172-180
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
(The Lessons for the Day are taken from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)
The Responses following each lesson are on page 178.
Proverbs 9:1-10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom, centered in God’s love for us in Christ, is personified as one who invites to a sumptuous banquet. Those who are wise heed the invitation and come. Scoffers turn away.
1 John 3:13-18 Although in the world the Christian is surrounded by hatred, within the family of God he enjoys love. First, the love of God in Christ Jesus who laid down His life for us. Thereupon, the Christian enjoys the love of his fellow believers. They show that faith is alive within them through what they say and do towards God and others.
The Gospel Acclamation for God’s Love page 179
Luke 14:16-24 Jesus’ Parable of the Great Banquet illustrates God’s love displayed in the Gospel invitation. He invites all to enjoy the salvation that He has prepared. Sadly, many trifle with His love and reject His invitation. Yet, His banquet hall shall be filled. So, He sends His servants to the highways and byways to invite many others.
The Sermon Hymn: “All Praise to God Who Reigns Above” st.1,2&5 #603
The Sermon: Lord, Thy Will Be Done by Us… That We Put You First in Our Lives.
Exodus20:2-6
Our Response to the Word
The Confession of Faith: The Nicene Creed page 180
Prayer
The Offering
The Lord Blesses Us
The Order of Holy Communion pages 182-187
(We invite our communicant members to the Lord’s Table, believing that in the bread and the wine, they receive the Savior’s true body and blood for forgiveness of sins. Since Holy Communion implies a oneness of faith, our practice is that of close communion. We therefore ask visitors to speak with the Pastor before communing.)
The Distribution
The Distribution Hymn: “Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared” #667
Thanksgiving & Blessing Beginning the middle of page 187
Closing Hymn: “May the Grace of Christ Our Savior” #928
Silent Prayer
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The Organist: Jane Rips The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Point to Ponder: “Love is an attitude. It is a condition of the heart without which the activity of our hands can have no value….Therefore, let us coordinate our hearts and hands, our attitudes and actions…Let the deeds of our hands be the sincere expression of our hearts, and let our hearts be like the heart of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.” — Herman Gockel on “Love’s Supremacy”
The Second Sunday after Trinity – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 9:1-10 – Wisdom Prepares a Banquet.
1Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has already set her table. 3 She has sent out her servant girls. She calls from the highest point in the city, 4 “Whoever is naïve, let him turn in here.” To someone who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine that I have mixed. 6 Abandon your naïve ways and live.
Travel the road to understanding.”
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults, and whoever warns a wicked person invites abuse.
8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. Warn a wise person, and he will love you. 9 Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,
Epistle Lesson: 1 John 3:13-18 – Let Us Love in Action and in Truth.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 16 This is how we have come to know love: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we also should lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 Whoever has worldly wealth and sees his brother in need but closes his heart against him—how can God’s love remain in him? 18 Dear children, let us love not only with word or with our tongue, but also in action and truth.
Gospel Lesson: Luke 14:16-24 – Jesus’ Parable of the Great Banquet.
16 Jesus said to him, “A certain man made a great banquet and invited many people. 17 When it was time for the banquet, he sent out his servant to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’
18 But they all alike began to make excuses. “The first one told him, ‘I bought a field, and I need to go and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’ 19 “Another one said, ‘I bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, and so I am unable to attend.’
21 “The servant arrived and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house was angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 “The servant said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.’
23 “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and urge them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 Yes, I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”
Sermon Text: Exodus 20:2-5 The First Commandment
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, where you were slaves.
3 You shall have no other gods beside me. 4 You shall not make any carved image for yourself or a likeness of anything in heaven above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow down to them or be subservient to them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019
The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods.
What does this mean?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
How this commandment is transgressed.
He who seeks relief from trouble through sorcery, black arts, or through an alliance with the devil;
He who works charms through magic formulas, as signs, herbs, spells, and incantations; he who handles the divining-rod, lifts treasure by enchantment, practices crystal-gazing or the use of the magic cloaks; also he who deprives cows of their milk by the use of magic;
He who orders his work and life according to lucky and unlucky days, celestial signs, and the utterances of fortune-tellers;
He who protects and charms himself, his beasts, his house, his children, or any possession whatever against wolves, weapons, fire, water, or injury of any kind by the use of prayers to which magical powers are attributed;
He who ascribes his troubles and adversities to the devil or to designing men instead of receiving with love and praise all evil and all good as coming from God alone, and then making requital by showing gratitude and readier submission;
He who tempts God and rushes unnecessarily into peril of body or soul;
He who prides himself upon his godliness, wisdom, or other spiritual gifts;
He who honors God and the saints merely for the sake of temporal advantage, forgetting the needs of the soul;
He who does not unfalteringly trust in God nor in all his undertakings puts his confidence in divine mercy;
He who does not, to the best of his ability, seek to safeguard others against unbelief and doubt, or to help them to attain faith and trust in God’s grace;
Every species of unbelief, despair, and misbelief belongs to this category of sins.
How the commandment is fulfilled.
The fear and love of God joined to the right faith; absolute reliance upon God in all undertakings; the maintenance of a spirit of perfect resignation whether what betides is good or ill;
All that the Scriptures teach concerning faith, hope, and the fear of God is here found in rudimentary form.
— Treatise on the Law, Faith, and Prayer of 1520 by Martin Luther
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue), Springfield, MO 65810
Church phone: 417.887.0886 www.zionluthchurch.com
Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244 email: revelehmann@gmail.com
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June 21 |
Thursday
June 22 |
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June 23 |
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June 24 |
Next Sun.
June 25 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
2nd Sunday after Trinity (Pentecost 3) |
4 pm Confirmation Class
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11 am Midweek Bible Class
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9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
3rdSunday after Trinity (Pentecost 4) |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
“Hey, that’s my seat!” School children get into fights day after day, arguing over their place. Adults look and laugh. Yet we do the same in life when we take pains to assure that we get what’s coming to us—at work, at home, among friends and family—and that people know how important we are. But in today’s lessons, especially the Gospel Lesson, we are reminded that our King is the Almighty Ruler of heaven and earth. Next to Him, who is without sin, we are nothing and deserve the lowest place. But, because of His love for us, Jesus invites us to the place of honor at His heavenly banquet table.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 14:16-24 (the answers are found on the back side)
- Why did Jesus tell the guests at a Pharisee’s house the parable of the wedding feast?
- Why does the master tell the servant to invite “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” to the banquet?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (the Long’s son-in-law); Libya, Jodi Milam’s granddaughter; Barbara Long; Lois Wiese; Barbara Breidel; John, Elisha & Isaac Covey; Lucille Huston, after a fall in the nursing home.
Lord, May Thy Will Be Done By Us Today we begin a 10 week summer sermon series on the Ten Commandments with a look at the First Commandment. Each Sunday we will review a commandment and Martin Luther’s Catechism explanation of it. We would encourage each member and friend to read through the sections of each commandment from the Catechism the week before it is the sermon text for the day. What a good review of your precious confirmation instruction that would be! If you don’t have a catechism, see Pastor for one. Next Sunday we look at the Second Commandment.
Family Camp-out If you and your family wish to join some of the members of our other WELS/ELS congregations in Missouri at Heit’s Point, near Lincoln, MO, for the summer campout next Sunday afternoon, June 25, through Tuesday afternoon, June 27, please see Pastor Lehmann. You will not be “camping” in a tent, but in a lodge with motel-like accommodations. The days will be filled with Bible study and lots of recreational/outdoors time.
Upcoming Services and Events
June 25-27 – ELS/WELS Family Campout 2023 at Heit’s Point near Lincoln, MO
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 34; Bible Class 15; Midweek Bible Class: 5; Offerings: $744.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
The Third Sunday after Trinity: Isaiah 12:1-6; 1 Peter 5:6-11; Luke 15:1-10 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answer to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:
- To remind us of the need for humility and a grateful response to our Lord. Some are turned away because think they earn a high seat at the wedding feast of the Lamb by their own deeds. Others lose out because they had no time for the Lord in life and spurned His gospel invitation. Those who humbly heed the Lord’s invitation in faith enjoy His blessings.
- The Pharisees looked only to their own public image. They invited the rich and the wealthy, with the self-centered thought, “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine.” What good is such pride before God? With such an attitude one may earn favors in this life, but such an approach misses the gifts God bestows freely through the Gospel. It is those who humbly receive His invitation in faith, without making excuses or thinking of themselves too highly, who will be blessed.
This week I am praying for……
