Rejoice! Our God Is In Control.
By James Wiese on April 19, 2024
Third Sunday after Easter – Jubilate April 21, 2024
Text: John 16:16-23a Historic Series 24:2442
Theme: Rejoice! God Is in Control.
While traveling in a distant country, some people carry two timepieces. One is set to the place where they are; the other is set to the place they left, which they call home. For reasons of sentiment, they want to always know what time it is in the homeland.
In a similar sense, the Christian pilgrim in life keeps one clock, the clock of his faith, in time with the clock on his Father’s House above. That time above is known only to the believing and trusting heart. It is a measurement that is not divided into days, hours, and minutes, but into the repeated assurances of God’s eternal promises.
The answer to my prayer, the lifting of a cross, the deliverance from a long-felt sorrow, or the granting of a long-sought blessing are all scheduled for fulfillment, not according to the clocks and calendars on my wall at home, but according to the clocks of eternity that tell time on the walls of my Father’s House above.
God never comes too late with too little or too soon with too much. He is always on time – His time. His delays, when delays seem to occur, are always the delays of His redeeming love at work. His “little whiles,” as Jesus spoke in our text, are always preludes to greater revelations and enjoyments of His mercy and grace. In all things, He Is In Control. So, “those who wait on Him will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint” (Is.40:31) even though sorrows should seem to overwhelm them here…..
I. ….Even such sorrows serve His gracious purposes.
The Psalmist writes, “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” That is somewhat close to what Jesus told His disciples here when He said, “In a little while you will weep and wail and be sorrowful.” But after another little while “your sorrow will turn to joy.” Both would follow in time and be scheduled according to the clocks of heaven.
The grief and sorrows that would come to the disciples would come as a result of sin, not just their sin, but everyone’s sin as the next day the disciples would watch Jesus die on the cross, carrying the weight of the world’s sin upon His shoulders. Their Master, God’s Son, would have to die. The whole thing would be difficult for them to take. But one fact ran through it all, God Was in Control and would make their sorrows serve His gracious purposes – not just for them, but for us as well.
Think of it. If Jesus didn’t die for sin and the disciples didn’t experience the resulting sorrow at His death, where would we be? We would be without a Savior who took care of our eternal need for forgiveness. But God Was in Control. This was the way, the only way in which He could redeem us to Himself. To the disciples’ fleshly eyes, it was a horrible thing. But it served God’s gracious purposes, the saving of sinners. Thank God for that!
Jesus also told them that after a little while they would see Him again, obviously in His resurrection. But then they would lose sight of Him again in His ascension, as He went back to the Father (v.5 and maybe v.15). There, with His heavenly Father, the Bible later tells us that all things were placed under His feet and He was appointed as head over everything for the sake of His church (Eph.1:22). It meant He Was in Control and making everything, even sorrows, like the disciples not seeing Him for a while, serve His gracious purposes in changing things for them.
To illustrate that, Jesus told a parable-like story of a pregnant woman giving birth to a child. At the time when the child was born, the woman’s pain was real and intense. But once the birth was over, the sorrow and pain were ended, and the woman no longer remembered her anguish because of her joy at a child born into the world. Her time of pain ended in a gracious purpose.
It reminds me of Paul’s words in his letter to the Romans, “All things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose” (8:28).
All things, not only that which we consider “good,” but also what we consider to be “bad,” all things are carried out to serve God’s gracious purposes – even sorrows. He Is in Control. No one takes that from Him. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ reveal it. As He promises, all things serve His gracious purposes, even grief and sorrow…
II. …as He turns sorrow into endless joy.
Grief and pain are the consequences of sin. Grief and pain last “a little while.” They draw us closer to God, who alone can help us in every circumstance. Grief and pain help to purify our faith in Him. But all grief, pain, and sorrow are timed on the clocks of heaven and are under His control to serve His gracious purpose of turning our sorrows into endless joy.
Sorrow lasts but a little while. Like the psalmist said, “Weeping remains for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” The night only seems fearful to the one who forgets that the darkness is brief. The sun returns with its light, joy, and life-giving powers.
The “sun” of our faith is the Savior. Yes, He died, and boy, did the world and His enemies rejoice. Finally, they had gotten rid of Him – so they thought. But the sun rose again on Easter and so did Christ, turning His disciples’ “little while” of sorrow into endless joy. They couldn’t contain it. Eventually they went into the world to tell others of that which the Savior, who Was in Control although it seemed not, had done. Even if they should be martyred for proclaiming Christ, nothing could pluck them from His hand for at the time of their passing here they would enter the joys of heaven above that He won for them. That was the endless joy that made their little while of sorrow in this world seem like only a second according to the clock of eternity on God’s wall in heaven. In endless joy they would see Him again. He Is in Control, and
III. … we shall see Him again, too.
When the Lord told His apostles, “In a little while you will not see me anymore,” He gave a short biography of not just the apostles, but of all Christians. Our lives are not uninterrupted sorrow, but a constant changing from joy to sorrow and from sorrow to joy. The reason for joy is that we see Christ with the eyes of faith, knowing that He is in control, knowing that He is our risen Savior. In that we are certain of the nearness of His grace. The cause for our sorrows are the times in faithlessness when we do not see Christ and become uncertain of the nearness of His grace.
Think of the example of Joseph in the Old Testament, thrown into a pit by jealous brothers, then sold into slavery. Later he was cast into prison by angry Potiphar for something he had not done. It seemed like the clocks of heaven had stopped. What sorrow Joseph endured. Were God’s promises empty, vain, and futile, just as it seemed to the apostles when Jesus died? But all lived to see the day when the clocks of heaven struck the hour of God’s fulfillment.
Our heavenly Father assures us, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back” (Is.54:7). And again “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps.30:5).
What a comfort to know that because of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Savior, all the clocks of heaven are set for our eternal welfare. With David we say with confidence, “My times are in Your hand” (Ps.31:5). See that always, dear friend, and sorrow will not overwhelm you for God Is in Control.
It is true that in weaker moments it seems like the clocks of heaven are running slow, even stopped. If in those times we do not see our Savior, we sorrow as the disciples did. God grant in those times that we do not waver in faith. But when the purposes of God seem “past finding out,” let the promises of God stand. In Christ the “little whiles” end as He makes our sorrows serve His gracious purposes and turns them into endless joy. See Him always in faith. He is the end to all sorrow, whatever it may be. “Your heart will rejoice, and no one can take that joy in Him from you” for He Is In Control. God grant it in our lives of faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com
The Third Sunday after Easter Jubilate – “Rejoice!” April 21, 2024
“You have sorrow now. I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice.” Jn.16:22
Welcome: 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
“Shout praise to God, all the earth! Make music to the glory of His name! Make His praise glorious! Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your deeds!’ Because of Your great power Your enemies cringe before You” (Psalm 66).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Rejoice! Grief Is Turned to Joy. Normally we think of Easter as a happy time. But if we would ask whether or not Easter did away with all grief and sorrow, we would have to say, “No.” Jesus’ disciples were still in the world and the consequences of sin still arose in their lives, even though they were redeemed from sin by Jesus. There would still be grief and sorrow for them.
At the same time, they knew a joy in the Savior that “no man could take away from them.” It was a joy that remained theirs even in the midst of sorrows – joy in their forgiveness, joy in their salvation, joy in light of the eternal blessings that were yet to come! It would always be theirs.
That same joy is there for all who believe in the risen Savior. So it is that on this Third Sunday after Easter the foremost encouragement to disciples everywhere is “Rejoice!” In Christ our joy never ends.
So we pray: O God, by the humiliation of Your Son, You lifted up a fallen world from the despair of death. By His resurrection, grant Your people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joy, 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 Lessons of the Day are from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)
The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40:25-31
When Israel would complain about God’s ways and lament the sorrows and woes that overtook them, God pointed them to His majesty and might as the everlasting God. Surely, as the gracious One, He would use it to sustain them and be their cause for rejoicing.
The Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 2:11-20
New life is ours in the risen Christ. That is cause for great joy. Although for now we live in this world of sin, our time here is temporary. We are only strangers and pilgrims on our way to heaven. Heaven is our true home. So it is that Christians strive to abstain from the passions of the flesh that would lead them apart from God now and in eternity.
The Gospel Lesson: John 16:16-23
On Maundy Thursday evening, as Jesus was celebrating the Passover with His disciples, He told them about His departure and return, pointing to His death and resurrection. In their confusion, He assured them that their momentary grief would turn to unending joy.
O u r P r a c t i c e o f H o l y C o m m u n i o n
Out of deep love for the truth of God’s Word and precious souls, we follow the practice of Close Communion in our congregation. This has been the practice of Christians for centuries and reflects the Bible’s teaching on unity of faith in the reception of the Supper (1 Cor.10:17). It does not judge a person’s heart but anticipates agreement in that which God says. Since we do not wish to put anyone in the position of declaring such agreement with us before study in the Word is possible, we ask that only those who are communicant members of this or another Wisconsin Synod or ELS congregation come to receive the Sacrament.
The Organist: Jane Rips The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Points to Ponder: “The highest of all joy is that which the heart has in Christ, our Savior…. He says that sorrow shall be only a litt5le, short season, although it appears to me, indeed, to be great, long, and eternal. He will come again, as He says: “I will not leave you orphans; I come unto you.” And thus, we shall possess in Him eternal comfort and joy instead of this little season of sorrow.” — Martin Luther
Outline of Our Worship
The Preparation
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: #449
Order of Worship: The Service: Setting Two with Holy Communion: page 172-180
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
Isaiah 40:25-31
1 Peter 2:11-20
Gospel Acclamation: Easter pg.179
John 16:16-23
Sermon Hymn: #850
Sermon: John 16:16-23 Rejoice! Our God Is In Control.
The Nicene Creed pg.180
Our Response to the Word
Prayer of the Church: pg.182
The Offering
The Lord Blesses Us
Preparation for Holy Communion Hymnal page 182-187
(Visitors: Please read above our practice regarding Holy Communion)
Consecration and Distribution
Distribution Hymn: #677
Thanksgiving & Blessing Hymnal: middle of page 187
Closing Hymn: #513
Silent Prayer
Third Sunday after Easter: “Jubilate” – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40:26-31 – Wait on the Lord for Strength.
26 Lift up your eyes to the heavens and see who created these things. See who brings out their army in great number and calls them all by name. Because of his great strength and mighty power, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you speak, O Jacob? O Israel, why do you say, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and justice for me is ignored by my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God. He is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired, and he will not become weary. No one can find a limit to his understanding. 29 He is the one who gives strength to the weak, and he increases the strength of those who lack power. 30 Young men grow tired and become weary. Even strong men stumble and fall. 31 But those who wait for the Lord will receive new strength. They will lift up their wings and soar like eagles. They will run and not become weary. They will walk and not become tired.
Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 2:11-20 – Live an Honorable Life to the Glory of God.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and temporary residents in the world, to abstain from the desires of the sinful flesh, which war against your soul. 12 Live an honorable life among the Gentiles so that even though they slander you as evildoers, when they observe your noble deeds, they may glorify God on the day he visits us. 13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the king as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those who have been sent by him to punish those who do what is wrong and to praise those who do what is right. 15 For this is God’s will: that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Do this as free people, and do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil but use it as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Slaves, submit to your masters with total respect, not only to those who are good and kind but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this is favorable: if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20 For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is favorable with God.
Gospel Lesson: John 16:16-23 – Sorrow Turned to Joy
16 “In a little while you are not going to see me anymore, and again in a little while you will see me, because I am going away to the Father.” 17 Therefore some of his disciples asked one another, “What does he mean when he tells us, ‘In a little while you are not going to see me, and again in a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going away to the Father’?” 18 So they kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he’s saying.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you trying to determine with one another what I meant by saying, ‘In a little while you are not going to see me, and again in a little while you will see me’? 20 Amen, Amen, I tell you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth has pain, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, because of her joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 In that day you will not ask me anything. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
| Today
April 21 |
Monday
April 22 |
Tuesday
April 23 |
Wednesday
April 24 |
Thursday
April 25 |
Friday
April 26 |
Saturday
April 27 |
Next Sun.
April 28 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Quarterly Meeting Sanctuary Furniture Removal Easter 3 – Jubilate |
Laying of new Carpet
at church will be done Tuesday & Wednesday this week |
7 pm
Call Meeting to be held at Peace in Marshfield |
11am Midweek Bible Class
|
LWMS Spring Rally at Grace LC, Columbia | 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Easter 4 – Cantate |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
Most of our celebrations are very brief. The festival of Easter, however, inspires a certain “afterglow” that by God’s grace burns ever brighter as we celebrate anew each Sunday during the Easter season. Led by the Spirit to believe in the resurrected Lord, we rejoice in holy awe in this glorious truth and are filled with a desire to speak of our hope with others.
The Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 2:11-20 – especially v.11 (the answer is found on the back side)
– In this letter, Peter encourages us to live as “strangers,” “aliens,” or “temporary residents” while here on this earth. Why?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (Long’s son-in-law); Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Robbie Woessner; Kay Schmidt at Quail Creek Rehab; Liz Lisenby; Norine Richardson; Lois Wiese.
Forward in Christ’s edition for April has arrived. There are plenty of copies in the narthex for family and friends.
Thank You to those who were able to remain for a little while following last Sunday’s Bible study to help in a little spring cleaning and care of inside the church. Today the sanctuary furniture will be removed ahead of the new carpet to be laid this week. This coming Saturday, for those who can help us, the pews, organ, and furniture will be reinstalled.
Call Meeting Zion and Peace will hold their fourth Call Meeting this coming Wednesday at 7 pm. In line with rotating the places of meeting, this time the meeting will be held at Peace LC in Marshfield. All are invited to attend and discuss the information given on each candidate which our district president will send us. After discussion, the voters of Zion and Peace will decide on a candidate.
Upcoming Services and Events
Today – Quarterly Voters Meeting following Fellowship time and removal of the sanctuary furniture
Tuesday-Wednesday, April 23-24 – New carpet & flooring will be installed in the sanctuary, narthex, and bathrooms
Wednesday, April 24, 7 pm – Our fourth Call meeting will be held at Peace LC in Marshfield
Saturday, April 27 – LWMS Spring Rally at Grace, Columbia, MO; Mission Speaker: Pastor Nixon Vivar from Ecuador;
9:30 am start with registration. See Pastor for a ride.
May 3-4 – WELS/ELS Men’s Retreat, Camp Trinity, New Haven, MO – see bulletin board for more information
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 25; Bible Study: 18; Midweek Bible Class: 2; Offerings: $5,700.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Easter 4 – Cantate: Isaiah 49:1-15; James1:16-21; John 16:5-15 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answer to Today’s Epistle Lesson Brief Study:
– It will always be a temptation for Christians to set their hearts on what they can see¾material things, institutions, approval from others, etc. It is a lifelong struggle to learn that everything visible is perishable, while what is not seen has lasting value. As Christians, we need to remember that life on earth is not long-lasting, nor are we fully comfortable as we live amidst the character of this fallen world, which ways are foreign to faith and the Christian life. We live here for a little while, as if in tents¾temporary settings¾enduring all manner of sorrows, along with earthly joys, for we are not yet home above where eternal joy in the risen Savior lasts forever.
This week I am praying for……