“A Christian Cares for the Country in Need”
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on August 15, 2024 in Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:17-18
A CHRISTIAN CARES FOR THE COUNTRY IN NEED August 18, 2024
Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:17-18
Greeting: Let requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone and for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Amen,
Text: 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. ‘The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, 1 sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands. Let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel. 1 confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house have committed against You. . . . 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the
gracious hand of God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this work.
Introduction: The country was in crisis. The protective walls of the city were still piles of rubble. Any recovery reconstruction had come to u grinding halt. The bitter enemies of God’s people had been emboldened. The wise, courageous leadership needed was sorely lacking. It was 450 B.C. in Jerusalem, already 35 years after God’s captive people began to return to the Holy Land from exile in Babylon. The people of Israel were demoralized and feeling ashamed and disgraced. Far away, in the capital of the Persian empire, a Jewish man named Nehemiah cared about his country in crisis.
His story is a timely and helpful one for us today. It is clear that our country, the United States of America, is also a country in crisis. This year our nation celebrated its 248th birthday. It is no longer a baby country as it was in 1776. Much time has passed. Many things have taken place. Our union has aged and faced numerous challenges. Some important things, like the ruined walls of Jerusalem, are breaking down. Greed, corruption, selfishness are on prominent display. Conflicts, crime and scams abound. Violence, murder and abortion are part and parcel of the culture. A sizable number of citizens arc addicted to gambling, drugs and unhealthy lifestyles. In too many places, the work ethic is weak and the welfare mentality is strong. Political tensions are high. Our enemies are numerous. Effective, courageous leadership that responds to the needs of the time seems to be the great need of the day. What is a concerned Christian citizen to do? Nehemiah, who faced his country’s crisis almost 2,500 years ago, provides some answers
for us. He was a believer who cared for his country in crisis. He did it with passionate tears and prayers and by productive words and actions,
1. With Passionate Tears And Prayers
When Nehemiah received the bad news of what was going wrong in Judea, he began to weep over the sad state of affairs. He took the news to heart. He grieved for days. It made him sick. As the cupbearer to the powerful Persian king, Artaxerxes, Nehemiah enjoyed a position of great trust and honor. He was responsible for the king’s protection against poisoning and was very good at his job. For this he enjoyed a very comfortable lifestyle. He was doing very well personally, but Nehemiah could not and would not be happy or content if his fellow countrymen were in danger and distress.
Do we care deeply about our country and our people as Nehemiah did? Do we cry over its damaged condition? Our God has placed us in this land and given us responsibility to look after its welfare. We should not be indifferent to what is happening in our country and unmoved by the conditions our fellow citizens, including our fellow Christians, face. You and I do not have to look too hard to see souls in peril – people who give in to evil and who are afflicted by evils; the abusing and the abused, criminals and victims, the loveless and the unloved. We see many making foolish, self-destructive choices, misspending their lives, missing out on God and the good things He would give them. We should be bothered by these things, probably much more than we often are. Like Nehemiah, our spirits have much to weep over and cry out for,
Along with his passionate tears, Nehemiah also offered his passionate prayers. He not only cried. He also cried out to God. Listen to part of his prayer: I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands. 6 Let Your car be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house have committed against You.
In his prayer, Nehemiah had a confession to make, not only for the sins of his countrymen and the sins of his family members, but also for his own. He admitted the wrongs that he and others had done and hc pleaded for God’s forgiving mercy on them. A Christian who cares for the country in crisis offers passionate prayers, Our fellow citizens have their sins to confess. We have things to confess also. We may have to confess that at times we have been so immersed in our own selves that we haven’t paid proper attention to others or that we have been indifferent to them or lacked courage and conviction to help. We may have to admit that we have been so consumed with affluence that we have lost the will to make meaningful sacrifices so people could be properly cared for in soul and body. We may have to grant that we have had such a good time enjoying our ease and freedoms that we have been reluctant to bear burdens and accept responsibilities. May God lead us to offer these important prayers of confession. May He grant us His pardoning mercy and help restore and strengthen a loving, spiritual focus for our hearts.
2. By Productive Words And Actions
Nehemiah wept and Nehemiah prayed. But he did more than weep and pray. He also spoke up and took action. He followed up his good intentions with tangible efforts to help in the crisis. He asked his King for a leave of absence so he could move to Judea and use his abilities to help the troubled people. We notice that Nehemiah spoke productive words to the discouraged. After inspecting the situation, he gathered the people and said: “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” Nehemiah reached out to others in concern. He talked with them about the problems they faced. He helped them find solutions. He offered inspiring encouragements,
Some people think that words are just empty sounds. While they can be, they don’t have to he. Words can convey truth and love. They can offer strength and help. ‘We can help others in their challenges with our words. It is most helpful for us to get involved with our neighbors, friends and others in the community. Our conversations give us an opportunity to express our concern, to build understanding, to develop relationships, to open the important path between our minds and hearts and the minds and hearts of others. As believers in Jesus Christ, who know God’s saving love for sinners and His marvelous plans for people, we have the most important words to share, the words of God Himself; the words that are spirit and life; the words by which souls can be restored to God and live forever. God help us to care for our countrymen in crisis by sharing productive, blessing-filled words with others,
Nchemiah also met the needs of his country in crisis by taking productive action. One great need the people of Judea had was to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem. The enemies of the Jews wanted the city to remain vulnerable and improperly defended. So they opposed the rebuilding effort fiercely. Nehemiah provided important leadership to guide the rebuilding effort and helped the people suceed in this mission. Chapters 3 -6 of the book of Nehemiah tell the story of this interesting venture. You may want to read them later today. After the wall was rebuilt, Nehemiah helped the people tackle other important social problems to help the people survive and have a stronger community.
We live at a time when our country needs some rebuilding, Certain walls of society and security have been breached and need to be restored. As Christian citizens, we can’t be letting our country fall apart by our inaction. As Christ’s people, we are primarily citizens of heaven whose primary loyalty is to God and His kingdom. But as Christ’s people, we are also citizens of an earthly country and have civic duties to fulfill as part of our Christian calling. There are any number of things we can do to help: donate blood, visit nursing homes, help seniors, be concerned about the children in your neighborhood, take part in a neighborhood watch group, volunteer at your local school or civic improvement organization, join a pro-life group, participate politically as an informed, principled voter, as an active supporter of a candidate or as a candidate for public office yourself. It was Edmund Burke who spoke the well-known and often repeated phrase: All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. As God’s people, we do not want evil to triumph to defeat God’s purposes for the spiritual and earthly lives of people. Instead we want good conditions se that the gospel of peace may spread widely and well to transform the hearts and lives of others. As we celebrate another birthday for our beloved country, may God help us be a blessing to it. May He help us be Christians who care for our country in crisis with passionate tears and prayers and by productive words and actions.
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 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity August 18, 2024
“He has done everything well…The deaf hear and the mute speak!” Mark 7:37
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
“May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. May those who love Your salvation always say, ‘Let God be exalted!’ You are my help and my deliverer. O LORD, do not delay. Hurry to help me!” (Psalm 70).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Our Sufficiency in All Things Is from God. Today we are reminded that our sufficiency in every situation in life is found in Christ. Our Scripture lessons continue with the thought of last Sunday’s lessons that emphasized our need in all things to rely solely on the mercy and grace of God. As the tax collector cast himself upon God’s mercy for forgiveness, so the believer knows that his sufficiency in all matters comes from God alone.
This thought is expanded in the lessons today as we see the great Physician of body and soul at work in the Gospel Lesson restoring people’s health to them. With Him at our side, the strength will be there to make it through every situation in the present until He restores us fully to Himself in eternity.
To that end we pray: Almighty and merciful God, it is only by Your gift of grace that we come into Your presence and offer true and faithful service. Grant that our worship on earth may always be pleasing to You, and in the life to come give us the fulfillment of what You have promised. For Jesus’ sake we pray. 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 29:17-21
Concerning the coming Messianic age, the faithful in Israel will rejoice in the One whom God promised to send. In Him will be found hope for the future of God’s people. He will open the ears of the deaf and the eyes of the blind. In Him the humble will find their sufficiency.
The Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Paul contrasts the Old and the New Covenants. Both have great splendor, for both are of God. But the splendor of the Gospel is far greater than that of the Law, which cannot save the sinner. The New Covenant, rooted in the Gospel of Christ, is sufficient to save one before a holy God. Its splendor lasts forever.
The Gospel Lesson: Mark 7:31-37
Jesus is the Great Physician. He can heal the body of its infirmities, as was prophesied by Isaiah. He can put His fingers into a deaf man’s ears and touch His speechless tongue, providing healing. Such power and grace is sufficient to heal and to save eternally.
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 James Witt from St. Louis
Point to Ponder: “The Apostle Paul writes, “In (Christ) all things hold together” (Col.1:17). Not only did Christ Jesus put all things together in the very beginning, but He still holds them together….In a world that seems to be flying apart at the seams, when things seem at their very worst, the Christian can rest assured knowing that He holds all the pieces and He knows where every piece belongs.” — Herman Gockel on The Whole World in His Hands
Outline of Our Worship
The Preparation
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: #484
Order of Worship: The Service: Setting Two with Holy Communion: page 172-180
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
Isaiah 29:17-21
2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Gospel Acclamation: God’s Love p.179
Mark 7:31-37
Sermon Hymn: #774
Sermon: Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:17-18
“A Christian Cares for the Country in Need”
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 regarding Holy Communion)
Consecration and Distribution
Distribution Hymn: #663
Thanksgiving & Blessing Hymnal: middle of page 187
Closing Hymn: #909 st.1&4
Silent Prayer
The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 29:18-21 – Israel’s Hope for the Future.
18 On that day, the deaf will hear the words from a book, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 The humble will rejoice in the Lord once again; the poor will delight in the Holy One of Israel. 20 But the ruthless will come to nothing. Those who mock will be no more, and all those who plan evil will be cut off— 21 all those who slander others with a word, all those who argue cases at the city gate, all those who use false testimony to deprive the innocent of justice.
Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 – The Ministry of the Spirit.
4 Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent by ourselves to claim that anything comes from us; rather, our competence is from God. 6 He also made us competent as ministers of a new testament (not of letter, but of spirit). For the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. 7 If the ministry that brought death (which was engraved in letters on stone) came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look directly at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (though it was fading), 8 how will the ministry of the spirit not be much more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation has glory, the ministry that brought righteousness has even more. 10 In fact, in this case, what was glorious is no longer very glorious, because of the greater glory which surpasses it. 11 Indeed, if what is fading away was glorious, how much more glorious is that which is permanent!
Gospel Lesson: Mark 7:31-37 – “Be Opened!”
31 Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of the Decapolis.32 They brought a man to him who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They pleaded with Jesus to place his hand on him. 33 Jesus took him aside in private, away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 After he looked up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha!” (“Be opened!”) 35 Immediately the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak plainly. 36 Jesus gave the people strict orders to tell no one, but the more he did so, the more they kept proclaiming it. 37 They were amazed beyond measure and said, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
Sermon Text: Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:17-18 – Let Us Rebuild the Wall.
3 They said to me, “The survivors from the captivity who are there in the province are in great misery and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned.” 4 When I heard about these things, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of Heaven. 5 I said: Please, Lord, the God of Heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God, who preserves the covenant and faithfulness for those who love him and keep his commands: 6 Let your ear be attentive and your eyes be open as you hear the prayer of your servant today, which I am now praying before you day and night, concerning the Israelites, who are your servants. I am also confessing the sins of the people of Israel that we committed against you. I and my father’s house have also sinned. 217 So I said to them, “You see the very bad situation we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be disgraced.” 18 Then I told them that the hand of my God had been good to me, and I also told them the words the king had said to me. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
| Today
Aug.18 |
Monday
Aug.19 |
Tuesday
Aug.20 |
Wednesday
Aug.21 |
Thursday
Aug.22 |
Friday
Aug.23 |
Saturday
Aug.24 |
Next Sun.
Aug.25 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity |
|
Elizabeth & Pastor return home. | No Midweek Bible Class
|
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
The sense of hearing is a wonderful gift from God. With this sense we have an instrument that can receive the wonderful message of deliverance and salvation in the Word of God, as the people in the days of Isaiah did. Woe to the man who hears the Word of God but does not believe and do what it says. Jesus once restored the hearing of a deaf-mute and thus proved His claim as the promised Messiah.
The Gospel Lesson: Mark 7:31-37 (the answers are found on the back side)
- Why does Jesus use sign language in healing the deaf man?
- What’s the significance, “he spoke clearly?”
- Why did Jesus not want them to tell anyone about the miracle that had just taken place?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Norine Richardson; Melissa Morlock-Jaeger; Liz Lisenby; Barbara Long; Robbie Woessner (Bob & Geri’s son) now under hospice care.
Meditations next series of devotions beginning the end of this month will be found in the narthex. There are plenty of copies for you to take as outreach efforts to family, friends, and acquaintances.
Thank You Pastor Witt for conducting our worship service this morning. Pastor Witt and his wife Peggy live in St. Louis. He retired a few years ago from daily work in the parish ministry at Martin Luther Lutheran Church (WELS) on the southside of St. Louis. However, he is very active in teaching Chinese Christians the Word of God over the internet. In retirement his wife Peggy works as an usher at St. Louis Cardinal games and with the St. Louis Blues, as well as giving further instruction on teaching to present and future parochial school teachers. We appreciate you giving of your time and efforts in bringing us the Word of God today.
Returning Pastor and Elizabeth will be returning early this week from their travels. Should need arise in Pastor Lehmann’s absence, please contact one of our elders or council members or for pastoral care Pastor Daniel McQuality at Faith LC, Carthage 217-671-1168, Pastor Micah Ernst, Peace LC, Jefferson City, at 573.356.5560, or Pastor Seth Georgson, Martin Luther LC, St. Louis, 314.914.6457. Thank you for your patience and well wishes while they were gone.
Upcoming Services and Events
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: Bible Study: Midweek Bible Class: no class this week; Offerings: $
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
The 13th Sunday after Trinity: Zechariah 7:4-10; Galatians 3:15-22; Luke 10:23-37 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answer to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:
- The poor man could not understand what Jesus was doing if He spoke to him. So, Jesus used sign language to show the healing that He was giving him.
- Jesus healed the man perfectly. He didn’t have to go to a speech therapist and learn how to pronounce words. No, Jesus healed with the ability to speak clearly.
- Jesus did not want fame and popularity to slow or hinder His way to the cross.
This week I am praying for……
