Tired? Not In Christ Who Strengthens Me.

by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on September 6, 2024 in

Sermon for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity        September 8, 2024

Lessons: Galatians 5:9-10       Historic Series                          24:2460

Theme:  Tired? Not in Christ Who Strengthens Me!

I don’t know what it is or why it happens to me. As spring begins to burst forth, I anticipate a joy-filled summer’s arrival. I like warm weather; I enjoy the brightness of the season; I look forward to the outdoor activities after being shut in the house all winter.  I like summer. However, by the time we get to August, I get worn out, not so much from summer’s activities…not so much physically tired, it’s more of an emotional, yes, even a spiritual thing. It’s almost like being tired of life and the happenings in life that take place in a fallen, sin-filled world. Allow me to give you some examples.
This week another senseless school shooting took place in our country – four people killed, many others injured. The wars across the world drag on in which social and political “fallout” and unrest take place in our own country. The wrangling on television, the negative political commercials, some of which are deserving, others of which only seek to tear people down. The hard times that come to family and friends, also the loss of some. I get sad, a little depressed, and want to say, “Lord, take me out of here.” To me it always seems to get worse during the summer and ruins such a joyful time. Tired… I simply get tired, emotionally, maybe spiritually. You see, dear friends, pastors are human too.
Whenever such thoughts threaten to overwhelm us in our lives of faith, God has something to say through the Apostle Paul in our text today. “Tired?” Paul seems to ask, then encourage “Don’t give up!”
I.  Never too tired to do good.
You see, even Christians get tired in life and are tempted to give up, not necessarily faith – although that has happened to some.  How about Judas? Did he get tired and give up on his faith in Christ?  How about King Saul or Demas, one of the Apostle Paul’s co-workers and friends who left him. What about Thomas? Even Peter? Everyone started out strong in faith. But some of them quit. Did they grow tired when things seemed to fall apart, and life became difficult?
But here Paul is not thinking so much about growing tired of believing and giving up on faith.  He is warning against becoming weary of living the Christian faith and life, becoming too tired to do good things in the face of all the bad and the evil that surrounds us.
Let’s face it. We can get tired and are tempted to burn out in living the Christian life that follows Christ and reaches out in love to those around us. Sometimes it seems that people don’t appreciate our efforts. Then we are tempted to think, “Well, if they don’t care what I do for them, I’m just going to live for myself or stop living my faith.”
Do you ever get tired of doing Christ-like things in life?  Tired of being kind when others are rude? Tired of working around church when others don’t seem to pitch in? Tired of going to church every week as though you don’t get anything out of it?  Tired of praying, reading devotions and the Bible when things don’t seem to change? How many ways are we tempted to get tired of doing good things, especially for others who do not seem to respond.  Give up?
The story is told of a man who was helping people find work.  Out of the first thousand people for whom he helped get jobs, how many do you think said, “Thank you”?  Ten.  Should he quit trying to help people just because they weren’t grateful to him?
In last Sunday’s lesson, Jesus was traveling on a lonely road. Ten sick lepers begged Him to help them.  Doctors could not heal them. There seemed no hope of healing. They were living a slow, painful death. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” they cried. He healed them.  How many came back to thank Him?  Only one; one out of ten. “Where are the nine?” He asked. Was Jesus getting tired of doing good for people who were not thankful? (Lk.17:11f)
The Savior never tires of doing good.  He is the compassionate One, helping us every day, and we often neglect to thank Him. Oh, we may say a table prayer of thanks, but…. One might think that He would get tired of doing good for us. Yet, He keeps loving, forgiving, and helping us. He went to the cross for such ungrateful and tired people as we can be to make us His own eternally
Thinking of the ways the Savior treats us in love, how can we get tired of doing good to others?  Paul writes, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the appointed time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the household of faith.”
Whatever “good” you plant in life, you plant for the Savior.  Whenever you help someone in need, you do it as if to the Lord who has helped you eternally. Such things reap a harvest for Him as others see the good we do and praise the Father who is in heaven (Mt.5:16).  The Bible adds, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col.3:17). And Jesus says, “Whatever you do for one of the least of these, you did for me” (Mt.25:40).  For the Savior!
Oh, but it gets so hard after a while, and who doesn’t grow tired of ingratitude, even rejection. Yes, and God forgives us our excuses and weaknesses. He knows we are “frail and only dust.” So, He sent Christ to save us and strengthen us for life in Him. Paul says. “I can do all things through (Christ) who strengthens me” (Phlp.4:13).
When “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” look not to yourself but to Him who strengthens you. Think of how much the Savior does, and it will move you to do good for others. Tired? Not in Christ Who Strengthens Me.  Never too tired to do good.
II. Never too tired to help a sinner.
  And the best of all good you could do is helping a sinner see the Savior.  It’s what Paul encourages in the first part of today’s Gospel Lesson when he writes, “Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass (a false step), you who are spiritual should restore (requiring some skill, used of mending fish nets) him in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted….Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law (or teachings/principles/pattern) of Christ.”
The story is told of a young boy carrying his little brother on his back. Staggering under the heavy load, the boy was huffing and puffing as he passed a man on the sidewalk.  “Quite a load for a little boy!” the man exclaimed.  “Why, mister,” the little boy smiled, “he ain’t heavy; he’s my brother.”
What a theme for a sermon that would be! And what a different world ours would be if all of us took seriously the deeper implication of Christian brotherhood. Ours should be church that looks upon a fellow believer, no matter who it is, as a brother or sister in Christ needing help, and one we can carry in their hard times.
The Bible says, “Keep on loving each other as brothers” (literally, “Let brotherly love continue or dwell”) (Hb.13:1).  In unconditional love and humility “carry one another’s burdens.”
A burden is like a heavy boulder weighing a person down as he staggers along the highway of life. What causes such crushing weight? The list is endless: reversals in life, sickness, tragedy, financial setback, broken dreams, broken marriages, death, and perhaps the worst in Paul’s mind here – the guilt for sin and being led astray (ch.1). I think that the burden of guilt for sin is the heaviest of all for guilt keeps one from enjoying the forgiving love, peace, and hope that Christ won for us.  Guilt nags at you.
In the chapter before this one, Paul wrote: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again.” But hanging on to guilt enslaves in sin.  It hinders the enjoyment of the freedom and joy of salvation in Christ, our Savior. After repentance, how wonderful it is to hear a fellow Christian assure us of God’s complete forgiveness in Christ and their own forgiveness for us, too!  And how wonderful it is when there is someone to share any problem we might have in order to help us through them. Don’t get tired of helping the sinner.
There are many support groups in society. They come in all sizes, shapes, and purposes. But the best support group is the Holy Christian Church, forgiven sinners helping forgiven sinners know the comfort and joy that the Savior gives. That’s truly the “sharing of good things,” eternal things.  The one who humbly acknowledges his own burden of sin and whose heart is warmed by the gospel of Christ, he can carry his needy brother or sister on his shoulders.
So, dear friend in Christ, as you look up into the face of God your Savior, you can say of another sinner who needs your help, “He’s not heavy, Father; he’s my brother.”
Tired of life? Sometimes. But never too tired to help the sinner. And never too tired to do good. Tired? Not in Christ Who Strengthens Me. “Let us not become weary of doing good, because at the appointed time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who belong to the household of faith, not giving up…. Peace and mercy to all who follow it.” God grant it to us in 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 Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity     September 8, 2024

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,  and all these things will be given to you as well.”           Matthew 6:33

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

“How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, everyone who walks in His ways! How blessed you are! You will eat the food you worked for.  It will go well with you.  May the LORD bless you…so that you see prosperity all the days of your life” (Psalm 128).

W h a t    T h i s    S u n d a y    i s    A b o u t

The Christian, Free of Care, Trusting God, Supporting Others.   

Only God’s Word and promises can strengthen one’s trust in God.  They alone increase the resolve to walk in His ways with singleness of heart and purpose, devoted to Him.

The Christian’s heart has a single purpose, to lift high the Savior in all things.  Doubt, worry, or the chasing after earthly goals divide the heart and lead it astray. If God provides for the needs of His lesser creatures, will He not provide the needs of those for whom He sent His Son to save from sin and restore to Him? So it is that Christians walk in life, in step with the Spirit, trusting that God will provide. Such a faith reaches out to support others in their times of need, especially spiritual need.

To that end we pray:  Let Your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Your help, protect and govern it always by Your goodness, for Jesus’ sake we ask this.  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: 1 Kings 17:7-16

God sends the Prophet Elijah to the widow at Zarephath during a time of famine in Israel.  Zarephath was on the Mediterranean Sea coast, outside of Israel, near Tyre and Sidon, and among the heathen.  The Lord provided food for them in a miraculous way, not allowing the flour and oil to run out.

The Epistle Lesson:  Galatians 5:25-6:10

Follow Christ’s pattern of love by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit who created and made new life within us possible. Let the love of Christ fill you so that you have singleness of heart as you seek to restore sinners gently, help to carry burdens, and strive to do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:24-34

The Christian makes no compromises with the world. He cannot serve God and the things of this world.  Faith in Christ calls for singleness of heart and mind that flows from deep confidence in His care. If He provided us with the greater need of forgiveness and life, He will see to all other needs.  We have no reason to worry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Organist: Jane Rips                  The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

 

Point to Ponder: “I have one preacher that I love better than any other on earth.  It is my little robin, who preaches to me daily.  I put crumbs upon my windowsill, especially at night.  He hops to the windowsill when he wants his supply and takes as much as he needs.  Then he always hops to a tree nearby, lifts his voice to God, sings his carol of praise and gratitude, tucks his little head under his wing goes fast to sleep, and lets tomorrow look after itself.  He is the best preacher that I have on earth.”

— Martin Luther on Worldly Cares

 

“It is not charity to make light of sin…nor is it love to wink at iniquities…But it is charity to remember the weakness and frailty of human nature…. It is charity kindly and mercifully to try to recover and restore an unfortunate offender.”                     — Martin Luther on Galatians 6

 

Outline of  Our Worship

The Preparation

Opening Thoughts on the Service

The Entrance Hymn: #612

Order of Worship:   The Service: Setting One     page 154-160

Prayer of the Day

The Ministry of the Word

1 Kings 17:77-16

The Psalm: #121

Galatians 5:25-6:10

Gospel Acclamation: God’s Love     pg.161

Matthew 6:24-34

Hymn: #552

Sermon:  Galatians 6:9-10     Tired? Not In Christ Who Strengthens Me.

The Offertory: Hymn #942

The Apostles’ Creed      pg.163

Our Response to the Word

Prayer of the Church:    pg.164

The Offering

Hymn: #766

The Lord Blesses Us

The Closing Prayers and Blessing      Hymnal page 171

Closing Hymn: #736

Silent Prayer

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity – Historic Series

Old Testament Lesson: 1 Kings 17:7-16 Elijah & the Widow of Zarephath

7 After some time the stream dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Get up! Go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there. I have commanded a woman there, a widow, to provide for you.”

10 So he got up and went to Zarephath. He came to the city gate, and there he saw a widow gathering sticks. He called to her and said, “Please give me a little water in a jar, so that I can have something to drink.”

11 When she went to get it, he called to her, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

12 She said, “As surely as the Lord your God lives, I have no food except a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a pitcher. See, I am gathering a couple of sticks so that I can go and prepare it for myself and my son, so that we can eat it and then die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do just as you said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from the flour and bring it out to me. Then go and make another for you and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says. The jar of flour will not run out and the pitcher of oil will not become empty until the day the Lord sends rain to water the surface of the ground.”

15 So she went and did exactly as Elijah said. He and she, as well as her household, were able to eat for many days. 16 The jar of flour did not run out, and the pitcher of oil did not go empty, as the Lord had said through Elijah.

Epistle Lesson: Galatians 5:25-6:10 – Bear One Another’s Burdens. 

25 If we live by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. 6 1Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person test his own work, and then he will take pride in regard to himself and not his neighbor. 5 For each man will bear his own burden.

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with his teacher.

7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. To be sure, whatever a man sows, he will also reap. 8 Indeed, the one who sows for his own sinful flesh will reap destruction from the sinful flesh. But the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. 9 Let us not become weary of doing good, because at the appointed time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:24-34 – Do Not Worry.

24 “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.

25 “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow, reap, or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 “Which of you can add a single moment to his lifespan by worrying? 28 Why do you worry about clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin, 29 but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not clothe you even more, you of little faith?

31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unbelievers chase after all these things. Certainly, your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”       ® (EHV®) © 2019

Calendar  &  Announcements  for  Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church

 

Today

Sept.8

 Monday

Sept.9

 Tuesday

Sept.10

 Wednesday

Sept.11

 Thursday

Sept.12

 Friday

Sept.13

 Saturday

Sept.14

 Next Sun.

Sept.15
9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

online -Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

 

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 No Midweek Bible Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

with Holy Communion

online – Facebook

 10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

 

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

 

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

God has provided for all our needs, the lesser needs of the body, and most importantly, the eternal needs of the soul.  And He has promised to continue upholding us.  Because of that the Christian heart has the single purpose of lifting up the Savior in all things. In what we say and do we either give God the glory or we steal it from Him. So it is that Christians walk in life, trusting God for all things, and seeking to reflect their love for Him in their dealings with others.      

 

The Epistle Lesson: Galatians 5:25-6:10  (the answers are found on the back side)

  1. In what practical way would we fulfill the law of Christ (v. 2)?
  2. When Paul says “a man reaps what he sows,” what, more specifically, does he mean (v. 8)?

 

Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Norine Richardson; Melissa Morlock-Jaeger; Liz Lisenby; Barbara Long; the family of Robbie Woessner (Bob and Geri’s son) whom the Lord called to Himself this past week; Pastor Roger Neumann from Oskaloosa, IA, undergoing open heart surgery this past week; Jean Carol Hobson, under hospice care.

 

Meditations next series of devotions for fall began last Sunday.  Copies will be found in the narthex.  There are plenty of copies for you to take as outreach efforts to family, friends, and acquaintances.  Also Forward in Christ’s next issue for September has arrived.  Copies are in the narthex.

Divine Call Sent  At the joint call meeting of Zion and Peace 2 weeks ago, Pastor David  Karow was selected to whom our seventh call for a pastor has been sent. He is 53 years old and presently serves St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Springs, WI.  He and wife Christie have 3 children, ages 25,23,20. Only one is presently at home. Keep Pastor Karow and family in your prayers over these weeks as he prayerfully considers where the Lord would have him serve in His Kingdom.

 

Plans Taking Shape  The food pantry outside ministry box has been erected where those in need may stop to pick up items. Now we need to provide the resources.  Please deposit non-perishable items in the box in the narthex or see a member of the planning committee about needs. Moving into October we will seek to reach out in nearby neighborhoods around church with a Thursday morning women’s Bible study. Letters and door hangers are being assembled. Once again, we will take part in preparing meals and seeking to bring encouragement to residents at the Ronald McDonald House on the south side. Pray that these efforts may bear fruit for the Kingdom and join with us. For more information, see one of these committee members: Barbara Breidel, Dee Bruck, Sharon Burk, Jim Inniger, Becky Mistele, Jane Rips, Glenn Schulz, Pastor.

 

Upcoming Services and Events

Monday-Tuesday, September 23-24 – MN District Southern Conference Pastor’s study conference in Dardenne Prairie, MO

Friday, October 4 – Ronal McDonald House evening meal

Saturday, October 12 –  LWMS Fall Rally at Peace, Marshfield, registration starts at 9:30 am until 2:30 pm

Saturday, October 19, 2-6:30 pm – Renaissance/Reformation Festival at Faith LC, Carthage, MO (more information to follow)

 

The Week in Review

Last Sunday Worship: 28; Bible Study:15; Midweek Bible Class: no class this week; Offerings: $2,415

 Next Sunday’s Lessons:               

16th Sunday after Trinity: Job 5:17-26; Ephesians 3:13-21; Luke 7:11-17  (Historic Pericope Series)

Answer to Today’s Epistle Lesson Brief Study:

  1. By carrying each other’s burdens, we will fulfill the law of Christ.
  2. Paul means that certain actions naturally lead to corresponding results. “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

This week I am praying for……                 

                                                                                               

Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

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