The preaching of God's Word on the Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year - November 13, 2016.
In the Name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” – Matthew 25, 32
Judgement Day is coming soon. When? We don’t know. We don’t need to know. What do we need then? We need Jesus. We need Jesus poured into our ears and hearts that we believe on His Name alone. Why is believing so important? Or, why is faith so important? Without faith in Jesus, you will not enter the Kingdom of God. Hear what Jesus says:
Mark 16,16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
1 Peter 3,21
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
John 6,47 (Jesus to the Jews)
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
John 11:25-26 (Jesus to Martha)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Rom. 10,17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith is created in Baptism. Sustained through hearing the Word of God and strengthened by the eating and drinking of the Lord’s Body and Blood which were given and shed FOR YOU for the forgiveness of sins. Faith is the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. When Jesus asked His disciples if they wanted to go away, Peter says: - John 6,68-69
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter also said these words when he addressed the Sanhedrin: - Acts 4:12
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
And as St. Paul says, there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” – Eph.4,5
Faith in Jesus is how the Judgement takes place in the Gospel lesson.
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” – Matthew 25, 32
Jesus will separate them one from another. This action is the individuals’ great confession of Jesus. Remember, Jesus said these words to the world: - Matthew 10,32-33
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”
So, throughout the life of the Christian, the most important thing to cling to is JESUS! Jesus is your Rock! Jesus is your SALVATION! Jesus is your LIFE! Jesus is the Cornerstone upon which your faith is built. Jesus is your GOOD SHEPHERD. Jesus is your SAVIOR! Jesus is your LORD and it is by His NAME you are saved!
So, what do you do now that you are Baptized? Sit on your hands? Sit in the dark? No. Jesus says to love you your neighbor. Love your enemies. How do you do this love? Now, you live your Baptism. Living in Christ, your faith will move you to a life of good works. You may be aware of some but most you will do without even thinking about them.
St. Paul speaks of this “work of faith” in his letter to the Church in Thessalonica. He also references a “labor of love” and a “patience of hope in Jesus Christ.” You see, St. James tells us that we cannot just sit idlily by and do nothing. He writes: - James 2,14-17
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
This is the life account Jesus has with the righteous and unrighteous immediately following the Judgement. Jesus discusses the life led on this earth while waiting for His return. Jesus speaks of the holy life lived out in service to the neighbor.
When did you or did you not give Me food, drink, shelter, clothing, and visitation? Each group asks in return, when did we or did we not do these things?
Jesus answered them in turn respectively: Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it (or did not do it) to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it (or did not do it) to Me.
James is right. Faith without works is dead. Does that make our works a requirement for eternal life? No. Works are a fruit of the faith. This is evidenced in Jesus words in John’s Gospel. Jesus is your Life. Jesus is your nourishment. Jesus feeds you His Word. He makes you strong. He gives you His Spirit to guide you in the way of righteousness.
I guess the question is, Do you believe the words Jesus says to you about Himself and eternal life? You are the Baptized. Your Baptism speaks and says, Yes, Lord. You are the Christ the Son of the Living God!
On Judgement Day, you do not need to fear. Your Baptism will be complete. It will have carried you through this valley of death, through trial and temptation one after the other, and it will have given you strength to make this great confession before the world.
So, continue abiding in Jesus. Do not forsake Him. Do not go the easy way of death. There is no glory in self, world, or the devil. There is only death in these things. Follow Jesus. Hear Jesus. Eat. Drink. Confess. Jesus. On Judgement Day you will hear:
Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. – Matthew 25,34
Go now with the Lord your God. Seek Him while He may be found. He is everywhere. All you need to do is look at your neighbor. Love them. Feed them. Give them drink. Shelter them from the world. Visit the sick, dying, and imprisoned. Love is God’s greatest gift to you. Share His divine love through faith.
In the Name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
X Soli Deo Gloria X