The Lutheran Hour
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"Now You See It, Now You Don’t"
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Text: 1 Cor. 7:29-31
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed. In the course of my ministry, I have buried over 400 people. A few of them were over 100 years old. Some of them were never able to celebrate a first birthday. For some of them, death gave a long warning. For others, death came most unexpectedly. To all, the news that Christ has conquered death was, at that final moment, all important. Nothing else mattered. When the time is short, people pay attention to the important things.
Saint Paul was giving a “heads up” to the Corinthian church when he wrote, “The time is short.” Whenever ministers start talking about the last times, people respond in a number of different, and sometimes, unusual ways. Let me tell you what I mean.
One minister was preaching about “too-late day,” and got what we in the ministry call “enthusiastic,” but what you, in a congregation call “really loud.” At any rate, he roared from the pulpit, “On that day there will be wars and famines and earthquakes! The sun shall be darkened and the stars will fall from the sky!” In semi-shock, one young, wide-eyed, second-grader leaned over to his mother and whispered, “Momma, do you think when that day comes I’ll get outta school?” His was a practical reaction to the subject of judgment day. And to his practical question, I can assure him, ‘Yes, son, on judgment day, school’s getting out early.”
Another reaction to the idea of judgment day comes to us from the year 1789. The place was Hartford, Connecticut. The legislature of that fine state was in session. The sky darkened, ominously. Some members of the House of Representatives, glancing out the windows, feared judgment day had arrived. So intense was the darkness, a small panic ensued. The motion was made for immediate adjournment. That’s when a colonel, a representative by the name of Davenport, rose and said, “The Day of Judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to have the Lord find me doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought.” Not bad. He sounds like a sensible man.
Saint Paul wrote, “The time is short.” To that truth, revealed by God, people react in different ways. Years ago, a man who had always jeered at the idea of a Savior or salvation became ill. During the months of his disorder and decline, the neighborhood minister sent him small packages. Nothing big, just a few little things to let the man know he had not been forgotten. As it became apparent that time was running out, the man sent for the minister. He began the conversation by saying, “I didn’t ask you here so you could regale me with religion. I did, however, want to thank you for your kindness.” Understanding the rules of the conversation, the minister inquired: “May I ask one question?” “Yes,” said the man, “one question, as long as it isn’t about religion.” The minister spoke: “OK, here goes. I’m preaching tomorrow. Quite a few people will be there to hear me. Some, like you, may soon be facing death. Here’s my question: ‘What shall I preach about?'” There was a long silence. The reply came: “Pastor, preach Christ to them, preach Christ.”
Following his reply and listening to the command of our Lord, that is what we will do today. We will preach Christ. We will preach Him because when it comes to the last times, knowing Him who gave His life so you might have life, is a good bit of knowledge to have. We shall preach Christ because it is impossible to find salvation in anyone other than Jesus (Acts 4:12). We shall preach Christ because if you know Him as your Savior, it will make a very large difference to your dying and your eternity. What kind of difference? Well, if you know Christ, your last moment in time will not be your last moment in time. On the contrary, with Jesus as your Lord, death means a very positive change of residence. On earth, everything has been tainted by iniquity. Look at the news. Read the papers and you will always see ongoing stories of sin, sorrow, and sadness. You will be overwhelmed by reports of pain, prejudice, and poverty. You will be dumbfounded by descriptions of depression, discouragement, disappointment, and disaster. But for a Christian, when the end comes, they have been promised that they will enter the perfect and pure presence of God. They will be with their Savior (John 14:3), and in His company, all the inequities, injustices and injuries of life will be for once, for all, for eternity, eliminated (Revelation 7:15-17).
If you know Christ as your Savior, not only will the nastiness of life around you be changed, but you, yourself will be transformed (1 Corinthians 15:52). Understand, Christians daily rejoice that, because of Jesus, having been washed in the blood He shed for them upon Calvary’s cross, they are forgiven (1 Corinthians 12:20). But they also inwardly groan and sigh, because no matter how hard they try to live a life of thanksgiving and appreciation, they still are burdened by sin (2 Corinthians 5:2-4). But, when Jesus comes again, the sinful nature that weighs them down will be cut free, and their souls will soar in a never-ending eternity of praise (Revelation 14:7).
If you know Jesus as your Savior, when the last time comes, you will enter into a family reunion that will never end. Now, if your family reunions are major headaches, forget that image. Instead, visualize the very best, the most unforgettable day of your life. You know the one I’m talking about. I’m talking about that day you wished, with all your heart, that it would never end. You remember. I’m talking about that day blessed with the best weather, populated with the best people, who said the nicest things, who did the neatest stuff. You remember that day? Well, take that day, and then make it better. Make it infinitely better. Then make it so that day would never stop. That’s the smallest and poorest glimmer of what eternity with the Lord is going to be like. You will be with your brothers and sisters who are living forever in the Lord. You will be with your Divine Brother, who sacrificed Himself to make this infinity of joy a reality. That’s what it means to know Jesus. Everything is changed.
That’s why it’s important that you know Him. Without Jesus as your Savior, without the salvation which comes from His birth, His life, His suffering, His death, and above all, His wondrous resurrection, the last moment of time is dark, dreadful, and deadly. With Jesus, you will know terminal illnesses are not terminal and the grave is not the gravest thing that can happen to you. That’s what it means to know Jesus.
And if you don’t know Jesus? What then? Let me tell you about Edith Rockefeller McCormick. Edith, the daughter of John D. Rockefeller, had a high social position and a great many servants. Those great many servants had one unbreakable rule: they were never, I mean NEVER, allowed to speak to her. To the best of anyone’s recollection, only once was that rule broken. That was when her young son died of scarlet fever. Word of his death reached the McCormick’s summer retreat as they were in the midst of hosting a party. After some discussion, the servants decided that this news was something they had to share. One of them was elected to speak to the lady. The news was whispered into her ear. There was a long pause. She nodded her head that she understood. And then, with the news of her child’s death echoing in her head and heart, Mrs. McCormick did something most unusual. She continued the party. She continued just as if nothing had happened. Unusual? Most assuredly. It is not what you or I would do, is it? But maybe I’m wrong. I might be wrong, because today, I’m whispering in your ear. I’m whispering the news that time is short. Death is coming. And, having heard this whisper, I think a fair number of you who don’t have Jesus as your Savior are nodding your head, and then continuing the party–as if nothing had happened. Please, my friends. Please don’t do that. Don’t continue the party as if nothing was happening. Saint Paul says it, “The time is short.”
Of course, if you are going to keep your heart’s door bolted and shut; if you’re going to slap away the Savior’s nail-pierced hands reaching out to you in invitation; if you are going to keep your ears stopped up to His words of invitation, I suppose you might as well keep partying. You might as well enjoy the false and fleeting feelings this world offers. You might as well relish this world’s party, because it’s the only joy you will ever know. Please enjoy the music. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the sights. Because the day is coming when you will never taste, hear, feel or see these joys again. There are no delicacies to delight the tongue in hell. There are no musical chords of joy when you die without Jesus. The time is growing short. And, without Jesus, that time is far shorter than you think. Without Jesus, that time is certainly shorter than you would like.
Today, we are preaching Christ crucified and risen for you. Since 1930, “The Lutheran Hour” has been preaching the same life-changing, soul-saving message: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39).
Do you think our listening audience has stayed the same since 1930? It has not. This broadcast was proclaiming a changeless Christ to a changing world 10 years before I was born. During these decades speakers have come and gone. Audiences have been born, lived a full life, and died. Beginning in the great depression of the 30s, the word went out, ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.’ That word shared God’s peace with millions. It shared salvation and souls were saved. They might not have had a job during those years, but they did have a Savior. They had a Savior who understood their poverty, for He, too, had been penniless. Gathered before the radio in the parlor, they found comfort.
In the ’40s, when the sons and daughters of this great country went off to war; when everyone on the homefront came together in a common cause; when the best of our youth were spilling their blood, and dying terrible deaths on the sandy beaches in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the message went out: “You are not alone. Jesus, who spilled His blood so you could have hope, is with you.” In the ’50s, when America was building and rebuilding, listeners were encouraged to build on Jesus. In the ’60s, as social unrest tore our country and communities apart, the truth of God’s great grace in Jesus brought peace to people who were confused. In the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and now, in a new decade, century, and millenium, the message continues: “Jesus has come so you might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Like the seasons, speakers and listeners have come and gone, but the message is the same: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16). Are you saved? Brothers, the time is short.
Now, if I still have your attention, this is the point you might ask, “Pastor, just how short is the time?” In the last few years, a great many articles from the scientific and religious communities have been putting forth their theories. A nice, well-sized asteroid could quickly make a mash of things (http://www.discover.com/oct 00). Then there’s the possibility of a gamma ray burst originating in a distant galaxy. That could cook the ozone layer and do us in. No matter which scientific scenario you espouse, the truth is, science isn’t able to predict when the end is coming. On the other hand, they do know it is coming.
Saint Paul says, the time is short. The religious community has also been rolling the presses on the theme of the last time. Novels are being rushed into print as writers try to imagine the horrific vision and timetable of those last days. When is “too-late day” coming? During the time of the apostles, some people thought Jesus’ return was only a short time away (John 21:21ff). Around the year 400, Hippolytus (you don’t have to remember his name) wrote that Christ would come back in the year 500. He didn’t. Around the year 1000, pulpits were filled with predictions of the Christ’s recoming. So strong was the sentiment of Jesus’ return that many didn’t plant their crops, and some starved. Christopher Columbus, an explorer, as well as a student of Biblical prophecy, wrote a treatise called, “The Book of Prophecies.” He predicted the world would end in 1556. It didn’t. After years of studying the Bible, William Miller got a following of 50,000 to 100,000 people who believed him when he said Jesus would return in 1843. On the designated day of April 3, some of those disciples went to mountaintops, hoping for a head start to heaven. Others went to graveyards, anticipating they would ascend to heaven in fellowship with their already deceased family members. As you might guess, April 3 came and went without the end. No matter. Miller had said the end might come as late as March 21. That day also came and went. A third date, October 22, was designated. But, still, judgment didn’t come.
In the face of such failed prophecies, I am now going to give you my opinion about when judgment day will come. Ready? Here it is: I don’t know. Disappointed? Don’t be. Nobody knows. Now, that’s not sour grapes on my part. I’m not trying to put down all the present day doomsayers. I wouldn’t do that. No. I’m telling you I don’t know, because nobody knows. And I know nobody knows because Jesus told me nobody knows. He said, very clearly, and concisely, “Heaven and earth will pass away. . .no one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven…” (Matthew 24:35-36).
So with the news that the pastor doesn’t know, and science is giving us five billion years, maybe you can kick back? Don’t you believe it. Let me tell you a great secret, my friends. Do not wait for the last judgment. The last judgment takes place every day.
This radio broadcast is carried on about 1,000 radio stations. It is also found on the Internet and reaches around the world. If I were to trust the law of averages, I would probably be quite right in saying that for some this is the last sermon you will hear. This is the last invitation you will receive from our beloved Lord. Do not assume Jesus will postpone coming for you. Today is the day to believe in the Lord of life. Tomorrow might be too late–maybe for the world–maybe for you–certainly for someone. For someone it’s going to be, “Now you see it, now you don’t.” When that day comes as you stand before God, the situation will be changed. Today, the all important question is, “What do you think of Christ?” On that day, the question will be, “What does Christ think of you.”
In the ancient world, there was a mathematician by the name of Archimedes. He was so fond of performing his mathematical problems that, when the city in which he was living fell to the Romans, he didn’t pay any attention. He didn’t pay attention to the tramp of the soldiers. He didn’t pay attention to the cries of the people. He didn’t pay any attention when the enemy came down his street. He didn’t pay any attention when they entered his house. Through all of that, he continued to work at his interesting, albeit of secondary importance now, geometric calculations. It was only when the soldier stood before him and swung his sword, that he paid attention. And then it was too late. Don’t you do the same.
Toward the beginning of this sermon, the man told the pastor, “Preach Christ.” That’s what we have done. We have preached Christ because I don’t want you to copy Archimedes’ mistake. Don’t busy yourself with the secondary stuff and leave the important stuff wanting. The time is growing short. Be prepared. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Don’t close your ears to the inevitable. The world’s last moment is approaching. Yours is coming. Don’t wait for death to come into your life, touch you on the shoulder and, in surprise, say, “What, have you come already?” The time is short. If you don’t know where to go from here, please, let my friends at Lutheran Hour Ministries be of assistance to you. They have been doing it for a good many years. They won’t ask you for money. All they want to do is help you be prepared for Judgment Day. They want to help you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ so you can be saved. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for January 26, 2003
ANNOUNCER: Who is my Bosnian neighbor and how do I share Christ with him? I’m Mark Eischer. Joining me today in the studio to talk about this is Pastor Tony Boos (pronounced BOHZ), missionary to the Bosnian Community in St. Louis. Pastor Boos, welcome.
BOOS: Thanks for having me.
ANNOUNCER: Who are the Bosnians?
BOOS: Bosnians, at least in the United States, are predominantly refugees. A refugee is a survivor. They’ve been persecuted through a horrendous war in the early ’90s. They had to flee their country. Otherwise, they’d be killed. In St. Louis, where a majority of them are (40,000), they are predominantly Muslim.
ANNOUNCER: Now for our listeners across the country and in Canada, where might they find pockets of Bosnian refugees?
BOOS: In the United States, there are 120,000 Bosnians (best guess), throughout the major cities that have resettlement agencies that work with the United States to relocate these refugees–places like Phoenix, Michigan, Iowa, and New York. Chicago is really almost equal in number or a little less than in St. Louis.
ANNOUNCER: Could you describe the Bosnian people in terms of their characteristics or some of their traits?
BOOS: They are very family oriented. They’ll live with parents. Many have cousins that are like brothers and sisters, something very foreign to the United States culture. Also because they are Muslim in name, they have a lot of traditions they practice. They value being hard workers and clean people. Bosnians take shoes off at the door because they value a clean home. They don’t necessarily eat pork and other types of things. But they are hard working.
ANNOUNCER: What effect do the Bosnian refugees have on neighborhoods where they have started to settle?
BOOS: They have many businesses and shops. They want to have a community center. They really want to be a community and be together as often as possible. They have stabilized those neighborhoods.
ANNOUNCER: Why did our church feel it was important to have a missionary to the Bosnian community?
BOOS: I think really the Lord has opened up eyes and hearts and the Holy Spirit has been working on our church body to see that, right in the backyard of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, we have a group of people that doesn’t know the love of Jesus. They know of a god, namely, the god of Allah, which is very much a god of wrath and unsuredness of eternal life. We have that opportunity to introduce them to Jesus.
ANNOUNCER: So, even if they only practice their faith on a cultural level, they are operating from a view of God, their god who makes demands, a god who sets expectations, but is not necessarily a God who gives grace, love, and forgiveness.
BOOS: Yes, many of my Bosnian friends agree, “Yes, God is sovereign. If it’s God’s will, this will happen.” That’s a great point of agreement. But, where we differ is God is a God of love but what does that mean when it comes to making decisions in life? God loves you regardless of what culture you are or what name you carry with you.
ANNOUNCER: Briefly, what reaction have you had when you’ve been able to share with them the God of grace who reveals himself to us in His Son, Jesus Christ?
BOOS: It varies. What I come across is, “What is your relationship with God? How do you have a relationship with Him?” And it really starts with being a friend. One of the verses we use in our ministry is from John 15:15, where Jesus says, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant doesn’t know his master’s business. Instead, I call you friends, for everything I’ve learned from my Father I have made known to you.” We are privileged to have that relationship with God through our friendship in Christ, through what He has done on the cross for all our sins and to have an eternal relationship with God the Father. That’s what we try to share with our Muslim Bosnian neighbors.
ANNOUNCER: Well, we have much more to talk about and we’ll pick up this subject again next week. Thank you, Pastor Tony Boos, Missionary to the Bosnian Community in St. Louis.