The Lutheran Hour
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"Christ in the Midst of Change"
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Text: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Every day those words of resurrection bring about changes, amazing, astonishing changes in the lives and eternities of humanity. To those who do not know Him, the Savior extends the invitation to believe and be changed; to those who already acknowledge Him as their Redeemer, He says, “Stay faithful during life’s changing times.” May God grant such a Savior to us all. Amen.
Change. That’s what we’re talking about today. In the early 1990s the “Teen Talk Barbie” doll hit store shelves. Although a popular doll with the public, Barbie, with her unrealistic figure and seemingly insatiable desire for “stuff” had managed to offend some folks. They went nuts when she stereotypically said girly type things like: “Math is hard” and “I love shopping!” and “Will we ever have enough clothes?” Some became so upset they decided to change things. To bring about change they formed a fellowship which they called the Barbie Liberation Organization. The BLO acquired a few hundred speaking Barbie dolls and a similar number of G.I. Joe dolls. Excuse me, G.I. Joe “action figures.” Then, they transferred Barbie’s voice box to G.I. Joe and G.I. Joe’s voice to Barbie.
Then they returned the altered dolls to the toy stores. The stores sold the “Teen Talk Barbie” to children. Those children, when they made Barbie talk, heard her shout things like, “Vengeance is mine!” Those children who had the G.I. Joe doll heard him sweetly sing-song, “Let’s plan our dream wedding.”
Change. Whether we want to or not, all of us experience change. Years ago I had in my parish a lady who was 104-years-old. Physically she could out-walk most and mentally she was sharper than a whole box of tacks. When we talked, something I loved to do, she spoke of the many changes she had seen in her life. She not only spoke of men landing on the moon, but she also remembered the beginning of flight, and the day covered wagons stopped for water on her parent’s Nebraska farm. She could recall when going to the hospital was a death sentence; when people made provision for the distribution of their property before they had a simple appendectomy. She had lived during the days when the first trans-oceanic telegraph message had been sent and she hoped to be able to master a computer so she could send an email. This lady had seen change.
Change. To a lesser degree, every one of you has experienced change. If you had told me there would come a time when same-sex marriages would be debated; when intelligent, talented people would dedicate themselves to filling the Internet with so much porn, parental controls would need to be put in place for adults; when, in some places, teens would need mother and father’s permission for an ear-piercing, but not for an abortion; I would have thought you insane. We have seen changes. We will continue to see them.
Change. It’s everywhere. Even Jesus, in the minds of men, has undergone change. Although the Bible clearly says Jesus is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), the Savior’s image has often been altered. In the first centuries of the church, Jesus was considered the friend of the lowly, the downtrodden, the sinner. By the year 500, the Lord of Life had been adopted as the great supporter of both establishment and state. By the first millennium, Jesus was transformed into a conquering warrior in whose name crusaders were sent to shed the blood of those who had invaded the Holy Land. By 1500, Jesus had been altered into a Divinity so remote, so angry, so furious with humanity’s sin, that people felt comfortable only if they talked to Him through His mother. And now, Jesus is, well, Jesus has become, for many folks, not so much a God as He is a good guy, a teacher-philosopher whose religion is no more “true” than is any other faith. The Savior’s claim to be “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) is discounted as being too exclusive and His powerful declaration, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25), is relegated to being only a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the people who recorded the story of His life.
Because Jesus has changed, many church bodies and congregations have changed. Across the country, crosses are deemed offensive and are being removed from signs and steeples. Instead of offering classes on what Scripture teaches and what a person needs to believe if they wish to enter heaven, many congregations, wishing to grow numerically, have decided to offer classes in Driver’s Education, English-as-a-second-language, and How to housebreak your puppy.
Change. Now, you may believe, because of what I’ve said so far, this message is going to speak against change. It isn’t. Change is nothing new to the church. Change is nothing new to God. The universe which surrounds you is there because God, with a word, wished it into being. That is change of the first magnitude. When the Triune God saw our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, banished from the Garden of Eden, alone, lost, dying, and damned, He promised change. In a single sentence (Genesis 3:15) He promised to send a Savior who would give His life to restore them, reunite them, redeem them. That was change. When the Lord heard the cries of the People-of-Promise who were being held in Egyptian slavery, He sent Moses, along with ten plagues, to free them. That was change.
Then, 2,000 years ago God sent His Son. Even our calendar reflects the greatness of that change. Born true man, because of His virgin mother, and true God because of His conception by the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ entire life was spent reversing our deserved damnation and substituting God’s graciously given salvation. As our heaven-sent substitute, Jesus rejected every temptation to sin placed before Him. When Satan slyly suggested some shortcuts; or when the world wished to distract Him and make Him an earthly king, He resisted. Then, at the end of His life, Jesus, the innocent Son of God, was falsely arrested, unfairly accused, illegally condemned, and nailed to a cross. So that our eternity might be changed, Jesus allowed Himself, yes, allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross. He suffered the punishment; He died the death which our sins deserved. Then, on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave. On that glorious morning of grace, God brought about a change which affects the life, the eternity of all who believe on Jesus as their personal Lord and saving-substitute from sin.
Because Christ is risen, no longer do believers have to say a final farewell to a loved one who is dying. Because Christ is risen, we no longer have to wonder what has happened to those who have breathed their last. Because Christ is risen, all who believe in Jesus know they have a living Friend to help them through every day they are given. Yes, believers may not be free from all the pains and woes this world manages to throw at us. But, because Christ is risen, these pains are brought into a sufferable perspective; these woes become more manageable. Peter described the change the Christ brings when he wrote:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). A living hope which belongs to us because Christ is risen. Because Christ is risen eternal sadness is replaced by the Savior’s salvation, and those who mourn find their sorrow tempered by a future endless reunion with those who have, in faith, gone on before them. Because Christ is risen, we have life and we have it abundantly (John 10:10).
A risen Christ is change, a change worth having. He is a change which touches the lives of hundreds of millions of people. He is the change the Holy Spirit bestowed to His people on Pentecost; a renovation so overwhelming, so soul-shaking, so totally transforming, the disciples were willing to die rather than relinquish the benefits Jesus’ restoration had bestowed. No one knew that fact better than did the Apostle Paul. Paul had been educated as, and became a member of, the party of the Pharisees. As such, he would have known the Old Testament backwards, forwards, and inside out. Paul became a fanatical persecutor of the newly established Christian faith. His life was dedicated to putting out the flame and stomping out the embers of anyone who believed in Jesus as Savior. Paul’s name might have been listed in the history books as a defender of Israel’s faith if the Lord had not changed him.
On a mission to arrest and imprison the faithful followers of the Savior, Paul had a personal encounter with the crucified and risen Christ. That visit changed Paul permanently. It changed his perspective. It changed his political and personal position. It changed his work. It changed his witness, and it changed his eternity. Forgiven of the past, filled with hope for the future, Paul gave up his role as persecutor and became a public proclaimer of the wonderful glory and grace which comes from believing in the Savior’s story of salvation. From that moment on, Paul told anyone, everyone, of how their lives could be changed through faith in the Redeemer. In his first letter to the church in Corinth, he shared how strongly he felt about sharing the Savior’s story. The substance of what he wrote reads something like this: “I, Paul, have made myself a servant to all so, that I might win some of them to Jesus. To the Jews I became a Jew, in order to win the Jews. Although, because of Jesus, I am free from the law, to those who were still living under the law, I became one of them. This I did so some of them might be converted. To those outside the law, without breaking any edicts, I became like them, so they might know the Savior. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people so, by any means possible, those people might be saved. This I did for the sake of the Gospel, so they might have the same blessings as I.”
I can understand what Paul was saying. Every week, for 78 years the microphone of The Lutheran Hour, not the Ken Klaus Hour, but The Lutheran Hour, has shared a changeless Christ with a changing world. Beginning in 1930, through a world war, military skirmishes, and police actions; in good times and bad; in times of social unrest and upheaval; during days of financial deflation, inflation, recession, and depression; using great metal vinyl-covered disks which allowed no rerecording, on tape, CDs, and computer memory cards; on AM and FM, shortwave, iPod, Internet, and cassettes we have shared Christ crucified and risen. Almost 2,000 years ago, using quill and papyrus or sheepskin, and going face-to-face with his audience, Paul shared the story of salvation. Today this message was composed on a computer and is delivered by air and wire. The media and method of delivery has changed, the circumstance and situation in which you live will change, but the message of salvation remains constant: when Jesus Christ is your Savior, your temporal and eternal life is wonderfully transformed.
In 1924, sociologists Robert and Helen Lynd, studied the values of a place they called Middletown, that is, Muncie, Indiana. They asked mothers, which in olden times were known as “housewives,” what values they wished their children to possess. At the top of the list were: a commitment to God and the church, obedience to authority, and good manners. Items which were not of such import were: independence, tolerance, and social mindedness. Now, if the information I have been given is correct, 60 years later sociologists went back to that same community and asked similar questions. In those 60 years things had changed, changed 180 degrees. When asked, “What qualities do you wish for your children?” Modern moms settled on: independence, tolerance, and social mindedness. Far down on the scale was commitment to the Lord.
Change. Now, it is quite possible that you have also changed. Many of you once were religious. But now, when it comes to the Christ, you feel differently. Why? Have you been turned off by past scandals of religious leaders? Have you been put off by the way some churchy people treated you? Have you come to accept the concept that all religions are identical and interchangeable or have you convinced yourself it is impossible to ever know the truth? Are you reacting to the way you had religion stuffed down your throat when you were young; or do you keep your distance because no one has ever personally shared the Savior with you? What keeps you away from the Christ? Are you among the many who believe there is no value in the Savior or His church, or that religion has no relevance to your life?
Let me ask this: are you at peace? I could ask many other questions, but let me stick to that one. Look, you probably have more stuff than your parents ever did, but has that stuff given you peace? Do the things you have done in the past gnaw and nag at your heart and make each day dark and dreary? Do you constantly push back the idea that when you die, things might not be as right as they should be? Do you feel angry, hurt, abused, neglected, sad? Are you at peace? If not, I want to tell you, I need to share that Jesus can change that.
Change, wonderful change is what He does. To repentant hearts He promises, He guarantees, He gave His life to assure complete and total forgiveness. Look around. There is no person you know who is too good not to need the peace and forgiveness Jesus gives; there is no person in your acquaintance who is too terrible not to be forgiven. Jesus lived, died, and rose to give us peace. And if you are saying, “I doubt it,” if you’re laughing because you think nobody can give you peace, I want you to know that thought does not come from God. Jesus forgave Paul the murderer and David the adulterer. He can do the same for you. He will do the same for you. By the Holy Spirit’s power, repent, believe, be saved. No matter what you have seen, no matter what you have done, repent, believe, be saved. That is the great change the Lord wishes to give you.
When he was 12-years-old, Robert Louis Stevenson was looking out on a dark street outside his upstairs bedroom window. As he watched, he saw the lamplighter, with a flame at the end of a long pole, move down the street, igniting the gas-powered lamps. When someone asked him what he was doing, he said, “I am watching a man cut holes in the darkness.” Now, if a man with a lighted pole can change things by cutting holes in the darkness, cannot the Redeemer of the world cut holes in the darkness of your heart? If you need help working with, understanding, knowing about this change, Christ’s call to forgiveness, salvation, and peace, please, call us at The Lutheran Hour. And, if you wish to help us share the unchanging Savior’s story of change, please, call us too. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for February 8, 2009
Topic: No Men in Church – Part 2ANNOUNCER: And we continue our discussion we began last week about men and their lack of involvement with the Church. I’m Mark Eischer and my guest today is Mr. Bruce Wurdeman, who is our Director of U.S. Ministries. Bruce, thanks for joining us.
WURDEMAN: Thank you, Mark. It’s good to be here.
ANNOUNCER: Last week, we talked about a young man whose parents were very concerned that he didn’t seem to feel any need for church or even a relationship with his Savior.
WURDEMAN: You know, that attitude seems to be pretty pervasive.
ANNOUNCER: That’s what Pastor Klaus was saying, based on the things that he’s seen as he’s gone out around the country to preach. You know, it almost seems as if men think of Christ and His Church as being like a feminine institution. Would you agree?
WURDEMAN: I don’t know if I’d go quite that far, but it’s certainly true that many men don’t feel much of a need for church; and their relationship with their Savior, if they have one, tends to be pretty low-key.
ANNOUNCER: Last week, Pastor Klaus described the problem, but we didn’t have the time to get into the solution. So, I’m wondering: Is there anything the Church can be doing to reach men and show them that their preconceived ideas of Christianity need some kind of a tune-up?
WURDEMAN: I sure hope so, Mark. For the last few years, Pastor Klaus has been pushing for our organization to do something. I joined the team because I not only believe something needs to be done, but I also want to be a part of that solution.
ANNOUNCER: Well, have you made any progress?
WURDEMAN: I think so. In the middle of last year, we put together a team here at Lutheran Hour Ministries – some of our best people – and we began building a program called the Men’s Network.
ANNOUNCER: Well, I’m sure this is news for many of our listeners, so please tell us more about it.
WURDEMAN: The Men’s NetWork is all about men’s relationship with their Savior – those who already have one, those who don’t but know their life is empty without Him, as well as those who don’t have a clue. We want men to see Jesus as a strong, very masculine Savior who was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. We want them to realize that His sacrifice on the cross paid for their sins. Just like any well-equipped toolbox, the Men’s NetWork is suited for these different challenges: it can reach men on the fringe or inspire guys who are already dedicating their lives, their time and talents to Jesus. Our churches and homes desperately need male leadership. When our congregations lose the perspective and spiritual muscle of men, they are the poorer for that loss. We want to help them reclaim and re-energize the men in their congregations – this is a task the Holy Spirit will accomplish as men come into contact with God’s Word.
ANNOUNCER: So, really what I’m hearing your say is that men need the Church, but the Church needs men.
WURDEMAN: Yes, committed Christian men, by God’s grace, tend to make things happen. It happened 2,000 years ago, and it’s happened a lot of times since then.
ANNOUNCER: Speaking here of the leaders of the early Christian Church – how will the Men’s NetWork go about doing all of this? What kind of resources will you offer?
WURDEMAN: Basically it’s a Web-based approach, and it offers quick and easy tools for men to use. We have Bible studies – but probably not the kind of Bible studies many are used to seeing. They’re video based; they’re written by men for men; and they address topics like materialism, men’s purpose in the world – all are produced with the interests and needs of the 21st-century in mind. There are a lot of other things on that Web site, including “How To” instructions for everything from “How to Start a Men’s Group” to “How to Organize a Fish Fry.” And you’ll find a host of other resources there. Just go to www.lhmmen.org to find those resources.
ANNOUNCER: Have you tried any of this out so far?
WURDEMAN: Absolutely. We ran some tests in Texas and included various other churches around the country. The feedback that we received from those tests helped us shape and refine that Web site, sharpen it. It definitely put some teeth into the Bible studies. And now we’ve gone national with it, and we’re offering the resources to churches around the country.
ANNOUNCER: Well, Bruce, how can our listeners find out more about the Men’s NetWork?
WURDEMAN: That’s easy. Go to www.lhmmen.com and take a look around. All of the resources there are accessible and absolutely free. We encourage the listeners to use the “Contact Us” button to let us know their thoughts and ideas.
ANNOUNCER: We’ve been talking with Mr. Bruce Wurdeman, Director of U.S. Ministries for Lutheran Hour Ministries. Thank you, Bruce.
WURDEMAN: Thank you, Mark.
ANNOUNCER: This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.