First Lutheran Church of Little Rock

PENTECOST 15 (PROPER 18), SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 Theme: Saving faith in Christ
Text: James 2:1–10, 14–18 Other Lessons: Isaiah 35:4–7a; Psalm 146; Mark
7:(24–30) 31–37

In the Name of the Father…Amen.
The Epistle Reading serves as our sermon text for today.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray:
Forgive me, Lord, for looking at the face and not the heart. May Your name,
spoken over me in my Baptism, be glorified in my life as I serve Your
people. Amen.
Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father through our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Introduction
“Never judge a book by its cover.”
“Treat all people with fairness, equality, and justice, no matter their
social or economic standing.”
“Do not act as the broken, unbelieving world does.”
That is how James starts out in the Epistle today.
Truth be told, we transgress these codes of Christian conduct all the time.
Much sorrow, hurt, and sadness ensue.
We are constantly prone to make snap judgments about the people around us,
based on their outward appearances and what we perceive them to be
saying—if we’re listening at all.
Time is such a precious commodity, and we simply don’t want to invest our
energies to dig really deep, understand our neighbors’ needs, become
involved, and get straight to the heart of the problems (or joys) that
beset them.
We “faithful” Chris-tians have too many perplexing challenges of our own to
deal with!
And we rely on our faith.
Yes . . . that’s it (or so we think): our “faith” ultimately will carry us
through, even if we look the other way along life’s journey amidst our
neighbors (Luke 10:31–32).
But James aptly reaches in and breaks up this cozy self-assuredness,
bluntly asking a really tough self-examination question about such a
“faith,” absent of the confirming evidence of good works: “What good is it
at all?”

Such a “faith” as this—faith without good works, operating chiefly within
the realm of your interior—is not good for your neighbor.
Many of your neighbors are overlooked because they don’t display those
characteristics that attract your attentive favor verses 1–4.
Playing favorites based on outward appearances is the way of the world.
The foreigner and the disabled Mark 7:24–37 are often the last people we
“see” living in our midst, because we assume they can’t do anything for us.
We frequently seek a quid pro quo! You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!
God never practices such selfish favoritism (1 Corinthians 1:27–29), and he
expects the same of those who fear, love, and trust in him above all things
(cf Leviticus 19:15).
The Lord calls upon us to Repent of such behavior !
What markers in your life point to faith in and worship of celebrity fame
and fortune?
What fantasies do you entertain that “life would be so much better” if only
you could “live like them” or gain from a relationship with those who have
prestige, possessions, influence, power, or money?
In whom or what do you place your confidence, other than the work of
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Repent!

B. “Is this your ‘faith,’ absent as it is of God-pleasing works?”
James asks of Christians everywhere and at all times (not just those of
congregations dispersed among the Gentiles of the first century) this
question.
Without the inescapable evidence:
the good works that inevitably emerge and accompany a genuine faith that
grasps the Gospel of Christ alone for forgiveness, life, and salvation
then what good is that kind of “faith” verses 15–16?
Faith with no evidence is a false, dead faith:
and don’t let anyone offer you the comforting lie that such a dead faith
counts for anything. In fact,
2. In the end, such a dead, good-works-absent “faith” will be of no benefit
to you verse 14, 17; Matthew 7:21; 25:41–46.
Such a dead faith is simply not compatible with the identity:
the new life of the resurrected Christ
bestowed on you at the baptismal font,
where, by divine grace, you became an adopted child of God, a brother of
James, the brother of the Lord Jesus.
A dead, inactive faith disavows the unity of Christ’s living body, now sent
into the world to reflect the Savior’s love, a “love to the loveless shown
That they might lovely be” (LSB 430:1; cf verses 8–9).
Such a false, dead faith cannot stand up to the judgment of God, because
once the Law is broken at one point, it is broken on all points (verse 10).
What counts is genuine, living, active faith:
faith continuing at work in the present time among the faithful through
love (Galatians 5:6). And this,

3. The faith of Christ (his faithfulness to his goal, his faithful
fulfillment of the Law on your behalf) and your genuine faith in him (faith
in the Gospel, faith bestowed by him) triumph over sin and death and bring
forth fruit God desires in works pleasing to him.
Christ is the icon, the pattern, of God’s grace and love in mercy,
especially to those whom the world considers to be out-siders and
worthless, for you.
Jesus is the ultimate “outsider.”
“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” John 1:11.
He was made flesh to suffer rejection and humiliation, even to the point of
death on a cross, for you.

C. He is the one who fulfilled the royal law perfectly for you.
Verse 8 of our text declares:
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
Conclusion
James pushes the refrain: “What good is it?”
What good is it if you were to keep the whole Law (as if that were
possible!) and yet commit just one sin?
What good is it when a lip-service-only faith is accompanied by nothing in
the way of active love or works of mercy toward one’s neighbor in need
James 2:14–16?
We love being treated to eye-popping, heart-stopping performances in sports
arenas or concert halls.
But spectacular efforts can be ruined by just one instance of “falling
short.”
Over the course of a game, a pitcher can record 20 strikeouts or a
quarterback can throw for 450 yards—but nobody will remember such
accomplishments, if it was on the losing side because of the home run given
up or the interception thrown at the critical moment.
An opera can move us to goose bumps or even tears, but if the soprano
cracks on her high note in the climactic aria, the audience deflates and
that’s all we’ll be discussing at the exits.
When we realize we’ve “blown it completely” with not just one but an entire
catalog of sins:
and are sinking in the depths of utter despair and ruin
we turn to the one and only Savior, who has unconditionally loved us to and
through his cross to his desired end: forgiveness and eternal life.
Amen.

Rejoice, dear saints of God, for Your Living, Saving Faith in Christ Will
Inevitably Overflow with His Good Works, and these works will be seen in
you, to the glory and praise of Christ’s holy name forever. Amen.
Let us pray:
By Your Spirit, grant me true faith, Lord, that Your name might be
glorified through me. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

In the Name of the Father…Amen.

*Sermon for 08.29.21*

*Text: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9*

*Theme: A wise and understanding people*

1. *In the Name of the Father…Amen.*
2. *The Old Testament lesson serves as our sermon text for this morning.*
3. *Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray:*

Ø Lord God, heavenly Father, by Your blessed Word and Your holy Baptism
You have mercifully cleansed all who believe from the fearful leprosy of
sin, and You daily grant us Your gracious help in all our need.

Ø Enlighten our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that we may never forget these
Your blessings, but ever live in Your fear, and trusting fully in Your
grace, with thankful hearts continually praise and glorify You;

Ø through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen .

1. *Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father, through our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.*
2. *The setting for the Book of Deuteronomy is Moses with the Israelites
in the Land of Moab, east of the Jordan River. *

Ø He knows that he will not lead Israel across the Jordan *(Num­bers 20)*.

Ø Deuteronomy basically consists of Moses’ final speeches or sermons with
the Israelites.

Ø In Deuteronomy 1–3, Moses recounts the history of the people, from the
time they were at Mount Sinai after the exodus from Egypt to the present.

Ø This was a period of about thirty-eight years.

Ø There at Sinai, God had made a covenant with the nation Israel.

Ø They were his chosen people.

Ø God had decided that from these descendants of Abraham would come the
Savior of the world, the Messiah.

1. *Now, in Deuteronomy 4, Moses, after recalling all that God had done
for the Israelites these past thirty-eight years, looks into the future.*

Ø In our text for this morning, Moses uses the phrase “a wise and
understanding people.”

Ø That phrase, which Moses connected with the Israelites, also applies to
us. May the Lord bless our meditation as We Consider Three Realities
concerning a Wise and Understanding People—the Israelites, and you and me.

*The Israelites were, and we have been, brought to faith in the one true
God through the Word of God. This is one reality concerning a wise and
understanding people.*

1. *The Word the Israelites had was that passed down from previous
generations, and that which came to them through the ministry of Moses. We
have more of the Word of God—the writings of Moses (Genesis through
Deuteronomy), the rest of the Old Testament, and all of the New Testament.*
2. *This Word reveals who this one true God is—the triune God. This Word
reveals the Savior, the Son of God, who became man, born of the nation
Israel.*
1. He, Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself in payment for the sins of
the world and arose triumphant from the dead.
2. He is the Savior, for all who believe in him have forgiveness of
their sins and everlasting life.

*Knowing and having faith in the true God and the Savior is the highest
wisdom.*

1. This is far greater than any earthly wisdom.
2. Understanding the way of salvation:
A. by God’s grace through faith in Christ
3. This is the greatest understanding.

*D. We thank God that he made not only the Israelites addressed in our text
but also us a wise and understanding people (v 6). Through faith in Christ,
we have salvation. Rejoice!*

*2. Having the Word of God, the Israelites lived—and we live—according to
it. This is another reality concerning a wise and understanding people.*

1. *In our text for this morning, statutes, rules, and commandments
refer specifically to the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. *
1. These were guidelines as to how the Israelites were to live as
God’s covenant people.
2. Today, our guidelines are the Ten Commandments, which were a part
of God’s covenant with Israel.
2. *God’s Word, since it is his Word, contains the greatest wisdom.
Also, because of his love, God gave the guidelines to the Israelites and
us.*
1. He knows what is best for his people and wants their highest good.
2. The ways of the Lord are ways of righteousness and blessedness.

*C. God, who through his Word brought the Israelites and us to saving
faith, enables his people through the same Word to keep his commandments
and live according to his word.*

1. The lives of a wise and understanding people demonstrate that they
have been enlightened by God through his Word.
2. These lives will be noticed by unbelievers and can be a witness to
them, drawing them to find out more about the beliefs of such a wise and
understanding people.

*D. We pray that God would help us to keep on living as his people and to
grow in Christian living.*

1. This means taking care of ourselves spiritually by continuing in the
Word of God and holding to all the counsel of God without adding to or
subtracting from Scripture.
2. This also means seeing to it that our children, grandchildren, are
taught and that they learn God’s Word.

*III. God is near to his wise and understanding people. This is the third
reality concerning such people.*

1. *This is a blessing of being in a faith relationship with the Lord
and is possible because of the saving work of the Messiah.*
1. God is near to his people, whom he has made wise and understanding
because he loves them.
2. This fellowship with God, which we will enjoy throughout our
earthly life, will continue first in heaven and then forever in the new
creation.

*B. Because God was so near to the believing Israelites, whenever they
prayed to the Lord, he would always hear and answer their petitions as was
best for them according to his good and gracious will. *

1. This was a belief and reality unique to the Israelites, for the other
peoples of the ancient Near East did not believe the same thing with regard
to their gods (who actually did not exist).

*C. Because God is so near to us, he always hears and answers our petitions
in the best way.*

1. *He does so, again, because of Christ, by whom we can come before the
Lord in prayer.*

1. *Also, God is near us in the Lord’s Supper: *

*A. Christ comes to us and gives us his body and blood.*

*D. May we continually take comfort in the Gospel truth that God is always
near to us, his people, and that he will provide physical and spiritual
care for us. Nothing can separate us from his love. Rejoice!*

*Conclusion*

1. *There are a number of passages from Proverbs and elsewhere that
serve as useful tools for describing wisdom:*
1. *Proverbs 9:9: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be
still wiser.” *
1. *The instruction Moses gave the Israelites, many of whom
already had the wisdom of faith, increased their wisdom.*
2. *Proverbs 9:12: “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself.” *
1. *Having God-given wisdom through his Word benefits the wise
person. He can then be a blessing to others.*
3. *Proverbs 11:30: “Whoever captures souls is wise.” *
1. *The believer, who exhibits spiritual wisdom with his words and
life, can catch the attention of others. *
2. *God can use this to open up opportunities for witnessing.*
4. *Proverbs 13:14: “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.” *
1. *This is a companion passage to Deuteronomy 4:1, where Moses
says, “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the
rules that I am
teaching you, and do them, that you may live.”*
5. *Daniel 12:3: “And those who are wise shall shine like the
brightness of the sky above.”*

*With regard to God being near to his people:*

1. *Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I among them.”*
2. *John 14:23: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my
Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home
with him.*
3. *The roots of the famous sequoia trees of California are
interlocking. *
4. *Thus each tree is held firmly in place by its own roots and by
the roots of other sequoias. *
5. *When the spiritual truth is handed down in a family from one
generation to the next, this forms, so to speak, an interlocking system
that holds the family members in place in the Christian Church.*
1. *How blessed we are that God has made us a wise and understanding
people!*
1. *Because of his great love for us, we have the wisdom of saving
faith, we display the wisdom of God’s Word in our lives, and we have
blessed fellowship with the Lord, who is always near us. *
2. *All of this is possible because of Jesus, our Savior. *
3. *Therefore, Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!
Amen.*

1. *Let us pray:*

Ø *Praise and honor belong to You, our God, because You have given us Your
Word, by which You clothe our poor and naked souls in the garments of
salvation, and bring to us heavenly and abiding treasures.*

Ø *Fashion our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that we crave not the things of
this earth, but 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.*

Ø

Ø *The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. *

Ø

Ø *In the Name of the Father…Amen.*

Ø *desire the things above. Amen.*

• Sermon for 08.22.21
• Text: Mark 7:1-13

• Theme: “Be holy”
• Sermon for 08.22.21 (Pentecost 13)
Text: Mark 7:1-13
Theme: Be holy

• In the Name of the Father…Amen.
• The Gospel lesson serves as our sermon text for this morning.
• Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray:
• Lord, cleanse us each day from our sins of thought, word, and deed.
• We thank You that Jesus was made a fragrant, sacrificial offering for us.
• Amen.
• Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father through our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
• Introduction
• Think of one of the first traditions you can remember that you and your
family took part in.
• One of the first traditions my family and I enjoyed was when Mom made her
homemade Christmas cookies.
• There were at a half dozen kinds she would make:
• Ice Box (her mom’s recipe)
• Honey with almond (her mother in-law’s recipe)
• Butter (with sprinkles)
• M and M (my personal favorite)
• Chocolate chip (my second favorite)
• Sugar with a Hershey kiss in the middle.

• When Mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2004 and died a couple of
months later, there was now a “new normal”: Christmas would never be the
same for Dad and the rest of our family.
• What happened to my family was the loss of what we considered “tradition.”
• And there was no way we could go back to the way things were.
• Mom was gone!
• The way in which she made those treats was gone with her!

• The Pharisees and scribes had no problem living in the past with their
traditions.
• In fact, they wanted to stay there!
• Then here comes this Jesus with a message, a message of holiness.

• The reason for the message verses 1-5
• Jesus and the disciples were not holding to “tradition”
• A “tradition” that included the following:
• Washing one’s hands.
• Washing of cups and pots.
• Washing of copper vessels and dining couches.
• Now is it wrong to want to be clean, whether it is you or the things you
are using?
• No, of course not!
• This “cleaning” was not a matter of hygiene for the Pharisees, but it was
a matter of tradition.

• The Pharisees and scribes expected and in fact demanded that Jesus and
the disciples follow their ritual traditions.
• Why?
• Because of tradition!
• Because of their desire to keep tradition.
• In order to be seen as perfect on the outside and receive the praise of
men.
• Jesus in turn brings them a stern rebuke.
• II. The rebuke in the message verses 6-13
• The prophecy verses 6-7
• What the Pharisees say with their mouths does not match what is in their
hearts.
• Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 for all to hear:
The Lord says, “These people worship me with their mouths and honor me with
their lips. But their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is
based on rules made by humans.
• Jesus calls this out for what it is:
• Hypocrisy!
• Wearing a mask (not showing one’s true identity)
• Giving lip service
• Hearts filled with disobedience

B. The parental example verses 8-13
• The Pharisees twist God’s Law to suit their own desires.
• Those in power do have certain privileges!
• Rules for thee but not for me.
• Practicing what you preach is not necessary.
• Human tradition is much more important than what God says in His Word.
• Jesus gives a perfect picture of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees:
• Giving a special offering to God (corban: a consecrated present) in order
to make one look good before men.
• Giving this gift to God was more important than helping one’s parents,
whether they were elderly or not.
• Break the 4th Commandment or look good before men? Choices!

• Their piety is no piety at all!
• It is an attempt at serving self and no more than a sham.
• Guess what? This “piety” does not please God!
C. What are people to do instead?
• Trust Christ!
• We are declared holy before God when we trust in Christ for salvation.
• Love God, love one another without counting the cost!
• We love and are holy because God is holy and He is love.
• Confess who God is and what He has done through your words and actions!
• Holy faith ought to lead to holy living.
• III. Points of application
• Do not worship the Lord for the wrong reasons:
• In order to enhance your reputation before men at the expense of your
character before God.
• Demanding to follow certain traditions and that others do the same but
your heart is far from the Lord.
• Emphasizing that we are “good people” since we follow these traditions
and look down on others who do not follow them.
• Traditions are not as important as God’s Word!
• Shame on us for saying that traditions must be followed before we listen
to God and His Word!
• Never use God as an excuse to neglect our responsibilities.
• Helping others in need, whether church members or not, inside and/or
outside the church honors the Lord.

• Conclusion
• Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with man-made
observances while failing to fulfill God’s Commandments.
• Such hypocrisy still abounds, as most people worry more about human
opinions than what God thinks.
• Given our own failures in this regard, it is a good thing that the Lord
not only commands in His Word, but also graciously forgives and promises
goodness.
• Jesus is dealing with questions of Law when He criticizes placing
man-made traditions above God’s Commandments.
• God’s Law and Gospel dare never be subordinated to human teachings and
rules.
• Jesus came to fulfill every aspect of the Law, that He might be our
perfect Savior. Amen.
• Let us pray:
• Lord Jesus Christ, keep us faithful to Your Word, which is a lamp to our
feet and a light to our path (Ps 119: 105). Amen.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of
God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

• The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

• In the Name of the Father…Amen.

Sermon for 081521

“The Word and Wisdom of God”

Pentecost 12 (Proper 15), August 15, 2021
*Text:* John 6:51–69
*Theme: *The Word and Wisdom of God

1. *In the Name of the Father…Amen.*

*B. The Gospel lesson serves as our sermon text for this morning.*

*C. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray:*

Open our eyes, Lord,

we want to see Jesus,

to reach out and touch him,

and say that we love him.

Open our ears, Lord,

and help us to listen.

Open our eyes, Lord,

we want to see Jesus. Amen.

*D. Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father through our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. *

*Introduction*

1. *Where can true wisdom and the way of life be found?*
1. Only by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
2. What we have here in John 6 is an invitation from Jesus through
His Church:
1. To repent and believe in what Jesus says.
2. To come and partake of the Sacrament of the Altar, the very
body and blood of Jesus our Lord.

* I. No one is offended by wisdom and life in the abstract.*

A. *Everyone signs on with wisdom in Proverbs 9 as a better idea than
folly:*

• *Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
(3) She has sent out her servant girls. She calls from the highest
places in the city, (6) Stop being gullible and live. Start traveling
the road to understanding (verses 1, 3, 6) *

B. Who wouldn’t be for that! Just fill in the blanks as to what you
think “wisdom” entails:

• good judge of human character,

• political savvy,

• clever in the world of business.

• Whatever. It’s a good concept.

C. Most people will even buy an abstract “fear of the Lord” (cf
Proverbs 9:10) if it leads to abstract wisdom.

A. Our cultural religion generally still likes to say, “We’re a God-fearing
people.”

*B. Everyone wants life in general.*

1. The crowds in John 6 certainly wanted to live, which is why they were
glad to have all the free barley loaves Jesus would give them.

2. Many a celebrant will respond to “Happy birthday!” with:

1. “Well, it’s better than the alternative.”
2. We all want to live.

*II. But when wisdom and life are concrete—that is a person!—then people
take offense.*

A. *“Wisdom” in Proverbs 9—and elsewhere in the Book of Proverbs—has
been seen by many as a reference to the eternal Son of God.*

1. After all, he alone has “knowledge of the Holy One” (Proverbs 9:10).

1. He’s the one who teaches the “fear of the Lord.”
1. This fear is not to be in terror, but to honor God’s divine
authority.
2. The Son is the author and giver of life (Jn 1:4), who gives his
Word of Spirit and life (6:63).
3. The Son lives in, with, and from the Father eternally (v 57; also
John 1:1, 2, 14), in love for his Father and for the whole
creation (verse
51).
4. But now you’ll get plenty of argument about wis­dom; lots of folks
will claim to be wise with­out crediting God or his eternal Son.

*B. And now get down to real flesh and blood—Jesus as the life!*

1. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven,” Jesus says. “If
anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will
give for the life of the world is my flesh” (verse 51).

2. “This a hard saying!” the crowd responds, and many of them take
offense! Many “turned back and no longer walked with” Jesus (verses 60, 66).

3. *Illustration:* Lot and his wife fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah. She
“turned back” in apostasy and died, turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis
19:23–29).

4. That is what happens if God’s Word is rejected and refused; if other
words and the world’s wisdom are heeded (Ephesians 5:6; Psalm 34:16).

a. Do not harden your heart in this way!

b. Do not grumble against God’s Word!

1. Hold it sacred, gladly hear and learn it (Small Catechism, Third
Commandment)!

5. If that’s offensive, how about this for wisdom and life: the cross (1
Corinthians 1:18)!

a. The crowds knew that for Jesus to give his flesh to eat, he would
have to die—and a bloody death at that. Gross! Unacceptable!

b. The cross is often seen as bad PR today. Not just because it’s an
ugly downer, but because it shows we’re in need of dramatic saving! As in,
*really* sinful! That’s unacceptable!

*III. Yet you know this wisdom and the life, Christ Jesus.*

A. Peter got this one right: “You have the words of eternal life” (Jn
6:68). Jesus is God’s wise plan for our life, *the* life of the whole world.

1. He lives in, with, and from the living Father (v 57).

2. He has come down from heaven to you, to give his flesh for you, to
shed his blood for you.

a. The cross *is* a scandal, but it is not the way of
death as it often seems and feels (Ps 34:19).

b. The cross seems like folly, but it is the way of *the*
life and the true wisdom of God.

3. Jesus died to give his flesh and blood *to you* as meat and drink
indeed, that you may live and abide in and with him forever (Jn 6:55–57).

4. *Illustration:* “Christ alone our souls will feed; He is our meat and
drink indeed; Faith lives upon no other! Alleluia!” (*LSB* 458:7).

*B. You, too, have faith to know the life in Christ, the “many days,”
that you so much desire (Ps 34:12).*

1. By his Word that he preaches to you (Prov 9:7–10), which is Spirit,
truth, and life (Jn 6:63).

2. By your Baptism into his cross and resurrection.

3. By his Supper, feeding you on his flesh and blood so you abide in him
and he in you (v 56).

*C. Here, too, in Christ Jesus, you have the wisdom that you also
desire.*

1. He has built his house, the Holy Christian Church on earth (Prov
9:1a).

2. He has hewn out his seven pillars, the manifold gifts of the Holy
Spirit (Prov 9:1b; 1 Cor 12:4–10).

3. He has prepared his food for you by the slaughter of himself (Prov
9:2a).

4. He has mixed his wine with the blood and water from his riven side
(Prov 9:2b, 5; Jn 19:34; see 6:54–58).

5. He has prepared his table for you (Prov 9:2c).

*IV. Continue to walk, therefore, in the wisdom and life of Christ
Jesus.*

*A. Be on guard against temptations and not deceived by empty words that
might cause you, like so many in the crowd, to turn away and no longer walk
with Jesus (Prov 9:6–8; Eph 5:6).*

1. Be on guard because it is possible for a disciple of Christ to
stumble and fall.

2. Be on guard of turning away from him and leaving, to follow him no
longer even to the point of death.

*B. Rather, continue to walk in the wisdom of Christ, which is the way
of life and light and love (Prov 9:6; Eph 5:8).*

1. Live and walk in faith toward God.

2. Live in fervent love for your neighbor, especially your brothers and
sisters in Christ.

3. This is true wisdom, misunderstood by the simple (Prov 9:4).

*C. Walking in Christ’s wisdom and life sacrifices for and submits to
your neighbor (Ephesians 5:21).*

1. Speak words that are good and right and true, making the best use of
the time (Eph 5:9, 16).

2. “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph
5:19), letting the melody of the Spirit ring forth in your heart in a song
of peace in Christ to your neighbor.

3. This is how you live as a Christian. It is difficult because it is
the way of the cross in which you walk as one who is wise (Eph 5:15).

*D. Walking in the wisdom and life of Christ means calling out from the
highest place in town as Wisdom once called you, by his Father, inviting
you into his house and to his table (Prov 9:3; Jn 6:65).*

1. “Come, eat my flesh, which is true food.”

2. “Drink my blood, which is true drink” (cf v 55).

*Conclusion*

1. *You do not wish to go away, do you? *Here is eternal life in the
Word made flesh. Forsake your folly. Be not unwise, but wise. Do not take
offense at this, but continue to walk in the way of understanding, in the
way of true wisdom and real life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Eat, drink, and
live by the wisdom of God in Christ. In the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

B. Behold, O sleeper, awake, arise, for the light of Christ shines upon
you. Here, upon the eastern shore of his Church, shines forth the light of
his resurrection. Do you see it? Leave your simple ways and live. Lift up
your hearts and heads and hands, for he who is the light and the life, who
bestows the Spirit from the Father, brings the glistening golden kernel of
his body risen from the dead. This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Here is his peace. The word of his life. “Whoever feeds on this bread will
live forever” (Jn 6:58).

C. Let us pray:

*696 O God, My Faithful God*

1 O God, my faithful God,
True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unstained by sin.

3 Keep me from saying words
That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech
May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place
I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace
Lest I offend the weak.

*D. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of
God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.*

*E. The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. *

* F. In the Name of the Father…Amen.*