June 15, 2015

“I thank Christ Jesus who has given me strength for this, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service…” 1 Timothy 1:12

“You join the ranks of thousands of men and women who for the most part have said with St. Paul: “I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” In the discharge of their debt of love to G*d and man, a host of them have already gone down into the grave, by men unpraised, by the world unknown. While others filled the world with the breath of their name, they counted it their honor to fill thrones in heaven. They thought it far better to part with gold than with G*d, to bear the heaviest cross than miss a heavenly crown.” Martin Luther Koehneke (1916-1995) (Addressing the graduates of Concordia Teachers College in 1955) “For All the Saints”, volume IV (p. 73)

Of course many of us know the back story of St. Paul — having been self-appointed to persecute followers of Jesus, Christ “converted” him to being chief of Apostles. And though this calling was not an easy road, he followed that road to his death. And even in the midst of his own persecution and troubles, he says “Thank you — Lord — for you have appointed me to this calling — you have found me faithful enough, even in my weaknesses.”

If we go into this calling to be good and faithful servants of Christ expecting riches and prosperity, we go into this calling with hearts that are not set right. No, I am not saying that the rich cannot enter into the kingdom of G*d. I am saying that I agree with Martin Koehneke — that there are greater rewards than money, riches, etc. for being called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. And to this calling Paul boasted. Martin Luther writes: “When I was only a young theologian and doctor, I thought it was imprudent of Paul in his epistle to boast of his call so often. But I did not understand his purpose, for I did not know that the ministry of the Word of G*d was so weighty a matter. When we boast…we are not looking for prestige in the world or praise from men or money… The reason for our proud boasting is that we are in a divine calling and in G*d’s own work…”

So, if you find yourself “bragging” about your church, think of it as good evangelism – because, like Paul, Christ has judged us to be the kind of people he wants “in his service”. If there is something going on in your church that you are excited about, tell people. We have so many ways of sharing news today — through all of the social media outlets that are at our fingertips.

What are you excited about that you can tell someone today, or this week or this year, about what is happening at your church — or even in your faith life?

Pastor Dave