(20^th Sunday after Trinity)

Pastor: Michael Schierenbeck

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Hymns: 495; 494; 770; 505

WELCOME in the name of our Lord, Jesus, who has given us the commission to make disciples of all nations and opens the doors of opportunity for us to do so.

Pre-Service meditation: Psalm 66

Pre-Service prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know that you give me so many more opportunities to speak to others about You than I use. Forgive me. Help me to see the open doors of opportunity that You provide and then give me the courage and the words to say so that I may take advantage of the opportunity. Bless us in worship this day. Lift up our hearts, cheer us with the forgiveness of sins, and invigorate us for the work You have given us to do. Amen.

The Epistle Reading: Romans 10:8-17

Everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD in faith receives the forgiveness of sins which Christ won for all sinners when He died. Faith is created in sinners' hearts by the Word, but in order for the Word to reach the hearts of those who need salvation it must be proclaimed. We who have the Word are the ones to proclaim it!

New Testament Historical Reading: Acts 16:6-10

Paul's mission work was guided by God. There was a great need for the Gospel in Macedonia. So, when Paul tried to go to other locations the Lord did not allow him, but then the Lord called him to go to Macedonia.

SERMON:

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains

We hear the term "open door" used frequently in different contexts - a boss tells his employees that he has an open door policy, meaning that they may feel free to approach him at any time. Roughly thirty years ago, the door was opened to trade with China. When there is an open door there is opportunity.

This is the way in which our Lord speaks of open doors in Scripture. He gives us opportunities to witness His saving name. He will open doors so that the good news of forgiveness in Christ will reach people and change hearts. As we’ll discover in the Word of God before us this morning, we are asked to pray for such opportunities and take advantage of "God’s Open Door Policy" as individuals, congregations, and as a synod. I. God wants us to speak the mystery of Christ to others. II. God gives such opportunities to speak on synodical, congregational, and individual levels. III. Pray for and use these open doors

Every day we have opportunities to speak to other people whether it’s routine pleasantries, business, or a discussion about current events. In our text the apostle Paul requests prayers for an open door to speak the "mystery of Christ."

A mystery is something that would not be known unless it has been revealed. There are many things that we can know about God that are not mysteries in that sense. Looking around at His creation we can see His great power and wisdom. Ancient philosophers even concluded from the way that all things work together that there is one God, not many gods. From the law written in our hearts we have a basic idea of what that God requires. From our conscience we know that we have done wrong, feel guilty, and want to make that guilty feeling go away one way or the other. Apart from the Bible we may conclude that there is an all-powerful God to whom we must answer.

There are all sorts of man-made solutions as to how to deal with that problem. The goal of removing guilt is met by some by making sacrifices of some sort whether it is actually offering up something or making a pilgrimage, or by dressing a certain way or eating certain foods. Others will deal with guilt by ignoring it, by downplaying sin and its consequences, and making themselves righteous by finding someone who seems to be a greater sinner. These man-made solutions may make sense to a degree, but they utterly fail in changing a person’s guilty status before God.

The solution of salvation is the mystery of Christ. Flesh and blood cannot reveal this, but it comes through the Holy Spirit as He works through the Gospel of Christ. This Gospel, this Good News, is that Jesus took away guilt by taking sin upon Himself. This remedy could never have been thought up by man, but God came up with this plan of salvation. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). The innocent for the guilty. The Creator dying in place of the created. That unique and effective plan for removing guilt is not found in nature, or inside of you. It is revealed only in the Word of God.

The method that God chose to communicate this message to lost sinners is also unique. God chose ordinary human beings - sinners, not angels, not a message written in the sky - to speak a holy message. Christ commissioned His Church to proclaim the news of His crucifixion and resurrection to everyone with such words as, "Preach the gospel to every creature..." and "Make disciples of all nations." Christ died for all, and God wants all to know about it. This is a daunting task, but with the promise that He will be with us, and knowing the power of His Word we may go into such a venture with confidence. It is God’s message. It is God’s method, and people will be immeasurably blessed in this proclamation of sins forgiven.

The Lord will give you opportunities to be a witness to what you have learned of Him. These open doors may occur at times and in ways that we would least expect it. These open doors will be presented to us both as a group of like-minded Christians, and also as individuals. As we read in our Scripture reading, when the apostle Paul was in Troas he felt strongly that he should go north, but he was forbidden by the Spirit. How exactly they were forbidden we do not know. It could have been revealed to him directly by God, or may have been as simple as the government restricting their travel. At any rate the Spirit did not permit this because He had other things in mind. There was an open door for the Gospel west, not north. When Paul went to Macedonia there was the establishing of numerous congregations at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth, just to name a few.

Now God does not appear to us in dreams that I’m aware of, but there are other ways that He will show us open doors. Our original contacts in Nigeria came from a student visiting San Francisco who met a man who had come into contact with the CLC by reading a letter to the editor written by a CLC pastor that appeared in a magazine. Our initial contact in India came when a lay-member from South Dakota was hospitalized in India and there met Pastor V.S. Benjamin. Similar doors have been opened now in East Africa. At this time we have unprecedented opportunities in foreign missions where the fields are truly ripe for the harvest.

How excited we would be if twenty-five new congregations were opening a year in the U.S., and not just people who were switching synods, but who were unbelievers. That is happening all the time overseas. We have the chance like never before to reach people with the news of Jesus, yet we say where is the manpower? Where is the money? Our called leaders have difficult decisions to make on behalf of the congregation and synod. There are many different needs. Consider, though, the words of a missionary who lived three hundred years ago and said, "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."

We do not want to give the impression that the location has to be foreign for the work to be considered mission work. It is also true that your commitment to mission work does not begin nor end with putting money in the offering plate. You, personally, also have open doors to speak the mystery of Christ.

This open door may occur when you are talking to a friend who has lost someone close to him in death. It may be in talking politics and explaining why you are pro-life. It may be in school as you testify why you cannot believe the theory of evolution. God will set before you times that you may share His Word with others. The key is to see these open doors.

One way to do this is to not get caught up in our own little world of what I need to make myself happy. We need to have compassion for others, and to be concerned about their spiritual state. People need help, and you have the chance to help them.

We think of the slave-girl who told her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." We think of the Samaritan woman at the well who told others, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" Take advantage of open doors when they are before you. Consider every person you see as God would, that is to say as one for whom Christ died, and who God wants in heaven because that is exactly true. Do not be afraid to speak the mystery of Christ. You are not asked to convert a single person. That is up to the Holy Spirit. We are asked to speak the Word. Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

In all of this pray for open doors, as Paul himself requested. Pray for them to come before us a group, and in your own life. Praying is something that you can do regardless of your age, regardless of where your gifts lie, and regardless of your financial status. You who are older and have more time now than before this is a great opportunity for you.

God will answer these prayers and present such opportunities. This is His good and gracious will. Be ready, then when the door opens. Be ready as the Lord tells us through Peter, "Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." This is why side by side with mission work we emphasize Christian Education. It is not just for those studying to be pastors and teachers, but for everyone to be able to speak the mystery of Christ. Just as Philip guided the Ethiopian eunuch in a study of Scripture, so also you may be asked to help another.

You should not answer, "My pastor teaches this," or, "My church teaches this." It is your Lord’s Word, and He has given it to you to make use of not only for yourself, but also for the benefit of others.

Thanks be to God who has opened the door to your heart, and brought you to faith in this mystery of Christ which is your salvation. Continue to pray that He would open doors for you as an individual, and as a congregation, and as a synod that others may also the wonderful news of sin forgiven. Speak that mystery of Christ which is the difference between life and death. God grant it to His glory. Amen.

Bowdle, SD

Pastor: Our Father who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy name.

Pastor: Thy Kingdom come.

Pastor: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Pastor: Give us this day our daily bread.

Pastor: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Pastor: But deliver us from evil.

Cong: For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen!