P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
743 JESUS, PRICELESS TREASURE
1 Jesus, priceless treasure,
Fount of purest pleasure,
Truest friend to me,
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
Thou art mine,
O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee;
Naught I ask beside Thee.
2 In Thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Ev’ry heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash
And thunders crash;
Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.
3 Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.
God’s great pow’r
Guards ev’ry hour;
Earth and all its depths adore Him,
Silent bow before Him.
4 Hence, all earthly treasure!
Jesus is my pleasure,
Jesus is my choice.
Hence, all empty glory!
Naught to me thy story
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss,
Or shame or cross,
Shall not from my Savior move me
Since He deigns to love me.
5 Evil world, I leave thee;
Thou canst not deceive me,
Thine appeal is vain.
Sin that once did blind me,
Get thee far behind me,
Come not forth again.
Past thy hour,
O pride and pow’r;
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
Leave thee now forever.
6 Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within.
Yea, whate’er
I here must bear,
Thou art still my purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure!
Text: Public domain
COLLECT OF THE DAY
P Let us pray.
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
PSALM 4
1Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
3But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
5Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.
6There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
EPISTLE Ephesians 5:1–9
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not associate with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).
A This is the Word of the Lord.
HOLY GOSPEL
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the eleventh chapter.
14Now [Jesus] was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
24“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
27As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Apostles’ CREED
SERMON
Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Empty Words -- Full Words
Created in the image of God, we human beings have from him the ability to use words in speech, communicating ideas and thoughts and feelings. Words can be powerful. They can do amazing things. Take for example the three words, “I love you.” These words don’t merely state a fact. By uttering them, a person does something, changes everything, brings into existence something that wouldn’t be there otherwise.
Words like those are full, packed with huge meaning, full of potential and importance. This is just an image of God and His words. We have come to appreciate the power of his Word, by His word He creates something out of nothing, He heals the hurting, forgives the sinner, raises the dead to life by His Word. God’s words are full.
Sometimes in this world words are empty. Here’s a recent example of empty words: On January 28 of this year the President of the United States made an executive order entitled: Memorandum on Protecting Women’s Health at Home and Abroad. The words make this sound like a good thing. No one should be opposed to protecting women’s health at home and abroad. Let no one deceive you with empty words. Under this heading of empty, deceptive words, the presidential order takes the money that we pay in taxes and sends it abroad, to other countries to pay for the cost of abortions, ending the lives of babies. Our new president says in this order, “It is the policy of my Administration to support women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States, as well as globally.” This order deceives with empty words. Far from supporting the health of women and girls, by means of this new law the United States of America will kill little boys and girls all over the world. Likely, more girls will be destroyed than boys, because in many places around the world parents choose to abort their daughters, because they would rather have sons.
I am very careful about criticizing the president or any other leader publicly like this. We will continue to pray for his health and God’s guidance for him. But we need to watch out. Here’s what we are told to do: “Let no one deceive you with empty words.” It’s on us. We can’t take the lazy way out, and just accept whatever anybody tells us. We are obliged to check things out and think carefully about them.
Here’s another example from these strange and evil times in which we find ourselves.
A few days ago, February 25th The Congress of the United States passed “The Equality Act.” Again the title sounds good. No one -- no individual or no business -- should treat others unfairly, unequally. ALL people are equal in the eyes of God; He is, as the King James Version eloquently has it, “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). In the death and resurrection of Jesus, God loved the world, no exceptions ever to God’s love. Galatians 3:28: “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.
But there is deception at work with The Equality Act. The bill prohibits individuals and businesses from making distinction and discrimination among behaviors. People are equal. Behaviors are not. Some behavior is good and healthy and blessed by the Creator. Certain behavior is unhealthy, destructive to body and soul, and condemned by the Creator as sin. Certain behaviors should not be allowed or encouraged. Society ought to prevent unhealthy behavior for the good of society and for the good of those who would participate in bad behavior. “The Equality Act” orders just the opposite. For example, if I’m reading it right, this new law makes it illegal to tell a young man, “No, you can’t call yourself a girl. You can’t play on the girl’s team. You can’t use the girl’s restroom and locker room. This behavior isn’t good. It isn’t what God has created.”
Schools, teams, other organizations and churches should discourage perverted and sinful behavior, and encourage healthy, godly behavior. This isn’t discriminating against the person. It is helping a person, uplifting supporting their character. This new law is preventing good and promoting sin. What’s more, the Church must speak what the Lord has given us to say, including the warnings about the heavenly, eternal consequences of sin, like this warning in the Epistle reading today: Ephesians 5: 5 “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure . . . has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Don’t be deceived by empty words like equality. There are powerful leaders in our government, media and educational institutions promoting these changes to morality. They want to deceive you. Don’t be. With their empty words they want Christians to feel guilty, as though it is unkind and unfair to expect others to stop bad behavior. They want you instead to call perversions normal, and call sin, good.
Simply put, is it wrong to ask a sinner to stop sinning? Is it possible? Yes, of course, it is. This passage from Ephesians says so.
6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not associate with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).
Not so long ago before this letter was written the people at that church in Ephesus were in the dark about what was good and right and true. In the Roman Empire at that time, the paganism and immorality was just as bad as it is today. There’s never anything new when it comes to sin. Now these Ephesian Christians knew the difference between good and bad, wrong and right, lies and true, healthy behavior and perverted behavior. They knew because they had been there, and back.
Well so do you and I. As Christians, this is what we do every day, as we examine our behavior and our desires and our attitudes. We daily recognize our faults and failings. We repent. We look for help and hope from our God who does miracles -- miracles like inspiring our growth in character, increase in love, awareness of truth -- miracles like giving new life and new hope.
God does miracles. As we walk as children of light, we will believe in miracles and expect miracles in the days and years that may come. More often than not, God does miracles with words, His powerful full words. Words of forgiveness and absolution. Words of life, that call his loved ones out of death, that call the lost ones out of their death in sin. His Words, and His alone will give us all that is good and right and true.
There is truth. And it is unattainable and understandable. Truth is centered in Jesus Christ and flows from him. He says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” By His death on the cross and resurrection on Easter, he has defeated the powers of darkness and established His victory of light and truth. The Holy Spirit of God invites us to faith in Jesus, the Truth and the Light. Remember, “at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” We must listen to Him. Learn from Him and His words how to take the words we hear from the world around us and even from our own reasoning which is admittedly faulty.
“Let no one deceive you.” Let’s keep these words in mind. And while we go through these dark and confusing times, we will care deeply about those who have been deceived by empty words. The Collect for the Day guides us how to think and pray for them:
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY LSB 192
C Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Lord God Almighty, You who dwell in the heavens, without whom there is not help and with whom there is no danger, be the Guardian and Defender of all who call upon you and in their troubles or afflictions, seek your mercy.
We thank you for your love for us fallen creatures in Jesus, and that in his compassion and grace he freely gave himself as the offering for our sins, giving up his perfect life for our redemption and salvation. We thank you for his completed work of salvation: his holy life, his blessed example, his powerful teaching, his gracious presence and his atoning death. We praise you with uplifted hearts for the willing spirit in which our Savior gave himself as your suffering Servant, fulfilling all the demands of your holy law at the cost of his life’s blood.
Grant us your Holy Spirit that we may have an inheritance in your eternal kingdom. Help us to imitate the example of Christ and to walk in love and to gladly hear and truly believe his word. Grant that as children of the heavenly light we may earnestly repent of our sins, forsake the ways of darkness and error, and follow in the paths of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Fill the souls of the people of your church with a zeal to gather many others into the harvest of your kingdom.
Guide and direct those in our government. Give them wisdom and integrity that our nation may be kept in peace and that decency and righteousness may be upheld. Put down all godlessness around us and turn the hearts of those who are enemies of your truth.
For all who are in need of your care for the body or soul, for all of our loved ones who are in distant places, for all who have strayed from your truth, for all who are in temptation, for all who are suffering sickness and pain, for all who morn, we pray your grace and mercy on them. Pour down blessings on them according to their need, strengthen and embolden their faith. We pray O Father, for these things in the name of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICAMUS
P Bless we the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and T give you peace.
C Amen.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Divine Service, Setting Three from Lutheran Service Book
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.
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