Pastor's Message for February, 2007

In August, Pastor Hansen began a sermon series on the 10 Commandments. This series has hit some sensitive spots in some members. God’s laws will do that. He fully intends to confront us where we need it. One of the uses for God’s Law is the “mirror” use – He shows us our sins exactly as they are.

Some individuals have asked us to take a different stance on issues confronted by the 10 Commandments. We can’t change what God commands. We must speak exactly what He orders. God does not allow any of us to change what He has said. (Revelation 22:18-19) His word remains the same for us as it was first spoken for His people long ago.

Are we serious about following Jesus? Obeying His commandments is required for us. It is not a matter of our personal business. It is a matter of the holy example set for the family of God, especially for the children. Jesus is really serious about not causing one of these to sin:

"But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:6, 10)

As your pastor and Elders, we cannot read hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit certainly can do so, but none of us is given that gift. We can only go by the outward display of a Christian life. Remember what God has said about communing in an unworthy manner:

"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself." (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)

To not recognize “the body of the Lord” is to view communion as something less than the awful sacrifice that Jesus had to make to atone for our sins on the cross. We encourage each of you to join us in doing serious self-examination before communing. Before communing, we examine ourselves by asking:

2. Do I believe God forgives me through the Body and Blood of Jesus, truly present in this sacred meal?

3. Do I intend to amend my sinful ways and share the forgiveness I have received?

Why do we obey His commandments? Here is what Martin Luther wrote, from the “Close of the Commandments”

He says: “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” [Ex. 20:5-6]

God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.

The problem is not that we still have the weakness of our sinful nature. All of us who follow Jesus must live with the tension between our sinful nature and our new nature in Christ until Jesus comes to take us home to heaven. (Romans 7:14-25)

The problem is our refusal to repent, refusal to change our thoughts, our words or our actions to match His will. It is not true repentance to say “Lord God, I’m sorry, but don’t ask me to change what I’m doing/thinking/saying.” True repentance is to admit our sins to God, trust in His forgiveness which Jesus won for us at the cross, and then change our sinful lives to match His holy will.

We write this letter to all of you who follow Jesus as members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. We write as fellow believers who must struggle with their sinful nature just as you do. We must also write to you as the care-takers of your souls. We have been given that responsibility by God, so our first allegiance is to Him above all else. He orders His pastors and elders to take good care of the souls entrusted to them.

We invite you to bring your questions to your Elder, or to Pastor Hansen. It is our privilege and responsibility to help you figure out how to live a God-pleasing life. If you need spiritual counsel or prayer to help you figure out your situation, we are glad to support you. All of us need the help of the Holy Spirit to live a God-pleasing life.

Glad to be in Christ’s service,
Pastor Lyle Hansen

Pastor Hansen in his office

To see more of Pastor Hansen's messages, please go to the Previous Messages page.