Thirteenth sunday after Pentecost 13 [proper 14a] - 8/10/08

Hymn of Invocation: “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing”     lsb 737

Confession and Absolution

Introit

Ps. 34:4-8; antiphon: Ps. 34:1

Kyrie Eleison

Gloria in Excelsis

Collect of the Day

Almighty and most merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Old Testament Reading (Job 38:4-18)

⁴ "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. ⁵ Who determined its measurements -- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? ⁶ On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, ⁷ when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? ⁸ "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, ⁹ when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, ¹⁰ and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, ¹¹ and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'? ¹² "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, ¹³that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? ¹⁴ It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. ¹⁵ From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. ¹⁶ "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? ¹⁷ Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? ¹⁸ Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.

Gradual

Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.

Epistle (Romans 10:5-17)

⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? "The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame." ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. ¹³ For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Verse

Matt. 14:27

Gospel (St. Matthew 14:22-33)

²² Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, ²⁴ but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

Hymn of the Day: “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”     lsb 683

Sermon

Pentecost 13 [p14a] (8/10/08 – Lord, Save Me!)

 In the Name of Jesus.  [Amen]

Maybe their day was OK, but the night isn’t going so well.  If they had time to do so, I suppose that’s what the disciples would be thinking right about the time we come upon them in our Gospel Lesson.  They had gone up into the hills outside of Capernaum … where Jesus fed the 5,000.  They were there for the miracle – Jesus’ assistants in the distribution of that miraculous supper.  And they collected twelve baskets full of leftovers!  Now the Lord sends them on ahead of Him to Bethsaida – as we learn in Mark’s Gospel [6.45] – with the leftovers in hand … presumably.

Why? is the first question we ask.  Why is Jesus sending His disciples ahead of Him?  Why is He staying behind?  And how will He get to Bethsaida – about 6 or 7 miles away by boat across the northern end of the Sea of Galilee?  There are a couple of reasons, perhaps, why Jesus is sending His disciples away.  From John’s Gospel [6.15,26] we learn that the multitude wanted to make Jesus King – not because of His teachings … not because He’s the Messiah, the Savior of the world … but because He had given them bread.  The people have a wrong idea about Jesus … and they want to make their wrong idea stick – even if they have to do it by force … against Jesus’ will.  No doubt, Jesus doesn’t want His disciples to get caught up in this wrong thinking.  They’ve been with Him a while.  They’ve learned quite a bit.  But they still get an awful lot wrong – and they will continue that way until after our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection.  So Jesus sends them ahead to avoid having to deal with them as well.

Also, Jesus had come to this place to pray – to get away by Himself after the news of the beheading of John the Baptizer.  That was why He had come to these shores to begin with.  But the people had gotten there ahead of Him on foot.  When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick. [Mt 14.13]  That’s what we heard last week.  And He was at it all day … until the early evening.  So now Jesus wants those few moments – hours – by Himself to pray.  What about?  Perhaps for the crowds who had seen and literally eaten the miracle – but still didn’t believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Perhaps to give thanks to the Father for removing John from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven.  Perhaps to pray for those who had perpetrated such an evil end upon John – that they would either repent … or at least be prevented from further evil.  Perhaps to ask the Father and Holy Spirit for strength as He heads into the last year of His earthly ministry before He Himself is disrespected – worse, even, than John.  Perhaps for His disciples … as they underwent this time of testing designed to lead them to fear, love, and trust in Him all the more.

At any rate, while Jesus is praying well into the night – almost till morning – the disciples are being buffeted by contrary wind and waves.  What should have been a two hour trip has gone all night – and they are now in the middle of the Sea of Galilee … farther from their destination than when they started.  They could have gotten there quicker by walking through the hills – and these are fishermen … men who know boat and sea.

Do you feel like life is that way sometimes?  Everything contrary?  Like you are running helplessly and hopelessly against the wind?  That what started out as an easy journey has turned into a nightmare?  It may just be what’s going on around you.  It may be some of your own making – your own sin that has caused you problems.  No doubt your sin has contributed greatly to your difficulties.  And the devil, the world, and your own sinful flesh just keep on pounding away at you – tempting you … causing you to fail … taking away any progress you might have thought you had made in your spiritual life.  I haven’t made any headway in my spirituality!, you may feel – and you may, in fact, be quite right.  And even when we do make some headway in some areas of life – progress a little here and there in doing that which God has commanded – we find that there are other areas … other sins … we didn’t even realize.  We’re worse off – sinning-wise – than we ever imagined.  We’ve grown in our understanding of God’s Word.  And in growing, we see we have more sin than we ever knew – more areas to work on … more areas where we’ve fallen miserably short … more to confess.  The wind and the waves are beating against us – we’re tired … and all can seem hopeless.  Where is our Lord now?  Doesn’t He care?  Perhaps the disciples were wondering … like we do sometimes – sinfully doubting.

Even when our Savior does come to them, they do not at first recognize Him.  In fact, they’re afraid of what they see!  In the midst of their distress, they do not even know their Lord!  We would make good disciples!

Take heart; it is I!  Do not be afraid!  Take courage!  I am.  Stop being afraid!  Cease your fear!  Our Savior’s words in the context remind us of another event that had to do with water:  And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” [Exo 14.13-14]  The disciples – like we – are distressed and afraid … for nothing!  The Lord is on our side!  The Lord will fight for us!  The Lord Who laid the foundations of the earth – by Himself – and Who set limits for the roaring seas – by Himself – is the One Who comes to us and is with us.  We weren’t there when He created the heavens and the earth (and mankind) in six days.  He doesn’t need our help now.  But we need His!

Peter says: Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water! [Mt 14.28]  A combination of faith and testing the Lord, I suppose.  We do it, too – don’t we?  Lord, if You will only do this, then I will do that.  Get me out of this mess, Lord, and I will faithfully attend Church and diligently devote time to Your Word and will.  And with a single Word – less than what He spoke at the beginning of time – with a Word the Lord commands Peter.  And with that one-Word command comes the power of God to cause Peter to fulfill His command: Come! [14.29]  And Peter does!  He gets out of the boat … steps out onto the water … stands up … and begins coming to Jesus!

But just like our beginnings in faith and the strength of faith, Peter’s is short-lived.  Like us – or we like him – Peter looks out around him … taking his eyes off of Jesus … forgetting the command and Who gave it … and seeing the wind – how hard it was blowing … and how it caused the waves to chop and swell … that wind that had blown them out to sea so far from the shore – Peter began to sink.  And he cries out: Lord, save me!

What is our Savior’s response?  Peter, why is your faith so little?  Why do you doubt?  Come on, Peter, just get up and obey My command!  No!  Our text says, instead: Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him. [14.31]  Yes, our Lord does later rebuke Peter – but only after He has reached out His hand and plucked Peter out of the water … only after He has saved Peter from a certain death in those terrible storm-driven waves.

Whenever your life seems about to engulf you with troubles … whenever your sins are about to swallow you alive and bring you to the recesses of the deep and the gates of death [Job 38.16,17] – remember these words of Peter: Lord, save me!  Remember even more what the Lord did: Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him.  For your gracious Savior does the same for you – each and every time the troubles of life … the evils of the world … and the sin of your flesh would draw you under.  Jesus saves you!  He saves you from your sins.  He saves you from the consequence of sin – from an eternal separation from Him and an unending death.  He saves you and pulls you out of the chaos of this sinful world into the safety of the ship of His Kingdom – the Church.

That reality is why the place where you are sitting is called the nave – it is the little ship into which your Lord and Savior has safely pulled you through the waters of Holy Baptism.  In repentance we weekly – daily – cry out: Lord, save me!  And He does!  He pulls you again and again into the nave – for by repentance and faith you are daily returned to your Baptism.  He seats you here in the nave – and you hear His Word.  You hear His rebuke: O you of little faith, why did you doubt? [Mt 14.31].  You see your sin.  You see how you would be like Peter: sinking in the sea of life – unless your Savior immediately reached out His hand and took hold of you.  You confess your sins.  And with Peter you cry out: Lord, save me!  Lord, have mercy.  And Christ does – again and again!  No matter how often you cry out – Jesus saves you.  No matter how many times you look away and are overwhelmed with the storms of life and sin – Jesus reaches out to save you!

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” [Mt 14.32‑33]  Jesus truly is the Son of God … God with us … the Lord Who saves His people from their sins.  Jesus truly is – forever was … forever is … forever will be – the Son of God … the Son Who saves you.  Jesus is forever and always the Lord Who Alone can calm the wind and the waves – whether they be the storms of life or the storms of your sins.

Lord, save me!  And Christ does!  He already has.  He always will!

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  [Amen]

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried.  And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.  And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, Whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the + life of the world to come.  Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P   O God, You created all things, and You rule them with wisdom, power,` and mercy.  We bless and praise You, for You are the Giver and Sustainer of life and have prepared our salvation from the power of sin and death.  Hear us now as we come before You, and according to Your great mercy, hear our prayer.

P   Gracious Father, teach Your Church in every time and circumstance to remember Your commands and Your promises and to give You glory in word and deed.  Let it always speak the truth in Christ, that all who hear the good news of life in Your Son may be saved and serve only You.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C   hear our prayer.

P   Lord in heaven, govern the nations of this world.  Lead warring factions to find common ground with their enemies, that they may set aside their weapons and live in peace and safety.  Give to every nation faithful leaders who will protect the weak and curb those who would use power for personal gain . Raise up rulers and magistrates who seek peace and justice.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C   hear our prayer.

P   Lord, bless our land and our people.  In every time – especially in times of fear and chaos – be our Savior.  Shield us from pestilence that devours vegetation, from drought that steals the harvest, and from hunger when the fruits of the field are scarce.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C   hear our prayer.

P   O Source of mercy, be with those who suffer illness and tragedy (we continue to keep in our prayers our elderly, as well as _________________________________________________________). Grant the comfort and peace of Christ to those who mourn (including _________________________________________). Be the strong Arm that strengthens those who are weak and in need of healing.  Be the Hope of those who despair and can imagine no good future.  Send us to the side of all of those in need, that we may embody Your love and compassion and point them to Your unfailing promises.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C   hear our prayer.

P   Gracious God, in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s Body and Blood You give us a foretaste of the feast to come as You bestow on us Your immeasurable gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  By Your Word and Spirit unite in true faith all who this day receive Your Son’s Body and Blood, that they may proclaim Christ’s death until He comes. Lord, in Your mercy,

C   hear our prayer.

P   Giver of all wisdom, be with our catechumens as they study and learn Your teachings.  May Your holy Word forever be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C   hear our prayer.

P   Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C   Amen.

Offering

Offertory

Proper Preface

Sanctus

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth; heav'n and earth are full of Thy glory.  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

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.

Words of Institution

P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: "Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for you.  This do in remembrance of Me."  In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My Blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Pax Domini (The peace of the Lord)

P: The peace of the Lord be with you
C: Amen.

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.  Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.  Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; give us Your peace.  Amen.

Holy Communion Distribution

Nunc Dimittis

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which though hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Post-Communion Collect

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 give you peace.  Amen.