Conductors, Members, and Guests Are We

[00:00:04] In the name of jesus. Amen. [00:00:11] Notice that that song makes everyone who sings it out to be a choir director for all of creation. [00:00:20] Right. All creatures of our God and king, lift up your voice with us and sing. [00:00:29] That's what we were made to. [00:00:32] God gave us dominion over all creatures. [00:00:38] Why? [00:00:40] To rule as God would rule, which is to say, to organize things harmoniously, not to serve ourselves. [00:00:53] God didn't make human beings to be kings unto themselves, to make everything around them serve their goals, their ends. [00:01:06] He made them, made us, human beings to have dominion over everything, like a king, to serve God's purposes, to serve his ends. [00:01:24] The first thing that that hymn does for me is it makes me notice things again. It's like, oh, yeah, the sun and the moon and the light that comes from them. [00:01:35] As I walked into church this morning, there was a little bit of a red glow. [00:01:41] And when you see that, does it make you. I don't know, does it give you a little feeling inside? Like. [00:01:47] I don't know, helps me take a deeper breath and slow down a little bit. [00:01:52] Things go so, so fast. [00:01:57] A lot of the news lately is about AI, and the news about AI is coming in faster and faster. [00:02:05] They say that there used to be a new AI model once a year, and now there's a new AI model every 10. [00:02:15] While ago, it made a. [00:02:19] You know, it solved a difficult math problem. [00:02:23] And now they're saying they're about to Release findings on 400 difficult math problems that were solved. [00:02:31] People are talking about the near future of merging with machines. [00:02:41] Science fiction is coming to bear in real life, and people kind of believe in that to different degrees. Some people are convinced that just around the corner is going to be a real change in our human experience. [00:03:02] And others kind of say, yeah, it can't even answer my questions right. [00:03:08] And I don't know what accounts for the difference in experience. [00:03:12] Some would say how much you pay for the service. [00:03:16] But regardless, you know, this is just another version of things moving really fast, which I hear is the experience of everybody. [00:03:28] How's it going? Well, you know, just trying to stay on top of things, dealing with the latest challenges that just come flying at you. [00:03:41] So to stop and to notice the things around you and to remember that God made them, that they're a gift from God. [00:03:52] It's kind of everything. [00:03:54] One of our focuses this year in our school is wonder. [00:04:01] To notice something and go, wow the students out in the back of our property here. One of the things that they've noticed is milkweed pods. You open them up and they're just full of seeds that are like parachutes and they spread milkweed everywhere. [00:04:23] You don't know it's there until you look for it. [00:04:26] Until you. [00:04:27] Or maybe you don't look for it and you happen upon it and you're like, whoa, where did this come from? [00:04:35] Curiosity, Noticing things. [00:04:40] Now, we. [00:04:42] In a way, we've done well with this. [00:04:46] This is. [00:04:47] I mean, we've had to notice things in order to build our technology up more and more to get to this point. [00:04:58] It's not that we haven't taken an interest in things. [00:05:04] Maybe you're very interested in things. My neighbor is into model trains, and I have my own hobbies, and you probably have your own hobbies. [00:05:15] I know a few of you are into fishing. [00:05:19] And everybody's got their interests. [00:05:24] Some pour their hearts into them more than others. [00:05:29] Our children capture our interest, a lot of our attention. [00:05:35] You spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to teach them how to get them through this obstacle that is stalling their progress in school or at home or making it difficult to lead your family. [00:05:51] Those kinds of things. It's constant, takes constant attention. [00:05:58] It can take all of your attention, keep you up at night, wake you up at night. [00:06:06] The things of this world, they take our attention. They need our attention. [00:06:12] But not without God. [00:06:16] We were made to be choir directors of creation, to see the things around us, to notice them, and then to direct their praise, their harmony, to God. [00:06:33] Can AI be used that way? [00:06:36] Sure, you can use it to praise God. You can use it to serve your neighbor just like anything else. [00:06:47] But you can also be sort of swept up in the current of it and get excited for diseases to be healed or in the language of our text, tears to be wiped away from every face. [00:07:04] That's what some people are looking forward to with AI they talk like it's going to take away human suffering. [00:07:11] And at the same time, they say that we should be content to allow. [00:07:21] Some tragedies to happen. [00:07:23] Right. Some terrible things are going to happen, but it's worth it because a lot of really great things are going to happen, too. [00:07:33] Technology, the world of progress, it promises a lot, but it doesn't hold our hope. [00:07:47] At least, I mean, we can hope in it, but it's going to disappoint. We've been here before. You know, early 1900s, people were hopeful that technology and progress, everything that our modern age had brought us, like wars were over. And then World War I and 2 came and dashed our hopes and been kind of dealing with the fallout ever since, our hopes can be dashed again. [00:08:18] And they will be if we place our hope in worldly things. [00:08:23] St. Paul, in the text from Philippians, he says that he's learned the secret of contentment. [00:08:33] Wouldn't that be nice? [00:08:35] Right? [00:08:36] Wouldn't you like that? If you could be content in any situation? [00:08:41] He says, I've learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [00:08:46] I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound in any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [00:08:59] I can do all things through him who strengthens me. [00:09:05] Paul's not trusting in any person or worldly thing around him. He's trusting in Jesus Christ, the man from heaven, the one sent to us for our salvation. He says it earlier in the reading here. [00:09:21] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, he's content. [00:09:25] Wouldn't that be nice? [00:09:26] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. [00:09:31] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. [00:09:35] Then he says this. [00:09:37] The Lord is at hand. [00:09:40] He's talking about Jesus Christ. The Lord is at hand. He's nearby. He's right here. [00:09:46] That's why. [00:09:47] Rejoice in the Lord always. [00:09:51] Again, I'll say, rejoice. [00:09:53] Don't be anxious about anything. [00:09:56] Wouldn't that be nice? [00:09:59] Don't be anxious about anything. But in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. [00:10:10] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [00:10:22] For St. Paul, the secret is not about worldly solutions to our problems. It's all about Jesus Christ. [00:10:31] He keeps coming back to it again and again. [00:10:39] At this point, it's still a little bit obscure. Right? Okay, so Jesus Christ. But why him? And why does that give us peace that surpasses understanding, like peace that we can have, even not understanding, why we should have peace? [00:10:55] What is it about Jesus Christ for that? You just have to think about the whole story of Jesus Christ. [00:11:03] Jesus came as a human being, not a mere human being. [00:11:10] God in the flesh, God becoming one of us. [00:11:14] And he showed it by healing people's diseases, by raising people from the dead, by teaching with wisdom and authority. [00:11:24] It was shocking to the experts. [00:11:29] He cast out demons, showing that he had power over the forces of evil and over death. [00:11:39] There was nothing that could stop him. In fact, he was killed. [00:11:45] They tried to stop him because they didn't think anything of him. [00:11:53] He was killed like he was a criminal by the Romans on A cross, and he died. [00:12:01] They put a spear in his side to make sure. [00:12:05] And then he rose from the dead like there is nothing that can stop Jesus. [00:12:12] And he's the king and he's sitting at the right hand of God, ruling over all creation, having shown himself to be more powerful than anything, to have all power and authority in heaven and on earth. And the best part, he uses it for you. [00:12:36] It's not like God is sitting in heaven saying, I know you've got problems, but you've got to rise above the problems. [00:12:44] You got to figure them out. And if you figure them out, great. [00:12:50] No, it's like God sitting in heaven above all things, came to us to lift us out of our challenges, to carry us through death, to protect us from all evil, to bring us to himself. [00:13:11] The king stooping low to gather his people. [00:13:17] That's the wedding feast that God is throwing for his son. In the Gospel reading, did you hear it? [00:13:26] The king throws a wedding feast for his son. And then he sends people out, sends messengers out, servants to say, it's ready. [00:13:35] The fattened calf and the oxen, they've been prepared. [00:13:40] Come enjoy the feast. [00:13:43] They went back to. [00:13:46] They went back to their hobbies and their worries and anxieties. [00:13:52] Crops have to be planted. I got to run my business. [00:13:57] They said, The king's like, come, come enjoy the banquet that I've put together, the celebration. You guys know anything? More like, have you been to a celebration that was more formal, there was more preparation for, than a wedding? [00:14:21] I don't think I have. [00:14:24] I don't think I have. [00:14:26] This is not just any wedding. [00:14:28] It's a wedding for the king's son. [00:14:33] What a celebration. [00:14:37] That's what God invites you and me to. [00:14:42] You and I who are caught up in the flow of life, the worries and the decisions, the opportunities. [00:14:51] God says, notice he says, remember what I've done for you, sending my son Jesus for you. [00:15:03] He says that in Jesus you have everything that you need. This life is going to be one challenge after another. [00:15:11] It's going to be suffering that's going to end in death, worldly speaking. [00:15:17] But God has prepared a way for you. Jesus Christ, to carry you through death, to give you strength in whatever circumstance. You can look to him and remember that you have everything you need in him. He has prepared a way for you, provided for you, says that there's an inheritance waiting in heaven for you. [00:15:38] He says, look to my son and trust in him and everything's going to be okay. [00:15:46] That's why Paul says, be Anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It's all of that. The King is reigning and ruling, and he's for you. [00:16:08] And how do you receive what he has to give? [00:16:11] Just look to Him. [00:16:14] He calls you and invites you to look to him and to trust and hope in him and in nothing else. [00:16:28] The people who said no thanks and went back to their farm went back to their business. [00:16:36] Maybe they thought they had something else to take care of that couldn't wait. [00:16:45] It's like they didn't have time to notice the gravity of what was happening, the beauty of the gift of an invitation to that wedding feast. [00:16:56] You know, a lot of the stuff we do in church here looks a little formal and odd. It's like if you went to a wedding and you were expecting, like, a hangout with friends, you'd be like, why'd you guys wear, like, suits? And why do you have a flower on your shirt? You know, like, why are you saying all those formal things, right? [00:17:24] Like, what occasion are we here for? [00:17:27] And the reason that church looks formal and that we do planned formal things is that we're rehearsing the wedding feast. Like, we're actually experiencing the wedding feast. We're remembering Jesus who rules and reigns, and we're celebrating his wedding in which he has united himself, like, in marriage to his people. [00:17:52] Like, they're sharing all things. Jesus giving us everything as his bride, and we giving him everything, which is our sin, and he just does away with it. He forgives us and loves us. [00:18:06] This is a wedding feast. [00:18:08] Just think about what we did right before the gospel reading. [00:18:17] We all sang, just picture, like, trumpets, Like a bunch of people. Like, if we really could do it right, you know, so if any of you are trumpet players, you know, maybe we could do it next Sunday, right? But, like, hallelujah, Hallelujah. [00:18:36] Hallelujah. Doesn't that sound like a. Like a form? Like, just picture it. These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. We're just saying who Jesus is. He's the Christ. He's the King. [00:18:53] So you kind of have to imagine it a little bit. You have to remember that this humble gathering, that these humble words, the music that we humbly sing together, even though we're not like a choir for the King, you know, outwardly, that's what we are in Christ. We're His People invited to his feast, recognizing his position over heaven and earth and his love for us in inviting us to be his bride, to give us everything to unite us to himself, bring us to everlasting life. Don't forget, notice what God has done for you and Jesus. In his name, Amen. [00:19:40] We stand for prayer. [00:20:00] Almighty God, you are ruling and reigning over all things. [00:20:05] You made us. [00:20:06] We belong to you. [00:20:09] We forgot that. And we forget that we ask you to forgive us our sins. [00:20:14] We thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for his sacrifice on the cross. [00:20:21] Thank you for his overcoming death and all our enemies and showing us that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, restoring our faith in the King. [00:20:33] Help us to look to the King and not to forget all of your benefits. [00:20:40] Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:20:44] Father, we lift up before you those who are in need, especially those who have asked for our prayers. [00:20:51] Pray especially for Paul and Mary Teresa, Vern and Rachel, Jim Bob and Carolyn, Karen, Linda, Ellen, Christy, Bruce, Lorene, Gordon, Dixie, and for continued health and growth for baby Lucy. [00:21:17] Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:21:20] Father, bless all those who mourn the loss of a loved one, especially the family of Richard Geisert. [00:21:26] Give them peace and comfort in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the promise of the life to come. [00:21:35] Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:21:39] Father, we thank you for taking care of us in all creation, for having mercy on us. We ask that you'd continue to send rain and water the earth, that you would replenish the stores of snow and rain, and that you would bless this year's harvest. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:22:03] Father, you care for us. [00:22:06] Help us to remember that. Help us in times of anxiety, stress, worry, to cast our cares on you, to present our requests to you, and to receive in Jesus the peace that surpasses understanding. [00:22:25] Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:22:30] Father, bless Trinity Lutheran Church and school together in Jesus. [00:22:38] Bless all of those who are church members or school families or teachers or have any part in our organization. [00:22:49] Bless us all together in Jesus. Unite us together through your Word and sacraments. [00:22:58] Make us to share life together as your people. [00:23:03] Take away whatever would separate us and build us up together. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:23:11] Father, you've promised to work in us through youh Word, to reach into our hearts by youy Word and to bring harmony, to bring peace where there's anxiety, confusion, doubt, worry, anger, any of those things. We ask, Lord, that in our classrooms that our students would learn to look to you and to have their inner life brought into harmony in Christ that you would bless parents with the same that looking to you and receiving from you the peace that surpasses understanding we would be able to point our children as well to you. [00:24:06] Lord bless grandparents and teachers and friends neighbors. [00:24:14] Lord bless us in all the roles that you've given us make us a blessing to one another speaking your word to one another of peace and forgiveness and joy in Jesus. All of us might together rejoice in the salvation that you've given us. [00:24:30] Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. [00:24:35] Father this morning you give to us the gift of your son's body and blood Jesus giving us himself in our mouths and in our hearts making us his body together give us repentant hearts to recognize our unworthiness, our sin and our need for your forgiveness and eyes to see the salvation that you give to us and hearts rejoicing in being made Christ's body together help us to see one another to recognize Christ's body.