Repetition can be both good and bad. Make no mistake about it, some things like wrapping your arms around a loved one and telling them how much you love them is the sort of thing we want to be repetitive about! Repetitive and constant prayer is something we should all strive for! On the other hand, repetition is often a reminder of sin in the world, frustration, and the constant battle. Going back for another round of radiation or chemotherapy is not the kind of repetition that makes us all warm and fuzzy inside. The repetition of dealing with a frustrating situation at work is to be reminded of strained relationships or a system of organization that is repeatedly dysfunctional. Being mindful of our own personal struggles and sins…these repetitions are shameful and can make us feel like failures. Some repetition is worse than drudgery.

But there are some things that are done perfectly the first time around. There are some things that need no repetition, like your holy baptism into the Lord Jesus Christ…and, like the “ONCE” gift of your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. The one-time, the ONCE-for-all sacrifice of His bearing your sin and giving Himself for them. The results are mind-boggling: there is now no condemnation for those — like you — in Christ Jesus. Tomorrow, we focus on the ONCE characteristic of our faith.

Also! We have special guests! We have the Concordia University Flute Ensemble! This promises to be a great blessing contributing to the gift of music in our worship!

Also! We are still taking donations for our “Heart For Hunger” drive. Please bring bottled water, canned food, bathroom supplies, cereal, crackers, etc.

The Text: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Beware of anything that has to be repeated over and over again. It means that that thing – whatever it is – is imperfect and has significant flaws. One day when I was a kid, my mom asked me to get the pruning shears and to “trim” a particular bush in our front yard. I don’t know, I think I must have had a sudden delusion of grandeur in thinking myself a sculptor or something. I became mesmerized by this bush and every-time I thought I was finished “trimming” the bush, I convinced myself that it wasn’t good enough and so I went at it again. Before I was finished, my mom looked out the front door and almost had a coronary. “What had I done to her bush?!” It was like being enlisted in the military when getting a “hair cut” takes on a whole new meaning! I had given the bush a “buzz”!

And yet this repetition that bears imperfection and inherent flaws marks every day of our lives. In our sin, we never get anything right; we never get anything perfect. So as husbands we are always trying – at least we should be – trying to become better communicators towards our wives. If you ever practice martial arts, you will be repeating forms, patterns and katas until you turn blue in the face. You know the old saying, “practice makes perfect.” But the actual reality is that practice only makes better…we never arrive to perfection. In fact, even if we are getting better, there is still undulation. It is not unusual to take two or three steps back even if we are making progress over the long haul. For myself, I have never preached a sermon, never taught a Bible Study, never conducted a visitation or a pastoral counseling session when – even if I was utterly convinced that the Holy Spirit blessed that service – that I didn’t think I could have done something to make it better. I am sure you can relate as this is true whether we are baking a cake, barbequing steaks, trying to get that “just right” mixture, developing your back-hand, learning to stay calm with that particular relationship, or whatever the case may be. I am not trying to encourage neurosis or an unhealthy form of perfectionism, but there is little doubt that our repetition reminds us of our imperfect lives.

But wait a minute! Don’t we as Christians constantly confess our sins to God? Aren’t we always repeating this sacred act? Does this mean that our confession is imperfect? More importantly, does this mean that our absolution is imperfect? But if our very forgiveness from the Lord were in any way imperfect, where would our faith stand?! This is most assuredly a critical question.

It is interesting that as we head towards the end of the Church Year, and as we head towards the high-anxiety seasons of the “holidays” — as our culture likes to call them, ah, go ahead, be a rebel and call them the “holy days” and see what kind of a reaction you get – in the face of such times, we are led to Hebrews chapter 9. Everywhere we look in this world, we see repetition for lack of perfection, for sin that frustrates, and forever trying to get it right. And sometimes we wish we could try all over again. In watching a little bit of the news, how many analyses have been offered as to what the Republicans could have done better…all of it relates to repetition, frustration, and the evident truth that we struggle to ever get things right.

But again right in the middle of our frustration on account of our sin; right in the middle of our feverish repetitions, we are given Hebrews chapter 9.

There are some exceptions to the rule that we will experience getting right the first time and will never, ever have to repeat again.

One of those exceptions is when what we experience is not our work, but instead the work of God! Ephesians 4:5 teaches us that there is one baptism. There is no need – ever – to repeat baptism. Some might seek to do so because they doubt whether they were fully knowledgeable, or aware, or sincere enough, etc. But baptism is the work of God. Whether we remember or not, God’s work needs no revision or improvement. You were baptized, and that baptism that put you into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was perfect then and it is perfect now! Thank God!

 

Come to Divine Service at 9:30 am tomorrow and get the whole sermon!

 

In Your Service and To Christ’s Glory,

 

Dr. Espinosa