We confess the Lord Jesus as our Prophet, Priest, and King. He is our Prophet because it is His Word proclaimed in His office of the ministry in His Church localized in His congregations. He is Guest tomorrow to give you His Word and His body and blood in the Holy Sacrament!

The sermon, “First Appearances Can be Deceiving” will remind us that our Lord hides Himself. He hid Himself when He came as a baby in a manger; as He died on the cross, as He comes to you in, with, and under bread and wine; and He hides Himself in you. These things do not lend accuracy in “first appearances,” as none of these are very impressive to the world. In truth, however, these things are the things of forgiveness, eternal life, and God in our midst.

After the Divine Service, the Bible Study will be conducted by Prof. Steve Parks as he continues tomorrow on “Confronting Culture.” He will finish his segment on answering Neo-Darwinism.

What a Sunday this will be:

1) you will receive Holy Absolution.

2) you will be equipped in the Word of God in John 11.

3) you will receive the body and blood of Christ so that you will never die.

4) you will be equipped on how to answer culture’s confrontations against faith.

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon:

“First Appearances Can be Deceiving”

John 11:17-27, 38-53

Rev. Steven P. Mueller

Many things we encounter are not what they first appear to be.

Even divine things may not always be what they appear to be

Isaiah 45:16 “Truly you are a God who hides himself.”

 

Luther made this a major part of his theology. God is Deus Absconditus – the hidden God. Luther also called this the “theology of the cross.

Do not to look for God merely in external might and glory. Look where God promises that He will be.

But we are always tempted to look for God in places he has not promised to be.

Today’s readings show us several examples of times when outward appearances were deceiving – when God hid His work from human eyes, only to reveal it at just the right time.

 

A living Lazarus was hidden in death until Christ revealed him

John 11 tells us about Lazarus’ sickness and death – and Jesus’ strange reaction.

John 11:5–6 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

 

Martha meets Him, and says, “If you had been here my brother would not have died… but even now I know that God will do whatever you ask.” What a great statement of faith. But when they get to the tomb, she wavers.

Martha was caught up in external appearances. But Jesus was not. With a word, he called Lazarus out, and the dead man rose.

The appearance – the reality of death – was not the final story. God was doing something greater. God’s life was hidden there, and Lazarus lived.

May we rejoice in these gifts!

Invite a friend.

Worship starts at 9:30 am; Bible Study at 11:00 am.

In Your Service and To Christ’s Glory,

Pastor Espinosa