I have just gotten caught up with news this evening (Friday, October 24th): deadly shootings in Washington and in California, the Ebola virus in New York, and someone deliberately smashing into the Ten Commandments monument in Oklahoma City, etc...and in the midst of this we will CELEBRATE the Reformation this Sunday.

Could anything be more irrelevant -- or, wait a second -- could anything be more relevant?

In the face of the terrible things going on in our world, if there was ever a time for the message of the Reformation to be clear, then that time is now. The visible Church had once -- at least at the popular level -- lost the Gospel of Christ, but you will see red paraments and stole this Sunday to remind us of the Holy Spirit's powerful movement of restoring the Gospel of Christ to His Church during the Reformation. And He did so by restoring the true preaching of the Gospel and the right administration of the Holy Sacraments.

So what? The answer is that the Gospel restored to Christ's Church is the ground for hope in the face of madness; light shed upon darkness; and God's grace in Christ which will not permit death to reign. And as the Holy Spirit moves through Christ's Reformation Word and Sacraments, you -- the people of God -- become as salt and light in this world so inundated with fear. That is the celebration of the Reformation is faith facing the world head on knowing that the Lord is in control; giving life even in the face of death. This is a sure and certain hope; and one which the world desperately needs to know.

Part 2: We live out our faith also by helping those in need. Robby Flores is our congregational representative for the Life Ministry at Concordia University Irvine and he is asking that you bring some supplies this Sunday to donate to Mary's Shelter. Here is the list:

Diapers

Liquid laundry detergent

Dreft liquid detergent (for babies)

Plastic dishes (bowls, cups, plates)

Towels (face, hand and body towels)

Personal hygiene products: shampoo, razors, face wash, deodorant, lotion

Place mats (8 to 10 for each house)

Baby wipes

Non-perishable food for our emergency supply

Children's Tylenol

Plastic Tupperware with lids

Oven mittens

Diaper rash cream

Cleaning sponges

Bring some of these and place in the box that Robby is bringing to church this Sunday! Thank you!!!

Part 3: Sunday, November 2nd is the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed...please fill out the form available THIS Sunday and submit it back to the designated collectors OR send the information directly to me, Pastor Al at my email address: give me the name or names of loved ones and the date of their entry into glory...we will name your loved one in the service and hear the tolling of a bell to symbolize their eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an important tradition for us at Saint Paul's and we hope you will participate!

May the Lord bless your weekend so that you continue to abide in Christ's faith, hope, and love, rejoicing that in Him not some, not many, not most, but ALL your sins are forgiven through His life, death, and resurrection. Some people say, "Nothing is free!" There is, however, one thing that is: God's love and forgiveness in Jesus! This is His free gift to you...it is true of course that it cost HIM dearly...but as for you, this is God's GIFT to you: life and forgiveness in His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

In His Love,

Pastor Al Espinosa

We live in two kingdoms so that we carry out what Jesus taught: we give to Caesar and we give to God, but does this mean that our Lord was teaching that He was not somehow King even of the civil realm? Of course not! He is King of all kings; He is Lord even of all emperors, presidents, and monarchs. This has far-reaching implications. For one, the Lord is in charge; He is in control, even if things seem to be completely out of hand. Alarmist theology that insists that Satan is NOT bound is just that, alarmist and inappropriate. God isn't sweating in heaven and worried because of liberal forces that reject Him. If anything, He laughs: "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision." (Psalm 2:4) Needless to say, the child of God -- truly -- has nothing to worry about.

This, however, does not mean that we sit back and do nothing. Since the Lord of glory reigns, we are to advance and be proactive, showing good works in the civil realm, sharing the Gospel and being -- as Christ describes us to be -- salt and light.

Part 2: After the worship service, I am presenting what may be the single most important report I've given to our voter's assembly since the restart here in Irvine. I've prepared a powerpoint and I assure you that I will be clear and quite excited about a developing vision. I was inspired by Dr. Russell Dawn who spoke up at our last voter's meeting (in so many words): maybe -- in respect to our property search -- we've been thinking too small. I went into vacation this past summer with his words stuck in my conscience and tomorrow I will share with you how these words have come to fruition. Come and help your church. This is an important discussion about our future.

I rejoice to serve you. Who is the pastor to serve? He serves the Lord first; His stewardship is defined by his master. The Master is Jesus. So I serve Him, but to serve Him is to serve the One who HImself came not to be served, but to serve. To serve whom? To serve YOU! I am, therefore, also your servant. What I will serve -- with Pastor Mueller -- is the Word of Christ and the Sacrament of Christ. Jesus said, "Do this..." in respect to His Holy Sacrament. So many churches nowadays have diminished His command (to say nothing of how they have diminished the meaning and significance of the Supper)...at your congregation, the Holy Sacrament is given every Sunday. Jesus said, "Do this..." so that is what we do.

And the benefit? It is for salvation, comfort, and strength. It is pure blessing.

I look forward to serving you!

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow's sermon:

“Give To Caesar, Give to God” (St. Matthew 22:15-22)

Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine, CA (LC-MS)

For your life in Christ the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 19^th, 2014

Pastor Espinosa

Introduction: Total and Complete Separation of Church and State?

1. The idea is foreign to the U.S. Constitution.
2. In Separation of Church and State, Philip Hamburger, John P. Wilson Professor of Law at the University of Chicago challenges (as stated in the introductory synopsis):

“the conventional assumption that the separation of church and state has a historical foundation in the First Amendment. The detailed evidence…shows that eighteenth-century Americans almost never invoked this principle. Although Thomas Jefferson and others respectively claimed that the First Amendment separated church and state, separation became part of American constitutional law only much later…separation became a constitutional freedom largely through fear and prejudice. Jefferson supported separation out of hostility to the Federalist clergy of New England. [Some] Protestants…adopted the principle…to restrict the role of Catholics in public life. Gradually, these Protestants were joined by theologically liberal, anti-Christian secularists, who hoped that separation would limit Christianity and all other distinct religions.”

1. The First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
2. Jefferson wrote in referring to separation: “…thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” (Letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, 1802).
3. The great irony confronting those who perpetuate the “wall of separation” is that when theologically liberal, anti-God humanists and naturalists misuse the First Amendment, they are in fact perpetuating and encouraging, guess what? Answer: Their own religion! Consider the fact that ANY position that touches on God is a theological/religious For example, atheism is a theological position.

 

1. Christians and other theists are not the only ones with resultant MORAL positions that come from their THEOLOGICAL positions. Not at all: Darwinists also have a moral position called “moral relativism.”
2. When morality is based on the individual, it is called
3. When morality is based on what society says, it is called
4. Which one does Christianity support? Answer: Neither!

 

Part I: Christ Spoke Truth

1. The people who came to Him as recorded in today’s Gospel (St. Matthew 22:15-22) were disciples of the Pharisees (v 16) and then there were also Herodians (v 16). Two distinct groups with different views about the Roman government.
2. The Pharisees considered paying taxes to a pagan/anti-God government as sinful and so disagreed with the Herodians. To them, it was BAD to pay taxes.
3. The Herodians were Jews who supported the dynasty of Herod the Great and therefore believed that paying taxes was obligatory. To them, it was GOOD to pay taxes.
4. But they had one thing in common: they didn’t like Jesus!
5. This tag-team of disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians came to Jesus with flattering words, but their intent was to trap the Lord:
6. If Jesus spoke in Rome’s favor, it would cost him popular favor among the Jews.
7. If Jesus spoke in the people’s favor, it would set Him against the government and He would be guilty of sedition.
8. The point is that the enemies of God attack God. Do not think that they sit idle and say, “We have no opinion,” no way, they actually attack the truth.
9. If anyone thinks there isn’t a battle for truth, morality, and God in the world, then they are probably kidding themselves.

The enemies of Christ knew the kind of man Jesus was and they approached Jesus with flattering words.

St. Matthew 22:16: “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.”

1. Actually where the ESV states “you are not swayed by appearances,” it is trying to bring out: “You do not look at the face of men.”
2. Many people gauge what they will say based on how they perceive people’s faces. Not Christ. He just spoke the truth period. So he tells it like it is!
3. The Lord knew what was going on, verse 18 says, “[He was] aware of their malice.”

Come to church tomorrow morning and get the rest!

 

In Jesus' Love,

 

Rev. Al Espinosa, Ph.D., senior pastor, Saint Paul's Lutheran of Irvine

Sometimes the Christian faith is criticized for its exclusivism based on our proclamation that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). And, there is no other name given unto men under heaven by which they must be saved (Acts 4:12). To focus on the exclusivism upsets our politically correct climate that wants all ways/religions/worldviews to be equally legitimate ways to salvation and eternal life. In our politically charged climate, it is cool to get one of those "Co-Exist" bumper stickers. The message: it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere about something.

Never mind that from a logical perspective major comparative doctrines are diametrically opposed to each other. For example, let's be raised again AND be reincarnated. Doesn't that make sense?!

Ironically, such an approach to truth substitutes knowing God with out-right relativism. There is no truth other than what a person decides to be true. Truth becomes not about correspondence to reality (a real state of affairs), but about the whims and preferences of subjective beings. That is, the politically correct position trades in our foundation for knowing God for whatever feels right.

Such a position also denies our faiths' INCLUSIVISM. Once Christ is relegated to one religion among many, then who cares about the details? This is where Satan wants us to be. But the truth is in the details.

The Christian faith actually offers the greatest inclusivism in that Christ -- the very Son of God, true God of true God -- died for the sins of the world. That is, the sins of ALL PEOPLE were covered by His blood on the cross of Calvary. Again, the Christian faith is serious and actual universal salvation.

Still, it is a universal justification that must be believed in...and our world is way too busy trying to convince people not to (be careful not to assume we teach universalism, which is salvation regardless of one's faith...that's not us either).

Our parable tomorrow morning is about the fact that MANY are called by God...in fact if Christ died for all people, then we may go so far as to say that the Lord has opened the way to ALL. "For God desires ALL to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." (1st Timothy 2:4)

Today is "Yom Kippur" which translated means "Day of Atonement." The day's establishment is recorded in Leviticus 23:27f. In the context there is much said about the people needing to "afflict" themselves as part of this holy day. Because of this some modern versions of the day refer to it as a day to "afflict the soul." This is an unfortunate concept in that it implies that in order to "atone" for your sins, you must cause affliction to yourself (suffer for your sins). This of course is the popular idea in the phrase: "atone for your sins" or "make atonement for your sins." It means that you must "pay up" or go through something bad so as to be restored, etc.

This of course is bullet train moving away from the Gospel.

In actuality, the "Day of Atonement" involved the blood which "covered" sins. Or -- and another way of understanding atonement -- you "became one" with that which saves you. In either direction of the meaning, this is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the idea that you must suffer for yours sins. Instead, the Lord has provided the sacrifice for your sins!

As for tomorrow morning: Jesus is coming to serve through His Word and Sacrament, keeping us in forgiveness and eternal life!

We also celebrate some new members being received -- along with some complementary special music -- and we are excited about Ruth Koenig and Rosemary Hilton officially joining Saint Paul's! We are having a reception after worship and its a chance for us to relax and enjoy some fellowship as we welcome our newest members.

Tomorrow will proclaim the Parable of the Vineyard. Have you ever felt pain for being rejected? Come and hear about what Jesus came to do for you!

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow's sermon:

“The One Rejected Is the One We Welcome” (St. Matthew 21:33-43)

For Your Life in Christ the Week of the 17^th Sunday after Pentecost

October 5^th, 2014

Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine, CA (LC-MS)

Pastor Espinosa

Introduction: Definition of “Parable”

1. Literally means “putting things side-by-side.”
2. It is an extended simile. When we say, “This thing is LIKE that ” And then go on to elaborate.
3. It is presented in story form and things in the world (physical things) represent spiritual realities. Spiritual things are “put along side of” physical things.
4. What is conveyed in a biblical parable is TRUTH and an actual state of affairs.
5. Jesus used parables constantly during His earthly ministry; He was the master teacher! Why did He use parables?

St. Luke 8:10: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”

1. Jesus Himself taught that parables contain “secrets” or “mysteries,” in the sense of something higher than us, or beyond our own ability and reason; things that teach us about ultimate realities (about ourselves and about God).
2. What challenges folks though is that the words in Luke 8:10 seem to indicate that Jesus does not give these beneficial mysteries to all people. Some people will see, but not see; some will hear, but not understand. Why?
3. NOT because Christ does not love all people. He does! The difference, however, is that some people continue to REJECT Christ. Jesus once described the difference between people:

St. Matthew 9:12-13: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means,

‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

1. But those who believe themselves to be “righteous” apart from God do not need Christ, and therefore reject Him. Thus some who “heard” the parables of Jesus, did not understand a word. They did not see their meaning, but were spiritually blind.
2. Let us now delve into the “secrets” of today’s parable:

 

Part I: The Parable of the Tenants

1. This is a very important parable presented three times in Scripture, in Matthew 21, Mark 12, and Luke 20!
2. The imagery of the parable:
3. The “vineyard” = the nation of Israel, God’s people.
4. The “landowner” = God.
5. The “wall” = the Word of God that protects God’s people.
6. The “winepress” = sacrifice of atonement, blood.
7. The “tower” = the watchmen, the prophets of God.

 

Part II: This Parable Applies to Our Lives Today!

1. The Church is like the Vineyard today. We are His people. Notice that in the New Testament this imagery is maintained:

 

Jesus said in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

 2. We know the location of the vine and branches = in the vineyard; this describes the mystical union of Christ and His people which is precisely the Church, the Body of Christ. Jesus is here with us in His vineyard!

3. The landowner is still and always the Lord. He is our head and He leads us through life! Think of the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation.”

4. The wall is still the Word of God that surrounds us and protects us. Think of the hymn “Thy Strong Word.” Think of the “surrounding” description we find in Deuteronomy:

 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ⁸You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

 

5. The winepress is perhaps most evident in the Church today! The winepress where the wine flows is the Holy and Blessed Sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is where the blood of Christ is continually poured out for the forgiveness of sins!

6. And finally, the watchtower is still held by servants who watch over God’s people through the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. One term for them is “overseer,” but today we typically call them “pastors.”

I hope to see you in the morning dear Christian!

In Jesus' Love,

Pastor