Exaudi Sermon - 2025
Here is the sermon for Exaudi - 7th Sunday of Easter, (June 1, 2025).
God’s Work To Make
You Stewards of His Gifts
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
One hour is all we have together, and in our society the sermon is relegated to no more than 22 minutes. It really is too bad. There is so much to consider these three texts – and to consider them together.
It would be nice to have a full hour just to sit and meditate deeply upon Scripture together. It is truly a joy to dig into God’s Word to better understand our life together in Christ.
Our Ezekiel text begins with God declaring that He's going to act for the sake of His Holy Name. He will do this because God’s own people have profaned His name among the nations.
Carefully take note of who has profaned God's Holy name? Not unbelievers – not the nations and people who do not believe in Him! It is God’s own chosen people who have profaned God’s name among those who are not His people.
Those who have profaned His holy name are those whom He has called by name.
Many like to claim the name of God as their own, declaring themselves to be Christians! Are they?
God uses Peter to proclaims that God’s people are to be: self-controlled and sober-minded…for the sake of YOUR prayers.
You are to love one another earnestly (that means, without exceptions) for love covers a multitude of sins. (love forgives, it doesn't hold grudges, love cares for others before self).
You are to show hospitality (sharing all that God has given you) – without grumbling.
As you have received gifts, use them as good stewards of God’ varied grace. By the way, it does not say IF you have received gifts it says AS YOU HAVE RECEVIED GIFTS you are to use them as good stewards.
Just as you have received gifts – use them for others. God gives you more than you can ever give away, even if you gave it ALL away.
God has bestowed good gifts upon you that you should use them to care for others.
God did not withhold His only Son but gave Him up unto death for you. Jesus was sacrificed unto death for you. He rose again on the third day. He has gloriously ascended to the right hand of the Father. There He now reigns. His righteous judgement upon men is based upon His work which He gives to us. If we reject the gracious gifts of mercy to us, or misuse them, then we will instead be judged at last by our works.
I do not want God to pass judgement upon me for my works. I am sure that you do not want that to happen either.
You and I bear His name, it was placed upon us at baptism, so we bear His name at all times as Christ-ians. Do not profane His name among the people around us by how you live and act.
Also, do not be surprised about the fiery trial that will come upon you. This is nothing strange. If you suffer for the name of Christ, you are to consider it a joy. You are to rejoice in suffering, for you are blessed if you are insulted for the name of Christ. This happens because the Spirit of eternal glory and the grace of God rest upon you.
This does not sound like a whole lot of fun. In fact, it sounds nasty. But I am guessing you have already endured some sort of suffering for the name of Jesus.
How? You have heard the abuse aimed at you
“Oh, you go to that church? I could never go there. The Missouri Synod is too rigid. (I am told that “rigid” is a bad word.) Your pastor quotes the Bible as if that is the final Word. I even heard there is a crucifix up in that church. And doesn’t your church believe that people cannot save themselves, that Jesus needed to die to pay for their sins? I could never go to a church which believes that God the Father is so cruel to sacrifice His own Son to pay for the sins of others. That is not at all loving.”
Our Gospel finds Jesus speaking to His disciples in the ‘upper room’ on the night in which He was betrayed. He is promising that “The Helper” will come to them, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father.
Not only will the Spirit testify to them about Jesus. He will move them to be faithful witnesses to Jesus. The Spirit will keep them from falling away from faith.
Why might they fall away from faith? For the same reason so many fall away from faith today. Being a Christian is downright difficult. You might quote Jesus and say that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
What gets in the way of being a Christian? It started out as just one tree with some good-looking fruit on it and a talking serpent asking just one question, “Did God really say?”
That question profanes God’s name by fostering in disobedience in action by those who want to claim the name of Christ.
A moment ago you heard quotes from some who want to claim to be Christians. Instead, some of them bring suffering to the lives of those who want to remain faithful to Christ.
God’s faithful will endure suffering for their faithfulness to Christ. Sometimes suffering happens because family members believe something other than what God declares as truth in His Word.
I did not plan it this way, but it certainly worked out very well. What is our Catechism for this week? Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
He then asks, How is God’s will done?
Did you notice who is doing the work so God’s will is done in those who pray this petition? Not the ones praying! In other words, God’s will is not done by the will of those desiring to do His will.
Sinfulness gets in the way of our doing God’s will. All you and I can do is profane God’s name. We are frightened off by persecutions. We do not like suffering. We love to make our flesh happy, living comfortably in the world.
God knows we cannot do His will. In our short text from Ezekiel God says ten times, “I will”…do something. Add the places where He just adds another phrase to another that starts with “I will”, then we have sixteen things that God will do for us. God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
In Peter’s text you heard all the things that you are to do and will endure because of the name of Christ. All will happen because the Spirit is in you. The Spirit will bring God’s glory and rest upon you. God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
In our Gospel lesson, even as Jesus is preparing to go to the cross, He explains that the Spirit will come upon His disciples. The Spirit will make you witnesses of all He has revealed to you. The Spirit will see you through all life – into the life to come. God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
It is kind of disappointing to know that by my own work, I am not a good pastor.
In fact, according to God’s demands – if I were to be judged by my obedience and trust my works – I am not even a good Christ.
When I am faithful to Christ the world tells me I am intolerant and unloving.
If the world hears me claim I cannot do any good thing of myself – I tells me to try harder.
Christians are constantly told to follow our hearts. But when we examine them closely according to God’s Word, all we find is sin and the stench of death residing there. We are rotting from the inside out.
Considering these three Scripture lessons, is it any wonder that God’s plan is to do ALL THINGS for us, to us, in us, and through us? In our greatest depths of honesty, we need Him to do so – for we can do no good thing of ourselves.
Paul said it well when he bemoaned that what he wants TO do – but cannot do. What is worse, is that he does the very thing he does NOT want to do. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24)
I know exactly how He feels! I try, and try, and try, and I fail…fail…fail.
God inspires Paul to answer His own question, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25)
God sent His only begotten Son; conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary so that He could, in my flesh…and in yours…fulfill the will of The Father in all things. His perfect obedience made Him THE acceptable sacrifice for the sins of all mankind as the Paschal Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Accepting the sacrifice complete, the Father raised Him on the third day and seated Him at His own right hand.
You are not left on your own to do His will by your own power and strength. You are not left alone to believe by your own reason and will. God promises to do it all to you and through you. Christ sends His Spirit to will in you all good things – to repent for the forgiveness of sins.
He brings you to the meal where Christ feeds you Himself, as He promised never to leave us.
So, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord every week. And, as often as we eat and drink at His table, we proclaim His death until He comes. He lived, He died, and He rose again.
We live our baptismal life daily putting to death the old Adam within us by contrition and repentance, and are raised each day to new life in Him.
On the last day you will join Him in resurrected and glorified bodies – always and forevermore bringing glory to His holy name.
God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
But until that last day comes, we ask the Lord to hear us still – “Almighty, everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will towards You and to serve Your Majesty with a pure heart; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end.” Amen.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
One hour is all we have together, and in our society the sermon is relegated to no more than 22 minutes. It really is too bad. There is so much to consider these three texts – and to consider them together.
It would be nice to have a full hour just to sit and meditate deeply upon Scripture together. It is truly a joy to dig into God’s Word to better understand our life together in Christ.
Our Ezekiel text begins with God declaring that He's going to act for the sake of His Holy Name. He will do this because God’s own people have profaned His name among the nations.
Carefully take note of who has profaned God's Holy name? Not unbelievers – not the nations and people who do not believe in Him! It is God’s own chosen people who have profaned God’s name among those who are not His people.
Those who have profaned His holy name are those whom He has called by name.
Many like to claim the name of God as their own, declaring themselves to be Christians! Are they?
God uses Peter to proclaims that God’s people are to be: self-controlled and sober-minded…for the sake of YOUR prayers.
You are to love one another earnestly (that means, without exceptions) for love covers a multitude of sins. (love forgives, it doesn't hold grudges, love cares for others before self).
You are to show hospitality (sharing all that God has given you) – without grumbling.
As you have received gifts, use them as good stewards of God’ varied grace. By the way, it does not say IF you have received gifts it says AS YOU HAVE RECEVIED GIFTS you are to use them as good stewards.
Just as you have received gifts – use them for others. God gives you more than you can ever give away, even if you gave it ALL away.
God has bestowed good gifts upon you that you should use them to care for others.
God did not withhold His only Son but gave Him up unto death for you. Jesus was sacrificed unto death for you. He rose again on the third day. He has gloriously ascended to the right hand of the Father. There He now reigns. His righteous judgement upon men is based upon His work which He gives to us. If we reject the gracious gifts of mercy to us, or misuse them, then we will instead be judged at last by our works.
I do not want God to pass judgement upon me for my works. I am sure that you do not want that to happen either.
You and I bear His name, it was placed upon us at baptism, so we bear His name at all times as Christ-ians. Do not profane His name among the people around us by how you live and act.
Also, do not be surprised about the fiery trial that will come upon you. This is nothing strange. If you suffer for the name of Christ, you are to consider it a joy. You are to rejoice in suffering, for you are blessed if you are insulted for the name of Christ. This happens because the Spirit of eternal glory and the grace of God rest upon you.
This does not sound like a whole lot of fun. In fact, it sounds nasty. But I am guessing you have already endured some sort of suffering for the name of Jesus.
How? You have heard the abuse aimed at you
“Oh, you go to that church? I could never go there. The Missouri Synod is too rigid. (I am told that “rigid” is a bad word.) Your pastor quotes the Bible as if that is the final Word. I even heard there is a crucifix up in that church. And doesn’t your church believe that people cannot save themselves, that Jesus needed to die to pay for their sins? I could never go to a church which believes that God the Father is so cruel to sacrifice His own Son to pay for the sins of others. That is not at all loving.”
Our Gospel finds Jesus speaking to His disciples in the ‘upper room’ on the night in which He was betrayed. He is promising that “The Helper” will come to them, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father.
Not only will the Spirit testify to them about Jesus. He will move them to be faithful witnesses to Jesus. The Spirit will keep them from falling away from faith.
Why might they fall away from faith? For the same reason so many fall away from faith today. Being a Christian is downright difficult. You might quote Jesus and say that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
What gets in the way of being a Christian? It started out as just one tree with some good-looking fruit on it and a talking serpent asking just one question, “Did God really say?”
That question profanes God’s name by fostering in disobedience in action by those who want to claim the name of Christ.
A moment ago you heard quotes from some who want to claim to be Christians. Instead, some of them bring suffering to the lives of those who want to remain faithful to Christ.
God’s faithful will endure suffering for their faithfulness to Christ. Sometimes suffering happens because family members believe something other than what God declares as truth in His Word.
I did not plan it this way, but it certainly worked out very well. What is our Catechism for this week? Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
He then asks, How is God’s will done?
Did you notice who is doing the work so God’s will is done in those who pray this petition? Not the ones praying! In other words, God’s will is not done by the will of those desiring to do His will.
Sinfulness gets in the way of our doing God’s will. All you and I can do is profane God’s name. We are frightened off by persecutions. We do not like suffering. We love to make our flesh happy, living comfortably in the world.
God knows we cannot do His will. In our short text from Ezekiel God says ten times, “I will”…do something. Add the places where He just adds another phrase to another that starts with “I will”, then we have sixteen things that God will do for us. God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
In Peter’s text you heard all the things that you are to do and will endure because of the name of Christ. All will happen because the Spirit is in you. The Spirit will bring God’s glory and rest upon you. God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
In our Gospel lesson, even as Jesus is preparing to go to the cross, He explains that the Spirit will come upon His disciples. The Spirit will make you witnesses of all He has revealed to you. The Spirit will see you through all life – into the life to come. God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
It is kind of disappointing to know that by my own work, I am not a good pastor.
In fact, according to God’s demands – if I were to be judged by my obedience and trust my works – I am not even a good Christ.
When I am faithful to Christ the world tells me I am intolerant and unloving.
If the world hears me claim I cannot do any good thing of myself – I tells me to try harder.
Christians are constantly told to follow our hearts. But when we examine them closely according to God’s Word, all we find is sin and the stench of death residing there. We are rotting from the inside out.
Considering these three Scripture lessons, is it any wonder that God’s plan is to do ALL THINGS for us, to us, in us, and through us? In our greatest depths of honesty, we need Him to do so – for we can do no good thing of ourselves.
Paul said it well when he bemoaned that what he wants TO do – but cannot do. What is worse, is that he does the very thing he does NOT want to do. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24)
I know exactly how He feels! I try, and try, and try, and I fail…fail…fail.
God inspires Paul to answer His own question, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25)
God sent His only begotten Son; conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary so that He could, in my flesh…and in yours…fulfill the will of The Father in all things. His perfect obedience made Him THE acceptable sacrifice for the sins of all mankind as the Paschal Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Accepting the sacrifice complete, the Father raised Him on the third day and seated Him at His own right hand.
You are not left on your own to do His will by your own power and strength. You are not left alone to believe by your own reason and will. God promises to do it all to you and through you. Christ sends His Spirit to will in you all good things – to repent for the forgiveness of sins.
He brings you to the meal where Christ feeds you Himself, as He promised never to leave us.
So, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord every week. And, as often as we eat and drink at His table, we proclaim His death until He comes. He lived, He died, and He rose again.
We live our baptismal life daily putting to death the old Adam within us by contrition and repentance, and are raised each day to new life in Him.
On the last day you will join Him in resurrected and glorified bodies – always and forevermore bringing glory to His holy name.
God makes you a steward of His gifts and fulfills His Stewardship in you.
But until that last day comes, we ask the Lord to hear us still – “Almighty, everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will towards You and to serve Your Majesty with a pure heart; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end.” Amen.
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