Installation Sermon

On Sunday, February 10, 2019 I was invited to preach the sermon at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, WI. There have been a couple requests for the sermon. So, I thought I'd post it up here.

Installation of Rev. Matthew Christians

Todd, called as a Pastor of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the church of God which is at Wittenberg, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints , with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a great day in the church! St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, Wisconsin is getting a new pastor.

I know, some of you are probably thinking, “What’s the big deal? Why are we having an installation? Pastor Christians has been our pastor for about a year and a half, this is nothing new. Nothing is going to change.”

I guess to some extent that is correct, but this is an entirely new situation. St. Paul Wittenberg has entered a dual parish arrangement with St. Paul in Birnamwood, they are doing a new thing – together. What a wonderful arrangement that God’s people can come together, to work together, to recognize that we are all one body in Christ.

Yes, some things will remain the same. It is still all about the same Jesus, who purchased forgiveness, which He will dispense to you in the same manner as He has done it in the past – in baptism, absolution, the preached Word, and in the Lord’s Supper, through the lips of the one who is serving you as pastor. And yes, it will be Pastor Christians, the same sinner, called by God to be His servant, who will continue to do so.

And yes, it will be the same sinners sitting (probably sitting in the same pews – some of you maybe sitting in them for a generation), who will be receiving these gifts.

There is one significant difference though, now Pastor Christians IS the pastor of St. Paul in Wittenberg. There is no more doubt if there will be a dual parish. There is no doubt about who will be your pastor, it is this man sitting before us whom God has called. This is what today is saying. Today we are gathered that God may install Rev. Matthew Christians to be your pastor. It is therefore a day of rejoicing!

Dearly beloved of God – Pastor Christians, members of St. Paul, Wittenberg, gathered clergy, and invited guests, who are you? You are God’s people – His saints! Unfortunately, all of us are also sinners. And sinners gonna sin!

There will be days that some of you will be frustrated with Pastor Christians, “He won’t do what I want him to do. Why won’t he let us do such and such? Why does he have to mention Christ crucified in every sermon?” Talk may follow with others, or hatred will embitter a heart. Sinners gonna sin!

There will be days dear brother in the ministry when you will grumble about the sheep entrusted to your care. You will want to stay in bed because you don’t want to deal with the problems. There will be frustration that no matter what you teach and preach, certain people just don’t get it. Talk may follow with others, or hatred will embitter a heart. Sinners gonna sin!

That, dear friends is why Christ died upon the cross. He took upon Himself our flesh, was baptized into our sin, lived a life that did not succumb to temptation, and then lay down His life as the perfect sacrifice upon the wood altar of the cross. There He destroyed sin, and the power of sin, death.

Beloved saints of St. Paul, what are you going to demand? Will you beg for signs? Will you ask for wonders? Will you beg for worldly wisdom to be proclaimed? I will pray that your pastor ignores such siren calls to scratch your itching ears. Instead, I pray that he continues the task for which he was called to be your pastor – to know and proclaim amongst you nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified – for the forgiveness of sin.

What is that task to which He has been called? You heard it in the Gospel lesson. Jesus’ own command, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."

What is that task to which He has been called? Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus outlined the job description for those called servants of the Word. “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:44-48)

What is that task to which He has been called? Jesus explains further, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:19-20)

Lastly, what is that task to which He has been called? Paul declares that he is to deliver what Christ commands. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."  In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinth. 11: 23-26)

Did you notice the pastor’s task? He is to deliver what Christ purchased. It has nothing to do with the man, Matt, but has everything to do with Christ. The pastor is simply a steward of the mysteries that have been entrusted to him that he may care for sinners. He delivers to you forgiveness, He delivers Christ crucified – for you.

I know, you want to love him, I am sure he wants to love you back. Great, you are supposed to love one another! Listen closely! Sinners gonna sin!

Look at your relationships, all of them. How many of them are broken? If not broken now, how many of them are wearing band-aids because they were broken and are now on the mend? How many of your relationships find you cringing, wondering if the next meeting is going to find that bandage ripped off, the scab with it, and the wound exposed and bleeding? Sinners gonna sin!

What do you need? Forgiveness of sins! It is why Christ came. It is why Christ sends pastors.

You are all the man beaten, robbed, and left dying on the side of the road by robbers – the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh jumped you. Christ finds you bleeding and dying, He cleanses you and binds the wounds, applies the healing salve of baptism, takes you to the inn of His church, entrusts you to His pastor – the innkeeper – giving all that is needed to pay for your care. It is Christ who gives the instructions outlining how to care for you.

Yes, one of the bleeding and dying is called by God to care for the bleeding and dying. Pastor’s are called to proclaim Christ, and Him crucified. They are the stewards who are called to be faithful in dispensing the forgiveness Christ purchased.

That is why, my brother Matthew, and fellow redeemed saints of St. Paul Lutheran, we are in this task of being church together. Pastor and people need the same medicine of immortality.

What a wonderful day it is today in Christ’s church! Pastor and people are brought together here at St. Paul, Wittenberg. An under-shepherd has been called to this place to serve the Good Shepherd. And, it will please God through the folly of what is preached to save those who believe. Christ crucified is a stumbling block to all people, but to those who are called to be saints, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Dearly loved saints of St. Paul, this is Pastor Christians, his is the pastor sent by God – called by God – to be your pastor.

Matthew, dear brother, this is St. Paul Lutheran Church, these are the saints you been called by God to serve as His under-shepherd.

What a great day in The Church! St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, Wisconsin has been given by God to Pastor Christians – and Pastor Christians has been given by God to St. Paul. Yes, a match made in heaven to the building up of the Body of Christ. You will be blessed together, by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, to be His church, to the glory of His name.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.