19 Years Later: This Is One of the Best Sermons I Ever Preached

3/23/1997                                     Palm and Passion Sunday / The Rite of Confirmation

Trinity Lutheran Church - Fieldon Township                       

Zion Lutheran Church - Lewisville

                   "WHERE'S THE `POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE'?"

                                  Revelation 2:10 / 2 Peter 3:18

"`Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.'"

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  Amen"

      Before we begin the sermon this morning, I thought it appropriate to give a few introductory comments.  Did you ever think you'd see this day?  There were times I wasn't sure I would!  I told a couple of people that I was considering going to one of those shops where they imprint T-shirts to have a shirt made with these words on it: I SURVIVED THE CLASS OF `97.  Then, I would have them list the names of the five young men who comprised the class between Trinity and Zion jointly.  (I haven't done that yet!)  Yesterday afternoon, as I was reflecting on what this day means to you, AND TO ME, I remembered that there were seven boys in the class when we started a few years ago.  When I related that possibility to someone, their response was: "Then, you'd really have gray hair!"  To show my appreciation for your accomplishment ─ the public confession of your Christian faith ─ I will have a special presentation to make to you during Confirmation class on Wednesday.  Just in case you had any thoughts of skipping, now you'll be so curious that you'll have to come.  On a more serious note, based on the words of the Scripture texts before us, we consider the theme, "Where's the `Pomp and Circumstance`?"

      Grace and peace...

      During practice for this service Friday night, someone asked me what "Pomp and Circumstance" was?  I explained that it was the musical piece often played at graduation commencement ceremonies.  As you noticed this morning, we haven't heard that played, and we won't!  This is not a graduation ceremony marking the completion or the end of your training and growth as a Christian.  Rather, the Rite of Confirmation is just the beginning.  You have your wholes lives ahead of you ─ however many years God has ordained for your life according to His good and gracious will ─ and my hope, and the hope of this congregation, is that you now have the basics of the Christian faith to build upon during the rest of your lives.  If you want to compare Confirmation with a graduation, you might compare it with graduation from Kindergarten.  In Kindergarten, a child is taught the basics of counting, learning the letters of the alphabet and early reading, so that throughout his or her years of formal education, he or she might continue to build and expand on that foundation.  It's the same in Confirmation instruction.  Dr. Martin Luther notes that the doctrines taught in the Small Catechism are "AS THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD SHOULD TEACH THEM IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD."  That's a good reminder for parents, especially fathers who serve as the head of their families.  It also reminds us that when we have a good understanding of what's in the Catechism, there's a lot more to learn.  So there's no "Pomp and Circumstance" because you're not done yet!

      At our last Truman circuit winkel conference, one of the pastors suggested that maybe instead of trying to rush Confirmation in the Lutheran church, we should be postponing it until perhaps age 16 or 18.  Oh, the moans and groans that such a change would bring.  However, we need to take a realistic look at where we're at in many of our churches.  What happens when young men and women are confirmed?  Statistical averages tell us that you and I will never see a majority of them again ─ at least for ten or twenty years.  While I don't believe that is a concern with this group of confirmands, it is important for us to remember and consider why that is happening in our church.  Perhaps, it is because we give our confirmands the impression that Confirmation Sunday is a mini-graduation day.  We celebrate it like graduation ─ receptions, open houses and the like.  We neither offer nor require them to participate in any formal Christian education.  We do not provide them with a high school or young adult Bible class.  When we should be expecting more from them as maturing Christians, we expect less.  Yet, Jesus said, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

      These young Christians are the future of the church.  They have a lot of good insights into what the church needs to do, and possibly even change, to meet the spiritual needs of its members.  We will do well to listen to them!  Today, we welcome them into full communicant membership of this congregation.  Therefore, I will challenge the members of this church with this question: "How much do you really care about their spiritual growth and life?"  It is the Christian responsibility of every member of the Body of Christ to assist and support them as they strive to serve God and be faithful to Christ and His Church until the time of their death.

      That brings us to the second Scripture passage which serves as a text for this sermon.  St. Peter writes, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  Faithfulness to Christ until death means that you and I will have to continue to grow in our spiritual lives throughout our earthly lives.  As babies, we crave milk.  By it, we grow during those early months and years of our lives.  Even though, it may be an old-fashioned way to raise livestock, it doesn't work for humans to try to live your whole lives on milk alone.  It would cause all kinds of health problems.  So it is in our spiritual lives as well.  Elsewhere, Peter tells us to "crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word," so that by it we may grow up in our salvation.  The pure spiritual milk of the Word is presented in the Small Catechism and during Confirmation instruction.  However, as babies begin to grow, they need more solid food ─ which helps them to grow into strong, healthy individuals.  So it is in our spiritual lives that we need to move beyond the milk to the meat of God's Word.  Always reading, always hearing, always learning!  That would be a good motto for us Christians to live by.  Keep on growing.  Otherwise, as one who deprives himself or is deprived from receiving nourishment for the body eventually shrivels up and dies, when we are deprived of nourishment for our spiritual lives, our faith will eventually shrivel up, and our souls will die.

      Remember your Confirmation vows which you will speak today, and your lifetime Scripture verse.  Let them serve as the foundation on which to build throughout your lives as Christians.  "Be strong and courageous," because the Lord will be with you wherever you go.  Never be ashamed of the Gospel, which "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ─ and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ─ not by works, so that no one can boast."  Jesus is "the Vine; you are the branches....Apart from [Him], you can do nothing."  By grace, through faith, you can "`be faithful, even to the point of death, and [He] will give you the crown of life.'"

      Having said all this, we still haven't heard any "Pomp and Circumstance."  And you won't!  On this Palm and Passion Sunday, we heard how Jesus rode into Jerusalem, not on a big white stallion ─ the mark of a true Champion or King ─ but on a lowly donkey colt.  Instead of a big fanfare and a red carpet, there were coats and palm branches lying on the road.  Instead of "Hail to the Chief" there were shouts and cries of "Hosanna, Lord save us!"  Then, things went downhill from there, or should we say uphill.  Later on that week, the same people who shouted cries of "Hosanna" cried out for His death.  Jesus went up Calvary's hill, where He suffered and died for the sins of the world, including your sins and mine, all because "God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  The joy for us as Christians comes next Sunday when the mournful cries of Holy Week turn to the victory songs of Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord from the grave.  That resurrection gives us hope of a resurrection of our own and eternal life with Him forever.  Our sins are forgiven and forgotten, removed from us as "far as the east is from the west."

      Therefore, each day you and I can arise anew in the grace and promises of our Baptism, which you will reaffirm in just a few minutes.  We can, as Luther suggests, make the sign of the cross to remind us that we are marked as ones chosen by the Triune God ─ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Furthermore, in our lives as Christians, we will surely want to avail ourselves of every opportunity to receive God's means of grace through Word and Sacrament.  Then, and only then, will you and I "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  Then, and only then, will we "remain faithful, even to the point of death."  The closest thing to "Pomp and Circumstance" that you and I will ever likely have played for us in the church will be the music at our funeral services.  May it be said of us then that we have been faithful, and we will receive "the crown of life."  That is Jesus’ promise to you and me, and Jesus keeps His promises.  "To Him be the glory both now and forever!  Amen."

Your Label Does Not Define Me!

On Monday evening, 27 July 1959, at 8:37 pm, I was born the male child of white Midwestern Minnesota farmers. The youngest of eight children, I was a white American male. At the entry point of my life I could be defined as white, male, a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin and most of all, an American. These are important facts to remember as this blog post is unveiled.

Sunday morning, 16 August 1959, I was baptized into Christ through the washing of Holy Baptism at Peace Lutheran Church, Claremont, Minnesota. On my twenty-first day of life, I became a Christian and as a result of the church of my parents, a Lutheran. Therefore, at 21 days old, I could be defined as a Christian Lutheran American male, a son, a brother, a nephew and cousin.

Throughout my formative years, I became a student, a classmate, a scholar, hopefully a friend to some, a leader, a mentor and even a date on rare occasions. Upon graduation from high school, I could be defined as a graduate and later a college student. The number of labels a person collects as life progresses is ever-increasing and ever-changing. How it is that nowadays people are quick to label a person or groups of persons baffles me. But we are not finished yet!

My parents had a proud heritage as farmers and I grew up as a farm kid, a farm boy, later became a dairy and swine farmer on my own for a time. More labels. As the youngest of eight, I was assigned the label uncle numerous times as my older sisters and brother married and began families. Through their marriages, I became a brother-in-law. From time to time, I was also known as a babysitter for family members.

Spiritually, I was confirmed in my faith on Sunday, 20 May 1973, and thus became a confirmand and a full member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. That foundation of faith led to my attendance and graduation from Concordia College (now University) in St. Paul, Minnesota. From there, I journeyed to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri where I became known as a seminarian, a field worker, a vicar and finally, a graduate. This led to my ordination into the ministry where I was bestowed with the label of pastor.

Personally, I married and became a husband, a son-in-law, brother-in-law, and through time, a father of four beautiful children. Do you need a dictionary yet to keep up with the labels borne by me through the years? We still have a long way to go!

I have also served as a Sunday School teacher, catechism class teacher, Vacation Bible School coordinator, deacon, elder, church council member, usher and likely several more that I am not recalling. In the political realm, I have attained the title of Dodge County Young Republican president, treasurer of the Dodge County Republican party, candidate for county commissioner and delegate to a political convention. During my involvement in politics, I have campaigned for representatives, senators and governors. There was even an invitation to a gubernatorial ball and attendance at the event.

Seven paragraphs completed and not one mention of my sexuality. Yet there are those among us that would label me or groups of persons solely based on a small part of who I am. Before we get to that, I have been employed as an insurance representative, a youth worker, a financial aid student worker, a security agent at a major airport, backstage security for famous singers, help desk analyst, supervisor and manager. I have worked as a store systems supervisor, trainer, mentor and friend to colleagues.

As a pastor, I served churches in Wyoming, Minnesota and North Dakota. Faith is important to me and if you ask me to define myself, I will say that I am a believer first and foremost. Who I am flows from my faith and trust in God. I do what I do because Christ died for me. The decision to leave the ministry was not made lightly. The decision to embrace the person God made me to be cost dearly.

It is 17 years ago that I came out as a gay man. Even though this event may seem momentous to you, very little changed. I was still a son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, employee, friend, white American male. Foremost, I remained a Christian Lutheran and continued worshiping the God who created me in His image. That this detail was not discussed until the eleventh paragraph should put sexuality in perspective. While coming out may have been a defining moment, gay sexuality does not define me!

I am and will always be a passionate Christian American who cares deeply about the future of the United States of America. Yes, I am a white male of European descent. Yes, I am all of the labels outlined above. You can pick one or see me as the whole that I am.

 Currently, I am a husband and caregiver to a beautiful man who is facing death. As I offer him love and comfort him with the reassuring words of a loving God, I am supported by friends, family and the gift of music to uplift my soul. As Christians, we are called to be caring and compassionate following the footsteps of Christ. Please remember that "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV] Looks like there is another label!

It seems that our obsession with labeling individuals or groups of persons is more irrational than when I set out to write this blog. Unless you are willing to carry around a volume of labels and state that I fit all of them, then your label does not define me! See me as the person that I am or don't see me at all.