A Prayer for this Weekend

By Pastor Scott Seidler

We’ll sing the words.  Some of us may know well the tune.  But in the end, it is just (JUST!) a prayer…so before we word it and sing it, let’s ensure we’re ready to pray it at:

Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ending, Call for songs of loudest praise; While the hope of endless glory Fills my heart with joy and love, teach me ever to adore Thee; may I still Thy goodness prove.

Here I raise my Ebenezer (I Samuel 7:12), Hither by thy help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.  Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.(Hebrews 13:20-21)

Oh, to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be; Let that grace no like a fetter Bind my wandering heart to Thee; Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. (Revelation 21)

I look forward to singing and worshiping with you this weekend.

Help, I Need Somebody!

Numbers 11:14

Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler

Moses said, “I cannot carry all these people by myself.”

The Beatle’s taught an entire generation to cry out, “Help, I need somebody…HEEELLLLLPPPPPP!”  It’s a great sentiment for our season of ministry at Concordia as well. 

While call committee’s search for future ministers of the Gospel, now is a great opportunity for us to step up and take the mantle of leadership which properly belongs to the people of God.  One of my dear colleagues who leads a congregation much like Concordia in the suburbs of Chicago is fond of the axiom, “God’s people serve God’s people.”  At Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, IL, Pastor Mark Schulz keeps his staff size very small in order to ensure that the work of the saints is very great.

I think we can learn and re-learn a lesson here.

First, in this season of ministry transition, I’ll be challenging our leaders where in our ministry we can increase the work of the saints over and against the work of the salaried and benefited. 

Second, let this be a reminder for our Christian homes that in family ministry, our congregational value is that ministry takes place first in the Christian home and is supported by the congregational ministry program. 

When questions about leadership capacity and direction arise among God’s people, our God is always present to inspire, encourage, challenge and call a broader shoulder of leadership than we might have even thought existed.  He does this so that our journey to the promised land of our salvation and deliverance, in Christ, may not be impeded.

Who’s on First?

Rev. Dr. Scott Seidler,  Senior Pastor

“He must become greater, I must become less.”—John the Baptist

Abbott and Costello humored audiences through many movies and comedy shorts in the 1930’s-1950’s.  Youtube “Who’s on First”, Abbott and Costello, and you’ll instantly see why. 

Their play on words is hilarious.  The question for Christians, though, is no joke.  Who is on first in your life?  Can you name that person?

Today’s quality-control check is an assessment of sorts, an invitation for us to evaluate the places in our life where the Son of God and Savior of the world sits.  There are always opportunities for growth.  That’s the beauty of serving our God, He doesn’t ever expect from us a time of initial perfection. 

Through Christ, He redeems us from the power of sin so that we can constantly, relentlessly “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” knowing that more will be added to our plate of opportunity as His servants.

Predictive Maintenance

Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler

“…because He was teaching His disciples.  Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.  They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.”—Mark 9:31

One of our congregation members at Concordia, Kirkwood, Joe Ramseyer owns a company that specializes in predictive maintenance.  His job is to contract with really big companies to help them maintain and anticipate the maintenance of their high-dollar, high-stress machinery.  He gets paid, in a sense, to be a mechanical prophet and thwart mechanical failure by knowing how stuff falls apart before it does.

Our Lord has a pretty keen aptitude when it comes to predictive maintenance for the human soul.  Even as He predicts his death and resurrection, He knows where the heart of spiritual failure lies:  doubting the capacity of God to do the miraculous for our well-being.  And so, anticipating the flight of the disciples from the shadow of the cross only five chapters later, Jesus tells them (predicts) the very work which will ultimately keep them safe.  He cares for the machinery of faith before it ever reaches maximum stress.

Our Father through His Holy Spirit doesn’t deviate from that same predictive work today.  We are told he creates in advance the works in which we are to walk (Ephesians 2:10).  We are His temple in which the Spirit dwells and does His groaning, prayerful work on our behalf (II Corinthians 4-6).

As a pastor I am often called upon to help people navigate a cloudy future.  Disappointingly, I can’t predict much.  Thankfully, we all call on One who readies our tomorrows and whose grace is new every morning.  And that’s not a prediction, that’s reality right now.

My Last Sermon at Concordia

Mark 9:35

Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

I won’t be cruel.  This weekend will NOT be my last sermon at Concordia.  It will, however, be my “last” sermon at Concordia.  I offer this tongue-in-cheek humor given all the farewells we’ve had.  In fact, this weekend I look forward to capturing the heart Jesus has for our constant demotion in the eyes of others—our increasingly becoming last so that others may be more first.

Preaching messages which further the cause of our becoming last in the kingdom is the constant calling of every pastor.  For many, the value is making people “feel good” and offering an “uplifting message”. 

The joy of the Lord may be our strength, but the character of our discipleship gets marked by our place on the human totem pole.  Being last and feeling last are not the same.  Sacrificial service for the sake of others brings great spiritual and emotional reward.

Consider in closing the writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews.  “Consider Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the Father.  Consider Him who endured such opposition so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Jesus Christ not only serves as our premier example, but offers is sin-destroying death and resurrection as the source of such sacrifice-inducing energy.

The Finishing Touch

Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler

Greet one another with a holy kiss.  Romans 16:16

29.  At least.  That’s the number of folks recognized by name as the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Roman church.  By doing so he reminds us that the church ceases to be church when the church ceases to be human.  When God calls us to belong to Christ Jesus, to be holy, we don’t leave our humanity at the doorway of faith.  All the trappings of being human come with us into the communion of saints—saying “hello” included. 

When Paul draws on the common and customary greeting in Roman culture to plant a kiss on the cheek, he does so fully aware of the unique greeting shared in the church.  Not just any kiss, but a “holy kiss”, given and received by God’s holy people.  We are a people who by grace have been set apart for God’s purposes.  As we greet one another, share faith together, engage in mission to the world, we do so as men and women and children whom Christ has claimed by grace to be His hands and feet. 

Christians don’t leave their humanity at the doorway of faith.  God’s judgment for sin is what’s left at that door, at the foot of Christ’s cross.  All glory to God!

Help me not lose touch with the lives of those who hurt and need healing, O Lord, the Great Physician.  Amen.

Calling Considered

Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler

…[you] are called to belong to Jesus Christ.  Romans 1:6

A classic 1970s game show had contestants wagering how many notes it would take them to name a particular tune.  The contestant able to identify the song in the fewest notes would win.  The apostle Paul invites his readers to name the tune of his letter to the Romans.  Instead of notes, he uses words.  Instead of prize money, the reward is eternal life and a more faithful kind of Christianity.

No less than four times does Paul sound the same note:  called.  Paul is called to be an apostle.  He is charged with calling all nations to the obedience of faith.  He writes to those in Rome who are called to be holy, reminding them they are called to belong to Christ Jesus. 

You, too, are among those called to belong to Christ Jesus.  You, too, are called to be holy.  You have a calling that comes directly from God and is a life-changing gift.  This call to holiness is one which God accomplishes in you through faith in Jesus Christ.  We do not manufacture it.  Rather, God provides it to us freely.  The call of God truly is music to our ears.             

Great Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, confirm us in the faith that You know us, love us and call us by name.  Amen.