LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 84

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IIE /-—

84 MORNING DEVOTIONS

the Savior over Bethlehem’s hills. Just think: God trusts We've a message to give to the nations,

us! What a compliment! What a responsibility! That the Lord who reigneth above
But how can we be ambassadors asking people to be Hath sent us His Son to save us,

reconciled to God if we are not first reconciled with And show us that God is love.

One another? “This is My commandment, that you love

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one another as J] have loved you.” Christ Summons us to We've a Savior to show to the nations,

Who the Path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the world’s great Peoples
Might come to the truth of God.

world than to have endless debates about so many mat- “Go ye,” He said, “go and make disciples,”

ters that are sometimes academic and will be answered This was not the first time He had spoken of a plan
in heaven? This is not a plea from Paul, least of all, to for His church. Do you recall the hours before His be-
ignore that which God has revealed, but it is a call for trayal, suffering, and death? Twelve communicant

a new spirit that comes from an old Son — a new love, members sat at the feet of a Master who had no place
a new sympathy, a new joy, peace, Patience, kindness, to lay His head, who was born in a borrowed Stable,
800dness, and the deepest loyalty to the Lord of the rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed animal, was eating
church — to 80 out and say to People “The Lord de- Supper in a borrowed Toom, and was to be buried in
lights in mercy,” and then to show them by our love, a borrowed tomb. He was instructing His disciples in
“So do we.” His plans for His church, Those walls were not to hol}

How easily the emphasis on right belief can lead to His church. They were to be broken down. His church
@ neglect of an equal emphasis on right behavior. It is would grow to man’s size, It would not be easy. Fisher.

often commonplace that in the contest between ortho. men were to become preachers. How absurd that must
doxy and ethics some choose orthodoxy alone. It is have sounded!
also a commonplace for forgiven man to be so unfor- If Jesus at that moment had told Peter that before

inspired him to Sive his life, Christ is looking at us this Ghost has come upon you.” And that’s all they needed.
day. There is the same love. And He is saying, “T trust Fishermen did become Preachers. At Pentecost the
you. I trust you with My word of reconciliation whole church sang a marching Song. It was on fire.

Can we sing the old song together: It was a witnessing church, It knew why it was there,
Amazing 8race, how sweet the sound to be the light of the world, a lamp set on a stand,

That saved a wretch like me, And out they went. If you wanted to be where the

I once was lost but now am found, action was in those days, you wouldn’t spend much

Was blind but now I see. time in a church building but out among people at the

riverbank, in the Synagog, at the house of Lydia or

A Marching Song Priscilla, in the street, on shipboard — witnessing where

We come therefore as Christ’s ambassadors, It is as if you were,

God were appealing to you through us: in Christ’s name, we . : , _
implore you, be reconciled to God! Christ was innocent of That marching Song was heard in Peter’s great Pen

sin, and yet for our sake God made Him one with the sinful- tecost sermon, in Paul’s message on Mars’ Hill, in Ste-
ness of men, so that in Him we might be made one with the phen’s valiant testimony before the Sanhedrin. Not only
Soodness of God Himself, (2 Corinthians 5:20 NEB) did the fire fall on men like Peter, James, and John —
Our new Song, which is really an old Song ever new, it fell on all. Peter could think only of the wonderfy]
is also a marching Song. Prophecy now fulfilled: “Your young men shall see
We've a Song to be sung to the nations, visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. I will
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord: pour out My Spirit on all flesh.” And what were they

A song that shall conquer evil all saying? “We implore you, be reconciled to God.”
And shatter the spear and sword. “In Christ’s name,” they implored. Ambassadors,