LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 66

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CONVENTION SERMON

Vice-President Guido A. Merkens

Psalm 100:1-5

REVEREND FATHERS AND BroTHERS, HoNoRED DELEGATES
AND FRIENDS, FELLOW MEMBERS IN Gon’s Hoty FamMILy,
Greetings in the name of Him who is both Lord and
Christ! And welcome to the 50th regular convention
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod:

This is a unique and exciting time to be alive. We
find ourselves in a world where the sun never sets on
the church of Jesus Christ. 250 years ago, hymn writer
Issac Watts wrote of a time when “Jesus shall reign
where’er the sun does his successive journeys run.” To-
day on a jet you can follow the sun around the earth
and sing with certainty, Jesus does reign where’er the
sun does its successive journeys run!

The church of our Lord has never been as widely
represented, nor her message as broadly heard as today.
And we as Synod, are a part of that amazing presence
and powerful proclamation!

In another hymn we say “Oh, for a thousand tongues
to sing...” That hymn was written back in 1738 by
Charles Wesley at a time when the Bible had been
translated into fewer than 100 languages. Today the
Bible societies tell us that some part of the Scripture
is available in some 1,500 languages which represent the
sort of speech spoken by 97 percent of the world’s peo-
ple.

These global evidences underscore the words of our
Lord who both promised and prophesied that the Gospel
of “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be
preached in His name among all nations.” (Luke 24: 47)

“Oh, make a joyful sound unto the Lord . . . come
before His presence with singing.” If the church would
praise God more, the world would doubt Him less.

The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world
was the greatest event in the history of mankind. His
person and life was one of enormous contrasts. Jesus

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Christ was born in the lowliest of circumstances, but
the sky above was filled with the hallelujahs of the
heavenly chorus!

His first home was a cattle pen; but an unusual star
drew distinguished visitors from great distances to bring
Him worship and precious gifts.

Christ led no army, wrote no books, built no monu-
ments, ruled no country, but after two thousand years
He is still the central character of human history ...
the pivot around which the events of the ages revolve...
the One by whom we rise or fall—the mighty Savior
of the human family! God involved as flesh and blood
in the body of history! ... That’s our Lord Jesus
Christ!

When God’s Son came over the world’s horizon two
thousand years ago and shed His blood for our sins and
was raised for our justification that was the greatest
series of events in the history of the world — greatest
in bringing earthly peace and joy and largest in lasting
results, even unto eternal life!

Now, in Christ’s name we, His people, offer repent-
ance and forgiveness. To His glory we “make a joy-
ful sound.” For His honor, we serve with gladness.
“The Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting and His
truth endures to all generations.” Christ prophesied
and promised that we would be a part of worldwide
proclamation. Through the treasure store we pour at
His feet by our offerings, this proclamation happens
each day around the world!

Let’s think of it this way: On Monday you help open
a new mission in Mexico. On Tuesday you teach a Bible
class in Africa. On Wednesday you relieve a child in
India of an infected appendix. On Thursday you teach
religion to children in Hong Kong. On Friday you in-
struct seminarians in St. Louis and Springfield. Satur-
day you canvass for a new church in San Antonio...
And Sunday you conduct services on an aircraft carrier
in the Pacific.

How marvelous is the chemistry of stewardship
which transforms our gifts of money into avenues of
salvation for millions! “Be thankful unto Him and bless
His name.”

A farmer became disenchanted with and discouraged
about his farm. He was unhappy with his house, his
barn, land, stock, and equipment. At his request, a real
estate broker put it up for sale; and over the phone
read the farmer his description of the property. The
farmer said: “Wait a minute ... Read that again and
take it slowly, please!”

The salesman did read it again, and the farmer said:
“Hey, I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going to sell! All
my life I’ve been looking for a place like that.”

Praise and prayer are like that phone call . . . They
help us see things as they really are... the church ...
our Synod ... our District . . . our congregation. “Know
ye that the Lord He is God. It is He who has made us
and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep