LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 88

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It has been said, “Happiness is circumstantial [for
instance, the Packers win], but joy is relational.” One
of the best parts of the convention is renewing old
relationships and gaining new ones. But we know
that our relationships start and end in our reconciled
relationship with God in Christ. We are reconciled to
each other, and we are given the ministry of reconciliation, that God is not counting our sins against us
(2 Cor. 5:19). We are ambassadors of this reconciliation to the world.
Jesus loves finding the lost, and He throws a party!
With all the great parties and gatherings at this convention, have we had one for the lost who have been
found? Jesus says, “Rejoice with me” (Luke 15).
Biblical commentator Lenski writes of this text, “This
epistle sparkles with joy.” So does the Good News we
proclaim. We are the Church, challenged and tired,
but in Jesus we are still sparkling with joy. Joy has
found us. Jesus engages us again with His gifts, and
He has not left us! In our congregation, complaining
can be contagious. I am here to tell you that this joy
also is contagious!
In a world of bullying and bloviating, we are taught
by the Holy Spirit, “Let your reasonableness be
known to everyone.” We are not bullies for Jesus! We
are not wimps for Jesus. We are bold! We are faithful!
We are humble! This reasonableness is seen inside
and outside the church! We are gifted in Jesus to be
full of grace and truth! Grace and truth are “reasonable,” at least to the One who serves us and we serve.
“The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). He is in control, and
His good and gracious will is getting done many times
in spite of us. He is near us in our life of Word and Sacrament. He brings us together and keeps us together!
He is near in His promised return. At Jesus’ return,
we will receive perfect and eternal joy. Our unending
rejoicing will not be interrupted by anything! The
Church Militant has conventions, but in the Church
Triumphant there will be no more conventions. The
Church Triumphant is our goal and gift! The vision of
the Church Triumphant gives us a clearer view of the
work and mission of Jesus.

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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Sermon

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” What
are your worries? About the church? your family?
your own life? Even if they don’t keep you awake at
night, what issues come to mind? Worry means a
divided heart, but our heart is made whole in Christ!
“Create in me a clean heart . . . restore to me the joy
of your salvation” (Ps. 51:10, 12).
We are invited to pray and let our requests be made
known to God though Jesus. Every time we end our
prayers in Jesus’ name, we are returned to the Source
of our joy.
Some in the world and the church are watching this
convention via live streaming. Best of all, we are being watched and guarded by the Lord, Jesus Christ!
This is His church, and we are His people. We are not
led by how we feel. We are led by the Source of our
life and salvation. Our Lord has passion and love for
the people and the Church He has purchased with
His own blood! He is passionate about you!
Some years ago, we received a young family into our
congregation. In a meeting, I shared with them a box
of offering envelopes. Usually, people roll their eyes or
look emotionless. You can almost hear them thinking,
“Here they go; all the church wants is my _____.”
This young husband and dad had one word to say:
“Sweet!” I have never heard that response before or
since. It wasn’t about the box of paper. That box was
a sign that he belonged! Here, the Gospel was given
to him and his family. Here in our congregation, his
children were baptized. He was to be part of a church
bringing joy to others. He had joy!
Our joy is found “in the Lord.” Our agreement is
found “in the Lord.” This Gospel is still sparkling with
joy. This Gospel is still so sweet! May we, because of
this Gospel, sparkle with joy before the world! All this
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

“Joy Has Found Us!”