LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 84

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Isn’t that what this world keeps on saying to you? And
perhaps it’s crept into your own mind, as well, on Sunday
afternoon, when you wonder if it’s all worth it. Or when
you’re sitting in a meeting at church and once again,
they’re arguing and vying for control. Or when you pick
up that piece of bread at the altar and the blasphemous
words enter your mind: “How can this be the body of
Christ, this little cardboard disc?”
This is the voice of the devil: “You’re out of your mind!”
You’re out of your mind for believing that a baby is worthy
of life.
You’re out of your mind for thinking that a man is a man
and a woman is a woman.
You’re out of your mind for thinking that a man should not
lie with a man as he does with a woman.
You’re out of your mind for thinking that God made the
world from nothing.
You’re out of your mind for thinking that Jesus is the
enfleshed God, risen from the dead, who lives and reigns
to all eternity.
This article of the resurrection is the heart of it all.
Perhaps the world will allow that there is some afterlife, a
disembodied spirit realm. But dead bodies stay dead, and
if you think otherwise, well, you’re out of your mind.
At Athens, they laughed at Paul for preaching the
resurrection. Here, Felix calls him insane.
And if Jesus is not risen from the dead, then we are of all
men most to be pitied. But now Jesus is risen from the
dead, and become the first fruits of them that sleep.

Paul is not out of his mind, the world is. We often are.
Conversion to Christianity is a return to true humanity.
The prodigal son “came to himself.” God became man to
bring man back to God, back to Himself, back to himself.
Confessing Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life is
not madness.
The true madness is selling your birthright for a bowl of
soup.
The true madness is abandoning eternal love for a
momentary lust.
The true madness is despairing that the Lord Jesus who
raised the dead cannot repair every problem in our
congregations, our Synod, and the whole Christian
Church on earth.
Paul could have been set free. He could have saved
himself. But to save your own life is to lose it. Paul counts
the truth of Jesus as the one thing needful.
In chains, Paul knows that the Word of God cannot be
chained.
In bonds, Paul knows that the Word of God cannot be
bound, but has free course. The Word accomplishes the
thing for which it is sent.
God works by the foolishness of His Word.
Though the world call you insane, and threaten to put you
in chains, stand firm! Jesus is risen from the dead. In Him
there is forgiveness. In Him there is joy deeper than tears.
In Him will we live. In Him will we die. His shall we be
forever.

Lord, Help Me to Be a Fool
PSALM 8:1–2A, 3–5; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:18–23

LCMS Fourth Vice-President Rev. Nabil S. Nour
68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod • August 1, 2023 • Midday Prayer
Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is
Risen! Indeed! Alleluia. Holy Saints, the text for the
proclamation of God’s Good News is verse 18: “Let no one
deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in
this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise” (1
Cor. 3:18).
Precious saints, you who are the Baptized, Beloved,
Beautiful, Blessed, and Blood-Bought children of King
Jesus, let it be written, let it be known and let it be told
among you that I am a fool for Christ. I have been called a
84 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

fool because I believe the totality of Scripture—from front
to finish— that Christ was crucified for me a sinner. I have
been spat upon, and the person who spat in my face said,
“Aravi meluchlach we noutsri Mishugah,” “Filthy Arab and
a foolish Christian.” I have been dishonored because I
wear a crucifix. It is indeed an honor to be called a fool for
Christ. The world may deny the truth, but we cannot as
Lutherans deny the truth of Scripture for it is the power of
God for our salvation. Therefore, I boldly and bravely
preach Christ crucified, the wisdom of God to my soul and
life.
Convention Sermons