1 00:00:00,730 --> 00:00:02,300 Grace, mercy, and peace from God our 2 00:00:02,300 --> 00:00:03,770 heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus 3 00:00:03,770 --> 00:00:04,200 Christ. 4 00:00:05,940 --> 00:00:09,040 Yesterday in chapel the prayers for 5 00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:11,780 Epiphany were quite striking. 6 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:14,680 Listen to a few of the petitions that we 7 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:15,080 prayed. 8 00:00:16,350 --> 00:00:19,180 Lord of glory, even as darkness covers 9 00:00:19,180 --> 00:00:22,250 our world, make your church to shine with 10 00:00:22,250 --> 00:00:22,690 the 11 00:00:22,690 --> 00:00:24,960 brightness of the resurrection of your 12 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:26,090 son Jesus Christ. 13 00:00:26,820 --> 00:00:29,690 Grant us His light and rich measure that 14 00:00:29,690 --> 00:00:32,430 the world would be drawn to behold His 15 00:00:32,430 --> 00:00:33,360 salvation. 16 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,670 And holy Father, as your Son was once 17 00:00:37,670 --> 00:00:40,540 found in the arms of the Virgin Mary, so 18 00:00:40,540 --> 00:00:43,270 now is He found in your holy Christian 19 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:44,040 church. 20 00:00:45,780 --> 00:00:48,850 Cause your word to abide richly among us 21 00:00:48,850 --> 00:00:51,920 that many would be led to Christ through 22 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:53,050 our witness. 23 00:00:54,220 --> 00:00:57,490 And this, oh Lord, you have appointed 24 00:00:57,490 --> 00:01:01,090 pastors to make known the mystery of your 25 00:01:01,090 --> 00:01:01,890 grace. 26 00:01:02,660 --> 00:01:05,330 Grant them the boldness of Saint Paul to 27 00:01:05,330 --> 00:01:07,970 speak what you have revealed to them in 28 00:01:07,970 --> 00:01:08,830 your word. 29 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,170 That we would worthily partake of all 30 00:01:12,170 --> 00:01:13,000 your gifts. 31 00:01:14,140 --> 00:01:16,570 And finally, Lord God, all nations are 32 00:01:16,570 --> 00:01:19,080 called to worship you in the brightness 33 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:20,040 of your Son. 34 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:23,210 Grant faithfulness to all the rulers of 35 00:01:23,210 --> 00:01:24,250 our nation. 36 00:01:24,650 --> 00:01:27,120 Scatter the darkness of this world 37 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,720 through the faithful witness of your 38 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:30,420 church. 39 00:01:31,290 --> 00:01:34,160 And you may notice there a pretty common 40 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,130 theme that the church is the catalyst for 41 00:01:37,130 --> 00:01:37,830 change. 42 00:01:39,330 --> 00:01:40,700 In the world. 43 00:01:44,030 --> 00:01:47,040 The church has this unwavering confidence 44 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,710 that the gospel of Jesus Christ will 45 00:01:49,710 --> 00:01:52,840 actually make a difference in the world. 46 00:01:56,410 --> 00:01:59,080 In these dark and latter days isn't that 47 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,020 what we all as saints want? 48 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:05,490 I don't mean in the way that we're 49 00:02:05,490 --> 00:02:07,090 tempted to think about making a 50 00:02:07,090 --> 00:02:08,490 difference in the world. 51 00:02:09,260 --> 00:02:11,500 That if Christians can just, you know, 52 00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:13,600 win the culture wars then, you know, 53 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:16,000 we'll make some room for Christianity. 54 00:02:16,670 --> 00:02:19,240 Maybe make this world a better place. 55 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,410 Maybe even a place I'd like to live in. 56 00:02:27,450 --> 00:02:29,780 Or then Christians doing their very best 57 00:02:29,780 --> 00:02:32,180 work to win legal arguments that preserve 58 00:02:32,180 --> 00:02:32,850 liberty. 59 00:02:33,580 --> 00:02:36,690 Or getting their political candidate into 60 00:02:36,690 --> 00:02:39,290 office, winning a victory there. 61 00:02:39,290 --> 00:02:41,660 That that will bring about the dawn of a 62 00:02:41,660 --> 00:02:42,960 new era in our land. 63 00:02:45,830 --> 00:02:46,160 No. 64 00:02:47,730 --> 00:02:50,870 It says Holy Scripture, the world is 65 00:02:50,870 --> 00:02:52,170 passing away. 66 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,810 But nevertheless Christ reigns and He 67 00:02:56,810 --> 00:02:59,510 shall reign forever and ever. 68 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,080 And so Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians 69 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,720 that God established something new and 70 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,520 something wonderful when He raised Christ 71 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:11,360 from the dead and seated Him at His right 72 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:13,620 hand in the heavenly places. 73 00:03:14,260 --> 00:03:16,630 Far above all rule and authority and 74 00:03:16,630 --> 00:03:19,200 power and dominion and above every name 75 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:21,700 that is named not only in this age but 76 00:03:21,700 --> 00:03:23,570 also in the one to come. 77 00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:27,340 And He put all things under His feet and 78 00:03:27,340 --> 00:03:30,310 gave Him as head over all things to His 79 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:33,410 church which is His body, the fullness of 80 00:03:33,410 --> 00:03:35,580 Him who fills all in all. 81 00:03:35,980 --> 00:03:38,080 And I feel like my head's spinning a bit. 82 00:03:38,780 --> 00:03:39,920 I don't know if you felt that when you 83 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:40,750 were hearing the reading. 84 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,790 These are lofty words. 85 00:03:45,990 --> 00:03:47,790 These are too high for us. 86 00:03:48,730 --> 00:03:51,630 But the Scriptures teach and the church 87 00:03:51,630 --> 00:03:54,570 confesses and again has confidence that 88 00:03:54,570 --> 00:03:57,470 come hell or high water Jesus Christ is 89 00:03:57,470 --> 00:03:58,140 Lord. 90 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,040 Lord of this age and also of the age to 91 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:03,540 come. 92 00:04:05,010 --> 00:04:08,110 His throne and his rule however is not in 93 00:04:08,110 --> 00:04:09,480 an earthly city. 94 00:04:10,450 --> 00:04:12,550 And this is what so many have expected. 95 00:04:16,190 --> 00:04:18,990 And if it's not in an earthly city then 96 00:04:18,990 --> 00:04:21,660 the power of the gospel to change the 97 00:04:21,660 --> 00:04:24,500 world will not be seen by the world. 98 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:28,070 They won't understand it if they did see 99 00:04:28,070 --> 00:04:28,300 it. 100 00:04:30,170 --> 00:04:32,540 He's not mounted on a throne in Jerusalem 101 00:04:32,540 --> 00:04:34,540 or in Rome or in Constantinople. 102 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:38,340 But the Spirit writes in the heavenly 103 00:04:38,340 --> 00:04:39,040 places. 104 00:04:40,010 --> 00:04:41,750 In the heavenly places. 105 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:43,850 And He rules. 106 00:04:44,580 --> 00:04:47,280 And He who rules over all things in 107 00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:49,890 heaven and on earth has been given 108 00:04:49,890 --> 00:04:52,190 mysteriously to His church. 109 00:04:55,260 --> 00:04:56,730 So how does this work? 110 00:04:58,230 --> 00:05:00,930 How does the gospel change the world? 111 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,200 How does the church make a difference in 112 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:03,970 the darkness? 113 00:05:03,970 --> 00:05:05,500 It's a pressing question. 114 00:05:08,740 --> 00:05:11,980 I mean after all he is the light and He 115 00:05:11,980 --> 00:05:15,210 was in the world and the world was made 116 00:05:15,210 --> 00:05:18,350 through Him yet the world did not know 117 00:05:18,350 --> 00:05:18,980 Him. 118 00:05:20,150 --> 00:05:22,820 He even came to His own and His own ones. 119 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:25,660 They didn't receive Him. 120 00:05:28,860 --> 00:05:31,730 But to all who did receive Him He gave 121 00:05:31,730 --> 00:05:34,630 the right to become children of God. 122 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:41,540 He who will inherit eternal life and live 123 00:05:41,540 --> 00:05:44,740 forever in total bliss with him. 124 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,710 And this is why we ought to have boldness 125 00:05:48,710 --> 00:05:51,150 in him and not lose heart if we should 126 00:05:51,150 --> 00:05:52,950 suffer the world's scorn. 127 00:05:54,180 --> 00:05:57,150 As long as Christ reigns the bright beams 128 00:05:57,150 --> 00:05:59,690 of the gospel are cast out into the 129 00:05:59,690 --> 00:06:00,320 world. 130 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:02,230 the world to enlighten those 131 00:06:02,230 --> 00:06:03,790 who sit in darkness and in the 132 00:06:03,790 --> 00:06:05,830 shadow of death. The world is 133 00:06:05,830 --> 00:06:07,300 passing away but Christ who 134 00:06:07,300 --> 00:06:09,370 shines in the darkness. He is 135 00:06:09,370 --> 00:06:10,430 the one who said to His 136 00:06:10,430 --> 00:06:14,610 apostles, go. Make disciples of 137 00:06:14,610 --> 00:06:16,970 all nations, baptizing them and 138 00:06:16,970 --> 00:06:18,640 teaching them because whoever 139 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:20,910 believes and is baptized will be 140 00:06:20,910 --> 00:06:23,450 saved. And everyone who 141 00:06:23,450 --> 00:06:25,150 believes that Jesus is the 142 00:06:25,150 --> 00:06:27,580 Christ has been born of God. 143 00:06:28,020 --> 00:06:30,220 And everyone who has been born 144 00:06:30,220 --> 00:06:32,590 of God overcomes the world. 145 00:06:34,830 --> 00:06:36,590 And the world can't understand 146 00:06:36,590 --> 00:06:42,130 it. But there are a whole lot 147 00:06:42,130 --> 00:06:44,870 of people in this world who are 148 00:06:44,870 --> 00:06:47,500 still coming in. Who are still 149 00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:49,670 coming in out of the darkness 150 00:06:49,670 --> 00:06:51,810 and into that Epiphany light. 151 00:06:53,110 --> 00:06:55,550 The light first appeared and 152 00:06:55,550 --> 00:06:56,880 shone in the darkness of 153 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:59,250 Bethlehem. He came to His own 154 00:06:59,250 --> 00:07:01,550 on to shine on Israel and it 155 00:07:01,550 --> 00:07:03,550 was the shepherds who received 156 00:07:03,550 --> 00:07:05,790 Him. They left their sheep and 157 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:07,760 they came and they worshipped 158 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,560 Him. Then in a beautiful 159 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,300 mystery hidden for the ages, He 160 00:07:14,300 --> 00:07:16,300 sent His star east to call the 161 00:07:16,300 --> 00:07:19,840 Gentiles too. And miraculously, 162 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:22,310 those pagans came and they fell 163 00:07:22,310 --> 00:07:27,680 down and they worshiped Him. I 164 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:28,910 think it's only right that we 165 00:07:28,910 --> 00:07:31,820 see as the two great pillars of 166 00:07:31,820 --> 00:07:33,050 the church here, the 167 00:07:33,050 --> 00:07:35,150 incarnation of our Lord and the 168 00:07:35,150 --> 00:07:36,520 resurrection of our Lord from 169 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,660 the dead. It's true. But Saint 170 00:07:39,660 --> 00:07:42,360 Paul marvels just as much at His 171 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:46,560 epiphany to the Gentiles. Again, 172 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:48,630 he calls it the mystery hidden 173 00:07:48,630 --> 00:07:51,070 from the mystery hidden for the 174 00:07:51,070 --> 00:07:56,940 ages. Epiphany means just 175 00:07:56,940 --> 00:07:59,210 outshining. That's what it means, 176 00:07:59,310 --> 00:08:02,980 outshining. It is the revelation 177 00:08:02,980 --> 00:08:04,850 of God's grace to the world 178 00:08:04,850 --> 00:08:07,280 beyond the walls of Jerusalem 179 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,550 and out into every nation but of 180 00:08:09,550 --> 00:08:11,020 course, starting in Jerusalem. 181 00:08:12,260 --> 00:08:14,830 And this revelation is the power 182 00:08:14,830 --> 00:08:17,130 of God unto salvation for all 183 00:08:17,130 --> 00:08:20,030 who believe. For the wise men, 184 00:08:20,730 --> 00:08:23,000 the miraculous star declared the 185 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,870 glory of God and in the night, 186 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,370 it shone forth and revealed 187 00:08:27,370 --> 00:08:29,840 knowledge. It was the beacon that 188 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:31,940 was calling them home. It was the 189 00:08:31,940 --> 00:08:33,540 voice of the gospel if we could 190 00:08:33,540 --> 00:08:35,950 say it that way, calling them to 191 00:08:35,950 --> 00:08:43,990 the Christ child. But for us and 192 00:08:43,990 --> 00:08:46,020 for Saint Paul, it's not the 193 00:08:46,020 --> 00:08:47,790 miraculous star but what he 194 00:08:47,790 --> 00:08:52,260 calls the Oikonomia or stewardship of God's 195 00:08:52,260 --> 00:08:54,770 grace. Not as flashy, I would 196 00:08:54,770 --> 00:08:58,770 say. But what he means is that 197 00:08:58,770 --> 00:09:00,200 God has established an 198 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,510 arrangement to seek and to save 199 00:09:02,510 --> 00:09:05,110 the lost. To gather the lost 200 00:09:05,110 --> 00:09:06,810 sheep of Israel and the sheep 201 00:09:06,810 --> 00:09:08,150 that are scattered in every 202 00:09:08,150 --> 00:09:10,450 nation, Jesus says, I have to 203 00:09:10,450 --> 00:09:14,350 bring them too. And they will 204 00:09:14,350 --> 00:09:18,190 listen to my voice. So there 205 00:09:18,190 --> 00:09:20,120 will be one flock and one 206 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:20,860 shepherd. 207 00:09:26,930 --> 00:09:29,130 Luther translated this strange 208 00:09:29,130 --> 00:09:34,300 term, oikonomia, pretty well. He 209 00:09:34,300 --> 00:09:36,110 called the economy of God's grace 210 00:09:36,110 --> 00:09:37,270 here in Ephesians three. Das amtegnade Gottes. 211 00:09:40,340 --> 00:09:41,780 So that's encouragement for 212 00:09:41,780 --> 00:09:43,880 German learning here. So, 213 00:09:45,020 --> 00:09:47,620 Das amtegnade Gottes, as in 214 00:09:47,620 --> 00:09:49,350 article five of the Augsburg 215 00:09:49,350 --> 00:09:51,290 Confession concerning Das 216 00:09:51,290 --> 00:09:56,430 Predicht amt. Amt. Office. Office. 217 00:09:57,830 --> 00:09:59,730 The office of God's grace to 218 00:09:59,730 --> 00:10:02,070 announce God's forgiveness. The 219 00:10:02,070 --> 00:10:04,640 means of grace office to preach 220 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:06,940 the gospel and to administer the 221 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:09,770 sacraments and it's God's 222 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,010 ongoing epiphany to all nations 223 00:10:12,010 --> 00:10:16,580 happening here and now. The 224 00:10:16,580 --> 00:10:18,450 glory of Israel, the light to 225 00:10:18,450 --> 00:10:21,490 enlighten the Gentiles. It is 226 00:10:21,490 --> 00:10:24,660 the beacon of hope. You are my 227 00:10:24,660 --> 00:10:30,390 witnesses, says the Lord. The 228 00:10:30,390 --> 00:10:31,830 mystery of Christ, Paul writes, 229 00:10:32,130 --> 00:10:33,560 which was not made known to the 230 00:10:33,560 --> 00:10:34,700 sons of men in other 231 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:37,630 generations as it has been now 232 00:10:37,630 --> 00:10:40,200 revealed to His holy apostles 233 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,640 and prophets by the spirit that 234 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:44,640 the Gentiles are fellow heirs, 235 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:46,540 members of the same body and 236 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:48,210 partakers of the promise in 237 00:10:48,210 --> 00:10:50,080 Christ Jesus through the gospel 238 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,380 and I, says Saint Paul, have 239 00:10:53,380 --> 00:10:55,520 become a minister according to 240 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:57,320 the gift of God's grace which 241 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,460 was given to me by the working 242 00:10:59,460 --> 00:11:03,290 of His power. Brothers, do not 243 00:11:03,290 --> 00:11:05,530 neglect the gifts you receive at 244 00:11:05,530 --> 00:11:08,670 your ordination. They are 245 00:11:08,670 --> 00:11:13,440 incredible. It doesn't make you 246 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:14,910 any more Christian, of course, 247 00:11:15,270 --> 00:11:18,340 but it is how Christ actually 248 00:11:18,340 --> 00:11:21,080 dwells in His church and reaches 249 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:23,050 out to every nation by the 250 00:11:23,050 --> 00:11:24,380 preaching of the gospel to 251 00:11:24,380 --> 00:11:26,420 gather in the full harvest 252 00:11:26,420 --> 00:11:29,990 before the last day. We get to 253 00:11:29,990 --> 00:11:35,530 be part of that gathering. This 254 00:11:35,530 --> 00:11:37,230 office of God's grace does not 255 00:11:37,230 --> 00:11:39,330 produce the world-changing event 256 00:11:39,330 --> 00:11:41,430 that my sinful heart expects 257 00:11:41,430 --> 00:11:44,870 granted but it's exactly what 258 00:11:44,870 --> 00:11:47,100 changed you and me when God 259 00:11:47,100 --> 00:11:51,110 dropped us into the font and gave 260 00:11:51,110 --> 00:11:53,380 birth to us into a living hope 261 00:11:53,380 --> 00:11:57,850 and when day by day he speaks to 262 00:11:57,850 --> 00:11:59,650 me in his holy scriptures and 263 00:11:59,650 --> 00:12:00,780 through his minister. He 264 00:12:00,780 --> 00:12:02,590 forgives your sins again and 265 00:12:02,590 --> 00:12:05,190 again and when I step up to that 266 00:12:05,190 --> 00:12:09,530 holy altar to receive him whose 267 00:12:09,530 --> 00:12:11,730 sandals John the Baptist wouldn't 268 00:12:11,730 --> 00:12:13,060 even dare touch, the greatest 269 00:12:13,060 --> 00:12:15,570 born of women wouldn't dare touch 270 00:12:15,570 --> 00:12:18,570 Him and here He comes into our 271 00:12:18,570 --> 00:12:23,910 mouths for our forgiveness. He 272 00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:26,040 binds Himself to me and I to Him 273 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:29,080 and we to one another in one holy 274 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,480 body that is magnified 275 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:34,050 throughout all the world that 276 00:12:34,050 --> 00:12:36,390 they might see and also see that 277 00:12:36,390 --> 00:12:38,490 the salvation of God rests here 278 00:12:38,490 --> 00:12:41,190 among us and that they might 279 00:12:41,190 --> 00:12:46,500 come too. Somehow I can think 280 00:12:46,500 --> 00:12:48,570 that that's not enough. That God 281 00:12:48,570 --> 00:12:49,900 if He reigned in the world would 282 00:12:49,900 --> 00:12:51,600 let us see the results of His 283 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:53,240 work manifest and in the world 284 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,140 that He would save us from this 285 00:12:55,140 --> 00:12:58,740 depraved generation or at least 286 00:12:58,740 --> 00:13:00,040 that a few fruits of 287 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:01,310 righteousness would be manifest 288 00:13:01,310 --> 00:13:06,650 in my own life. But He did not 289 00:13:06,650 --> 00:13:09,150 come to demonstrate His power to 290 00:13:09,150 --> 00:13:11,490 the world but to save the world 291 00:13:11,490 --> 00:13:15,260 before it's too late. So that 292 00:13:15,260 --> 00:13:17,260 through the church frail as she 293 00:13:17,260 --> 00:13:19,230 may appear to the world and to our 294 00:13:19,230 --> 00:13:21,030 sinful nature so that through the 295 00:13:21,030 --> 00:13:22,970 church the manifold wisdom of God 296 00:13:22,970 --> 00:13:25,170 might be now made known to the 297 00:13:25,170 --> 00:13:26,600 rulers and authorities in the 298 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,140 heavenly places. Don't think that 299 00:13:29,140 --> 00:13:33,440 Satan is watching with apathy. He 300 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:36,410 hates Epiphany. He hates the 301 00:13:36,410 --> 00:13:38,080 mission to the Gentiles. He hates 302 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:39,750 that the word of the gospel is 303 00:13:39,750 --> 00:13:42,220 going out into all four corners of 304 00:13:42,220 --> 00:13:46,420 the world. The Lord of darkness is 305 00:13:46,420 --> 00:13:48,020 terrified by the light that 306 00:13:48,020 --> 00:13:51,360 enlightens everyone. So expose him 307 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:55,100 by the light. Speak the word. 308 00:13:55,330 --> 00:13:58,640 Believe the word of Christ. Let the 309 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:00,870 bright beams of the gospel shine 310 00:14:00,870 --> 00:14:03,370 in you as you study, as you work, 311 00:14:03,710 --> 00:14:05,740 as you play. Run to Christ. You 312 00:14:05,740 --> 00:14:07,940 have access to him now by faith 313 00:14:07,940 --> 00:14:11,520 Paul says. And dig deeply into the 314 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,650 unsearchable riches of Christ while 315 00:14:14,650 --> 00:14:18,990 you can. In the name of Jesus. Amen.