WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:08.500 Grace mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our 2 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:09.700 Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 3 00:00:09.700 --> 00:00:14.300 Amen. The word of God given fresh this morning is what was just read. 4 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:15.200 Will you pray with me, please? 5 00:00:16.700 --> 00:00:20.000 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be 6 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:22.600 pleasing in your sight to Lord to the glory of your holy name. 7 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:23.600 Amen. 8 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:28.300 I have a secret. 9 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:29.600 I have a secret. 10 00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:35.200 When I was a kid growing up in the 70s and early 80s has a young child 11 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:36.100 that was a game 12 00:00:36.100 --> 00:00:39.500 we would play, some of you remember that. We go round to one another. 13 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:40.200 I have a secret. 14 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:42.300 I have a secret and it may have been made up 15 00:00:42.300 --> 00:00:44.800 it may have been real but we love this idea of a secret. 16 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:50.500 Well that we outgrew but as we got into our teen years as you can much 17 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:54.800 imagine we had real secrets in the 80s that we knew about each other. 18 00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:59.500 And the question wasn't so much of whether or not you had a secret. 19 00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:02.600 But how good you were keeping that secret? 20 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:05.400 So how good are you at 21 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:06.500 secret keeping? 22 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:09.600 How good are you at keeping a secret? 23 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:15.800 Turns out as we just heard from our Corinthian's reading the Apostle 24 00:01:15.800 --> 00:01:18.400 Paul actually was a really lousy secret keeper. 25 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:22.600 He just couldn't do it. The ESV translation 26 00:01:22.600 --> 00:01:26.900 that was just read Saint Paul writes, but we impart a secret and 27 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:27.700 hidden wisdom, 28 00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:32.300 that's the word mysterion, we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of 29 00:01:32.300 --> 00:01:36.100 God, which God decreed before the ages for our Glory. 30 00:01:37.600 --> 00:01:42.600 This secret and hidden wisdom this secret that Saint Paul just cannot 31 00:01:42.600 --> 00:01:47.200 keep his mouth shut about and thanks be to God literally if he was 32 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:52.800 Heaven bent on proclaiming this secret this mystery that God had revealed 33 00:01:52.800 --> 00:01:53.800 to him. 34 00:01:53.800 --> 00:01:55.700 He couldn't keep quiet about it. 35 00:01:55.700 --> 00:01:58.900 He had to share that he had to tell it was that awesome. 36 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:03.300 It was that important what God had shared with him this mystery that 37 00:02:03.300 --> 00:02:05.600 God had kept hidden for so long. 38 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:10.000 It was now time when it was revealed to St. 39 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.000 Paul that he had to share it. 40 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:14.200 He couldn't keep the secret to himself. 41 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:20.600 And here we sit some two thousand years later. 42 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:25.700 And thanks be to God for these last two thousand years that this 43 00:02:25.700 --> 00:02:31.700 secret was not kept a secret that God's people kept proclaiming it 44 00:02:31.700 --> 00:02:32.800 over and over again. 45 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:34.300 The secret was told to you 46 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:37.900 it was told to me literally we would not be here this morning. 47 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:44.000 Literally if that secret had not been shared with us personally by 48 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:47.400 somebody and the Holy Spirit working in our lives to embrace that 49 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:49.600 secret that God has given us. 50 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:56.400 That hidden knowledge that God and his love would do something 51 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:57.100 so amazing, 52 00:02:57.100 --> 00:03:01.300 so outrageous that no human wisdom could ever understand it. 53 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:07.900 That secret that God would be patient with his creation. That that 54 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:08.600 mystery 55 00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:12.300 the God would be willing to take human flesh 56 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:15.000 and become like you and me. 57 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:18.800 And live in dusty dirty Israel 58 00:03:20.100 --> 00:03:24.400 and live and walk perfectly in your place in my place. 59 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:29.300 This truly is a mystery as it was all unpacked for Saint Paul and pass 60 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:30.900 down to the ages to you and to me. 61 00:03:33.100 --> 00:03:34.800 And that God would continue. 62 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:39.000 His path in your place in mine 63 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:43.700 to the Cross God In the Flesh Jesus Christ 64 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.500 hanging there on that cross for you and for me. 65 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:53.200 Truly a mystery making no sense to human understanding in any way 66 00:03:53.200 --> 00:03:53.400 whatsoever. 67 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:59.700 A secret hidden wisdom that only God could conceive of. 68 00:04:02.200 --> 00:04:07.600 So that you and I could be saved from Eternal death and Damnation so 69 00:04:07.600 --> 00:04:11.100 that God's people those who regularly disobeying him could be assured 70 00:04:11.100 --> 00:04:12.700 that their sins are forgiven. 71 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:20.399 This message this good news of Jesus Christ and him alone. 72 00:04:21.700 --> 00:04:23.500 The secret being shared 73 00:04:24.400 --> 00:04:27.300 for Generation upon generation upon generation 74 00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:32.600 and now the secret sits with you and with me. 75 00:04:33.700 --> 00:04:37.200 Were the ones now that hold on to that secret that needs to be 76 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:41.400 imparted to be declared to be shared not to be kept to ourselves. 77 00:04:44.400 --> 00:04:48.700 The secret this wisdom this mystery of God's love for us in Christ 78 00:04:48.700 --> 00:04:53.000 Jesus. To be shared in our homes to be shared with our children and our 79 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:55.300 grandchildren to be proclaimed. 80 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:58.300 As that, which is most important. 81 00:05:01.100 --> 00:05:05.500 To be shared in our congregations as you go for some day to serve 82 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:08.500 God's people to be proclaimed every Sunday dare 83 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.100 I say every day as you go about God's work. 84 00:05:12.400 --> 00:05:15.200 But that would lead and guide everything that you do that 85 00:05:15.200 --> 00:05:20.300 you are a secret share that it is your task in your homes in your 86 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:24.500 congregations to share that good news of God's love in Christ 87 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:29.400 Jesus. A wisdom that the world cannot understand but God has given to 88 00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:30.100 you and to me 89 00:05:31.200 --> 00:05:36.700 To share with anybody and everybody we encounter in our homes in our 90 00:05:36.700 --> 00:05:38.500 congregations in our communities. 91 00:05:39.900 --> 00:05:44.800 And even worldwide to share that good news to share that secret with 92 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:48.300 those who need to hear about God's love for us in Christ Jesus. 93 00:05:50.700 --> 00:05:53.800 A good friend of mine is an Assembly of God pastor. 94 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:57.700 He and I were talking just about theology 95 00:05:57.700 --> 00:05:58.500 stuff. 96 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:00.700 Look me right in the eye and he says you know what we think about you 97 00:06:00.700 --> 00:06:01.900 Lutheran, I got a little nervous. 98 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:04.400 I said, what's that? 99 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:10.400 He said, you Lutheran's you have got the gospel understood you got a 100 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:13.500 grasp on the gospel that no other denomination has. 101 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:18.300 And from our perspective you're afraid to share it. 102 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:23.900 You're afraid to share that good news of the Gospel. 103 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:29.600 Again, this secret this mystery that has to be shared. 104 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:30.200 I get up and 105 00:06:30.200 --> 00:06:30.700 grin 106 00:06:30.700 --> 00:06:32.000 hugely when I walked in this morning as 107 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:34.400 I saw the Amharic Bible sitting back there. 108 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:39.700 This message isn't just for us huddled here this morning, but for 109 00:06:39.700 --> 00:06:41.900 all people worldwide who need to hear it. 110 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:46.100 The organization I work with Lutheran Heritage Foundation. 111 00:06:46.100 --> 00:06:50.900 That's our goal is to translate our good Lutheran writings that proclaim 112 00:06:50.900 --> 00:06:55.400 nothing but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ him crucified him raised 113 00:06:55.400 --> 00:06:57.000 to be shared worldwide. 114 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:00.600 We translate our Lutheran books in the other languages worldwide and 115 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:01.300 we give them away. 116 00:07:03.700 --> 00:07:09.700 So the people can hear that secret that wonderful awesome God Secret 117 00:07:09.700 --> 00:07:10.800 in their own language. 118 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:17.700 This idea of a mystery the secret hidden wisdom of God. 119 00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:20.800 This isn't the only place where Saint Paul refers to that. 120 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:25.800 He writes about it a number of times actually, but one that is just 121 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:30.700 amazing to me is in Colossians four God inspired Paul to write this. 122 00:07:31.900 --> 00:07:35.800 Pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word 123 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:38.600 to declare the mystery of Christ. 124 00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:44.600 Brothers and Sisters in Christ that is literally been my prayer for 125 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:47.500 you is I put all this together and I will continue to pray for you. 126 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:51.100 That whatever Place God places you, 127 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:57.800 he opens the door for you proclaim the words proclaim the mystery that 128 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:02.600 secret that God has revealed to you by his holy spirit in giving you 129 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:03.000 faith. 130 00:08:03.900 --> 00:08:08.400 So that you can trust and believe in that knowing that your sins are 131 00:08:08.400 --> 00:08:11.900 forgiven and this is a message to be shared with all people 132 00:08:11.900 --> 00:08:12.400 everywhere. 133 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:17.600 And as I pray for you, I'd ask that you would pray for each other. 134 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:23.000 In the same way and pray for Lutheran Heritage Foundation and other 135 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:27.400 organizations that are working to proclaim that secret of God 136 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:28.200 worldwide, 137 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.600 and in our neighborhoods. 138 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:34.299 In just a moment here 139 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:36.000 we're going to be singing this (excuse me). 140 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:38.700 Forth in they name 141 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:42.500 Oh Lord, I go my daily labor to pursue. 142 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.000 The only thee resolve to know 143 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:50.600 and all I think or speak or do. 144 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:53.200 To proclaim the secret 145 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:56.000 in Jesus name. Amen.