WEBVTT STYLE ::cue { color: #ffffff; } 00:00:00.970 --> 00:00:02.778 Jesus Christ is risen. 00:00:02.953 --> 00:00:05.870 He has risen indeed. Hallelujah. 00:00:06.530 --> 00:00:09.550 Gamaliel said, I tell you, 00:00:09.700 --> 00:00:11.022 keep away from these men 00:00:11.076 --> 00:00:12.410 and let them alone. 00:00:12.570 --> 00:00:14.174 For if this plan or this 00:00:14.212 --> 00:00:15.710 undertaking is of man, 00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:17.098 it will fail. 00:00:17.274 --> 00:00:18.830 But if it is of God, 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:19.886 you will not be able 00:00:19.908 --> 00:00:21.246 to overthrow them. 00:00:21.428 --> 00:00:23.118 You might even be found 00:00:23.204 --> 00:00:25.720 opposing God. 00:00:26.890 --> 00:00:29.654 Perhaps you are like me when you 00:00:29.692 --> 00:00:32.146 hear that statement from Acts, 00:00:32.177 --> 00:00:33.190 chapter five, 00:00:33.340 --> 00:00:35.174 and you get a little bit of a 00:00:35.212 --> 00:00:36.534 smirk or have a little 00:00:36.572 --> 00:00:38.570 bit of a chuckle, 00:00:38.910 --> 00:00:40.694 for Luke has been telling 00:00:40.742 --> 00:00:42.780 us the whole story. 00:00:43.470 --> 00:00:45.258 We know what's going on behind 00:00:45.344 --> 00:00:47.434 the scenes and we know 00:00:47.472 --> 00:00:49.260 what is also ahead. 00:00:50.270 --> 00:00:51.754 Gamaliel is a respected 00:00:51.802 --> 00:00:53.166 Pharisee who has the 00:00:53.188 --> 00:00:54.442 ear of the council, 00:00:54.506 --> 00:00:56.510 including the Sadducees. 00:00:56.850 --> 00:00:59.502 He spoke with wisdom and 00:00:59.556 --> 00:01:01.886 experience of a man who 00:01:01.908 --> 00:01:03.300 had seen this before. 00:01:04.150 --> 00:01:06.210 He could recall uprisings, 00:01:06.550 --> 00:01:08.370 the cult of personalities, 00:01:08.950 --> 00:01:10.770 the religious zealots, 00:01:11.270 --> 00:01:13.906 and he knew his history and 00:01:13.928 --> 00:01:15.990 he knew human nature. 00:01:16.810 --> 00:01:19.080 He knew what we might say today. 00:01:19.690 --> 00:01:21.766 Cut off the head and 00:01:21.788 --> 00:01:23.990 the body will die. 00:01:25.290 --> 00:01:26.966 He knew the wisdom to say, 00:01:27.068 --> 00:01:28.722 no need to get overly excited 00:01:28.786 --> 00:01:30.214 with all these new converts 00:01:30.262 --> 00:01:31.430 watching closely. 00:01:31.590 --> 00:01:33.014 No reason to get the Romans 00:01:33.062 --> 00:01:34.426 upset with what's been been 00:01:34.448 --> 00:01:35.994 going on in Jerusalem over these 00:01:36.032 --> 00:01:38.300 last weeks and months. 00:01:38.830 --> 00:01:40.380 Nothing to see here. 00:01:40.850 --> 00:01:42.160 Just let it go. 00:01:43.410 --> 00:01:45.246 And now we sit here in the 00:01:45.268 --> 00:01:47.198 year of our Lord, 2023, 00:01:47.364 --> 00:01:49.646 thousands of years later, 00:01:49.828 --> 00:01:51.200 and hear that text, 00:01:52.530 --> 00:01:54.030 weeks away from another 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:56.030 opportunity to celebrate Easter 00:01:56.110 --> 00:01:57.106 and the Feast of the 00:01:57.128 --> 00:01:57.970 Resurrection. 00:01:58.630 --> 00:02:00.306 Where we again remembered and 00:02:00.328 --> 00:02:01.454 were served by Jesus, 00:02:01.502 --> 00:02:03.074 who died on the cross for our 00:02:03.112 --> 00:02:05.118 sins and was raised from the 00:02:05.144 --> 00:02:07.350 dead on that triumphant Easter. 00:02:08.650 --> 00:02:10.246 For we are blessed to know the 00:02:10.268 --> 00:02:11.526 whole account and the 00:02:11.548 --> 00:02:12.680 rest of the story. 00:02:13.450 --> 00:02:14.962 We know that the disciples 00:02:15.026 --> 00:02:15.746 preaching, 00:02:15.858 --> 00:02:19.180 teaching and healing was of God. 00:02:20.510 --> 00:02:21.898 The book of Acts is the 00:02:21.904 --> 00:02:22.938 adventurous story of 00:02:22.944 --> 00:02:24.006 the early church, 00:02:24.118 --> 00:02:25.366 the account of how the Holy 00:02:25.398 --> 00:02:26.794 Spirit worked through that 00:02:26.832 --> 00:02:28.726 ragtag group of apostles. 00:02:28.918 --> 00:02:30.298 These disciples of Jesus, 00:02:30.314 --> 00:02:31.262 who were seen by others 00:02:31.316 --> 00:02:32.942 as uneducated men, 00:02:33.076 --> 00:02:35.098 but preached with boldness, 00:02:35.274 --> 00:02:36.778 performed miracles. 00:02:36.954 --> 00:02:37.694 And through them, 00:02:37.732 --> 00:02:38.910 people were coming to believe 00:02:38.980 --> 00:02:40.990 in Jesus as the long 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:42.590 awaited Messiah. 00:02:43.650 --> 00:02:46.094 The first chapter of Acts have 00:02:46.132 --> 00:02:47.854 the waves of the continuing work 00:02:47.892 --> 00:02:49.262 of the Holy Spirit started 00:02:49.316 --> 00:02:50.586 at Pentecost. 00:02:50.778 --> 00:02:52.414 The preaching of the Gospel by 00:02:52.452 --> 00:02:54.286 Peter people cut to the heart. 00:02:54.388 --> 00:02:56.262 Repenting of sins coming 00:02:56.316 --> 00:02:57.800 to faith in Christ. 00:02:58.490 --> 00:02:59.940 Large numbers joining the 00:03:00.170 --> 00:03:02.254 Church. Disciples living together 00:03:02.292 --> 00:03:03.662 in common love and care 00:03:03.716 --> 00:03:04.720 for one another. 00:03:05.090 --> 00:03:06.814 The young church continued to 00:03:06.852 --> 00:03:10.190 preach and teach and heal. 00:03:11.490 --> 00:03:14.586 And just as Jesus promised 00:03:14.778 --> 00:03:16.110 and prepared, 00:03:16.850 --> 00:03:18.960 persecution happened. 00:03:20.690 --> 00:03:22.750 In Acts Four when Peter and John 00:03:22.820 --> 00:03:24.506 were also told to stop preaching 00:03:24.538 --> 00:03:25.586 the gospel, 00:03:25.698 --> 00:03:27.046 they responded that they could 00:03:27.068 --> 00:03:28.566 do nothing but speak of what 00:03:28.588 --> 00:03:30.230 they had seen and 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:32.070 heard in Jesus. 00:03:32.650 --> 00:03:33.894 And they returned to their 00:03:33.932 --> 00:03:35.606 friends and spoke prayers to our 00:03:35.628 --> 00:03:36.822 sovereign Lord. Speaking 00:03:36.876 --> 00:03:37.762 and now, Lord, 00:03:37.826 --> 00:03:39.894 look upon their threats and 00:03:39.932 --> 00:03:41.066 grant to your servants to 00:03:41.088 --> 00:03:42.793 continue to speak Your word with 00:03:42.832 --> 00:03:44.726 all boldness while you stretch 00:03:44.758 --> 00:03:46.602 out your hand to heal and sign 00:03:46.656 --> 00:03:47.894 and wonders are performed 00:03:47.942 --> 00:03:48.906 through the name of your 00:03:48.928 --> 00:03:50.810 holy servant Jesus. 00:03:51.390 --> 00:03:54.590 And was that prayer answered. 00:03:55.170 --> 00:03:56.558 The Holy Spirit filled them and 00:03:56.564 --> 00:03:57.853 they continued to speak the word 00:03:57.892 --> 00:03:59.486 of God with boldness to where 00:03:59.508 --> 00:04:01.390 it landed them in jail. 00:04:01.810 --> 00:04:02.926 And from there they were 00:04:02.948 --> 00:04:04.286 released by the angel and 00:04:04.308 --> 00:04:05.233 immediately they were sent 00:04:05.272 --> 00:04:06.834 out to teach more 00:04:06.952 --> 00:04:08.206 as the Holy Spirit 00:04:08.317 --> 00:04:09.459 went with them. 00:04:09.910 --> 00:04:11.293 The good news of Jesus 00:04:11.341 --> 00:04:12.386 forgiveness would not be 00:04:12.408 --> 00:04:14.754 quenched and thank God for that 00:04:14.792 --> 00:04:16.005 undertaking that only 00:04:16.028 --> 00:04:17.480 he alone could do. 00:04:18.649 --> 00:04:20.358 For I have to be honest, 00:04:20.444 --> 00:04:22.358 when I hear this text 00:04:22.444 --> 00:04:23.800 from Acts Five, 00:04:25.050 --> 00:04:27.174 there's a certain part that 00:04:27.212 --> 00:04:29.900 immediately cuts to my heart. 00:04:30.590 --> 00:04:33.674 These were Peter's words we must 00:04:33.712 --> 00:04:36.460 obey God rather than men. 00:04:37.790 --> 00:04:39.194 Those words take me back 00:04:39.232 --> 00:04:40.490 to my childhood. 00:04:40.990 --> 00:04:42.806 My mind may not be transported 00:04:42.837 --> 00:04:44.334 immediately back to when I first 00:04:44.372 --> 00:04:46.218 heard those words of Peter, 00:04:46.394 --> 00:04:48.174 but certainly it was a time as 00:04:48.212 --> 00:04:49.614 I aged and started to learn 00:04:49.652 --> 00:04:50.686 a little more about the 00:04:50.707 --> 00:04:52.238 complications of living as a 00:04:52.244 --> 00:04:54.500 Christian in our fallen world. 00:04:55.110 --> 00:04:56.866 As I became more attuned and 00:04:56.888 --> 00:04:57.922 understanding of my 00:04:57.976 --> 00:04:59.330 own sinfulness. 00:05:00.230 --> 00:05:01.378 I became much, 00:05:01.464 --> 00:05:04.002 much more aware of how I 00:05:04.056 --> 00:05:05.860 was not obeying God, 00:05:06.550 --> 00:05:08.180 but was obeying man. 00:05:09.110 --> 00:05:10.302 As I was preparing 00:05:10.366 --> 00:05:11.094 to preach today, 00:05:11.132 --> 00:05:12.966 I went back to my old Bible that 00:05:12.988 --> 00:05:14.566 I had through high school years. 00:05:14.668 --> 00:05:16.337 And as I was a big highlighter 00:05:16.354 --> 00:05:17.717 in those days as I'd go through 00:05:17.804 --> 00:05:20.074 my Bible and I came to Acts Five 00:05:20.111 --> 00:05:21.002 and there's some things 00:05:21.056 --> 00:05:21.654 highlighted, 00:05:21.702 --> 00:05:23.110 but a lot that wasn't. 00:05:23.270 --> 00:05:24.885 But yet that one statement 00:05:24.918 --> 00:05:27.690 by Peter was highlighted. 00:05:28.190 --> 00:05:29.706 I can only imagine probably what 00:05:29.728 --> 00:05:30.906 was going through my mind the 00:05:30.928 --> 00:05:33.518 day that I did that and what I 00:05:33.524 --> 00:05:34.778 had to contemplate 00:05:34.954 --> 00:05:36.240 and think about. 00:05:37.169 --> 00:05:37.534 Now, 00:05:37.572 --> 00:05:39.214 this wasn't just guilt over not 00:05:39.252 --> 00:05:41.070 preaching as Peter did. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:42.666 But I certainly had a deeper 00:05:42.698 --> 00:05:44.606 understanding of how I was not 00:05:44.707 --> 00:05:47.837 following God. Misusing the 00:05:47.844 --> 00:05:50.106 Lord's name, speaking lies, 00:05:50.217 --> 00:05:51.466 not honoring my parents 00:05:51.498 --> 00:05:52.686 in so many ways, 00:05:52.868 --> 00:05:54.750 dishonouring relationships. 00:05:55.289 --> 00:05:57.126 God's word through Peter was in 00:05:57.148 --> 00:05:58.966 its way the two edged sword that 00:05:58.988 --> 00:05:59.780 we're so familiar with. 00:06:01.210 --> 00:06:02.718 One that still makes me skip a 00:06:02.724 --> 00:06:04.542 breath a bit when I think about 00:06:04.596 --> 00:06:06.400 how far I fall short. 00:06:07.890 --> 00:06:09.434 The other side of the sword, 00:06:09.482 --> 00:06:09.694 though, 00:06:09.732 --> 00:06:11.882 is that I also marvel that Peter 00:06:11.946 --> 00:06:13.982 speaks boldly about Jesus before 00:06:14.036 --> 00:06:16.266 the High priest and the council. 00:06:16.457 --> 00:06:17.902 I marvel that just a short 00:06:17.956 --> 00:06:18.734 time before this, 00:06:18.772 --> 00:06:20.410 Peter was denying knowing Jesus 00:06:20.490 --> 00:06:22.046 as he was on trail by the 00:06:22.068 --> 00:06:23.658 High priest and council. 00:06:23.834 --> 00:06:25.506 We see the love and restoration 00:06:25.538 --> 00:06:27.142 of Jesus at the work of the life 00:06:27.196 --> 00:06:29.590 of Peter and the other apostles. 00:06:30.170 --> 00:06:32.360 That is what our God does. 00:06:33.290 --> 00:06:36.182 He undertakes the saving and 00:06:36.236 --> 00:06:38.650 transforming of sinners. 00:06:39.230 --> 00:06:41.110 Jesus hung on a tree, 00:06:41.270 --> 00:06:42.150 was raised, 00:06:42.230 --> 00:06:43.894 is exalted and gives repentance 00:06:43.942 --> 00:06:46.566 and forgiveness for my sins 00:06:46.758 --> 00:06:48.250 and for your sins. 00:06:51.090 --> 00:06:53.566 And what a great opportunity is 00:06:53.668 --> 00:06:55.730 again to sit and reflect. 00:06:56.790 --> 00:06:58.642 It's amazing to sit in our place 00:06:58.696 --> 00:07:00.834 here again in the year of 2023, 00:07:01.032 --> 00:07:02.994 days away from Call Day and 00:07:03.032 --> 00:07:04.914 Placement Day for some of you. 00:07:05.111 --> 00:07:06.466 Weeks away from the end of 00:07:06.488 --> 00:07:07.846 another academic year 00:07:07.948 --> 00:07:09.640 graduation for some. 00:07:10.170 --> 00:07:10.738 No doubt, 00:07:10.754 --> 00:07:11.926 you pastors that are here and 00:07:11.948 --> 00:07:12.837 those that have served in the 00:07:12.844 --> 00:07:14.038 church over the last weeks at 00:07:14.044 --> 00:07:16.294 the end of exhausting weeks of 00:07:16.332 --> 00:07:17.734 leading people to the cross 00:07:17.782 --> 00:07:19.210 and the empty tomb. 00:07:20.030 --> 00:07:21.946 And we are here because we 00:07:21.968 --> 00:07:23.659 know the whole story. 00:07:24.750 --> 00:07:26.298 We are here because of the work 00:07:26.384 --> 00:07:28.890 of that same Holy Spirit. 00:07:29.550 --> 00:07:31.114 We are here because he brought 00:07:31.162 --> 00:07:32.654 us to faith through God's work 00:07:32.692 --> 00:07:34.378 and baptism and gathered 00:07:34.394 --> 00:07:35.920 you into Christ's body. 00:07:36.530 --> 00:07:38.222 We are beneficiaries of Christ 00:07:38.276 --> 00:07:39.322 working through the confession 00:07:39.385 --> 00:07:40.138 of Peter, 00:07:40.234 --> 00:07:42.526 of John and the apostles and the 00:07:42.548 --> 00:07:43.346 many faithful who 00:07:43.368 --> 00:07:44.500 came after them. 00:07:44.950 --> 00:07:46.286 We benefit from God's 00:07:46.318 --> 00:07:47.506 undertaking at the work of 00:07:47.528 --> 00:07:48.782 Johannes Bugenhagen, 00:07:48.846 --> 00:07:51.246 Martin Luther and the reformers. 00:07:51.438 --> 00:07:53.006 By the work of the Holy Spirit 00:07:53.038 --> 00:07:54.638 they were captured by God's word 00:07:54.744 --> 00:07:57.026 to speak his truth and deliver 00:07:57.058 --> 00:07:57.926 God's forgiveness to 00:07:57.948 --> 00:07:59.000 those who believe. 00:08:00.409 --> 00:08:02.134 You each have people in your own 00:08:02.172 --> 00:08:04.274 lives who God used and uses 00:08:04.322 --> 00:08:05.560 to do this work. 00:08:06.330 --> 00:08:09.270 Parents, childhood pastors, 00:08:09.770 --> 00:08:11.909 college professors and pastors, 00:08:12.409 --> 00:08:14.846 DCE's, teachers, deaconess, 00:08:14.898 --> 00:08:16.022 aunts and uncles, 00:08:16.086 --> 00:08:17.385 all those who share the good 00:08:17.408 --> 00:08:19.100 news of Jesus Christ. 00:08:20.050 --> 00:08:21.674 You have professors and staff 00:08:21.722 --> 00:08:23.294 here that pray for you, 00:08:23.491 --> 00:08:24.750 educate you, 00:08:24.900 --> 00:08:27.054 challenge you and want the best 00:08:27.092 --> 00:08:29.802 for you. I know this firsthand. 00:08:29.866 --> 00:08:31.645 It is great honor to be 00:08:31.668 --> 00:08:33.280 here with you today, 00:08:33.650 --> 00:08:35.102 but I know if Dr. 00:08:35.155 --> 00:08:35.818 Schmidt, 00:08:35.914 --> 00:08:37.342 going back to my days 00:08:37.395 --> 00:08:38.198 in Homiletics, 00:08:38.234 --> 00:08:39.506 one is one probably first 00:08:39.528 --> 00:08:40.306 impressed that could actually 00:08:40.328 --> 00:08:41.630 even get into the pulpit, 00:08:41.710 --> 00:08:42.786 let alone string two 00:08:42.808 --> 00:08:44.034 sentences together. 00:08:44.232 --> 00:08:46.050 As you have a great community 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:47.425 here that supports you in the 00:08:47.448 --> 00:08:49.502 work as you confess the gospel 00:08:49.646 --> 00:08:50.674 and share the good news 00:08:50.712 --> 00:08:51.780 with God's people. 00:08:52.870 --> 00:08:54.590 And you and your many vocations 00:08:54.670 --> 00:08:55.922 can rest assured that God 00:08:55.976 --> 00:08:57.580 is at work in you. 00:08:58.030 --> 00:08:59.254 God answers your prayers 00:08:59.302 --> 00:08:59.960 for boldness when 00:09:00.090 --> 00:09:00.718 you don't seem to 00:09:00.724 --> 00:09:01.614 have the words. 00:09:01.732 --> 00:09:02.986 And when you may be exhausted 00:09:03.018 --> 00:09:03.898 from the challenges 00:09:03.994 --> 00:09:05.054 in the world. 00:09:05.252 --> 00:09:06.666 He sends His Holy Spirit 00:09:06.698 --> 00:09:07.790 to grant strength 00:09:08.930 --> 00:09:11.326 to give you perseverance as you 00:09:11.348 --> 00:09:12.800 serve in his mighty name. 00:09:13.410 --> 00:09:14.766 And I also thank you for 00:09:14.788 --> 00:09:15.898 being those pastors, 00:09:15.994 --> 00:09:17.982 church workers and laypeople who 00:09:18.036 --> 00:09:19.514 work in the field of youth 00:09:19.562 --> 00:09:20.990 and children's ministry. 00:09:21.330 --> 00:09:22.782 Whether this be in your field 00:09:22.836 --> 00:09:24.186 work, your internship, 00:09:24.218 --> 00:09:24.946 your vicarage, 00:09:25.018 --> 00:09:26.006 or as a professor or 00:09:26.028 --> 00:09:26.786 seminary staff, 00:09:26.818 --> 00:09:28.422 or as a parent or in your future 00:09:28.476 --> 00:09:29.414 congregation or present 00:09:29.452 --> 00:09:30.854 congregation of service. 00:09:31.052 --> 00:09:32.278 May the Lord bless you with 00:09:32.284 --> 00:09:33.494 boldness to teach his word, 00:09:33.532 --> 00:09:34.518 to speak his words of 00:09:34.524 --> 00:09:36.454 forgiveness and to show his love 00:09:36.492 --> 00:09:38.886 of sinners. That we are told and 00:09:38.908 --> 00:09:40.006 that we can confess of that 00:09:40.028 --> 00:09:41.714 great love that we know in Jesus 00:09:41.762 --> 00:09:43.554 Christ and the forgiveness 00:09:43.602 --> 00:09:44.630 of our sins. 00:09:45.210 --> 00:09:47.602 In the name of Jesus. 00:09:47.665 --> 00:09:47.890 Amen.