In a church on a Sunday morning, after the service was over, one of the members asked to speak to the pastor privately. After they had gone into the pastor’s study and closed the door, the man informed the pastor that he was resigning his membership in the congregation. He had with him a signed letter of resignation that he handed to the pastor, asking that it be presented to the church council.

The pastor was very disheartened at this. The man had been an active member, an asset to the congregation and a help to the pastor. His departure came as a surprise. Worst of all, his reason for leaving was a purely personal one, the kind of thing that a Christian should not let come between him and his church.

The pastor dreaded having to break the news to the other members, fearing that they, too, would be disheartened by it. And of course they were disheartened by it. But the pastor told them that, regrettable as this was, it was also a good lesson: our hope and trust are in the Lord, not in people, for they can disappoint us. It is good to rejoice in the good things that we see the Lord doing in our congregation and in our church body. It is good to see how He has called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified others. It is good to rejoice over baptisms, confirmations, expressions of faith, and acts of love. But our greatest joy is not in these things, but rather in this, that our names are written in heaven.

Ourmeditation is based on Jesus’ teaching concerning the Holy Spirit. You will see that though the spirit of the worldseems ever to be evolving and encroaching, the Spirit of God remains theunchanging fount of saving truth. Again,the Savior saith: “And when [the Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world ofsin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” O Risen Lord, bless Thy Word thatwe may trust in Thee. Amen.

John 14:1-6 (NKJV)

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there youmay be also. 4 "And where I go you know, and the way youknow." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know whereYou are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The story is told of a sheepfoldthat had one young ewe (a female sheep), that was particularly assertive. She was so assertive that the other sheep inthe pen thought she knew something they didn’t and they began following thisassertive little lamb. They followed herright through an opening in the fence and out of the farmyard. Though this little lamb acted like she knewwhat she was doing, she had no idea where she was going. She didn’t know what water was safe to drinkor what plants were safe to eat. Shedidn’t know where the pack of hungry coyotes could be found or which path ledto danger.

Think about this question for a moment—are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass perpetually half-full or half-empty for you? Did the folks who developed “Murphy’s Law” have you personally in mind, or do you believe with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13)? Do you believe that it is possible to “rejoice in the Lord always,” (Phil. 4:4) as Paul exhorts us to do, or does that seem like an impossibility to you?

The ressurection of Jesus means Jesus is our savior forever.

The sermon this Easter morning is based on the discovery of the empty tomb. You will see thatthough the sinner embarks on many a foolish journey, the Gospel reveals God’s desire to ever guideyou to and by the forgiveness and grace found in the Risen Lord. Again, from Mark’s Gospel: “Theangel said to the women: ‘Be not affrighted! Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He isrisen! He is not here!’” O Risen Lord, bless Thy Word that we may trust in Thee. Amen.

Behold Christ cursed instead of us