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SERMON NOTES
Saturday/Sunday, June 29/30, 2024 – Pastor Kischnick
THEME: “Whose Fault Is This?” TEXT: Lamentations 3 & Mark 5
INTRO. June 15, 1904 – SS Gen. Slocum > Lower East River Locust Pt., on board 1357 members of St. Mark Luth. Ch. Abreast 125th St. – fire! Beached on N. Brother Is., extended to deep water. 1021, > ½ children, died. Whose fault? Many had answer: God was guilty! Where was he?
TEXT: Lam./Mark have a different answer: Jeremiah: “For [God] does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Mark: the heart of God in action heals woman/raises girl. God allows trouble, but his compassion answers every accusation with his love, mercy, and grace.
I. IT’S A BROKEN WORLD WITHOUT A DOUBT
ILLUST. VBS: “It’s a Mess!” – absolutely!
A. Not a day goes by w/o tragedy, injustice, violence, sorrow.
1. Since the Fall, there’s been no paradise on earth.
2. God does not CAUSE these things — WE DO.
B. People are broken – you and me included.
1. We sin: by commission/omission, on purpose, by accident
NOTE: a) Woman “suffered much” from “doctors” who took all $
b) “She’s dead – why bother the Teacher?” c) Laughed at Jesus.
2. We’ve been ignorant: realize all science, industry, medicine have
discovered were ALWAYS there? We just didn’t know it.
3. We’re STILL sinning and we’re STILL ignorant of many things.
II. DOUBTERS & UNBELIEVERS BLAME THE WRONG ONE
ILLUST. Gen. Slocum: “How could God let this happen?” – Too crowded, rotten life vests, no fire drill, Eng.Co.#7 at 138th St. pier, passed right by.
A. “God does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”
1. We make choices. 2. Evil people exist. 3. Our selfishness is often
the root of things. 4. Our compassion is limited.
B. God’s COMPASSION is real: SEE JESUS!
1. One in a crowd. 2. One little family. 3. Tears at the grave of
Lazarus. 4. The Cross!
C. Even out of sorrows/evil, God works for good, His will gets done.
D. What does He seek? FAITH
1. “Daughter, you faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
2. “Do not be afraid; just believe.”
3. Troubles will come. Lean on the Lord. Trust Him above all things.
CLOSE: Cost of wars in the 1900’s? Millions of lives, intelligence; materials & resources, $, labor: how would we be different today if all employed for good? Cancer, food, climate, medicine? DO NOT BLAME GOD – Trust Him.
PRINTABLE PDF: SNJUNE30.PDF
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WATCH THE ENTIRE ROAST! CHECK IT OUT HERE. https://www.facebook.com/GraceLutheranChurchNA/videos/331850621504079/
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My Dear Friends in Christ,
A heartfelt word of appreciation to you for your love, your gifts, your kind words, the luncheon, the video, the barrel of monkeys, the ape-filled chocolate kiss, the flowers, the “Tiny Bruce” song, the Tiny Bruce that’s in my office and creeps me out, and 30 years of your partnership in the Gospel. There’s nowhere else I’d rather have been and no people I’d rather serve. I am privileged to be your pastor, and I love you all!
I thank God every time I remember you in my prayers…” and I pray for your continued health in faith and in life.
Pastor K. – Psalm 16:8