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PASTOR WOOD’S Message notes
Message Notes: November 13, 2022 Veteran’s Sunday
Title: “That Was Totally Worth It!”
Text: Luke 21:1-4
Theme: Following Jesus is worth it even when our whole world is falling apart.
Goal: That the hearers believe in and follow Jesus no matter how this world gets.
Opening: “That was totally worth it!”
I. The Lord encourages us to see past a fallen world.
A. Chaos and trouble signal the coming Judgement Day.
B. The widow at the Temple-A golden example of what to do as the world falls apart.
1. Jesus observes…
2. The widow
3. The rich.
4. The offerings of both
C. Jesus notices.
1. Like woman suffering from bleeding in Luke 8.
2. Like the Centurion in Matt 8
3. Account of Mark 12
4. Contrast—out of poverty vs. out of wealth.
5. She has given more than all the others.
6. Widow thought, “It was totally worth it!”
II. Noting a veteran.
A. Ronald Reagan in His 1981 Inaugural address.
1. Mentions heroes of previous heroic battles and wars.
2. Private Martin August Treptow of Cherokee, Iowa
3. Left his job in a smalltown barbershop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division.
4. Battle of Chateau Thierry, would end up being recorded in history as one of the most important of WWI.
5. 24-year-old Treptow was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire.
6. Diary–”My Pledge,” he had written these words: ”America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”
B. What a mindset!
1. 100 years ago, this soldier was ready to give his life.
2. It was all worth it!”
C. The Widow’s mindset—a veteran of personal battles.
D. Faith has obligation.
1. James 4:8 which says, “Draw near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
2. The double-mindedness is the contrast with the widow that Jesus observes and notes.
3. She drew near to God. She like Treptow fought on regardless of how hard life got.
E. We all know what we need to do if we are going to draw near to anyone.
1. It is never passive.
2. If Jesus feels far away, then ask yourselves what have you actually done to seek the Lord in His Word.
3. In a way…Jesus will be where we place Him in our lives; on the shelf or in our heart.
4. The fundamental difference between the widow and the rest.
III. Learning from veterans like St. Francis of Assisi.
A. Franciscan Father Conrad Targonski, himself a veteran, 22 years as a chaplain in the marines.
1. St. Francis of Assisi, a man known for peace and hanging with the animals was a veteran himself.
2. Carried the mental wounds of his traumatic experience.
3. Early twenties eager to be as a knight.
4. He renounced his aristocratic family.
5. City of Assisi and the neighboring city of Perugia went to war.
6. Fought, captured, and ransomed.
7. Diary spoke of “waking up in the middle of the night feeling rats crawling all over him.”
B. St. Francis’ called up again for the Crusades.
1. More prepared with better armor.
2. Statue—The Knight He Dreamed to Be
a. Head Bowed.
b. “Go back home!”
3. Appreciate the struggle of a man’s world falling apart—or coming together.
a. Fear.
b. Confusion
c. Process civilian life
d. Withdraw
e. Inwardly turn.
f. Holding on to former relationships.
4. Francis did too but turned it outward.
5. Brotherhood with a Leper starts a whole new life, ministry and legacy—not of war but peace.
C. Noting the Cross of San Damiano.
1. Inspired Francis as he was praying.
2. St. Claire Church in Assisi
3. Jesus on crucifix.
4. Mary and John
5. Three soldiers of note—real small.
6. All turned toward the cross—a view of divine mercy.
7. “You are all totally worth it to me.”
Wrapping Up.
Following Jesus is worthy it even when the whole world is falling apart. Standing on heaven’s doorstep we will say, “That was totally worth it!”
Taking it Home
1. Please take time to read the article below.
2. Describe a time when your whole world felt like it has fallen apart like the widow’s. How did the Lord help you through it?
3. How as the Lord let you know that you are totally worth it to Him this week?
4. When you look at the way you live out your faith right now does it look more like the widow or the religious leader?
5. Consider saying thank you to a vet this week.
Consider reading: Ruth 1 and Ruth 4. Note how the Lord took a broken widow and helped her.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/november-2021/st-francis-giving-comfort-to-weary-soldiers
PRINTABLE PDF: MNNov13.PDF
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Dear Grace Congregation
I am very humbled and grateful to have been in the Lord’s service for 25 years. I am grateful to have served here at Grace for twenty of those years. Thanks to all of you for making our family a part of Grace’s family these twenty years. Thank you for the kindness, the fun, and the joy of last Sunday’s celebration. Thank you for the great meal and fellowship. Thanks to the youth for remembering Michigan Jones so fondly. Thank you for your cards and gifts and for the many expressions of love. Thank you for putting up with all my VBS ideas and hanging in there with me each year. Thank you for your patience when I am a little slow or dull. Thank you for including us in your own milestones. Thank you for allowing me to continue to work side by side with you in this ministry. The family of Grace has been very consistent in its support of its staff and is a big reason I remain here as pastor. We love this congregation and look forward to many more years together with you.
Love in Christ
Pastor Matthew Woods (PW)