“His work – our hands”
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are God’s children gathered around His Word and Sacraments in the sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Mesquite, NV. Yet, we live among a people, a community, a town, a state, a nation, and a world that is starving for the truth: true purpose, true meaning, true love, and a multitude of other truths they hope will fill their deepest need. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14: 1-7) for these hopeless and these helpless souls who remain ensnared and enslaved in the power of sin and the devil. We profess our mission at Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church is “to preach, teach, and witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ, administer the Sacraments, and give glory and honor to the Triune God.” Thus, by the power of the Holy Spirit we can and will stand up, go into our heavenly Father’s field, and do the good work that He has given us. Like the Israelites first looking to take possession of the land promised to our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — this is a daunting task (Numbers 13). Like the disciples looking at the multitude in the wilderness that was tired, hungry and thirsty — this is an overwhelming challenge (Mark 6:30-44).
It is the very heart of our God that no sinner should perish but repent and receive eternal life through His only begotten and beloved Son (John 3:16). Jesus tells us that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19: 26). God wills to work through His means of grace (Holy Scripture and the Holy Sacraments). He wills to work in and through you and me. He entrusts and puts His work into our hands to accomplish with the time, talent and treasure He gives us as individual children and as His family here at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
He also knows that as we exodus this life on His path of righteousness Jesus will lead us through many trials and afflictions. The devil will tempt us to abandon His good work, doubt the love of our heavenly Father, and deny the authority and responsibility He has given us to “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28: 19-20). In the Great Commission our risen Lord gives us the authority and responsibility to evangelize (“Go”), be good stewards of God’s means of grace (“baptize…make disciples…teach), and fellowship with Him and one another (“I am with you always”). He assures us that He has defeated all the adversaries (sin, death and the power of the devil on the cross and guarantees it with His resurrection and ascension) and so we can joyfully do His work, according to His will and with His means this day.
By the power of the Holy Spirit may we acknowledge that we may not be able to do all we want but we must do all that God gives us to do with the gifts He bestows on us individually and collectively. He gives us both the good work and provisions (time, talent and treasure) for this day. It may not be the same good work with the same provisions that we had when we were children, as young adults and it may not be the same as when we are approaching the end of our exodus/journey through this veil of tears. Accordingly, pray for wisdom, strength and peace to do His good work according to His will. Finally, let us rejoice, give thanks, and go confidently into the heavenly Father’s field today, tomorrow and to the end of time to do His work with our hands.
