Author: Rev. Aaron Fenker

Aaron T. Fenker is the pastor of Bethlehem and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Bremen, Kansas. He serves as the Higher Things Dean of Theology.

Categories
Catechesis

Judgment Day: You’re Ready

Judgment Day is coming. It is! You can’t escape it. One day it will be here, and then what? What ever will you do? What will you hear? How can you stand? What will the Judge say when you stand before Him on that day? You know, don’t you? What you’ve done, haven’t done; said, haven’t said; even what you’ve thought.  All of it condemns you. There’s no escaping it. There’s no putting your head in the sand like there’s no Last Day—as if not thinking about it means it won’t come. But it will. It’s inevitable.

Yes, there is a Last Day—a day not when all good things come to an end, but a day when all evil, wicked, and sinful things, and when all sinners will come to an end. That end is the second death—eternity in hell. When will that day be? “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32 NKJV) So what will you do? How can you prepare for something that’s coming at an unknown time—a time even Jesus  doesn’t know?

Well, that’s the rub of it, isn’t it? What to do? People out in the world—and we do it, too—think that if there’s a Last Day coming when all people will be judged, then they need to get some good to balance out the bad. If we’re kind enough, then God might be merciful, which might mean He’ll give us a pass on our misdeeds because of our good deeds. This sort of thinking pops up when we think, “Well, I’m not that bad of a person.” “I’m not as bad as she is.” “At least I don’t do what he’s doing.” We treat God on Judgment Day as if He were a bear: You don’t have to outrun the bear, just run faster than the other guy! “I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to be better than you, and thank God I am!” But no one else will be there with you when you stand before God’s throne. Each person will face the Judgment Seat of God. So what are you doing to prepare?

Repent of such a thought! That’s not how Judgment Day works at all! You don’t get yourself ready for Judgment Day. Jesus gets you ready for that Last and Final Day. What else is there for you to do for Judgment Day that Jesus hasn’t already done? Answer: Nothing! That’s right. Nothing. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Jesus’ Word from Calvary rings true, not only then, but now, and even forever and ever. “Tetelestai! It is finished!” The holy, precious blood and the innocent suffering and death of Christ cleanses us from all sins. There isn’t a single sin that He hasn’t paid for. Jesus finished it all. He drank the cup of the Father’s wrath for sin and every sinner down to the dregs. There’s nothing unfinished. That’s why Jesus said, “It is finished!”

Yes, it’s all finished. Good Friday became Judgment Day—God’s wrath satisfied. Jesus’ work is finished and complete, but now He’s about the business of delivering it. In delivering it, Jesus gets you ready for Judgment Day.

How can you stand on that great day? You shall boldly stand “on that great day, Cleansed and redeemed, no debt to pay.” (“Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” LSB 563:2) Jesus gave you this in the waters of your Baptism. He washed your sins away that day. His death and resurrection are yours. You’re justified, “declared innocent” in Him. That’s what your Holy Baptism delivers as Paul says, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5–7 NIV).

What will you hear on that day? You will hear Jesus say what He’s been saying your whole life and what He said from the cross on Good Friday:  Not only “It is finished!” but also, “Father, forgive them.” And Jesus doesn’t just say this from His cross. He says this to you, too. He says, “I forgive you all your sins.” He sent His preachers, His pastors to say that very thing. He said to them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you…Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you retain them, they are retained.” (John 20:21–23 NKJV) What your pastor says to you, you will hear again. How can you not? The very one who will be your Judge on that Day is the one who was crucified and raised, who sent your pastor to say, “Your sins are all forgiven you.”

What will you do on that day? Well, Judgement Day isn’t a scary day for you, dear Christian. No, not one bit! It’s party day! It’s the wedding party of the Lamb which has no end. You’ve feasted on the flesh and blood of that Lamb in His Supper. Through giving those to you to eat and drink Jesus is getting you ready for the eternal party by forgiving your sins, giving you new life, and awarding eternal salvation. All that is yours. He dwells in you and you in Him by the eating and the drinking of His Body and Blood. Now that you’re in Him, you won’t be locked out of the party. You’ll get to celebrate with Jesus forever.

Judgment Day is coming. It is! You can’t escape it. Yes, there is a Last Day—a day when all good things will continue and begin for you, dear Christian. There’s nothing you have to do. Jesus has already done it all. “Tetelestai! It is finished!” He delivers the benefits of His cross and empty tomb to you. So? Well, that means you receive the benefits of Judgment Day beforehand! You have a clean garment for Judgment Day, with Christ’s righteousness splashed over your forehead at the font. You’ve already had the judgment ring in your ears—“I forgive you all your sins.” You’re ready for Party Day. You’ve already feasted on Jesus’ Body and Blood!

Eternal life awaits you on the Last Day because of Jesus—what He’s done and delivered to you. You’re ready. You have to be! Jesus your Judge, your Savior made sure of that on Good Friday and every day thereafter!

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 11 – Sola Scriptura 4

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker start to wind down talking about Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). If Scripture Alone is sufficient, and it is, why then do you have a pastor who preaches to you?

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 10 – Sola Scriptura 3

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker continue to talk about Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). They talk about the clarity of Scripture and discuss if Scripture is clear, why we have Bible Studies and Bible Commentaries.

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 9 – Sola Scriptura 2

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker take up their next discussion on Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). They talk about how we think about the Old Testament a lot like a bad guy named Marcion who didn’t like the Old Testament and cut it out of the Bible.

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 8 – Sola Scriptura

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker take up their first episode on Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), and you’ll also find out what happens when one of them is lacking in the internet department. It’s all fun times in the Black Cloister.

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 7 – Sola Fide

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker continue their discussion on the Solas of the Reformation. Today they’re talking about Sola Fide—that faith (trust) alone grasps hold of Jesus and His salvation.

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 6 – Sola Gratia

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker continue their discussion on the Solas of the Reformation. Today they’re talking about Sola Gratia—that Christ saves us “by His favor alone.”

Categories
The Black Cloister

Episode 5 – Luther’s Theses, pt. 2

Listen in as Pastors Hull and Fenker, together again after an unintended break, discuss Free Will. They talk about Theses 13–15 of Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation of 1518 and Luther’s Bondage of the Will of 1525.

Categories
Current Events

Higher Things Conferences: Unapologetically Lutheran

By Pastor David Vandercook

The mission of Higher Things is to assist parents, pastors, and congregations in cultivating a distinctly Lutheran identity among their youth and young adults. As a pastor who’s brought groups to Higher Things Conferences for the past five years, I can say with confidence that this is precisely what happens at Higher Things Conferences each summer. This summer, as we anticipate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg, the theme “Here I Stand” was especially appropriate.

At Higher Things, when it’s time for worship, we worship. Each time the opening Divine Service begins for a Higher Things Conference, I’m taken aback by the sheer volume of the singing, as 300+ voices are joined together. What is sung is nothing other than the hymns and the liturgy of our church. There are hymns from throughout history that deliver to us Jesus, who lived and died for us that we might have life in His name. This continues through all the services: Matins each morning, Vespers each afternoon, Evening Prayer each evening, Compline before lights-out each night, and the closing Divine Service on Friday afternoon before everyone goes home. All of these services (taken directly from the hymnal, by the way) deliver to us the goods of the cross—the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation—through the proclamation of the Word, faithful Law-Gospel preaching, Holy Absolution, and the giving and receiving of the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Likewise, when it’s time to learn, we learn. In the first half of the Conference, our plenary sessions went through a timeline of history that stretched from the birth of Christ to today. Dr. Carl Fickenscher showed how significant the Lutheran Reformation was, even though it only consisted of 50 or so years on a timeline that stretches for over 2,000 years. It was made clear that the story of Martin Luther and the Reformation was not just all about Luther, but rather it is a story about Jesus. It is about how the gifts that Jesus won on the cross make it all the way to us here in 2017. During the second half of the Conference, Pastor Aaron Fenker took us through the four “Solas” (Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone) of the Reformation. We were reminded that Christ saved us by grace alone through faith alone in Him alone, and that all of this is revealed to us in Scripture alone.

Then there are the breakout sessions. These offered a wide variety of opportunities to learn about just about every topic under the sun. What do you want to learn about? Want to hear about God’s Word says about things like dating, marriage, homosexuality, and women’s roles in the church? Want to learn about exorcisms in the Lutheran church or more about Luther’s teaching on vocation? Want to learn about what other religious groups like Mormons, Mennonites, and the Amish believe? How about learning about the history or structure of the Lutheran liturgy or learning a bit about playing the pipe organ? Higher Things has it all covered. I think the most difficult thing that many of my kids had to do during the course of the Conference was make some tough decisions about which sectionals they would attend! While the conferences are for youth, adults would and do find themselves right at home in these, too.

Finally, when it’s time to play, we play. While the schedule each day is rigorous, there’s also time to play at Higher Things. Each evening provided something for everyone. Some participated in the Medieval Fashion Show, the chant-off, or the talent show. Others played board or card games. Still others had the opportunity to play basketball, volleyball, nine square in the air, or archery tag. We were even treated to a fireworks show in Mars Hill on Independence Day.

Higher Things is like all other youth events in that it does all the same things that any youth event does: it allows for fellowship between youth. A Higher Things Conference provides youth with the opportunity to meet new people and to have fun. The congregations that I serve are small and located in areas where there very few Lutherans around in general. It’s always good for the youth I bring to see that they are not alone in this world. Here is where the similarities end, really.

With Higher Things, there is so much more than that. Higher Things conferences do exactly what they say they do. It is unapologetically Lutheran. It doesn’t just tell kids that they are Lutherans. It teaches kids what it means to be Lutheran. And most importantly, it teaches why it matters to stay a Lutheran.

Pastor Vandercook serves Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, and Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR.

Categories
Higher Homilies

Higher Homily: The Glory of Jesus

Rev. Aaron Fenker

John 12:20–33

Well, it’s pretty much over, isn’t it? The appointed end has come. The week is winding down. People from all over the nation and even the known world gathered together. The time is run short. Perhaps new friendships were made during that time. Maybe old friends saw each other again. There’s fun and games. Small groups enjoying the Word and fellowship, and, when it’s all over, there’s the long trip back home. It’s all come down to this. Nothing is left undone. Everything’s been packed up nicely. Well, everything except one thing: It was His time. It was high time for Him to be glorified. He had been waiting for it, but now “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” It’s the reason He’s come from the Father. It’s the reason He’s at the Passover Feast – Holy Week. He’s come to be seen in His glory. Jesus reveals Himself. He wants you to see Him this way: There! – behold Him! Crucified! He wages the glorious battle there for you. A crown becomes the Victor’s brow. There He enters His glory, He sits upon His throne, suffering, sighing, bleeding, dying, crucified for you. That’s His glory. It’s His only glory. That’s the only glory that saves you, and JESUS WANTS YOU TO SEE HIS GLORY, THAT IS, HIS BEING CRUCIFIED AND RAISED FOR YOU.

(I. It’s a glory that was seen at Calvary.)

Calvary, Golgotha, the place of the skull, is the place where this glory was seen. It had to be this way. “What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” This was His only purpose for coming. It’s why He was born. He came to manifest His glory. This was finally the time for Jesus to be glorified. Yes, “the hour has come,” for thus the Father willed it, who fashioned us with clay. It was willed from the foundation of the world, and that purpose is now being fulfilled as the Son obeyed His Father’s will, and so He says, “I have come to this hour.” His glory is come, shining forth in the sky, transfixed amidst the firmament for all to see, and it’s this glory that saves you. There we are drawn: all our sins, our curse, our death, our sickness, our pain, crucified in Him. The curse of it all!: God crucified (crowned, enthroned, dead). The glory of it all! “And I, when I am exalted, will draw all people to myself.” God crowned, enthroned, dead: so glorious that it’s too holy for even the blessed angels to behold.

He is glorified there, but glorified even yet again by the Father, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” We hear the name of glory: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” And it was a name glorified again – resurrection glory on top of crucified glory. You need this glory because no other glory can save you except Golgotha glory, crucified glory – Jesus’ glory. The glory of our last minute victories, our good grades, our high marks, our reputation among our friends can’t save us. It’s only false glory. The glory we lord over others, with whatever measure we use to judge others and put them down so that we can be king or queen of the hill. Repent! Jesus’ glory saves you “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” The judgment of the world and devil, the judgment over our sin, which is the forgiveness of that sin, our victory over devil and world, the glory of this judgement is seen in Jesus crucified for you.

(II. It’s a glory seen in our day.)

Jesus crucified, His true glory, is seen even in our day. It was seen for the Greeks BEFORE He was crucified. They asked Philipp, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’…Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’ ” Jesus speaks of His being crucified. From Jesus’ own mouth, “Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.” It’s even seen today. And it doesn’t matter where you are! Look to the preaching. You see Him crucified with your ears, just like the Greeks did that day! Jesus is portrayed there, held there for you as crucified for your sins. See your baptism: “I will draw all people to Myself.” Jesus has dragged you to His death on the cross for you. You’ve been baptized into that death and also His resurrection. See the fruit of Jesus’ cross! His death “bears much fruit.” It wasn’t just water that blossomed forth from that tree, but blood too. You not only see but receive the glory of Jesus’ body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. You’ve seen and received it here in Gainesville, and it’s a glory you see and receive from your altar at home. Jesus’ glory of cross, death, and empty tomb is seen and heard from every single Pulpit, Font, and Altar, and it’s in those places for you.

(III. It’s a glory seen on the Last Day.)

Jesus’ glory is seen in His death on the cross. His glory is seen in His resurrection. Jesus’ glory is that He has been crucified for your sins. It’s the glory He came to reveal, it’s the glory He reveals to you today and every Lord’s day, because it’s the glory that saves you! And it’s a glory we’ll see face to face in the life to come. For on that day we’ll all see that

Those dear tokens of His passion

 Still His dazzling body bears,

Cause of endless exaltation

To His ransomed worshipers.

With what rapture,

Gaze we on those glorious scars!

INI + AMEN.