resurrection

There are 13 posts tagged resurrection (this is page 3 of 5).

Easter Day ’12 – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Mark 16:1-8

08. April 2012
Easter Day
1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Mark 16:1-8

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

It is the first day of a new week. Holy week is ended and the holy season of Easter has begun! Death has given way to life. Darkness unto light. The sealed tomb is opened. The reign of sin is over.

This is a new day and a new week. The old is gone, behold the new has come. With all this newness, what is old? What is tired, dilapidated, and worn-out? What needs replacing, repair, and restoration? What needs the grime, the filth, and the tarnish cleaned, washed, and polished? What is broken, distorted, and useless?

Not what but who. We need to be crucified with Christ and raised with Him. You might not have believed this some weeks ago. Yet, you were marked with Ash as Christ declared “Remember thou art dust and to dust you shall return.” You may have kept the fast or some other Lenten discipline. You rededicated yourself to the study and hearing of God’s Word by attending Wednesday catechesis. But Lent really isn’t about what you do but what Christ does in you.

The holy season of Lent is preparation for a Holy Easter. The preaching of Lent reminded you of your sin, your service to the devil, and your impending death. In Lutheran terms, it was more Law than Gospel. This is a good and gracious thing. We must know who we are before we can learn who we are in Christ. We must know our condition before the recondition in Christ is received in faith. We must know about death to learn about resurrection. You have been prepared and now receive.

“Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” Romans 6:3-4.

Death to the old Adam and newness of life in the resurrected Adam! Easter joys! We are buried and raised with Him. United with him in a death like His and resurrected with Him into newness of life. Sometimes folks like to think of forgiveness as a purely verbal declaration. “I forgive you” but secretly I still hate your guts.

Not so with Christ. When He died for you, He redeemed you from every mortal foe. But He doesn’t leave it at that. No, He couples redemption with grace. He gives to you freedom and equips you with the Holy Spirit to remain in this freedom. You know what it is like apart from Christ. Your Lenten exercises taught you what a miserable thing life would be apart from Jesus’ death and resurrection for you.

When Jesus redeemed you in Holy Baptism, He endowed you with grace. His grace cleanses out the old leaven, malice and evil, hatred of God and of neighbor. This grace of baptism daily crucifies the old flesh, that which is dead in trespasses and old, nasty leaven. This grace of baptism restores you to new life, a new day, a new week, and a eternal resurrection. This days is a “new lump” a day of rejoicing and gladness, a day of thanks and of steadfast love.

The new day has begun! Christ’s resurrection is testimony that redemption is accomplished. What He promised and finished at the cross is most certainly true. He was not condemned to the grave but burst its three day prison. He rose as a testament of the life to come. All who die with Him will rise with Him.

This whole week the Holy Scriptures painted a lovely picture of our Savior as both lamb and conquerer. As the lamb, Christ gave himself as the sacrifice, taking away sin, and giving His own crucified flesh for the food of the Supper. The lamb is a comforting image—not because it is cute and fluffy—but because by the lamb’s death, peace with God once more is made. The lamb’s blood reconciles you to God. You need not fear His wrath, nor death, nor even the devil. For Christ has made everything right again. You can stand before God with a clear conscience, not fearing death, and ignoring the wiles and charms of Satan.

So also we learned of Jesus as Conquerer. All through this Lententide, Christ went from skirmish to battle, defeating all that would assail us. He defeats Satan’s temptations. He is the stronger man who overcomes and divides the spoil. He is the giver of every bodily need. He is the glorious king of Palm Sunday, the victor king ever reigning.

His victory is Golgotha. He overcame death and opened the gates to paradise to all who believe. Therefore let us cleanse out the old leaven of doubt. Let us receive this Easter gift with thanksgiving. Let us embrace His gracious invitation and trust by the Holy Spirit. By preaching and teaching, Word and Sacrament, let us leanse out the old leaven of evil and malice, and receive forgiveness, resurrection, and new life today and into eternity.

The cross and resurrection is the greatest good. Christ’s body and blood given for you is the fruit of the cross. A new and clean heart has new leaven of good desires. The old is gone and the new has come to good effect—new life in Christ for you. This is the new day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. It is a new day, a new week, a new year—a new life!

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana

Funeral of Ernest Harvey Benninghoff – Matthew 20:1-16

24. February 2012
St. Matthias, Apostle
Funeral of Ernest Harvey Benninghoff
Matthew 20:1-16

Dearly beloved, Eileen, Laurie, Chris, Mike, Rob, Jennifer, Paul and Patti, spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchild, brothers and sisters, and all the fellow redeemed—Grace, mercy and peace be to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The text for our meditation is the Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapter 11, especially these words: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The last few months and especially this week have been difficult for you as family. I know they have been especially difficult for you, Eileen. Harv(ey), your dear husband, father, brother, and fellow Christian fought tooth and nail with his blood disease. He fought as only a Marine can—no offense, Hilton, to the other armed forces. He was trained as a soldier and fought his disease like one. He knew he could not avoid it and instead faced it head on. Frequent transfusions and fatigue marred his days.

In the midst of this, Harvey wanted no pity party. He specifically asked that I not reveal his struggles to the congregation. Even his own siblings didn’t know the extent of his disease. In the midst of it ll, he embraced your visits as family, every Sunday afternoon being bombarded by children, grandchildren, and even his beloved great-grandchild. No, he wouldn’t let a little blood issue get in the way of embracing Rowan, as she walked across the living room for the first time, into his arms.

But it would surprise me if you didn’t know what was coming. I’d bet you knew that he was slowing slipping. Even the bravest Marine cannot escape what was on Harvey’s horizon. His congregation at Grace Lutheran Church were not oblivious, despite his private struggles. We noticed his absence. For fifty one years Harvey faithfully attend services at Grace, confessing his sins and receiving absolution from Christ himself. He cherished the Word of God preached and taught in its truth and purity. He longed to receive again the body and blood of his savior in the Sacrament of the Altar. He loved his church and wanted to see no harm come to it.

Perhaps Harvey was even a bit defensive of his congregation. I understand that he jokingly would tell the family, as he left for Grace and his wife and children for their Catholic parish, that they were secretly amassing weapons to take over his church. I’m not surprised he was concerned about me either. Even in sickness, he was concerned for his church’s well-being. He and I visited last month, not just to receive preaching and the Holy Supper, but also to discuss his heartfelt concerns. While we had only begun to get to know each other, that visit left us both reconciled, I think. This was important to Harv.

You see, Harvey had seen Grace through thick and thin, through false teachers, through economic hardship, through building of the our sanctuary and later fellowship hall, through changes to the mass over three and maybe more hymnals (or missals.) Just as he was firmly dedicated to preserving his own life and those he loved, he was dedicated to defending Grace until the last.

It was essential that I defend from the Holy Scriptures the various “changes” that he had seen in my short time at Grace. He did not want to see his church fall into error of doctrine or practice. He did not want to see schism rock his congregation. He wanted to be absolutely confident that I am committed to faithfully teaching God’s Word and that in all things I would not lead his congregation into error.

This sort of steadfastness is unusual. Harvey was a rare bird. He would be quiet and reserved and yet you knew when something was up. You could tell from his body and demeanor. And when you asked, he said it just as he saw it. Thanks be to God for such virtue. Too many silently complain, never unloading their cares and concerns as they ought. Instead, our Harvey wanted nothing less than the truth proclaimed from his church.

Fighting his disease, loving his children, and defending his congregation were not Harvey’s only labors of love. He cherished you, Eileen, in all things. He remained faithful to you through fifty three years and seven children. I have no doubt that your marriage saw struggle. No doubt, there were times you had to defend yourself just as I had, while he “stuck to his guns.” But you and he knew an uncommon kind of love, a marriage of rare grace. Only by God’s providence can anyone live together in holy matrimony as you two did. Only by the forgiveness of sins in Jesus could you and he work through thick and thin, sickness and health.

Of course, this was your vow. Harvey would never, by the help of God, break such a sacred trust. Yet, now, our heavenly Father has taken Harvey from us. So suddenly did he move from headache, to bleeding, pain, and finally to breath his last. That last day was some of the most difficult labor Harvey ever undertook. He fought death until the end, not wanting to depart from you, Eileen, or you, his dear children, and neither any of the rest of his dear family and friends.

Yet, this was his time. Our Father in heaven was calling him home. In the Father’s wisdom, those labors of love—against disease, for family, for church, for beloved wife, and for country—those labors were being brought to an end. The heavy labors that we all know too well would finally be lifted from Harv(ey). And he would want us to remember that this was not because he was better than the next guy. No, he’d want us to say that he was a damn sinner and needed Jesus.

Make no mistake, though. Our dear brother in Christ did not fear his end. He had looked death in the eye before, fighting for our nation or defending the weak and their property as a voluntary fireman. He had no fear of death for he knew his savior Jesus. He knew that even when the labor was difficult, there is promised rest for all in Christ. Jesus was carrying him, giving him the strength to do what need to be done, to say what needed to be said.

Perhaps Harvey considered his labor of love as a reflection of Jesus’ labor of love for him. Perhaps for all those years of hearing faithfully of his savior’s life, passion, death, and resurrection, he knew what it was like to serve the Holy Trinity as he served his family and neighbors. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to redeem Harvey and all who believe, by faithfully laboring in the Father’s vineyard. So, Harvey learned what it is to work and defend, to serve and protect, to love until the end. This was not because he was better or stronger, but because he trusted and relied upon Jesus for his every need.

Harvey took the yoke of faith upon his shoulders, learning from Jesus how to labor. He learned from Jesus gentleness and lowliness of heart, even if he didn’t always show it. Finally, now, he has received the promised rest for his soul. The labor was difficult, the warfare long, but now Harvey rests and rejoices with the saints of heaven.

Dearly beloved, Eileen, Laurie, Chris, Mike, Rob, Jennifer, Paul and Patti, spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchild, brothers and sisters, and all the fellow redeemed —Jesus said: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We hope and Harvey knows what it is like to rest from our labors. He knows the blessed rest of a death with Christ. And make no mistake, Harvey knows the reward for this labor and wears the crown of everlasting life. The battle is over and the victory won. Thanks be to God. Amen.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

 

Ernest Harvey Benninghoff

June 7, 1936 – + – February 21, 2012

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant Ernest Harvey Benninghoff.

Harvey was given life by her creator and was born on June 7, 1936, the child of Hilton and Irene Benninghoff. He received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God that same month at Concordia Lutheran in Hessville. On April 2, 1950, he publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed at St. John Lutheran in Calumet City. He regularly received the gracious gift of the Lord’s life-giving body and blood in the Holy Supper.

On February 7, 1959, Harvey received the gift of a beloved companion in his wife, Eileen Benninghoff neé Dumbsky. They were blessed with the gift of seven children: Laurie, Chris, Mike, Rob, Jennifer, Paul and Patti. God blessed Harvey’s life with many special people as he served God in his vocations at home, church, work, community, and country.

Finally, on February 21, 2012, God blessed Harvey with a holy death and took him home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our brother, Harvey.

Easter Festival Service 2011 – Mark 16:1-8; Job 19:23-27; Psalm 118

24. April 2011
Easter Sunrise Festival Service
Mark 16:1-8; Job 19:23-27; Psalm 118

In the garden there are two trees. One brings life and the others brings death. One bears the fruit of life eternal. The other bears fruit giving knowledge of good and evil. Both are from God but both are not for man.

Mankind was never meant to know evil. We were created in God’s image, possessing God’s goodness, bearing fruit in keeping with our Father and creator. We were to live in the garden forever, walking with God in righteousness and holiness. We would bask in his glorious radiance, day in and day out. Our lives were to be full of feasting and joy, the bliss of God’s own family in God’s own home.

But one man, Adam, did not love God with his whole heart. He stood by idly while the woman, whom God gave him, blissfully listened to the tempting Serpent. The serpent lies were truthful sounding. They were the truth laced with that poison of doubt, “did God really say?”

“Did God really say not to eat of the tree that would make you like him?” Actually, yes. But we don’t much care for God’s Word, at least not the “thou shalt nots.” We’re like infant children. We love what our parents give us. We love their care and nurture, their love and affection. We love our mother’s milk and our father’s deep voice. But when either parent says “no,” our smile fades, our brow furrows, and we let out a howl like bloody murder.

We’re too quick to judge Adam for his sin. Surely, he knew better than to go against God’s holy command. Surely he should have left that tree and its fruit alone. I’m sure there was a bit of trepidation before Eve took the first bite and handed the delicious and deadly fruit to Adam.

That one sin had fatal consequences. God’s anger was kindled against man and against the tempting snake. The sweat of the brown and the pain raising godly children was their burden. Animals were slaughtered and their hides given for clothing for ashamed man.

God cursed man to live outside the garden, away from him. Their God and Lord banished them from his kingdom. Angels with flaming swords permanently bar the entrance, threatening to slice and dice even the littlest intruder.

Since then mankind is doomed to wander in the wilderness of exile. Our sustenance comes only with by ripping it from the soil or its blood spilt. Our homes and families are tended to with great sorrow, grief, and exhaustion. Even the the forces of nature have turned against us, flooding and tornados, earthquake and tsunami.

That’s what life is without God. Without God, we are parched and barren, devastated and doomed. Our life has become the living hell. Its not God’s fault. Our forefather, his children, and even all of us have followed thereafter in rejecting God and his injunctions, “thou shall not.”

Into this fallen creation, this ugly reality, Jesus is born. The son of a pious Jew named Mary. The illegitimate but adopted son of Joseph. He is like us in most every respect. His life began as the tiny fertilized egg in the womb of Mary. He grew into the zygote, the embryo, and whatever other names science has given to children growing in wombs. His heart beats, his limbs, his senses, and his mind grows. In the safety of a woman’s womb he grows until the day he leaves to shine his radiance upon the earth.

But he isn’t like us in every respect. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Through a miraculous word of God, spoke by his angel Gabriel, God the Father beget his Son. Son of Mary, to be sure, but Son of the only and almighty Father. Born of woman but born without sin.

This Christmas miracle is as brilliant then as it is today. For what was once the case is now the case again. God’s image bearer was to conceive and give birth to children who would be God’s own likeness again. Perfect creatures of the perfect God. Yet before the good gift of children was given to our first parents, they entered into corruption. We never saw what life as the family of God have been like in the garden.

Yet, the Father begets a savior to those whom he had cast out to wander. The Father gives the redeemer of the world to the world who has forgotten, neglected, or even hates him. This is the way of salvation. One man brought us to corruption. Now one man returns us to God.

We have heard again how our Lord was baptized with our sin. In the river Jordan he took our trespasses into himself. We have heard how he revealed himself through miracles of healing, over nature, and exorcism. We have heard how he fasted for our sake, showing us true obedience.

Unlike our ancestor Adam, he resisted Satan’s lies. Three times the great Deceiver tried to lead him astray and he resisted.

Then, he travelled from Israel and Judah, to the Decapolis and to Samaria to gather the scattered children of Adam. They gathered about him, pressing on him from every side. They know he is different. They know that he is in this world but most definitely not of this world.

Everything that had gone so terribly wrong by Adam is restored by the new Adam. Seas are calmed, bleeding is stopped, demons are cast into the ocean deep to drown, and food never runs out.  The faithful remnant gathers about him, listening with anxious breath.

The pestering multitude has heard of the resurrection of Lazarus. What a miracle, they think. They follow him close, hoping that they will be part of his kingdom when it comes.

Into Jerusalem they go. Now, they have their king, the Son of David, the Messiah. Waving palm branches and strewing their coats before him, they follow. They follow singing “Hosanna in the Highest!”

But Christ is not entering into a kingdom of this world. His kingdom is of God and from God. It is not of Caesar or Jerusalem. Nor does his kingdom come through fanfare and pomp. It comes when the lowly son rides forth to die.

While Adam saw the flaming swords of the cherubim barring his way, Christ saw the murderous swords and clubs of the mob. Roman and Jew alike burned hot for his blood. Both Roman and Jew condemn him to die. He will not escape this world except through the sharp nails, piercing sword, and the fires of hell.

But notice this, he is lifted high upon the wooden cross. They fastened for his death a tree, torturous and deadly. But upon the tree is not the end.

For this tree is not the knowledge of good and evil. This tree is the tree of life. From its boughs hang the fruit of Christ’s death. He is the all-atoning death and all-sufficient sacrifice. He is our Passover lamb, who has been sacrificed.

His blood now covers the door’s posts and lintel. The way that was barred is now open. Freedom from bondage is purchased in his blood. The life is in the blood and it is now poured out for you and the sins of the whole world.

Then they took his body and laid it in the new tomb. This tomb was in a garden. Its probably not as spectacular as the original. But the fruit of the tree, the cross of Christ, lay upon the stone, sealed until his kingdom comes.

That day is today. The garden of God, where we would dwell with him forever is once again opened. The flaming swords no longer swing. Through Christ, we have entrance into God’s own dwelling place, his holy of holies. Through the death of Christ, the bonds of sin are shattered, the way of heaven is opened, and we are led on the path of righteousness for his name sake.

We know that our Redeemer lives. For not even death could hold him. Its stranglehold has been loosed, its death grip broken. Death has no victory nor any sting. Having destroyed sin and crushed Satan with cross, this last enemy is no match for our Lord.

Those women had forgotten how he had said that Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day rise. They fled to the garden, with the tree of death still etched in their mind’s eye. And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back… And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

So it is with the cross. What looks like a tree of death is truly the tree of life. What looks like the sacrifice hated and cursed by God is the only sacrifice that takes away each and every one of our sins. What looks like a garden for the dead becomes a place of rest for those who sleep until the resurrection.

Make no mistake, that’s the point. Resurrection. What Adam destroyed, our Lord restores. The curse of death upon the living is reversed and life is given to the dying. The kingdom of God is opened to all believers. Even after our skin has been thus destroyed, we shall see God for ourself, and our eyes will behold and not another.

The time of death is over. The curse of man has end. Today is a new day, the day of resurrection. It is the day that Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us rejoice and receive the fruit of the tree. THe lamb that was sacrificed. The blood that is life. Let us eat and drink and never die.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana