The story that I am about to tell you is true. I received it from our Synod's military services committee this past week. It ought to hit us here (heart) when we think about the reason behind our Memorial Day celebration. At the same time it serves as a good illustration of truths that Jesus gives us in our text. It goes like this.
In a corner of Dover AFB is a building called Port Mortuary. The mission of those who work there is stated this way: “Return America 's fallen heroes with dignity, honor, and respect.” It's got to take a special person to work there, because through its doors are carried all of our country's military personnel who have been killed in action. There a team prepares the body to be sent home with an Honor Guard. Many times the casket contains only pieces .
As I read the story the next part gripped me. It made me think how often our lazy flesh tempts us to take shortcuts in life instead of striving for our best, especially as we serve God and His people. Taking shortcuts often hurts because the window of opportunity that the Lord gives to touch souls with the gospel can quickly close.
The Commander was watching how things were going that day. The team was spending a great amount of time with one of the casualties. Coming closer, he saw that the bottom half of the soldier had been blown away. The team was working on his jacket.
The problem was the nametag; they couldn't get it straight. In frustration one team member asked another to try. That one also failed. A third tried. Still no success! Finally, they discovered the problem. The pocket had been sewn onto the jacket wrong! If the nametag was lined up with the pocket, it looked crooked on the jacket; if lined up on the jacket, it was crooked with the pocket. It never would look straight! So they took off the jacket, found another of the same size, replaced all the ribbons, and re-pinned the nametag. It took a while. Meanwhile, more bodies were waiting.
When they were done, the Commander encouraged the team: “I know that you went through a lot of trouble. The family will probably never be aware of this. But, some mother is going to be grateful when this casket is opened in the home town.”
One of the team members replied: “Sir, this casket is slated for cremation. Only God will see this .” That story ought to strike us in at least two ways. First, if in gratitude to God these fellow soldiers were willing to devote such time and energy to respect the memory of a fallen warrior, shouldn't we who gain the benefits of the freedom they died for do the same? Secondly, if we all were willing to devote such effort to something that only God would see, isn't that enough?
But the sad truth is that all too often we aren't grateful enough to those who served and those who died to preserve our liberties. And all too often we don't make the effort that is needed when God will see what we do.
(I. Only God Will See as we do the will of the heavenly Father.)
That obviously begs the question: “What does God want us to do?” In the first part of our text, Jesus answers that when He says: “Do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” What is the will of the heavenly Father we are to do that only He will see?
Well, dear friends, there are many things that God wants us to do. The best summary of it all is the Ten Commandments. That's God's eternal, unchangeable, holy will. But here Jesus is especially zeroing in on the Second Commandment. Do you remember it?
If you're as old as I am, you learned it as: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” If younger you learned it as, “Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” In either case its meaning comes out the same. Luther explained its meaning this way: “We should fear and love God that we do not curse, swear, practice witchcraft (superstition), lie, or deceive by His name. But call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.”
Now, which of those ways of misusing God's name in vain is Jesus' talking about here? Listen to the first part again: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing (they appear gentle), but inwardly they are ferocious wolves (they will tear you apart)….Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
I don't know about you, but to me those are some scary words. Not all who use the name of the Lord Jesus will enter the kingdom of heaven. Not all who claim to be prophets of the Lord, actually speak His truth. Not all who loudly profess Christianity actually are Christian. To some who say that they serve Him, who think that they are doing their best, who think that they deserve eternal life – to them God will close heaven. Why? Because God will see that they aren't actually doing the will of the heavenly Father.
But aren't they doing the will of God when they work for the Lord? They pray more often; they preach in His name. Some even do miracles and drive out demons. People think highly of them, admire them, read their books, and envy them. Like the Pharisees of old, they've attained the heights of outward piety. “Such good Christians,” they say. But God says, “I never knew you. Get away from me.” That's scary! That's hell's misery forever.
You know, a person can pull the wool over our eyes and fool us. Maybe only God will see what someone stands for. But, like the Bible says, “Don't be deceived: God cannot be mocked” (Ga.6:7). He isn't fooled; He can't be fooled; and He won't brush it off if a person doesn't do His will. That one will be judged for it.
So again, for our eternal welfare we've got to ask: “What is God's will?” Later Jesus responds so clearly (Jn.6:40): “My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
God's will is not so much that you do something with your hands, but that you believe something in your heart. It is the simple God-given truth that you can't save yourself, because, like Paul said in the Epistle Lesson today: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We all deserve hell because of our sin. Thank goodness for Christ Jesus, the Savior who died for it! Because of what He did, “righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ Jesus to all who believe.” They enter the kingdom of heaven..
Dear friend, trust in the Savior; He's forgiven you. Because of what He did you are saved from sin. That's His promise - heaven through His grace, not through your activity. It's the heavenly Father's will that you believe it for only faith receives this gift.
For that purpose He gave you His Holy Spirit whom the Bible says leads you to faith (1Co.2:10f) as He “works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phlp.2:13). Only God Will See it for only He can look upon the heart. But isn't that enough? It doesn't matter what others see or don't see. It's important what God sees, and a heart that trusts the Savior shall be saved.
(II. Only God Will See as we build on His foundation – Christ.)
But, to maintain that faith, you have to know the right things and build on the right things. That's why Jesus warned, “Watch out for false prophets.” You can tell them by what they say – even we can see it. If God says this and they say that, it's not hard to tell.
For example some say that the Bible is not 100 percent God's Word. Some say God is not the only creating force. Some say that Jesus isn't true God, that he was only a man. Some teach that you aren't a full-fledged Christian unless you speak in tongues or do miracles. Some say that babies shouldn't be baptized. Some say that any religion will do, as long as you are sincere. Some say that believing in Jesus isn't enough to be saved; you have to do some things, too. Jesus says all false teachers are dangerous. Like ferocious wolves they will hurt you. He also says you can see them as easily as fruit on a tree. Not only God sees but you will see it, too, if you build on His foundation.
So, dear friends, save yourselves a lot of grief. Don't listen to them, watch them on TV, or read their books. There is no such thing as a little false doctrine; it affects everything they say like yeast affects the whole batch of dough. On the Last Day the Lord will cut them down and throw them into the fires of hell for the rotten trees they are. And you don't want to go with them.
It's God's will that you hear only the true words of Christ . He's the sure foundation on which to build your faith. When you build on Him, the rains of adversity, the streams of troubles, and the winds of false teaching will not wash you away, for you have built your faith on a solid foundation that will stand.
I would imagine that from now on, since Katrina, when the people on the Gulf Coast hear that a storm is coming, they will take care. Even in Missouri after the storms this spring, the same will be true. We will all want to make sure that we're on high ground and safe. I'd also assume that construction is stronger than it was before. How foolish if people aren't building in better ways.
May God the Holy Spirit help us build our faith on Christ and His words alone. Then the strongest winds of the devil cannot move us, for Christ is the rock “against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.” Maybe only God will see it. But isn't that enough? And may we also give thanks to God for those who gave their lives in service so that the blessing of liberty to worship the Savior in truth could be ours; for Jesus' sake. Amen.