A message from Pastor Berndt
Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech. So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth.(Genesis 11)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The people of Shinar are a very ambitious bunch. Hard workers they are. They wanted to build a tower that reached into the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves. “Look at me.” “Look at what I have done.”
The Lord is not pleased. God brings the wrecking ball against all our sinful plans to reach Him by what we do. The Lord’s Holy Law is brought against our sin. To expose the sinful condition that lives inside each one of us. God’s Law brought against arrogance, adultery, idolatry and rebellion. Repent—Repent of your sin. The Tower of Babel is brought to nothing. All the plans of human smarts is foolishness when used against God. The LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. (Genesis 11)
The Lord has His building project that is good, right and salutary. God builds Zion, the heavenly city, His Bride the Church. I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16)
Jesus’ building project for His Church—Christ gives His life. Jesus comes for sinners—sinners like you and me. Jesus lives a perfect life for you. Doing all of God’s Law. Christ fulfills the Scriptures for you.
Jesus’ building project has a hammer, nails and the wood of the Cross putting to death all your sins. This is the Father’s will—sending His Son to die for you. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us. Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. (Hebrews 13)
In Zion the gifts flow. The Word of the Lord ringing in your ears. Building you up in the faith. Repent and have your sins forgiven. Gifts flow from Jesus in His Living Waters. In Holy Baptism the gift of the Holy Spirit comes down washing you through Water and Word.
Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-22)
The Day of Pentecost comes with God’s gifts for sinners. The Lord is building His Church. Peter is preaching Jesus Crucified and Risen for you. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. (Acts 2)
Scattered no more. Gathering in Zion you are the Lord’s Church. You are His Baptized Children on whom the Lord lavishes His rich gifts of mercy and grace. By the Spirit’s power you hear the Gospel and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ bringing life and salvation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid LSB 500:1
Creator Spirit, by whose aid The world’s foundations first were laid,
Come, visit ev’ry humble mind; Come, pour Your joys on humankind;
From sin and sorrow set us free; May we Your living temples be.
-Pastor Berndt