Sermon for Desiree Muller’s Confirmation of the Faith Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! David prays in the introit for this day, “Your testimonies are righteous forever [O Lord]; Give me understanding that I might live” (Psalm 119:144).
Dear Desiree: Most of the children in my confirmation classes have come at the command of their parents. If they could choose not to attend, they would; they know it and I know it. Similarly, there are some adults who attend my confirmation instruction as though it were the curious Lutheran custom they must observe in order to get what they want. They come into the classroom with their minds already made up and they leave the same way, unmoved by what I have shown them in God’s Word. You came to confirmation class, neither by parental compulsion nor by adult formality. You wanted to come and you wanted to learn and you came on account of love, and I admire you for that. Primarily, you came because you love your husband and your husband is Lutheran and (praise be to God) will be nothing other. But your place in this congregation has never been a formality—it has been a matter of utmost seriousness for you and for me from the beginning of our study together. You came to confirmation class because you needed to come, but you did not come with resignation. The best-trained American soldier could not have moved forward with more courage or wariness than you exhibited while you held your Bible as your only weapon and defense. I do not think the imagery of combat is too strong to describe our study together. We did not meet on the field as enemies, to be sure, but we have indeed waged a war and we each have gained certain ground nonetheless. I think today is a hard-won day for both of us. I have never taught a class for which I needed so carefully to prepare, nor one in which I have felt so aware that my student was thoroughly braced for my every move. You have required me all the more to pray, and I feel fairly confident that you yourself have likewise prayed, at least along these lines, “Your testimonies are righteous forever [O Lord]; Give me understanding that I might live” (Psalm 119:144). Do not stop praying this prayer. Continue to pray it for yourself, and pray it also for me. At a few points in our class, when I found myself unable to speak and to teach as well as I ought on certain subjects, I asked if you could simply trust me on that particular matter. I asked for your trust, not because I was trying to evade the question, but because we all have our limits—both in understanding and in ability to express ourselves. I asked you to trust that I am a vigilant and faithful pastor who will never lead you astray. You gave me that trust, and because you did, we are both now in deeper water than we were when we first started our confirmation studies. · For my part, I must continue to be found faithful. In order for this to happen, my Lord Jesus must continue to open my mind (Luke 24:45), open my eyes to see wonderful things in His Word (Psalm 119:18), and give me understanding. “Give me understanding [O Lord] that I might live.” · For all the trust you have been willing to give, you are now about to confirm the Christian faith as you have learned it from me. This does not mean that your study of the Scriptures has ended; your study entered a newer, graver phase. You no longer study for your own benefit. Now you must consider yourself bound to the other members of our congregation, trusting your pastor but not merely trusting him. You and all God’s people in this place must trust the pastor in light of God’s Word. You must continue to find me faithful. In order for this to happen, your Lord Jesus must continue to open your mind (Luke 24:45), open your eyes to see wonderful things in His Word (Psalm 119:18), and give you understanding. “Give [Desiree] understanding [O Lord] that [she] might live.” Among the many things with which we might continue to struggle as we grow in faith together, we need not doubt that God is faithful. He shall not fail to answer our prayers. He gave His Son Jesus to you and to me. Jesus has done more than cleanse us of every sin and cover our every imperfection. Jesus has indeed given us new ears and new eyes and new minds so that we may understand and live. I am glad to be called your pastor. ___________________________________________________________________ 'CAT 41 Sermons & Devotions' consists of works that are, unless otherwise noted, the copyrighted property of the various authors; posting of such gives members of this list implied consent for redistribution _with_attribution_ unless otherwise specified by the author (as long as no charge is made for the work and it is not made part of a compilation), as well as for quoting or use in a congregational setting _with_or_without_attribution_. Note: This list's default reply is to the *poster*, NOT the list. Do *not* reply to the list with your comments, but to the poster. Subscribe? Send ANY note to: sermons...@cat41.org Unsubscribe? Send ANY note to: sermons-...@cat41.org Archive? <http://www.mail-archive.com/sermons@cat41.org/> For more information on this or other lists offered by Confess And Teach For Unity, you can contact the CAT 41 list administrator at: Rev. Fr. Eric J. 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