Pastor Kachelmeier is the guest on Issues, Etc. talking about Zephaniah 3.

Christ is Yahweh the King of Israel in the midst of His people.

(click here to listen to the interview on Issues, Etc.)

The Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 20, 2015

Readings:
Micah 5:2-5
Psalm 80
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:29-45

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

During this Advent season, we watch, we wait, and we anticipate the Christmas Day. That is the day of our dear Savior’s birth. This is not a birthday in which we eat birthday cake. No, this is the Day of Lord’s Visitation in which we eat the bread of His presence. In days of Micah, the people of God were waiting for the Christ Child to be born. Instead of seeking the LORD at Jerusalem, they we to search for the LORD in Bethlehem.

The Prophet preached, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.” (Micah 5:2–3, ESV)

This Child would be the promised Ruler. He will sit on the throne of His father David. He will be born in the city of David- not Jerusalem, but in Bethlehem. The city where David was born. This would be a new Kingdom. He would reign over the house of Jacob forever. His Kingdom will have no end.

This Child would be the promised Ruler. His coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. He is eternally begotten from God the Father. He was in the beginning. He is the beginning. His coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. The promise of His coming was given to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

This Child would be the promised Ruler. Ruler’s reign and govern bringing order where there is disorder. That means that there will be a regime change. Under the old way, there was injustice and wickedness. Under the new way, there will be justice and righteousness. In order to bring about this change, the current establishment must be disestablished.

This Child would be the promised Ruler. He comes to overthrow the ruler of this world, that is, the devil. The devil usurped the reign of God among us, buy Christ is the rightful heir of the Kingdom.

Now, here in lies a problem. We all have invested interests in this fallen world. We are born loyal to the lying serpent.. By nature we are intoxicated with iniquity. We want wickedness. We desire disobedience. We treasure transgressions. We think that we are in control. We will not let go without a fight. We need a Ruler from God who can override, overrun, and overrule the control and governance of sin in our lives.

All humanity is conceived and born in sin. The fruit of Eve’s womb has been cursed. We are brought forth in iniquity. We live out our days addicted to sin. We have all been given the death sentence. Yet, ever since the days of Eve, we have received a promise of a substitute who would take our sentence and grant us pardon. This substitute would be born of a woman at the proper time.

Until that time came, God instituted a sacrificial system. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Under Moses a tabernacle was constructed. Under Solomon a temple was built. The city of Jerusalem was chosen by God to be the place of His presence. It was a great city. However, the offerings of goats and bulls God did not desire. The sacrifices of animals were merely types and shadows of the True Atoning Sacrifice. God desires a change of heart and mind, eyes and ears, lips and mouths, feet and hands. God wills that the whole body and soul of each individual to be renewed and restored.

In Psalm 40, the Only-Begotten Son declared, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.”” (Psalm 40:7–8). In order to do God’s will, in order to be our substitute, a body was prepared for Him in a womb. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin. He received a heart and mind, eyes and ears, lips and a mouth, feet and hands. Mary believed the promise and was called blessed. Blessed is she amongst women. Blessed is the fruit of her womb.

In her womb a body was prepared for the Son of the Most High. In this body, the Only-begotten Son of God was given an open ear to hear. The Father’s words were placed within His heart. He went from little to great. Over His head the anointing of the Holy Spirit remained. His hands did the deeds of good. His own feet were set upon a rock. His steps were made secure. He did not slip. A new song was placed in His mouth and His lips did not refrain from teaching. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

He preached the glad news of deliverance to His brothers. However, His brothers did not receive Him. His own people did not believe Him. They chose to abort Mary’s boy and put an end to His teaching. They wanted to terminate His life and cut Him off from the land of the living. They tried to prevent His Kingdom from coming.

Judas sold His body parts for 30 pieces of silver. The soldiers struck His head and placed a prickly crown upon His brow. They pierced His hands and nailed His feet to a tree. They would need to some type of forceps to extract that body from the cross. His ears were filled with mockery. His eyes beheld the priests and rabbis looking at Him with disgust. His mouth was swollen from being struck. Blood was upon His lips. A spear sliced through His side like a surgical scalpel. The body that came forth from the womb of a handmaiden was placed in the tomb of a rich man.

By the offering of Christ’s body, we have been sanctified once for all. Christ comes to do away with the First Testament in order to establish the Second Testament. The old is over and the new is now. With His holy, precious blood of the New Testament, He makes us His own so that we would live under Him in His Kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. He is preparing our bodies by pardoning them from treason. The King comes to populate His Kingdom with sinners. The Prince of Peace comes to colonize His city with rebels. His rule means our release from the captivity of sin. His rule means the remission of our transgressions. He is our Ruler. His our peace. Amen.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
Los Alamos, NM

IC XC
NI KA

Cyril of Alexandria On the Unity of Christ

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this lecture we continue our discussion on Christology in light of St. Cyril’s text On the Unity of Christ.

Download this lecture by clicking on the link below:

Cyril-of-Alexandria-On-the-Unity-of-Christ-Part2

Pastor Kachelmeier is the guest on Issues, Etc. talking about Psalm 66.

In the mystery of the incarnation we see what God has done for the children of man.

(click here to listen to the interview on Issues, Etc.)

The Third Sunday in Advent
December 13, 2015

Readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Psalm 85
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 7:18-28

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Last week we heard the word of the Prophet Malachi, “And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple; the Messenger of the Covenant in whom you delight, behold He is coming” (Malachi 3:1). This week we listen to the question of the Prophet John the Baptizer, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Luke 7:20). John the Baptist is the messenger preparing the way of the LORD. “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand. Jesus the Messiah is the Messenger of the Covenant. “Repent and believe.”

The role of the prophet was one of attentiveness to God’s actions in the life of His people. The duty of the Seer was to see the vision of the Christ and make the revelation known. The prophet looks, watches, and searches.  He hears and listens to God’s Word and then preaches and teaches God’s Word. The prophets were God’s messengers. The message of the coming Messiah was proclaimed by the prophets of old. He would purify the sons of Levi. He would dwell in the midst of His people. The promise of the appearance of the King of Israel was foretold.  He would come from the sons of Judah. He would extend His Kingdom to all nations.

John was sent by God to seek the One upon whom the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. John was instructed by God to be the voice crying out in the wilderness. Suddenly, Christ appeared. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The disciples of John were now set on Jesus. As their eyes are set on Jesus, our ears are extended to hear Jesus. Jesus declares, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard, the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”” (Luke 7:22–23). The role of the disciples is one of attentiveness to God’s actions in the life of His people. The disciple, sees and hears. He observes and heeds. The disciple set his eyes on the miracles and lifts up his ears to the message. The disciple looks at the sacraments and listens to the word.

The Season of Advent is a time of preparation. The Day of Inspection is at hand. Listen to God’s Word spoken to you God’s people, “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.” (Zephaniah 1:12). “Repent and believe.” On the Last day, all that is part of this corrupted creation will be wiped off of the face of the earth. It is a day of wrath, a day of darkness, a day of burning anger, and a day of the trumpet blast and battle cry against the earthly kingdoms of darkness. Silver and gold will be unable to deliver on the Day of the LORD. Woe to those who are defiled and dead in their sin. Without Christ as your Savior it is you and your sin against God. Without Christ as your King it is you and your kingdom against God’s Kingdom. “Repent from you sin and believe in your Savior.”

Ever since the beginning of time, there have been those who refuse to see and believe. They do not seek the LORD. Such people do not want to look and listen. They do not desire His Word. They sing about the sinfulness. The songs of the world are about sin. The words are filled with ragging and boasting in their iniquity. Their jingles are about rejoicing in their rebellion. These are the songs that the world teaches us to sing. It is in our human nature to declare war on God and set up our own little kingdom. In our realms we establish our reign. It is in our DNA to fight against the Creator and hide behind our own sinful freedom. In our independence we pretend there is no pain.

Let us not be fooled. Where there is sin, there is suffering, there is sorrow, and there is sadness. The message of all of the Prophets of old was given to us in order to make us wise. The Holy Spirit is teaching us a new song in which we boast in Christ. Seek the LORD and live. He is the Deliverer from whom true liberty rings. Seek the Light in the darkness. He is the Sun of Righteousness with true healing in His wings. Blessed are those who do not turn back to folly but live in Wisdom. Christ is God’s Wisdom with us. Blessed are those who hear the Word of Peace. Christ is the Prince of Peace for us. Blessed are those who take refuge in Christ. He is the King in our midst.

Where Christ is present in the midst of His people, there is restoring, there is repairing, there is rejoicing. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4). The Holy Spirit is placing a new song upon our lips. “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!”

What is our cause for rejoicing? The LORD has taken away the judgments against you. Christ is the Lamb that carries our sin. He has cleared away your enemies. Do not fear death or the devil. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst. He is in our midst today coming to us in bread and body. Our King comes to us in wine and blood. In Him, you shall never again fear evil. He delivers us from the evil one.

What is the reason for the Advent season? In Christ, God will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you by his love. He will exult over you with loud singing. God’s joy is the source of our joy. On the Day of the LORD He removes the things that do not belong in His Kingdom. He is casting out spiritual darkness. He is expelling the enemies who try to prevent His kingdom from coming through false doctrine and false liturgy. Christ is eliminating physical sadness from pain and sorrow, from sickness and illness, and from diseases and death.

In the days of John the Baptists He removed the things that do not belong to His Kingdom. He threw out the false teachers and spiritual oppressors and replaced them with the Apostles and their successors. He removed the physical and spiritual things that do not belong to His Kingdom. He eliminated blindness, paralysis, and deafness. He started with the physical and moved toward the spiritual in which He bestowed the grace, mercy, and the forgiveness of sins. In our day He is starting with the spiritual and working toward the physical. He removes transgression, sinful expression, and immoral obsession. We hear it now. We will see it in the resurrection of our bodies on the Last Day. On that day, there will be no more pain, sorrow, or sadness.

On this day, we see it in His resurrected body given to us to eat. We are beginning to look and listen as we receive His Sacraments and Words. We are starting to see and hear as we sing and rejoice. He is the Lord whom we seek. He is the Messenger of the Covenant in whom we delight. On the Last Day, we will see and hear the resurrected LORD with our own resurrected eyes and ears. Until then, He continues to heal our hearing and correct our sight with His Word and sacraments. Amen.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
Los Alamos, NM

IC XC
NI KA

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Cyril of Alexandria On the Unity of Christ

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this lecture we begin a series on Christology. Christology is the study of the true knowledge of the person and work of Christ as revealed in the God-breathed scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Christ is the Savior who has come to save fallen humanity. He is true God begotten from all eternity and also true man born of the Virgin Mary. These are the two natures of the one Christ. The divine nature is eternal and the source of all life. The human nature is mortal and able to die. Christ is one person consisting of the personal union of these two natures. We do not confuse or mix the divine and human natures saying that He has only one nature. We confess the two natures of Christ. In the same way, we do not separate His divinity from His humanity saying that He subsists of two persons. We confess Christ to be one person of the Blessed Holy Trinity. In this series, we will use Cyril of Alexandria’s writing On the Unity of Christ as a basis for discussing the problems of the false Christology of Nestorianism which separates the divine nature from the human nature creating two different persons, sons, and christs.

Download this lecture by clicking on the link below:

Cyril-of-Alexandria-On-the-Unity-of-Christ-Part-1

The Second Sunday in Advent
December 6, 2015

Readings:
Malachi 3:1-7
Psalm 66
Philippians 1:1-11
Luke 3:1-14

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

During the season of Advent we are learning. We are learning to desire the First Coming of Christ in the holy incarnation. We are learning to seek Christ now as He comes to us in His word and sacraments today. We are leaning to long for the Second Coming of Christ on the Last Day.

Last week we heard the apostolic blessing upon us that “the Lord would make us increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” Likewise, listened to the Apostle hope that our hearts would be established blameless in holiness before our God. This can only take place in Christ.

This week we hear the apostolic prayer for the church. St. Paul writes, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more…”  The Coming Lord desires that our love may abound more and more. Christ comes to us this day as King with a Kingdom abounding in love. Christ comes to us this day bringing an abundance of love.

As His love abounds more and more for us, our love for others is to abound more and more. He died for us so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but live for Him. He lives for us so that we may die to our own sinful flesh and live for Him. He loves us and gives Himself for us so that we may love others and give ourselves for them in which we are abounding in love more and more. Out of your abundance give to others in need. Serve in your vocation whether you are a tax collector or a soldier. Serve in the place were God has placed you whether you are a parent or a child. Live in love.

However, we live in a world that does not abound in love more and more. We dwell in a time where murder abounds more and more from dismembered babies in mothers’ wombs to beheaded Christians in mass tombs. We reside in a place where disorder abounds more and more. We have entered a secular season that tempts us to ignore evil and abound in possessions more and more.

Let us not be fooled. This is the world that hates Christ. This is the creation that sentenced the Creator to death. This is the place that rebels against God’s order. This is the realm that abounds more and more in Evil One.

Yet, this is the place that Christ comes to redeem. Christ comes as King with a Kingdom abounding in love. Christ comes to bring an abundance of love. Christ seeks to make our lives would abound more and more in love. Christ desires that our lives would be filled more and more with the fruit of righteousness.

This week we hear the apostolic prayer for the church. St. Paul writes, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11). Where there is fruit, there is a season, that is, a time period for growing fruit. Where there is a season, there is an end, that is, a time period for growing fruit will cease. Where there is an end, there is a time for harvest, that is, a point where the fruit will be gathered and inspected.

As we are being prepared for the day of inspection, we hear the voice crying out in the wilderness. He says, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:8–9).

In the season of Advent, we are learning to inspect our own fruit with knowledge and all discernment, so that we may approve what is excellent. After examining our own fruit, we realize that we do not love God as we should. We do not love others as we love ourselves

Let us not be fooled. Christ comes to His people first for inspection. Understand that the human heart is deceitful above all things. It is desperately sick. Who can understand it? The LORD searches the heart and tests the mind. Do you not realize that the One who made your mind knows what you are thinking? The one who made your ears, hears all that you say. The one who made our eyes, sees all that you do. You will have to give an account according to the fruit of your deeds. Once we have examined our own fruit and found its deficiency, we are ready to observe His fruit.

Come and see what the LORD is doing. Look at the fruit of the Lord’s deeds for you. Behold, the Lord whom you seek suddenly comes to His temple, His house, His body the Church where He is present. Behold the Messenger of the Covenant in whom you delight comes to His temple, His house, His body, the bread of His presence.

Come and hear what the LORD is saying. Listen to the Message of the New Testament. “This is My blood poured out for you. I purify you like gold and silver so that you will bring offerings in righteousness, and spiritual sacrifices of praise. He is the Living Vine. In Him, we are living branches. In Him, we bear living fruit. Behold the Message of the New Testament: “Blessed is the man who trusts in Jesus, whose trust is Jesus. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17). Look, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Amen.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
Los Alamos, NM

IC XC
NI KA

Pastor Kachelmeier is the guest on Issues, Etc. talking about Daniel 7.

““I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.” (Daniel 7:13)

(click here to listen to the interview on Issues, Etc.)

The Gospel According to St. Isaiah- Chapters 38 and 39

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this lecture we finish chapter 38 and chapter 38. King Hezekiah turns to the LORD in prayer. The LORD grants Hezekiah healing and life.

Download this lecture by clicking on the link below:

Isaiah-Chapters-38-and-39

The First Sunday in Advent
November 29, 2015

Readings:
Jeremiah 33:14–16
Psalm 25:1–10
1 Thessalonians 3:9–13
Luke 19:28–40

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today we enter the season of Advent. During these days, we wait with the saints of old. The days are coming when the Righteous Branch shall spring up. We hope with the persecuted church on earth. The time is approaching when the King shall return to execute justice on the nations.

Today we begin a new liturgical year. During these days we realize that this might be our last year together. We do not know if we have one more year or ten. This might be our last day together. We do not know when the Last Day will begin. This might be our last hour together. We do not know at what hour the Lord will come again. Does this make a difference to you? How would you live your life if you only had one year left? What about one day? What about one hour?

Today we start with a New Year’s resolution. Let us pledge ourselves to increase and abound. I do not mean with foods like on Thanksgiving Day in which we increase and abound in our waists. I do not mean with goods like on Black Friday in which we increase and abound in our storage units. Rather, let us pledge ourselves to increase and abound in love. Increase and abound in love for each other. Increase and abound in love for all.

Listen to the blessing from the mouth of blessed Paul, “may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13).

Let us watch with all His saints and sing, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Christ is building a kingdom of justice and righteousness. He is the Stone that was rejected by the builders. He is forming His Kingdom with stones that cry out. Such stones begin to rejoice and praise Him for all His mighty works. Such stones recall what He says and remember what He does.

If you do not want to hear His words or see His miracles… …If you do not hunger and thirst for His righteousness like the Pharisees of old… If you want to be your own king… …then be warned. He will find other stones that cry out.

While you watch, look and see where you are increasing and abounding: each hour, each day, each year. Do you really even desire to increase and abound in love? Do you really even want to love one another and others even more? Are you increasing and abounding in love? Are you increasing and abounding in hatred for one another and others? If you cannot love those whom you can see, how can you love God whom you cannot?

How does one increase and abound in love?

First, increase and abound in hearing God’s Word. The LORD instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right. God teaches the humble His way.

Second, increase and abound in confessing your sins for they are many. Your guilt is great. When you review the last year of your life, recall your sins. When you review the last day of your life, recall your transgressions. When you review the last hour of your life, recall your iniquities.

Third, increase and abound in confessing your Savior for He is merciful. Where the acknowledgement of sin increases, the grace of the Lord abounds all the more. For the sake of Christ, your sins are not remembered. For the sake of Christ, your transgressions are pardoned. For the sake of Christ, your iniquities are removed.

Fourth, increase and abound in receiving the love of God for His love never ceases. Christ is the Love of God in the flesh. It is in Christ alone, that your heart is established as blameless in holiness. It is in Christ alone, that you are declared to be a beloved of God.

Every Sunday in Advent, He supplies what is lacking in our faith. We are learning to wait for Him. In the Divine Liturgy, the Righteous Branch comes to us each week when we hear what He says and see what He does. As His people, we are called by His name, “Yahweh our Righteousness.” He declares us righteous through faith alone. In the Divine Liturgy the King comes to execute justice and righteousness in word and sacrament. For this reason, we sing with the saints in Jerusalem gathered on the first Palm Sunday. Right before the words of institution we sing,

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest

Each Sunday, The stones cry out saying, “Hosanna! Save us please!” In the Divine Liturgy the Son of David comes to us vocally and visually. In Christ, heavenly Jerusalem will rest securely. In Christ, believing Judah will be saved. Amen.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
Los Alamos, NM

IC XC
NI KA