Better Than Good

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Regeneration

Many unregenerate men consider themselves to be God’s children, or “sons of God.” But being a product of God’s handiwork does not qualify one for a sonship relationship.

A cabinetmaker constructs a cabinet. But this does not make the cabinet a “child” of the cabinetmaker. A birth process would be necessary for this. The unregenerate man who claims sonship with God “because he made me” is basing his claim merely on the fact that he is a product of God’s handiwork. Like the cabinet, he lacks the new birth necessary for a sonship relationship.

Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Rev C.F.W Walther, in his lectures to future pastors and preachers, said the following concerning Law and Gospel:

The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel First Evening Lecture

Try and realize this important distinction. All religions contain portions of the Law. Some of the heathen, by their knowledge of the Law, have advanced so far that they have even perceived the necessity of an inner cleansing of the soul, a purification of the thoughts and desires. But of the Gospel not a particle is found anywhere except in the Christian religion.

Had the Law not been written in men’s hearts, no one would listen to the preaching of the Law. Everybody would turn away from it and say: “That is too cruel; nobody can keep commandments such as these.” But, my friends, do not hesitate to preach the Law. People may revile it, yet they do so only with their mouths. What you say when preaching the Law to people is something that their own conscience is preaching to them every day.

Romans 2:14–16 ESV

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel First Evening Lecture

The second point of difference between the Law and the Gospel is shown by the contents of either. The Law tells us what we are to do. No such instruction is contained in the Gospel. On the contrary, the Gospel reveals to us only what God is doing. The Law is speaking concerning our works; the Gospel, concerning the great works of God. In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, “Thou shalt.” Beyond that the Law has nothing to say to us. The Gospel, on the other hand, makes no demands whatever.

But does not the Gospel demand faith? Yes; that, however, is just the same kind of command as when you say to a hungry person, “Come, sit down at my table and eat.” The hungry person will not reply: “Bosh! I will not take orders from you.” No, he will understand and accept your words as a kind invitation. That is what the Gospel is—a kind invitation to partake of heavenly blessings.

When Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus one night, he came based upon what he figured out by reasoning:

John 3:2 ESV

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

And yet, this ruler of the Jews, this strict Pharisee, could not see how Jesus could be more than “a teacher come from God.” That seems amazing, but before we judge Nicodemus for his lack of insight, think of the people whom you know who say many nice things about Jesus, or think of many nice things that they believe the local church should do in the community, but who don’t understand that Jesus did not leave here proclaiming Himself to be a “nice man,” but that he is an all-powerful ruler, and that His instructions to the church were quite simple and direct: (ESV)

Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther, William Herman Theodore Dau, and Ernest Eckhardt, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel: 39 Evening Lectures, electronic ed. (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2000), 9.

Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther, William Herman Theodore Dau, and Ernest Eckhardt, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel: 39 Evening Lectures, electronic ed. (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2000), 9.

And yet, this ruler of the Jews, this strict Pharisee, could not see how Jesus could be more than “a teacher come from God.” That seems amazing, but before we judge Nicodemus for his lack of insight, think of the people whom you know who say many nice things about Jesus, or think of many nice things that they believe the local church should do in the community, but who don’t understand that Jesus did not leave here proclaiming Himself to be a “nice man,” but that he is an all-powerful ruler, and that His instructions to the church were quite simple and direct: (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Feeding and sheltering the homeless is a good thing, educating children is a good thing, even providing alternatives for women and families caught up in unforeseen circumstances that don’t involve bloodshed is a good thing. It is not our prime directive, though. If we do everything but fail to do that, we are disobedient to our King.

The problem is that all those other things can be done by anyone, even by people who only think of Jesus as a great teacher or a moral example.

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Jesus did the will of the Father, redeeming us with His own blood. Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ do the will of the Father. Finally, those who confess Christ before men do the will of the Father:

Matthew 10:32–33 ESV

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Nicodemus’ problem was a common one. The knowledge that he needed, he lacked:

John 3:3–6 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In the Small Catechism, Dr. Luther explained the powerful role played by the Holy Spirit in our salvation:

The Book of Concord The Third Article: On Being Made Holy

I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my LORD or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believers. On the Last Day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.

Paul explains it all so beautifully in the 10th chapter of his epistle “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints...” ().

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), .

Romans 10:9–15 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Contrary to the wishes of some, there is no such thing as a “silent witness” to Jesus. “Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words” is not Scripture. “You shall be my witnesses” is.

Contrary to the wishes of some, there is no such thing as a “silent witness” to Jesus. “Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words” is not Scripture. “You shall be my witnesses” is.

Being a witness of Christ is not talking about how God loves us, or even how Jesus loves us, as if that were some sort of abstract concept with no connection to the death that he died.

John 3:14–15 ESV

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

To many people like an unbloodied Jesus, a spotless, unbruised Jesus. They want a Jesus that does not have the right to say, “You are MINE; with My own blood I Purchased YOU! They want a teacher come from God who can do signs and wonders to solve people’s temporal problems. Jesus is more than that, though.

Jesus is “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Jesus is “the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep.”

Jesus is “the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.”

Jesus is “the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus is “He who lived, and died, and behold, I live forevermore!”

He died on the cross to pay for your sin and my sin.

He got up from the grave, because death could not hold Him captive.

He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

He’s coming again to judge the living and the dead!

Do you know Him? Did you receive the knowledge that comes to those who are united to Him in His death?

Do you know Him as He who comes to us in Word and Sacrament to give to us the forgiveness of sins so that we can be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing?

Or have you been pretending, lying to others, and worse, lying to yourself, “having a form of godliness, but denying the power?”

It isn’t too late, for even today, “there is power, power, wonder working power in the Blood of the Lamb.” There is also joy and peace, for those who are in turmoil because you don’t have that “blessed assurance that Jesus is mine.”

h Blood of the Lamb

If you were once baptized, be encouraged, for as the Apostle’s Creed says, “I believe in one baptism for the remission of sins.” Just remember yours, not when it happened, but THAT it did, and “come on back home; you know just where you belong. God has been good to you...”

If you weren’t or you don’t know, “don’t be ashamed of the Gospel.” Don’t try to sneak in at night, like Nicodemus, hoping to get by. Instead, “come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” ()

And let the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your heart and mind, through Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.