If I only had a champion

The Wizard of nothing.....

The wizard was in a hopeless situation. The wicked witch of the west wanted to takeover the emerald city and the land of oz, she only needed her sister’s slippers to do it. It was the wizards job to protect, but he was truly the wonderful wizard of nothing.... There was absolutely no way he could stand against the fearsome foe. I’m sure there were many nights he would lay awake wishing, “If i only had a champion”

Then Dorothy from Kansas walks in. She doesn’t look like much but she is wearing those ruby reds… and this weak wizard finally has an answer. Send the girl, if she dies no harm, but if she can defeat the witch then I am saved....

What are the stakes

It’s really a perverse situation. & not all that different from ours.... the prophet Isaiah speaks to the dire circumstances of Israel’s situation. They have abandoned the Law of God for sin.

Isaiah 59:14–15 ESV

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.

Isaiah’s depiction of Israel’s plight really doesn’t sound that different from our own.

The Lord’s displeasure & Intercession

Isaiah 59:16–17 ESV

He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

He saw that no one could save us from the snare of sin and death. There was no earthly righteousness good enough to be in relationship with him. He took up the call, and by his own strength he brought us salvation. As He sent his one and only son to win our victory of sin and death.

As our confirmands know he won the victory much like Dorothy. He used water. and the word, and faith. And as he poured the water over us the Holy Spirit washes away the enemy of God and leaves only a child, His child.

Romans 8:31–34 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

This morning we all affirm our baptisms as the washing away of sin and our reception as God’s children through faith. We also confirm that we believe the teachings of the Lutheran Church because they are true teachings of who God is and how he works in this world. They bring words to what we know to be true because of our Baptism.

What can stand against us

Romans 8:35–37 ESV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Confirmands I have one questions for you....

How are Christ’s divine & human attributes communicated in the Eucharist?

Genus ldiomaticum, Genus Maiestaticum, Genus Apotelesmaticum

who fights your battles? In whom do you put your trust?