Victory in Defeat

In the morning fog of 6 November 1632, approximately 25,000 Swedish soldiers knelt in prayer. The Swedish Lutheran king, Gustavus Adolphus, led them in singing “May God embrace us with his grace.” The king had entered the foray of the Thirty Years’ War to salvage portions of Germany and Northern Europe for orthodox Christianity. The fog lifted. In the distance lay the German city of Luetzen set ablaze by imperial Roman troops. The king clapped his hands and shouted, “God’s will be done! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help me this day to fight to the glory of your holy name! Forward!”—this is known as the Battle of Luetzen.

“Epiphany,” of course, means a manifestation of light. The season of Epiphany shows us most clearly the light of God in the person of the God-man, Jesus. Christmas says: “Your God is the babe in the manger.” Epiphany reveals Jesus as true God by the glory manifested in his life, words, and miracles. Yet today’s texts point to our requisite humility in the face of Christ’s Epiphany glory. The humble receive this glorious Christ and his gifts.

Micah prophesied against the faithless pride of both Israel and Judah. The OT lesson is in fact a legal accusation (“The Lord’s Case Against Israel” NIV). The six short chapters of Micah’s prophecy (which occurred between 750 and 686 B.C.) are filled with God’s accusations against a haughty, unrepentant, idolatrous, faithless, pride-filled, and rebellious people (idolatry, 1:7; prostitution, 1:7; power, covetousness, fraud, 2:2f; false prophecy, 2:11; evil leaders, 3:1f; bribery, greed, 3:11; false security, 3:11; witchcraft, paganism, 5:12f). In light of the great failure of the people of Israel and Judah during the reigns of Jothan, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the Lord brings the accusations of the OT lesson. Such accusations culminate in the Lord’s complaint that he desired not mere acts of devotion or religion, but “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Repentant faith receives Christ in all humility and produces a humble life. Where mercy is received in faith, mercy reigns in life. The preacher finds plenty of textual fodder here for a stem application of Law, that “every hill be made low” and the “way made straight” for the beatitudes borne of the day’s Gospel!

Two things are most notable regarding the Beatitudes in relation to the sermon text. First, the humble, spiritually lowly, and downtrodden are blessed. Also the “blessed” by and large would surely not be regarded as such by the world (the poor in spirit, mourners, hungry, thirsty, meek, persecuted). Yet exactly these receive the good gifts of God.

Relevant Context

Paul emphasizes humility and the “foolishness” of the cross in addressing the wrangling among factions in the Corinthian church.

Paul finds the remedy to the factious pride not in “wisdom” or in “signs” but in drawing the Corinthians back to what gave them spiritual birth in the first place: the preaching of “Christ crucified” (1:23; 2:2). And here the perfect participle passive (estaurōmenon) says it all! Christ forever remains the “crucified one” to recall the Corinthians back to a humility borne of Christ’s own cross. “mōria” say Greeks (1:23)! “skandalon” say the Jews (1:23)! Now Paul moves from proclaiming the humility of the cross to calling for the humility of the Corinthians. They have nothing of which to boast with each other or with God. It was for them all gift, all God’s choosing! (1:27–31; 2:14). Humility is borne of such a realization.

Textual Notes

V 26: Look! (blepete). The logical argument now depends completely on verses 18–25. God works salvation through a cross and the preaching of a crucified Savior. This salvation was worked in you despite who you were! Your vocation (klēsis) demonstrates it! You were not “wise” (sophoi), not “powerful” (dynatoi), not “well born” (eugeneis).

The troops quickly engaged the enemy. The line collapsed at one point, and the king rushed in to rally the men. He found himself in hand-to-hand combat with enemy cavalry. His horse was shot, then a bullet struck his left arm. “It’s nothing, my children! Forward quickly!” he shouted. He took another shot in the back and fell from his horse: The 38-year-old warrior king and savior of Christianity was dead, but as the message passed through the ranks, the troops rallied, and the Swedes won the most crucial battle of the war. Victory in defeat.

V 27: God’s valuation contrasts with the world’s. “But” (alla) is the strongest adversative, while the phrase “the foolish things,” (ta mōra) is placed first for the strongest emphasis. “But the world’s foolish (; ) things, those are what God chose that he might shame the wise.” “Weak things” (asthenē) is used in its various forms in this positive manner by Paul quite often (2:3; 4:10; 9:22; ), these are what God chose!”

1 Corinthians 4:10 NASB95

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

1 Corinthians 3:18 NASB95

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.

V 28: agenos, “no lineage,” “low birth.” katargēsē from kataergon “put out of action,” “render nothing.” God renders something nothing, and brings from nothing something, Thus . . .

V 29: (pasa sarx) Not a single bit of flesh can boast before God. You have nothing but what was given.

V 30: ex autou, “he is the reason” you are in Christ Jesus. Note egenēthē “has become” is aorist. In Christ our righteousness, holiness, and redemption are a done deal. Not even “sanctification” is my doing in any way! (See Large Catechism, Creed, Third Art. 37–39, “The work is finished and completed.”)

V 31: Paul paraphrases . The larger immediate context of Jeremiah informed his entire argument regarding the “boasting” in the “wisdom” and “strength” of man. In fact, the Jeremiah text (LXX) provides the entire vocabulary of the text of St. Paul. Against Jeremiah Paul weighs the comments of his wayward brethren at Corinth.

Sermon Outline

In the morning fog of November 6, 1632, approximately 25,000 Swedish soldiers knelt in prayer. The Swedish Lutheran king, Gustavus Adolphus, led them in singing “May God embrace us with his grace.” The king had entered the foray of the Thirty Years’ War to salvage portions of Germany and Northern Europe for orthodox Christianity. The fog lifted. In the distance lay the German city of Luetzen set ablaze by imperial Roman troops. The king clapped his hands and shouted, “God’s will be done! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help me this day to fight to the glory of your holy name! Forward!” The troops quickly engaged the enemy. The line collapsed at one point, and the king rushed in to rally the men. He found himself in hand-to-hand combat with enemy cavalry. His horse was shot, then a bullet struck his left arm. “It’s nothing, my children! Forward quickly!” he shouted. He took another shot in the back and fell from his horse: The 38-year-old warrior king and savior of Christianity was dead, but as the message passed through the ranks, the troops rallied, and the Swedes won the most crucial battle of the war. Victory in defeat.

Gustavus Adolphus was wise, powerful, and of noble birth, but even he tasted of the way God works in this world. God works with a heavenly wisdom made perfect in “weakness” and “foolishness” according to worldly standards.

The Cross Forever Means Christ Obtains Victory Through What the World Considers, a Cord of Three Strands: Foolish Things, Weak Things, and Lowly Things (vv 27–28).

The victory was obtained through Christ’s despised life and death.

(1) Through the ages people have seen the incarnation as utterly foolish! “It seems to me that since the ‘fall’—without even thinking it odd—that man has had no trouble at all believing that he can be God. How he would do this I cannot conceive, though, he certainly thinks that he can—and yet, he cannot bring himself to believe that God can become . . . a man” (B.C. by Johnny Hart).

Through the ages people have seen the incarnation as utterly foolish!

To illustrate, B.C. Comic strip: “It seems to me that since the ‘fall’—without even thinking it odd—that man has had no trouble at all believing that he can be God. How he would do this I cannot conceive, though, he certainly thinks that he can—and yet, he cannot bring himself to believe that God can become . . . a man” (Comic strip “B.C.” by Johnny Hart).

People may see it as even more foolish, a weak and lowly thing, that God in the flesh whould die, nailed to a cross, to obtain forgiveness.

(2) People may see it as even more foolish, a weak and lowly thing, that God in the flesh should die, nailed to a cross, to obtain forgiveness.

The victory is dispensed through the “foolishness” of the preaching of Christ crucified.

B. The victory is dispensed through the “foolishness” of the preaching of Christ crucified.

What was true at Corinth remains true today: People are constantly looking for a demonstration of religious truth in what they call “wisdom” or “the miraculous.”

(1) What was true at Corinth remains true today: People look for a demonstration of religious truth in what they call “wisdom” or “the miraculous.”

Today, people think we have to manipulate the Gospel message in order to make it applicable, or explain it in such a way were people would nod their head saying, “That makes sense!”, certainly ignoring the fact that the Holy Spirit is the active agent.

Or, insist that if it is true then why are we not seeing miracles like Jesus did 2,000 years ago?

The reality is, our sinful flesh is just like it was in Micah’s day.

Micah prophesied against the faithless pride of both Israel and Judah. The OT reading is in fact a legal accusation—“The LORD has a complaint against His people.” The six short chapters of Micah’s prophecy (which occurred between 750 and 686 B.C.) are filled with God’s accusations against a haughty, unrepentant, idolatrous, faithless, pride-filled, and rebellious people (idolatry, 1:7; prostitution, 1:7; power, covetousness, fraud, 2:2f; false prophecy, 2:11; evil leaders, 3:1f; bribery, greed, 3:11; false security, 3:11; witchcraft, paganism, 5:12f). In light of the great failure of the people of Israel and Judah, the Lord brings the accusations of the OT reading, and such accusations culminate in the Lord’s complaint that he desired not mere acts of devotion or religion, but

“And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to move mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”—. This is just a true in our day!

Repentant faith receives Christ in all humility and produces a humble life. Where mercy is received in faith, mercy reigns in life.

ALL the religious power and wisdom of God are delivered through the preaching of Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness to unbelief. Through this Word of Christ comes victory and life!

(2) Yet all the religious power and wisdom of God are delivered via the preaching of Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness to unbelief. Through this Word of Christ comes victory and life!

Romans 10:17 NKJV

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

B. The victory is dispensed through the “foolishness” of the preaching of Christ crucified.

The “Foolishness” and “Defeat” of the Cross Forever Marks the Victory of Christians in this Life.

(1) What was true at Corinth remains true today: People look for a demonstration of religious truth in what they call “wisdom” or “the miraculous.”

Christ has become the “wisdom from God” (). If we would have the victory in and of ourselves! Christ would have us defeated!

. We would have the victory in and of ourselves! Christ would have us defeated!

1 Corinthians 1:30 EHV

30 30But because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us the wisdom from God, namely, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

The Corinthians prided themselves in their religious knowledge and boasted in their competence compared to others. Paul drew them back to the humble “foolishness” of the cross, reminding them that apart from God’s doing and choosing, they were nothing (v 26).

(1) The Corinthians prided themselves in their religious knowledge and boasted in their competence compared to others. Paul drew them back to the humble “foolishness” of the cross, reminding them that apart from God’s doing and choosing, they were nothing (v 26).

(2Yet all the religious power and wisdom of God are delivered via the preaching of Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness to unbelief. Through this Word of Christ comes victory and life!

Yet all the religious power and wisdom of God are delivered via the preaching of Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness to unbelief. Through this Word of Christ comes victory and life!

God, indeed, has blessed us with a wonderful Church, and by His Holy Spirit preserved for us His Word and Sacrament. But lest we think that it was by our power or will that put us on the map,

2. The “foolishness” and “defeat” of the cross ever mark the victory of Christians in this life.

(2) The Law renders us nothing in the sight of God, nothing but defeated and damned without Christ, that being “poor in spirit,” he may make us something in himself (v 28).

The Law renders us nothing in the sight of God, nothing but defeated and damned without Christ, that being “poor in spirit,” he may make us something in himself (v 28).

The Law reminds us nothing in the sight of God, nothing but defeated and damned without Christ, that being “poor in spirit,” he may make us something in himself (v 28).

What appears in the life of a Christian as mere “foolishness” and “defeat” actually presents our greatest victory and our only cause for boasting!

A. Christ has become the “wisdom from God” (v 30). We would have the victory in and of ourselves! Christ would have us defeated!

What appears in the life of a Christian as mere “foolishness” and “defeat” actually presents our greatest victory and our only cause for boasting!

(1) The Corinthians prided themselves in their religious knowledge and boasted in their competence compared to others. Paul drew them back to the humble “foolishness” of the cross, reminding them that apart from God’s doing and choosing, they were nothing (v 26).

Rendered foolish by God’s standard (Law), we are now prepared to receive true divine and heavenly wisdom in Christ (Gospel): our righteousness, holiness, and redemption—a three-stranded cord (v 30).

(1) Rendered foolish by God’s standard (Law), we are now prepared to receive true divine and heavenly wisdom in Christ (Gospel): our righteousness, holiness, and redemption—a three-stranded cord (v 30).

(2) The Law renders us nothing in the sight of God, nothing but defeated and damned without Christ, that being “poor in spirit,” he may make us something in himself (v 28).

(2) The “foolishness” of Baptism, absolution, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper are divine heavenly wisdom and forgiveness, the source of a joyous life!

The “foolishness” of Baptism, absolution, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper — these mysteries — are divine heavenly wisdom and forgiveness, the source of a joyous life!

Now afflictions, weaknesses, illness, and even death become our “strength.” They cause us to look away from ourselves to Christ, in whose weaknesses we take part. In such despised things we now boast. Death turns to life for us, and apparent defeat turns to victory. ;

(3) Now afflictions, weaknesses, illness, and even death become our “strength.” They cause us to look away from ourselves to Christ, in whose weaknesses we take part. In such despised things we now boast. Death turns to life for us, and apparent defeat turns to victory.

B. What appears in the life of a Christian as mere “foolishness” and “defeat” actually presents our greatest victory and our only cause for boasting!

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NET

7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant.8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Matthew 11:28 NET

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Beloved of God, Jesus forever remains the “Crucified One” to call us back to a humility of Christ’s own cross.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NET

7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant.8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE HOLY COMMUNION

(1) Rendered foolish by God’s standard (Law), we are now prepared to receive true divine and heavenly wisdom in Christ (Gospel): our righteousness, holiness, and redemption—a three-stranded cord (v 30).

P—The Lord be with you.

C—And also with you.

P—Lift up your hearts.

C—We lift them to the LORD.

P—Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C—It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Holy Father, we bless You, praise You, give thanks to You, and we worship You. For You, O God, are ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, You and your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit, and we are utterly helpless without you.

You created us out of nothing, and when we had fallen away, You raised us up again when You united us with Your Only Begotten Son in Holy Baptism. You leave nothing undone, and you even lead us to heaven and granted us Your Kingdom, which is to come. For all these things, we thank You: for all things we know and do not know, for blessings revealed and hidden that You have been bestowed on us. LIYM

We thank You also for Your Service today, while thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels stand around You, the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft upon their wings, singing: Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Together with the host of heaven we also exclaim and say: Holy are You and most holy, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and most holy, and how awesome is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave Your only-begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. We give you thanks, dear Lord, for the holy, glorious, and most praiseworthy apostles and with the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. We also remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to life eternal. Grant them rest, O our God, where the light of Your countenance keeps watch. LIYM.

Again we beg You, O Lord, remember all faithful Pastors who rightly teach the word of Your truth. We also pray for our civil authorities and our armed forces: grant that they may govern in peace, Lord, so that we, too, may live calm and serene lives, in all piety and virtue. LIYM.

Among the first remember, Lord, our Presiding Pastor Curtis; as he travels from place to place grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.

And remember those whom each one of us calls to mind at this time, and all the people.Remember, Lord, this city in which we live, and every city and land, and the faithful who live in them. Remember, Lord, those who travel by land, sea, and air;

Remember the sick; the suffering; the captives; and their salvation. We especially cry out for Your healing hand to rest upon Gianna and Don; Tim, Carol and Jeff as they recovers from their respective surgeries. We also pray for those who are dealing with an array of ailments: Jana Clutter, Matt Young, Barb Lynch, Linda Bateman, Holly Weiland, Ed Ray, Darsie Hartzel, Glenda Gustafson, Daryl Baltz, Robert Wallace, Rich Shields, Tytan Brae.

And remember those whom each one of us calls to mind and names aloud at this time.

Remember, Lord, this city in which we live, and every city and land, and the faithful who live in them. Remember, Lord, those who travel by land, sea, and air.

Remember those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send forth Your mercies. And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. LIYM.

And now O Lord, we thank you for these precious Gifts here presented to be consecrated. As we prepare to receive them, we pray for our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, grant us this petition O Lord. We also look to You for that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, that we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance. We entrust to You, loving Master, our whole life and hope, and we beseech, pray, and implore You: Grant us to partake of Your heavenly and awesome Mysteries from this sacred Table with a clear conscience for the remission of sins, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, and boldness before You, not unto judgment or condemnation. LIYM.

We give thanks to You, Who by Your boundless power fashioned the universe, and in the multitude of Your mercy brought all things from nothing into being. Look down from heaven, O LORD, upon those who have bowed their heads before You; for they have not bowed before flesh and blood, but before You, our Awesome God. Therefore, O Master, make smooth and beneficial for us all, whatever lies ahead, according to the need of each: Heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.

O Lord Jesus Christ our God sanctify us, You Who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.

Through the grace, compassion, and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Words of Institution

We remembering, therefore, Your saving commandment to love one another, and all that has been done for our sake: the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand, and the second and glorious coming again. We now beseech You: Send Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon the gifts here presented.

Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.

Remember us in your Kingdom O Lord, and teach us to pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

Lamb of God

(2) The “foolishness” of Baptism, absolution, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper are divine heavenly wisdom and forgiveness, the source of a joyous life!

(3) Now afflictions, weaknesses, illness, and even death become our “strength.” They cause us to look away from ourselves to Christ, in whose weaknesses we take part. In such despised things we now boast. Death turns to life for us, and apparent defeat turns to victory.