110506 All Saints
All Saints’ Day (Observed), November 5, 2006
Triumphs of the Blessed Ones
Text: Isaiah 26:1–4, 8–9, 12–13, 19–21
Other Lessons: Psalm 34:1–10; Revelation 21:9–11, 22–27 (22:1–5); Matthew 5:1–12
Sermon Theme: Beginning with the Holy One himself, we are blessed to hear of all the saints.
Goal: That the hearers bring to remembrance Jesus, the true saint, and so await, desire, and seek God by abiding in and emulating his meekness, purity, and mercy.
Introduction: What goes through your mind when you hear someone called “Saint?” Do you think special person—holy—gracious—and self-sacrificing? The very idea that someone might be a Saint is often held suspect by many Christians. Saints are like the first disciples. These are people who were very special to God and did “the mighty works and excellencies of God.” So, how can the term be properly applied to people like you and me? The Festival of All Saints gives the Church an opportunity to renew its understanding of what a Saint is, and why. The works and stories of the saints strengthen us. Think about this. Although sinners as we are, all the Saints steadfastly maintained faithfulness in the what can be called the night of temptation. In this way they reveal the hope of the resurrection in our common Savior. Beginning with the Holy One himself,
We Are Blessed to Hear of All the Saints.
I. We know God is holy (Lev 11:44–45; 19:2).
A. How is he holy?
1. He is the one true God and therefore distinct from all other gods.
2. He is the God who redeems his people. The prophet speaks of this in Isaiah 26:12.
"O Lord, you will ordain peace for us; you have done for us all our works."
3. He is the God who redeems his people that they might be holy as he is holy (Lev 11:44–45; 19:2; 1 Pet 1:15).
"but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"
B. The life of God’s holy people identifies them as distinct from the world (Lev 19:8; 1 Pet 1:18–19).
"knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19, ESV)
II. Jesus Christ is “the Holy One of God”
" we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”" (John 6:69, ESV)
A. Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mother, so that he might reveal his Father by doing his Father’s will. (Jesus says it this way: Jn 12:27 ESV: “For this purpose I have come to this hour”). He is the holy one of God.
B. Jesus is the one, led by the Spirit, who resists the temptations of the devil (Lk 4:1–13). He is the holy one of God.
C. Jesus is designated Son of God, “according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1:4 ESV). He is the holy one of God.
D. Jesus has left us an example of himself as holy, so that we might walk in his footsteps (1 Pet 2:21; 3:15; 4:1).
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)
Perhaps it is this very thing that causes Christians to think Saints are very special people, unlike themselves. But, that is so wrong. Saints are like us. In fact,
III. We who have been baptized into Christ are also saints, holy ones called to follow in Christ’s footsteps (1 Pet 2:21 ESV: “for to this you have been called”; cf. Jesus, Jn 12:27). This call is similar to the call of Jesus to serve.
" “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour." (John 12:27, ESV)
This is God’s call to be connected to Jesus’ holiness. And we are connected by virtue of what God ordained in Baptism. The water with the word of baptism bestows God’s Spirit of Christ.
A. Receiving the Spirit of Christ, we can now live in Christ according to the life of the Holy Spirit (Rom 6:4–14; 8:2–11; Col 2:12–15; 3:1–17).
B. Receiving the Spirit of Christ, we ought to expect temptations and sufferings, which test our faith and our hope (Jn 15:18–25; 1 Pet 4:12).
" Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (1 Peter 4:12-14, ESV)
1. Receiving the Spirit of Christ, we now understand such temptations and sufferings to be nothing less than participating in the sufferings of Christ.
2. Receiving the Spirit of Christ, we are to endure such temptations and sufferings with steadfast faith and hope, even as Christ himself did (Is 26:8; Lk 23:46; 1 Pet 4:19).
Think about the faithful Christians who have entered into God’s holy glory. Were they perfect? No! Were they sinners? Yes! Even so, their life on earth in some way revealed the life of Christ—not perfectly—because that only comes after the mortal has put on immortality, and the perishable has put on the imperishable. It has happened. It happens even now. It will happen again—until the full reality is revealed when Jesus returns.
IV. So, on this Festival of All Saints, we thank God for giving to his Church examples of faith and hope in the saints of the past.
A. In them, we see examples of the steadfastness of faith.
B. In them we see signs of participation in Christ’s victory over death.
C. In them we see examples of faithful confessors.
D. In them we see the steady life of the Spirit, given in that Baptism, which we all have received:
Conclusion: The resurrection of Christ, to those who in faith are baptized into his death, bestows a life to be lived in faith and hope. And that is done precisely within situations of threat and trial and suffering. In such situations, some have, by God’s grace, proved to be especially powerful and manifest examples of the faith and hope to which you are called. The Church properly remembers these saints and recounts their deeds, not to extol their merits, but to praise Christ, who for us has also given to his Church these persons as gifts and encouragements. Amen.