“And now a word from our sponsor…”

Romans 16:17-18

And now a word from our sponsor. If you listened to the radio; or watched television more than five minutes a day, you know the words: And now, a word from our sponsor. What’s amazing is how effective those words are in our life. For example, try finishing the following commercial: “You’ll wonder where the yellow went, when … (you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.)” How about this one: “Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a … (sesame seed bun.)” Which product is advertised as the “Real Thing?” (Coca Cola) Which one is “finger licking good?” (Kentucky Fried Chicken) The fact that we can remember says the words from the world’s sponsors has been very effective.

Today advertising snatches us away like a tornado or hurricane. Words from the world’s sponsors blanket radio and TV waves like suffocating smog. Magazines have more advertising than articles. When selling insurance I remember being encouraged by a marketing expert to use a jingle to be immediately identified with a particular product. Words from the world’s sponsors are forced into our minds with seeming ease and effect.

We know by smooth talk and flattery, the world’s sponsors are manipulating us, but we still buy. We know that obstacles are being put up in our way, but we still search. No longer do we have to keep up with the Joneses..we have to keep up with ourselves and what WE’RE TOLD we need to be happy. Smooth talk carries us away in a whirlwind of lies.

Even though this is all true, there is another Sponsor whose words often go unnoticed and unheeded. Yet they are words of truth and grace that comfort, console, grace, and gratify the soul of a human being. This sponsor does, in fact have the ultimate prize that brings us eternal rest, the forgiveness of sins, a clean conscience, and a life of real purpose. As Christians this is our Sponsor.

The word from our Sponsor is Savior. The advertising world says you can deceive the minds of naïve people with eye appeal. But the Savior broke that rule. He never believed in fancy packaging. Isaiah described Him (53:2) as a Man who “had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.” Nevertheless, sinful souls have looked upon His bloodied countenance, His bruised body, beaten and crowned with thorns. As they looked at the Savior, they found true hope and happiness, peace and power, strength and salvation.

Savior is the Word from our Sponsor. That word brings comfort to widow and widower as they stand before a casket in a cold graveyard. Savior is the Word which brings peace to parents as they watch by the bedside of a sick child. Savior is the Word which intensifies the love of a bride and groom as they make a lifelong commitment to each other. Savior, is the Word who brings us peace out of His punishment, and healing from His wounds (Isaiah 53:5).

Savior is the Word from our Sponsor that changes everything. Because of the Savior, we who know Him, no longer live for ourselves (2 Cor 5:4-15). Because of the Savior, we no longer chafe under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:25). On the contrary, we are free to live a life of thanksgiving and devotion to the Lord who has saved us. Because of the Savior, we no longer are slaves but adopted children and heirs in the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 4:7).

The Word from our Sponsor is Savior. The advertising world says: get a gimmick, a jingle, a pretty girl to sell the product. That’s the way to smooth talk and flatter the naïve. The Savior broke that rule, too. Jesus had no jingle. Instead, He simply said “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). He didn’t have radio, television, newspapers, magazines, or supermodels to hawk His wares. Jesus never resorted to the famous to lift His image up in the eyes of His followers. His spokesmen were just frightened fishermen and troubled tax collectors. Jesus didn’t use a make up man and professional hairstylists to improve His image. Instead of being concerned with the outside, He asked people to look at their hearts, minds and souls (Mark 7:18ff). Jesus didn’t use flattery or smooth talk to sway folks into following Him. Instead, He called them to repentance and the kingdom of heaven. (matt 4:17). Jesus, our Sponsor said, if you “are wearied and burdened, come to Me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus, our Sponsor said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that [you] may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

So when you hear the words from other sponsors, that may try to advance your kissable breath, or bodies, and brains of steel, think about this: no one, other than the Savior, can offer you an abundant life. Other sponsors suggest they can raise your standard of living, but usually, they only raise your standard of longing. The world’s sponsors try to create a need, while our Sponsor fulfills a need. The world’s sponsors try to sell you something, but our Sponsor tries to give you a life where He carries your sin, destroys death, and sends Satan scurrying.

Today we give thanks that “Savior” is the Word from our Sponsor. We rejoice that “Savior” is what Lutheran Hour Ministries, and Lutheran Television tries to do in “Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church”. In the past, tens, hundreds, and thousands have responded to the message and word of “Savior”. What will tomorrow bring? Will the world’s sponsors be the only word heard on television, or the internet, the most powerful of mediums? Will the Name of Jesus be spoken on the airwaves only in banal blasphemy? It’s really up to us. We decide by what we do if the Word from our Sponsor will continue to be broadcast.

Remember those advertisements I talked about at the beginning of the sermon? Millions of dollars have been spent to make those words become part of you. You couldn’t forget them if you tried. That is the way it should be with the Word from our Sponsor. Savior needs to be part of every heart and soul. Savior needs to be part of you, your family, our church, our community, our world. And that, my dear friends, is a Word from our Sponsor. Amen.