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Over the past three Sundays there have been three different liturgical colors used: red, white, and green. Red was the color used for Pentecost, symbolizing fire as referenced in the “divided tongues as of fire” and the Holy Spirit resting on the apostles. As we read of in Acts 2:3-4. White was used for Trinity Sunday, symbolizing purity and completeness, a fitting color for the One God in Three Persons. This Sunday we enter Ordinary Time, which is represented by green for a season of growth. This does not mean that we are not to be growing as believers throughout the other seasons of the year, but we do begin an extended period where we do not note any particular events related to the coming or ministry of Christ or the work of the Holy Spirit. However, we should not understand ordinary to mean “mundane.” Rather, the reason for the appellation “Ordinary Time” is on account of the fact that the Sundays are not named but designated according to their ordinal numbers: First Sunday, Second Sunday, etc. Of course, it is probably challenging for us not to think of “ordinary” as meaning any other than “non-exciting,” especially since we will only see green between now and the end of October, when red makes another appearance for Reformation Sunday. But as those living on this side of the resurrection and ascension of Christ, as those who have been given the Holy Spirit, there is hardly anything commonplace about the life to which we are called. To be continued.

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, and since it follows Pentecost Sunday, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles for the sake of the world, we might have a tendency to think that before Pentecost the Trinity was somehow incomplete. But that’s not the mindset we should have. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were complete in eternity, each fully God and each fully their own person.

Trinity Sunday is a day to reflect upon and consider the fullness of God’s work, and it acts as a summation of the past liturgical year before we enter into what is known as “Ordinary Time.” Until the beginning of Advent, we will mark time as Sundays after Pentecost, denoting the mission of the church to go to all the nations empowered by the Holy Spirit. This season can also be denoted as “Sundays of/after Trinity,” which is a more recent development, but emphasizes the whole of salvation as encompassed in the Triune God, even as is the focus of today. We alternate between these designations year after year.

The Gospel for this Sunday is taken from John 3, where we find that the salvation of men and the redemption of the world is not only accomplished by Jesus, but also by God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, each having their distinct roles. Maybe that’s an obvious statement, but it also helps us not to lose sight of the Trinitarian nature of salvation, and further directs us to the Trinitarian life to which we we’re called as the church in a faithful response to what God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have promised and done.

It is a privilege to receive into membership those God brings into our midst. Today, we receive the Pittman family, who have been attending both worship and many other events for a few months. And as we receive them today, Clementine and Hatcher will also be receiving the sign and seal of baptism in Christ our Lord. Many of you have no doubt been delighted by the cuteness and cheerfulness of these precious little children. And, while of course we called these little ones our brother and sister in the Lord before, now we recognize them as particular members of our body.

I’m sure you’ve often heard it at baptisms, but it always bears repeating this should remind us to look to our own baptism, remembering that this is not a work that we do, it is not a thing we say to God, it is a sign and seal that God gives to us. God speaks in the water, and he says, you are mine, for you I have died, for you I have risen again, that you may have eternal life. The Heidelberg Catechism 69 says: “How is it signified and sealed to you in Holy Baptism, that you have part in the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross? Thus: that Christ instituted this outward washing with water and joined therewith this promise: that I am washed with His blood and Spirit from the pollution of my soul, that is, from all my sins, as certainly as I am washed outwardly with water, whereby commonly the filthiness of the body is taken away.” Extend the right hand of fellowship to our brothers and sisters, newly covenanted with us for the furtherance of Christ’s cause, and the edification of our fellowship.

Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
– Psalm 37:1-2

Politics in our time can be a ready source for discouragement. Whether you’ve noted some stirrings of presidential campaigning, or taken stock of other political landscapes locally or nationally, the present outlook and near future can seem rather bleak. Perhaps you have concerns for the further loss of freedoms, or perhaps a politician in your district is standing up for the evil of abortion, gender confusion, child mutilation, or any number of modern-day iniquities.

These are the issues of our day, and they are certainly worthy of our attention as we seek to be salt and light. However, the key question to ask yourself in light of Psalm 37 — and certainly one that convicts me — is, are you fretting because of evildoers accumulating political power? Are you even envious of their position in this world? Look at how the iniquitous prosper! Do we not sometimes wish that was us? It’s so easy for us in our flesh to dwell and fret on that. But David here reminds us of the reality of the situation: their ways do not please God and they will be cut down and wither. Put the lens of the psalms on so that you may see clearly. And when you do, you see their prosperity is fleeting. The psalms reveal the reality of God’s universe: if you delight in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart!

One of the things we’ve seen happening over the last many years, is the transition of much of the western church from the role of blessing, light, and example to the nations, to that of follower of the example of the nations. While we at St. Mark may think, “that’s not us,” we do well to consider where we can shore up both our thinking and practice here, that we fall not into this role-reversal.

Galatians 3:8–9 tells us: “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” And verse 29: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” As we connect that with the commissioning we rehears every Lord’s Day to disciple the nations, we understand that we, the church, are the continuing means by which the nations will be blessed as Abraham’s seed. All authority has been given to our Lord, and our calling is to go and make disciples and teach them to observe all that has been commanded to us by God. This, then, is our calling, not to become a molded only by the culture around us, but to be the mold for the culture around us. Wherever Christ is not, we must shine His light brighter. Light has a cleansing effect, and as we live our daily lives, let us consider how we can shine the cleansing light of Jesus to those around us. May God grant strength and wisdom to do so.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalm 118:1

While this Psalm calls us to worship, there is also some conviction here to consider. “He is good.” Do we believe that? As we go through life and we consider the trials and tribulations we often endure — as we consider things like the tragedy at The Covenant School, do we really believe that He is good? The perspective of the psalmist here should inform us. Do we take the perspective that the psalmist takes here? God is good. His mercy endures forever.

Perhaps this week brought trials, perhaps the upcoming week will. Verse 4 says, “Let those who fear the Lord now say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’” As we face this life, we are called on to praise God, to acknowledge His goodness, and to take delight in His mercy. In the following verses we learn that the psalmist called on the Lord in distress, when surrounded by the nations, but the Lord answered. Verse 6: “the Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

So as we look over the prayer list this week, as we consider some of the hard things going on around us, let us remember the goodness of the Lord — the very Lord who was raised from the dead, as we celebrated this past Easter Sunday and as we celebrate again today. The Lord is on our side, call on Him and He will answer. Put your trust in the Lord!

Death could not hold him!

The Apostle Peter, in his sermon in Acts 2, uses that exact sentence structure when he says “it was not possible that he should be held by it [death]” (New King James). This great victory was accomplished for us, paying the penalty for our sins, by him who knew no sin — the spotless Lamb of God. Because of His death and Resurrection, we have been made alive in Christ, and death will not hold us either.

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:20–22, fleshes out the doctrine of the resurrection further: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” And he then goes on to tie Christ’s resurrection with his rule and reign, which is happening right now. 15:25–26 “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”

That is why, during this season of Eastertide, we focus on that victory, and we celebrate Christ’s rule and reign as he actively defeats His enemies. We rejoice that death has no power over us, and, will ultimately be defeated.

This day, hear it proclaimed: Christ is risen! And let your refrain be hearty: He is risen indeed!

Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men,
Who plan evil things in their hearts;
They continually gather together for war.
They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men,
Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.
The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah

I said to the Lord: “You are my God;
Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.
O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further his wicked scheme,
Lest they be exalted. Selah

“As for the head of those who surround me,
Let the evil of their lips cover them;
Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”

I know that the Lord will maintain
The cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

One of the things that constantly surrounds us in our postmodern culture is the syncretistic and dualistic zeitgeist of our age. Just this past week I came across this idea, yet again, that anyone acting as if they know the truth, the absolute truth, is being arrogant and hotheaded and is generally a menace to society. While it is very well and good to be humble and admit what we don’t know for sure, there are a few things we know that we cannot bend on. Indeed, we who follow Christ proclaim, paraphrasing John 14:6, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one may come to the father except through Him. Such a bold and unwavering proclamation is not usually well received. Sinful men do not like these absolutes. “There are many ways to God, who’s to say yours is more valid,” or so the questions of that ilk go. But the question to ask is, “and how do you know there are many ways to God? Are you really so sure, absolutely sure, that we Christians are wrong about this?”

History testifies to the sinful condition of man. History testifies to Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet we are told that to testify to such things, and the power of Christ’s death on the cross is an offense. Our gathering here this morning to proclaim Christ’s life, death, and victory is deemed dangerous absolutism. Not to put too fine a point on it, but they are right about it being dangerous to their worldview. And that’s why should be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). And that is an absolute truth worth celebrating. Thanks be to God!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
 — Romans 12:1

Last week during Sunday School, Pastor Thacker reminded us that our worship still follows the patterns of sacrifice in Leviticus. But it is no longer a bloody sacrifice of animals, but a living sacrifice of ourselves. In the Old Covenant, the only way to draw near to God, being unclean as we are, was to do so with a substitute that pointed to the future once for all substitute, the true Lamb of God. Many now believe that sacrifices are over. Done away with. No more. But in reality, the Christian life is one that is lived as sacrifice. The difference of course is that we have been made clean by the ultimate sacrifice. But made clean unto what? Made clean that we may draw near to God.

God desires us, he desires the sacrifice of our lives. Because we were unclean and sinful, we could not offer ourselves to Him. You may recall in the old covenant that a blemished sacrifice was unacceptable (Deut. 17:1). God only accepts clean and unblemished sacrifices. Just so with us. And the good news is, we are made clean by Christ’s sacrifice. And Paul calls us to imitate Christ. Today (and every day, of course) offer up your praise, and your whole being, as an acceptable sacrifice to God, made possible by the sacrifice of the one whom we imitate!

A new podcast has been making the rounds: The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. The podcast is ongoing, releasing weekly, so it is not yet known where it will land, but the first four episodes have been interesting. There will be plenty you can disagree with from the producer’s point of view, and there’s much about J.K. Rowling and her worldview to disagree with, even if you’re a fan of her books. But what is fascinating is how a beloved author and feminist icon became anathema to the liberal cancel machine. What is the cause of this consternation? Rowling has dared to say publicly that there is such a thing as biological sex and voiced concerns about women’s rights and safety being eroded in light of today’s gender confusion. How quickly the left turn on one of “their own.”

When the truth is inconvenient and offensive, then those bearing witness to the truth are put out from society. This is why, though we may try to live peaceably with our fellow man, that we sometimes find that very difficult to do. On the issue of gender, we find ourselves in alignment with Rowling and so we too may face negative push back from the world. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” As we wash away the filth of the world today before the throne of God, let us remember these things, that we indeed be not conformed to the world, but instead are about the truth God.

This past week was a study in contrasts. On Tuesday, we feasted on the riches God has granted us, consuming pancakes and rich maple syrup that generally adorns such food. We also celebrated the talent of our brothers and sisters and children. On Wednesday we entered into the Lenten season, marked by the Ash Wednesday service. This service is solemn and includes an extended time of repentance. We are also told during this service, “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” It is a sober reminder that our time in this life is limited. Ecclesiastes 3:20 says, “All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.”

It is good and right to remember these contrasts. We hold both that God is good and lavishes His gifts of abundance on us as He sees fit, and that the curse of sin and death is still upon humankind. Sin brings death as God told Adam in Genesis 2:17.

Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” But it doesn’t stop there, verse 28 goes on, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” That is why Lent must culminate with Easter. Christ died to bear our sins and give us the hope of life to come. So throughout this season, direct your faith forward to Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord, who has secured for you life eternal.