"Father, Thy Will Be Done!" Genesis 28:10-17

The 19th Sunday After Trinity                                 23-October -2022
Sermon Text: Genesis 28:10-17
Sermon Theme: “Father, Thy Will Be Done!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert

I.N.R.I. We are engaged in spiritual warfare. Since the day our first father Adam listened to the voice of the father of lies and we were taken captive. On that day our Lord and Creator Christ Jesus and declared war on Satan and his children rescuing our first parents with His promised victory through His flesh born of a Virgin Mother alone. Adam blessed his wife with the name “Eve” - “Life” -“Living” declaring war against Satan the murderer and liar - who chains humanity with sin and the fear of death. We are engaged in spiritual warfare. Do we believe it?
    Jesus returns from across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. When He came ashore in the land of the Gergesenes two demon possessed men had met him. They dwelt in the tombs - among the dead - cutting themselves - crying out night and day. Jesus speaks His Word - the men are rescued from the demons - the demons are cast into a herd of swine - who self-destroy by running wildly into the sea. Back at Capernaum the kingdom of heaven advances mightily as Jesus, the Truth, preaches His Word. The crowd fills Simon Peter’s house. A paralyzed man is brought to Jesus. When his friends cannot get through the crowds - they open the roof and lower him to Jesus’ feet. Our Lord knows the deepest paralysis this man had - sin. "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." Jesus speaks. He knows the warfare. He alone frees us by His cross and blood which cleanses us from all sin. Do you rejoice? Do you mock - how can a man’s word forgive sin? Isn’t his greatest need to be released from his physical ailments?   Do you rejoice to hear a man forgiving your sins? Or do you think those words aren’t important - you’d rather have your doctor give you a clean bill of health. Hearing , ‘I forgive you of all your sins” are you comforted, filled with good cheer- even if you remain paralyzed, terminally ill?
    We are engaged in spiritual warfare. The enemy is Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh. I have met the enemy - it is named “ME!” Corrupt, deceitful, angry, living the lie, justifying my own sin - that is my old self. Today, our Champion over sin - King Jesus teaches us to pray against our old self. “Father, Thy Will Be Done!”
    Jacob, the second born twin son of Isaac, wanted his way. He followed the lie that “God helps those who help themselves.” Instead of showing mercy to his starving brother Esau, he stole the birthright from him for a bowl of his red stew. When his aged nearly blind father wanted to bestow the blessing of the first born on Esau, Rebekah colluded with her trickster son to steal the blessing. Jacob dresses up in Esau’s clothes with the skin of goats on the back of his neck and arms to deceive Isaac. The blessing is given. Esau is robbed again - now he vows to murder Jacob once their father dies.
    Jacob helping himself to get what he wanted - only brought exile from family. (Vs.10-11) Running from Esau’s wrath, darkness falls. His pillow is a stone. He is alone. His follow his own selfish sinful will has only brought him into the darkness.
    Engaged in spiritual warfare we need spiritual weapons. God the Holy Spirit teaches, Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—.” We need the tender invitation to believe that God is our True Father -we are His True children. Boldly we beg Him to clothe us with the armor of His Word - His Name made holy among us - and bring and keep us in His Kingdom of Grace by the ongoing work of God the Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus.
    Learn from King Jesus to wield the weapon of prayer against Satan, the world, and yourself. (LSB pg. 324 L.P. 3rd Pet. W.D.T.M?) Whom do you trust? Do you think that if you don’t do it yourself - it won’t get done - or at least not done right. Champion Jesus calls us to trust our Father’s good and gracious will through all our blood, sweat, and tears. He did, in Gethsemane, facing the awful burden of suffering the hell we deserved and laying down His sinless life for us sinners. Jesus prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, but nevertheless - let “Thy Will Be Done!” The Father’s good and gracious will was to save sinners through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son born by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary. There was no other Way to the Father except through the sacrificed flesh and blood of Jesus. If God the Father loved you so much to work the forgiveness of sins for you by the sacrifice of His only begotten beloved Son. If Jesus loved you enough to rescue you from death and the devil by laying down His life upon Calvary into your grave. If God the Holy Spirit loved you enough to give you eternal salvation and faith to believe Christ’s Word and promise. Can’t you trust His good and gracious will now?
    Jacob wasn’t alone, nor are you in this dark shadowy valley filled with death. (Vs.12-14) The devil and his angels were cast out of heaven to the earth. Still the earth belongs to the Lord and all its fullness. It is a Satanic lie, that he tried to tempt Jesus with, that he has been given the world and all its riches - and can give it to any who fall down and worship him. You can’t sell your soul to the devil - from Adam’s fall all of humanity has been taken captive by Satan. If not rescued by Christ through Holy Baptism, made alive by God the Holy Spirit at the font, reclaimed by God the Father with His Words - we are slaves of sin consumed by a culture of death.
    Heaven breaks into the darkness of Jacob’s self-chosen ways. Jesus stands upon the earth - the ladder that breeches man’s sinful rebellion. Upon this cross shaped ladder - the Lord’s angels ascend and descend - carrying out the Father’s good and gracious will. Protecting the Father’s children against the evil demonic attacks, the lies trumpeted by the evil world, and even the lies our old adam loves scratching his itching ears.
The God of Abraham. The God of Isaac. Stands on the earth. Abraham is among the living - his body buried until the day of resurrection - he lives for he believed in Jesus - the Resurrection and the Life! God’s Word and Promise cannot be broken by our sinful conniving. His good and gracious will - will be done - on this earth - just as it is done in heaven!
    Calling Nathanael to be His disciple Jesus told him, John 1:51 ...., "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." Jesus is the Way, The Truth, The Life - the only Ladder that brings us to God the Father! Learn from Him to pray against yourself! (LSB pg. 324 L.P. 3rd Pet. W.D.T.M? H.I.G.W.D?) God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders the evil plan and purposes of the devil and the world who don’t want His Name to be hallowed or His Kingdom to come! We are great with that - break those evil will’s Father we shout - but then comes the third enemy - “our sinful nature.” We grow uneasy - break me - expose and daily drown my old sinful corrupt self - isn’t that too much. Can’t I just be spiritual and not die to self and rise to new life in Christ Jesus? Yes, you can be - but you are chained by the evil spirit of Satan and this world.
    Trust in the Father’s good and gracious will. He preserves us in His Word and Faith under the cross! (Vs. 15-17) The Lord would go with sinful Jacob. He would preserve, prosper, and bring him home again. The Father’s good and gracious will - will be done! Jacob awakes - He is in God’s House - an awesome place - where Jesus is present to sustain and protect us with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven.
      How is God’s Good and Gracious Will Done? (LSB pg. 324 L.P. 3rd Pet. H.I.G.W.D?) When He strengthens and keeps me firm in His Word and Faith until we die. After His resurrection Jesus restored denying Peter to be His apostle. King Jesus spoke to him, John 21:18-19 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." (19) This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
    God’s good and gracious will would preserve Peter in Christ’s Word and Holy Spirit given faith until he glorified Him by his death. Dear Christian - stop living in fear - the strife is o’er the battle won! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Trust the Father’s good and gracious will. He knows how to preserve you in His Word and Faith. Even if your memory falters - He keeps you as His own. Even if your body suffers terminal cancer, chronic pain - He preserves you in His Word and Faith. Even if you suffer depression, schizophrenia, bi polar disorders - He doesn’t abandon you. He has written His Name and promise upon you - on the day of your baptism He laid His hand upon your forehead and heart with water and His Word. Marked you with the sign of Christ’s cross - the sign of victory over Satan, sin, death, the evil world, and yes, even your own sinful flesh. Daily hear the Father claim you in Christ Jesus comforting you with His Holy Spirit...”Ephesians 4:22-24   put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (23) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Continue in God’s Word and the Faith. Daily repeat and by grace live the Holy Ten Commandments. Speak the Truth - The Apostles’ Creed - out loud - live by Faith. Daily pray with Jesus - Our Father - Thy will be done! Amen.