Sermon for All Saints written

In the Name of Jesus, our Savior who justifies us, Amen.

Let us pray:


Today we celebrate the Festival of All Saints. This day we remember the faithful departed who left us this past year. Our loved ones who no longer suffer here in this valley of death but now live in paradise in Christ Jesus. They have been welcomed by God into heaven and are at eternal rest in Abraham’s bosom.

In the Gospel lesson today, Christ Jesus went up onto the mountain, opened His mouth, and began to teach His disciples the Beatitudes. Those statements of the blessed. Today we remember All Saints Day, both those saints who have survived the tribulation and you who are here today. Therefore, just as the Father welcomed this past year the faithful into eternal heaven, so He welcomes you here today. Welcome you who are meek. Welcome you who are the peacemakers. Welcome you who mourn. Welcome you who thirst and hunger after righteousness. Welcome you who are merciful and pure in heart. Welcome you who are poor in spirit and who are persecuted. For today belongs to you. It does not belong to the unbeliever, but to you who live the Christian life. Welcome all of you who are saints, who live in love toward God and your neighbor. Welcome, for you go through the tribulation and are faithful to Christ Jesus. You are in this place therefore, God is glad with you and shall bless you in everything that you do.
Before you continue in this line of thought, hear the words of Christ Jesus that say, Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Not one of you walked through the church doors today in meekness and humility, but in false pride, ignorant concerning your own depravity. Not one of you sat down in the pew as a peacemaker, for not only do you give into the gossip and slander that happens within your daily life and within this very church, but also you add fuel to the burning pile of sin and deceit through your hidden agendas and false notions of piety. Not one of you pick up your hymnal thirsting and hungering after righteousness, for after the third stanza of the hymn, you are ready to sit down, suffer through the lessons and sermon, and get out of here so you can enjoy the rest of your day. No, not one of you came in as those who are persecuted, for your head is still on your shoulders, and money still in your pocket book. The blessing of God did not fill your heart and mind as you walked in, but rather the cares of this world and its God, the devil, infected every moment of your thoughts. You are not welcomed in this place because of some worthiness within yourself, nor can you earn sainthood. Repent, for your reward is not in heaven because you survived the tribulation and fought the good fight.

If your blessedness depended on your ability to be pure in heart and holy, then you would have no comfort. You are not born as a child of God, but as a Son of wrath with the mark of the beast sealing your forehead. However, hear the Word of God according to the Revelation of St. John that says, Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

Welcome. You who are gossiper and slanderers. Welcome you who are prideful and arrogant. Welcome you who are hateful and vengeful. Welcome you who are corrupted by sin and the devil. For you are welcomed to this place, called to this place, dragged to this place, not because you have done something good in the sight of God, but because you are sealed with the sign of His beloved Son. For Christ the Lord purchased and won all creation from sin, death, and the power of the devil on the cross. There, at Golgotha, did Jesus Christ bleed so that you may be blessed. Christ our Lord was persecuted more than the prophets of Old, for He suffered not just the wrath and greed of man, but more than that, suffered the wrath of Almighty God. For when the Law of God found Christ on the cross, it cursed Him and killed Him. Jesus became a curse upon the cross so that you may be blessed by the Father.

Hear the words of Christ Jesus, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” These words were spoken over those who crucified Christ Jesus, and they are the same words that Christ continues to pray and preach today. As the messenger of Christ Jesus, I forgive you your sin. You are a sealed servant of God for in the waters of Holy Baptism you died to this world, the Old Adam was drowned, the devil conquered, and now you live in Christ Jesus. The same cross that marked you in Holy Baptism is proclaimed to you this day. You don’t come here to hear about the blessed life, or for me to tell you what to do to become a saint. No, you are brought here by God to be declared righteous in His sight. Receive the Holy Absolution of God the Father, your sin is forgiven, you are no longer cursed, but blessed. Blessed are you when other revile you and persecute you on account of Christ Jesus. Blessed are you when the devil tempts you. Blessed are you when the world is against you. You are blest because Christ Jesus became a curse for you. You are blest, redeemed, forgiven, because Christ Jesus took your sin upon Himself and granted you his righteousness and innocence. Take His body and drink His blood in the Lord’s Supper for it is His desire that you be a blessed child of God the Father.

Today is All Saints Day. The day we remember all the faithful departed. But more importantly, we hear the same words that blessed them and gave them saving faith. Your sin is forgiven, you are no longer a slave to sin, but a child in the house of God. Be at peace during this valley of suffering, for Christ Jesus has already purchased your reward of eternal life and gives it to you whenever you hear His word. Live in peace blessed saints of God, For Christ Jesus accomplishes everything for you, Amen.