“For you?” – a sermon by Gerhard O. Forde was printed in The Lutheran (April 1996) 12‐13.
To read about tampering with this sermon, please click here for a pdf document.
Transfiguration Sunday – Foreshadows the light that explodes
In this season of Epiphany we remember that the Lord works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. We are coming out of winter, the darkest time of year. We celebrate the coming of the light. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). During this season the light has been increasing. Soon it will explode.
Epiphany 7: “The light shines in the darkness.” How much more!
In this season of Epiphany we celebrate the coming of the light, as the Gospel of John begins: “In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). We know “The Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.” One of the great mysteries of life is prayer. Is it a way to tip the scales of the universe in our favor? That seems wrong, but what do we say? Are there dos and don’ts we should know about?
Epiphany 6: “The light shines in the darkness.” The church is a mouth house.
In this season of Epiphany we celebrate the coming of the light. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
God is hidden in light inaccessible, as Isaiah states: “Truly thou art a God who hidest thyself” (Isa 45:15). God is hidden because he actively hides himself. He means to be hidden. He out of reach to our senses. We cannot see God in other people. We cannot see God as we see each other. There is a distance between God and ourselves that cannot be bridged from our side.
Epiphany 5: “The light shines in the darkness.” The bodily word of his Supper
In this season of Epiphany we celebrate the coming of the light: John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
It is not news to say that secularism is on the rise and Christianity on the decline in the West, to say nothing of the deadly persecution of Christians happening in parts of the world. Is this a new Dark Ages? Today whether you are driving through city or countryside, it is not uncommon to see churches that have been closed and converted into “event centers” or “real estate offices” or “community centers,” and the like.