''But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in (Matthew 23:13).''

The scribes and the Pharisees were so engrossed in keeping up their hypocritical facade that they were shutting the Kingdom of Heaven to everyone. They tried to make sure that those unworthy sinners and tax collectors were not in Heaven. They did not belong there. No one belonged there unless they were one of their number.

While trying to keep other people out of Heaven, they were managing to keep themselves out of Heaven. The more they worked to keep others out, the more they kept themselves out. This is the problem with being a hypocrite. Lying about what you believe makes you believe the lies. And lies keep you out of Heaven. Because lies come from the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44). 

The devil wants to shut the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven in everyone's face. He wants to keep everyone out of Heaven. He isn't allowed in Heaven. So he wants to keep the doors closed. He nudges us to keep with the Pharisees' hypocrisy. To keep ourselves out of Heaven. He wishes for us to keep him company for eternity in Heaven.

God wants you to be with Him for all eternity. He sent Christ into the world so that He could open the gates of Heaven for everyone who believes in Him. Jesus died and rose from the dead so that the gates of Heaven will be thrown wide open on the day when you arrive to meet Him. Amen.

Pro Wrestling America vs Big Time Wrestling!! Cross-promotion show with 12 big matches!!

Surprises abound in this card! You NEED to listen to this one until the end!

February 24, 2021

Bankers Life Field House

Indianapolis, IN

Arrival: David von Erich, Rasta the Voodoo Mon, Eric Embry

Departure: Moondogs

Eric Embry vs Rasta the Voodoo Mon

Chris Candido vs Iron Mike Sharpe

Brett Wayne Sawyer (PWA) vs 'Colorado Kid' Mike Rapada (BTW)

Billy Gunn (PWA) vs Sami Callihan (BTW)

TELEVISION TITLE MATCH: Brickhouse Brown (c) vs Michael Hayes

Von Erich Brothers vs Moondogs

'Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels vs Jesse James Armstrong

PWA VS BTW ELIMINATION MATCH #1

Rick Rude, Terry Gordy, Undertaker, David von Erich & Terry Funk (PWA)

vs

Ricky Morton, Tom Pritchard, Fabulous Lance, Reno Riggins & Chris Benoit (BTW)

Curt Hennig & Goldust (PWA) vs Bully Ray & Mark Briscoe (BTW)

PWA VS BTW ELIMINATION MATCH #2

Bobo Brazil, Austin Idol, 'Gentleman' Chris Adams, Iceman King Parsons & Buzz Sawyer (PWA)

vs

Big Show, Nikita Koloff, Krusher Kruschev, Kurt Angle & Earthquake (BTW)

PWA VS BTW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE UNIFICATION MATCH: Sting (PWA) vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley (BTW)

''Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12).''

Self-exaltation is never a good idea. Professional wrestling storylines are filled with stories of people believing they are the best in the world, only to be humbled by an "unexpected" loss. Professional wrestling is definitely one of those sports where self-exaltation is appreciated and encouraged. However, professional wrestlers also find themselves more often among those battling depression, substance abuse and rage than other athletes. They wind up humbled by the very weaknesses they try to cover up.

Humility is the virtue Jesus praises more often than any other. It is the virtue that underlies the faith of the centurion in Capernaum (Matthew 8:5-13) and the Canaanite woman who wanted nothing more than the crumbs (Matthew 15:21-28) that fell from the Bread of Life (John 6). Jesus would rather hear prayers from the humble, saying, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner," than He would an arrogant prayer from someone wanting to tell Jesus just how blessed '''HE''' should feel for having a follower like him (Luke 18:9-14).

Humility will be rewarded in Heaven. Humility is what helps the faithful persevere in the face of persecution. Humility is what is rewarded when those who have been faithful unto death receive the crown of life from their Savior.

Jesus isn't looking for arrogant, hot-headed professional wrestlers for His kingdom. There are certainly many Christians in the professional wrestling industry. But Jesus wants warriors in His army that are humbled by their sins and their need for a Savior. Being humbled by salvation, they are able to battle more effectively because they see their lives being exalted by Christ through their humility. Amen.

''The greatest among you shall be your servant (Matthew 23:11).''

Everyone wants to be the best at whatever they do. Athletes dream of the day where they can hoist the championship trophy over their head. They want to proclaim that they are the best in the world.

But Jesus doesn't see greatness that way. The eternal Son of God calls everyone who follows Him to imitate Him in everything they do. Jesus didn't come into the world to be served. He came into the world to serve sinners. He showed His greatness by making Himself the least of everyone.

The great saints of the Church have been those who were servants. In the past, we think of Francis of Asisi, Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Mary of Bethany. In our time, both Pope Francis and LCMS President Matthew Harrison are known around the world for their servant hearts for people hurting from disease or catastrophe. Their care and concern are for those to whom they are ministering. 

Great Christ-like examples of what it means to be great servants. Great servants are those who humble themselves so they can help others. Great servants seek to find ways to help without all the hype and back-patting that athletes seek when hoisting their championship trophies. A great servant's championship trophy is much greater. "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). Jesus has an eternal trophy in Heaven for each of His great servants. Including you. Amen.

Liturgical Date: First Sunday in Lent B

Calendar Date: February 21, 2021

Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL

Order of Service: Divine Service 4

Hymns:

#547, "The Lamb"

#656, "A Mighty Fortress"

#423, "Jesus, Refuge of the Weary"

#631, "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face"

#637, "Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord"

#424, "O Christ, You Walked the Road"

Sermon Theme: Where Is the Lamb?

Sermon Text: Genesis 22:1-18

Other Lectionary Readings: 

Psalm 25:1-10

James 1:12-18

Mark 1:9-15

''But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ (Matthew 23:8-10).''

Jesus commands us to call no one Rabbi or Father. But what about the great number of Jewish people who call their teachers rabbis? What about the great number of Christians who call their priests or pastors Father? Are they sinning against God's commandment? Absolutely not.

Those who are called rabbi and father are in a position of Scriptural authority over those God has placed under their spiritual care. The same Jesus who says, "Call no man your father on earth," inspires the author of the epistle to the Hebrews to write, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (13:17). 

You owe reverence to your spiritual leaders. God has given them the job of watching over your souls. They have a great responsibility before their Creator. With the reverence comes the titles. Jesus wants you to make sure that when you reverence your spiritual leader that you don't replace God with your spiritual leader. That you're not making your spiritual leader an idol.

Reverence your pastor. Love him or her as a brother or sister in Christ. But do not put them up on a pedestal alongside God. Before everything else, they are servants. More about that next time. Amen.

February 10, 2021

Rocket Mortgage Field House

Cleveland, OH

Arrivals: Iron Mike Sharpe, Jerry Lawler, Ross & Marshall Von Erich, Chris Candido, Rick Rude

Jerry Lawler vs Iron Mike Sharpe

Terry Gordy vs Billy Gunn

#1 Contender Match for the Television Title: 'Dirty' Dutch Mantell vs Michael Hayes

Chris Candido & Rick Rude vs Curt Hennig & Goldust

Television Title Match: Brickhouse Brown (c) vs #1 Contender

Austin Idol vs 'Gentleman' Chris Adams

Dangerous Duo vs Von Erich Brothers

Steve Corino vs Jushin Liger

Iceman King Parsons & Brickhouse Brown vs Fabulous Freebirds

American Heavyweight Title Match: Great Muta (c) vs Jimmy Golden

''They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others (Matthew 23:5-7).''

Pharisees are the best known class of hypocrites. They make themselves look good so they don't have to worry about doing much. They were the Kardashians of the Jewish religious scene. Everything was grandiose and made to bring attention to themselves. The more attention and prestige they had in town, the more they were loved and honored by the people.

Jesus had witnessed them clamoring for their spots at the great banquets held by people in the towns He visited. He saw and was disgusted by it. Telling this parable, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:8-11).

Do not seek honor. Let honor be bestowed upon you because of your character. Be humble with the honor and God will exalt you on the Last Day. Amen.

''They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger (Matthew 23:4).''

Pharisaism isn't anything that belongs just to the New Testament times. It doesn't just belong to the Jewish religion. Pharisees are everywhere.

This especially comes into play with Christian freedom. We are free in Christ. But those who hold fast to the belief of "once saved, always saved" or to Calvin's "irresistible grace" struggle with salvation being a license to sin. "As long as I've been saved," they say, "I can do whatever I want."

The preachers of this view place great burdens upon those who seek salvation. But they, having already been saved, do whatever they want. And no one is allowed to rebuke them.

The Pharisees place heavy burdens upon you. But Jesus places a light one. While the Pharisees want you to do A, B and C, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Amen.