Sermon preached at the fourth biennial onvention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Vancouver, 4 Jl 1993. Historical series, no 4. Matt 10:24-33

Sjoberg, Donald W.

English

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 31
Issue 1 Preaching the Gospel in Canada in the 21st
Century
Article 9
5-1-2006
Have no fear
Donald W. Sjoberg
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Sermons is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Sjoberg, Donald W. (2006) "Have no fear ," Consensus: Vol. 31 : Iss. 1 , Article 9.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol31/iss1/9
HISTORICAL SERIES, 4
Have No Fear
Donald W. Sjoberg
National Bishop (Ret.), Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(Editor’s Note: This sermon was preached 4 July 1993 at the
closing service of the Fourth Biennial Convention of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada [ELCIC], held in
Vancouver, British Columbia, at the University of British
Columbia. The Rev. Donald W. Sjoberg, the first National
Bishop of the ELCIC, served in that ministry from 1986 to
1993 and did not, at this Convention, seek a further term. Thus
his theme of “Have no Fear” held a peculiar relevance to this
very young Church as it entered its first transition to new
leadership. Prior to this ministry he had been Bishop of the
Western Canada Synod of the Lutheran Church in America
from 1970 to 1985.)
Text: Matthew 10:24-33
Xenophanes, the Greek philosopher, 6th century BC, named three
fundamental questions which should be asked of a friend: “When did
you begin your journey in life? From what place did you start? When
did fear intrude itself?”
Of the three, the fear factor probably has the greatest influence
throughout our lives. Fear may keep us safe as we avoid dangerous
situations. At times fear may give us a needed shot of adrenaline and
motivate us. Jesus says his followers must overcome this type of fear.
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus prepares the disciples for bold
witnessing in spite of those who have power over them – religious
authorities, governors and kings, and even family members turning
against them. They will be called satanic and one can imagine how
damaging and hurtful that would be. They will be brought before
councils, flogged in synagogues, dragged before authorities,
threatened, imprisoned and killed. They will feel abandoned and
helpless. They would have every reason to be afraid.
139
Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2006
But Jesus says, “Have no fear of them.” Truth will win out. “For
nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be
known.” God’s Word will be proclaimed boldly, sometimes by
surprising people. What is masked by hypocrisy and deceit will be
revealed. Even the earth will give up the bodies of the victims, and
the perpetrators will be brought to justice. The cries of the people will
be heard. Witness to the truth takes priority above the fear of
punishment or even familial loyalties.
In such situations I would have every reason to fear. But it is
amazing how people can rise above such fears. Something else is
stronger. Six years ago at the concluding convention service in
Ottawa, I invited Dean Simon Farisani from South Africa to sing the
song he sang when he had been imprisoned and tortured.1 Looking at
his face as he sang I imagined the likeness to the face of Christ as he
set out to Jerusalem. Farisani had many things to fear, but God had
given him a song and a strength. In the words of Isaiah, “for the Lord
God helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have
set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame”
(50:7).
Jeremiah seemed an unlikely prophet with his fear of public
speaking and lack of experience. A U.S.A. poll showed that the
number one fear for people was public speaking. Death ranked
number six! Despite Jeremiah’s fears he is called to be a prophet and
continues to prophesy even though he is deceived, disregarded, and
made a laughing-stock. He confesses that if he were not to speak,
“there is in my heart, as it were, a burning fire shut up in my bones”
(20:9). When we feel passionately about something we overcome our
fear of speaking.
We have all seen this at conventions when a nervous delegate
comes to the mike to speak from the heart. Some years ago, at a
Lutheran Church in America convention, a resolution dealing with
sexual abuse was presented to the convention and it seemed it was
about to pass without much debate or discussion. Then a woman
came to the microphone to say she had been a victim of sexual abuse
and that we must name the abuse and provide help to the victims as
well as to confront the perpetrators. “There are others here with
similar experiences,” she said, and invited them to stand. It was an
electric moment as others stood. Needless to say, action on the
resolution took on new meaning. Sexual abuse is only one of many
140 Consensus
http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol31/iss1/9
issues the church is called to address and we do that best by listening
to those who have been hurt and marginalized, by our willingness to
risk being misunderstood and to change our way of thinking.
When Archbishop Tutu appeared before the South African Eloff
Commission of Enquiry he testified: “The most awful thing that the
authorities can do is kill me, and death is not the worst thing that can
happen to a Christian. What is worst? Woe to me if I preach not the
whole gospel.”
The context in which we bear witness is vastly different from that
of South Africa and other countries of the world. When Archbishop
Tutu came to the World Council of Churches Assembly held at this
university ten years ago, he commented about the differences for the
Church in North America as compared to South Africa. “Don’t feel
sorry for us,” he advised, “for in some ways it is clearer for us to
confess our faith in South Africa.”
Have no fear! Fear not those who can destroy the body but not
the soul. Fear and love God much more, as we have learned in our
catechism.2 God is at the centre of life, not to be ignored. The less we
love and fear God, the more things we become anxious about, and the
more our fears stand in the way of witnessing boldly and clearly in a
world very much in need of healing.
Zbigniew Brzinski, former national security advisor to the
President of the United States, in his book Out of Control, mentions
three problem areas: economic, social, and spiritual. In a television
interview he stated that something can be done about the economic
problems, possibly also about the social, but unusual intervention is
required in the spiritual or metaphysical area. What he sees as
unusual intervention is the mission our Lord has called and
empowered us to do.
Years ago it seemed our mission in the world was a little clearer
as missionaries went to other countries and new congregations were
being started in record numbers. Being “sent into the world” is
different today because the world has changed. People in other
nations are reminding us to work for justice and peace where we live
and to be in solidarity with them.
Do not be afraid! These are words spoken to God’s people when
they are told they are becoming part of something much bigger. So it
was when God spoke to Abraham the wandering Aramean, to the
renegade Jacob, to prophets, to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to Joseph
Have No Fear 141
Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2006
and Mary, and to the disciples. They are words also for us. We too are
invited to become part of God’s saving mission in the world. Be open
to God’s surprises. Do not give in to despair but live in the confidence
of God’s kingdom and the promises of our Lord. Be part of God’s
future. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to
give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
You are loved by God. You are the baptized. Do not deny God’s
covenant with you. You acknowledge that covenant when you gather
with others for worship, hearing God’s Word, sharing in the meal,
proclaiming the gospel in word and deed, serving those in need and
striving for peace and justice.3 We are differently gifted, but each gift
is to be used with confidence and courage for the sake of the world
God loves.
Have no fear! These words are from Jesus to us today. May we
hear them as words of hope and promise in spite of our hesitancy, our
fear, our failings – even our denials. Our Lord remains faithful “for
he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Notes
1 The Rev. T. Simon Farisani, a black Lutheran pastor from South Africa,
was heavily involved in the struggle against apartheid. Already detained
and tortured in the 1970s, he was imprisoned, from November 1981
through much of June 1982, “for a crime he did not commit, tortured for
preaching that apartheid is the policy of the devil and mocked for his
religious beliefs. By February 1982, Farisani was nearly dead.
Normally a robust and tightly packed 200 pounds in a 5-foot-7 frame,
Farisani weighed only about 120 pounds. He suffered a heart attack
early that month and was hospitalized for a total of four months.” In
October 1982 he was allowed to visit West Germany, Lutheran world
Federation officials in Geneva, and North America.” (“Tortured South
African Lutheran Pastor Does Not Feel Hatred,” Lutheran World
Information 6/83.)
2 In his “The Small Catechism,” Martin Luther begins his explanation of
each of the Ten Commandments with the words, “We are to fear and
love God so that …”
3 From the liturgy of the “Affirmation of Baptism,” Lutheran Book of
Worship (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1978), p. 201.
142 Consensus
http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol31/iss1/9


Have no fear

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 31Issue 1 Preaching the Gospel in Canada in the 21stCenturyArticle 95-1-2006Have no fearDonald W. SjobergFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Sermons is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationSjoberg, Donald W. (2006) "Have no fear ," Consensus: Vol. 31 : Iss. 1 , Article 9.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol31/iss1/9HISTORICAL SERIES, 4Have No FearDonald W. SjobergNational Bishop (Ret.), Evangelical Lutheran Church In CanadaWinnipeg, Manitoba(Editor’s Note: This sermon was preached 4 July 1993 at theclosing service of the Fourth Biennial Convention of theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Canada [ELCIC], held inVancouver, British Columbia, at the University of BritishColumbia. The Rev. Donald W. Sjoberg, the first NationalBishop of the ELCIC, served in that ministry from 1986 to1993 and did not, at this Convention, seek a further term. Thushis theme of “Have no Fear” held a peculiar relevance to thisvery young Church as it entered its first transition to newleadership. Prior to this ministry he had been Bishop of theWestern Canada Synod of the Lutheran Church in Americafrom 1970 to 1985.)Text: Matthew 10:24-33Xenophanes, the Greek philosopher, 6th century BC, named threefundamental questions which should be asked of a friend: “When didyou begin your journey in life? From what place did you start? Whendid fear intrude itself?”Of the three, the fear factor probably has the greatest influencethroughout our lives. Fear may keep us safe as we avoid dangeroussituations. At times fear may give us a needed shot of adrenaline andmotivate us. Jesus says his followers must overcome this type of fear.In today’s Gospel reading Jesus prepares the disciples for boldwitnessing in spite of those who have power over them – religiousauthorities, governors and kings, and even family members turningagainst them. They will be called satanic and one can imagine howdamaging and hurtful that would be. They will be brought beforecouncils, flogged in synagogues, dragged before authorities,threatened, imprisoned and killed. They will feel abandoned andhelpless. They would have every reason to be afraid.139Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2006But Jesus says, “Have no fear of them.” Truth will win out. “Fornothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not beknown.” God’s Word will be proclaimed boldly, sometimes bysurprising people. What is masked by hypocrisy and deceit will berevealed. Even the earth will give up the bodies of the victims, andthe perpetrators will be brought to justice. The cries of the people willbe heard. Witness to the truth takes priority above the fear ofpunishment or even familial loyalties.In such situations I would have every reason to fear. But it isamazing how people can rise above such fears. Something else isstronger. Six years ago at the concluding convention service inOttawa, I invited Dean Simon Farisani from South Africa to sing thesong he sang when he had been imprisoned and tortured.1 Looking athis face as he sang I imagined the likeness to the face of Christ as heset out to Jerusalem. Farisani had many things to fear, but God hadgiven him a song and a strength. In the words of Isaiah, “for the LordGod helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I haveset my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame”(50:7).Jeremiah seemed an unlikely prophet with his fear of publicspeaking and lack of experience. A U.S.A. poll showed that thenumber one fear for people was public speaking. Death rankednumber six! Despite Jeremiah’s fears he is called to be a prophet andcontinues to prophesy even though he is deceived, disregarded, andmade a laughing-stock. He confesses that if he were not to speak,“there is in my heart, as it were, a burning fire shut up in my bones”(20:9). When we feel passionately about something we overcome ourfear of speaking.We have all seen this at conventions when a nervous delegatecomes to the mike to speak from the heart. Some years ago, at aLutheran Church in America convention, a resolution dealing withsexual abuse was presented to the convention and it seemed it wasabout to pass without much debate or discussion. Then a womancame to the microphone to say she had been a victim of sexual abuseand that we must name the abuse and provide help to the victims aswell as to confront the perpetrators. “There are others here withsimilar experiences,” she said, and invited them to stand. It was anelectric moment as others stood. Needless to say, action on theresolution took on new meaning. Sexual abuse is only one of many140 Consensushttp://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol31/iss1/9issues the church is called to address and we do that best by listeningto those who have been hurt and marginalized, by our willingness torisk being misunderstood and to change our way of thinking.When Archbishop Tutu appeared before the South African EloffCommission of Enquiry he testified: “The most awful thing that theauthorities can do is kill me, and death is not the worst thing that canhappen to a Christian. What is worst? Woe to me if I preach not thewhole gospel.”The context in which we bear witness is vastly different from thatof South Africa and other countries of the world. When ArchbishopTutu came to the World Council of Churches Assembly held at thisuniversity ten years ago, he commented about the differences for theChurch in North America as compared to South Africa. “Don’t feelsorry for us,” he advised, “for in some ways it is clearer for us toconfess our faith in South Africa.”Have no fear! Fear not those who can destroy the body but notthe soul. Fear and love God much more, as we have learned in ourcatechism.2 God is at the centre of life, not to be ignored. The less welove and fear God, the more things we become anxious about, and themore our fears stand in the way of witnessing boldly and clearly in aworld very much in need of healing.Zbigniew Brzinski, former national security advisor to thePresident of the United States, in his book Out of Control, mentionsthree problem areas: economic, social, and spiritual. In a televisioninterview he stated that something can be done about the economicproblems, possibly also about the social, but unusual intervention isrequired in the spiritual or metaphysical area. What he sees asunusual intervention is the mission our Lord has called andempowered us to do.Years ago it seemed our mission in the world was a little cleareras missionaries went to other countries and new congregations werebeing started in record numbers. Being “sent into the world” isdifferent today because the world has changed. People in othernations are reminding us to work for justice and peace where we liveand to be in solidarity with them.Do not be afraid! These are words spoken to God’s people whenthey are told they are becoming part of something much bigger. So itwas when God spoke to Abraham the wandering Aramean, to therenegade Jacob, to prophets, to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to JosephHave No Fear 141Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2006and Mary, and to the disciples. They are words also for us. We too areinvited to become part of God’s saving mission in the world. Be opento God’s surprises. Do not give in to despair but live in the confidenceof God’s kingdom and the promises of our Lord. Be part of God’sfuture. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure togive you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).You are loved by God. You are the baptized. Do not deny God’scovenant with you. You acknowledge that covenant when you gatherwith others for worship, hearing God’s Word, sharing in the meal,proclaiming the gospel in word and deed, serving those in need andstriving for peace and justice.3 We are differently gifted, but each giftis to be used with confidence and courage for the sake of the worldGod loves.Have no fear! These words are from Jesus to us today. May wehear them as words of hope and promise in spite of our hesitancy, ourfear, our failings – even our denials. Our Lord remains faithful “forhe cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!Notes1 The Rev. T. Simon Farisani, a black Lutheran pastor from South Africa,was heavily involved in the struggle against apartheid. Already detainedand tortured in the 1970s, he was imprisoned, from November 1981through much of June 1982, “for a crime he did not commit, tortured forpreaching that apartheid is the policy of the devil and mocked for hisreligious beliefs. By February 1982, Farisani was nearly dead.Normally a robust and tightly packed 200 pounds in a 5-foot-7 frame,Farisani weighed only about 120 pounds. He suffered a heart attackearly that month and was hospitalized for a total of four months.” InOctober 1982 he was allowed to visit West Germany, Lutheran worldFederation officials in Geneva, and North America.” (“Tortured SouthAfrican Lutheran Pastor Does Not Feel Hatred,” Lutheran WorldInformation 6/83.)2 In his “The Small Catechism,” Martin Luther begins his explanation ofeach of the Ten Commandments with the words, “We are to fear andlove God so that …”3 From the liturgy of the “Affirmation of Baptism,” Lutheran Book ofWorship (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1978), p. 201.142 Consensushttp://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol31/iss1/9

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1159&amp;context=consensus

Have no fear

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Scholars Commons

Wilfrid Laurier University