The sermon text for this past Sunday according to the regional lectionary:

A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” After Paul saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We put out to sea from Troas and sailed a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for some days. On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there. A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.  After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.

Acts 16,9-15

God´s word is a wonderful treasure for sure. Here in this short story of St. Paul´s first visit to Europe, we find beautiful gemstones – jewels of God´s sweet truth, precious gems of his dear love and caring, his forgiving grace and most holy mercy – and the holy apostle hands out the treasures of his Lord in Word and Sacrament as is expected of him as faithful servant and steward of our good Lord.

Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?

Luke 12,42

St. Paul – together with the holy men St. Barnabas and St. Timothy – meets these god-fearing women next to some river outside the city gate. He speaks words of wisdom of God´s truth and love, mentions our heavenly Father’s grace and forgiveness for Jews and gentiles, preaches the one and only saviour Jesus Christ – and him crucified – and the triune God and Lord opens Lydia´s heart. It is him working faith and trust in this woman. He who does great miracles and wonders.

It is He, who speaks through his faithful servant and holy apostle. God´s holy Word of Law and Gospel is active, creative, effective, clear and sufficient and does absolutely all he wants and aims for. She gets to know herself and God reveals himself to her – as her Lord and savior – as the one, who forgives sins and heals all our diseases. Here and always.

Did He not give that task and mission mandate to his apostles? Even to St. Paul as the untimely birth amongst the holy apostles – him finally to the gentiles, the others as from the beginning to the Jews.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Matthews 28,19

That is because it is good and salutary will from the very foundation of the world:

He truly wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1. Timothy 2,4

So, in the end, Lydia and her household are baptized. Way to go. God´s Word does not come back empty. It produces much fruit. It is sweeter than honey – and a lamp to walk by day by day – a light to illumine our path – from one treasure to the next. As our confessions puts it:

For the ministry of the Word has the command of God and has magnificent promises like Romans 1 (16): the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.” Likewise, Isaiah 55 (11), “… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to my empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose…

Apology XIII,11

How can water do such great things?

Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit,

as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5–8)

Excerpt from Luther´s Small Catechism IV,4

Thank God for his holy Word and most precious Sacraments. These are no longer hidden, but out in the open and readily available as long as God gives grace and before he calls it a day.

Therefore, come and eat for free from God´s rich banquet. It´s is yours for the taking. The treasure house of God is open. No treasure hunt necessary. It is yours for keeps. God is dispensing best medication for sinners – forgiveness of all sins for IX sake – grants true life and eternal salvation.

Come, see and taste, how friendly our good God is. Every day anew. Not just once or seven times, but seventy times seven times – and more. Praise the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever. Amen. 

+ The peace of the Lord be with you always. +