Liberty Alert: Dr. Walter A Maier’s 1941 Message, “God Is Our Defense.” Part 02

The following program is sponsored by evangelical life ministries.

Welcome to Liberty action alert with Greg Seltz sponsored by our friends at the Lutheran center for religious Liberty here in Washington, DC, a program that cuts through the chaos and confusion in the culture today by talking to kingdom, citizenship, bold biblical principles for a robust public Christian life. And now your host, Dr. Greg sells

Well, hello. Hello. It's great to be here. I mean, it's really seriously. It's truly good to be on the program again this week.

Well, listen, I, I loved your introduction. Um, you know, you talked through the particular issues that, that Dr. Meyer raised when he talked about the problems that our country was facing. And remember, this was on the brink of world war II, I guess, first of all, wasn't it amazing how, how similar the problems were then, uh, to how they are today?

Yeah. I think, you know, one of the things that you just, um, just how you were talking about it there, it made me think of something because a lot of times people talk about, well, we need to preach about this. We need to preach about that, but they're always talking about something that happened many years ago or something that might happen in the future. And good preaching talks about the issues at the moment. It talks about the heart issues that people, you know, that are happening at the moment, why to turn that heart back to God. So again, when you listen to this sermon of Meyer, I mean, it's very particular on so many issues. And again, like we're gonna learn today. It was all for the purpose of finally calling people to repentance and calling people to faith. But again, it was also to call people to good government and to, to, to being a good citizen. So what were some of the specifics, if you can recall of, of, in your, and, and looking back on part one, what were some of those specifics where he actually called things out, uh, morally ethically and, and societally? Well,

Yeah. I mean, not only were they, uh, they were hard hitting and they were specific, and I think that's what I loved about the message again, because, uh, he he's talking to the hearts and minds of every individual in our country. And I think that's one of the things that, that bothers me a little bit today, cuz people often say to me that we shouldn't get political. And look, I understand that sentiment. You know, if you think that the, that politics is gonna be the big solution to these problems, you're right. Let's not get political because, uh, you know, the Lutheran center for religious Liberty says very clearly good politics will not save us. Um, bad politics can destroy us. So we're really just seeking for good, good politics to preserve things, but it's not gonna solve the big issues. So again, but if you're saying that we shouldn't speak to the moral and issues of the day, which are cultural, they're moral, they're ethical, that's actually a precursor to the good news of the gospel. So the issues are moral, the issues are spiritual. And if we're good pastors and good Christian leaders, I mean, we should be, um, speaking the truth of God to the actual issues of the day, which call all of us to repentance and faith. And so, you know, when I look back on part one, uh, which was last week and then part two, this sermon really demonstrated how to do that. Well, didn't it,

Yeah, he gets, I think he gets personal, you know, last week he talked about the cultural social issues that needed to be faced. And how, if you defi the moral teachings of the scripture, I mean, it was bad for culture . I mean, it was just bad for society. And so even if your heart wasn't in it do the right thing, cuz it would be better for the cultural in which we live this week. Like you said, he gets real personal. He says, cuz the ultimate solution is a heart thing. It's your heart, my heart. We come to grips with our own sin and we come and, and we are called to personal repentance before God. So I love how this sermon applied the law of God to the struggles of the day and it demanded good government and it also demanded good citizenship too, but in the end and I think that's again, good law gospel preaching in the end.

It's main message is that the main problem that we face is in each of our hearts, it's each of our need to be, to seek the mercy of God for our sins to fall in repentance, before his throne of grace and obviously to look to Jesus, our savior for our ultimate defense. So that's, today's part two message. And we felt that we needed to preach both parts. We couldn't do it in one program cuz back in those days they preached a lot longer and it was, you know, in fact it's hard to listen to some of the older sermons because they're so content rich and you know, I think the, the old sermon went about 30, 35 minutes on radio and people just listened harder back in those days. But what a message, it was both for our culture last week and also now for the good news of the gospel for all to hear. So that's today's message. That's part two, but before we get your introduction, any other thoughts before introducing part two?

Please bow your heads and pray with me. Holy spirit, our comforter and sustainer, many powerful enemies have been mobilized against the nation and the church from both without and within our lives. We feel the attack of dark hateful forces, which oppose the free and full grace of our Lord. Jesus Christ. Forgive us. We be speech the, for the Savior's sake, our many disloyal, our repeated sins against him and whom alone. There is heavenly hope. If in our own strength we seek to resist the foes of faith we're lost for, with might of ours cannot be done, but be thou old blessed spirit together with the father and the son, our shield and our protection against the onslaughts of hell, the assaults of our own conscience and the enticements of a sin world show us that our victory is granted by our trust in the power of the cross, defend our blessed Homeland against all adversaries against the menace of unbelief against the rejection of divine grace and the destructive godlessness of our days.

Hear us and help us then for Jesus' sake. Oh amen. Last week was defense Sunday. And so we preached part one of this message that God is our best national defense, but this week part two, we focus on what is ultimately true that God is every believers' defense a call to repentance, a call to faith, a call to trust in God for all things. So today, again is a defense Sunday message, but not the kind which certain congregations might feature. Like we said last week, true churches of Christ do not need reminders of the, for their members duty to defend our country and its liberties. It's a vital part of the Christian creed that we who accept the Lord. Jesus. We follow his injunction to render, to Caesar the things that our Caesars to obey Christ's word, let every soul be subject unto the higher powers to accept the Bible's instruction, to be subject to principalities and powers and to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake for we know that God is our best national defense, but today we focus on the ultimate message of the scripture that God is every believers, defense for the things that matter now and forever.

So my remarks, they will differ from the opinions that some of you heard even in your churches this morning, because this broadcast is dedicated to the truth that only in Jesus Christ as the son of God and savior of mankind can our age and the millions in our country find sure defense men who do not know the Redeemer men who propagate a creed opposed to Christ or who at best omit, all mention of the Lord from the sermons they preach on Sunday, understand neither the greatest weakness of our nation nor the divine helped to be found in Jesus and in, in his word during these darkened days. So when I speak to you on defense, I want to stress the side that many politicians forget in this crisis, America's need of a spiritual bull work. The safeguarding of our souls to that end. I give you this divine assurance for this present emergency God is our defense.

God is our best national defense. And today God is every believers, defense. You know, many of you, however, desperately need defense for your own personal selves. You're besieged by relentless fears and worries. Your conscience haunts you as the memories of flaming sins. Now after 30, 40, or more years, flare up to mock you with their gasoline horror, you wanna get rid of your transgressions to silence the accusing voice, to enjoy rest for your soul. No human being though will give you that pardon and peace, but Jesus blessed Jesus can. When he God's son and marries your savior and substitute went to the cross of shame. He took with him, my sins, your sins, the whole world sins suffered their appalling punishment, endured their frightful curse, paid their death penalty. By believing this gospel grace, we can find pardon, escape, hell's terrors, defeat the grave and triumph over despair.

Through this faith, we have the immovable unmistakable confidence that salvation is ours. Completely hours eternally that a special place has been prepared for us in the many mansions in heaven that in the heavens open by the Redeemer's atonement, our will be the glory. Oh, marvelous privilege of seeing him face to face with endless rapture and adoration. What matchless love in Jesus. Think of all the vial criminals throughout history who have been sentenced to death and ask yourself how often you have heard anyone volunteer to take their places at the Gallos, the guillotine, the electric chair, but Jesus merciful. Jesus did even more. He died for the worst of sinners to save them from the horror of eternal death. Picture the millions in misery all over the earth, either paying the consequences of their own sins or groaning under imposed cruelty. Can you find anyone who has said, let me suffer for them die in their stead so that they can live in freedom and happiness, but Jesus beloved, Jesus did this and more.

He went the hard Calvary road to restore his father's love to a world lost in its own wickedness. Now forget the rest of humanity for a moment and just concentrate on yourself. Review your own transgressions. Your hate filled, lost Laden thoughts, your cruel cutting words. Your shameful acts sometimes hidden from human gaze, but be sure of this known in all their sorted details to the holy God and as his word and your conscience remind you that you cannot stand before him with unforgiven transgressions. I ask you, do you know any man, Saint or angel who can transfer your guilt to himself? But Jesus precious. Jesus did. The Bible says his own self Bo our sins in his body on the tree. His cross is your defense against sin. His blood, your defense against hell, his death, your defense against the decay of the grave. When Christ is thrown in your heart, you can face an accusing conscience with the triumph.

That Jesus is my defense. Who is he? That condemns. It is Christ that has died. Yay. Rather, that has risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us with the savior controlling your life. You can reject the coaxing of Satan's temptations when doubts a sale. You, you can push them aside to declare Jesus is my defense. I know in whom I have believed and I'm persuaded that he is able to keep that, which I have committed unto him that day. If Christ is your Lord, you can face divine justice. And though your sins are many grievous and disheartening. You can tell the judge of eternity, oh father, Jesus is my defense. He was wounded for my transgressions. He was bruised for my inequities, my fellow redeemed, if you want a sure protection against evil, a claim Christ your own savior, except him now a day, even an hour's hesitation may prove too long, too late.

If the arc Royal had been an hour or too earlier, it could have been towed safely into the shelter of Gibralter only 25 miles away. That delay sent the mighty craft to the bottom of the Mediterranean. Some of you have been limping through life battered and shattered by the enemies of your soul. But now at this moment, that refuge in your Redeemer, the Lord Jesus is close at hand. Will it be life with Christ or death without him for you give the spirit his way into your heart and declare from this moment on, despite my past sins, my backsliding, my thanklessness Jesus is mine. God helping me forever as our Lord is the defined defense against sin. So he is unfailing protection against life sorrows, dangers and fears. Take courage. You who are crushed in spirit who feel yourselves ground under the heel of continued cruelty.

His save. Your love is extended, especially to the world. Weary the heavily afflicted. The burden bearers looks steadfastly unto Jesus for he not only knows your suffering since he endured far more than we will ever be asked to bear, but he also promises to help you carry your cross through the night of black sorrow in the depth of depressing gloom holds your head high because you raise it to him and repeat the Psalmist confidence. He is my defense. I shall not be moved. Keep your eyes focused on Calvary. And remember you are so precious in God's sight that Jesus lived, died and rose again, to free you from the shackles of sorrow. God, the almighty creator can help in every need. He wants to help you since he loves you in Christ. He will help you even in desperate moments when every human prop gives way, what then are the surrounding afflictions, which you would escape.

Are you laid low by sickness? The savior can be your Rampart against its ravages. He can start where medical science stops. Even more. He can use bodily illness to create a healthy soul. Last week, a Christian Young woman told me I was sick for years, unable to work confined in my home, but that suffering helped bring me fully to Christ. And if I had to go through all those years of agony again, to receive Jesus, as I know him, I would gladly endure everything once more to have the savior in my heart. Are you attacked by money problems? Want poverty? The Lord is your defense here too. He who has the riches of all the universe at his disposal can make you prosperous overnight. If this is for your good, and if Jesus keeps you poor, he can perform an even greater wonder. He can change this burden to a mighty advantage.

Transform your earthly poverty to a treasure of spiritual riches is your happiness is sailed by the tragedy of a Loveless family, a broken home loneliness or desertion. Once again, finds sustaining comfort in Jesus. He's able to restore shattered happiness and make it even more radiant. Your own letters testify. How divorces were averted and peace restored in your households after Jesus was made the head of your home. If in his inscrutable wisdom, the Lord sees fit to have you suffer under repeated instances of unfaithful and continued strife. Believe that divine compensation will give you unsurpassable soul peace in the close companionship with your savior, whatever the gloom and circling your life may be let Christ dispel it. Let me say that again. Whatever the gloom in circling your life may be let Christ dispel it. However, enemies may be mobilized against your soul opposition, persecution, ridicule, cruelty, broken hopes, shattered ambitions.

Jesus can repulse every one of them and make life's defeats. Faith's glorious victories. The savior will not forsake you as long as you clinging to him. That is your confidence for these clouded years. As you go into an unpromising future overcast with the specs of war and the signs of deeper suffering for all mankind. If in these darkened moments, you rely on yourselves, you're lost, but if you trust God in Christ, if you the unfaithful who have turned from your heavenly father now return to his grace with penitent hearts, with faith, which takes his son at his word. Then though the noise of battle, roar and hatreds rage through the whale and woe of suffering. Let this be your battle cry. He is my defense. And in closing, let me me just say this. Let this be your triumphant himm of praise. A mighty fortress is our God, a trustee shield and weapon. He helps us free from every need that ha us now or taken. So here again, and your trust in the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 62, he is my defense. I shall not be moved trust in him at all times. You people may God grant every one of you that eternal victory through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation. Amen, man, thanks for tuning in today to get to know our LC R LDC work better. Check out our website@lclfreedom.org till next time. God bless you always I'm Greg SZ have a great week.

You've been listening to Liberty action alert with Greg Seltz executive director of the Lutheran center for religious Liberty in Washington, DC. This program has been brought to you by the Lutheran center for religious Liberty.