Thirteen years later Stephan preached another sermon for the twentieth Sunday after Trinity using the same Matthew 13 parable; it is not found in his two-volume work. Stephan tells his congregation,
This earth is also called God’s field where God planted good seeds, but where weeds also flourish. God has his work here, it is the preparation of mankind for eternity and therefore life on this earth is of great significance. Even when life is short, it still has great meaning. Only eternity will reveal how important the lives of the newborn were, even the importance of the still-born or those that died in their mother’s womb. All of that was important because they were on this earth. All of them will give testimony to the importance of every hour, every day and every circumstance on the earth. Therefore, we must consider the times of our life on this earth as something precious and we must never think that this is a vain dream ... But the plants grow side by side (the wheat and the weeds) by God’s permissive will, and will remain this way until the judgment day. At some time there will be glorious days on this earth because God will have compassion on this sinful mankind. He will give his Son witness and authority around the whole world. He will bless His word and reveal it to many peoples so that they see that it is the Lord who speaks and that He is truth and full of grace. But while the proclamation of Christ is spread over all the earth, there will still be weeds in God’s field.15
What we read here is a pastor who longs for the coming of the kingdom of God and hopes that in time God will bring people to know Him and then bring forth productive life. Stephan does not see this kingdom as the thousand year’s reign of the Christ. He sees this in the context of the battle between the good and the bad seed or good and evil.
These sermons of Martin Stephan display his personal theology as well as his hopes and expectations for his congregation. They are filled with compassion and with great confidence in God. His written word contains unequivocal statements about the tribulations of mankind while announcing the hope that God’s promise brings to people in order to deal with life’s troubles. It is instructive to read Stephan’s words themselves.
In his sermon for Rogate Sunday, the church year Sunday when the periscopes focus on prayer, Stephan reveals how prayer was personal for him and his congregation. It is filled with reassurance and comfort. This text on John 16:23–30 contains parts of the high priestly prayer of Jesus before his crucifixion. In this sermon Stephan said to the hearers and readers,
God hears our prayer; this is said to us in his Word. Just call on me in the time of need and I will answer and you shall praise me. It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer. If all those who pray would hold God’s Word to be higher than human knowledge, they would all have a childlike belief, such as: God hears us, because he has promised us; but because they rely on and put greater emphasis on human wisdom, they end up with many doubts, and needless and detrimental questions. Then they ask: how it is possible for God to hear our prayer? Should God really concern Himself with us poor creatures who are so small before Him? Yes, truly God is concerned for each person. He, who has made the eyes, shall they not see? And who has made the ear shall he not hear? He who cares for the grass, should he not care for a human being? He, who counts all the hairs on your head, shall he not care whether we have good or bad fortune? Alas why do we rob ourselves through our unbelief of the comfort that come from knowing that God hears our prayer? A Bible verse should mean more to us than all the wisdom of all the wise of this earth, more than all their explanations which tend to rob us of our childlike faith. Therefore, pray in the name of Jesus Christ with childlike confidence and right devotion.16
Stephan asserts his opposition to the Age of Reason in this sermon as he tells how reason casts doubt on the power and wisdom of God. At the same time he reassures his hearers that the One who made ears to hear can also hear their prayer. They can pray with confidence and devotion.
Martin Stephan’s sermons on Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost Sundays portray his heartfelt personal Christian faith, his relationship to God, his view of the human condition, and his belief about Christ’s role in human redemption and transformation.
The first of these sermons was preached at the Christmas Day celebration using Luke 2:1–14, the traditional text for this day. Stephan speaks of the role of the angels in the Christmas story and calls them the first preachers of the Christmas event. In this stirring message of Christmas, Stephan uses the meaning of the word “angels” to emphasize that God is with and among His people. God’s own messengers came to announce the love of God for them. God’s wisdom and presence have been there with them long before Christ’s birth, but now they can witness God in the flesh:
Christianity, which has it foundation in the Word of God, is a heavenly matter. It came from heaven, contains heavenly things and leads to heaven. Not only was the birth of Jesus announced by the angels, these heavenly Spirits were not only involved in the redemptive work of Christ, but they were also present when the Law was given. The prophets also received their orders from God through angels ... Here we find confirmation of the Word of God: Are the not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation: At the birth of Christ, God reveals his wisdom through the ministry of the angels. It is the moment when the greatest miracle of His grace will be revealed, namely the incarnation of his only begotten Son.17
In the next part of the sermon Stephan does not analyze the mystery of the divine joining the human race but invites the hearer to receive it, with awe and thanks that God would show such power and mystery in taking on the human condition:
This is the work which seems unbelievable by human reasoning. God becomes man, a child, becomes weak and without power, requires the care of men. Who can fathom this? See to it that you are able to grasp it. For that purpose God has sent teachers from heaven that by their brilliance and high position are there to point you to the majesty and power of the newborn. Christ did not, and did not want to have earthly glory during his time of servant hood; but from time to time he allowed His heavenly glory to shine through.18
The messengers of God deliver the good news that focuses human life on God. This news quiets the human heart as encouraged by the angels to the shepherds. Christ is here for your salvation; receive the news with joy:
The message of the angels on the occasion of Christ’s birth brought us heavenly things. Our salvation which is in Christ Jesus was proclaimed by them: “Fear not,” spoke the angel to the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all the people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ, the Lord.” This joy did not emanate from this earth. It did not consist of such things that the earthbound man is seeking and loves. It wasn’t money and possessions, not earthly honor and authority, not time consuming vanities, not pleasure of the flesh, but solely the salvation which Christ brought from heaven.19
Stephan acknowledges in this last section that life apart from Christ can be dark and full of fear. He points to Christ as the victor over sin and death which brings comfort and peace:
Our life lived apart from Christ is a breeding ground for unsavory matter, and leads to a terrible eternity. In this life we are subject to so much tribulation as a direct result of sin. Therefore, this life may be called a place of suffering. As long as we don’t know Christ we will not have true comfort, or real peace, or help, or hope we can count on. We are moving rapidly toward death and the grave and we tremble at the thought. Because if Christ is not our life, fear and terror awaits us, and nobody can deliver us from this calamity, no brother can help another toward redemption; no angel can reconcile us.20
The preacher’s ultimate message is one of hope and joy. His is an emphatic “Listen Up!” The angels proclaim the happiness for everyone. Therefore, take to heart the great salvation that the angels proclaim; in faith accept the God who became man so that you do not have to face judgment and He will make his salvation precious in
your hour of death:21
What a comfort are the words: “for all the people,” Good tidings of great joy is for everybody, for those who have deep concern whether or not they are the elect, or if God perhaps put them aside, those that don’t dare to accept the word. Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest, and so you will find rest for your soul and “the one who comes to me I will in no way cast out.” Listen up, you who are heavily burdened and afraid of the security of your soul. The great joy that was proclaimed by the angel from heaven was meant for all. For God so loved the world, that all who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.22
Stephan preaches a message that reaches beyond reason or human wisdom and points to the trustworthiness of God’s promises. The pastor’s word of comfort is meant to calm fears and to call the people to find deliverance in the act of God’s reaching out in Christ’s redeeming love.
The Easter sermon Stephan preached was based on Mark 16:1–6, the story of the women coming to the tomb to anoint Jesus’s dead body with oil and embalming spices. Stephan greeted the congregation and announced “Christ is arisen from the dead!” The Stephan’s theology of Easter and its meaning is clear in his comparison of the negativity and grief of Christ’s friends with the joy of Christ revealing himself. Then Stephan skillfully brought the story home to the hearer:
It is noteworthy that the resurrection day of Jesus Christ which brings eternal joy to millions of people, was a day of grief for the witnesses of Jesus Christ. Yet, they also experienced peace and joy, some sooner, some later but ultimately all of them. After their hearts were so really fatigued by the load of grief and sorrow, and when they as burdened and exhausted people panted after comfort, then Jesus revealed Himself to them, and gave them comfort and peace which the world cannot give. He revealed himself first to those who had fallen the deepest, like Mary Magdalene who was a great sinner, and then to Peter who denied His Lord, and thus committed a great sin. These needed the grace and the presence of the resurrected Christ more than others. Perhaps they, in their grief and sorrow, might have thought; The Lord will not reveal himself to us poor souls; certainly not to one who denied Him, and not the one who was a public sinner. And, behold the love of Christ for the poor sinners. He specifically appeared to them first. What joy must have refreshed their hearts, what peace was given them when the Prince of Peace came Himself and said to them; “Peace be with you.” He went after them like a shepherd goes after wayward sheep.23
Again, as pastor and preacher he underlined the power and comfort of God’s care and love in the face of despair, loneliness, and the inevitable dark hour humans experience. He reassures that Christ is always present even when we do not apprehend His presence:
That’s the way it is with all the disciples of Jesus Christ; all must have similar experiences; where true faith resides there must also be tests. Whosoever walks with Christ will also go with him to Gethsemane and Golgotha. The profound Christians often experience such dark hour, where all of God’s promises seem to disappear. They have a sense of having been totally deserted, and as if the comforting words of God were not addressed to them. So they remove themselves into their own feelings of loneliness, and they dwell on their despair and give no thought to the fact that Jesus Christ is very near to them; but they also experience what the disciples experienced, namely, comfort and joy in Christ. When their struggle and their unrest has reached the highest level, even when they are thinking; “The Lord has forsaken me and He has forgotten me” then He appears and speaks to them “Peace be with you! Behold I am alive for evermore and I have the keys of death and Hades. I have conquered sin, death, hell and the Devil. This victory I am going to give to you; be joyful because you shall live with me.” Now they experience His heavenly comfort and a peace the whole world cannot give.24
Stephan’s inveterate push toward hope inspired all his preaching. He reminded the hearer over and over: Christ is there for us. No human being need dwell in the anxieties of vanity. Even the anxieties of the disciples of Christ on that resurrection day can become a distraction from the gifts of grace. This news is grounded in God’s faithful word of promise:
Are you, beloved Christian, filled today on the resurrection day of Jesus Christ with grief and unrest over spiritual and physical concerns please do not give up hope? Lift up your eyes! You will see that Jesus stands before you. Allow him to help you. His hand of grace reaches out to you. Accept the comfort He is giving you! In everything that we are involved in we must always pay attention to God’s Word. If there are any concerns or if a lead seems to crush our heart, we should always remember Christ’s words: “Behold, I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age.” In Him we have a God who is ready to help, and a Lord who saved us from sin and death. Therefore do not create your own restlessness. Don’t increase your suffering by your own concerns and sadness. Also do not seek distractions, or engage purposely in all kinds of vain and worthless activities on this day of celebrations. Many get lost in their concerns about the external appearance, be it fancy clothing or the decoration of their home. Many have their minds set on entertainment on this Holy Day. Their souls are literally buried under the rubbish heap of their vanity. So it is no wonder that their hearts are closed to all the effects of the grace and mercy of Christ, and then they do not feel the peace which Christ has to offer. Steer clear of all vanity by prayer, faith and the reading of God’s Word. Avoid all of the anxieties of your heart and you will make your walk much easier.25
Stephan declared the blessing of the Resurrection to his people. He underlined how the anxieties of the Disciples of Christ on that resurrection day became a distraction from receiving the gifts of grace. In his pastoral manner, he announced the message of Christ’s living presence among them and comforted them with God’s promise that Christ would always be with them. Their life burdens were addressed with the love of God.
Stephan preached perhaps one of his most theologically revealing sermons on Pentecost Sunday 1824 based on John 14:23–31. He developed the work of the Holy Spirit of God bringing all the blessings of the Christ into the hearer’s heart. How deeply Stephan is rooted is in the revealed Word of God. His sermon retold the story of how Christ worked directly in the disciples and works the same way in present day disciples:
The witness of the Holy Spirit causes people to acknowledge and accept the Bible as God’s word, and that it reveals itself in the hearts of men. This witness cannot be separated from the Word of God and endures throughout the centuries. Where the Word of God is read attentively, and where it is preached purely, there the Holy Spirit reveals Himself mightily in the hearts of men. Even if the Bible didn’t have any human witness to its Godliness, the inherent witness of the Holy Spirit would be sufficient to convince even the casual readers and listeners, and would anchor the truth firmly in their hearts. The Bible is God’s Word. If we were to add up all of the experiences which the readers and listeners of God’s Word had through the witness of the Holy Spirit, we would be astounded how greatly the effectual working of the Spirit of God produced power through the Bible. Also, the godless have to admit if they are honest with themselves that the Bible has a very special power, it penetrates the heart with great vehemence, and nothing can stop it.26
The Holy Spirit’s presence in people’s lives is evidence, a sign or a “witness” to God’s work just as the Spirit living in Christ’s first disciples. The greatest sign of the Holy Spirit’s work is God’s love for God’s people that empowers them to love one another:
This witness was commenced by the Holy Spirit in a most festive way on the day of Pentecost. It was earlier prophesied by Christ as you have learned from our Bible text ... The disciples and the first believers in Christ were in a house in Jerusalem, very early on the day of Pentecost. They were joined by a multitude of Jews, proselytes, and aliens from Rome and many other districts. They had come for a Temple worship and to offer sacrifices as ordained by the Law ... All of a sudden
there was a great noise like that of a mighty wind and it filled the house where the disciples had gathered. Then there appeared tongues of fire suspended above the disciples. This was a visible evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit filled all of them, and equipped them with the gifts of miracles which were recorded by the first witnesses of Jesus Christ. They received the miraculous gift of being able to speak in the languages of all those that had come to Jerusalem. None of the disciples had ever spoken these languages before. They also received the gift of miracles. They were also filled with great heavenly wisdom which they needed for their apostleship. They also received the joy and enthusiasm to proclaim the great things that God had done throughout the world. They did so fearlessly, even before their enemies and their mighty persecutors. The main content of the witness which the Holy Spirit gave to the Apostles is the love of the heavenly Father for fallen mankind, and the grace that Jesus Christ extends to the sinner. Through the revelation of this love, through its living impression which the Holy Spirit produces in the heart of a forgiven Sinner, a reciprocal love is generated in such a heart which leads to the word of Truth: Let us love Him because He first loves us. (I John 4:19)27
In Pursuit of Religious Freedom: Bishop Martin Stephan's Journey Page 8
