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Disclaimer: This is a transcript of Pastor Fenker’s sermon. It was preached from an outline, and the transcript taken automatically from the audio. Please forgive any typographical or formatting errors.

᛭ INI ᛭

It is good for us here at our fathers to remember and commemorate Christian education. This is evident to all of us. Christian education here at our fathers, been institutionalized since 1967. And in fact, the Missouri Senate is the 2nd largest organization that has private Christian education. We are 2nd only to the Roman Catholics, so we better get cracking.

Christian Ed has to do, though, not only with having Christian schools. It’s not only teachers and students. It is also parents, and their kids. It’s pastors And the people. But chiefly, it is Christ and his disciples. 


Christian Ed also, of course, has to do with God’s word, the teaching of his word, and for us as Lutherans, that involves how the word of God is taught simply to children, that is the small catechism. And all of these things are brought together Here, in Luke chapter 18. 


They brought Even infants to him. that he might touch them. Touch them. That is, as the other gospels tell us. to bless them. And the only way that one is blessed, truly, according to the scriptures is, With the word of God. They wanted Christ not only to lay hands on their children, even their infants, but for him to speak a word of blessing to them. And so also, we are then pointed not only to Christ speaking his word, but to a very particular speaking of his word, when he unites his word with the waters of holy baptism.


And when we consider these things and how they tie in to Christian education, We we come to this conclusion that

GOD’S CHILDREN ARE BROUGHT TO CHRIST BY BRINGING THEM HIS WORD.

(I. Christian education begins at the font.)

This is true. God’s children are brought to Christ by giving them his word, because Christian education begins very early on. 


And this is where St. Luke helps us. It’s not that they were bringing young children, or teenagers, or younger children, or toddlers to him. 
They were bringing their infants to him. That is what Luke tells us. They also brought infants to him. And so when we consider this word of let the little children come to me. It includes infants. As even Peter proclaims, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
For the promise is for you and for your children. And using what Luke tells us, it would be even for your infants.

And so we see here then that Christian education doesn’t just begin early on, but very early on from a specific point. That is, Christian education begins at the font. For there at the font, God’s holy word is given to them. They are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. They are then made a disciple of Christ. And hearing this word at the font. Christ’s word rings forth his word of promise rings forth also, whoever believes and is baptized. will be saved. 


This is the great joy of Christian education starting at the font. But then Christ’s word also rings forth. Let them come to me And do not forbid them. And forbidding them occurs in a specific way, when it comes to Christian education, beginning at the font, that is, parents hold off, baptizing their children. And this is a great danger not only because Christ says, uh, let the little children come to me and also make disciples of all nations by baptizing them. 


But also because of the promise. This is why the direction and command is given. Much the same way a doctor prescribes medication. It’s a command, but that you might receive the blessing of the medicine. So also, as Peter says, in his letter, chapter 3. Baptism now saves you. Or this promise in Acts chapter 2 of the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is for you and for your children. So do not forbid them, Christ says. Not only to check off a box of obeying Jesus, But to give his blessings forth to one and all. 


(Transition.)

Yes, Christian education begins at the font. where Christ’s word is given to the children, but it’s not just the washing of water with the word, by which we are sanctified. But the sanctification that comes through the word of God. As Christ also says in John chapter 17, praying to his father, sanctify them in your truth, Your word is truth.

And so, while Christian education begins at the font. Christian education then, continues, is ongoing. At home.

(II. Christian education continues at home.)


It’s true. That pastors are also teachers. That’s what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 4, he gave some to be apostles and prophets, some to be evangelists and some pastors and teachers. All different words for the one office. And the prophet Malachi is told by he Lord that the priest, his lips should guard the wisdom of God. Should guard instruction because he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 


This is true. And it’s also true that we have at our fathers a school full of teachers. Teachers whose task it is to support the office of the pastor, in the teaching of God’s word. That’s what we’ll hear in a few minutes at the commissioning installation for Amanda, that this office of teacher was created by the church to support the pastor in the teaching of God’s word. But the teaching of the pastor, the teaching of our teachers, according to the word of God, is not a replacement. It is not the only teaching that is to go on. 


And in fact, it only exists to support or examine the instruction chiefly of fathers, but of all Christian parents of their children. This is the command of God. It is the command of God that parents should teach the faith to their children. They are not to absolve themselves of this duty, but they are to be actively engaged in it and doing it. As the Lord says in Deuteronomy 6, you shall teach them diligently to your children, you shall talk of them, not when you sit at school, but when you sit in your house. As Paul says in Ephesians chapter 6, Fathers, raise up your children in the fear, and in the admonition of the Lord. Or as we, uh, sang according to our roles or fathers and mothers, we sang it in the gradual Proverbs one verse 8. Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. And even Paul commends Eunice and Lois, Timothy’s mom and grandma for teaching him the faith. Why them? We’re told elsewhere. His father was a Greek, that is, an unbeliever. 


So how do fathers and mothers then do this? It’s not rocket science. It’s really just It’s the catechism. Parents are to teach their children the Ten Commandments. The Apostles’ Creed. The Lord’s Prayer. What Christ says about baptism in Matthew 28 and Mark 16. to teach their children the words of institution that they might know what communion is and what it is for. And yes, the catechism even has questions and answers for you to dive deeper. The large catechism has more. 


This is what it means to be a Christian parent, to deliver these things to your children, to say them to them and with them. And in so doing fathers and mothers, and this isn’t just for fathers and mothers. It’s all Christians.

All Christians should do this thing, what it means to be Christians to know these things. But when you are saying these things, when you are reciting them, saying them not just to yourself, or to your children, You are remaining then in that moment. As a little child. 


I say to whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it, Christ says. So to hear the word of God this way. is to always remain a child. And so in some sense, you might grow older, but you’re not supposed to grow up. 


You’re not supposed to grow out of the Word of God. There’s no graduation in being a disciple of Jesus. As Luther even says, he wrote the catechism. 
And he himself confesses, I can’t even learn it as much as I want, but I must always repeat it daily as a little child. So even the greatest among us. are just children in terms of faith and knowledge. And do not Forbid them, Christ says, do not forbid children from being brought to Christ by withholding his word from them. 


By not taking up the scriptures in your home, by not having the 10 commandments, or the Creed, or the words of math 28, Mark 16, the words of institution, even John chapter 20, verses 22 and 23. All these things. To forbid these things is to forbid children from coming to Christ to forbid yourself, from coming to Christ, to forbid yourself, from remaining as a little child. 


And Christ is not joking. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it, that is, will never, ever enter it. And again, we do this. 


Not to check a box of obedience, but because of the blessings that come from the Word of God. The scriptures, old and New Testaments, make you wise unto salvation, Paul says. All things, and all people, are sanctified by the word of God, and prayer. 


And so our hearts are not just sprinkled clean with pure water, but even our minds, and our hearts are made holy by God’s word. And again, Christian education might begin at the font. It continues daily. 
Your whole life through daily, your daily life at home. But Christian education does indeed have an exclamation point, a culmination point. Not a one and done, but a, a pattern of life.

(III.) Christian education culminates at the Lord’s table.

That’s what we heard in Acts chapter 2. The people there were gathered to receive Peter’s preaching. They were baptized, and then what did they do? Go off and then just live a life of just them, Jesus, and their Bible? No. 
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They devoted themselves to the fellowship of the breaking of the bread, and they devoted themselves to gathering for prayers.

They heard the word of God. They prayed together and they received the sacrament of the altar. That was their ongoing Christian education. until such time as they were taken to the eternal school. For Christ himself also says, in John chapter 8, if you remain in my words, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 


But he also says, Whoever remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, And the one who remains in me and I in him is the one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life, and I will resurrect him on the last today. And of this aspect of Christian education, Christ also says, do not forbid them. 
Forsake not the gathering, as is the habit of some. Hebrews 10 says. After all, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. For I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of the Lord.

The Lord’s supper frees you in the forgiveness of sins. It frees you not only from your sins, but frees you to live a life of freedom. That is a life lived according to the word of God. and a life that has lived toward the Word of God. A life evermore taking up that word of God. In reading and hearing and speaking, which will then result in much doing. God’s children are brought to Christ by giving them his word. That’s what Christian education is all about.

(Conclusion.)


That’s what Christian education is in its beginning. In bringing children to Christ at the font. It’s what Christian education is all about at home. 
Christians. All Christians taking up the word of God, the chief parts of the Christian faith in their daily lives, not just in doing, but in hearing and receiving. And Christian education culminates at the Lord’s table with a Christian pattern of life is one of hearing the word, receiving Christ’s body and blood until that day When we enter the eternal school. Where the things we heard of, We finally see. And the promises of Christ for his word and the sacraments are finally fulfilled. When we are raised from the raised from the dead, and to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

᛭ INI ᛭