“There I Am Among Them”
Matthew 18:20

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Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost—September 10, 2017

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

In the last verse of today’s Gospel Reading, Jesus promises: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am among them.”

Of course, as the Ruler of the whole universe, Jesus Christ is everywhere at all times.  Ephesians says that he, “fills everything in every way.”  Psalm 139 asks, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”  Jeremiah says, “‘Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.” 

So, as the Ruler of the whole universe, Jesus Christ is everywhere at all times.  But, in addition to that universal presence, Jesus promises to be with SOME human beings in a SPECIAL way: “For where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there I am among them.”  That expression “in my name” means that Jesus will be present in this special way with those who have faith in him.

“In my name” means that you believe Jesus of Nazareth was and is God become man: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him. . .  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

“In my name” means that you believe he lived on earth and died on the cross as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! . . .  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” 

“In my name” means that you believe on his account God bestows on you full forgiveness of sins: “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not counting men’s sins against them. . .  and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.” 

“In my name” means that you believe he is risen from the dead: “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever! . . .  If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

“In my name” means that you that you trust in Jesus Christ as YOUR Savior: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. . .  Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.”

All of those who believe “in his name” in this way are together called the Church.  That is why we are gathered here “in his name” this morning.  We are his Church, we worship him as our Lord and Savior.  “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am among them.”

And there is also another wonderful dimension to this promise of Jesus’ special presence.  Think of how his words apply to your home, your family, your marriage: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am among them.”  How can you have a happy home, a loving family, a successful marriage?  Jesus tells you how: Gather your family together in his name.  Make him a part of your home, a part of your family, a part of your marriage.

Through Holy Baptism, God has incorporated you and your family into a greater family, the family of God.  As Paul says in Galatians, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 

So, your Baptism means that within your family you relate to one another not just as brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, but as CHRISTIAN brothers and sisters, CHRISTIAN fathers and mothers, CHRISTIAN sons and daughters, CHRISTIAN husbands and wives.  “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am among them.”

The family gathered together in Jesus’ name is a worshipping family.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise.”  “I rejoiced with those who said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

The family gathered together in Jesus’ name is a praying family.  “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God.”  “Pray for one another.”

The family gathered together in Jesus’ name is a loving family, empowered by God’s love for us.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”  “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.”  “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Holy Communion is called the “love feast,” because communing together at the Lord’s altar is a symbol of love and harmony, and this Sacrament is also a means God uses to increase our love and harmony.  As we pray after Communion, “Strengthen us through the same, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another.”

The family gathered together in Jesus’ name is a forgiving family, empowered by God’s forgiveness toward each of us.  “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

The family gathered together in Jesus’ name is a kind, gentle, tenderhearted family.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Of course, the family gathered together in Jesus’ name does still have problems.  “In this world you will have trouble,” Jesus says.  “But take heart, I have overcome the world.” 

The family gathered together in Jesus’ name does still have problems, but it finds comfort and guidance and strength TOGETHER, in God’s Word and his promises: “Lo, I am with you always.”  “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love him.”

And finally, the family gathered together in Jesus’ name will have the greatest family reunion of all, eternal reunion in heaven.  “We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who fall asleep, or to grieve in the same manner as the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. . .  And so we shall be forever with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name . . . ”

Apply that promise to your own family, and gather your FAMILY together in Jesus’ name.  Make him a part of your home, a part of your family, a part of your marriage. 

“. . . there I am among them.”