New Year's Day (1905)

Luke 2:21 This is the wish of many on this day: a means that prevents misfortune and brings good luck. Many have their opinion. Some have, according to their opinion, such an agent (relics, amulets, shamrock, etc.). These are foolish talk and evil. Whoever relies on them, has no luck, but bad luck. He draws down God's wrath and punishment upon himself. This means is the dear Name of Jesus. Our Gospel entices us to the right use of the Name of Jesus. God has admonished us about this in particular through Paul.1 Do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus! because 1. for this purpose has God given us this name. a. God has given us this name. . The little Child received this Name in His circumcision. God has given to Him the same.2 . But yet this Name is given to us. It is for our use and benefit. This shows the name of Jesus, Savior, Redeemer, Sanctifier. b. God has given it to us for this purpose, that we should do everything in the Name of 3 Jesus. In other words . nothing, that one merely says with the mouth, "In the Name of Jesus!"4, or that one strikes a cross with the hand with all sorts of plans, or that one uses the Name of Jesus externally as a magical cure. This is all superstition and an abomination before God. In other words . Rather, to orient everything in reliance on His healing, in invoking His help, in the certainty of his good pleasure, in the desire for his glorification.5 We Christians should do everything with Christ's power, from Christ's Spirit. Jesus' Spirit and power is acquired only through confidence in Jesus, the Savior. What is done in such power, in such confidence, this we do in Jesus' Name. Actually, we do not do this, Jesus does this in us. c. God has given this Name to us for this purpose, that we do everything in Him. Everything that we do in the new year should be done in His Name, in confidence in Him, under His invocation, to His glory: our church going, our prayer, our suffering, our work as businessmen, workers, house fathers, house mothers, teachers and preachers, our dying. Everything that is not done in the Name of Jesus is displeasing to God and sinful. Jesus is the only One with Whom the Father is wellpleased. All works that are not done in the Name of Jesus are therefore condemnable. Only when our works are done in Jesus' Name can they be pleasing to God. Truly, that should move us to do everything in Jesus' Name. God, the careful, compassionate Father, has given this Name to us for this purpose. Should we also not make use of it now? What does a true son with the legacy of his father, a daughter with the gift of mother? Yes, we do everything in Jesus' Name, because

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Colossians 3:17. Luke 2:21; Philippians 2:9. 3 Colossians 3:17. 4 Luther: "For with the mouth one well..." Erlangen Edition XII:396. 5 Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 15:5; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Samuel 17:45; Luther: "But then the words go...nothing good in it." Erlangen Edition XII:396.

2. we have nothing but blessings from this. a. This Name is a powerful Word of God, a divine promise. Jesus means Savior, etc. Everything that God has promised in Scripture about grace, salvation, etc., about physical, spiritual, and heavenly possessions is certain and firm,6 thus in particular this Name.7 Everything that is located in the Name of Jesus must be to him who does everything in His Name. b. Jesus Himself is in His Name.8 Whoever does everything in Jesus' Name has Jesus himself in all his ways, the all-powerful, living, acting Jesus. Since everything must go well, nothing but blessing is there.9 c. What delightful promises God has attached to this name: answering our prayers10; life11; being justified12; health13. (The apostles have done miracles in Jesus' Name. In so doing they certainly have a particular mandate. Still, this proves the power of that Name.) The devil gives way before the Name of Jesus14; enemies have fear before this Name.15 If one who has such promises does everything in the Name, one has nothing but happiness in everything he does. d. How confidently we can begin the new year with this Name. If we believe in this Name, then we have forgiveness, righteousness16, then our prayer will always be heard17; then our work is not lacking in strength and blessing18; then we have protection and guardian angels during rest and sleep19; patience in suffering, strength, rescue20; then death is easy for us and leads to glory.21 Who even now can leave this house of God today without firm determination and to cherish the certain confidence: Now, Lord, may all our doings ever Be done in Thy good name each day, And with Thine Amen may Thou never Forsake our house, but with us stay! Thy glorious name our hope let be, Our shield and our prosperity!22

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Psalm 33:4. 2 Corinthians 1:20. 8 Matthew 18:20; Cf. Question 20 in the Synod Catechism. 9 LSB 869:3; Isaiah 41:10. Jesus with His disciples in the boat on the stormy sea. 10 John 16:23. 11 John 20:31. 12 1 Corinthians 6:11. 13 Acts 3:16. 14 Mark 16:17. 15 Acts 4:17. Cf. Proverbs 18:10, "strong tower". Song of Solomon 1:3: "poured out salve". 16 Paul, 1 Timothy 1:15-16. 17 The disciples, Acts 4:31. 18 Joseph, Genesis 39:2-4. 19 Peter, Acts 12. 20 Apostle, Acts 5:41. 21 Stephen, Acts 7:55, 58. 22 Matthew Carver, 2011, used with permission.