1. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word the day after All Saints’ Day is entitled, “God’s Saints-Blessed by God,” and it’s taken from Matthew 5:1-12 & portions of 1 John 3 & Colossians 3. What comes to mind when you hear the word saint? Maybe you think of someone who is kind, someone who always seems to do the right thing, or someone who has their life completely together. Maybe you think of the Christians who have died in the faith and now rest with Jesus in heaven. But let me ask you a question: Would you consider yourself a saint? Some of you might be thinking, “Pastor, you obviously haven't seen my grades lately!” Others might be thinking about something you said to your parents, an argument with a friend, or a mistake you wish you could take back.
2. If being a saint means being perfect, none of us would qualify. We all fall short of God's expectations. The problem is that we often compare ourselves with other people. We might think, “Well, at least I'm not as bad as that person!” We compare our grades, athletic abilities, appearance, popularity, and accomplishments with those of our classmates. Sometimes, seeing someone else fail makes us feel a little better about ourselves. But Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God doesn't measure our holiness by comparing us with the person sitting next to us. Every one of us needs His forgiveness and grace.
3. How can sinners like us be called saints? The answer is Jesus Christ! In Matthew 5:1–12, Jesus teaches what we call the Beatitudes. He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus continues by speaking about those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Notice something important. Jesus doesn't say, “Blessed are those with the best grades, the most friends, the highest batting average, or the most impressive college acceptance letter.” Those things can certainly be blessings from God, and we can thank Him for them. But they are not what make us saints, and they are not the foundation of our identity.
4. Jesus turns our understanding of blessing upside down. He tells us that even those who are hurting, struggling, mourning, and feeling weak can be blessed by God. Why? Because God's blessing doesn't depend on how impressive we are. It rests on His grace and mercy toward us in Jesus Christ. Think about what that means for you as a student.
5. What happens when you study hard but fail a test? What happens when you don't make the team, lose a competition, or feel left out by your friends? What happens when you struggle with anxiety about the future or feel like you just don't measure up? Those experiences can hurt. God doesn't ask you to pretend they don't. But your failures do not define you. Your popularity does not define you. Your athletic achievements, your grades, your appearance, and even your worst mistakes do not have the final word about who you are.
6. Jesus Christ has the final word about you! Our school theme this year is “Image Bearers,” from Colossians 3:9–10. These verses remind us to put off the old self with its sinful practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed after the image of its Creator. God created humanity in His image, but sin has damaged our relationship with Him and with one another. We see that damage in the ways we hurt others, tear people down, become jealous, and put ourselves first. Yet God has not abandoned us in our sin. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.
7. Our monthly theme, “Revealed in Christ,” reminds us that we discover our true identity in Jesus. We don't have to earn our worth through our accomplishments or invent an identity that will impress the world. Listen to the wonderful words of 1 John 3:1: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” Did you hear that? John doesn't say that we might become God's children if we work hard enough. He says that we are God's children! Through faith in Jesus Christ, God gives us this identity as a gift of His grace. And how did Jesus make this possible? Jesus did what we could never do for ourselves. He perfectly fulfilled God's Law. He was truly meek, merciful, and pure in heart. He hungered and thirsted for righteousness. He endured suffering and persecution, even to the point of death on a cross. But Jesus didn't suffer because of His own sins. He suffered for yours and mine. At the cross, Jesus took the punishment our sins deserved. On Easter morning, He rose from the dead, defeating sin, death, and the devil. Because of His death and resurrection, forgiveness and eternal life are yours through faith in Him.
8. Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” That is the heart of the Christian faith. We are not saved because we are good enough. We are saved because Jesus is our Savior! And God doesn't leave us wondering where we can find His grace. He comes to us through His Word and Sacraments. In Holy Baptism, God claimed you as His own and united you with Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4). Through His Word, He speaks His promises of forgiveness and life. In Holy Absolution, He announces that your sins are forgiven for Jesus' sake. In the Lord's Supper, He gives you Christ's true body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins and the strengthening of your faith. You don't have to wonder whether you've done enough to earn God's love. Look to Jesus and His promises!
9. So, what does this mean for you as an image bearer of God? First, it changes how you see yourself. When you fail, remember that your failure is not your identity. When you struggle, remember that you are not alone. When you sin, confess your sin and receive the forgiveness Jesus has won for you. You don't have to be the smartest person in the classroom, the best athlete on the field, or the most popular person in the hallway to have value before God.
10. Your identity is not built on what you accomplish. It rests on what Christ has accomplished for you. Second, it changes how you see other people. Your classmates are not competitors whose value depends on whether they outperform you. They are people created by God and loved by Him. Maybe there's someone at school you have trouble getting along with. Maybe someone has hurt you, or perhaps you've been tempted to join others in making fun of someone who seems different. Remember how Christ has treated you. He knows your sins and failures, yet He came to save you.
11. Colossians 3:12–13 encourages Christians to put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, forgiving one another as the Lord has forgiven us. That doesn't mean you'll always get it right. You won't. Neither will I. But because Christ has shown us mercy, we are free to show mercy to others. Being an image bearer of God isn't about showing everyone how wonderful you are. It is about living in the forgiveness and love of Christ and reflecting His love to the people He places around you.
12. Finally, as we remember All Saints' Day, we remember our fellow Christians who have died in the faith and now rest with Jesus. They weren't saints because they lived perfect lives. They were saints because they belonged to Jesus Christ. Their sins were forgiven through His blood, and they now enjoy the fullness of the salvation He won for them. And that same promise belongs to you! First John 3:2 says, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” We still struggle with sin and sorrow in this life. But Jesus promises that those who belong to Him will share in His victory. Because He lives, we too will live! So, Martin Luther High School students, remember this: You don't have to earn God's love. You don't have to pretend that everything is perfect. And you don't have to find your identity in what the world says makes you important. When you struggle, turn to Jesus. When you sin, receive His forgiveness. When you feel inadequate, remember that your Savior has done everything necessary for your salvation.
13. You are an image bearer of God, and through faith in Jesus Christ, you are a forgiven child of God. You are a saint—not because you are perfect, but because Jesus is your perfect Savior! May the Lord keep you rooted in Christ, renewed by His Word, and confident in His promises. And may His love, revealed in Jesus, be reflected in the way you live, serve, forgive, and care for one another. Amen.
14. Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, we thank You for calling us Your children through Jesus Christ. Forgive us when we seek our worth in our accomplishments, compare ourselves with others, or forget the grace You have freely given us. Keep us rooted in Your Word and strengthen our faith through the gifts of Your Son. By Your Holy Spirit, renew us as Your image bearers so that we may reflect Christ's love through our words and actions. Comfort us when we struggle, forgive our sins, and remind us that in Christ we are Your beloved children, blessed with forgiveness and the promise of everlasting life. Keep us in the fellowship of Your saints until that day when we see You face-to-face. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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