"Set Free!" John 8:31-32
April 27, 2024
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
William “Rod” Elmer “Bill” Held William Elmer Held was given life by his Creator and was born on November 15, 1951 in Evansville, Indiana, the child of the late Elmer and Marie (Harker) Held. He was reborn by God's grace in Christ Jesus through the waters of Holy Baptism on December 9, 1951 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Evansville, Indiana. The Lord Jesus baptized him through the hands of Rev. E.G. Dobelstein. His baptismal sponsors were Edward L Harker and Ervin Held. Growing in God's Word, grace, and knowledge of Jesus as he attended St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran School through grade school. He as was catechized by Rev. Paul Mroch. On April 11, 1965 Elmer confessed the Holy Apostolic Faith given him in holy baptism and was confirmed at St. Paul’s. His confirmation verse was John 8:31,32 Elmer was a graduate of Harrison High School in Evansville, Indiana, and received an A.A. at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. On October 18, 1975 the Lord united Elmer and Carol Lee Gill in the blessed institution of marriage. They were married at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Seward, NE by Christ through the Rev. Clarence Reisdorf. Diane Gill was the Maid of Honor and Rubin Schmidt was the Best Man. The Lord blessed their marriage with three children and 48 years together to see their “children’s children.” Elmer served Christ as a Christian husband, father, and as an agronomist with Farmland Industries in Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. After moving back to Indiana, he served his neighbors working at Whirlpool and Masterbrand Cabinets and finished his career as a truck driver for Buchta Trucking. Elmer was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving various churches as Sunday School Teacher, Elder, and on various boards. He loved singing in the choirs and playing handbells. Elmer and Carol transferred their membership to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tell City, Indiana in November 2013. On Sundays after church service, he could be found in his favorite chair watching his beloved rednecks turning left, ie. Nascar Races. Left to look forward to the reunion that awaits all Christians on the Last Day in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come are his wife Carol (Gill) Held, daughter Linda Ekong and husband Eric of Ireland, Indiana, son Phillip and wife Stacey Held of Newburgh, Indiana and daughter Danielle Hulsman and husband Brad of Ireland, Indiana. He was loved and will be missed by 11 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, and many friends and family. In addition to his parents, Elmer was preceded Home to Heaven through death by his sister, Linda Marie Held. Memorial contributions may be made to CLEF- Confessional Lutheran Education Foundation.
Episode Notes
The Funeral Sermon From William “Rod” Elmer “Bill” Held 4/27/24
Sermon Text: John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Sermon Theme: “Set Free!” By Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! John 16:16 "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father." Jesus of Nazareth spoke to His disciples the night before His death. His words made no sense to them, perhaps they make no sense to us looking at the pall draped casket of Elmer, Rod, Bill, Bill, William. Jesus explained, John 16:20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. By the next afternoon, the Lord of Life, would hang dead upon the tree of the cross. Before the sun set on that Friday His lifeless corpse would be sealed in a tomb. Sorrow flooded upon them, hope lost, grief swallowed them - they wept.
Today we weep. Just as the disciples wept. Just as Jesus wept at the grave of His good friend Lazarus in Bethany. Death hurts. We weep because we loved those death has torn from us. Death isn’t natural, it is the wages of sin. Jesus groaned within Himself at Lazarus’ tomb because He knew the truth - Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—“ Funerals call us away from the world’s deceptive depiction of death as a natural part of life - to groan within ourselves that our creation has been corrupted by Adam’s rebellion as he listened to Satan’s Lie plunging all creation into death.
On November 15th, 1951 -William’s parents knew the truth even as they rejoiced in their newborn son. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, conceived and born in Adam’s sin. On the second Sunday of Advent, they brought their infant son to Jesus at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Evansville, Indiana. December 9th, 1951 Jesus spoke His Word through Pastor Dobeistien, “I baptize you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” God the Holy Spirit washed Bill forgiven with Christ’s holy precious blood raising him to new life - Easter life in Jesus’ victory. Chosen by God’s grace in Christ Jesus from before the foundation of the world - Rod was declared a citizen of heaven - born from above by water and the Holy Spirit to be the Father’s beloved son in Christ Jesus.
Billy’s parents loved their son feeding him the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word in their home, at St. Paul’s, and by sending him to St. Paul’s Lutheran school to grow in grace and the knowledge of his Lord Jesus Christ. Instructed by Rev. Mroch in Jesus’ teaching - the Holy Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the gifts given us by the Triune God in baptism, absolution, the sacrament of the altar - the Small Catechism - Elmer confessed the baptismal faith entrusted him on April 11, 1965. His confirmation verse is Jesus’ Word to comfort you in your grief this morning. Behold! Jesus lives! Elmer is: “Set Free!”
I. It was on the feast of tabernacles, mid October in our calendar, when the Jews gathered around Jerusalem living in tents for a week remembering the wilderness wanders of their forefathers. Jesus is teaching in the Temple. Six months later on trial before the High Priest our Lord testified that He has always preached and taught openly in the local synagogues and the Temple - His teaching wasn’t hidden.
No one can believe in Jesus unless God the Father draws him by the Holy Spirit through His Word. History records: Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." A remnant of the faithful Jews gathered in the Temple believed in Jesus the Messiah.
What is the mark of being Jesus’ disciple? Moral perfection? Avoiding sinners? Perfect prayers? Knowing all the answers? Being holier than thou? The world doesn’t know us, because it doesn’t know Jesus or His Father who sent Him. Jesus is clear, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples.” Live in Jesus’ Word. Read it out loud in daily devotions. Pray Jesus’ Word - “Our Father.” Confess His teaching, ‘I believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit” - the Truth of reality. Listen to His Word as He orders your new life to serve your neighbor running in the path of His Holy Ten Commandments.
Hear the Truth! Jesus promises, Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Our crucified and risen Jesus is really present in the Divine Service every Sunday speaking His Word of Life as the Holy Spirit daily and richly forgives you all your sins. Rod knew the truth of Jesus’ promise to be with us always in His Word and sacraments. He rejoiced to listen to Jesus, even regretting having to go to a public high school.
Follow the example of your father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband, and brother in Christ - “abide in Jesus’ Word.” Satan, the world, and our flesh try to drive us away from Jesus’ presence by grief. Don’t fall into their trap. Every Sunday Jesus is present among us in our local congregations - unseen to our eyes - we have a great family reunion united with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven at the Lord’s Table. They unite their voices with ours in the one Holy Christian and Apostolic Church - looking forward to the completion of their baptism when Jesus returns in glory to judge the living and the dead.
Abide in Jesus’ Word! Be Jesus’ disciples indeed! “And you will know the truth!” Not only the truth that we live in a sin corrupted and death filled world, but the greater truth that God’s only begotten Son became One with us conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. Heed the Virgin Mary’s lasts words recorded in John 2:5"Whatever He says to you, do it."
Bill heeded Christ’s Word to abide in His Word and stand for the truth, as he attended Concordia, Ann Arbor for two years, then on to Concordia, Seward. It was a time when the world and Satan were luring the Missouri Synod away from the truth of God’s Word for friendship with the world. The Rod saw the battle waging for the truth of Christ’s Word. He served as a faithful laymen upholding Christ’s Word of Truth in every congregation where Jesus led him.
Elmer heard the truth of Christ’s Word of wisdom: Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.” The Lord blessed him with his bride Carol in Seward. She was his comfort after his mother’s unexpected death. Our living Jesus promises, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The Lord provided your family with daily bread as Rod served Christ by caring for his neighbor in agronomics throughout the midwest. Children are an inheritance from the Lord - Elmer rejoiced with Carol in their daughters and son. Your Dad sought to give you the greatest inheritance - the Word of Christ at home and in your local congregations in every Sunday worship. He rejoiced to sing the Faith.
The 128th Psalm instructs, Psalms 128:4-6 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. (5) The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. (6) Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!” Set free by Christ’s Word - Elmer rejoice to see his grand children and rejoice even in his great granddaughter.
The Truth will set you free! Lung cancer invaded your life, but it didn’t win. It brought sorrow, now for just a little while. On that sorrow filled Thursday evening Jesus preached, John 16:21-22 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” Palm Sunday, Rod sat here, rejoicing to see his grandson Jaxson confirmed - then he feasted with Jesus. He was set free from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil -as His Lord placed upon His lips His living flesh and victorious blood in bread and wine.
Rod’s strength began to fail him, but His Jesus would not - He was set free by the Truth. Hospitalized, he heard these words of Jesus about a little while, sorrow, and joy. He rejoiced to confess the truth - He was a poor miserable sinner - Jesus was His Savior - Crucified and Risen for Him! Forgiven Rod was declared a saint by grace through faith. Returning home, last Friday he again feasted at the Lord’s Table within his bedroom. We sang, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace.” He was set free! Sunday dawned and Elmer’s strength failed, but Jesus was with Him. Family gathered, we prayed, we sang - “Lord, now let the Rod die in peace according to Your Word!” Later Sunday night as you prayed, read Scripture, and sang hymns - Elmer was “Set Free!” The Good Shepherd brought His precious blood bought lamb Home to His heavenly fold. He delivered him from evil granting him a blessed end and homecoming.
Today, we plant Rod, Elmer, Bill’s body into God’s garden - this isn’t the end. A farmer knows that a seed is planted in hope of its rising up to new and full life. The Day shall dawn - Jesus shall come again in glory - He will speak His Word - “Arise!” Elmer’s mortal body will be raised immortal, his corruptible body raised incorruptible, his natural body raised a spiritual body, his weak body will be raised in power - He will be eternally set free from death and the grave - in that day no one will take our joy from us. We shall see him again in the flesh on this world freed from sin, Satan, evil, and all corruption. Sorrow in this hope! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Amen.
Sermon Text: John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Sermon Theme: “Set Free!” By Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! John 16:16 "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father." Jesus of Nazareth spoke to His disciples the night before His death. His words made no sense to them, perhaps they make no sense to us looking at the pall draped casket of Elmer, Rod, Bill, Bill, William. Jesus explained, John 16:20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. By the next afternoon, the Lord of Life, would hang dead upon the tree of the cross. Before the sun set on that Friday His lifeless corpse would be sealed in a tomb. Sorrow flooded upon them, hope lost, grief swallowed them - they wept.
Today we weep. Just as the disciples wept. Just as Jesus wept at the grave of His good friend Lazarus in Bethany. Death hurts. We weep because we loved those death has torn from us. Death isn’t natural, it is the wages of sin. Jesus groaned within Himself at Lazarus’ tomb because He knew the truth - Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—“ Funerals call us away from the world’s deceptive depiction of death as a natural part of life - to groan within ourselves that our creation has been corrupted by Adam’s rebellion as he listened to Satan’s Lie plunging all creation into death.
On November 15th, 1951 -William’s parents knew the truth even as they rejoiced in their newborn son. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, conceived and born in Adam’s sin. On the second Sunday of Advent, they brought their infant son to Jesus at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Evansville, Indiana. December 9th, 1951 Jesus spoke His Word through Pastor Dobeistien, “I baptize you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” God the Holy Spirit washed Bill forgiven with Christ’s holy precious blood raising him to new life - Easter life in Jesus’ victory. Chosen by God’s grace in Christ Jesus from before the foundation of the world - Rod was declared a citizen of heaven - born from above by water and the Holy Spirit to be the Father’s beloved son in Christ Jesus.
Billy’s parents loved their son feeding him the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word in their home, at St. Paul’s, and by sending him to St. Paul’s Lutheran school to grow in grace and the knowledge of his Lord Jesus Christ. Instructed by Rev. Mroch in Jesus’ teaching - the Holy Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the gifts given us by the Triune God in baptism, absolution, the sacrament of the altar - the Small Catechism - Elmer confessed the baptismal faith entrusted him on April 11, 1965. His confirmation verse is Jesus’ Word to comfort you in your grief this morning. Behold! Jesus lives! Elmer is: “Set Free!”
I. It was on the feast of tabernacles, mid October in our calendar, when the Jews gathered around Jerusalem living in tents for a week remembering the wilderness wanders of their forefathers. Jesus is teaching in the Temple. Six months later on trial before the High Priest our Lord testified that He has always preached and taught openly in the local synagogues and the Temple - His teaching wasn’t hidden.
No one can believe in Jesus unless God the Father draws him by the Holy Spirit through His Word. History records: Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." A remnant of the faithful Jews gathered in the Temple believed in Jesus the Messiah.
What is the mark of being Jesus’ disciple? Moral perfection? Avoiding sinners? Perfect prayers? Knowing all the answers? Being holier than thou? The world doesn’t know us, because it doesn’t know Jesus or His Father who sent Him. Jesus is clear, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples.” Live in Jesus’ Word. Read it out loud in daily devotions. Pray Jesus’ Word - “Our Father.” Confess His teaching, ‘I believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit” - the Truth of reality. Listen to His Word as He orders your new life to serve your neighbor running in the path of His Holy Ten Commandments.
Hear the Truth! Jesus promises, Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Our crucified and risen Jesus is really present in the Divine Service every Sunday speaking His Word of Life as the Holy Spirit daily and richly forgives you all your sins. Rod knew the truth of Jesus’ promise to be with us always in His Word and sacraments. He rejoiced to listen to Jesus, even regretting having to go to a public high school.
Follow the example of your father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband, and brother in Christ - “abide in Jesus’ Word.” Satan, the world, and our flesh try to drive us away from Jesus’ presence by grief. Don’t fall into their trap. Every Sunday Jesus is present among us in our local congregations - unseen to our eyes - we have a great family reunion united with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven at the Lord’s Table. They unite their voices with ours in the one Holy Christian and Apostolic Church - looking forward to the completion of their baptism when Jesus returns in glory to judge the living and the dead.
Abide in Jesus’ Word! Be Jesus’ disciples indeed! “And you will know the truth!” Not only the truth that we live in a sin corrupted and death filled world, but the greater truth that God’s only begotten Son became One with us conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. Heed the Virgin Mary’s lasts words recorded in John 2:5"Whatever He says to you, do it."
Bill heeded Christ’s Word to abide in His Word and stand for the truth, as he attended Concordia, Ann Arbor for two years, then on to Concordia, Seward. It was a time when the world and Satan were luring the Missouri Synod away from the truth of God’s Word for friendship with the world. The Rod saw the battle waging for the truth of Christ’s Word. He served as a faithful laymen upholding Christ’s Word of Truth in every congregation where Jesus led him.
Elmer heard the truth of Christ’s Word of wisdom: Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.” The Lord blessed him with his bride Carol in Seward. She was his comfort after his mother’s unexpected death. Our living Jesus promises, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The Lord provided your family with daily bread as Rod served Christ by caring for his neighbor in agronomics throughout the midwest. Children are an inheritance from the Lord - Elmer rejoiced with Carol in their daughters and son. Your Dad sought to give you the greatest inheritance - the Word of Christ at home and in your local congregations in every Sunday worship. He rejoiced to sing the Faith.
The 128th Psalm instructs, Psalms 128:4-6 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. (5) The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. (6) Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!” Set free by Christ’s Word - Elmer rejoice to see his grand children and rejoice even in his great granddaughter.
The Truth will set you free! Lung cancer invaded your life, but it didn’t win. It brought sorrow, now for just a little while. On that sorrow filled Thursday evening Jesus preached, John 16:21-22 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” Palm Sunday, Rod sat here, rejoicing to see his grandson Jaxson confirmed - then he feasted with Jesus. He was set free from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil -as His Lord placed upon His lips His living flesh and victorious blood in bread and wine.
Rod’s strength began to fail him, but His Jesus would not - He was set free by the Truth. Hospitalized, he heard these words of Jesus about a little while, sorrow, and joy. He rejoiced to confess the truth - He was a poor miserable sinner - Jesus was His Savior - Crucified and Risen for Him! Forgiven Rod was declared a saint by grace through faith. Returning home, last Friday he again feasted at the Lord’s Table within his bedroom. We sang, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace.” He was set free! Sunday dawned and Elmer’s strength failed, but Jesus was with Him. Family gathered, we prayed, we sang - “Lord, now let the Rod die in peace according to Your Word!” Later Sunday night as you prayed, read Scripture, and sang hymns - Elmer was “Set Free!” The Good Shepherd brought His precious blood bought lamb Home to His heavenly fold. He delivered him from evil granting him a blessed end and homecoming.
Today, we plant Rod, Elmer, Bill’s body into God’s garden - this isn’t the end. A farmer knows that a seed is planted in hope of its rising up to new and full life. The Day shall dawn - Jesus shall come again in glory - He will speak His Word - “Arise!” Elmer’s mortal body will be raised immortal, his corruptible body raised incorruptible, his natural body raised a spiritual body, his weak body will be raised in power - He will be eternally set free from death and the grave - in that day no one will take our joy from us. We shall see him again in the flesh on this world freed from sin, Satan, evil, and all corruption. Sorrow in this hope! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Amen.
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