The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
St. Luke 12:32-40
Priorities
Proper 14C (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost), 08 August 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
22[Jesus] said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
We begin today as we left off last time. A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, but in abundant Life in Jesus, your priceless treasure.
32“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The order of the words Jesus uses here is very deliberate. You would think a person’s beliefs would drive his choices. And so they should. But Jesus turns it around and says that the choices one makes also eventually affects his beliefs. Computer programmers have a saying, Garbage in—Garbage out. If you put in incorrect or incomplete data, you’re going to get wrong conclusions.
Think about it: Seemingly innocent choices of TV programs, movies, or music with violent or sexually explicit content, can develop a belief that this is the way the world operates, that these things are OK. The choice of “treasure” changes the “heart.” As stewards of God’s gifts, we can make choices about what is precious to us that can affect what we believe. Picking up the wrong so-called treasures can even destroy our faith. But picking up treasures that are spiritual and eternal preserve our faith and trust in God. May we always hold to the cross of Christ as most precious, and arrange our lives’ priorities around it.
What are your priorities as we head into a new school year? Where you spend your time shows where that item ranks on your priority list. Where does work rank? Play? Family? Friends? The Lord? Worship? Bible Study? Individual Devotions? Fellowship with other Christians? Where you spend your time shows how important something really is to you. What is your priority?
Our Lord’s priority was you. That’s all there is to it. He is the only-begotten Son whom the Father sent into this world because He loved you. The Son came willingly. He was born a man, lived as a man, served as a man. He was dressed in human flesh, ready to die. He was dressed and ready for service when He washed the disciples’ feet, reclined at the table, and served them in the upper room at the Last Supper, Jesus’ Passover. And it wouldn’t have been a true Passover without a lamb sacrificed for sin. Jesus is that Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. And not just the world’s sin. Consider this: He took your sin away. That was His priority, His service to you.
35“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
The Romans had four watches throughout the night: 6-9 pm, 9-12 midnight, 12-3 am, and 3-6 am. The Jews had three watches: 6-10 pm, 10-2 am, and 2-6 am. In either case, Jesus’ reference to the second or third watch of the night refers to a period spanning the middle of the night. Those who stay awake are blessed.
A watchman, watching all alone in the middle of the night wouldn’t be the best idea. What happens if one guy sits out all night all by himself and he gets bored? Right. In every movie, they guy falls asleep. If he were watching with a buddy, they could keep one another alert, awake, alive.
You’ve met people who claim to keep themselves alert, awake, alive. I’m not talking about the fields or the rails but Christianity. Think about the last time you heard someone say: “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. I pray. I read my Bible. I do good things. I don’t neglect or abuse my family. I live a good enough life. I can enjoy God out in nature.”
The Christian life is not lived alone, in solitude, but in communion with fellow believers and our Lord. His priority is you. His priority as the Good Shepherd is to keep His little flock together, even if it means leaving the 99 to go after that one stray sheep that has fallen asleep, fallen into a pit, or otherwise gotten in trouble. That’s the danger with going it alone. Satan goes about seeking the weak like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
A Christian, all alone, can learn something about the God of creation out on the lake, the links, or at deer camp. Nowhere—nowhere carved on a mountain, or sung by a bird, or spelled out in flowers is the knowledge of salvation in Christ Jesus. No fish can tell you that your sins are forgiven. Deer are noticeably silent as well. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with hunting, fishing, and so on. The danger is that they become one’s primary source of knowledge about God.
Chances are, solo Christians don’t read their Bibles. Where would they receive encouragement to do so? People who don’t read their Bibles don’t pray much either. They rarely hear God speak in His Word, so His Word doesn’t bear much fruit in them speaking to God. The prayer life of such a person is dying and usually consists of prayers for stuff, or prayers to get out of a jam. As far as caring for one’s family, even non-Christians do that!
Eventually, one missed Sunday becomes two and three. A month off from God becomes two and three. Before you know it, the kids are following the inactive parent’s example and are, like them, in danger of falling away from the Lord. So much for being dressed and ready for service, keeping lamps burning, watching, and waiting for Jesus to return.
The Christian life is not lived alone, in solitude, but in communion with fellow believers and our Lord. The Lord nurtures the lamp of faith He gave you at Baptism, at conversion. Fellow Christians can encourage one another to pray, worship, and love one another. The Lord’s priority is you. His priority as the Good Shepherd is to keep His little flock together, even if it means leaving the 99 to go after that one stray sheep that has fallen asleep, fallen into a pit, or otherwise gotten in trouble. That’s the danger with going it alone. Satan goes about seeking the weak like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Solo Christians are dead meat. Instead, 35“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
This first parable and the second one, coming up next, share similar themes: Be ready. Watch. Have your priorities straight. This is a foretaste of the lessons we will hear this November, during the last Sundays of the church year. We will then hear much more about Jesus’ imminent return. When will this be? We haven’t been told. No one but the Father in heaven knows when that time will have fully come.
39But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
If you somehow knew that Jesus was coming back tomorrow, chances are, you’d be ready. Your priorities would in the right order. God and family. Sins forgiven. Sunday best on, lamps burning, ready for service.
We are not told at what hour the Son of man will come. That is why we are called to be ever-ready, always dressed for service, the lamps of our faith always lit, replenished by the Gifts God Himself gives in the Word and Sacraments.
Here you will hear of God’s priorities. Here is where you will hear, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Here is where you will hear, “As a called and ordained servant of the Word, I announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins.” Here is where you will hear, “Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for you.” “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My Blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
Here is where you will hear about God’s priorities. This morning, we are joined with one another by the Lord into a little flock awaiting the return of our Good Shepherd. As His forgiven little flock we have nothing to fear. Our sins are forgiven. We are dressed, wearing Christ’s righteousness. Our lamps are burning with the fire of faith, the gift of the Holy Spirit. By God’s gift of faith, the same Gift given to father Abraham, our priorities shift to treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Your treasure is in heaven, and your hearts and minds are kept in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sermon for 01 August 2010, Proper 13C
The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
St. Luke 12:13-21
Abundance
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13), 01 August 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
When a will is read, grace, mercy and peace are not the first things that come to mind. The whole realm of family inheritance is often full of problems, conflict, misunderstandings, and hard feelings. Once, I even saw grandchildren fighting over a grandparent’s 25-year-old ceiling fan that barely worked! In John Grisham’s novel, The Testament, heirs battle over an 11 Billion-dollar inheritance. Apparently, their father’s abundant gift of $5 million when they each were 21-years-old wasn’t enough. They all had wasted the money and were battling for a piece of the bigger pie. This kind of conflict, greed, and covetousness is nothing new. Consider the situation in St. Luke 12.
13Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Rabbis were commonly asked to assist in family disputes over inheritance. Jesus was a rabbi, a great teacher. But think about it. This “someone” in the crowd already had a rabbi of his own. Did the rabbi find in his brother’s favor? Is he coming to Jesus to get a second opinion? Or, is he doing what millions of children do when either dad or mom says, “no,” i.e. go to the other parent, another authority. Mom, please! Dad’s being a meanie!
Jesus sees right through this “someone’s” impure motives. The traditional way of dividing the inheritance according to Deuteronomy 21:17 wasn’t good enough for this man. People are upset today if an estate isn’t divided evenly in shares. Even back then, this man didn’t like it that his eldest brother, the first-born son, got a double share.
“Watch out!” Jesus said, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
All kinds of greed. All kinds of covetousness. All kinds of dishonest gain. Wow. Which commandments did this guy break? Well, coveting—so 9 & 10, 7—because he’s thinking about stealing, getting his brother’s inheritance dishonestly, 3—since he doesn’t recognize the spiritual authority of his own rabbi who likely decided against him, 4—for not honoring dad’s wishes, and #1—something else besides the Lord has become his god.
“Take care,” Jesus said, “and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” We are no less prone to this particular temptation. It is common to man in every age. Let’s not be too smug. Some of you are paid hourly. If you’re paid for a full 40-hour week, think back. Did you work the full 40 hours or just 38, or 35, or 30 or 25? That’s dishonest gain. How many times have office supplies disappeared from your desk at work and miraculously reappeared at home? What new toys does your neighbor have that you can’t wait to borrow—or have yourself? A boat? The new diesel truck? A snow machine? That new rifle?
It doesn’t take long for the reality to sink in that each of us have offended God and justly deserve His temporal and eternal punishment. We’re in the same boat as today’s someone from the crowd. We’re part of his crowd as well. We’re eager to hear what Jesus has to say next.
16And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’
Storing up crops for the future isn’t a bad thing. The motive here behind it is, in the parable of the rich man. At the end of Genesis, Joseph instructs Pharaoh to prepare for the coming drought. That’s a good and godly purpose. This guy just doesn’t want to work anymore. No more planting or weeding or harvesting for him! He’s aiming for one of the ancient seven deadly sins: sloth.
Life insurance can misunderstood as well. That’s why it took so long for Lutherans to go for it. With the wrong motive, like this text’s rich farmer, life insurance could become the wrong object of our trust. Life insurance can’t prevent us from dying. It’s only a means of caring for our family after we pass away. The proper motivation can be found in 1 Timothy 5:8 where Paul tells Timothy about proper stewardship in the care of one’s family. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. We may plan for the future like Joseph, caring for our families according to Paul’s divinely inspired words, and avoid the temptations to trust in things of this world, or even ourselves.
The rich man in the text is also self-centered. Did you notice that? In three verses, 17-19, he refers to himself directly, or by implication, an incredible number of times!
17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’
This certain rich man isn’t evil because he’s rich. Riches are not evil in and of themselves. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, not the money itself. He’s become cocky, selfish, hoarding all of his crops, trusting in them for his future security. “Who needs God? I’m set!” His grain has become his straw-god.
What a pathetic kind of god that is! You know well how fragile that kind of false god is. A freeze or cold weather could kill the crop. Disease can be a problem. Weather of all kinds could be devastating: drought, flood, lightning, hail. He’s weathered all the storms, fended off every crop disease. He’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry. He apparently didn’t know the ending of that common saying: “for tomorrow we die.”
20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
Repent! The one who dies with the most toys still dies. Toys don’t get a person into heaven. Only Jesus, only His grace is enough to make heaven.
People today often think they’ve outgrown the Bible. Oh, that’s just something we used to follow. We used to believe that, but we’ve evolved. That old book has nothing to teach us. Our human thought today is far superior. We’ve outgrown that mythical message. Have we?
Some of the richest and most influential men in the country in 1923 were the following:
1. Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company
2. Edward Hopson, president of the largest gas company
3. Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange
4. Arthur Cooger, the country’s greatest wheat speculator
5. Cosbee Rivermore, the great bear of Wall Street
Fifty-five years later, do you know what had become of these men? In the same order:
1. Died a pauper
2. Went insane
3. Was released from prison to die at home
4. Penniless
5. Committed suicide
Jesus said: “….the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” and “ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Jesus also said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” The “someone” at the beginning of our text wanted abundance. He was looking right at Him—Jesus. He wanted temporal security, but he really needed Eternal Life Insurance. I wonder if he left Jesus following this parable with true abundance in Christ, or still spiritually in want.
The next section of St. Luke 12 is a good preview for next Sunday. After the Law of today’s text, you need to hear the words of comfort from and about Jesus, your priceless treasure, the source of true heavenly abundance.
22[Jesus] said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, but in abundant Life in Jesus, your priceless treasure. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
St. Luke 12:13-21
Abundance
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13), 01 August 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
When a will is read, grace, mercy and peace are not the first things that come to mind. The whole realm of family inheritance is often full of problems, conflict, misunderstandings, and hard feelings. Once, I even saw grandchildren fighting over a grandparent’s 25-year-old ceiling fan that barely worked! In John Grisham’s novel, The Testament, heirs battle over an 11 Billion-dollar inheritance. Apparently, their father’s abundant gift of $5 million when they each were 21-years-old wasn’t enough. They all had wasted the money and were battling for a piece of the bigger pie. This kind of conflict, greed, and covetousness is nothing new. Consider the situation in St. Luke 12.
13Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Rabbis were commonly asked to assist in family disputes over inheritance. Jesus was a rabbi, a great teacher. But think about it. This “someone” in the crowd already had a rabbi of his own. Did the rabbi find in his brother’s favor? Is he coming to Jesus to get a second opinion? Or, is he doing what millions of children do when either dad or mom says, “no,” i.e. go to the other parent, another authority. Mom, please! Dad’s being a meanie!
Jesus sees right through this “someone’s” impure motives. The traditional way of dividing the inheritance according to Deuteronomy 21:17 wasn’t good enough for this man. People are upset today if an estate isn’t divided evenly in shares. Even back then, this man didn’t like it that his eldest brother, the first-born son, got a double share.
“Watch out!” Jesus said, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
All kinds of greed. All kinds of covetousness. All kinds of dishonest gain. Wow. Which commandments did this guy break? Well, coveting—so 9 & 10, 7—because he’s thinking about stealing, getting his brother’s inheritance dishonestly, 3—since he doesn’t recognize the spiritual authority of his own rabbi who likely decided against him, 4—for not honoring dad’s wishes, and #1—something else besides the Lord has become his god.
“Take care,” Jesus said, “and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” We are no less prone to this particular temptation. It is common to man in every age. Let’s not be too smug. Some of you are paid hourly. If you’re paid for a full 40-hour week, think back. Did you work the full 40 hours or just 38, or 35, or 30 or 25? That’s dishonest gain. How many times have office supplies disappeared from your desk at work and miraculously reappeared at home? What new toys does your neighbor have that you can’t wait to borrow—or have yourself? A boat? The new diesel truck? A snow machine? That new rifle?
It doesn’t take long for the reality to sink in that each of us have offended God and justly deserve His temporal and eternal punishment. We’re in the same boat as today’s someone from the crowd. We’re part of his crowd as well. We’re eager to hear what Jesus has to say next.
16And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’
Storing up crops for the future isn’t a bad thing. The motive here behind it is, in the parable of the rich man. At the end of Genesis, Joseph instructs Pharaoh to prepare for the coming drought. That’s a good and godly purpose. This guy just doesn’t want to work anymore. No more planting or weeding or harvesting for him! He’s aiming for one of the ancient seven deadly sins: sloth.
Life insurance can misunderstood as well. That’s why it took so long for Lutherans to go for it. With the wrong motive, like this text’s rich farmer, life insurance could become the wrong object of our trust. Life insurance can’t prevent us from dying. It’s only a means of caring for our family after we pass away. The proper motivation can be found in 1 Timothy 5:8 where Paul tells Timothy about proper stewardship in the care of one’s family. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. We may plan for the future like Joseph, caring for our families according to Paul’s divinely inspired words, and avoid the temptations to trust in things of this world, or even ourselves.
The rich man in the text is also self-centered. Did you notice that? In three verses, 17-19, he refers to himself directly, or by implication, an incredible number of times!
17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’
This certain rich man isn’t evil because he’s rich. Riches are not evil in and of themselves. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, not the money itself. He’s become cocky, selfish, hoarding all of his crops, trusting in them for his future security. “Who needs God? I’m set!” His grain has become his straw-god.
What a pathetic kind of god that is! You know well how fragile that kind of false god is. A freeze or cold weather could kill the crop. Disease can be a problem. Weather of all kinds could be devastating: drought, flood, lightning, hail. He’s weathered all the storms, fended off every crop disease. He’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry. He apparently didn’t know the ending of that common saying: “for tomorrow we die.”
20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
Repent! The one who dies with the most toys still dies. Toys don’t get a person into heaven. Only Jesus, only His grace is enough to make heaven.
People today often think they’ve outgrown the Bible. Oh, that’s just something we used to follow. We used to believe that, but we’ve evolved. That old book has nothing to teach us. Our human thought today is far superior. We’ve outgrown that mythical message. Have we?
Some of the richest and most influential men in the country in 1923 were the following:
1. Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company
2. Edward Hopson, president of the largest gas company
3. Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange
4. Arthur Cooger, the country’s greatest wheat speculator
5. Cosbee Rivermore, the great bear of Wall Street
Fifty-five years later, do you know what had become of these men? In the same order:
1. Died a pauper
2. Went insane
3. Was released from prison to die at home
4. Penniless
5. Committed suicide
Jesus said: “….the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” and “ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Jesus also said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” The “someone” at the beginning of our text wanted abundance. He was looking right at Him—Jesus. He wanted temporal security, but he really needed Eternal Life Insurance. I wonder if he left Jesus following this parable with true abundance in Christ, or still spiritually in want.
The next section of St. Luke 12 is a good preview for next Sunday. After the Law of today’s text, you need to hear the words of comfort from and about Jesus, your priceless treasure, the source of true heavenly abundance.
22[Jesus] said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, but in abundant Life in Jesus, your priceless treasure. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Updates
Please note that sermons for July have now been updated.
Sermon manuscripts are posted on the blog.
Audio files are posted on our site at MySpace.
Sermon manuscripts are posted on the blog.
Audio files are posted on our site at MySpace.
Sermon for 25 July 2010, Proper 12C
The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
Genesis 18:20-32
Who’s Laughing Now?
Proper 12 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost) 25 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
[Dr. Nagel writes:] “Three men dropped in on Abraham, and he and Sarah got busy to get something good on the table for them. Somehow, Abraham knew who they were. We are told Abraham was God’s friend. Abraham dealt with one of these men as with God. He is the one who in the Old Testament is called the Angel of the Lord. God made use of a human form, and when God thus deals with a man, we know it to be God the Son.” [Sermons, 294]
The first thing a Christian does upon encountering the Biblical text is to let it speak for itself, or rather, to let the Lord speak for Himself. These are His Words recorded by His servants in His way. We dare not read our preconceived notions into the text, but let the text inform us. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
For example, let’s listen in again on the Lord, Abraham, and Sarah. The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."
The Lord did what He does; He faces each of us up to our sins. Sarah denied doing it, but still was told that she did laugh. The Lord did what He does; He faces each of us up to our sins. We are confronted with them. That is what caring Christians do for one another, if they really love them. That is what faithful pastors are called to do in cases of public sin—sin that everybody usually knows about, even if committed privately. The church and her pastor cannot remain on the sidelines. A soul is at stake. The unrepentant are to be confronted with their sin in the hope that they would repent and be forgiven. That’s true love.
Sarah denied her sin here. You know the rest of the story from the birth of Isaac to the meaning of his name, “He laughs.” By then Sarah had repented. She had faith in the Lord’s future promises, for the one to her had been fulfilled. Isaac isn’t until chapter 21. There’s more yet to come—our appointed text. There is more sin that needs confronting. The Lord is on the scene to do it. Remember the three men?
The LORD has hard lesson for Abraham—a warning—a counterexample. Then, more Gospel for Abraham and his family to come, his descendants we know of as Isaac, Jacob/Israel, Joseph, and so on, all the way through to David, Solomon, and ultimately, Jesus. Those who live in this promise to father Abraham would do well by doing righteousness and justice. Those are law commands in the service of God’s Gospel promises. But, as we know from Exodus, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, they often did what was right in their own eyes. But that’s a sin to discuss another day. Let’s listen again to the Lord.
Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."
The sin here was not the lack of hospitality, as some liberals claim. The sin was men acting on their feelings of lust for other males. As one of them says in chapter nineteen, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may know them.” He wasn’t just talking about friendly conversation.
The Lord will punish unrepentant sin. Abraham is bold in prayer as an intercessor, a go-between, a mediator between God and man. He’s giving us a preview of Jesus in what He does here. And the Lord shows mercy. No destruction of the two cities if there are fifty righteous. And Abraham is bold to intercede again. You see, he knows what the town is like. Lot, his nephew lives there. And Abraham had to rescue him before back in chapter fourteen.
This is bold, confident, faith-filled prayer. Abraham knew both the sinfulness of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as the judgment and mercy of the Lord. The Lord has gone His way. That leaves two men, identified later in chapter nineteen as angels under the protection Lot’s roof in Sodom.
Suppose ten are found there. No, there weren’t even ten. Let’s count. Abraham, Lot, and Lot’s two daughters. Lot’s wife initially fled with them, but she looked back after being told not to and became a pillar of the community—a pillar of salt. She doesn’t quite count. The “men” who were protected under Lot’s roof were really two angels. They don’t count. Neither do Lot’s sons-in-law. They thought he was joking when he warned them about the coming fire and brimstone. Five. Five righteous. One who wouldn’t listen. Really, there were only four.
So, what are we to make of Genesis 18 and the later destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? That’s the wrong question to ask. We should rather ask, “What does the Lord’s Word here make of us?” That’s better. We should be ashamed of sin and repent. We should fear judgment. We should be forgiven, renewed, and led by the Lord, and delight in His will and ways. We should strive to amend our sinful lives as forgiven, baptized Christians.
The Lord is just and holy, so He must punish sin. There’s no avoiding it for Him or us. He doesn’t delight in it. The Lutheran theologians call the law God’s alien work—that’s alien as opposed to natural, as in when we speak the Gospel and delivery of His gifts as His natural work, the one He delights in.
A further note on fire and brimstone. Preachers in the early days of America were known for thundering pulpit pounding and Bible-thumping sermons called “fire and brimstone” preaching. As Lutherans know, the preaching of the law is a necessary preparation for the Gospel. But a sermon only of fire and brimstone is only law, and therefore isn’t a complete Christian sermon. The law is an incomplete summary of the whole of the counsel of God. Therefore, preaching that only preaches the law is to be avoided and condemned as unchristian. The Gospel shall predominate, our Missouri Synod fathers well understood.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a warning to us. I’d rather not see our towns destroyed in a similar manner. We should also beware practicing, condoning, or allowing such sins as the Lord condemned at Sodom. We should also not hold one sin above all others as more heinous. All sin condemns. A habitual gossip is no better off spiritually than one who habitually sins against the sixth commandment. For the sake of those who do not believe, or are unrepentant, we should recognize the sin in our own lives first, repent, and be forgiven. Then we can humbly share law and hopefully Gospel.
Judgment Day will make today’s text look like small potatoes. Who’s laughing now? No one. We are warned here to repent now, to be faithful now, to regularly receive the Gifts, to watch and pray, for no one knows the day of Jesus’ return as Judge. Those without Jesus should fear that day. Those who hold on to society-tolerated and encouraged sins need to be nervous. Those who claim to be Christian but never do anything a Christian does should be more than concerned. The unrepentant and unbelieving should tremble in fear.
But what about you, the baptized, repentant person? I have good news for you. Fear not. Stop being afraid. Focus your eyes upon Jesus. The Lord has put His name on you in Holy Baptism. He cannot abandon His name. He has put His Spirit in you. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. He has prepared a place for you. He cannot go back on a promise. And He places His very Body and Blood into the mouths of His baptized, those who are taught and can examine themselves. That is the medicine of immortality and antidote to death. You, dear Christian, have nothing to fear and every reason in Christ to have hope, not a mere wish of good things, but a sure and certain hope. You are forgiven. Depart in Peace. Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 18:20-32
Who’s Laughing Now?
Proper 12 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost) 25 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
[Dr. Nagel writes:] “Three men dropped in on Abraham, and he and Sarah got busy to get something good on the table for them. Somehow, Abraham knew who they were. We are told Abraham was God’s friend. Abraham dealt with one of these men as with God. He is the one who in the Old Testament is called the Angel of the Lord. God made use of a human form, and when God thus deals with a man, we know it to be God the Son.” [Sermons, 294]
The first thing a Christian does upon encountering the Biblical text is to let it speak for itself, or rather, to let the Lord speak for Himself. These are His Words recorded by His servants in His way. We dare not read our preconceived notions into the text, but let the text inform us. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
For example, let’s listen in again on the Lord, Abraham, and Sarah. The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."
The Lord did what He does; He faces each of us up to our sins. Sarah denied doing it, but still was told that she did laugh. The Lord did what He does; He faces each of us up to our sins. We are confronted with them. That is what caring Christians do for one another, if they really love them. That is what faithful pastors are called to do in cases of public sin—sin that everybody usually knows about, even if committed privately. The church and her pastor cannot remain on the sidelines. A soul is at stake. The unrepentant are to be confronted with their sin in the hope that they would repent and be forgiven. That’s true love.
Sarah denied her sin here. You know the rest of the story from the birth of Isaac to the meaning of his name, “He laughs.” By then Sarah had repented. She had faith in the Lord’s future promises, for the one to her had been fulfilled. Isaac isn’t until chapter 21. There’s more yet to come—our appointed text. There is more sin that needs confronting. The Lord is on the scene to do it. Remember the three men?
The LORD has hard lesson for Abraham—a warning—a counterexample. Then, more Gospel for Abraham and his family to come, his descendants we know of as Isaac, Jacob/Israel, Joseph, and so on, all the way through to David, Solomon, and ultimately, Jesus. Those who live in this promise to father Abraham would do well by doing righteousness and justice. Those are law commands in the service of God’s Gospel promises. But, as we know from Exodus, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, they often did what was right in their own eyes. But that’s a sin to discuss another day. Let’s listen again to the Lord.
Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."
The sin here was not the lack of hospitality, as some liberals claim. The sin was men acting on their feelings of lust for other males. As one of them says in chapter nineteen, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may know them.” He wasn’t just talking about friendly conversation.
The Lord will punish unrepentant sin. Abraham is bold in prayer as an intercessor, a go-between, a mediator between God and man. He’s giving us a preview of Jesus in what He does here. And the Lord shows mercy. No destruction of the two cities if there are fifty righteous. And Abraham is bold to intercede again. You see, he knows what the town is like. Lot, his nephew lives there. And Abraham had to rescue him before back in chapter fourteen.
This is bold, confident, faith-filled prayer. Abraham knew both the sinfulness of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as the judgment and mercy of the Lord. The Lord has gone His way. That leaves two men, identified later in chapter nineteen as angels under the protection Lot’s roof in Sodom.
Suppose ten are found there. No, there weren’t even ten. Let’s count. Abraham, Lot, and Lot’s two daughters. Lot’s wife initially fled with them, but she looked back after being told not to and became a pillar of the community—a pillar of salt. She doesn’t quite count. The “men” who were protected under Lot’s roof were really two angels. They don’t count. Neither do Lot’s sons-in-law. They thought he was joking when he warned them about the coming fire and brimstone. Five. Five righteous. One who wouldn’t listen. Really, there were only four.
So, what are we to make of Genesis 18 and the later destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? That’s the wrong question to ask. We should rather ask, “What does the Lord’s Word here make of us?” That’s better. We should be ashamed of sin and repent. We should fear judgment. We should be forgiven, renewed, and led by the Lord, and delight in His will and ways. We should strive to amend our sinful lives as forgiven, baptized Christians.
The Lord is just and holy, so He must punish sin. There’s no avoiding it for Him or us. He doesn’t delight in it. The Lutheran theologians call the law God’s alien work—that’s alien as opposed to natural, as in when we speak the Gospel and delivery of His gifts as His natural work, the one He delights in.
A further note on fire and brimstone. Preachers in the early days of America were known for thundering pulpit pounding and Bible-thumping sermons called “fire and brimstone” preaching. As Lutherans know, the preaching of the law is a necessary preparation for the Gospel. But a sermon only of fire and brimstone is only law, and therefore isn’t a complete Christian sermon. The law is an incomplete summary of the whole of the counsel of God. Therefore, preaching that only preaches the law is to be avoided and condemned as unchristian. The Gospel shall predominate, our Missouri Synod fathers well understood.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a warning to us. I’d rather not see our towns destroyed in a similar manner. We should also beware practicing, condoning, or allowing such sins as the Lord condemned at Sodom. We should also not hold one sin above all others as more heinous. All sin condemns. A habitual gossip is no better off spiritually than one who habitually sins against the sixth commandment. For the sake of those who do not believe, or are unrepentant, we should recognize the sin in our own lives first, repent, and be forgiven. Then we can humbly share law and hopefully Gospel.
Judgment Day will make today’s text look like small potatoes. Who’s laughing now? No one. We are warned here to repent now, to be faithful now, to regularly receive the Gifts, to watch and pray, for no one knows the day of Jesus’ return as Judge. Those without Jesus should fear that day. Those who hold on to society-tolerated and encouraged sins need to be nervous. Those who claim to be Christian but never do anything a Christian does should be more than concerned. The unrepentant and unbelieving should tremble in fear.
But what about you, the baptized, repentant person? I have good news for you. Fear not. Stop being afraid. Focus your eyes upon Jesus. The Lord has put His name on you in Holy Baptism. He cannot abandon His name. He has put His Spirit in you. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. He has prepared a place for you. He cannot go back on a promise. And He places His very Body and Blood into the mouths of His baptized, those who are taught and can examine themselves. That is the medicine of immortality and antidote to death. You, dear Christian, have nothing to fear and every reason in Christ to have hope, not a mere wish of good things, but a sure and certain hope. You are forgiven. Depart in Peace. Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Sermon for 18 July 2010, Proper 11C
The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
Genesis 18:1-14
Laughter
Proper 11C (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost), 18 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The old axiom "Laughter is the best medicine" holds true when it comes to protecting your heart, according to a study conducted by the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Dr. Michael Miller, who conducted the study, says laughter releases chemicals into the bloodstream that relax the blood vessels. In addition, hearty laughter reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
Citation: Reuters News Service and CBS radio news (11-15-00); submitted by Greg Asimakoupoulos
You don’t need a Doctor to tell you that laughter can be good for you. You don’t need me to tell you that laughter can also be hurtful. Laughter, when it adorns ridicule, hurts when that verbal abuse is directed toward us or someone we love. “Laughing with” is a good thing. “Laughing at” is quite another. What about the one making fun of others? What of the one who is doing the “laughing at?” What of the person who says by their injurious laughter, “You think that you can do what? Ha!”
This morning, as we begin our two-week journey through Genesis 18, listen for who gets the last laugh.
And the LORD appeared to him [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him.
This is not an ordinary day. The Lord does not appear in bodily form to His servants very often. When He does, the Lord has something very special in mind. Dr. Nagel writes: “Three men dropped in on Abraham, and he and Sarah got busy to get something good on the table for them. Somehow, Abraham knew who they were. We are told Abraham was God’s friend. Abraham dealt with one of these men as with God. He is the one who in the Old Testament is called the Angel of the Lord. God made use of a human form, and when God thus deals with a man, we know it to be God the Son.” [Sermons, 294]
The Old Testament tells about the Word Becoming Flesh. “Jesus isn’t an angel; He is God and man,” “having permanently taken on our human nature and become one of us by being born of Mary.”
When he [Abraham] saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on— since you have come to your servant."
So they said, "Do as you have said."
And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."
And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "She is in the tent."
The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son."
It’s quite a promise. The blessing to Abraham has been waiting as a promise since chapter twelve: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
If the Lord was to make of Abram, “exalted father,” into a great nation, Abraham, “father of many nations,” he would have to have some offspring. Between Genesis 12 and 18 Abraham has been in Egypt, spent time with Lot before Lot moved to a town called Sodom—more about that next week, rescued Lot a first time, and was given a covenant with the Lord.
And then there was Hagar. Hagar was Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant. Sarah made up her mind that the Lord couldn’t possibly deliver an heir through her, she would further things along by giving Hagar to her husband as a second wife. Did she really think that would solve the problem? Ishmael was a son of Abraham’s, but he wasn’t the miraculous heir promised to Abraham and Sarah.
Chapter 17 brings about the Lord’s covenant of circumcision and new names. Abram is now Abraham. Sarai is to be called Sarah. And the Lord explicitly promised Abraham a son through Sarah. And Abraham laughed then, mocking the Lord’s promise. Guess who’s laughing now, in chapter 18?
The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son."
And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?"
Sarah laughed, in near ridicule of the Lord Himself. Abraham did it too, back in 17:17. He doubted that a man of a hundred could beget and that a woman of ninety could conceive. Abraham fell facedown and laughed. Could medical science pull it off even with Viagra and hormone replacements? We’d probably show our doubts by laughter, too.
The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
There’s no laughing this time. Life intervenes. Abraham will have to rescue Lot yet again next week. Stay tuned—same time, same station. The promised son would be born on time, as promised, in chapter 21: The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Why the name Isaac? I’m glad you asked. Let’s ask Sarah, herself. And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me." And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
Isaac means laughter, literally, “He laughs.” An appropriate name for such a son. Sarah puts this name nicely into context. She speaks of joyous laughter, not mocking laughter. She speaks out of happiness at the Lord’s gift. Her disbelief has been smashed. The promise to Abraham has not only been fulfilled, it has been filled to bursting. This is the son promised, through whom the Lord would bless all the peoples of the earth. The God of Abraham and Isaac used these servants, these patriarchs, as His instruments and as the human forebears of our Lord Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of this promise
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." And we have been blessed. Father Abraham had many sons and many sons had father Abraham, the old song says. I am one of them and so are you.
So who got the last laugh? Abraham and Sarah both had their share of faithless laughter and the laughter of faith, rejoicing in God’s gift of a son named after laughter. The Lord got the last laugh here. As He said Himself, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
No, nothing is too hard for the Lord. He who created heaven and earth with mere words could certainly aid these special senior citizens with procreation. And He could bring a virgin to conceive and bear a son named Jesus, named for His purpose, to save His people from their sins. Resurrection from the dead? Not impossible at all. Even this was not too hard for the Lord. Remember that the next time you don’t feel like laughing.
No matter how bad you think you have it, your small problems are not too big for the Lord. His forgiveness covers even your sins. His truth trumps all human fictions. His miracles defy scientific explanation. He is faithful. He fulfills His promises to overflowing, bursting even our most wild expectations. And the Lord laughs in joy, delighting to give His gifts to you. By faith, we rejoice in that heavenly laughter, with Him, He whose laughter is the best medicine. Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 18:1-14
Laughter
Proper 11C (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost), 18 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The old axiom "Laughter is the best medicine" holds true when it comes to protecting your heart, according to a study conducted by the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Dr. Michael Miller, who conducted the study, says laughter releases chemicals into the bloodstream that relax the blood vessels. In addition, hearty laughter reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
Citation: Reuters News Service and CBS radio news (11-15-00); submitted by Greg Asimakoupoulos
You don’t need a Doctor to tell you that laughter can be good for you. You don’t need me to tell you that laughter can also be hurtful. Laughter, when it adorns ridicule, hurts when that verbal abuse is directed toward us or someone we love. “Laughing with” is a good thing. “Laughing at” is quite another. What about the one making fun of others? What of the one who is doing the “laughing at?” What of the person who says by their injurious laughter, “You think that you can do what? Ha!”
This morning, as we begin our two-week journey through Genesis 18, listen for who gets the last laugh.
And the LORD appeared to him [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him.
This is not an ordinary day. The Lord does not appear in bodily form to His servants very often. When He does, the Lord has something very special in mind. Dr. Nagel writes: “Three men dropped in on Abraham, and he and Sarah got busy to get something good on the table for them. Somehow, Abraham knew who they were. We are told Abraham was God’s friend. Abraham dealt with one of these men as with God. He is the one who in the Old Testament is called the Angel of the Lord. God made use of a human form, and when God thus deals with a man, we know it to be God the Son.” [Sermons, 294]
The Old Testament tells about the Word Becoming Flesh. “Jesus isn’t an angel; He is God and man,” “having permanently taken on our human nature and become one of us by being born of Mary.”
When he [Abraham] saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on— since you have come to your servant."
So they said, "Do as you have said."
And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."
And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "She is in the tent."
The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son."
It’s quite a promise. The blessing to Abraham has been waiting as a promise since chapter twelve: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
If the Lord was to make of Abram, “exalted father,” into a great nation, Abraham, “father of many nations,” he would have to have some offspring. Between Genesis 12 and 18 Abraham has been in Egypt, spent time with Lot before Lot moved to a town called Sodom—more about that next week, rescued Lot a first time, and was given a covenant with the Lord.
And then there was Hagar. Hagar was Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant. Sarah made up her mind that the Lord couldn’t possibly deliver an heir through her, she would further things along by giving Hagar to her husband as a second wife. Did she really think that would solve the problem? Ishmael was a son of Abraham’s, but he wasn’t the miraculous heir promised to Abraham and Sarah.
Chapter 17 brings about the Lord’s covenant of circumcision and new names. Abram is now Abraham. Sarai is to be called Sarah. And the Lord explicitly promised Abraham a son through Sarah. And Abraham laughed then, mocking the Lord’s promise. Guess who’s laughing now, in chapter 18?
The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son."
And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?"
Sarah laughed, in near ridicule of the Lord Himself. Abraham did it too, back in 17:17. He doubted that a man of a hundred could beget and that a woman of ninety could conceive. Abraham fell facedown and laughed. Could medical science pull it off even with Viagra and hormone replacements? We’d probably show our doubts by laughter, too.
The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
There’s no laughing this time. Life intervenes. Abraham will have to rescue Lot yet again next week. Stay tuned—same time, same station. The promised son would be born on time, as promised, in chapter 21: The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Why the name Isaac? I’m glad you asked. Let’s ask Sarah, herself. And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me." And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
Isaac means laughter, literally, “He laughs.” An appropriate name for such a son. Sarah puts this name nicely into context. She speaks of joyous laughter, not mocking laughter. She speaks out of happiness at the Lord’s gift. Her disbelief has been smashed. The promise to Abraham has not only been fulfilled, it has been filled to bursting. This is the son promised, through whom the Lord would bless all the peoples of the earth. The God of Abraham and Isaac used these servants, these patriarchs, as His instruments and as the human forebears of our Lord Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of this promise
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." And we have been blessed. Father Abraham had many sons and many sons had father Abraham, the old song says. I am one of them and so are you.
So who got the last laugh? Abraham and Sarah both had their share of faithless laughter and the laughter of faith, rejoicing in God’s gift of a son named after laughter. The Lord got the last laugh here. As He said Himself, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
No, nothing is too hard for the Lord. He who created heaven and earth with mere words could certainly aid these special senior citizens with procreation. And He could bring a virgin to conceive and bear a son named Jesus, named for His purpose, to save His people from their sins. Resurrection from the dead? Not impossible at all. Even this was not too hard for the Lord. Remember that the next time you don’t feel like laughing.
No matter how bad you think you have it, your small problems are not too big for the Lord. His forgiveness covers even your sins. His truth trumps all human fictions. His miracles defy scientific explanation. He is faithful. He fulfills His promises to overflowing, bursting even our most wild expectations. And the Lord laughs in joy, delighting to give His gifts to you. By faith, we rejoice in that heavenly laughter, with Him, He whose laughter is the best medicine. Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Sermon for 11 July 2010, Proper 10C
The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
St. Luke 10: 25-37/Psalm 25
Your Neighbor
Proper 10 (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)
11 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
For a lay reader
You’ll have to bear with me. I don’t remember all of the details due to the beating. Things are disjointed, fuzzy, but I do have some clarity now. I was a lone Jewish man walking down the seventeen mile stretch of Roman road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It’s a dangerous way—always has been. I fell among robbers, and they fell upon me, beat me, laid blows upon me—they pummeled me. And that wasn’t enough—they stripped me, too, and went away leaving me half dead.
I was barely conscious at best, partially aware, usually out, subconsciously remembering, praying a psalm, you’d call it Psalm 25. Next to death. Unable to speak, signal, move. Stripped. No one could tell I was Jewish. Usually you could tell by the way I talked or what I wore—not today. I was barely alive, couldn’t speak, and was naked. The robbers did their job well. They came, they did, they went.
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
When I was next aware of my surroundings, by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw me, he passed by on the other side.
He was riding, not walking, like most priests, of the upper class. Only the poor walk. He must have saw me from a distance, and veered away. Who knew what he was thinking, just having finished his two weeks of temple service. Priests don’t go anywhere near dead bodies. Four cubits—that’s six feet for you—is too close. Being too close would defile the priest. If he were to be defiled, he could not collect, distribute, or eat the tithes, his share of the offerings, and his family and servants would suffer the consequences.
At four cubits, 6 feet away—he couldn’t tell if I were dead or alive. He couldn’t even tell if I was a Jew or a gentile. Dead Jew or filthy gentile—it was all the same to the oral tradition. Defilement for sure either way. He was trying to keep holy according to the Pharisee’s law, but missed the point of caring for others. Legalism thwarted the Spirit. He came, he did (nothing), he went.
4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
In disappointment, I faded out again, silently praying my psalm, praying for help—from anybody. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw me, passed by on the other side.
He came closer than the priest. Must have thought about it and decided against helping. Besides, he knew that the priest had already gone by. The same laws applied to the Levite that applied to the priest, but he only had to be ritually clean around the ritual activities. There was nothing really preventing him from checking me out—even if I were dead or a gentile. If he would have stopped to help, that action would have been a criticism of the priest’s interpretation of the law! Legalism strikes again! He was not a professional theologian like the priest. Who was he to criticize the priest?
Practical reasons might have made his mind up as well. How much could he help, not riding, but walking as I was? What resources did he really have on him to take care of me? He came, he did (basically nothing), he went.
8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Somebody else had to be coming. Someone had to pluck my feet out of this net of suffering. I was expecting a layman to come along next. Wouldn’t you? A priest, a Levite, and a layman walk into a Synagogue… well, that’s a story for another day. Someone else came. It was not an Israelite.
But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon me; and when he saw me, he felt compassion, and came to me and bandaged up my wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put me on his own beast, and brought me to an inn and took care of me.
The robbers beat me. The priest just went along the road. The Levite at least came to a place closer to me. Only a Samaritan, of all people, came to me.
Samaritans and Jews weren’t friends. “Enemies” is a better term. How we hated them! They had gone after false idols, intermarried with non-Jews and made sacrifices other places than the only true Temple. They were considered dogs. In fact, this Samaritan put himself at risk by helping me out. If I had died, my family could have attacked him in revenge for the attack upon me. I know, it doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t to me, now.
How can I explain the relationship between Jews and Samaritans? Well, think of your worst nightmare. The person who rescued me was the last person I thought would. For a WW2 vet it might be as if a Nazi storm trooper stooped down to help. Or, at the height of the Cold War, a Soviet KGB agent. Today, with your nation’s involvement in what you call the Middle East, imagine a terrorist helping you in your hour of need. Anyway, a Samaritan helping a Jew—it was unthinkable, impossible—just not done!
The Samaritan knew a lot more about what was going on that I did—that’s for sure. I never did learn which direction he was traveling. He could have been distantly following the priest and the Levite, or he would have passed both of them. He would have figured out that neither did anything much to help me. The road was still dangerous, even for him.
The oil he used softened and cleaned my wounds. The wine disinfected them. He not only carried me away from the scene with a beast of burden, but used his own mount, not a lowly pack animal, as my ambulance. This is sacrificial action. Oil and wine like that used in the Jewish temple. And such generous sacrifice! The Samaritan gave me his seat of honor on his mount.
On the next day, he took out two denarii. The denarius was equivalent to a day's wages and gave them to the innkeeper and said, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'
The robbers beat and robbed me. The Samaritan paid for me. The robbers left me dying. The Samaritan left me taken care of. The robbers abandoned me to the vultures. The Samaritan promised to return.
He came, He did, and did, and did, and did, and went, but promised to return.
16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
I waited for the Lord, and He rescued me. Jesus often met people in need of rescue. Consider the case of a young lawyer, an expert in the law of Moses.
On one occasion, an expert in the Mosaic Law stood up showing respect for Jesus. He even called Him Rabbi, Teacher, showing that he considered Jesus at least an equal. His deceitful heart wished to put Him to the test, saying, (Luke 10:25–37) “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. This young man is in trouble. He is up to his neck stuck in the law. Can you find it in your heart to redeem, to rescue, even him?
Jesus answered this new question with my story and a question of his own. 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Again, the expert in the law just wanted it all laid out for him. Give me a list, Jesus. Tell me who is my neighbor. Be sure to tell me who isn’t my neighbor, too. I don’t want to waste my time on the unworthy.
This lawyer, this student of the law was asking the wrong questions. We all know you can’t get proper answers if your questions are flawed. The question is not, “Who is my neighbor?” But rather, “To whom must you become a neighbor?” He is pressed to understand that he must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law, he must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to his enemies. The standard set forth by the law of love remains, even though he, or you or I can never fully achieve it. You and I cannot justify ourselves or earn eternal life.
You may never hurt someone like me by violence. Instead, think about who we may have already hurt or may yet hurt due to neglect, like the priest and Levite did. You have the message that can bring the dead to life. The message of Good News that Jesus brought and that Jesus accomplished can give life to your neighbors. That’s not just the people who live next to you, though that isn’t a bad place to start. This is a message for all who are in need. Who doesn’t have need for life, healing, forgiveness, grace, a new fresh start?
The last place I expected to look for help was a Samaritan, an outsider who was to be rejected. No Jew had ever heard of a Good Samaritan. The last place one would look for salvation is a man dead on the cross. No Jew would ordinarily think of this as a good thing. But this is no ordinary man. This is the Son of God. He chose not to save Himself so that He could save others. By his wounds we are healed.
As human beings, you were just like I was, barely conscious, dreaming, deluded, wounded, basically dead—only spiritually. Salvation came to you, you who were spiritually fatally wounded, in the form of a costly demonstration of unexpected love. Jesus, the rejected outsider, has bound up your wounds and has healed you by his wounds. He has given you costly gifts, a washing of regeneration in Baptism and the medicine of immortality and antidote to death of His precious Body and Blood. He came. He did and did and did and did and did. He died, rose, and went, i.e. ascended into Heaven. And He promises to return.
You, too, have been healed by the Good Samaritan, your Neighbor, Jesus. Go and do likewise. Go and take the healing medicine of the Good News to your neighbors, to anyone who is in need of what Jesus has already given you. Amen.
St. Luke 10: 25-37/Psalm 25
Your Neighbor
Proper 10 (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)
11 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
For a lay reader
You’ll have to bear with me. I don’t remember all of the details due to the beating. Things are disjointed, fuzzy, but I do have some clarity now. I was a lone Jewish man walking down the seventeen mile stretch of Roman road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It’s a dangerous way—always has been. I fell among robbers, and they fell upon me, beat me, laid blows upon me—they pummeled me. And that wasn’t enough—they stripped me, too, and went away leaving me half dead.
I was barely conscious at best, partially aware, usually out, subconsciously remembering, praying a psalm, you’d call it Psalm 25. Next to death. Unable to speak, signal, move. Stripped. No one could tell I was Jewish. Usually you could tell by the way I talked or what I wore—not today. I was barely alive, couldn’t speak, and was naked. The robbers did their job well. They came, they did, they went.
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
When I was next aware of my surroundings, by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw me, he passed by on the other side.
He was riding, not walking, like most priests, of the upper class. Only the poor walk. He must have saw me from a distance, and veered away. Who knew what he was thinking, just having finished his two weeks of temple service. Priests don’t go anywhere near dead bodies. Four cubits—that’s six feet for you—is too close. Being too close would defile the priest. If he were to be defiled, he could not collect, distribute, or eat the tithes, his share of the offerings, and his family and servants would suffer the consequences.
At four cubits, 6 feet away—he couldn’t tell if I were dead or alive. He couldn’t even tell if I was a Jew or a gentile. Dead Jew or filthy gentile—it was all the same to the oral tradition. Defilement for sure either way. He was trying to keep holy according to the Pharisee’s law, but missed the point of caring for others. Legalism thwarted the Spirit. He came, he did (nothing), he went.
4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
In disappointment, I faded out again, silently praying my psalm, praying for help—from anybody. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw me, passed by on the other side.
He came closer than the priest. Must have thought about it and decided against helping. Besides, he knew that the priest had already gone by. The same laws applied to the Levite that applied to the priest, but he only had to be ritually clean around the ritual activities. There was nothing really preventing him from checking me out—even if I were dead or a gentile. If he would have stopped to help, that action would have been a criticism of the priest’s interpretation of the law! Legalism strikes again! He was not a professional theologian like the priest. Who was he to criticize the priest?
Practical reasons might have made his mind up as well. How much could he help, not riding, but walking as I was? What resources did he really have on him to take care of me? He came, he did (basically nothing), he went.
8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Somebody else had to be coming. Someone had to pluck my feet out of this net of suffering. I was expecting a layman to come along next. Wouldn’t you? A priest, a Levite, and a layman walk into a Synagogue… well, that’s a story for another day. Someone else came. It was not an Israelite.
But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon me; and when he saw me, he felt compassion, and came to me and bandaged up my wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put me on his own beast, and brought me to an inn and took care of me.
The robbers beat me. The priest just went along the road. The Levite at least came to a place closer to me. Only a Samaritan, of all people, came to me.
Samaritans and Jews weren’t friends. “Enemies” is a better term. How we hated them! They had gone after false idols, intermarried with non-Jews and made sacrifices other places than the only true Temple. They were considered dogs. In fact, this Samaritan put himself at risk by helping me out. If I had died, my family could have attacked him in revenge for the attack upon me. I know, it doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t to me, now.
How can I explain the relationship between Jews and Samaritans? Well, think of your worst nightmare. The person who rescued me was the last person I thought would. For a WW2 vet it might be as if a Nazi storm trooper stooped down to help. Or, at the height of the Cold War, a Soviet KGB agent. Today, with your nation’s involvement in what you call the Middle East, imagine a terrorist helping you in your hour of need. Anyway, a Samaritan helping a Jew—it was unthinkable, impossible—just not done!
The Samaritan knew a lot more about what was going on that I did—that’s for sure. I never did learn which direction he was traveling. He could have been distantly following the priest and the Levite, or he would have passed both of them. He would have figured out that neither did anything much to help me. The road was still dangerous, even for him.
The oil he used softened and cleaned my wounds. The wine disinfected them. He not only carried me away from the scene with a beast of burden, but used his own mount, not a lowly pack animal, as my ambulance. This is sacrificial action. Oil and wine like that used in the Jewish temple. And such generous sacrifice! The Samaritan gave me his seat of honor on his mount.
On the next day, he took out two denarii. The denarius was equivalent to a day's wages and gave them to the innkeeper and said, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'
The robbers beat and robbed me. The Samaritan paid for me. The robbers left me dying. The Samaritan left me taken care of. The robbers abandoned me to the vultures. The Samaritan promised to return.
He came, He did, and did, and did, and did, and went, but promised to return.
16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
I waited for the Lord, and He rescued me. Jesus often met people in need of rescue. Consider the case of a young lawyer, an expert in the law of Moses.
On one occasion, an expert in the Mosaic Law stood up showing respect for Jesus. He even called Him Rabbi, Teacher, showing that he considered Jesus at least an equal. His deceitful heart wished to put Him to the test, saying, (Luke 10:25–37) “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. This young man is in trouble. He is up to his neck stuck in the law. Can you find it in your heart to redeem, to rescue, even him?
Jesus answered this new question with my story and a question of his own. 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Again, the expert in the law just wanted it all laid out for him. Give me a list, Jesus. Tell me who is my neighbor. Be sure to tell me who isn’t my neighbor, too. I don’t want to waste my time on the unworthy.
This lawyer, this student of the law was asking the wrong questions. We all know you can’t get proper answers if your questions are flawed. The question is not, “Who is my neighbor?” But rather, “To whom must you become a neighbor?” He is pressed to understand that he must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law, he must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to his enemies. The standard set forth by the law of love remains, even though he, or you or I can never fully achieve it. You and I cannot justify ourselves or earn eternal life.
You may never hurt someone like me by violence. Instead, think about who we may have already hurt or may yet hurt due to neglect, like the priest and Levite did. You have the message that can bring the dead to life. The message of Good News that Jesus brought and that Jesus accomplished can give life to your neighbors. That’s not just the people who live next to you, though that isn’t a bad place to start. This is a message for all who are in need. Who doesn’t have need for life, healing, forgiveness, grace, a new fresh start?
The last place I expected to look for help was a Samaritan, an outsider who was to be rejected. No Jew had ever heard of a Good Samaritan. The last place one would look for salvation is a man dead on the cross. No Jew would ordinarily think of this as a good thing. But this is no ordinary man. This is the Son of God. He chose not to save Himself so that He could save others. By his wounds we are healed.
As human beings, you were just like I was, barely conscious, dreaming, deluded, wounded, basically dead—only spiritually. Salvation came to you, you who were spiritually fatally wounded, in the form of a costly demonstration of unexpected love. Jesus, the rejected outsider, has bound up your wounds and has healed you by his wounds. He has given you costly gifts, a washing of regeneration in Baptism and the medicine of immortality and antidote to death of His precious Body and Blood. He came. He did and did and did and did and did. He died, rose, and went, i.e. ascended into Heaven. And He promises to return.
You, too, have been healed by the Good Samaritan, your Neighbor, Jesus. Go and do likewise. Go and take the healing medicine of the Good News to your neighbors, to anyone who is in need of what Jesus has already given you. Amen.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sermon for 04 July 2010, Proper 09C
The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
St. Luke 10:1-20
The One Who Hears You Hears Me
Proper 9 (Sixth Sunday after Pentecost), 04 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The One Who Hears You Hears Me. This promise of our Lord Jesus is near and dear to Christians. Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions quotes this verse five times (in the Augsburg Confession and the Apology). Here are two: “Ministers act in Christ’s place and do not represent their own persons, according to Luke, ‘The one who hears you hears Me’ (10:16). Ungodly teachers are to be deserted because they no longer act in Christ’s place, but are antichrists. Christ says, ‘Beware of false prophets’ (Matthew 7:15)” (Concordia, Apology VII & VIII, ¶47).
Also we hear: “When the Gospel is heard and the Absolution is heard, the conscience is encouraged and receives comfort. Because God truly brings a person to life through the Word, the Keys truly forgive sins before God. According to Luke 10:16, “The one who hears you hears Me.’ Therefore, the voice of the one absolving must be believed no differently than we would believe a voice from heaven” (Concordia, Apology XII, ¶40).
He Who Hears You Hears Me. This is a comforting promise for Christians. The promise is that a Christian who hears a faithful pastor proclaiming the Biblical Word of Christ hears Christ, not a man. And those who hear Christ hear the Father, He who sent Christ. You hear the wonderful message of forgiveness of sins. That’s why the church is here in the first place. Last week we heard a Gospel lesson about disciples, followers of Christ and His cross, and apostles, ones sent to preach repentance and forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The Twelve had been sent out before. Now many others are sent.
The number seventy-two recalls the seventy elders of Old Testament Israel plus Moses and Aaron. These others are on a mission of preparation. Like the prophets of old foretelling the coming of the Christ, they proclaim the coming of the Christ.
They are not to depend upon themselves for anything. is not a mission for someone who wants power, great possessions, or to make a name for himself. Those who hear are to provide for these servants of the Word. Through them, the Lord will provide for their daily bread and shelter and everything else to support their bodies and lives. “The kingdom of God has come near to you,” they were to proclaim. The King, Christ, is coming. He is on His way to Jerusalem to be enthroned upon the cross—Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
Some will believe the message. Others will reject it. When personal devotions are neglected, when a family never speaks of or lives in the faith outside of church, when it is more convenient to sleep in than get up on a Sunday, one is rejecting the Word and the Lord’s gifts. Persistent rejection can lead to the sin against the Holy Spirit. The Spirit delivers forgiveness of sins. When a person rejects the work of the Spirit, that sin is unforgivable because the delivery of forgiveness itself is rejected.
There are consequences to that rejection: But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. The apostles of the Lord will go elsewhere.
Look at history. The famous seven churches of Revelation were in what we now know as Turkey, a largely Muslim country. The Mediterranean was once a great sea encircled by Christians and Christian Churches. Christians are in the minority in Northern Africa. Europe was a fertile mission field near the end of the Roman Empire and also throughout the Middle Ages and Reformation period. Liberalism, Rationalism, wars, and the enlightenment have decimated those Christian churches. European state churches have led the way into unionism, syncretism, and blatant rejection of what God’s Word says.
America is little different, even on a patriotic day like this. Many who came to this land did so in order to practice Christianity without government interference. A majority of Americans claim belief in God and also Church membership, but rarely attend services. They want to believe one thing on Sunday and switch gears to something else as soon as they reach the church parking lot. The Word they spoke, sang, recited, and confessed is largely ignored in daily life. There’s a disconnect. It often goes something like this: “I don’t believe in blank personally, [whatever the controversial topic is in the culture,] but who am I to say what’s right for someone else.” And even Americans as a society reject the Word.
So what else is happening? The Word has found fertile soil again. South America, Africa, and Asia have growing Christian Churches, even in the face of persecution leading to death! There are now more Christians who bear the name “Lutheran” in Africa than in North America. And Christians in Africa and Asia are sending missionaries here!
Jesus is very blunt about those who reject His servants, and therefore His Word, Himself, and the Father. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
When you have opportunity to witness to Christ outside these walls, you may be scared, even intimidated. We often worry, “How will they respond? What will they think of me? How will this change our personal relationship?” Those are common questions—common concerns. Our Lord tells us not to take rejection personally. "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
“But how do I invite a friend to church?” I’m glad you asked. (Lincoln Winter:) One. Think of someone you know that doesn’t go to church. Two. Say, “Hey, would you like to come to church with me on Sunday?” [Really, that’s all there is to it.] But what if they say, “No?” Then say, “O.K. Well, maybe some other time.” Or, “Well, let me know if you ever want to go with me.” Then ask them again some other time. What if they say, “Yes?” Then be sure to tell them what time church starts and where the church is. Offer to pick them up. What if they shout, “Leave me alone, you stupid religious jerk!” and then punch you in the nose? (Pause) Since this only happens in your imagination, why not imagine them saying “Yes”? Or at least imagine them missing when they swing at you. Seriously, though, if you know some one who is struggling, talk to them about the hope you have in Jesus Christ. If you aren’t sure what to say, talk to your pastor. (wave) He can help you, and maybe even visit with them himself.
Be persistent, caring, and understanding. Continue to have conversations about spiritual things. Don’t be discouraged if they never respond, or never follow up. Continue to ask. Offer to pick them up for Bible Class or Church. Offer to meet them in the parking lot or at the door. And if you see a visitor here, introduce yourself. Offer to sit with them and walk them through the service. Be a neighbor to them. Not everyone will reject the Word like the places you’ve heard about this morning. There are times for rejoicing. Some will believe.
Chorazin. Bethsaida. Capernaum. The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Jesus tells them that this whole endeavor is not about them. It’s not about their authority, power, personalities, strengths, weaknesses, successes, or failures. "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me." Rejoice simply that you are Christians, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, in need of the same Gospel message that we proclaim to the world, forgiven, renewed, and freed.
Think of the privileges you have had in your life to hear the Gospel, the good news about Jesus, that He gives you as a gift, reconciliation with the Father because of His cross. You have the promise of eternal life. You are forgiven. The Spirit delivers the Lord’s gifts to you in the here and now. You have been blessed not only to hear about the Gospel but to have books to use for Bible study and Christian worship. And you have been blessed to own a copy of the Bible yourself! Throughout history, both literacy and book ownership have been rare. It used to cost a scholar a year of work to copy the Bible by hand. Oh, the blessings we take for granted! How many Bibles and other Christian books do you have at home and never use?
"The one who hears you hears me…” Hold on to this promise of Christ. “Christ wishes to assure us, as was necessary, that we should know that the Word delivered by human beings is powerful, and that no other Word should be sought from heaven. ‘The one who hears you hears Me’ cannot be understood of [human] traditions. Christ requires that (they) [pastors & bishops] teach in such a way that He Himself is heard because He says, ‘The one…hears Me.” Therefore, He wishes His own voice, His own word, to be heard, not human traditions” (Concordia, Apology XXVIII, ¶18-19). Let us all be unafraid to speak the words of comfort that have comforted us, the good news about Jesus. Let us trust in His promise, "The one who hears you hears me.” Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
St. Luke 10:1-20
The One Who Hears You Hears Me
Proper 9 (Sixth Sunday after Pentecost), 04 July 2010
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The One Who Hears You Hears Me. This promise of our Lord Jesus is near and dear to Christians. Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions quotes this verse five times (in the Augsburg Confession and the Apology). Here are two: “Ministers act in Christ’s place and do not represent their own persons, according to Luke, ‘The one who hears you hears Me’ (10:16). Ungodly teachers are to be deserted because they no longer act in Christ’s place, but are antichrists. Christ says, ‘Beware of false prophets’ (Matthew 7:15)” (Concordia, Apology VII & VIII, ¶47).
Also we hear: “When the Gospel is heard and the Absolution is heard, the conscience is encouraged and receives comfort. Because God truly brings a person to life through the Word, the Keys truly forgive sins before God. According to Luke 10:16, “The one who hears you hears Me.’ Therefore, the voice of the one absolving must be believed no differently than we would believe a voice from heaven” (Concordia, Apology XII, ¶40).
He Who Hears You Hears Me. This is a comforting promise for Christians. The promise is that a Christian who hears a faithful pastor proclaiming the Biblical Word of Christ hears Christ, not a man. And those who hear Christ hear the Father, He who sent Christ. You hear the wonderful message of forgiveness of sins. That’s why the church is here in the first place. Last week we heard a Gospel lesson about disciples, followers of Christ and His cross, and apostles, ones sent to preach repentance and forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The Twelve had been sent out before. Now many others are sent.
The number seventy-two recalls the seventy elders of Old Testament Israel plus Moses and Aaron. These others are on a mission of preparation. Like the prophets of old foretelling the coming of the Christ, they proclaim the coming of the Christ.
They are not to depend upon themselves for anything. is not a mission for someone who wants power, great possessions, or to make a name for himself. Those who hear are to provide for these servants of the Word. Through them, the Lord will provide for their daily bread and shelter and everything else to support their bodies and lives. “The kingdom of God has come near to you,” they were to proclaim. The King, Christ, is coming. He is on His way to Jerusalem to be enthroned upon the cross—Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
Some will believe the message. Others will reject it. When personal devotions are neglected, when a family never speaks of or lives in the faith outside of church, when it is more convenient to sleep in than get up on a Sunday, one is rejecting the Word and the Lord’s gifts. Persistent rejection can lead to the sin against the Holy Spirit. The Spirit delivers forgiveness of sins. When a person rejects the work of the Spirit, that sin is unforgivable because the delivery of forgiveness itself is rejected.
There are consequences to that rejection: But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. The apostles of the Lord will go elsewhere.
Look at history. The famous seven churches of Revelation were in what we now know as Turkey, a largely Muslim country. The Mediterranean was once a great sea encircled by Christians and Christian Churches. Christians are in the minority in Northern Africa. Europe was a fertile mission field near the end of the Roman Empire and also throughout the Middle Ages and Reformation period. Liberalism, Rationalism, wars, and the enlightenment have decimated those Christian churches. European state churches have led the way into unionism, syncretism, and blatant rejection of what God’s Word says.
America is little different, even on a patriotic day like this. Many who came to this land did so in order to practice Christianity without government interference. A majority of Americans claim belief in God and also Church membership, but rarely attend services. They want to believe one thing on Sunday and switch gears to something else as soon as they reach the church parking lot. The Word they spoke, sang, recited, and confessed is largely ignored in daily life. There’s a disconnect. It often goes something like this: “I don’t believe in blank personally, [whatever the controversial topic is in the culture,] but who am I to say what’s right for someone else.” And even Americans as a society reject the Word.
So what else is happening? The Word has found fertile soil again. South America, Africa, and Asia have growing Christian Churches, even in the face of persecution leading to death! There are now more Christians who bear the name “Lutheran” in Africa than in North America. And Christians in Africa and Asia are sending missionaries here!
Jesus is very blunt about those who reject His servants, and therefore His Word, Himself, and the Father. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
When you have opportunity to witness to Christ outside these walls, you may be scared, even intimidated. We often worry, “How will they respond? What will they think of me? How will this change our personal relationship?” Those are common questions—common concerns. Our Lord tells us not to take rejection personally. "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
“But how do I invite a friend to church?” I’m glad you asked. (Lincoln Winter:) One. Think of someone you know that doesn’t go to church. Two. Say, “Hey, would you like to come to church with me on Sunday?” [Really, that’s all there is to it.] But what if they say, “No?” Then say, “O.K. Well, maybe some other time.” Or, “Well, let me know if you ever want to go with me.” Then ask them again some other time. What if they say, “Yes?” Then be sure to tell them what time church starts and where the church is. Offer to pick them up. What if they shout, “Leave me alone, you stupid religious jerk!” and then punch you in the nose? (Pause) Since this only happens in your imagination, why not imagine them saying “Yes”? Or at least imagine them missing when they swing at you. Seriously, though, if you know some one who is struggling, talk to them about the hope you have in Jesus Christ. If you aren’t sure what to say, talk to your pastor. (wave) He can help you, and maybe even visit with them himself.
Be persistent, caring, and understanding. Continue to have conversations about spiritual things. Don’t be discouraged if they never respond, or never follow up. Continue to ask. Offer to pick them up for Bible Class or Church. Offer to meet them in the parking lot or at the door. And if you see a visitor here, introduce yourself. Offer to sit with them and walk them through the service. Be a neighbor to them. Not everyone will reject the Word like the places you’ve heard about this morning. There are times for rejoicing. Some will believe.
Chorazin. Bethsaida. Capernaum. The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Jesus tells them that this whole endeavor is not about them. It’s not about their authority, power, personalities, strengths, weaknesses, successes, or failures. "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me." Rejoice simply that you are Christians, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, in need of the same Gospel message that we proclaim to the world, forgiven, renewed, and freed.
Think of the privileges you have had in your life to hear the Gospel, the good news about Jesus, that He gives you as a gift, reconciliation with the Father because of His cross. You have the promise of eternal life. You are forgiven. The Spirit delivers the Lord’s gifts to you in the here and now. You have been blessed not only to hear about the Gospel but to have books to use for Bible study and Christian worship. And you have been blessed to own a copy of the Bible yourself! Throughout history, both literacy and book ownership have been rare. It used to cost a scholar a year of work to copy the Bible by hand. Oh, the blessings we take for granted! How many Bibles and other Christian books do you have at home and never use?
"The one who hears you hears me…” Hold on to this promise of Christ. “Christ wishes to assure us, as was necessary, that we should know that the Word delivered by human beings is powerful, and that no other Word should be sought from heaven. ‘The one who hears you hears Me’ cannot be understood of [human] traditions. Christ requires that (they) [pastors & bishops] teach in such a way that He Himself is heard because He says, ‘The one…hears Me.” Therefore, He wishes His own voice, His own word, to be heard, not human traditions” (Concordia, Apology XXVIII, ¶18-19). Let us all be unafraid to speak the words of comfort that have comforted us, the good news about Jesus. Let us trust in His promise, "The one who hears you hears me.” Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
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