I spent numerous hours pouring myself out over this reading from Luke entitled, “The Parable of the Wedding Banquet.” All of the commentaries I read talked about the social norms of the seat of honor and the hierarchy of the seating assignments given at a traditional Jewish wedding feast. Then they talked about being humble in life and out of your humbleness you will receive your reward in heaven. Well that all seemed like contextual and historical criticism and a lot of works righteousness to me. I could not stop thinking that there was more going on here than historical Jewish edict and a lesson of false humility put forth for the sake of a reward thus earning a prized place in heaven.
I believe that the idea of earning a place in heaven has been referred to as ladder theology. In ladder theology you spend your life climbing up the ladder of good works to God. How did that work for the folks who tried to build the Tower of Babel? Oh yeah! God came down and squashed their best efforts like it was an ant hill on a sidewalk.
Now don’t just take my word for it, you can strive to earn you righteousness by climbing that ladder. Just know that we do not climb up to God rather Jesus comes down to us. And if you try to climb up to Him you will be knocked on your keester by Jesus in His decent to give to you what you do not have the power, the ability, nor the skill to obtain; eternal righteousness, it is a free gift! It is not earned.
Well call me captain oblivious, but this parable is about a wedding banquet and our Hebrews reading for today encourages us to hold marriage in honor and not to defile the marriage bed. Oh! MARRIAGE! This parable is about MARRIAGE. DUH!
I have said it before that Christ is to the Church as a man is to his wife. It is not a mistake that in the Bible Jesus is referred to as the Bridegroom and the Church is called the bride of Christ. So the lesson of humility in today’s parable, “But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Is not how you earn a better place at the table of the Lord in Heaven (although that might be true) it is telling us to be humble and seek the lowest position in our marriages so that our marriages may be exalted. Imagine if both spouses sought nothing else but to love and serve their beloveds. What would that look like?
However this is not the reality of Christian marriage in our world today. One in two Christian marriages, in our country, end in divorce; that’s 50%! Our society is one of self seeking, self serving, and indulgence of the sinful nature.
It’s not fair, I give them everything and I get nothing! It’s not fair I never get ME time! It’s not fair I deserve to have fun with my friends! That is a load of festering boils, oozing puss all over a pile of fresh hog crap! It is a lie out of the pit of Hell and a cry of the sinful nature to be gluttonous. Where in the marriage vows does it say that we are entitled to ME time? Where does it say that we are entitled to party with our friends? Those are self indulgent lies coming from the mouth of the great deceiver.
When we are joined in the union of marriage to our spouse our lives cease to be our own and they become one with the other. Married people have no business at a party or in a bar without their spouse. You are just asking for T-R-O-U-B-L-E! If you feel that the spark is gone in your marriage, or that things have become mundane, then get into prayer and the Word of God! Turn to your Savior to give you the strength to carry on in the vows that YOU took before Almighty God and your family and friends!
Adultery: is not just always a physical act. Adultery is any time one spouse gives to a member of the opposite sex what belongs to their souse. For instance if you are a woman and you turn to another man for comfort, support, or encouragement (other than your minister of course) no matter how innocent, then you are committing adultery. If you are a man and you turn to a woman other than your spouse in a lustful way to fulfill your ego, no matter how innocent, its adultery. I didn’t make these rules up people they are right here in the Word of God!
I am angry this morning folks. I have too much time talking with men whose wives have abandoned any hope of staying marriage. I have spent too much time watching as the sacred office of marriage is attacked and destroyed by satan and the sinful flesh. I can’t help you in your marriage when I want to save it far more than either of you
Thank God that there are couples in our congregation who are sold out to their spouses. I am begging you who know that you are still in love with your spouse to make yourselves available to those in this congregation who are fighting to keep their love alive.
When you honor your spouse in this way you are honoring Christ for the office of marriage is a peek into the intense intimacy that is to come with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the next life. If we do not fight RIGHT NOW for the sanctity and honor of the office of marriage then our faith in Christ will be close behind. Abandon the sacred office of marriage for the indulgence of the self and your love of the Savior will diminish as well.
God hates divorce! The Bible says so over and over and over. Do you think that it’s because it breaks His law? Well that is part of it but hate in Hebrew is stronger than just dislike. It is despised it puts a stench in the nostrils of God that is comparable to a pile of boils oozing pussing, well you get the idea. When we divorce the image of the relationship of the Savior to His Church is defiled, defamed, and degraded. This is why God hates divorce.
But keep in mind God hates divorce not divorced people. Divorce is sin divorced people are God’s beloved creation swirling is a pool of pain, agony, and personal distress. In the midst of our pain, yes even in the midst of divorce our Savior seeks us. But I beg you those whose marriages are in trouble. Talk about it with another couple; a couple who perhaps has been where you are. If you do not talk about it or seek to hide or deny it you are fueling the lie and giving your marriage over to satan.
So toady I stand before you my beloved congregation who has called, supported, and provide for Zanny and I and all of our needs. Join me this week in deep and heartfelt prayer for the office of marriage in our world, our country, our state, and yes even our congregation. Prayer and the Word of God heals, I am more than convinced.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sermon to Word of Life 08/22/10 Luke 13:22-30
Jane, “Do a lot of people like what they hear here on Sunday?” That is kind of a self serving question isn’t it? But it is one that is not too uncomfortable to ask or answer. For instance I am not asking Jane her sole opinion rather I am asking her impression of the larger group’s opinion. And I am not asking Jane if she likes my preaching, nor if the congregation likes my preaching, I am just asking in general do they like what they hear which may be music, scripture, preaching etc... However this question is not really what I am asking Jane is it? The question behind what I am really asking Jane is, “Do you like me?” Now that question is not as safe. It asks for a specific answer about a specific person. The answer to the real question being asked can either uplift and give hope or tear down and bring about despair. In our society we don’t always ask the questions that we intend to ask. This happens today in our gospel reading.
“Lord will those who are saved be few?” On the surface this seems like a great question. It is the desperate question; nay the desperate cry of a sinner looking for reassurance that there will be many called and saved thereby upping their chances of being included in that number.
Nevertheless, as with many questions asked in our society today, this question isn’t the real question. There is a question that is behind this one. The true question that the unidentified person is asking here is, “Will I be among those who are saved?” This question is the crux or the core of the matter. But this question is a scary one. “Will I be among the saved?” Wow, the answer to that question can only go one of two ways, and one of those ways I’m not for sure I would want to hear; What if the answer to this question was no! Talk about taking the wind out of your sails. No, no that question is too tough of one to ask, it may take away all hope. So instead the person asks Christ if it will be many who are saved. The answer to this question is not so definite and doesn’t put one’s personal eternity on the line.
Jesus answers, knowing the real question behind the smoke screen, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” That doesn’t quite get at it but it leaves hope and yet still leaves room for doubt. I think Zanny took lessons from Jesus. I will ask her, “Are you mad at me?” And she will answer, “Not really.” Well which is it?!!!!
“Strive to enter through the narrow door.” What is the narrow door? I asked myself this and assumed all week that it was Jesus. But now I am not for sure. If there is a narrow door this logically leaves the possibility of a wide door. Otherwise Jesus would have said strive to enter through the only door. Jesus says to strive to enter through the narrow door. I believe that Jesus is telling us to strive to enter through the door of the law. He is commanding works of the law from those who seek to follow Him. We are free from the law yes, but that is not a license to be a jerk. Jesus is saying you are now free from the law but you are also now free to abide by it. The freedom of a Christian is not freedom from something as much as it is freedom to do something. You see good works or works of the law come from a saved person not the other way around. Therefore if you are striving to enter through the door of the law then you are among the chosen because your works are coming from a heart of faith.
“When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.” When the master has risen; “eg i ro” in Greek; literally meaning: 1) to arouse, cause to rise 1a) to arouse from sleep, to awake 1b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life. “egiro” is the same Greek word use in Luke 24:6, “He is not here, but has risen.” Jesus is not the narrow door Jesus is the Master who when he rises from the dead will close the door. Jesus, when He rose from the dead, shut the narrow door of the law. And when you knock on the door of the law He will say to you, “I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” As I said last week the judgment has been rendered we are all guilty of breaking God’s law and have been sentenced to death for our sins. And through the door of the law no one gets in. “And for those there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth;” Luther said that a true theologian of the cross calls a thing what it is, so let’s call this what it is HELL!
Yes Virginia there is a Hell for those who believe they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven through the door of the law and not through faith in Christ. It is not an imaginary place made up by early Christians who were too into Greek mythology. Hell is real and it exists for those who are cast out of the Kingdom for their unbelief.
“And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Who is first on earth? Those who are accepting of all beliefs? Those who live and let live? Those who say well there are many ways to God, Jesus is just one of them? These are the ones that Jesus tells us will come and say, “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.” Universalism and antinomianism have become a plague in the main line denominations for too long. Universalism is the attitude that whatever you believe you will be saved. Diane Eck popular Methodist author of the book, “Encountering God” is quoted as saying, “Jesus Christ is no more important than any Hindu avatar.” Antinomianism represents an extreme idea, wherein adherence to the Mosaic Law is considered inessential in the Christian lifestyle. Did you hear that? Allow me to repeat, antinomianism is the idea that as a Christian you do not have to and are not expected to adhere to the law. Does this sound familiar? It should its one of the heresies that Luther railed against. Oh wait you all are no Lutheran historians are you? So how does it sound familiar to you? Are you telling me that today in this day and age there are Christians who believe that the law has passed for those of us on earth and we are now free to go “willy nilly” into sin because we are saved regardless? But I say Jesus told you that you are still to strive to enter through the narrow door even if it is not possible. And St. Paul said in Romans that the gospel is not a license to sin. I think you are in agreement with me that homosexual marriage, homosexual ordination, and sex between two committed unmarried people is a product of this heresy. But you see those who follow this heresy will tell you that history is nothing and the authority of scripture is nothing because we are now “enlightened” and more educated than those silly Bible people. So we need to read the bible and history through the lens of our own conscience because we now know more. You mean through the lens of a fallen, broken rebellious to God conscience? Well I will have none of that thank you very much! And the very fact that you folks are sitting before me right now is proof that you won’t either.
We should and will continue to love and pray for our antinomianism neighbor, our Muslim neighbor, our homosexual neighbor, and yes even our Universalists neighbor. But we are absolutely not to condone their behavior and give them a pass as if their view is just as faithful.
Gabby is my three year old and I love her dearly. But if I saw her playing with razors I would take them away from her, even if it meant that she might be unhappy with me, even if it meant her saying and she has, “Daddy you hate me, your mean and I hate you.” Even then out of love, true love I would openly forbid her to continue in her harmful practices. Who is more loving to their neighbor; one who will let them persist in their sin on to their own damnation or the one who will, even at the risk of persecution, say, “No! I love you but what you’re doing is wrong and I will not condone it nor allow it.” Who is the one who truly love their neighbor?
I say the one who truly loves their neighbor is the one who will be viewed by society as last; as unenlightened, as an adherent to an ancient book in an ancient tradition that no longer applies today.
Jesus says that the last on earth will be first and will recline with Him at the table of the feast of the Kingdom of heaven. This is our gospel promise today. Even if your convictions make you last one earth you will still dine with the King in heaven. Because of your faith and trust in Christ.
Don’t miss hear me, Jesus is the only way to heaven and only through faith in him might one be saved. But in today’s reading the narrow door is the door of the law which we are now free to and asked by Christ to strive to enter for the good of our neighbor. And in today’s reading Jesus is not the narrow gate rather he is the master who will shut the door on those who seek to do good in the eyes of the world, and let in those who have faith in Christ and stand on their convictions for the sake of the gospel and as a example for their neighbor.
Fear not little flock , it isn’t easy but its faithful.
“Lord will those who are saved be few?” On the surface this seems like a great question. It is the desperate question; nay the desperate cry of a sinner looking for reassurance that there will be many called and saved thereby upping their chances of being included in that number.
Nevertheless, as with many questions asked in our society today, this question isn’t the real question. There is a question that is behind this one. The true question that the unidentified person is asking here is, “Will I be among those who are saved?” This question is the crux or the core of the matter. But this question is a scary one. “Will I be among the saved?” Wow, the answer to that question can only go one of two ways, and one of those ways I’m not for sure I would want to hear; What if the answer to this question was no! Talk about taking the wind out of your sails. No, no that question is too tough of one to ask, it may take away all hope. So instead the person asks Christ if it will be many who are saved. The answer to this question is not so definite and doesn’t put one’s personal eternity on the line.
Jesus answers, knowing the real question behind the smoke screen, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” That doesn’t quite get at it but it leaves hope and yet still leaves room for doubt. I think Zanny took lessons from Jesus. I will ask her, “Are you mad at me?” And she will answer, “Not really.” Well which is it?!!!!
“Strive to enter through the narrow door.” What is the narrow door? I asked myself this and assumed all week that it was Jesus. But now I am not for sure. If there is a narrow door this logically leaves the possibility of a wide door. Otherwise Jesus would have said strive to enter through the only door. Jesus says to strive to enter through the narrow door. I believe that Jesus is telling us to strive to enter through the door of the law. He is commanding works of the law from those who seek to follow Him. We are free from the law yes, but that is not a license to be a jerk. Jesus is saying you are now free from the law but you are also now free to abide by it. The freedom of a Christian is not freedom from something as much as it is freedom to do something. You see good works or works of the law come from a saved person not the other way around. Therefore if you are striving to enter through the door of the law then you are among the chosen because your works are coming from a heart of faith.
“When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.” When the master has risen; “eg i ro” in Greek; literally meaning: 1) to arouse, cause to rise 1a) to arouse from sleep, to awake 1b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life. “egiro” is the same Greek word use in Luke 24:6, “He is not here, but has risen.” Jesus is not the narrow door Jesus is the Master who when he rises from the dead will close the door. Jesus, when He rose from the dead, shut the narrow door of the law. And when you knock on the door of the law He will say to you, “I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” As I said last week the judgment has been rendered we are all guilty of breaking God’s law and have been sentenced to death for our sins. And through the door of the law no one gets in. “And for those there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth;” Luther said that a true theologian of the cross calls a thing what it is, so let’s call this what it is HELL!
Yes Virginia there is a Hell for those who believe they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven through the door of the law and not through faith in Christ. It is not an imaginary place made up by early Christians who were too into Greek mythology. Hell is real and it exists for those who are cast out of the Kingdom for their unbelief.
“And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Who is first on earth? Those who are accepting of all beliefs? Those who live and let live? Those who say well there are many ways to God, Jesus is just one of them? These are the ones that Jesus tells us will come and say, “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.” Universalism and antinomianism have become a plague in the main line denominations for too long. Universalism is the attitude that whatever you believe you will be saved. Diane Eck popular Methodist author of the book, “Encountering God” is quoted as saying, “Jesus Christ is no more important than any Hindu avatar.” Antinomianism represents an extreme idea, wherein adherence to the Mosaic Law is considered inessential in the Christian lifestyle. Did you hear that? Allow me to repeat, antinomianism is the idea that as a Christian you do not have to and are not expected to adhere to the law. Does this sound familiar? It should its one of the heresies that Luther railed against. Oh wait you all are no Lutheran historians are you? So how does it sound familiar to you? Are you telling me that today in this day and age there are Christians who believe that the law has passed for those of us on earth and we are now free to go “willy nilly” into sin because we are saved regardless? But I say Jesus told you that you are still to strive to enter through the narrow door even if it is not possible. And St. Paul said in Romans that the gospel is not a license to sin. I think you are in agreement with me that homosexual marriage, homosexual ordination, and sex between two committed unmarried people is a product of this heresy. But you see those who follow this heresy will tell you that history is nothing and the authority of scripture is nothing because we are now “enlightened” and more educated than those silly Bible people. So we need to read the bible and history through the lens of our own conscience because we now know more. You mean through the lens of a fallen, broken rebellious to God conscience? Well I will have none of that thank you very much! And the very fact that you folks are sitting before me right now is proof that you won’t either.
We should and will continue to love and pray for our antinomianism neighbor, our Muslim neighbor, our homosexual neighbor, and yes even our Universalists neighbor. But we are absolutely not to condone their behavior and give them a pass as if their view is just as faithful.
Gabby is my three year old and I love her dearly. But if I saw her playing with razors I would take them away from her, even if it meant that she might be unhappy with me, even if it meant her saying and she has, “Daddy you hate me, your mean and I hate you.” Even then out of love, true love I would openly forbid her to continue in her harmful practices. Who is more loving to their neighbor; one who will let them persist in their sin on to their own damnation or the one who will, even at the risk of persecution, say, “No! I love you but what you’re doing is wrong and I will not condone it nor allow it.” Who is the one who truly love their neighbor?
I say the one who truly loves their neighbor is the one who will be viewed by society as last; as unenlightened, as an adherent to an ancient book in an ancient tradition that no longer applies today.
Jesus says that the last on earth will be first and will recline with Him at the table of the feast of the Kingdom of heaven. This is our gospel promise today. Even if your convictions make you last one earth you will still dine with the King in heaven. Because of your faith and trust in Christ.
Don’t miss hear me, Jesus is the only way to heaven and only through faith in him might one be saved. But in today’s reading the narrow door is the door of the law which we are now free to and asked by Christ to strive to enter for the good of our neighbor. And in today’s reading Jesus is not the narrow gate rather he is the master who will shut the door on those who seek to do good in the eyes of the world, and let in those who have faith in Christ and stand on their convictions for the sake of the gospel and as a example for their neighbor.
Fear not little flock , it isn’t easy but its faithful.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Luke 12:49-53 Delivered to Word of life Lutheran Church 08/15/2010
I was reading an atheist website this week that was commenting on this passage in Luke. The atheist said, “Well, if that is Jesus’ attitude then I don’t want to have any part of Him.”
“I have come to cast fire on the earth, and would that it already kindled!” In this sentence in Greek the wording of this passage would be literally, “Fire I came to cast on the earth!” By putting the word “poor” or fire first in the sentence shows the level of intensity that Jesus intended in this verse. I guess if I were an atheist and heard a passage like this I wouldn’t be interested either. But what if I was an atheist and saw Jesus bringing fire upon the earth? Well I guess, as my seminary professor good Rev. Dr. Sundberg says, I hope that I was wearing brown trousers.
What on earth is this passage all about? What about a God of love a God of peace? This passage is quite contrary to that image. Dennis, you have seven kids, you’re a love machine right? I mean you are a loving father. Did you ever get angry at any of your children? Let me ask them, Liz, have you ever seen you father anger? Did he ever inflict any kind of judgment or punishment on you? Well Dennis as a loving father, you are not limited to the emotion of tender, gentle, make peace not war kinds of emotion are you? Well if you being human are not limited to one nature the how can we possibly limit an eternal being like God to one nature? God is love but He is not only love.
Jesus says I have come to cast fire in the earth. Let’s consider this verse in light of the entire Bible not just one line. Where else in the bible to we hear about fire? How about in Exodus? Did God not lead the Israelites through the desert as a pillar of fire? And what about sacrifices made to God in the OT? Weren’t most of the “burnt” offerings? In 1 Kings 18 Elijah calls down fire from the Lord and it consumes the sacrifice. Then Elijah orders that all the prophets of Baal be slaughtered, and they are. And what about earlier in Luke 3:16, “John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Baptism, fire, judgment? Is it not completely fitting that we held our first Baptism at Word of Life today? Well perhaps I should explain a little further.
What is baptism? Baptism is the Word of God (Jesus Christ Himself) present in the water of the baptismal font. This Word present in the water permeates the life of the one being baptized making them a light to shine for the glory of Christ. The water alone is nothing rather the Word in the water pronounces to the person that they are claimed for Christ upon hearing this promise the Holy Spirit enters the person and delivers to them all that they need for saving faith. The person being baptized comes up from the water a new creation in Christ. Baptism, while witnessing to those watching does not function solely to witness. The only thing that is needed for baptism is water, the Word and two witnesses that promise to guide and direct the one being baptized. The ritual of baptism is a symbol of what will take place all throughout the life of that person.
What is it that is taking place? Well you can’t have a resurrection without a death. I have asked many people but I have never found anyone who has made it or thinks that they will make it out of this life alive. Everyone dies. During our lives we are creeping closer and closer to our physical death. Why do we die? Because God’s judgment has already taken place and each of us has been found guilty of our sin. As a result of this guilty verdict we have been sentenced to death. No one is innocent, no one gets out alive.
But the guilty verdict is not the last Word we hear from God is it. No! There is another. After we are sentenced to death by the law those who have been given saving faith in Jesus Christ at their baptism and have been nurtured in the saving faith in Jesus Christ thus responding to this saving faith in Jesus Christ are then resurrected as new creations and are given eternal life.
Does anyone know how gold or silver is purified? It is done through fire. Heating the metal up so hot that the sludge rises to the top. The sludge is then cleansed away from the metal and it becomes pure. The refining fire that Jesus claims that He has come to bring functions the same way. After our baptisms we live our lives through the refining fire of Jesus Christ. Why? So that Christ can make us into someone that is useful in the service of their neighbor. Then when the refining process is complete, at our physical death, Christ takes what is left, the purity of the new creation and grants them eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This sermon may be hard for some of you to hear.
In our gospel reading today Jesus says, “and would that it were already kindled!” Jesus can’t wait until you join Him completely in the Kingdom of Heaven. After a person is baptized they are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. So we live our lives in a duality; completely condemned to death but completely forgiven and eternal. Simual ustes et percator, simultaneously sinner and saint.
“I have a baptism to be baptized with, how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” The Greek word “baptidzo” can mean “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3) to become overwhelmed by God’s judgment.” Jesus is saying that He is going to the cross to be put to death under the Judgment of God; FOR YOU! And He is a little stressed out about it. As a matter of fact He says, “I will be in distress until IT IS Accomplished.” What are Christ’s last words on the cross? Oh yeah, “It IS ACCOMPLISHED!” There is no doubt that when Christ refers to the upcoming baptism that He will face He is talking about going to the cross.
So what about those who are kindled in the fire of the judgment of God and have not been given saving faith? What about the evil, the arrogant and the evildoers who seem to prosper in this life. Listen close because here is the promise Malachi 4:1-3, “4:1 [1] “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”
Jesus goes on to say in our gospel reading for today “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” The peace that is promised through Christ is the peace found in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven not here on earth. We will never be at peace as long as evil exists in the world. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be times of peace or that we shouldn’t work for peace but it does mean that evil will always seek to destroy and disrupt peace and there will always have to be men and women who are called to protect the peaceful. Thank you Scott for your service.
This is the division that Jesus is talking about in the last part of this passage. When the Word of Christ, saving faith, really takes hold of a sinner they change. Their lives change, sometimes much to the dismay of their family and friends. What do you mean you won’t go to that movie with me? What do you mean that two beers is your limit, you used to drink with me all night! What do you mean you want to pray before dinner and eat together every night? What are you now some kind of pious Jesus freak? Don’t force your religious garbage on me! Take you Bible and thump it elsewhere I am not interested. And these very words may come from your best friend, your mom, dad or mother in law. But notice Jesus says nothing about husband and wife in this passage. He intentionally leaves out division in marriages because Jesus doesn’t will divorce. What God has joined let no man come in between. If you hear someone say and it is said in this day and age, God wanted me to get divorced may wife and marry my secretary, it is a lie and that person is being deluded by the devil. Now I am not saying that when one spouse turns to Christ and the other doesn’t, that division will not arise. What I am saying is that the division that arises is not of Christ. He came to separate the sheep from the goats not husband from wife. This doesn’t mean that divorced people are bad. I am sure that most of you do not realize that Zanny is in fact my second wife. It does means that even in and through Godly people evil will seek to destroy peace.
In God ordained relationships there is always a way but both parties are not always willing. This is a sad commentary on the state of marriage in our world today. And evil even seeks to pervert this God ordained office by legally bringing together same sex partners. This is against the order of creation, in these kinds of relationships St. Paul says in Romans chapter one God will abandon them to the lust and impurity of their hearts, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!
Let each of us pray for the sacred office of marriage in our world today. May God restore to it the purity, honor, and example of the Christian relationship. As husband is to wife so is Christ to the Church.
So Christ beings with Him the judgment of God however to those who have been baptized, thus bestowing upon them saving faith, there is no need to fear. Remember last week’s gospel reading? “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
“I have come to cast fire on the earth, and would that it already kindled!” In this sentence in Greek the wording of this passage would be literally, “Fire I came to cast on the earth!” By putting the word “poor” or fire first in the sentence shows the level of intensity that Jesus intended in this verse. I guess if I were an atheist and heard a passage like this I wouldn’t be interested either. But what if I was an atheist and saw Jesus bringing fire upon the earth? Well I guess, as my seminary professor good Rev. Dr. Sundberg says, I hope that I was wearing brown trousers.
What on earth is this passage all about? What about a God of love a God of peace? This passage is quite contrary to that image. Dennis, you have seven kids, you’re a love machine right? I mean you are a loving father. Did you ever get angry at any of your children? Let me ask them, Liz, have you ever seen you father anger? Did he ever inflict any kind of judgment or punishment on you? Well Dennis as a loving father, you are not limited to the emotion of tender, gentle, make peace not war kinds of emotion are you? Well if you being human are not limited to one nature the how can we possibly limit an eternal being like God to one nature? God is love but He is not only love.
Jesus says I have come to cast fire in the earth. Let’s consider this verse in light of the entire Bible not just one line. Where else in the bible to we hear about fire? How about in Exodus? Did God not lead the Israelites through the desert as a pillar of fire? And what about sacrifices made to God in the OT? Weren’t most of the “burnt” offerings? In 1 Kings 18 Elijah calls down fire from the Lord and it consumes the sacrifice. Then Elijah orders that all the prophets of Baal be slaughtered, and they are. And what about earlier in Luke 3:16, “John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Baptism, fire, judgment? Is it not completely fitting that we held our first Baptism at Word of Life today? Well perhaps I should explain a little further.
What is baptism? Baptism is the Word of God (Jesus Christ Himself) present in the water of the baptismal font. This Word present in the water permeates the life of the one being baptized making them a light to shine for the glory of Christ. The water alone is nothing rather the Word in the water pronounces to the person that they are claimed for Christ upon hearing this promise the Holy Spirit enters the person and delivers to them all that they need for saving faith. The person being baptized comes up from the water a new creation in Christ. Baptism, while witnessing to those watching does not function solely to witness. The only thing that is needed for baptism is water, the Word and two witnesses that promise to guide and direct the one being baptized. The ritual of baptism is a symbol of what will take place all throughout the life of that person.
What is it that is taking place? Well you can’t have a resurrection without a death. I have asked many people but I have never found anyone who has made it or thinks that they will make it out of this life alive. Everyone dies. During our lives we are creeping closer and closer to our physical death. Why do we die? Because God’s judgment has already taken place and each of us has been found guilty of our sin. As a result of this guilty verdict we have been sentenced to death. No one is innocent, no one gets out alive.
But the guilty verdict is not the last Word we hear from God is it. No! There is another. After we are sentenced to death by the law those who have been given saving faith in Jesus Christ at their baptism and have been nurtured in the saving faith in Jesus Christ thus responding to this saving faith in Jesus Christ are then resurrected as new creations and are given eternal life.
Does anyone know how gold or silver is purified? It is done through fire. Heating the metal up so hot that the sludge rises to the top. The sludge is then cleansed away from the metal and it becomes pure. The refining fire that Jesus claims that He has come to bring functions the same way. After our baptisms we live our lives through the refining fire of Jesus Christ. Why? So that Christ can make us into someone that is useful in the service of their neighbor. Then when the refining process is complete, at our physical death, Christ takes what is left, the purity of the new creation and grants them eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This sermon may be hard for some of you to hear.
In our gospel reading today Jesus says, “and would that it were already kindled!” Jesus can’t wait until you join Him completely in the Kingdom of Heaven. After a person is baptized they are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. So we live our lives in a duality; completely condemned to death but completely forgiven and eternal. Simual ustes et percator, simultaneously sinner and saint.
“I have a baptism to be baptized with, how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” The Greek word “baptidzo” can mean “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3) to become overwhelmed by God’s judgment.” Jesus is saying that He is going to the cross to be put to death under the Judgment of God; FOR YOU! And He is a little stressed out about it. As a matter of fact He says, “I will be in distress until IT IS Accomplished.” What are Christ’s last words on the cross? Oh yeah, “It IS ACCOMPLISHED!” There is no doubt that when Christ refers to the upcoming baptism that He will face He is talking about going to the cross.
So what about those who are kindled in the fire of the judgment of God and have not been given saving faith? What about the evil, the arrogant and the evildoers who seem to prosper in this life. Listen close because here is the promise Malachi 4:1-3, “4:1 [1] “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”
Jesus goes on to say in our gospel reading for today “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” The peace that is promised through Christ is the peace found in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven not here on earth. We will never be at peace as long as evil exists in the world. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be times of peace or that we shouldn’t work for peace but it does mean that evil will always seek to destroy and disrupt peace and there will always have to be men and women who are called to protect the peaceful. Thank you Scott for your service.
This is the division that Jesus is talking about in the last part of this passage. When the Word of Christ, saving faith, really takes hold of a sinner they change. Their lives change, sometimes much to the dismay of their family and friends. What do you mean you won’t go to that movie with me? What do you mean that two beers is your limit, you used to drink with me all night! What do you mean you want to pray before dinner and eat together every night? What are you now some kind of pious Jesus freak? Don’t force your religious garbage on me! Take you Bible and thump it elsewhere I am not interested. And these very words may come from your best friend, your mom, dad or mother in law. But notice Jesus says nothing about husband and wife in this passage. He intentionally leaves out division in marriages because Jesus doesn’t will divorce. What God has joined let no man come in between. If you hear someone say and it is said in this day and age, God wanted me to get divorced may wife and marry my secretary, it is a lie and that person is being deluded by the devil. Now I am not saying that when one spouse turns to Christ and the other doesn’t, that division will not arise. What I am saying is that the division that arises is not of Christ. He came to separate the sheep from the goats not husband from wife. This doesn’t mean that divorced people are bad. I am sure that most of you do not realize that Zanny is in fact my second wife. It does means that even in and through Godly people evil will seek to destroy peace.
In God ordained relationships there is always a way but both parties are not always willing. This is a sad commentary on the state of marriage in our world today. And evil even seeks to pervert this God ordained office by legally bringing together same sex partners. This is against the order of creation, in these kinds of relationships St. Paul says in Romans chapter one God will abandon them to the lust and impurity of their hearts, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!
Let each of us pray for the sacred office of marriage in our world today. May God restore to it the purity, honor, and example of the Christian relationship. As husband is to wife so is Christ to the Church.
So Christ beings with Him the judgment of God however to those who have been baptized, thus bestowing upon them saving faith, there is no need to fear. Remember last week’s gospel reading? “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
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