Reflection: Hold On for Your Life (September 29, 2013)

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

Action movies often include life-threatening situations in which the main
characters have to defy the odds to stay alive. Whether it’s being vastly outnumbered by zombies, rushing out of an exploding building, shooting it out with a superior fighting force, or defeating alien invaders, somehow the heroes of our movies find a way to live through it all. If they also are trying to save the lives of other, less capable people, they typically have to yell out to them in one scenario or another to “hold on for your life.” Following this advice is a certain way to survive against all odds, at least in the movies.

Anyone interested in surviving the challenges of real life is going to need more than the movies can offer. Very little of what saves lives and brings people through catastrophes in the fantasies of Hollywood can help people in times of actual crises. And nothing in this world, fictional or real, can bring us through the threats against our souls. More than the living dead and the supernatural destruction of movies, real spiritual forces are creating real havoc on the souls of people all around us. Unlike the action of popular movies, the spiritual destruction of those with whom we work, live, study, and play is very subtle. So subtle, in fact, that it fits in with the routines of daily living. The powerful deception that we are not in any spiritual danger has lulled many people into a complacency that makes God’s call to “hold on for your life” seem like nonsense. But it is the only way for us to take hold of life.

The call to “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” is made in the context of rejecting the things that the world values in order to find contentment in true riches. It is a call into the most epic of battles, one which has caused far more destruction than any Hollywood writer, producer, or director could imagine. Unlike the fanciful adventures of the action movies that hold our attention, no one can escape from this destruction. Instead, we had to be rescued from it and now have to hold on for life to the grace and mercy of God in order to remain safe. Not only that, but we must cling firmly to His grace and mercy as we reenter the fray in order to bring the hope of rescue to those who are perishing. We may never be action figures or super heroes worthy of Hollywood’s attention, but as instruments of God grace we bring the real and only hope for people to “take hold of that which is truly life.”

Click here to listen to the sermon " Hold On for Your Life" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).

Reflection: Being Shrewd with Unrighteous Wealth (September 22, 2013)

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Luke 16:1-15

The parable of the dishonest manager presents us with some real challenges. The most difficult part of understanding and applying this parable comes when the master commends the manager for doing something that seems dishonest to us. Whether it was or not isn’t the point of the parable. In fact, trying to determine whether he was being honest or not is likely to distract us from what Jesus is teaching. Without answering that ethical question, Jesus drives home His point by saying “the sons of this world are more shrewd” in how they make use of “unrighteous wealth” than we believers are. The message of this parable is that we should be the shrewd ones.

It’s no accident that the central character in Jesus’ parable is a manager, or, more accurately, a steward. As a steward, this man was responsible for making proper use of what belonged to someone else. He was entrusted with the “unrighteous wealth” (literally unrighteous “mammon”) of his master. His problems began when he acted unwisely and used what belonged to someone else as though it had belonged to him. When he was called out for his unfaithful stewardship, he quickly sized up the situation and acted wisely in his final acts as the steward of his master’s accounts.

Like the character in this parable, we are stewards. However, we are not stewards of “unrighteous wealth” but of the resources that belong to God which have been entrusted to us for His purposes and to His glory. Jesus’ point stings … greatly. If the people of the world are shrewd with “mammon” to gain power, riches, influence, etc. for themselves, we whom God has entrusted with money, time, abilities, and the Gospel should be all the more shrewd in making use of them for righteousness. We should be, but, too often and in too many ways, we’re not.

Our poor stewardship is the focus of this parable. But Jesus did not tell it to condemn us. Rather, He shares this parable with us as a call to rethink how we are making use of His gifts and, in sincere repentance, turn back from our unfaithful use of God’s wealth to pursue what the pagans seek after in their use of “mammon.” It’s a pointed reminder that everything that we have and are is not ours, but belongs to God. And it’s an challenging invitation to share in His joy and in His glory by being profitably shrewd in our use of “unrighteous wealth” — so shrewd that the “mammon” in our lives ends up becoming “righteous wealth” in eternity.

Click here to listen to the sermon "Being Shrewd with Unrighteous Wealth" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).

Reflection: Sharing God's Joy (September 15, 2013)

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Ezekiel 34:11-24; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

There was once a time in which you made a career choice in high school and that was that. If you chose to skip college and enter the work force, the chances that you would (or could) go to college later in life were very slight. If you entered college after high school you declared a major during your freshman year and stuck with it (or were stuck with it). But now we have all kinds of education and career options. Colleges have retooled to appeal to adult learners, both in the
classroom and on-line. In place of the worker who spent a career with the same employer, the average person changes jobs eleven times during his career. It’s so common for college students to change their majors that some schools don’t permit their students to declare a major until their sophomore or junior year. And if it turns out that someone ends up with a major in a subject that they dislike, they can always go back to school and get a different degree. With so many options available to us it can be difficult to decide what to do with our lives. As a result, some people are aimless, many are restless, and few actually end up feeling like they’re doing something meaningful with their lives. As Christians we have an advantage over other people. But are we any more clear about what direction to take with our lives?

In today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus speaks two parables that offer us insight into living out the purpose that God has designed for us. In these parables you won’t find a code for unlocking which major you should declare in college or a “Magic Eight Ball” answer to whether or not you should take a job offer. Instead, this purpose transcends college majors and job titles as an integral part of whatever our vocations in this world may be. In fact, God makes use of our education, training, careers, and every other aspect of our earthly lives to carry out this purpose in and through us. What is this amazing purpose? To share in His joy.

In order to share in God’s joy we must first understand what brings Him joy. People have a lot of ideas about what brings joy to God, but, as these two parables highlight, the Bible only speaks of God rejoicing when the people whom He has chosen to be His own are gathered into His fellowship by His grace. In whatever place in life you have now or will have in the future, God is inviting you to bring His love, mercy, and grace to the people with whom you study, work, play, live, and socialize — and, through those relationships and with all that He has entrusted to your stewardship, to share in His joy.

Click to listen to the sermon "Sharing God's Joy" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).

Devotion: The Reason for Mercy (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

Click here to listen to an audio file of this devotion (or right-click to download).

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

It's not unusual for people to question God when something bad happens in their lives. Even people who don't confess faith in God will question Him when they have to suffer through hardship or loss. But it's a rare occurrence to find people questioning God when good things happen to them.  While crying out "Why did this happen to me?" in difficult circumstances is accepted and understood by us, we would think it odd for someone to cry this out when something good happens in his life. Yet, if we don't take the time to question why God has been so gracious and kind to us we're likely to misunderstand or miss altogether His purpose in showing us such favor. When we fail to consider God's reason for filling our lives with good things we are prone to take His mercy, grace, and love for granted -- or even squander them.

The Apostle Paul deeply reflected upon the mercy that God had shown to him. He recognized that he was a sinner. He even thought of himself as the "foremost" of sinners, that is, the worst kind of sinner. Paul was convinced of this because, in addition to all of the sins that he had in common with us, he had persecuted the Church as "a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent." Paul questioned why God would show mercy to him after he had sinned against Him in such terrible ways. Then Paul came to understand God's purpose. He said "I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life."

The reason that God showed mercy, grace, and love to Paul is the same reason that God shows mercy, grace, and love to you. He has chosen you and called you to be His instrument so that others "would believe in Him for eternal life." The mercy, grace, and love that God has shown you by blessing you with the things that you possess have been given to you for this purpose. The mercy, grace, and love that God has shown you by giving you your talents and abilities have been given to you for this purpose. The mercy, grace, and love that God has shown you in providing you with family, friends, and other caring people have been given to you for this purpose. Whether you are rich or poor, important or insignificant, popular or shunned, young or old, married or single — whatever ways God has shown you His mercy, grace, and love — you are what you are and you have what you have so that others can know and receive the incomparable riches that Christ has won for them.

The reason for God's mercy is clear and simple. It's the same reason whether you are enjoying life and not questioning God or if you are struggling in life and pleading with God for an explanation. Whatever your circumstances may be, you have received God's mercy to make use of His mercy for His glory. Whoever you have been and whatever you have done, you have received the mercy, grace, and love of Christ. Why? That in you, a sinner who has fallen short of God's glory but are now redeemed and reconciled through the forgiveness purchased with His blood, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those people in your life -- past, present, and future -- whom "the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God" has chosen to believe in Him for eternal life. This is His reason for mercy.

Reflection: Discipleship - It's Going to Cost You (September 8, 2013)

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-35

The internet is a great tool for people who like to shop for bargains. From books
to automobiles, clothing to houses, the savvy shopper can compare the cost of just about anything through the right web sites and search engines. Seasoned on-line shoppers know how to research products, choose what they want, and find the best values. They know that through their searching they’re likely to find the same product at a better price. But they also know that some web sellers don’t disclose the full cost of the product or add to it with handling fees or inflated shipping charges. If you aren’t paying attention when shopping on the internet it’s going to cost you.

When it comes to the full disclosure of costs, no one can accuse Jesus of trying to hide anything from us. In today’s Gospel lesson, He tells a couple of pointed parables about the cost of discipleship and then plainly tells us that unless a person is willing to hate his own life, bear his crosses, and renounce all that he has he cannot be His disciple. As plain as this is, we still want to shop around to find a lower cost for following Jesus. In our bargain shopping we try to explain away what Jesus says here. We want to believe that He is exaggerating to make a point or that He is just trying to rattle people. We also try to justify ourselves and insist that if He meant what He said here that it only applies to other people, not to us. But there’s nothing in this text that indicates that Jesus meant anything other than what He clearly says. And there’s nothing here that gives us a pass. Jesus is making it very clear that if you are going to be His disciple it’s going to cost you.

But a closer look at what Jesus is saying shows us the true cost of being His disciple. It’s not in the relationships that we lose, the sacrifices we make bearing crosses, or the worldly goods that we renounce. None of these payments come close to the price that had to be paid for us to be His disciples. What Jesus is telling us here is that the cost of discipleship was far too much for us to pay and that no one could ever have been His disciple if He, the King, had not been willing to pay the cost it took to defeat the prince of this world. He wants us to know that whatever we sacrifice in this life to be His disciples is not a payment but a privilege; a privilege because we are His disciples, but not a payment because He has paid the full cost for us to belong to Him with His blood. In other words, being a disciple of Jesus may involve sacrifice, hardship, and loss, but it’s going to cost you … nothing.

Click here to listen to the sermon "Discipleship: It's Going to Cost You" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).

Reflection: Just Watching Jesus (September 1, 2013)

The 15th Sunday after Pentecost
Proverbs 25:2-10; Hebrews 13:1-17; Luke 14:1-14

If you were invited to have dinner with a group of people who didn’t like you and were looking for reasons to justify being your enemies, you’d probably decline the invitation and avoid the people involved. But if you were Jesus you’d accept the invitation and then make sure you did something that forced the issue. That’s exactly what happened when Jesus dined at the house of a leading Pharisee where the guests, including other Pharisees and teachers of the law, “were watching Him carefully” in search of something to use against Him. It didn’t take long before a severely ill man was in front of Jesus seeking healing — on a Sabbath day, of course. Turning to those who were carefully watching Him, Jesus questioned them about what was lawful. Even though they were experts on such matters, they remained silent. After healing the man, Jesus questioned them once more. Again they were silent. They had come to just watch Jesus, not to speak with or learn
from Jesus.

There are a lot of people today who take the same approach with Jesus. They allow Jesus into their worlds only to watch and assess Him. They analyze His teachings, consider His example, and weigh His promises, but in the end they have nothing to say to Jesus — neither in repentance nor in confessing Him as Lord. This problem of just watching Jesus isn’t only a problem among unbelievers, it’s a growing issue within the church. More and more people are attending churches that allow, encourage, and even facilitate  people being spectators rather than participants in the Faith. They gather anonymously in weekly services that resemble concerts or night clubs with large crowds to watch the band, the videos, the light shows, the polished speakers, and the other spectators. Some are moved to learn more about Jesus, but most of them, like the guests at the dinner Jesus attended, remain silent and just watch.

Just watching Jesus is not enough to be His disciple. In His encounter with those who “were watching Him carefully,” Jesus spelled out what it takes to be one of His followers: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” His call to active humility isn’t a call to earn His favor through pious acts, but a call to go beyond just watching Him to “go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured,” that is, to join Him in the humility of the Cross and live as humble servants in this life in joyful anticipation of the resurrection when the just will be watching Him receive them into His eternal presence.

Click here to listen to the sermon "Just Watching Jesus" (or right-click to download).