Thursday prior to Proper 11

 

Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 –Jesus explains the parable of the wheat and the weeds at the request of His disciples. That’s a good thing! Now we know the meaning of the parable too! 

The Son of Man (Jesus) sows good seed into the field of the world, producing children of the kingdom. The devil, on the other hand, sows bad seed, producing evildoers. At the end of the age, that is, at the end of all time – angels will remove from the kingdom all evildoers. 

When that happens, then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

This parable teaches that we are not to judge who is a true or false Christian. We are not to weed out the weeds because in doing so, we would destroy the wheat. On the Day of Judgment God only will judge and separate the weeds and the wheat. Until that time comes the church needs to have patience and forbearance of the weeds among the wheat.

The wheat (good) and the weeds (bad) are in the kingdom, not in the world. We could understand it if the parable applied to the world where there are all kinds of people. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God is God’s realm, God’s people, the church. The church of God consists of good and evil, wheat and weeds.

According to this parable, every church consists of wheat and weeds. Who is to determine who the weeds are? Who are we to judge? Since Jesus teaches that we should allow the weeds to remain, why try to decide who weeds are? Only God knows who are genuine believers, and members of the invisible church.

Weeds look like wheat — hypocrites. You cannot tell the difference between believers and make believers. Both live together in the Kingdom. Their behavior is similar. The only difference – one has faith the other not.

The weeds are so much like the wheat that only God can tell the difference. The Church is invisible to us. We can’t tell who has faith and who does not have faith. Only the Father Himself knows the heart of men. Only He knows the difference.

O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper 11, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

Wednesday prior to Proper 11

 Romans 8:18-27 – In our epistle lesson for this coming week the Apostle Paul reminds us “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."  - Romans 8:19

To persevere in present sufferings with hope, keep your eyes on the future glory that God has promised us.  Paul wants us to understand two certainties.

First, the present time is marked by sufferings because of man’s fall into sin. This is a broken world.

Second, the future will be marked by glory for believers as God fulfills all His promises to us. The practical conclusion; if we keep our eyes on the future promised glory, then we can endure present sufferings with perseverance and hope.

Keep your eyes on the future promised glory and you will persevere in present sufferings with hope.

Paul anticipates us thinking, “But, I can’t see this future glory.” His reply is, “Yes, that’s the very nature of hope.” If you can see it all, then it’s not hope.

Our salvation includes hope because we don’t receive it all in this life. The hope of our salvation is not uncertain, as when we say, “I hope it doesn’t rain on my picnic tomorrow.” Rather, it is absolutely certain because of the many promises of God, who cannot lie. But we hope for it because we have not yet received all that has been promised.

Paul concludes, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” vs. 25 The key to persevering in suffering with hope is to keep your eyes on the promised future glory.

If you’ve ever watched your favorite team live, or in person, it's only natural to become anxious as the game progressed. Especially if it was close. If your team fumbled, threw an interception, or made some costly error you might have groaned because you didn’t yet know the outcome. You hoped they would win, but your hope was uncertain. Maybe you even got worried or anxious when they were far behind.

But if your team came from behind and won in the last seconds of the game and later you watched a replay of the game, your whole attitude is different. You don't despair when they fell behind. Because you knew how it all would turn out. Knowing the certainty of the future glory gave you hope to persevere through the setbacks.

It’s easy to become anxious or depressed in trials and lose hope. That’s because we’ve forgotten the absolutely certain outcome: future glory forever with Christ!

Yes, there is present suffering because we live in a fallen world, outside of Eden. But God has promised future glory. Keeping that in view will enable you to persevere any suffering with hope.

Today Let us pray that we hold fast to hope as we are anchored in Christ.

Almighty God, give us such a vision of your purpose and such an assurance of your love and power, that we may ever hold fast the hope which is in Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Tuesday prior to Proper 11

 Isaiah 44:6-8 – The faithful believe in the one true God. There is no god but Him. It could be that Isaiah in these words is recalling a song of Moses, which describes God as “the Rock” (see Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 30-31). This metaphor of the Lord is also common in the book of Psalms (see Psalm 18:2).

The Lord declares, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no other god.”  V. 6b In short, there is no other viable object of worship. There is no other source of life. There is no other King. There is no other Redeemer. There is no other Lord of hosts. “You shall have no other gods before me” declares the Lord. –See Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7

It is easy for us to become distracted placing our focus on family, career, our health, acquiring wealth, status, leisure.  Yet these will not last and can only provide temporary satisfaction.  

Our Lord; the King, Redeemer, and Lord of hosts -- the beginning and the end -- directs our attention and our devotion away from empty things, and empty pursuits back toward the only one who saves, back toward the only source of life. “I am the first and I am the last, besides me there is no god … Fear not, and do not be afraid.”

As our Lord has taught us, the first commandment is the most important one; everything stands or falls with it. The Psalmist directs our focus back to the Lord in verse 8; "Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one."

Luther explains in the Catechism concerning the first commandment.  We should fear love and trust in God above all things. Trust not in princes they are but mortal. Rather, place your confidence in Christ your Savior.

Lord Jesus Christ whose grace always proceeds and follows us, help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and find in you our heavenly treasure;  for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit; one God now and forever.

Collect for Proper 23 Series B, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis 

Monday prior to Proper 11

 Psalm 86:1-15 – This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 6, “Give ear, O lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.” In our need we pray to the Lord because out of His kindness and love our Lord answers each prayer according to His gracious Fatherly will and according to our need.

In this psalm David asks the Lord for protection against his enemies and expresses confidence the Lord will act. This is personal prayer as David states his confidence in the Lord.

In Psalm 86 you’ll find a man who puts his faith in God while crying out desperately. The psalm is filled with 15 requests—some of them are repetitive.  In all, the requests break down into four sections. In 86:1-7, David cries out in great need for God to hear and act on his behalf. In 86:8-10 there is a deliberate request of praise when David declares God as the only true God—the lord of the nations. Then in 86:11-13, David asks for God to teach him and unite his heart to fear God so that he can glorify Him forever.  Finally in 86:14-17, David appeals to God’s mercy and grace to deliver him.

The ultimate lesson and big picture that encompasses the entire psalm is, our great needs should drive us to pray to the great God, who alone can deliver us. The Lord is the only one who has control over the world that we live in. No matter how hard we wish, the Lord is the only one who can provide us with the strength and hope to get where we yearn to be. Once we all learn to put God first, then everything else falls into place.

There are so many trials and tribulations within the world; it is imperative that we pray to God for mercy. He will help lead us away from potential sin. The explanation to the first commandment reminds us, “We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.” May this be our prayer as we begin another week.

A prayer for Psalm 86 – God of mercy, when Christ called out to you in torment, you heard him and gave him victory over death. Fill us with the Love of your name and help us to proclaim you before the world, that all peoples may celebrate your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord.

For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. 2 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau © 1995 Delhi, NY 

Pentecost 7 Proper 10

Pentecost 7 Proper 10
9, 12 July 2026
St. John Flatrock 
Matthew 13:23

Good Seed Planted in Good Soil Produces Good Fruit

But he that received seed into good ground is he that hears the word and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth some hundred-fold, some sixty and some thirty. (V.23)

Collect for the Word - Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your Holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

This parable has been known for centuries as the parable of the Sower. It is not about our own successes and failures or about birds and rocks and thorns but about the extravagance of a Sower.

He does not seem to be fazed by such concerns. Rather, he flings seed everywhere.

He just keeps on showing. Confident that there is enough seed to go around. That there is plenty. And that when the harvest comes at last it will fill every barn in the neighborhood to the rafters.

Since this is really the parable of the Sower and not the parable of the different kinds of ground, the focus is not on us and our shortfalls but on the generosity of our Merciful Master, the prolific Sower.

He does not obsess about the condition of the fields. Who is not stingy with the seed. But who casts it everywhere. On good soil and bad. Who is not cautious or judgmental or even very practical.

He seems willing to keep reaching into his seed bag for all eternity. Covering the whole creation with the fertile seed of his truth.

The point that the Savior is driving at is this – Just as good seed produces good fruit, so we find the promise that the Gospel will succeed wherever the Father wills.

I.                  By faith you hear the Word – “He hears the Word.”

II.               By faith you understand the Word – “and understands it.”

III.     By faith you live the Word – “which also bears fruit.”

I.        A receptive heart – hears the Word.

A.     This explains what sort of Sower He is. He sows His seed wherever and however He can.

He sows His seed along the path. On rocky ground. Among thorns. And, of course, on good soil.

You would not want someone drilling beans in such fashion. But that’s the point. The Father is reckless. When it comes to His Word, He wants it spread that all might hear and understand.

1      He uses His Word to create and sustain faith.  Again, He’s reckless. Nothing will stop Him; for you to receive His Word with much joy. 

2      You listen to this Word. For it is the word of life. When asked if His disciples too, would abandon Him, Peter responds to the Savior, “Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life.”  [John 6:68]

B.      This is why He sows.

1      That you may hear it. The word, which is preached, taught, read and shared, has a timeless message. It is the message of the cross. It is the message of a changeless Christ for a changing world.

2      That we may come to understand His message of salvation. It’s such a simple message, yet one, which has impacted our lives.

3    That we are sinners. And the message is so clear. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23

4      Yet, we are sinners saved by grace. Paul continues; “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24

Transition: The Sower sows the Word into good earth. His desire is for us to know and understand Him deeply.

Receptive hearts - understand the Word.

A. This is how He uses the good seed.

1.      You know Him – You have a connection with Him. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” [John 20]

2.      By faith you understand His message – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.” [John 14:6]

a.      It is a message of the cross – “I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” [1 Corinthians 2:2]

b.    It is given to you in your baptism. The blessings that belong to baptism are three - forgiveness, life, salvation.

c. The Bible teaches that a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

d. The Bible tells us that such “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17). Jesus Himself commands Baptism and tells us that Baptism is water used together with the Word of God. – Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:19-20

e. Baptism is one of the miraculous means of grace[1], through which God creates and strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart - Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2:38.

B. Having heard His Word we respond.

 

1      With thankful hearts. 

2      With acts of love and service.

3. As witnesses of His mercy and grace.

Transition: We also live our lives in this world.

III.    Receptive hearts – live the Word.

A.     This is how we can expect good seed to be productive – to bear fruit.

1.      Sharing His story with others – we all know the Gospel hymn, “I love to tell the story” – question – do we even tell the story?

Or are we embarrassed or fearful to share the message of Christ with family, neighbors, co-workers? The world was literally turned upside down by twelve men who had a simple yet powerful message – we have seen Jesus crucified on a cross for the sins of the world and now made alive from the dead with a promise of life in His name.

That message has not changed in over 2,000 years. People still need to hear that message – and the only person to tell that message is you!  

2. Serving Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness.

The second way in which the world was literally turned upside down was by the changed lives of these 12 men.  You might be the only Bible another person will ever read!

Our churches and schools will grow only by people being drawn to the Savior – yet He chooses to always work through means – Your efforts small they may be, will not be in vain.

B.     As He has sown good seed – so we should also demonstrate with our lives His works.

1.  By means of vocation. Mike Davis, the former basketball coach at IU - at the beginning of a post – game interview would begin with the words:

 “I’d like to give God the credit for giving me this opportunity…” Sadly he would only say that when his team would win!

2.  J. S. Bach, the great composer, would sign every work with three Latin words. “Soli Deo Gloria,” which translates, “To God Alone Be the Glory.”

3.  This leads us to ask the question; do we give God the credit only when we are successful?  In everything we do – to God be the glory – may He alone get the credit.

4.  By means of serving others – our neighbor – with the talents, abilities, and gifts the Lord has given to each of you.

How true it is. Good Seed, shown in good soil, produces good fruit as it is connected to the Word. May we – with receptive hearts – be a people who hears the Word, understands the Word, and then with thankful hearts live the Word in our daily lives.

_________________

Words – 1,405
Passive Sentences – 9%
Readability – 80.5%
Reading Level – 5.1
Some fell on good soil, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

---

[1] along with God’s Word as it is written or spoken

 

Proper 11 Series A (Pentecost 8)

 

Pentecost 8

Isaiah 44:6–8

Romans 8:18–27

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

The Word of the Gospel Bestows the Righteousness of Christ and Brings Forth Faith

 The good Seed, which is “the Son of Man,” Jesus Himself (Matthew 13:37), brings forth a harvest of faith and bears good fruits in “the sons of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:38). Whatever is sown apart from His Word is of the devil, who plants the weeds of unbelief and sin, even among the people of God.

Thankfully, the Lord is patient and He does not uproot the weeds, lest the plants also be destroyed. He lets “both grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:30) while He continues to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

Thus, He preserves His Church in righteousness, because He alone is “the King of Israel and his Redeemer” (Isaiah 44:6). Since all things are in His gracious care and keeping, “fear not, nor be afraid” (Isaiah 44:8). 

For “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19), and in this hope we also wait with patience. Though we do not yet see it, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26) and, in truth, “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Heavenly Father, thought we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A suggested hymn:

“Thy Harvest Field, O God"

Din Kirke-Mark, O Gud; Thomas Kingo (1689);

Sung to the Tune: “In God, My Faithful God”

TLH #526 LSB $745

Translated by Tim Daub, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, South Dakota  

1. Thy harvest field, O God,

With vicious tares stands marred,

Thy perfect toil and labor

Now spoiled by the invader.

Can wheat with sin infested

Be worth Thy love’s investment?

2. The scattered seed was pure.

Each kernel of Thy Word 

Still has life-giving power.

In patience, dear Lord, shower

Thy Gospel grains among us

Until the final harvest.

3. When purple crowns spring forth,

Thy servants doubt the worth

Of tending wheat polluted:

“Lord, shall it be uprooted?”

Thou also must feel anguish

To watch Thy church so languish.

4. O God, how can mankind

Sleep on in drunken pride,

And seek their earthly pleasures,

Forsaking heavenly treasures?

Sin keeps the lost soul blinded,

The enemy delighted.

5. But by Thy grace sprouts up 

A faithful, righteous crop.

Her fruit of Gospel preaching,

The noxious weeds o’erreaching,

Proclaims that Jesus’ labor

Has earned for us God’s favor.

6. Have mercy on us, Lord.

Preserve Thy holy Word.

Maintain a pure confession

Within this congregation.

Spare us from all false doctrine,

Our sin and weakness pardon.

7. God, by Thy gracious hand,

Thy Holy Spirit send

Our hearts to tend and water

That we Thy name may honor.

So cultivate among us

A bounteous, fruitful harvest! Amen.

Matthew 13:24-30

The Tares among the Wheat

:24 Ἄλλην παραβολὴν παρέθηκεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ [a]σπείραντι καλὸν σπέρμα ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ αὐτοῦ.

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

:25 ἐν δὲ τῷ καθεύδειν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἦλθεν αὐτοῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς καὶ ἐπέσπειρεν ζιζάνια ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σίτου καὶ ἀπῆλθεν. 

but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds[a] among the wheat and went away.

Probably darnel, a wheat-like weed

:26 ὅτε δὲ ἐβλάστησεν ὁ χόρτος καὶ καρπὸν ἐποίησεν, τότε ἐφάνη καὶ τὰ ζιζάνια. 

So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

:27 προσελθόντες δὲ οἱ δοῦλοι τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου εἶπον αὐτῷ· Κύριε, οὐχὶ καλὸν σπέρμα ἔσπειρας ἐν τῷ σῷ ἀγρῷ; πόθεν οὖν ἔχει ζιζάνια;

And the servants[b] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’

Matthew 13:27 b Or bondservants; also verse 28

:28 ὁ δὲ ἔφη αὐτοῖς· Ἐχθρὸς ἄνθρωπος τοῦτο ἐποίησεν. οἱ δὲ  δοῦλοι αὐτῷ λέγουσιν· Θέλεις οὖν ἀπελθόντες συλλέξωμεν αὐτά; 

He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’

Do not root out evil on your own. The more zealous you become the more harm will be done.

:29 ὁ δέ φησιν· Οὔ, μήποτε συλλέγοντες τὰ ζιζάνια ἐκριζώσητε ἅμα αὐτοῖς τὸν σῖτον·

But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.

:30 ἄφετε συναυξάνεσθαι ἀμφότερα μέχρι τοῦ θερισμοῦ· καὶ ἐν καιρῷ τοῦ θερισμοῦ ἐρῶ τοῖς θερισταῖς· Συλλέξατε πρῶτον τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ δήσατε αὐτὰ εἰς δέσμας πρὸς τὸ κατακαῦσαι αὐτά, τὸν δὲ σῖτον συναγάγετε εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην μου.

Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Note: The reapers will do this not you.

 The Parable of the Weeds Explained

:36 Τότε ἀφεὶς τοὺς ὄχλους ἦλθεν εἰς τὴνοἰκίαν. καὶ προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· Διασάφησον ἡμῖν τὴν παραβολὴν τῶν ζιζανίων τοῦ ἀγροῦ.

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”

:37 ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς  εἶπεν· Ὁ σπείρων τὸ καλὸν σπέρμα ἐστὶν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου·

He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

 :38 ὁ δὲ ἀγρός ἐστιν ὁ κόσμος· τὸ δὲ καλὸν σπέρμα, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας· τὰ δὲ ζιζάνιά εἰσιν οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πονηροῦ,

The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

:39 ὁ δὲ ἐχθρὸς ὁ σπείρας αὐτά ἐστιν ὁ διάβολος· ὁ δὲ θερισμὸς συντέλεια  αἰῶνός ἐστιν, οἱ δὲ θερισταὶ ἄγγελοί εἰσιν.

and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

:40 ὥσπερ οὖν συλλέγεται τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ πυρὶ  καίεται, οὕτως ἔσται ἐν τῇ συντελείᾳ τοῦ αἰῶνος·

Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

:41 ἀποστελεῖ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ, καὶ συλλέξουσιν ἐκ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ σκάνδαλα καὶ τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν,

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,

:42 καὶ βαλοῦσιν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων.

and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Gnashing of teeth denotes anger at God not suffering – See Psalm 35:16; 37:12; 112:10; Lamentations 2:16; Job 16:9-10

:43 Τότε οἱ δίκαιοι ἐκλάμψουσιν ὡς ὁ ἥλιος ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν. ὁ ἔχων  ὦτα ἀκουέτω.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

See Daniel 12:1-3

Footnotes:

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Woodcut Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

– Romans 8:12-17 Heirs with Christ

 

As “the rain and the snow come down from heaven.” And “waters the earth…making it bring forth and sprout.” (Isaiah 55:10) So the Word of God accomplishes the purpose for which the Father speaks it. Granting joy and peace through the forgiveness of sins. Producing the fruit of faith. Demonstrating acts of charity. Kindness. And love. In the lives of those who are called by His name. 

 

Christ Jesus. The Incarnate Word.  Opens our ears to hear.  Opens our minds to understand. And penetrates our cold broken hearts. To believe His Word.  Lest the evil one come. And snatch it away. He thus transforms our rocky hearts into good soil. Which, clings to the Gospel. And, “indeed bears fruit.” (Matthew 13:23). 

 

The Preaching of the Word of Christ Bears the Good Fruits of Faith and Love making us Heirs with Christ.

 

1.      Well, of course, it's all about Jesus.

 

A.         He is Himself the first-fruits of all who “have received the Spirit of adoption as sons.” (Romans 8:15).

 

B.         Believers have received the Holy Spirit. For Paul, whoever confesses Jesus as Lord does so by the power of the Spirit.  "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3).  

           That is evidence enough for being a person in Christ. They have thus already been adopted as God’s children. By faith and baptism and through the power of the Spirit they have a new relationship with God.

 

C.         There is evidence of this whenever they cry out “Abba, Father.” The word “Abba” is an Aramaic term for “father.” Abba was usually the word used in the home, as children addressed their fathers.

 

It is easier for a child to use a two-syllable word ending in a vowel than to use a single syllable word ending with a consonant. Research proves this. Every parent knows this! “Daddy” is easier to say than “Dad,” “Mommy” is easier than “Mom.”

 

But “Abba” is the word used by Jesus in the crucifixion scene in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible… ” The use of “Abba” must also have been characteristic of Jesus’ prayers, as in the use of “Father” in the Lord’s Prayer.[1] God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.[2] This term was familiar to the Christians at Rome. The audience to whom Paul is writing.  

 

D.        Being a son makes you an heir. And a member of the family. Being a citizen gives you rights, privileged, responsibilities. The Inheritance is yours. Because you belong to Christ.

 

2. Thus being “led by the Spirit of God,” we are not afraid, but we cry out in faith to our Father in heaven. (Romans 8:14–15) 

 

A.         Fear leads to isolation. This leads to withdrawal. Which leads to depression. Which leads to alienation. Which leads to death. Notice the downward spiral.

 

B.         Which was Luther's journey. How can I find a loving God? One who is not angry? Luther finally understood what Paul wanted: to preach a righteousness that was a gift—a gift by which God mercifully justifies us through faith in His Son. Paul was not describing a cold-hearted standard that could only lead to our condemnation. That would hardly be Gospel, “good news!” Paul was speaking of the righteousness of God that was revealed at the cross—God’s great love for us. When Luther realized this, his whole world turned upside down, the bitter became sweet, and the locked door sprang open:

“I extolled my sweetest word with a love as great as the hatred with which I had before hated the word ‘righteousness of God.’ Thus that place in Paul was for me truly the gate to paradise.”[3] While wrestling with Paul, Luther found himself also wrestling with God, and like Jacob of old, Luther would never be the same.

 

3. For as we suffer with Christ, the beloved Son we look for a glorious future.

 

A.         So shall we “also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:17). One characteristic of the son is that he is his father’s heir. So it is with the Christian. He, too, has an inheritance—an inheritance of glory which he will share with Christ. But he must not be surprised if, before sharing the glory, he also shares the sufferings. All who suffer for the sake of the gospel are regarded as suffering with Christ. They “drink of the cup” that He drank.

 

B.         Yet, any suffering we endure will only last for a season. We have this promise. You shall live and reign with Christ throughout all eternity.

1.         Then in glory. A place chosen especially for you! You shall reign with Him.

2.         Yet even now. As we serve our neighbor. Says St. Paul “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”   (Galatians 5:14)

a.       So tomorrow. When you wake in the morning. And your feet hit the floor…Thank God. As the devil says to himself, “oh, no!…She’s up!  It’s an opportunity to praise God as you serve your neighbor.  So, stop your griping. It won’t help anybody.

b.      Instead…Pick up a shovel.

c.      And go merrily about your business. With a grateful heart. 

 

Words –995

Passive Sentences –5%

Readability –79%

Reading Level -4.6

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

---

[1] In Matthew 6:9; the Greek “pater” of the prayer is probably a translation of the Aramaic Abba).

[2] Explanation to the Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer Luther’s Small Catechism.

[3] LW 34:337