Pentecost 9 - Proper 14

Pentecost 9 – Proper 14

11 August 2019

Luke 12:32-40

“Faith in the coming kingdom”

Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more that we either desire or deserve, pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy, forgiving us the things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us the good things we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

As Jesus teaches in the form of parables what you would think should happen quite the opposite often occurs. There is a reversal of outcomes. 

The hungry are fed. While the rich are sent empty away. The smallest seed in the garden – the mustard seed – provides lodging for the birds of the air to nest. Such is the case in our parable today. Something contrary to thought occurs. Something unexpected happens. What would the Savior teach us today?

1. To get rich

Sell what you already have for yourself. This sounds completely the opposite of the world’s conventional thinking. This would suggest that to get rich layup treasures for yourself. Don’t sell, rather, buy!

Don’t let anything stand in the way of your connection with the Savior. Instead of hording those things which would distract them – sell them, get rid of them. The point the Savior is making – don’t let anything distract you. If it is a diversion – let it go.

A. Take possession of treasures, which will not rot. 

1. What will rot are those things which are temporal, connected to this earth. Over time things change – cars go down in value. They depreciate over time. That new lap top you purchase. It has all the memory you will ever need. Except, it will be obsolete over time. The new set of clothes will not keep you at the height of fashion forever.

2. Invest in those commodities that will grow. And in God’s economy He gives you only what has a proven track record.

a. The Word; proclaimed, taught, read, shared.

b. The Sacraments – the water of life in baptism and in a meal, which is shared as Jesus comes as host and guest.

c. The Word of reconciliation - that is, the message which is announced every Sunday, speaking to us God’s forgiveness in Christ. “In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our lord Jesus Christ. 

Transition: To get rich you see what you have. You take possession of what will not rot. It is the Savior who provides for us the means by which these things come to us. 

2. In our watching 

Notice the action of the Master. He returns. He dresses Himself. He serves. He reclines at table.

A. The Master returns.  Each generation of Christian believers – has this understanding that we are living in the last days. Christ will return. He will return visibly, in time and space as He once came to our world.

B. He dresses Himself. He has no need of assistance from anyone. Salvation is complete by His victory at the cruel and bloody cross and empty tomb. As He dresses Himself, He takes full responsibility for your salvation.

C. He serves the servants. How odd! The Master serves the servants. He serves by offering what you truly need. Forgiveness Life Salvation. He shows us the heart of God. He serves – ‘The Son of Man cam not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.’

D. He reclines at table. He comes to fellowship with you. He desires a close connection with you. He will converse with you in prayer, in His Word, in His Supper in your baptism. He abides with you forever.  

By these words the Savior announces to us His desire to a healthy ministry – personally coming to His people. To get rich sell what you have. Take possession of what will not rot. As you live out your days watch for Him who has promise that soon and very soon – every eye shall see Him. As we shall see the King! 

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Words – 789

Passive Sentences -5%

Readability –80.1%

Reading Level- 4.5