Facing life with Jesus - Facing the Future

 

Luke 20:9-20  
The wicked tenants

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Almighty and eternal God, because it was Your will that You Son should bear the pains of the cross for us and thus remove from us the power of the adversary, help us so to remember and give thanks for our Lord’s Passion that we may receive remission of sins and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[2]

How do you stand before God, with others, with Christ? In the words of our text, we have a clearer understanding of who we really are and how we stand now and into the future. This parable was given to teach us.

1. This parable was given to teach us all about humankind.

A. Man is only a steward. He is not the owner. As such, he owes God a return for what he has done with his life. On the last day, there will be a reckoning, an accounting of all that man has done.

B. But man is a rebel in constant rebellion against God. He refuses to render to God what is God’s.

From his youth, the Bible reminds us, man’s heart has been evil and prone to all sorts of sin. In this rebellion, man refuses to render to God what is God’s He rejects the servants, which God had sent. That was the history of God’s people of old. They killed the prophets. Which were sent to them by God and ultimately they rejected God’s own Son.

C. The problem is that man wants to be the owner. He wants to be God. He refuses to give God is portion and hopes to take over the vineyard by killing the Son. It’s man’s rejection against God and His Son that has caused all the problems, which this world has ever known.

D.  And because of this rejection of wanting to do what God has forbidden and to act contrary from what God would have us do that man is prone to violence.

In the parable, they beat and killed the servants and the Son. Just a casual reading of the Old Testament will give us an illustration of man’s behavior.

Ø Elijah was driven into the wilderness
Ø Isaiah was sawn asunder
Ø Zechariah was stoned to death before the altar
Ø Herod beheaded John the Baptizer
Ø Stephen was stoned to death
Ø Jesus was crucified

Transition: Not only does this parable tell us about humankind it also tells us about God and His love for us.

2. This parable was given to teach us about God.

A. God is the owner of our world and is entitled to rent. Praise and honor are obedience is to be rendered to Him.

B. God is patient with us: three times, He sent a servant. He sent the prophets of the Old Testament. Finally, He sent His own Son.

C. God’s patience however, has an end. Judgment will be enacted upon all who disobey.

D. God has no other plan to reconcile the world. There is only one plan of salvation. Christ was God’s only Son. He can do no more. If the world does not accept Christ, nothing but destruction lies ahead.

Transition: But for us fights the valiant one whom God Himself elected. Jesus as God’s only Son was sent for the expressed purpose to redeem the world.

3. This parable also tells us about Christ.

A. He is God’s Son. Others before Him were only “servants”. The prophets were spokespersons but were not the only begotten Son of the Father. He holds the unique position with the Father. He has an intimacy and an oneness, which none other can possess.

B. He was sent by the Father to receive our obligation to God. Jesus had a mission. He was obedient to God’s good, perfect, and holy will.

C. He knew that His end was death at the hands of wicked men; His death was not an accident, not bad luck, not forced. In obedience to His Father, He faced the cross courageously and voluntarily. The parable thus announced His approaching end where He would die for the sins of the entire world.

A pass-time, which many like to do, is play cards. Two popular card games are euchre and penuche. The object of both games is to gain as many suits as possible. You can lead with a high card but when you lead with a trump card; in most cases, the hand is yours.

By this parable, God leads with the ace of trump – or with the right bower. This is the best He can offer. He offers His Son. In so doing, there is life in His name. Praise be to the Father whom through Jesus has gotten us the victory.

Words –840
Passive Sentences – 1%
Readability –82%
Reading Level – 4.8

 

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[1] Good Friday © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lent 4

 

[1]

Lent 4 - Facing Life with Jesus –Facing a Forgiving God

 Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning, and though we have in no way deserved Your goodness, You still abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. Give us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[2]

What kind of company do you keep? Can you follow Jesus in keeping bad company?

Is there any inherent danger if you should travel around in the “wrong crowd”? Why is it that parents want to know where their children are?  And with whom they are associate? Could it be?  That they are simply heeding the advice of St. Paul?  Who reminds us that, “Bad company ruins good morals”?

Now the religious elite. Refused to associate with certain kinds and classes of people. As they criticized Jesus.  When He openly associated with.  And freely ate with those considered the “sinners”.  How aught you associate with the so called “dirties” of this world? Jesus has given us the proper example.  Of what kind of company we should keep.   Together, we face a forgiving God in our daily walk with the Savior.

1. Sinners are Bad Company.

Jesus openly associated.  Mingled.  And socialized with the known dregs of His day. They were the outcastes of society. The ones no one else wanted to associate. Who were they? They included tax collectors.  Who made themselves rich. By demanding exorbitant taxes. They included women. Who sold their bodies.

To satisfy the sexual lust of their customers. These were people.  Who told dirty stories. And used profane language.

Today. There are the Charles Manson’s. The Putin’s and Orban’s of the world. The list is endless! These people are not necessarily anti-God. Anti-church. And anti-decency. They are also those who choose to remain indifferent. They do not stand in opposition. They remain silent. They are apathetic uninterested.  Are you to associate with these types of people? 

No, you do not take upon their habits and beliefs. You live in this world.  Nevertheless, you are called out of this world.  Your calling does not mean that you are to disassociate with these people. They too need the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Who desires all to be saved. Who desires all to come to Him.  For salvation and life. These people are in need of a connection.

2. Sinners need repentance.

Jesus associated with sinners. Not because He approved of their way of life. He associated with them. Not because He accepted their behavior. Not because He approved of their lifestyle. He associated with them.  Because He desired that, they come to Him. For reconciliation.  For salvation and life.

Jesus knew that these people needed Him. They needed friendship. And understanding. He went to them for a purpose. A divine purpose.  And that was to lead them to repentance and a new life. He went to them.  And searched them out. To show them a better way to live. As He said, ‘I did not come for those who were well but for those in need of a physician.”

Jesus did not.  And nor should we. Go to them to become one of them. Yet we need to be present. To listen.

But we must not to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that there are not people in need of the Savior’s help.

Jesus came in time and space Christ came into this world. To call sinners unto Himself. And that is why He actively sought them. He gives you what you really need. He exchanges His life of holiness for your life of sin. And in a great exchange offers you forgiveness and life.

Today’s church to go to the worst. To the prisons. To the criminals. To the anti-God people of this earth. If the church does not go who will reach them? Our mission to the world should discriminate against no one. And yet reach out to the highways and by-ways. And compel all to come in.

3. Sinners are wanted.

The gospel story of the waiting father reminds you that have a heavenly Father. Who yearns.  Longs. And waits for the sinner to come home. There will always be a warm welcome waiting. When one returns. There will be no questions asked. There will be no scolding. – Only the joy of reconciliation. Still, the Father continues to show mercy.

With which son do you identify? Both show contempt. Remember. Jesus spoke this parable. Directing it at those who took umbrage with Jesus’ compassion for sinners. Those who took issue with Jesus

Both sons. Are begrudging of the Father’s mercy. The younger sons demanded his inheritance. “You’re dead to me!” he reasoned. Still, he demanded payment! “Treat me like a hireling! Because that’s how you’ve always treated me.”

The older son. He’s angry. That the Father is always moved with compassion. He does not consider his Father’s benevolence. “I’ve worked for you these many years and you’ve never recognized my worth!  I’m a slaved to you.”

Both boys could legitimately become the standard bears of our current culture. A climate of moral freedom; the belief that life is best when each individual finds his or her own morality—inevitable in a society that insists on individual freedom. Contained within it a core assumption: If everybody does their own thing, then everything will work out for everybody.[3]

Moved with sympathy the waiting Father reaches out to both boys. He loves them both. In spite of their independence and their cruel hearted replies.                                                                                                                                                                                           This is precisely how the Father has received you. This is His motive in winning the world. And this will be His reception of all who come to Him in repentance.  Seeking His pardon and grace.

There’s a dance party in heaven. Every time a sinner repents.

In the open, yet nail scared hands of the wounded Savior. You will find forgiveness and life. The Father waits. For you to come to Him in repentance.

The eldest son. Did he join the celebration? Or did he not? Even more compelling. How about you. Do you enter? Or do you not?

You have received the tender mercies of Jesus. Now go out into you world of influence as a witness. To friends, neighbors, family, colleagues.  Compelling all to come to Him. No matter what the past.  It shall be forgiven. And forgotten. That is the mercy. Compassion. And pardon. Which the Savior has promised.

The Father receives sinners unto Himself. Proclaim that message today. As we face life with Jesus. Facing a forgiving God. Who receives sinners unto Himself.

Words-1,195
Passive Sentences – 2%
Readability –77.8 %
Reading Level- 4.1

 

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[1] Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Waiting Father’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Lent 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

[3] https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/collapsing-levels-trust-are-devastating-america/616581/