Pentecost 8 Proper 12

26 July 2020

Romans 8:28-30

You are God’s Handiwork

A prayer for Pentecost 8: O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal;[1]

The Psalmist David declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

St. Paul writing in our Epistle in essence states that you, the child of God, also declare the glory of God and show forth His handiwork in your life.

How is this so? Let us consider this wonderful thought, you are God’s Handiwork!

I.        We are the handiwork of God because He made us to be His own. Paul reminds us, “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” Vv.29-30

A.     God determined to make us His own.

1.      He foreknew us. “For those God foreknew He also predestined…” V.29a The Father knew you! God knew you way before you had any knowledge of Him. What’s even more amazing – in love He chose you to be a part of His family. Before this world was ever created. 

Children who are adopted are twice loved. – The parents chose to bring the child into their family. – The child is born in the parents’ hearts. This is how the Father loves you. He determined to make you a part of His gracious family. And this decision came from the very heart of God.

2.      He predestined us. To be conformed to the likeness of His Son.”…that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” V.29 The child becomes an extension of the parents. – The child takes on the same characteristics as the parent. He uses the same manors, and gestures. The child mimics the parent – using the same phrases she uses the same inflections in her mother’s voice. Like father – like son; like mother – like daughter!  In the Father’s family Jesus holds the highest honor in the great family of God. – You have been known and predestined, to become just like Christ – highly favored by your heavenly Father.      

B.     He unilaterally made us to be His own, independent of our trespasses and sins. “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” V.30

1.      He called us. Luther explains it this way. “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. But the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel.”

a.       The Gospel is God’s good news of Jesus Christ.

b.      It is the message of the bloody cross and empty tomb.

c.       It is a message, which has transformed our lives to this very hour.

2.      He justified us.

a.       Justification is the chief article of our Christian faith.

b.      God looks at me “Just – if – I –had never sinned!”

3.      He will glorify us.

a.       At death you and I will take a walk. - From one end of the kingdom to the other; from the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory.

b.      In eternity we will live and dwell with Him and all the saints.

Transition: We are the handiwork of God for what He has done to us in time - when Christ broke into time and space. We are the handiwork of God for what He continues to do in our lives.

II.     We are the handiwork of God because He consistently works in our life for good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” V.28

A.     God works for good in every experience of our life. There is not one thing that passes by without His knowledge and concern. In every circumstance of life. Either for good or for ill -He is concerned. He is interested in you!

1.      God your heavenly Father is never absent from any of our experiences.

a.       Psalm 121: “I will life up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep…The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life: the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Vv.1-4; 7

b.      Matthew 10:30, “And even the very hairs on your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Vv.30-31

2.      God often works for good in our life behind the scenes of our current awareness.  We cannot always see God’s hand at work. Yet He continues to move. Shaping the circumstances of your life.  To bring it into conformity; to bring it into agreement, with His ultimate god for you.

In other words, God is God and you are you and there is a huge difference between the two!

a     We cannot know the mind of God. “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” Romans 11:33-34

b.      God’s ways are not our ways. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than Your ways and my thoughts than Your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

c.             God has made us to be His own. He works consistently in our lives to accomplish His good purpose. Truly you are the handiwork of God!

The Father’s goal is your justification and glorification (v. 30), which entails being “conformed to the image of his (God’s) Son” so that you might become part of God’s large family (v. 29).

From the beginning, you were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), but that image was distorted and broken in the Fall (Genesis 3).

The Father knew that we would fall, but instead of abandoning us, began his work of restoring us by sending Christ into our world.   Now you bear the image of Christ. In Christ you are complete. To live before God in everlasting innocence and blessedness.   

Words – 1,055

Passive Sentences –3%

Readability – 82.2%

Reading Level – 4.4

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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[1] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Time in the Word - Pentecost 8 - Proper 12

Pentecost 8

Proper 12

July 20-25, 2020

Three parables of the nature of the kingdom of God are told by the Savior in the Gospel for this coming week. Three parables are directed to the disciples concerning the kingdom. The first two deal with the kingdom as being of top value worthy of any sacrifice to gain it. The third parable concerns are similar to wheat and the weeds parable, the separation of the good and the wicked on Judgment Day. Jesus asks the disciples if they understand these parables. They claimed that they understood. Consequently, they were to be scribes trained for the kingdom who bring out of the treasure the old and the new. The old truths are to be applied to the new conditions in the world. These are addressed in our Epistle and Old Testament lessons for the coming week.

For blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish others and ourselves in Your holy faith.

A prayer for Pentecost 8: O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; 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 12 –Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, July 20, 2020 – Psalm 105:2-6 –This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” The psalmist exhorts us to worship the Lord. Thus, we are called upon to give thanks to God through our worship and praise. When we call upon God and as we give thanks, our worship shall be blessed. Praise and prayer are the two expressions of our worship. As we recall the many acts of kindness the Lord has given to us, we will trust in Him and share with others what He has done. We will make known among the people His many deeds.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020– Deuteronomy 7:6-9 - The Lord is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love. We are loved and blessed because the Lord first loved us. Yet this love must be reciprocated by His people to others. Thus in the New Testament we are reminded, “We love because He first loved us” {1 John 4:19}.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 – Romans 8: 28-39 -The Father spared not His own Son but gave Him up for us all. These words are read at many Christian funerals. They have comforted many troubled hearts. They have soothed and given encouragement to many who are troubled. St. Paul’s words are sure. No charge can be brought against the Christian because the Father has already pronounced a verdict! Not guilty! How so? No one can condemn God’s elect. Christ has died for you. He is alive at the right hand of God. He is interceding for you.

Thursday, July 23, 2020 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Christ treasures the world, and so He redeems it. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a treasure, something of supreme worth. 

It is a treasure of infinite worth because it is the kingdom of God. This includes Jesus, the priceless treasure, the riches of grace, and the wealth of God’s love. This treasure is discovered by accident. It is always found where no one expected it. 

The kingdom of God can be a surprise. It may come in unexpected ways and places. Must we ask whether the average Christian considers Christianity the top treasure?

Both the farmer and the merchant sold all their goods to get the treasure.

This implies that the two men considered all their possessions to be inferior to the treasure or the pearl. It was a matter of establishing priorities. Because the treasure and pearl were evaluated as the best, the price of total sell-out, or exchanging all other possessions, was considered worth the price.

When a person finds a treasure, how can he help but be overjoyed? If a merchant has been looking for the perfect pearl for years and then finds it, is there any wonder that he would be as happy as can be? Many church members lack the joy of being Christians. They are not happy about their religion. Could this be the reason? They have not found the treasure or the pearl of Christ.

Friday, July 24, 2020 –Psalm 125 -This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. This psalm speaks of Israel’s peace in testimony, prayer, and benediction. Bible scholars believe it was written after the exile when those held in Babylonian captivity were allowed to return to the Jewish homeland. This psalm was most likely prayed as part of the liturgy in the Jewish worship service. Thus, the Psalms we pray in worship reach back into the Old Testament. Through the centuries, our prayers have remained constant. 

Saturday, July 25, 2020 – Joshua 24:16 –This passage is the inspiration for the hymn, “From God can nothing move me” {LSB 524}. The people react to Joshua’s commitment to serve the Lord. The people respond, “We will not serve other gods.” If we say of the Lord, “He is our God,” we cannot serve any other. 

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Sources:

 LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Artwork by Ed Riojas, copyright © Higher Things

Pentecost 7 - Proper 11

Romans and the Reformation
A Series of Sermons Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
July 23, 2017 - Proper 11 - Romans 8:18-23

Total Loss for Permanent Gain - Why do believers suffer?

“Mom...why are there mosquitoes? That give people malaria? Why are there germs? That make us sick?”

“Mom...I saw on the news a bad flood that killed a lot of people. Why are there floods? And earthquakes? And hurricanes? And tornadoes? Why are there famines? Why do some people starve to death?”

“Why did my friend at school get cancer? Why did Grandma get sick…and die?”

“Mom, why do people set off bombs? Why do people do bad things? To hurt each other?”

Maybe your kids have asked you questions like these. I know mine have. Probably you’ve wrestled with them yourself.

How does all of this make sense to you?  How can a loving, all-powerful God allow terrible suffering that is in the world? Some become agnostics or atheists because they cannot come up with satisfactory answers to such questions.

Since none of us are exempt from suffering and death. It’s important that we understand what the Bible teaches on this difficult topic. The topic of brokenness in this world. 

As we continue with our reading and reflecting on Paul's letter to the Romans, Paul would give us this perspective. We live in an interim period. Now we have suffering. Later, permanent glory. Now we are children of God. But not fully. 

In this transitional period on earth, we wait, groan, and long for the end of this pilgrimage. What we endure today is a temporary loss for a permanent gain of glory as children of God. Both creation and creatures groan for redemption. That's what Paul is getting at this morning. "We wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." 

In this period of transition.

1. We wait for redemption.

2. We groan because of suffering.

3. We long for permanent gain.

1. We wait for redemption – “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:19, 23

ALL BELIEVERS SUFFER BECAUSE OF MAN’S FALL INTO SIN.

This needs to be stated because; there is a pervasive false teaching that God wants every Christian to be healthy, wealthy, and above all else successful. Purchase this product. Follow this program. Practice these steps and the blessings of God will follow. After all, God wants you to have your best life now. 

They say, “If you’re sick or poor, then you need to claim your healing or your wealth by faith.” Those who teach these lies are preying on people’s greed and their natural longing to be in good health. But, you will never see one of these false teachers live to be 120. They all succumb to disease and death at about the same age as the rest of us. Do not fall for their teaching!

Paul himself suffered terribly. When he was call on the road the Lord told Ananias the prophet whom He sent to open Paul’s eyes “for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  (Acts 9:26)Paul often mentions the trials that he endured, which would have driven most to despair.  (See 2 Cor. 11:23-28).

Our Lord Himself was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). He came to this world of suffering to bear our sins through His own suffering and death. So why should we think that somehow we will be exempt from suffering?

In the sovereign purposes of God, some suffer more and some suffer less. But none are exempt. It’s a part of living in this fallen world.

2. We groan because of suffering – “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. -   "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."- Romans 8:22-23

The present time is marked by sufferings because of man’s fall into sin.

Paul mentions “the sufferings of this present time.” v.18. He was not referring to an especially difficult period in history, but to the entire present age. The whole history of creation since the fall is marked by suffering. The history of nations is marked by struggles and catastrophes—wars, natural disasters, internal conflicts, power struggles, and crimes. 

The history of individuals is also in large part a history of trials—the trials of growing up, figuring out what to do with your life, whom you will marry, rearing children, working through struggles in your marriage, providing for your needs, growing old and facing declining health and finally, death.

But, why? Why do we suffer? How should we as Christians think about these difficult matters? 

3. We long for permanent gain - "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. 

Second, the future will be marked by glory for believers as God fulfills all His promises to us. The practical conclusion is, 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. So Paul concludes (8:25), “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” The key to persevering in suffering with hope is to keep your eyes on the promised future glory.

It's summer. Those who subscribe to the B1G network know that especially during the summer months, highlights from previous games are aired. 

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 or threw an interception, you groaned because you didn’t know the outcome. You hoped they would win, but your hope was uncertain. Maybe you even got depressed 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 fumbled. Or 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.

If we become anxious or depressed in trials and lose hope, it’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. But God has promised future glory. Keeping that in view will enable you to persevere any suffering with hope.

Words –1,300
Passive Sentences –5%
Readability – 73.5%
Reading Level -6.0