Time in the Word - Proper 22 - September 29 - October 4, 2008

In the Lessons for this week God’s people constitute God’s vineyard. The Gospel and the Old Testament lesson complement each other in the use of a vineyard as a metaphor for God’s people. In both bases the vineyard is at fault; in the Gospel the tenants refuse to render fruit; in the Old Testament the fruit is wild. In the Epistle lesson the wild fruit are those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and serve as an example of the right kind of fruit Christians produce. Because God’s vineyard is His people, He has the right to ask for proper returns form the vineyard. Both the Old Testament lesson and the Gospel pronounce judgment upon the vineyard for failing to produce the fruit of acknowledging Christ as Lord and the fruit of justice.

Collect for Proper 22 – Gracious God, You gave Your Son into the hands of sinful men, who killed Him. Forgive us when we reject Your unfailing love, and grant us the fullness of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, September 29, 2008 – Psalm 118:22-24, Antiphon, V. 1, “O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.” This is a call to praise the Lord. David offers a song of thanksgiving for deliverance and victory. The people rejoice over what the Lord has done. Thereafter, the king speaks his final word of praise. (see. Vs. 28)

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 – Isaiah 5:1-7 –God’s people receive judgment for evil fruit. In Sunday’s first reading God’s judgment upon His people is shown for their failure to produce proper fruit. The prophet sings a love song to God regarding God’s vineyard, his people. God is his “beloved.” God loves his people. Proof of his love is that God’s vineyard, his possession, is his people. Out of love God accepts and owns his people. And look what God has done for his people! He has placed a vineyard on a fertile hill. He dug the ground, cleared away the stones, and planted it with the best vines. Then he built a watchtower and a wine vat. God is love and he deals lovingly with his people: claiming them as his own, and providing for them by giving them the best of everything to be fruitful.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 – Philippians 3:4b-14 – God’s people strive to be examples worthy of Christ. Forgetting the past, Paul presses on toward the goal of Christ and lives as an example for others. Paul defends himself as a Christian of the first order through the mercies of God. Yet, he does not think he has it “made,” but keeps striving for complete devotion to Christ by becoming one in the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ. Because he imitates Christ, he is able to ask his people to imitate him in both faith and life. Though we are in the world, we belong to the kingdom of heaven. When Christ returns, he will transform our earthly bodies to spiritual bodies.

Paul uses this phrase “I press on” twice in this passage. It must have been important to him in getting across his plan. He is not idly waiting for perfection to come to him. He is not neutral. He is urgent, pursuing, and energetic in getting to his goal. To become like Christ is a process over a lifetime — ever striving to be like Christ in every area of life. At the same time, Paul would say that God was in him pressing on, working in him. A Christian dare not be content with his life. He is ever seeking to improve it.

Thursday, October 2, 2008 – Matthew 21:33-46 – God’s people refuse to return God His due. This is another parable of the kingdom. It is an allegorized parable. The vineyard is Israel. The tenants are the religious leaders. The servants are the prophets. The son is Jesus. The murder was the cross. Jesus is saying that time after time God has sought to redeem his people through the prophets, but each effort was in vain. In desperation he sent his Son whom they crucified. This is in accord with the psalmist who says the rejected stone became the cornerstone. The outcome of it is that the religious leaders of Israel will lose the kingdom which will be given to those who produce the fruit of righteousness. Because of their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost, but the Gentiles gained the kingdom.

The owner has a right to receive fruit from the tenants. People owe something to God. Time after time God comes for his due until finally he makes the ultimate appeal in his Son, Jesus. Rebellious tenants kill the Son in hope of taking over the vineyard. Here can be seen the patience of God, trying over and over to get the tenants to respond; here can also be seen the greed of people.

Friday, October 3, 2008 Psalm 80:7-19 - The Psalm appointed for next has as the key verse, verse 7. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant he cherished (Isaiah 5:7).

Saturday, October 4, 2008 –Ephesians 3:17b-21– This passage is the inspiration for the hymn. “O Love How Deep”. [LSB 544] Christ is deeply at home and active in the life of the believer. By His indwelling He guides, directs, and governs our lives. (See Romans 8:9)

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

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

In Memoriam

Alrmilla Conrad
Born: January 16, 1917
Baptized: January 21, 1917
Confirmed: March 29, 1931
With Christ in Peace: September 25, 2008
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you" - Isaiah 54:10





Richard Miller
Born: April 15, 1929
Baptized: April 21, 1929
Confirmed: April 29, 1943
With Christ in Peace: September 28, 2008
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" - Hebrews 10:23

Proper 21 - Matthew 21:28-32

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

http://www.zionfriedheim.org/

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

September 28, 2008
Proper 21
Matthew 21:28-32

Let us pray to the Lord…

“God of love, You know our frailties and failings. Give us Your grace to overcome them; keep us from these things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation.”

The Bible testifies to the fact that all are sinners, whether in the church or in the world. In that event, why become a Christian? Why become committed to Jesus Christ? If all are sinners, even Christians, who can be saved? It is important for Christians to realize they are sinners lest they become holier-than-thou in their attitude toward non- Christians.

It is not a matter of being a sinner; it matters what kind of sinner you are. One type is missing and another is retrieved and reinstated. The two sons represent two kinds of sinners.

1. The lost sinner — the one who said, “I go, sir” — v. 30.

A. He had respect and piety — “Sir.” One of the sons was very polite and respectful of his father. He addressed him as “Sir.” This son said he would go to work as the father expected. He gave the right answer and showed the proper respect, but he was not as good as his word. This son represents “religious people” who know the right things to say in worship and prayer and in life.

They consent to God’s laws and make promises to obey, but do nothing. They gave confession without execution. The have “rigor without submission Orthodoxy without obedience”.[1]

Jesus says these people do not get into the kingdom. They failed to repent. This does not mean that we are saved by acts of obedience, but it points out that a superficial and artificial relationship with God does not count. How so? They fail in two respects.

B. They give only lip service — He said emphatically: “I go.” There are the obedient ones who refuse to obey. They see no need for Christ.

C. They fail to act. He cannot do what he promised. He can not produce —“but did not go.” Failed to do what he said – “but did not go” Lip service is inadequate, but how can we do the Father’s will and not simply say, “I will”?

Transition: The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance. This involves sorrow over our sins and faith that God has forgiven our sins and declared us righteous because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit He gives us a God given resolve to be righteous in our every day life.

2. The saved sinner — v. 29. He repented and He obeyed.

A. He repented — “he repented.” Here is a case of repentance in action. There was an “about face” in his life. One son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work. This about-face, this change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the meaning of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom. He is a sinner –yet saved by grace.

He repented – “he repented” He turned from his sinful ways. He came to the understanding that he was in need of a change in his life. He turned from his evil ways. The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance.

This involves sorrow over our sins; and faith that God has in fact forgiven our sins and declared us righteous. This has happened because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

B. Obeyed — “He went.” He is the disobedient who now obeys.
1. They turn from evil to good
2. They respond to Christ.

Notice that there is action to the young man’s resolve. By the power of the Holy Spirit there is a God pleasing resolve to be righteous. It is Jesus Christ who has changed us. It is His Holy Spirit which works in us to will and to do the Father’s good and gracious will.

"Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The latter." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31

He who has entered the kingdom through repentance loves not just in word but in deed and in truth; his faith is not dead, without works, but alive and bearing fruit.

[1] BOBO’s in Paradise by David Brooks

Time in the Word - Proper 21 - September 22-27, 2008

In the Lessons for this week deal with sin and an appeal to turn to God for mercy. The Gospel lesson tells of two sons, one of whom repented and entered the Kingdom even though at first he disobeyed the Father. Through Ezekiel god appeals to sinners to repent lest they die, for His will is for every one to live. In the Epistle lesson Paul deals with the problem of disunity in the Philippian congregation resulting from selfishness and arrogance, and appeals for unity by adopting the humble mind of Christ. The suggested Psalm deals with the theme by asking God not to remember the sins of our youth and appealing to God’s mercy and steadfast love.

Collect for Proper 21 –Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, September 21, 2008 – Psalm 147:1-5, Antiphon, V. 6, “The Lord lifts up the humble He casts the wicked to the ground.” Those who acknowledge that they are without resources in and of themselves the Lord lifts up while others who trust in themselves will be cast down. This is the definition of faith.

Tuesday, September 22, 2008 – Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 –God wants all to repent and live. In Sunday’s first reading God appeals to Israel to repent and live.

Turn from evil to good and you shall live. With that we can agree, but the rub comes in making the turn. What will create a desire to change? Where does one get the power to break away from sin to walk in righteousness? The answer is in “a new heart and a new spirit.” But how does one get a new heart? This takes us to Jesus who said, “You must be born new.” Thus, one does not straighten out his life and then come to Jesus. He comes to Jesus as he is in sin and gets a new spirit. He then follows a new way of life.

Wednesday, September 23, 2008 – Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18 –Turn from conceit to humility for unity. Paul in the Epistle lessons appeals for unity in the Philippian congregation. Paul, in appealing for unity, presents Jesus as the model of humanity and obedience. Paul pleads for unity in the congregation at Philippi. He uses Jesus as an example of humility. In this lesson Paul shows the dual reality of the humanity and divinity of Jesus. His deity is indicated by the words, “in the form of God” and “equality with God.” His humanity is expressed in the phrases, “emptied himself,” “the likeness of men,” “in human form,” “obedient unto death.” This humility and obedience led to Christ’s exaltation. It is God’s will that every tongue confess him as Lord. In the light of this, Christians are to work out their salvation as God works in them.

What is the solution to lack of church unity? Paul urges his people to have the mind of Christ. His mind was one of humility demonstrated in his taking the form of a servant and dying on a cross. Humility is expressed by considering others better than yourself and being concerned more about others than yourself. Arrogance and pride divide and cause trouble while humility draws together into a unity.

Thursday, September 24, 2008 – Matthew 21:23-27 – The sinner who repents enters the Kingdom of God. With this parable, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of his time (priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees) who condemn Jesus for his association with sinners (publicans, prostitutes, and so on). This one son who says, “I go” but does not, represents the religious leaders. The other son who says, “I will not go” but later changes his mind and obeys, represents the sinners. Moreover, Jesus points out that when the religious leaders saw sinners repenting upon hearing John the Baptist, they still did not repent. Consequently, the sinners will enter the kingdom before the leaders will.

Here is a case of repentance in action. One son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work. This about-face, change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the meaning of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom.

Friday, September 25, 2008 Psalm 25:1-10 - The Psalm appointed for next has as the key verse, verse 6. “Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old” The Psalmist asks the Lord to remember the Lord’s long-standing mercy and love but not to remember my long-standing sin.

Saturday, September 26, 2008 –John 8:31– This passage is the inspiration for the hymn. “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”. Faith clings to the Lord and His teaching. We are called to be faithful; faithful the Lord, to His Word, to each other.

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

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

Johnny Appleseed

One of America’s true folk heroes — Johnny Appleseed — was honored this weekend at a festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Some 300,000 people expected to enjoy crafts, colonial-era food, dancing and music. The festival is staged by Johnny Appleseed’s grave site. He was born John Chapman in 1774 and for almost 50 years of his life, he roamed the wilderness barefoot, devotedly planting apple trees and even entire orchards in a five-state area from Pennsylvania to Indiana. And Americans do like apples. We each eat just over 17 pounds every year, generating $1.6 billion in income for the farmers who grow them.

Lydia and a woman from our parish have spun wool into yarn at the festival for the last ten years. Lydia didn't make it her senior year in high school as Interlochen has class on Saturdays. She has made it a point to return home now that she is closer attending IU.

The cats love it when Lydia spins on her wheel at home during the summer and when she's home on breaks. They love to lay in the fleece and purrrr. Cat heaven!

Proper 20 - Matt. 20:1-16

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

http://www.zionfriedheim.org/

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

September 21, 2008
Proper 20
Matthew 20:1-16
God’s Wages

“Lord God, You call us to work in your vineyard and leave no one standing idle. Set us to our tasks in the work of Your kingdom, and help us to order our lives by Your wisdom.”

Introduction: Some people are never satisfied. They are not even satisfied with God’s gifts, wages, or rewards. It depends on how you look at it. From the world’s viewpoint, God’s giving the same pay regardless of hours worked is most unjust.

From the Christian viewpoint, God’s wages are more generous. Because of whom we are and the wrong we have done, we rightfully should get nothing but condemnation. God gives His grace to all regardless how long or how well they worked for him. Those who began to work at the beginning of the day have no reason to complain. They had the joy and the privilege of being in the kingdom and of working for God.

Christians do not serve for wages. You cannot pay a person for being or doing good. His only reward is being in God’s kingdom and doing God’s will.

The parable begs the question. What is your reaction to God’s generosity?

1. There are those who will Grumble — the world’s view of God’s generosity — vv. 8-15. “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'” "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So, when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

A. Paying the same wage to those who worked twelve hours, or one hour, is unfair. When the wages are handed out, those who worked one hour received the same pay as those who worked twelve hours. The twelve-hour men protested, complained, and grumbled. And they were justified in doing so! It was a case of rank injustice! It was unfair to those who worked all day.

B. This is the world’s protest, but the kingdom of God is different from the world. God does not use the same methods or measures for reward.

C. God’s pay scale contradicts our notion of rewards. The enemies of Jesus’ day, the Pharisees, grumbled about Christ’s gracious offer to sinners. Even Peter thought he and the other disciples should have received more then those who had not left their homes, their families and jobs to follow the Savior. Yet God deals fairly with us. God is a real equal opportunity employer. Whatever we give up we receive back a hundred -fold, and finally we receive eternal life. As Jesus says in Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Transition: There are those who grumble. There are those who are grateful.

2. Then there are those who are Grateful — God’s view of man’s needs — vv. 13-15.

A. God our heavenly Father lives up to His promise to pay — v. 13. But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Yet, isn’t it wonderful that even those of us who worked only one hour also receive a denarius? There is a lesson to be learned here. The work itself is already a reward in and of itself! Just to be a Christian is a privilege. It is not a wearisome duty but a happy service, no matter how long God allows us to serve. Thus we can say that there is no richer, fuller life than that of a disciple of Christ. The wage question in the kingdom of God need not trouble us. In the kingdom there is no unemployment, and the wage level is uniformly high.

B. He alone has a right to do what He pleases with His own — v. 15a. Don't have the right to do what I want with my own money? God has a right to do what He pleases with His own. We are his workmanship. He is the one who is deserving of our praise. We are obligated to Him. We are obligated to His Words and promises. He has the right to save and redeem those whom He pleases. This is why the landlord went back to the market place again and again. We should no wise doubt that firmly believe then, that this gracious act of the Father is an indication of His good and gracious will toward us. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

C. The Lord is generous to all — v. 15b. Or are you envious because I am generous?' God lives up to His promise to pay. We might go back on our words and try to wiggle out of a commitment. Not so with the Savior. He has graciously promised that He will in no wise cast us aside. He went to the bloody cross on Good Friday to win for us salvation and life. There are literally hundreds of predictions in the Old Testament pointing to the cross. Jesus fulfilled them all and the payment for sin has been paid in full. The debt we owe has been paid.

Conclusion: How does God justify the apparent injustice in the payment of wages? God claims he is God, and can do what he pleases with his own. This, too, is different for today’s employer. He cannot pay what he wants or hire those he wants to work for him. He is limited by laws. God deals differently from the world.

His grace (payment) is not determined by wages or hours worked. God is so generous that he gives the denarius of grace (salvation) to everyone regardless of length of service or quantity of work performed. God goes beyond justice to give his peace to all who come, whenever they come.

We learn important lessons about God and about grace. None of us deserve the benefits of the kingdom. Others have worked longer and harder than we have. Some have suffered incredible persecution, but the reward of the heavenly banquet is offered to all without regard to our work(s) or the price we have paid to be part of the kingdom.

Time in the Word - Proper 20 - September 15-20, 2008

In the Lessons for this week the Gospel as usual gives the key to the theme of the day. When a payment time comes for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the Kingdom whether we enter early or late. They who return to the Lord (Old Testament reading) will receive mercy and pardon. In the Epistle lesson Paul says he does not know whether to live or die, because death would mean a closer relationship with Christ, his greatest reward. The Lord is good to all. The suggested Psalm relates to the Old Testament lesson –“seek the Lord.” The Hymn emphasizes our stewardship of life and harmonizes with the Gospel with its emphasis on working in the Kingdom.

Collect for Proper 20 –Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, September 15, 2008 – Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16 Antiphon, V. 17, “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” This psalm is a song of deliverance from death. It may have been written by David or another king such as Hezekiah. (see Isaiah 38:10-20)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 – Isaiah 55:6-9 – Generosity of mercy to all who return. Sunday’s first reading the prophet’s hearers are encouraged to seek God and return to Him for mercy and pardon. God’s thoughts and ways are totally different from ours. This truth is illustrated in today’s reading, the parable of laborers in the vineyard. If God were like the world, he would not take back his enemies and freely pardon them. The world, rather, would seek revenge and treat enemies with hatred. We, by our nature, do not love or seek reconciliation. We hate and kill and never, never forgive. God is so different — thank God for that!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 – Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30 – Generosity of Christ in life and in death. Paul finds life on earth is Christ and anticipation of death as gain. Paul is torn between living and dying. Today we begin a series of four Lessons from Philippians. At the time of writing, Paul was a prisoner in Ephesus (ca. 52-55). He expected martyrdom, but was released. In the light of his possible execution, he writes that he is in a state of tension: to continue to live or to die. To do the latter would be better, for then he would be with Christ. However, it would be better for the church if he would remain on earth. Then he could visit his people again in Philippi. But, when he comes or not, they are to live lives worthy of the gospel.

Paul appeals to his people that they live lives “worthy” of the gospel. Faith and works, doctrine and life, religion and ethics must be equally emphasized. They should not be separated. Believe and accept God and equally practice that faith in everyday living. What kind of life is worthy of the gospel? Paul says it is in having one spirit and one mind as the people work together to build the church. Untold damage is done to the cause of Christ when Christians do not live up to their faith.

Thursday, September 18, 2008 – Matthew 20:1-16 – Equal generosity to all. Jesus gives us the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Jesus teaches what the kingdom is like. The parable does not deal with labor relations nor with hours and wages. It teaches that people in the kingdom do not work for rewards. Regardless of how long we have served, the wage is the same — the privilege of serving God. We are reminded that God can do as he pleases with what is his. His generosity is seen by giving the same pay to those who worked the last time. The last who come to the kingdom receive the same as those who enter first.

How does God justify the apparent injustice in the payment of wages? God claims he is God, and can do what he pleases with his own. This, too, is different for today’s employer. He cannot pay what he wants or hire those he wants to work for him. He is limited by laws. God deals differently from the world. His grace (payment) is not determined by wages or hours worked. God is so generous that he gives the denarius of grace (salvation) to everyone regardless of length of service or quantity of work performed. God goes beyond justice to give his peace to all who come, whenever they come.

Friday, September 19, 2008 Psalm 27:1-9 - The Psalm appointed for next has as the key verse, verse 4a. David is confident the Lord will deliver him from all those who conspire to bring him down. The prayer presupposes the Lord’s covenant with David.

Saturday, September 20, 2008 –1 John 3:17 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn. “We give Thee but Thine Own” God’s love which He pours out in the believer’s heart (Romans 5:5) enables the Christian to love fellow believers. Or, the believer’s love for God is rooted in Christ’s love for the believer.
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

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