The lutheransermons's Podcast

Sermon for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost - September 17, 2023

Sermon for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, based on:

Genesis 50:15-21

Romans 14:1-12

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon originally delivered September 11, 2011

Preparing for Worship - September 17, 2023

This week, again, many of the Scriptures are about the importance of forgiveness for us and a warning about the failure to forgive and be patient with others.

The Old Testament lesson is from Genesis 50:15-21. The brothers of Joseph are very worried, because their father, Jacob, had died, and now their brother, Joseph might “pay them back” for all the evil they had done to him in earlier days. Joseph tells them not to be afraid. They “had meant evil for him,” selling him as a slave into Egypt, but God “meant it for good,” helping them and “many people to stay alive,” through the wise policies that God led him to implement to help in a time of great famine in that part of the world. Instead of punishing his brothers, Joseph continued to “forgive” and “comfort and speak kindly” to his brothers and family, as God wished.

The psalm is Psalm 103:1-12, in which David speaks of how “merciful and gracious“ the Lord is, “not repaying us for our many sins,” but “removing our transgressions from us, as far as the East is from the West.” The Lord will “chide us” for our sins, but He also “forgives” us and “redeems our lives” and “renews” us and calls us to “fear” and trust in Him and His “steadfast love.”

In the Gospel lesson, Matthew 18: 21-35, Jesus teaches Peter to keep on forgiving others, again and again, 70 times 7 times, a perfect and complete number of time, as God has forgiven him. Jesus also tells a parable, showing that we are not to take for granted God’s amazing, overwhelming forgiveness for us, but to be willing to forgive others, from the heart, as God has first forgiven us. (The amount forgiven the “unforgiving“ servant, 10,000 talents, was an impossible amount. It is estimated that Herod, the rich, powerful King of the Jews, earned only 900 talents a years. Then the servant, forgiven so much, refuses to forgive a $20 debt someone else owes him. Do we remember how great and costly the forgiveness Jesus earned for us really was?)

Paul, in the Epistle lesson, Romans 14:1-12, calls upon believers not to “quarrel” with one another over “opinions,” where the Lord gives us freedom. He uses the examples of what people “eat and don’t eat,” and whether they “esteem one day as more important than others.” Paul clearly says that the person who has strict rules about such things is the “weaker” person, because under the New Covenant in Christ, there are not rules about such things. However, it is not evil to be a vegetarian or also eat meat, or to worship only on Sunday or on Saturday night or another day. Whatever we do, we are to it all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31) and to be united in Christ, who “died and rose again” for us. Our “knees bow before Him,” and “we confess Him” as Lord.

Bible Study - Revelation 1-3 Part 8

We look today at the second letter to churches in Asia Minor in the ancient Roman Empire. This letter is in Revelation 2:8-11 and is addressed to the angel (the messenger, the pastor and other leaders), Revelation 2:8, of the church at Smyrna, a city about 40 miles north of Ephesus. It was an ancient Ionian city that had been destroyed and then was later rebuilt by Alexander the Great in 320 BC. It was a commercial center with a strong emperor cult (worship of the Roman emperor) and also had a sizeable Jewish population.

As with the other letters in Revelation 2-3, this letter includes a quotation from Revelation 1 and the vision John saw of the risen, ascended Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:8). This quotation is from Revelation 1:17-18, where the eternal nature of Jesus is indicated and His oneness with God the Father, the Alpha and the Omega (who reflects the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet). Jesus is also the One who became man and lived and died for us and was raised to life in His Easter victory. Revelation 2:8 again also affirms that this letter is a message from Jesus Himself, though written down by the Apostle John.

Jesus indicates that He knows of the tribulation (the persecution and other troubles of this church, with many poor and in poverty); yet Jesus says that they are “rich” at the same time - rich in faith and in trust in the Lord (Revelation 2:9). They had already been experiencing “slander” and other attacks from the Jews of this city. These Jews claimed to be God’s people and yet were opposing Jesus and those who followed Him as the promised Savior and were therefore “a synagogue of Satan,” and not of God. (See how Jesus faced the same opposition in His ministry in passages like John 8:39-59, especially v. 43-47 and 58-59.)

As the followers of Jesus went out to share His Gospel, much of the opposition, at first, was from Jews, even though most of the first believers were Jews themselves, who had been brought to see that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Savior. (See Acts 13:42-50 and 14:1-7, 19 and 17:1-9, 13 and 18:5-17 and 21:27-36, etc.) This opposition from the Jews continued even to the end of the first century AD, when Jesus sent this letter to the Christians at Smyrna, We know from history of the Christian church that such persecution continued. Jews took a leading part in having Polycarp, the Christian leader at Smyrna, put to death in 155 AD.

In Revelation 2:10, Jesus warns that these Christians would suffer even more, with imprisonment and other troubles, probably referring to persecution coming from the Romans, also. We have already heard that the Emperor Domitian had begun to require everyone to worship him as Lord and God - something that Christians could not do. Such required worship was coming soon to Smyrna, a center of the “emperor cult,” with increasing pressure on Christians to conform to what Domitian wanted. This could mean testing of their faith and even being thrown in prison by Roman “devils,” too.

The hopeful news is that this will be a tribulation for 10 days. This is likely another symbolic number, meaning that this persecution would only be for a limited time. (See passages such as Genesis 24:55 and Daniel 1:12,14, where 10 days refers to a limited time of testing, controlled by the Lord.) From what we know from Roman history, Emperor Domitian was assassinated in September, 96 AD. The persecution of Christians in Smyrna would be difficult, but it would not be long-lasting, with Domitian soon to die.

Jesus gave a great promise, though, to the Christians at Smyrna. Some of them might even face death, but if they were faithful to Christ even unto death, they would receive the crown of life. Jesus died on the cross, but He rose again. The same is true of all believers who live and die in faith in Jesus. They will receive the “crown” of eternal life won for them by Christ. (See also Romans 14:7-9 and Paul’s description of Christians in 2 Corinthians 6:8-10. See also 1 Corinthians 9:25.)

This passage is often given to young people at their confirmation in the Lutheran church, still today. Lifelong faithfulness to Jesus is important, even if we do not face the exactly the same dangers the early Christians faced. Times of testing of our faith come to all of us. That is why Revelation 2:11 reminds us to have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit says also to us. We conquer through Christ and trust in His victorious work for us; and “the second death” cannot hurt us, as we continue in Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, through His Word. “The second death” refers to eternal torment (hell) in “the lake of fire.” See Revelation 20:10, 14-15 and 21:8, and the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:28. Jesus also reminds that the lake of fire was prepared for the devil and his evil angels, but that those who reject Christ and follow the ways of Satan can end up there, too (Matthew 25:41).

Remember above all, though, the promises of God given to the Christians at Smyrna and to us, too, in Christ. See also these promises of the crown of life, prepared for us in heaven: 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, and 1 Peter 5:4. There is our eternal hope, in life and in the time of our own death, whether in a peaceful way or in a time of trouble or persecution. Christ is with us always.

Preparing for Worship - September 10, 2023

The Scriptures this week call us to repentance for our sins, but also to caring for others and calling others to repentance and faith.

The Old Testament lesson is from Ezekiel 33:7-9. The city of Jerusalem had fallen to Babylonian invaders, because of the sin and rebellion of the Israelites (Ezekiel 33:21). Ezekiel’s work as a prophet was not done, though. He was called by the Lord to continue to be a watchman, speaking words God had given him and warning people to turn from their evil ways or they will die in their iniquities, their sins. The Lord still always wants people, including the Israelites, to turn back to Him and be forgiven and live in Him (Ezekiel 33:10-12).

The psalm is Psalm 32:1-7, one of the penitential psalms of David, where he speaks of repenting for his sins and rejoicing in God’s forgiveness. When he tried to hide his sins, David was miserable, “groaning” day and night, and feeling that his “strength was dried up.” Finally, he “confessed his transgression to the Lord” - and how “blessed” was God’s forgiveness for him. He had been trying to hide from God, but now God was his “hiding place,” his place of “deliverance” and “preservation.” David uses three words for wrongdoing: “transgression” (stepping beyond the boundaries God has set for our lives); “sin” (trying to do what God wants but missing the mark He sets for us); and “iniquity” (the unevenness in our life, where we sometimes do right and then turn right around and do wrong and are guilty). How good it was that David could bring His sins to the Lord, and “the Lord would count no iniquity against him.” (See how part of this psalm is quoted by Paul in Romans 4:1-8, too, as he emphasizes that we are counted righteous by faith, “apart from works.”)

In the Gospel lesson, Matthew 18:1-20. the disciples ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” - probably thinking about their own greatness. Jesus puts a little child in their midst and calls them to have humble, childlike trust in the Lord. There is greatness, and how tragic it would be to lead astray one of these little ones who has faith. They have guardian angels and should not be despised. Watch out for anything, Jesus also adds, that could lead you or others into temptation, and avoid such things. Jesus also talks about His care for those who are lost and straying, like sheep, and those already guilty of wrongdoing, and provides a process for dealing with them, within the church, called church discipline and the Office of the Keys and Confession. The goal is always for people to be brought to repentance for their sins and forgiveness and renewed faith and fellowship within the church.

The Epistle lesson is Romans 13:1-10. As we heard last week, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God” (Romans 12:19). A day of final judgment will come. In the meantime, God has provided government as a way of keeping basic order and authority in our sinful world. Government “is the servant of God, an avenger, who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” We are therefore to “be subject to the governing authorities” and “pay our taxes” and “revenues,” and give “respect” and “honor” where it is owed. In our personal lives, we are called again to “love one another.” Many of the 10 Commandments can be summarized in the words, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” and “Love does no wrong to a neighbor.” Here is where the repentance and forgiveness talked about in the other readings come in, as we look in the “mirror” of those commandments and realize that we have done wrong or others have done wrong, also. That is why Jesus died for us all, so that we can give and receive such real forgiveness through Him.

Bible Study - Revelation 1-3 Part 7

Last week, we heard Jesus complimenting the church in Ephesus for patient endurance in the truth and for standing firm against false teachers, who called themselves apostles, and against the Nicolaitans, with their immorality and evil works, which both the Ephesian Christians and Jesus hated. However, the Ephesians had also abandoned the love they had at first and were called to repent and do the works they did earlier, or their church’s existence was in danger.

We looked at a number of Scriptures that talked about “speaking the truth in love” and “faith working through love” and the continuing importance of considering “how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). That would follow along with “holding fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

We do not know exactly what the “abandoning of love” problem was, but notice what Jesus then says: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7). These are exactly the same words given to all of the seven churches. A very important element  in solving the problems of any church is getting back to listening to the Word of God given to us all by the Holy Spirit. We read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching” and especially for making us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus,” and “equipping us for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Peter also reminds us, “No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Jesus Himself added to that later in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, by three times emphasizing, “Blessed is the one who keeps the Words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7). See also v.9 and the message not to “add to” or “take away” from these Words (Revelation 22:18-19). (This refers especially to Revelation, but certainly also applies to all of the Scriptures, as this is the last book given to us by our Lord.)

The center of the Scriptures is Jesus Himself and what He has done for us as our Savior. During His ministry, Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and Life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus was always calling people to trust in Him. A little later, Peter said to Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:63-64 and 68-69). If people are hearing what the Spirit says in the Word of God, they are hearing the truth about Jesus. John, in one of his letters, also warns that we should not look for something new and different that is not centered in Christ and His Word. “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).

From what we have been reading, we would also have the work and teaching of the Holy Spirit, as well. That is why the very next thing Jesus says in His letter to the church at Ephesus is, “To the one who conquers, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). The tree of life had been in the Garden of Eden, a perfect paradise, before the rebellion against God’s will and the fall into sin. Then, Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden and from access to the tree of life (Genesis 2:9, 3:23-24).

One other possible reference to this tree is in Proverbs 3:13,18, where Wisdom is described as “a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” This is likely a prophecy of Jesus, who is called in the New Testament “the power of God and the Wisdom of God” and “who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that as it is written, ‘Let one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30-31).

It is through Jesus and His wisdom and redeeming work that we are saved and will eat of the tree of life in eternal life in heaven (Revelation 2:7). Jesus told the thief on the cross, who was brought to faith in Him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This is a reference to heaven, where the soul of the thief went, by faith in Jesus, as soon as he died. The “tree of life” is also identified as being in heaven in Revelation 22:2,14, and 19; and in v. 14, we are told, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life.” And how are their robes washed and made white? Revelation 7:14 tells us. They are cleansed “in the blood of the Lamb.” In the same way, John tells us, in another of his letters, “The blood of Jesus His (God’s) Son cleanses us (also) from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Everything depends upon Christ Jesus and what He has done for us. It should be no surprise, then, that the only way that anyone “conquers” (Revelation 2:7) is also only through Christ. See Romans 8:37-39: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us… (Nothing) with be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus promised, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). (“Overcoming” is the same Greek word that is translated as “conquered” in Revelation 2:7.) The same thing is said in Revelation 12:10-11, where we hear that “our God and His Christ… have conquered him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony.”

In other words, if the Christians in Ephesus realize their own sins and failures to stay close to Christ and His Word and trust too much in themselves and things other than Jesus, and confess all that to Christ, He will forgive them and strengthen and renew them, through His Word and Spirit and love first given to them, in spite of their weaknesses. As they see again, through the Word, how great Christ’s love is for them. Though they do not deserve any of it, they will be more ready, in gratitude for His great love, to want to share that love and Good News with others, as He so often teaches. As John wrote, “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). It all starts and continues with Christ. Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:9-10). Our love and good works are then a reflection of Christ’s love and a response to His love, and He enables us, and He gets the honor and credit, as Paul wrote, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Here are a few more of many Scriptures encouraging Christian love and care for others in our lives, in thanks for Christ’s love and to give good, useful help to others. Some of these are what are called “third use of the Law” passages, pointing to the Commandments as a guide, a ruler for our lives, but always connected to Christ and His Word, in their context:

•  Words of Jesus: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
• “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the Law. For the Commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet, and any other commandment are summed up in this Word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.” (Romans 13:8-10)
• “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the sacrificial offering) for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:9-11)
• “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes (conquers) the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)
• Finally, Paul writes, helping the Christians at Ephesus and us to keep the Law and Gospel in proper perspective: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works…. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-8)

Next week, we will move on to the other letters in Revelation 2. The Lord’s blessings.

Sermon for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost - September 3, 2023

Sermon for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, based on:

Jeremiah 15:15-21

Romans 12:9-21

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon originally delivered August 28, 2011

Preparing for Worship - September 3, 2023

The Scriptures this week encourage us to seek to follow our Lord and seek to do His will, not to earn God’s favor, but as a reflection of our love for and our trust in Him and as a witness for our Lord to others, for what He has already done for us, especially in Christ.

The Old Testament lesson is from Jeremiah 15:15-21. God had said that His people had been so sinful and rebellious that even if the great prophets Moses and Samuel pleaded on their behalf, God would not listen (Jeremiah 15:1). What could Jeremiah then do? He asks the Lord to “remember and visit” him. God’s Words have been a “joy and delight for his heart,” and he has “sat alone” and avoided evil “revelers” and had disgust (indignation) toward their behaviors. Yet why was His “pain unceasing” in his miserable life? Was God being “deceptive” to him, like “a brook” that dries up and is gone? The Lord calls Jeremiah to repent and “return” to Him and speak His “precious” Word. Then Jeremiah would be like “a fortified wall of bronze” and God would “save and deliver” him from “the wicked.”

In the psalm, Psalm 26, David, too, speaks of his “trust in the Lord” and his attempts to “walk in God’s faithfulness.” He has tried to avoid “false men and hypocrites, evildoers, and the wicked.” He “loves” to be in “God’s house” and to “tell of His wondrous deeds.” Yet he fears “bloodthirsty men with “evil devices” and “full of bribes.” He prays for God to “be gracious to him and redeem him,” for he is trying to “walk in integrity,” in a very “sin-filled” world.

In the Gospel lesson, Matthew 16:21-28, Jesus is telling His disciples that He too must “take up His cross” and “suffer many things” and “be killed” and only then “be raised from the dead,” in order to forgive the sins of people and “save” their “souls.” Peter, who had just recently confessed that Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 16:16), was then “rebuking” Jesus and saying that “such terrible things would never happen to Him.” Jesus tells Peter that he was serving “Satan” by trying to oppose “the things of God,” which included Jesus “losing His life” for the salvation of the world. Jesus predicts, though, that “some standing with Him” would get to see a glimpse of Him in “His glory” in His “coming kingdom.” (See Matthew 17:1-8, the Transfiguration of Jesus.)

In the Epistle lesson, then, in Romans 12:9-21, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul calls upon Christians to show to others the “genuine love” with which Christ Jesus first loved them, “serving the Lord” and helping with the needs of others, even their “persecutors.” Paul gives a long list of what they could and should do, summarized with the words, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” They do these “acts of mercy with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:8) in gratitude for the mercy and eternal “hope” already given them in Christ their Savior.

Bible Study - Revelation 1-3 Part 6

Last week, we saw that Jesus, not John, is the truly important One in what is said in Revelation, and that Jesus makes it clear that there is much symbolism and imagery in this book. The lampstands are the churches, and the stars are the angels, the messengers, the pastors and teachers of the churches.

As Chapter 2 of Revelation begins, then, John is told to write what Jesus tells him to write to the leader of the church in Ephesus. John records the Words, but these are the “Words of Jesus” Himself, Who is “walking among” the seven churches listed in Revelation 1:11 and actively observing and concerned about them (Revelation 2:1). Jesus cared deeply about those churches, and He still cares about our churches today. His Words are for all of us to listen to and consider.

Ephesus was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia, a port city and commercial center about three miles from the Aegean Sea, in what is today a part of Turkey. Paul had been there on his second and third missionary journeys, and he and others had helped establish a church there. Paul had spent almost three years there, and others who worked there included Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos, and Timothy, at times. You can read about this missionary work in Acts 18:19-20:1. From this center, the Gospel of Christ went out to the other six cities and churches to whom the other messages in Revelation 2-3 were sent.  A colony of Jews lived in Ephesus, with a synagogue, but the great majority were non-Jews of many backgrounds. A prominent temple in the city was dedicated to the goddess Artemis (Diana). The early Christians had challenges from Jews and from followers of Artemis.

Paul left Ephesus, after a time of conflict and “uproar,” with many opposed to him and his Christian teaching. Later, he called the leaders of the church at Ephesus and asked them to meet him at a nearby city and gave them final words of warning and encouragement, and “commended them to God and to the Word of His grace, which would be able to build them up and ensure them of God’s promised eternal Inheritance.” (You can read these Words of God in Acts 20:16-38, and especially v.32.)

Still later, the Apostle John became the leader of the church in Ephesus and the others churches of this area. He also wrote his “Gospel of John” and three letters found near the end of the New Testament. Finally, about 95 AD, he was banished to the island of Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian, as we have already heard, and from there, wrote what we are studying now. He writes to the current “angel” (messenger) leader in Ephesus.

Each of the seven letters follows a similar pattern. There is a reference back to something from Revelation 1, indicating that this letter came from Jesus, though written down by John. Then we hear Jesus Himself speaking, “I know…” (Revelation 2:2ff).

First, He commends them for good things that have been happening in and through the church. “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance…” “I know you are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:2-3). (The people were seeking to follow Scriptures like Galatians 6:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:13.) Paul had also warned them, long before, that “fierce wolves would come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” The Christians at Ephesus had listened and were “dealing with those “who are evil” and “tested those who called themselves apostles, and are not, and found them to be false” (Acts 20:29-30, and Revelation 2:2). (Again, the church at Ephesus was trying to follow Scriptures like 1 John 4:1 and 2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

Then Jesus speaks of the failings of the church at Ephesus. “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Keep on remembering therefore from where you have fallen” (Revelation 2:4-5). Paul had written, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up into Him Who is the head, into Christ… so that the body (of Christ, the church) grows so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). Jesus had warned that there are times when “many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

At such times, even God’s people may be so busy criticizing and condemning the wrongs all around them that they forget to “speak the truth in love,” still trying to care for the people so lost, all around them. When Jesus spoke of those coming bad times, He also remembered to encourage His people to endure and keep the faith, and to keep “proclaiming the Gospel,” the Good News of God’s love, throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations.” (Matthew 24:13-14).

All this is a great challenge for God’s people. The church at Ephesus was to keep standing up for the truth and condemning wrongdoing. Jesus also complimented them “for hating the work of the Nicolaitans, which He also hated” (Revelation 2:6). The Nicolaitans were people who wanted to compromise with the paganism all around them, just to make life easier for themselves and be more like everyone else. Why not go along with what others do, even it is wrong, just to get along with others?, they said. Peter had warned, “The time that is past has sufficed for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you" (1 Peter 4:3-4). Nicolaitans needed to be opposed and condemned. But the Scriptures also say so much about “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). The writer to the Hebrews speaks strongly of “holding the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who promised is faithful.” But he also combines that with: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:23-25).
    Jesus calls the church to “repentance,” then, for forgetting “love” and calls them “to be doing the works they did at first, in love.” I am going to stop here, for now, as I don’t want to go on too long and as I suspect that these Words speak to every church, including our own, in some ways. Jesus added, “Let him who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7), including our own. The Good News is that there is always forgiveness in Christ and hope in His love, first given to us. We will talk about this more next week and look at the rest of what Jesus says in this first letter to the churches. The Lord’s blessings and strength.

Sermon for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost - August 27, 2023

Sermon for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, based on:

Isaiah 51:1-6

Romans 11:33-12:8

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon originally delivered August 21, 2011

Preparing for Worship - August 27, 2023

The theme of our readings this week could be summarized in this way: God does the good. It is He Whom we trust and praise. He enables the good we do.

The Old Testament lesson is from Isaiah 51:1-6. God asks His people to “look at the rock from which they hewn.” Their nation began with “Abraham and then Sarah,” but it was God Who “blessed and multiplied them.” He “comforted them “ and gave His people “joy and gladness.” The Lord says, “Listen to Me… Give attention to Me… Give ear to Me.” It is His righteousness and salvation and His mighty “arm” that will bring hope. The things of this “heaven and earth” will “vanish,” but God’s “righteousness and salvation” will be forever.”

The psalm is Psalm 138. David gives “thanks and praise” to the Lord “before the gods.” Some think he is referring to the angels, who are perfect and like God in some ways. More likely, David is saying that he trusts the one True God and His “Name and steadfast love and faithfulness and Word” instead of the false gods all around, who are not real and are worthless to put trust in. (See Psalm 135:15-18.) The Lord is the One “who answers calls and strengthen souls, and preserves life and delivers,” rather than “earthly kings.” David says, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.” David knows that he cannot do it himself.

In the Epistle lesson, Romans 11:33-12:8, Paul speaks of the greatness of God’s “wisdom and knowledge and ways.” No one is capable of “counseling” Him or doing anything for which God is indebted to him and needs to “repay” him. “For from God and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.” We seek to be “holy and acceptable” to God in our lives as our “spiritual worship,” but it is only “by the mercies of God” that our minds can “transformed and renewed” and we can better “discern the will of God.” We are “one body in Christ,” but God gives us “different gifts according to the grace He has given us,” and “we are called humbly to use those gifts given us.” There is no need to compare ourselves with others, for “we do not all have the same function,” in what God wants to accomplish through us.

In the Gospel lesson, Matthew 16:13-20, Peter makes the great and true confession that Jesus “is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus makes it clear, though, that Peter did not figure this out on his own, by his own ability. He is not the great One, but just is “blessed” because “the Father in heaven” has “revealed” this to him. Peter is not the “Rock” on which the church is to be built. Jesus is the Rock and the confession of Him as Lord and “the Son of the Living God” is key. Peter and the others disciples and the church are given the “Office of the Keys,” though, with the ability to forgive sins, in Christ’s Name, or withhold forgiveness when people are not repentant and believing. (See this passage and Matthew 18:15-18 and John 20:19-23, for example. Jesus is the One Who truly “has the keys of Death and Hades,” though, and has opened the door to heaven and eternal life for us (Revelation 1:17-18). See a fuller discussion of all this in the second half of last week’s Bible study, the podcast on “Revelation 1-3 and Ears to Hear,” Part 4.)