Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Pe 1:2). Amen.
We are here. Finally. It just took us a bit longer this year. Today is the last Sunday after the Epiphany which was on January 6th. (Doesn’t that seem like a long time ago? We have had winter, spring, and back to winter in that stretch.)
I need to give a bit of explanation. We don’t celebrate Easter on a fixed date like Christmas. It is a moveable holiday. (I won’t bother you with the complicated formula. Then again, it really isn’t that complex. I just don’t know it offhand. That is for others to calculate.) For that reason, the Epiphany season varies in length—4 to 8 Sundays. We went all the way to the 7-week mark.
But we end up at the same place every year on the church calendar. The Transfiguration. It is good for us to be here as we go from the manger of Christmas and head to the cross during Lent. Because of his death on that Roman instrument of torture, we are sure that Jesus is our Savior. Transfiguration helps us with that too—the Son of man shines forth as the Son of God. Be confident before the cross with the witness of the apostle Peter and with the words of the ancient prophets. We read from …
2 Peter 1:16-21
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, whose glory we gaze at today,
We need to be clear. The preposition “before” can refer to at least two things:
“Before” as in time. Epiphany comes before, or ahead of, Lent.
“Before” as in place. During Lent, we come before, in front of, the cross.
So what is it when we say, “be confident before the cross.” In time? Or in place? Yes. Really it is both. We have a number of weeks before Good Friday and when we stand before the cross on Calvary. That makes us certain.
Be Confident before the Cross
1. With the witness of the apostle Peter (16-18)
2. With the words of the ancient prophets (19-21)
1. With the witness of the apostle Peter (16-18)
The idea of a witness usually takes us to a courtroom where that individual sits in a stand. (We will live with the irony.) A witness has firsthand knowledge of a situation and is to give first-rate testimony to the truth. “What did you see?” And then he says. “What did you hear?” And then he states. After all, he was there. That is what we have in Peter. Be confident before the cross with the witness of the apostle Peter.
The significant event that day was etched deep in his memory like a special memory of yours, maybe the first time you peddled your bike without training wheels or you held your grandchild. Those things stand out and stick out in our minds. Peter never forgot that day. It wasn’t at the scene of an accident or of a crime, but the sight of glory and brilliance. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain in the north of Galilee. It is not important where it is, but what it means. Those three would be enough to establish the facts of what happened (Dt 19:15).
It was there that Jesus was transfigured before them (Mt 17:1-9). They saw the divine splendor that Jesus had and has as God. It must have been quite a sight. Matthew described it like this: “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light” (Mt 17:2). That is not something that you forget. A sunrise or sunset might be magnificent, but it soon slips from your mind. But not this.
And Peter was not afraid to repeat it. “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pe 1:16). Some might deny that Jesus appeared once and will arrive again—not as a baby, but as a judge, but Peter declared it. This was not what he concocted or created. It was no tall tale like Paul Bunyan chasing Babe, his blue ox, around Minnesota. They supposedly left their footprints all around. And when the rain fell, the water formed 10,000 lakes (actually 11,842). What Peter and his two buddies viewed was not something to tell around campfires or at bedtimes like a cute legend, but to build up faith and trust as an absolute reality. This was not fiction; it was fact. Peter makes that clear: “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pe 1:16).
But there is more. Peter was also an “earwitness” of the honor and glory given to Jesus. He heard the voice of “the Majestic Glory”—the Excellent and Exalted One, the heavenly Father (2 Pe 1:17). He recalls the exact words: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (2 Pe 1:17; Mt 17:5). It is as if the Father points to his Son, “This One here, I am delighted with all that he has done up to this point, preaching and teaching faithfully, living and serving perfectly, and all that he will do in the future, suffering and dying innocently, rising and returning triumphantly. He is near and dear to me.” The Father echoes the approval that he pronounced at Jesus’ baptism. That was at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This comes at the end as he heads into the homestretch to do battle with Satan and beat sin. All of that “on the sacred mountain” was too great for Peter to ignore (2 Pe 1:18). And so he informs.
And so we stop this Sunday on this hilltop to get a glimpse of Jesus’ glory. He is about to go down from this remote peak and go up to the holy city. He winds to Jerusalem resolutely (Lk 9:51). He knows precisely what awaits him there. He has told his disciples of it. We would do well to take to heart what the Father also commanded: “Listen to him!” (Mt 17:5). They are not to be caught off guard.
And neither are we. Remember that as we read through and review the Passion history on Wednesday afternoons or evenings in worship. Soon we will listen to the shouting in mockery from his enemies and the pounding of nails by the Romans. This is God’s plan. There is glory in it too. This is the manner in which Jesus defeated the devil and destroyed death. All for us. All so that the Father could call us his own, the ones he loves, the ones with whom he is pleased. Jesus will hang on a cross for us. But he will also exit from the grave for us.
Hold on to this incident in the days and weeks ahead. Be confident before the cross with the witness of the apostle Peter. He was there when Jesus’ glory was conveyed and God’s voice was communicated.
2. With the words of the ancient prophets (19-21)
The judge and jury take note of what a witness relates, but a stenographer writes it down using a fancy machine with only a few odd buttons. The statements become a matter of court record. Anyone can go back to it and check through it. That is what we have with the prophets. When the inquiry or attack is there, “Did God really say?” (Ge 3:3), we can search continually and stand boldly. Be confident before the cross with the words of the ancient prophets.
As dependable as Peter is, and he is, we have the added benefit and bonus of the Old Testament—“the word of the prophets” (2 Pe 1:19). Consider the two prophets who were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Moses. He was there on Mt. Sinai, when the glory of the LORD settled on it (Ex 24:17). (Whenever that appears it indicates Gods’ incredible desire and intense determination to save.) But Moses also wrote about the Prophet who would come, like him, from among their brothers. He would have God’s words in his mouth (Dt 18:15,18). He pointed to Jesus Christ who would go from town to town and village to village pointing to himself as the fulfillment (Lk 4:21).
Elijah. It was during that showdown on Mt. Carmel with the false prophets of Baal that he called the people of Israel to recognize the true God. When the Lord answered with fire, burning up the sacrifice, they cried out: “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” (1 Ki 18:39). He is the only God and Lord.
Those men and all the others are trustworthy just like a foundation of a carefully constructed building (Eph 2:20). Their prophecies are solid and sturdy as they mention the Messiah. Peter encourages us: “You will do well to pay attention to it” (2 Pe 1:19). And we do like with the prophet Isaiah:
At Christmas, the virgin gives birth to a baby, Immanuel, “God with us” (Is 7:14) And there he is in the stable in Bethlehem (Mt 1:23).
During Epiphany, kings stream into the church as they follow the light (Is 60:1-6). And there the wise men from the east bow down and open up their gifts (Mt 2:1-12.
Throughout Lent, we the servant of the Lord pierced and punished for our sins and iniquities (Is 53:5,6). And there Jesus is at Golgotha (Mt 27:33).
Peter makes an understandable illustration: “as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pe 1:19). Satan, the prince of darkness, would have us believe the gloomy lies that come from him straight out of the blackness of hell—that we are good enough, without need of a Savior, or that we are bad enough, without hope of a Savior.
But we focus on the printed Word—“a lamp to [our] feet and a light for [our] path” (Ps 119:105). There in black and white God’s forgiveness in Jesus beams radiantly as at dawn the night fades quickly. Sin is gone and heaven is ours. Peter compares it to the morning star. When it becomes visible, it signals the start of a new day. Jesus has come once; he will come again. He broke the power of hell. We now eagerly anticipate the time when we will spot Jesus’ full glory on the Last Day when we will live with him forever.
How can we know? We have God’s Word, not man’s word. “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation” (2 Pe 1:20). No one ever sat down with the idea, “Today I am going to write a book of the Bible.” This is how it came about: “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pe 1:21). We call that inspiration—God-breathed (2 Ti 3:16), from first to last. Or as someone cleverly contended, the Bible is “in-spirited.” The Holy Spirit supplied the content, using their own style and circumstance. He is the Source of the material about Christ crucified. Be confident before the cross with the words of the ancient prophets who looked ahead to Jesus as we now look back to him through them.
Every year Epiphany concludes with Transfiguration Sunday even if it didn’t come right away this February. It is intentional and instructive as we study the episode on that mountain. We go over again that Jesus is true God and true man. We have the witness of the apostle Peter and the words of the ancient prophets to remove any doubt. With Ash Wednesday in three days, be confident before the cross in time when we get there and under the cross in place when we get there. “Praise the LORD” (Ps 148:1). Amen.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Pe 3:18).
February 26, 2017
St. John Lutheran Church Sermons
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany (Matthew 5:38-48)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Co 1:3). Amen.
It was Dr. Martin Luther who put it this way: Christi sumus in nominativo et genitivo. Since you didn’t know that you needed to brush up on your Latin before church or bring your dictionary to worship this morning, I will translate it for you. “We are Christs—with and without the apostrophe.”
Let’s explore that for a minute to get his point.
We are Christs—with … the apostrophe. Christ’s. An apostrophe "s" (’s) signifies possession like in the sentence: “We are Christ’s own people.” That means we belong to him. We are his.
We are Christs—… without the apostrophe. Christs. That might be one of the better definitions of a Christian, a little Christ. When people see us, they see Christ. Saved from sin and delivered from death, we now think like him and act like him.
We live who we are—Christs with and without the apostrophe. That is why it is good to have Jesus explain what that means in his Sermon on the Mount. Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient. Be gracious. We read from …
Matthew 5:38-48
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, sons and daughters of God,
To say that I play the piano is the same as to state that I play golf. Now if by that I suggest that I can find that instrument in my house or find the set of clubs in my garage, then I play piano and golf.
But that is not what that implies, is it? I won’t go into detail about the situation, but what my grandpa declared about another describes me: “You play like you have mittens on.” That is not a compliment. At all. He didn’t intend it to be. I don’t even what to know what he would think of my attempt at 18 holes. If he were in the fairway, I wouldn’t see him much anyway.
Those who can tickle the ivories or shoot a par well come by it naturally. They might even have a hard time figuring out why we can’t do what they can do so easily since they are musical or athletic.
Jesus in a sense turns that around. It is different in his family than what is natural. Perhaps it sounds strange, but …
Do What Comes Unnaturally!
1. Be patient (38-42)
2. Be gracious (43-48)
1. Be patient (38-42)
It doesn’t matter, if you are driving a car on the highway or standing in line at the water fountain, it is hard to be patient. That is true of any age. (You do need to be 16 to be behind the wheel.) “Go on ahead” might not be the first thing that comes to mind. It someone is merging, you want to push the accelerator. If someone is dawdling, you want to shout some encouragement. That is natural. But Jesus’ proposes the opposite. Do what comes unnaturally! Be patient.
Jesus has his disciples around him on a hillside in northern Galilee, listening and learning. He covers a lot of material. In this small section, he continues his theme. It is not what it takes to become a child of God. But what it takes to be a child of God. It is along the lines of this: You are, so be.
Some of the things seem strange. Or unnatural—as if they go against common sense or conventional wisdom. Jesus highlights that: “You have heard that it was said” (Mt 5:38). That is more than just when individuals comment: “Well, they say …” The Pharisees and teachers of the law promoted such and such or peddled so and so. But not Jesus. “But I tell you” (Mt 5:39). He is emphatic. There was a definite contrast between the two sides of thought. Jesus went back to the original intent of the law.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person” (Mt 5:38,39). The Lord did utter that (Ex 21:24; Lv 24:20; Dt 19:21). But this was not intended for personal revenge. This was God’s manner of making it clear that the punishment should fit the crime. It would be unfair if the result of going 10 miles an hour over the posted speed limit would incur a 100-year prison sentence. That would be a bit excessive. It was a way for those in authority to regulate, not to retaliate on a private level.
What is natural is to get back or get even (as well as getting mad )—threat for threat, punch for punch. “But not you.” Do what is unnatural. Do not oppose a wicked one. Instead overcome evil with good. And then Jesus gives four examples of that:
“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5:39). Jesus is not speaking against self-defense. But this is a slap with an open hand as an insult. What is natural is matching rudeness with rudeness. “Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient and don’t give this for that.”
“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well” (Mt 5:40). We might express it this way: “If someone wants your T-shirt, hand him your coat.” It is something that is rightfully yours, but another wants it, even pursuing illegal means. What is natural is fighting for my rights. “Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient and willing to give up more without bitterness.”
“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Mt 5:41). In Jesus’ day, a Roman soldier could requisition a citizen to carry his bag for one mile. Think of Simon of Cyrene pressed into service by lugging Jesus’ cross to Calvary (Lk 23:26). That could be a bit aggravating or annoying. What is natural is that anger would not be far behind. “Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient and put that away.”
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Mt 5:42). This is not a free for all—anybody, anytime. But what is natural is to hold on to everything with a death grip like a two-year-old refusing to relinquish one single toy in his room. “Do what comes unnaturally and be patient as a blessing to others without expecting anything in return.”
What Jesus instructs is difficult, if not dangerous. Keep in mind that these are illustrations of actions that flow from a heart that loves the Savior. They are not rules so rigid that there are no exceptions, ones to be applied mechanically. Yet, the argument might be poking around in your head, “What about me? Who looks out for me or after me?” The Lord. He will not leave us or forsake us (he 13:5). Never. No matter what. No matter when. We hold on to that, turning to him and trusting in him that it is his to avenge and repay (Ro 12:19).
We can do that because Jesus went to the cross with our impatience of others. He endured the false accusations and the fierce smacks of the Sanhedrin, the brutal whip and the bitter ridicule of the Romans, the spiky nails and sharp spear at the cross. He did not try to settle the score. But “he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pe 2:23). He allowed our sins to be put on him, accepting them all, so that he could pay for them all. And then he hands us his perfect patience, crediting it to our account.
The Holy Spirit who lives in us enables us to believe that good news (1 Co 3:11,16)—that we are loved by God and built on the foundation of Jesus—that we are able to do what comes unnaturally and to be patient, waiting for God to protect and working with others to provide.
2. Be gracious (43-48)
If someone does allow us to go on ahead making our way on the road or getting a slurp of water, we are surprised. That is just not normal. That is Jesus’ lesson. Do what comes unnaturally! Be gracious.
Jesus continues to go on with what was commonly taught and what is carefully taught with the formula: “You have heard that it was said … But I tell you” (Mt 5:43). “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44,45). Some wanted a distinction of whom to love and not. Jesus wants no difference. It was the Lord who spelled that out: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lv 19:18). (That last part they conveniently left out.) There is an equal sign between love for self and love for others, even enemies.
Notice what Jesus makes plain: Love your enemies—if you have any. Not like. We don’t have to like what they do to us—taking advantage of us or making fun of us. But we love them—doing what is in their best interest. Jesus gives a specific application (Lk 23:34): “Pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). And it is not: “Give it to them, making it hard and making it hurt, Lord.” But “Lord, give them an understanding of the errors of their ways—confessing their wrongs and confiding in you.” Do what comes unnaturally. Be gracious to them.
There is a reason for that: “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:45). We show who we are—children of God, loved by him who live for him (1 Jn 3:1). In fact, children loving enemies is emulating their Father just like a tyke talks like or an adolescent acts like his dad. The Father has been gracious to us—sending his Son to shoulder our sins even when we were his enemies (Ro 5:10) and sending his Spirit to shine in our hearts.
This is the Father who is gracious to them (Ps 145:16). “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mt 5:45). The sun comes up in the east for all, even though some may not acknowledge or appreciate God’s goodness. The same with the drops that fall from the sky. He doesn’t just light up our day or water our garden. Our Father in heaven is gracious to all, to us, not treating us as our sins deserve (Ps 103:10). He has compassion on us (Ps 103:13).
The Father’s love is our model and our motivation. And St. Paul encourages us along the same lines: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Ro 12:14). Our goal is their good. So often we want to make it about me. But it is about them. We ask that God would work in their hearts, as he has in ours, to bring them in his family.
Jesus has us look around us and love those around us as we do what comes unnaturally—being gracious: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Mt 5:46). Yes, they do. (And they were known for being crooks and traitors.) Same thing: “And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Mt 5:47). Yes, they do. It is not a matter of loving those who return the love—like family. It is not a thought of wishing a “good morning” to those who will return the pleasantry—like friends. What is so remarkable about that? Love is not to be limited, but to be limitless.
We will then stand out or stick out in society. Good. That is what Jesus desires. We are gracious as God is. Perhaps then one might inquire about the hope that we have in Christ our Lord (1 Pe 3:15). We can witness to God’s grace which allows us to be gracious to others.
Then Jesus addresses the faulty thinking that good enough is good enough. He echoes Moses in Leviticus (Le 19:2). “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). That is not a suggestion, but a standard. God is so far from sin and free from sin. We are to be too. But what we might offer to him would not even be close. We have not reached the target of perfection. That is apparent when we are self-centered or self-absorbed. It is all about me, me, me.
But what he expects of us he extends to us. “Be gracious to us, Lord.” And he is. We cling to our Savior, our Substitute. He obeyed the law perfectly for us. He now offers that to us. He died for our disobedience. He now delivers forgiveness to us. We wear Jesus’ holiness. And we now do what comes unnaturally (Php 3:12ff.). We are gracious with those near us and around us.
I am not going to wing a concerto or swing a club today. That is good news for those in my living room and on the putting green. (Are they taking tee times now that it has been so warm the last few days?) Those things are abnormal for me. But Jesus instructs: Do what comes unnaturally! Be patient. Be gracious. We do because we are Christs—with and without the apostrophe, belonging to him and being like him. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
February 19, 2017
It was Dr. Martin Luther who put it this way: Christi sumus in nominativo et genitivo. Since you didn’t know that you needed to brush up on your Latin before church or bring your dictionary to worship this morning, I will translate it for you. “We are Christs—with and without the apostrophe.”
Let’s explore that for a minute to get his point.
We are Christs—with … the apostrophe. Christ’s. An apostrophe "s" (’s) signifies possession like in the sentence: “We are Christ’s own people.” That means we belong to him. We are his.
We are Christs—… without the apostrophe. Christs. That might be one of the better definitions of a Christian, a little Christ. When people see us, they see Christ. Saved from sin and delivered from death, we now think like him and act like him.
We live who we are—Christs with and without the apostrophe. That is why it is good to have Jesus explain what that means in his Sermon on the Mount. Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient. Be gracious. We read from …
Matthew 5:38-48
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, sons and daughters of God,
To say that I play the piano is the same as to state that I play golf. Now if by that I suggest that I can find that instrument in my house or find the set of clubs in my garage, then I play piano and golf.
But that is not what that implies, is it? I won’t go into detail about the situation, but what my grandpa declared about another describes me: “You play like you have mittens on.” That is not a compliment. At all. He didn’t intend it to be. I don’t even what to know what he would think of my attempt at 18 holes. If he were in the fairway, I wouldn’t see him much anyway.
Those who can tickle the ivories or shoot a par well come by it naturally. They might even have a hard time figuring out why we can’t do what they can do so easily since they are musical or athletic.
Jesus in a sense turns that around. It is different in his family than what is natural. Perhaps it sounds strange, but …
Do What Comes Unnaturally!
1. Be patient (38-42)
2. Be gracious (43-48)
1. Be patient (38-42)
It doesn’t matter, if you are driving a car on the highway or standing in line at the water fountain, it is hard to be patient. That is true of any age. (You do need to be 16 to be behind the wheel.) “Go on ahead” might not be the first thing that comes to mind. It someone is merging, you want to push the accelerator. If someone is dawdling, you want to shout some encouragement. That is natural. But Jesus’ proposes the opposite. Do what comes unnaturally! Be patient.
Jesus has his disciples around him on a hillside in northern Galilee, listening and learning. He covers a lot of material. In this small section, he continues his theme. It is not what it takes to become a child of God. But what it takes to be a child of God. It is along the lines of this: You are, so be.
Some of the things seem strange. Or unnatural—as if they go against common sense or conventional wisdom. Jesus highlights that: “You have heard that it was said” (Mt 5:38). That is more than just when individuals comment: “Well, they say …” The Pharisees and teachers of the law promoted such and such or peddled so and so. But not Jesus. “But I tell you” (Mt 5:39). He is emphatic. There was a definite contrast between the two sides of thought. Jesus went back to the original intent of the law.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person” (Mt 5:38,39). The Lord did utter that (Ex 21:24; Lv 24:20; Dt 19:21). But this was not intended for personal revenge. This was God’s manner of making it clear that the punishment should fit the crime. It would be unfair if the result of going 10 miles an hour over the posted speed limit would incur a 100-year prison sentence. That would be a bit excessive. It was a way for those in authority to regulate, not to retaliate on a private level.
What is natural is to get back or get even (as well as getting mad )—threat for threat, punch for punch. “But not you.” Do what is unnatural. Do not oppose a wicked one. Instead overcome evil with good. And then Jesus gives four examples of that:
“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5:39). Jesus is not speaking against self-defense. But this is a slap with an open hand as an insult. What is natural is matching rudeness with rudeness. “Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient and don’t give this for that.”
“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well” (Mt 5:40). We might express it this way: “If someone wants your T-shirt, hand him your coat.” It is something that is rightfully yours, but another wants it, even pursuing illegal means. What is natural is fighting for my rights. “Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient and willing to give up more without bitterness.”
“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Mt 5:41). In Jesus’ day, a Roman soldier could requisition a citizen to carry his bag for one mile. Think of Simon of Cyrene pressed into service by lugging Jesus’ cross to Calvary (Lk 23:26). That could be a bit aggravating or annoying. What is natural is that anger would not be far behind. “Do what comes unnaturally. Be patient and put that away.”
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Mt 5:42). This is not a free for all—anybody, anytime. But what is natural is to hold on to everything with a death grip like a two-year-old refusing to relinquish one single toy in his room. “Do what comes unnaturally and be patient as a blessing to others without expecting anything in return.”
What Jesus instructs is difficult, if not dangerous. Keep in mind that these are illustrations of actions that flow from a heart that loves the Savior. They are not rules so rigid that there are no exceptions, ones to be applied mechanically. Yet, the argument might be poking around in your head, “What about me? Who looks out for me or after me?” The Lord. He will not leave us or forsake us (he 13:5). Never. No matter what. No matter when. We hold on to that, turning to him and trusting in him that it is his to avenge and repay (Ro 12:19).
We can do that because Jesus went to the cross with our impatience of others. He endured the false accusations and the fierce smacks of the Sanhedrin, the brutal whip and the bitter ridicule of the Romans, the spiky nails and sharp spear at the cross. He did not try to settle the score. But “he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pe 2:23). He allowed our sins to be put on him, accepting them all, so that he could pay for them all. And then he hands us his perfect patience, crediting it to our account.
The Holy Spirit who lives in us enables us to believe that good news (1 Co 3:11,16)—that we are loved by God and built on the foundation of Jesus—that we are able to do what comes unnaturally and to be patient, waiting for God to protect and working with others to provide.
2. Be gracious (43-48)
If someone does allow us to go on ahead making our way on the road or getting a slurp of water, we are surprised. That is just not normal. That is Jesus’ lesson. Do what comes unnaturally! Be gracious.
Jesus continues to go on with what was commonly taught and what is carefully taught with the formula: “You have heard that it was said … But I tell you” (Mt 5:43). “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44,45). Some wanted a distinction of whom to love and not. Jesus wants no difference. It was the Lord who spelled that out: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lv 19:18). (That last part they conveniently left out.) There is an equal sign between love for self and love for others, even enemies.
Notice what Jesus makes plain: Love your enemies—if you have any. Not like. We don’t have to like what they do to us—taking advantage of us or making fun of us. But we love them—doing what is in their best interest. Jesus gives a specific application (Lk 23:34): “Pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). And it is not: “Give it to them, making it hard and making it hurt, Lord.” But “Lord, give them an understanding of the errors of their ways—confessing their wrongs and confiding in you.” Do what comes unnaturally. Be gracious to them.
There is a reason for that: “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:45). We show who we are—children of God, loved by him who live for him (1 Jn 3:1). In fact, children loving enemies is emulating their Father just like a tyke talks like or an adolescent acts like his dad. The Father has been gracious to us—sending his Son to shoulder our sins even when we were his enemies (Ro 5:10) and sending his Spirit to shine in our hearts.
This is the Father who is gracious to them (Ps 145:16). “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mt 5:45). The sun comes up in the east for all, even though some may not acknowledge or appreciate God’s goodness. The same with the drops that fall from the sky. He doesn’t just light up our day or water our garden. Our Father in heaven is gracious to all, to us, not treating us as our sins deserve (Ps 103:10). He has compassion on us (Ps 103:13).
The Father’s love is our model and our motivation. And St. Paul encourages us along the same lines: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Ro 12:14). Our goal is their good. So often we want to make it about me. But it is about them. We ask that God would work in their hearts, as he has in ours, to bring them in his family.
Jesus has us look around us and love those around us as we do what comes unnaturally—being gracious: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Mt 5:46). Yes, they do. (And they were known for being crooks and traitors.) Same thing: “And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Mt 5:47). Yes, they do. It is not a matter of loving those who return the love—like family. It is not a thought of wishing a “good morning” to those who will return the pleasantry—like friends. What is so remarkable about that? Love is not to be limited, but to be limitless.
We will then stand out or stick out in society. Good. That is what Jesus desires. We are gracious as God is. Perhaps then one might inquire about the hope that we have in Christ our Lord (1 Pe 3:15). We can witness to God’s grace which allows us to be gracious to others.
Then Jesus addresses the faulty thinking that good enough is good enough. He echoes Moses in Leviticus (Le 19:2). “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). That is not a suggestion, but a standard. God is so far from sin and free from sin. We are to be too. But what we might offer to him would not even be close. We have not reached the target of perfection. That is apparent when we are self-centered or self-absorbed. It is all about me, me, me.
But what he expects of us he extends to us. “Be gracious to us, Lord.” And he is. We cling to our Savior, our Substitute. He obeyed the law perfectly for us. He now offers that to us. He died for our disobedience. He now delivers forgiveness to us. We wear Jesus’ holiness. And we now do what comes unnaturally (Php 3:12ff.). We are gracious with those near us and around us.
I am not going to wing a concerto or swing a club today. That is good news for those in my living room and on the putting green. (Are they taking tee times now that it has been so warm the last few days?) Those things are abnormal for me. But Jesus instructs: Do what comes unnaturally! Be patient. Be gracious. We do because we are Christs—with and without the apostrophe, belonging to him and being like him. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
February 19, 2017
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Psalm 119:1-8)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Co 1:3). Amen.
This coming Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. You are aware of that I am sure. Stores have been pushing it and promoting it since the day after Christmas. If not, this is your official two day warning. I am sorry if that takes away your excuse for not knowing. Now you either have to go along with the mushy holiday or come up with a different reason for forgetting.
If (and that is a very big “if” for anyone in my house), if you get one of those sappy cards, you probably wouldn’t remark: “Well, that’s odd. It has a red heart on it.” It is almost expected, isn’t it? (It would only be strange if it were a blue ear on a lined notebook paper.)
It was peculiar to me then for someone to comment: “It is ironic that the longest chapter in God’s Word is about God’s Word.” I would contend that it is more along the lines of intentional—like red hearts on Valentine’s Day. And it is instructive. Finally, we are not here to argue the point about it, but to appreciate one part of it.
Psalm 119 is 176 verses long. It is often called the “alphabet psalm” because each line of the 8 verses in a section begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet, working through all 22 of them. (You can see that in your Bibles when you look later.) We cannot match that in English in translation, but we can meditate on it with time. In a sense, it could almost be called “a study of God’s Word from A to Z.” The Lord puts together those letters of the alphabet to form words for our contemplation of his Word.
As we mull over the Aleph unit, we do it with this thought: Blessed are the blameless.
We have to define “blessed.” Have you ever heard someone respond to the question that way? We ask, “How are you?” What are the common answers?
“I am fine.” (That may or may not be true, but that is where the conversation usually ends. There are not too many details that follow.)
“I am tired.” (That gives us the chance to reply, “You think you are tired.” And then begins a rant or a recital.)
“I am busy.” (Who isn’t?)
How about, “I am blessed”? We are. It is a reminder of the joy that we have.
So what does that mean? It might be along the lines of “How happy is the one …!” But that is hard because we associate happiness with the circumstances around us. If the concept were an emoji, we might assume that it would be the one with the smile and sunglasses because everything is so bright. But “blessed” or “happy” doesn’t mean we have a smile on our face or a skip in our step all the time. There are still problems and pains. I don’t have to convince you of that. But we realize the Lord’s love and God’s goodness in anything and everything.
“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless” (Ps 119:1). Once we determine “blessed,” we have to define “blameless.” It is one who is complete or whole. There is integrity in such a one. How? “Who walk according to the law of the LORD” (Ps 119:1). Not occasionally, but often—like a well-worn path in the woods. The “law” here is God’s teaching, his instruction. It includes all of what he has to say. And that leads to the godly wisdom about Christ crucified that the apostle Paul had in mind. It is not something that we come with on our own. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Co 2:8). But it comes to us from the Holy Spirit. We recognize that God gives us his mercy and forgives us our sin—all in Christ Jesus.
Again the idea of gladness: “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart” (Ps 119:2). It sounds as if the burden is on us. But “to keep” is “to protect and preserve” like a watchman on an ancient city wall, scanning the horizon for an attack of the enemy. We guard God’s truth as he warns of our sin and welcomes us as his own. And not half-heartedly, but whole-heartedly. We turn to him and trust in him completely and entirely, filled with love from him and then full of love for him.
“They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways” (Ps 119:3). That sounds as if we are perfect. Not yet. Not this side of heaven. But the emphasis is on how the Lord guides our ways. “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed” (Ps 119:4). God has authority like a supervisor at work who directs what is to be done and when it is to be done. And there is to be careful attention from us. And so Jesus enlightens: “You have heard that it was said. … But I tell you …” (Mt 5:21, 22). It is not just a wrong action, but an incorrect attitude. For example, it is not just a matter of adultery, but also of lusting (Mt 5:27,28). We are to be diligent and determined not just with our hands, but with our hearts. And it is the Holy Spirit who supplies such a mindset that this is not oppressive (1 Jn 5:3).
And then the reality: “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands” (Ps 119:5,6). If only, but not always. God’s Word is permanent and binding. We have failed and fallen short. We swallow hard at the reality. He commands and I contradict.
But we don’t stop there. We can’t. We won’t. “I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws” (Ps 119:7). We give thanks for who the Lord is—gracious and compassionate (Ex 34:6,7)—and for what he does—removes our guilt in Jesus. God educates us about his “righteous laws”—his judgments of rightness (Ro 3:21,22). God declares us right with him through Jesus who died for our disobedience on the cross and delivers his holiness to us. That is something that can make its way into our ears frequently. And there is always room to grow in that grace (2 Pe 3:18).
And so we join the psalmist in committing our lives to the Lord: “I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me” (Ps 119:8). Like Moses encouraged that new generation of Israelites as they were about to head into the Promised Land after the 40-year detour in the desert. “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws” (Dt 30:15). That brings blessing in life. And God will not reject us, but restore us, supporting us and strengthening us along the way.
Valentine’s Day may or may not be exciting to you. More so if there is dark chocolate rather than dainty cards. But that doesn’t make us happy or blessed as the psalmist depicts it. And instead of the longest chapter being something curious, if is constructive. God reveals his love in his Word and we respond in love to that Word.
Blessed are the blameless. We read from Psalm 119:1-8:
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
February 12, 2017
This coming Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. You are aware of that I am sure. Stores have been pushing it and promoting it since the day after Christmas. If not, this is your official two day warning. I am sorry if that takes away your excuse for not knowing. Now you either have to go along with the mushy holiday or come up with a different reason for forgetting.
If (and that is a very big “if” for anyone in my house), if you get one of those sappy cards, you probably wouldn’t remark: “Well, that’s odd. It has a red heart on it.” It is almost expected, isn’t it? (It would only be strange if it were a blue ear on a lined notebook paper.)
It was peculiar to me then for someone to comment: “It is ironic that the longest chapter in God’s Word is about God’s Word.” I would contend that it is more along the lines of intentional—like red hearts on Valentine’s Day. And it is instructive. Finally, we are not here to argue the point about it, but to appreciate one part of it.
Psalm 119 is 176 verses long. It is often called the “alphabet psalm” because each line of the 8 verses in a section begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet, working through all 22 of them. (You can see that in your Bibles when you look later.) We cannot match that in English in translation, but we can meditate on it with time. In a sense, it could almost be called “a study of God’s Word from A to Z.” The Lord puts together those letters of the alphabet to form words for our contemplation of his Word.
As we mull over the Aleph unit, we do it with this thought: Blessed are the blameless.
We have to define “blessed.” Have you ever heard someone respond to the question that way? We ask, “How are you?” What are the common answers?
“I am fine.” (That may or may not be true, but that is where the conversation usually ends. There are not too many details that follow.)
“I am tired.” (That gives us the chance to reply, “You think you are tired.” And then begins a rant or a recital.)
“I am busy.” (Who isn’t?)
How about, “I am blessed”? We are. It is a reminder of the joy that we have.
So what does that mean? It might be along the lines of “How happy is the one …!” But that is hard because we associate happiness with the circumstances around us. If the concept were an emoji, we might assume that it would be the one with the smile and sunglasses because everything is so bright. But “blessed” or “happy” doesn’t mean we have a smile on our face or a skip in our step all the time. There are still problems and pains. I don’t have to convince you of that. But we realize the Lord’s love and God’s goodness in anything and everything.
“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless” (Ps 119:1). Once we determine “blessed,” we have to define “blameless.” It is one who is complete or whole. There is integrity in such a one. How? “Who walk according to the law of the LORD” (Ps 119:1). Not occasionally, but often—like a well-worn path in the woods. The “law” here is God’s teaching, his instruction. It includes all of what he has to say. And that leads to the godly wisdom about Christ crucified that the apostle Paul had in mind. It is not something that we come with on our own. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Co 2:8). But it comes to us from the Holy Spirit. We recognize that God gives us his mercy and forgives us our sin—all in Christ Jesus.
Again the idea of gladness: “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart” (Ps 119:2). It sounds as if the burden is on us. But “to keep” is “to protect and preserve” like a watchman on an ancient city wall, scanning the horizon for an attack of the enemy. We guard God’s truth as he warns of our sin and welcomes us as his own. And not half-heartedly, but whole-heartedly. We turn to him and trust in him completely and entirely, filled with love from him and then full of love for him.
“They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways” (Ps 119:3). That sounds as if we are perfect. Not yet. Not this side of heaven. But the emphasis is on how the Lord guides our ways. “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed” (Ps 119:4). God has authority like a supervisor at work who directs what is to be done and when it is to be done. And there is to be careful attention from us. And so Jesus enlightens: “You have heard that it was said. … But I tell you …” (Mt 5:21, 22). It is not just a wrong action, but an incorrect attitude. For example, it is not just a matter of adultery, but also of lusting (Mt 5:27,28). We are to be diligent and determined not just with our hands, but with our hearts. And it is the Holy Spirit who supplies such a mindset that this is not oppressive (1 Jn 5:3).
And then the reality: “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands” (Ps 119:5,6). If only, but not always. God’s Word is permanent and binding. We have failed and fallen short. We swallow hard at the reality. He commands and I contradict.
But we don’t stop there. We can’t. We won’t. “I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws” (Ps 119:7). We give thanks for who the Lord is—gracious and compassionate (Ex 34:6,7)—and for what he does—removes our guilt in Jesus. God educates us about his “righteous laws”—his judgments of rightness (Ro 3:21,22). God declares us right with him through Jesus who died for our disobedience on the cross and delivers his holiness to us. That is something that can make its way into our ears frequently. And there is always room to grow in that grace (2 Pe 3:18).
And so we join the psalmist in committing our lives to the Lord: “I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me” (Ps 119:8). Like Moses encouraged that new generation of Israelites as they were about to head into the Promised Land after the 40-year detour in the desert. “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws” (Dt 30:15). That brings blessing in life. And God will not reject us, but restore us, supporting us and strengthening us along the way.
Valentine’s Day may or may not be exciting to you. More so if there is dark chocolate rather than dainty cards. But that doesn’t make us happy or blessed as the psalmist depicts it. And instead of the longest chapter being something curious, if is constructive. God reveals his love in his Word and we respond in love to that Word.
Blessed are the blameless. We read from Psalm 119:1-8:
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
February 12, 2017
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Co 1:3). Amen.
It can happen that the pronoun “we” does not include everyone. It is not “you” and “I” and that equals “we.” Does that make sense?
I will share an example to clarify. This is the time of year when I was growing up that my dad would walk into the bedroom early in the morning and say to my brothers and me, “We have a lot of snow to shovel before you head to school.” I will translate that for you. “You three better get up and get the driveway shoveled before I go to work.” The “we” was really “you.” There was no “I.” He was going to put on a sharp suit and tie while we put on our snowmobile suit and boots. (I am aware that he is not here to defend himself and there might be a bit of preacher’s embellishment.)
The message of Jesus is not for a certain group or a select few. It is for all—even as the apostle Paul talks about his work in the city of Corinth. It is not, “Pastor, that is your message.” Nor is it, “People, this is your message.” We have a message. It is a pointed message. It is a powerful message. We read from …
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ crucified,
I doubt that you track the actual statistic. But you probably average more than one conversation per day.
In line at the grocery store, it might be about the weather: “What do you think about the cold?”
Around the supper table, it might be about school: “When do you think you will get at your homework?”
During work this past week, it might be about a game: “Who do you think will win the Superbowl?” (Perhaps the commercials are a bigger deal.)
And that is fine. But we have more to mention than the temperatures on a thermometer, the grades in a class, or the teams on a field. When we open our mouths, …
We Have a Message
1. It is a pointed message (1,2)
2. It is a powerful message (3-5)
1. It is a pointed message (1,2)
There are some who like to dance and others who like to be direct when it comes to chats—even when it is simple like if you have something on the side of your mouth at supper. It could be: “Napkins sure come in handy when you don’t fit all the food in our mouth.” (That really might not be a time for a philosophical discussion about paper products.) Or “wipe your mouth. I tired of looking at spare food.” I don’t think that we have to debate which one is better. It could depend on the situation or circumstance. Either way, we have a message. It is a pointed one.
The apostle Paul took the fast track. As he pens this epistle to the Christians in Corinth, he takes them back to his days among them. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom” (1 Co 2:1). He gives himself his own evaluation. Usually at work the boss or manager does that. And Paul is not being overly critical of himself. But it is openly candid. He didn’t pull into town with high-sounding words or happy worldly smarts. He didn’t peddle the latest and greatest thought on the streets. That is what the Greeks liked—a dazzling debater or a polished presenter. They were willing to shell out some good drachmas to listen to those eloquent or articulate men. But Paul wanted to touch their souls, not tickle their ears.
Don’t misunderstand that as somehow Paul was not very educated or sophisticated. He was. He sat at the feet of some greats in school (Acts 22:3). He was quickly advancing through the ranks. But Jesus set him straight on his trek to Damascus. His other 12 letters to churches and individuals demonstrate his ability and insight. He was sharp, not slow.
The manner in which he made his appearance was this: “I proclaimed to you the testimony about God” (1 Co 2:1). Paul had something from God—salvation from God. It was unknown to them on their own, but made clear to them by their God through Paul.
It seems like January 1st is a distant memory. (February 1st might be too.) That is the time when individuals make up their mind to do something or not—like spend less, save more. The apostle didn’t need a new calendar for that. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Co 2:2). He made that conscious decision. Christ crucified. That was critical. And that is what he conveyed. The Corinthians were to fix their attention on Jesus the Savior, not Paul the orator. It was always about the great message, not the good messenger.
What kind of expectations do others have of us? There are different things to address—social issues or certain injustices. But that is not the main thing. Perhaps many would prefer if pastors and people—you or I—didn’t touch a guilty conscience because of their refusal to respect the Lord or one another. It is hard to admit that I have gone against God—this talk of sin. It hurts. But that is definite.
But there is something else that is deliberate—“Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Co 2:2). Jesus—Savior from sin, Christ—selected by God, and this one crucified, nailed to a cross. That is because of who the Lord is. The psalmist spelled it out: “The LORD is gracious and compassionate. … He has provided redemption for his people” (Ps 111:4,9). Like a compass always indicates north when facing that direction, no matter what the conditions or position, we highlight that the sinless One took on our sin. It is not who is proclaiming; it is what is proclaimed.
That kind of conversation is not crude. It is key. Jesus paid for all of our sins to set us free as God poured out his anger on him. He substitutes himself for us. That is why we keep that in front of us—a cross above our altar, on our walls, around our necks. Jesus’ death means our life because Jesus also rose. We have a message. It is a pointed one—Jesus and only Jesus.
2. It is a powerful message (3-5)
When we put letters together to form words, they have a lot of potential—good and bad. They can tear down or build up—to mock or make better (even with how you look at the dinner table). What about God’s Word? It is always helpful and only beneficial. We have a message. It is a powerful one.
Once again Paul takes his readers back to his arrival in Corinth. “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling” (1 Co 2:3). It may be hard to envision Paul with palms sweating and stomach churning. You have felt that perhaps when you have done any kind of speaking in public. Imagine a pastor with butterflies or any other insect poking around in his body. Paul had recently come from Athens. The reception to his work was not entirely warm (Acts 17:16ff.). What would it be like now in a city known for its immorality and idolatry? What comfort that the Lord came to him one night in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you … I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9,10). God doesn’t guarantee the outcome for us. But he gives his promise of his presence when we convey his message of Christ crucified.
Once more Paul reminds them: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words” (1 Co 2:4). It was not with flashy rhetoric or flamboyant reasoning. “But with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Co 2:4). And why? “So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Co 2:5). It was not the apostle Paul; it was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit opened closed hearts. He made them see God’s wisdom in Christ crucified. It is that good news that is the power of salvation to everyone who believes (Ro 1:16). It didn’t depend on Paul’s skill, but the Spirit’s strength.
Water has power to provide electricity. Diesel has power to propel vehicles. As impressive as that is when we turn on a lamp or look at a semi, it doesn’t compare to the powerful message of Christ crucified. If you doubt that, look around this morning—ahead of you, behind you, beside you. That is the Holy Spirit’s power on display. That we can state: “Jesus is Lord” (1 Co 12:3). Because we cannot by our own choosing believe in him, the Holy Spirit has brought us to faith—from babies to elderly and every age in between—and now builds us up in that faith. We have a message. It is a powerful one.
Pastors and people don’t have to rely on their IQ when they converse with others. Someone may just have one that is higher. It is not a matter of titles before our names or initials after. Many have more. But yet we have a powerful message—Jesus Christ and this one crucified. That is the confidence that we have when we open our mouths.
So that is what we will do. And we have the assurance that we don’t have to earn God’s blessing with our grand efforts. We already have it. When we call out to the Lord, as Isaiah recalls for us, he will respond: “Here am I” (Is 58:9). And as Jesus instructed, it is not that we should be or could be, may be or might be, salt and light (Mt 5:13,14). We are. Then be it—salt preserving a corrupt world and light shining in a dark world. That way others will see the Father and praise him (Mt 5:16). We have a message. It is a powerful one to bring people from the darkness of sin to the light of life (Jn 8:12).
It is not “we” like this: some watch and others work—from shoveling snow to proclaiming Christ. We all have Christ crucified and we all herald Christ crucified. It is a pointed message because it is our priority. It is a powerful message because it is our privilege. We preach Christ crucified. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
February 5, 2017
It can happen that the pronoun “we” does not include everyone. It is not “you” and “I” and that equals “we.” Does that make sense?
I will share an example to clarify. This is the time of year when I was growing up that my dad would walk into the bedroom early in the morning and say to my brothers and me, “We have a lot of snow to shovel before you head to school.” I will translate that for you. “You three better get up and get the driveway shoveled before I go to work.” The “we” was really “you.” There was no “I.” He was going to put on a sharp suit and tie while we put on our snowmobile suit and boots. (I am aware that he is not here to defend himself and there might be a bit of preacher’s embellishment.)
The message of Jesus is not for a certain group or a select few. It is for all—even as the apostle Paul talks about his work in the city of Corinth. It is not, “Pastor, that is your message.” Nor is it, “People, this is your message.” We have a message. It is a pointed message. It is a powerful message. We read from …
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ crucified,
I doubt that you track the actual statistic. But you probably average more than one conversation per day.
In line at the grocery store, it might be about the weather: “What do you think about the cold?”
Around the supper table, it might be about school: “When do you think you will get at your homework?”
During work this past week, it might be about a game: “Who do you think will win the Superbowl?” (Perhaps the commercials are a bigger deal.)
And that is fine. But we have more to mention than the temperatures on a thermometer, the grades in a class, or the teams on a field. When we open our mouths, …
We Have a Message
1. It is a pointed message (1,2)
2. It is a powerful message (3-5)
1. It is a pointed message (1,2)
There are some who like to dance and others who like to be direct when it comes to chats—even when it is simple like if you have something on the side of your mouth at supper. It could be: “Napkins sure come in handy when you don’t fit all the food in our mouth.” (That really might not be a time for a philosophical discussion about paper products.) Or “wipe your mouth. I tired of looking at spare food.” I don’t think that we have to debate which one is better. It could depend on the situation or circumstance. Either way, we have a message. It is a pointed one.
The apostle Paul took the fast track. As he pens this epistle to the Christians in Corinth, he takes them back to his days among them. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom” (1 Co 2:1). He gives himself his own evaluation. Usually at work the boss or manager does that. And Paul is not being overly critical of himself. But it is openly candid. He didn’t pull into town with high-sounding words or happy worldly smarts. He didn’t peddle the latest and greatest thought on the streets. That is what the Greeks liked—a dazzling debater or a polished presenter. They were willing to shell out some good drachmas to listen to those eloquent or articulate men. But Paul wanted to touch their souls, not tickle their ears.
Don’t misunderstand that as somehow Paul was not very educated or sophisticated. He was. He sat at the feet of some greats in school (Acts 22:3). He was quickly advancing through the ranks. But Jesus set him straight on his trek to Damascus. His other 12 letters to churches and individuals demonstrate his ability and insight. He was sharp, not slow.
The manner in which he made his appearance was this: “I proclaimed to you the testimony about God” (1 Co 2:1). Paul had something from God—salvation from God. It was unknown to them on their own, but made clear to them by their God through Paul.
It seems like January 1st is a distant memory. (February 1st might be too.) That is the time when individuals make up their mind to do something or not—like spend less, save more. The apostle didn’t need a new calendar for that. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Co 2:2). He made that conscious decision. Christ crucified. That was critical. And that is what he conveyed. The Corinthians were to fix their attention on Jesus the Savior, not Paul the orator. It was always about the great message, not the good messenger.
What kind of expectations do others have of us? There are different things to address—social issues or certain injustices. But that is not the main thing. Perhaps many would prefer if pastors and people—you or I—didn’t touch a guilty conscience because of their refusal to respect the Lord or one another. It is hard to admit that I have gone against God—this talk of sin. It hurts. But that is definite.
But there is something else that is deliberate—“Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Co 2:2). Jesus—Savior from sin, Christ—selected by God, and this one crucified, nailed to a cross. That is because of who the Lord is. The psalmist spelled it out: “The LORD is gracious and compassionate. … He has provided redemption for his people” (Ps 111:4,9). Like a compass always indicates north when facing that direction, no matter what the conditions or position, we highlight that the sinless One took on our sin. It is not who is proclaiming; it is what is proclaimed.
That kind of conversation is not crude. It is key. Jesus paid for all of our sins to set us free as God poured out his anger on him. He substitutes himself for us. That is why we keep that in front of us—a cross above our altar, on our walls, around our necks. Jesus’ death means our life because Jesus also rose. We have a message. It is a pointed one—Jesus and only Jesus.
2. It is a powerful message (3-5)
When we put letters together to form words, they have a lot of potential—good and bad. They can tear down or build up—to mock or make better (even with how you look at the dinner table). What about God’s Word? It is always helpful and only beneficial. We have a message. It is a powerful one.
Once again Paul takes his readers back to his arrival in Corinth. “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling” (1 Co 2:3). It may be hard to envision Paul with palms sweating and stomach churning. You have felt that perhaps when you have done any kind of speaking in public. Imagine a pastor with butterflies or any other insect poking around in his body. Paul had recently come from Athens. The reception to his work was not entirely warm (Acts 17:16ff.). What would it be like now in a city known for its immorality and idolatry? What comfort that the Lord came to him one night in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you … I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9,10). God doesn’t guarantee the outcome for us. But he gives his promise of his presence when we convey his message of Christ crucified.
Once more Paul reminds them: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words” (1 Co 2:4). It was not with flashy rhetoric or flamboyant reasoning. “But with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Co 2:4). And why? “So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Co 2:5). It was not the apostle Paul; it was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit opened closed hearts. He made them see God’s wisdom in Christ crucified. It is that good news that is the power of salvation to everyone who believes (Ro 1:16). It didn’t depend on Paul’s skill, but the Spirit’s strength.
Water has power to provide electricity. Diesel has power to propel vehicles. As impressive as that is when we turn on a lamp or look at a semi, it doesn’t compare to the powerful message of Christ crucified. If you doubt that, look around this morning—ahead of you, behind you, beside you. That is the Holy Spirit’s power on display. That we can state: “Jesus is Lord” (1 Co 12:3). Because we cannot by our own choosing believe in him, the Holy Spirit has brought us to faith—from babies to elderly and every age in between—and now builds us up in that faith. We have a message. It is a powerful one.
Pastors and people don’t have to rely on their IQ when they converse with others. Someone may just have one that is higher. It is not a matter of titles before our names or initials after. Many have more. But yet we have a powerful message—Jesus Christ and this one crucified. That is the confidence that we have when we open our mouths.
So that is what we will do. And we have the assurance that we don’t have to earn God’s blessing with our grand efforts. We already have it. When we call out to the Lord, as Isaiah recalls for us, he will respond: “Here am I” (Is 58:9). And as Jesus instructed, it is not that we should be or could be, may be or might be, salt and light (Mt 5:13,14). We are. Then be it—salt preserving a corrupt world and light shining in a dark world. That way others will see the Father and praise him (Mt 5:16). We have a message. It is a powerful one to bring people from the darkness of sin to the light of life (Jn 8:12).
It is not “we” like this: some watch and others work—from shoveling snow to proclaiming Christ. We all have Christ crucified and we all herald Christ crucified. It is a pointed message because it is our priority. It is a powerful message because it is our privilege. We preach Christ crucified. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
February 5, 2017
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