This Week at Mt. Olive

Good morning, fellow redeemed!

Yesterday afternoon, as I was preparing for the Youth Night, I was studying Genesis 1 and the creation account yet once more. Curious thing that gets missed whenever we're teaching creation to Christians, both young and old. Genesis 1:5b: And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

In the creation account, this language appears over and over again. Some would like the word day to be elastic, that it could be metaphorical for eons of time. But, the word used here and throughout the Old Testament is always used to denote the same thing: a regular day, no more, no less.

The striking words, though, were these:
And there was evening and there was morning...

This morning, I awakened between 4:30 and 5 a.m., like I do most mornings. Some school clothes needed to be washed last night, so my first chore was getting those clothes into the dryer. Checking email, reading devotions, pondering the week and what events, both professional and personal, will need my attention all occupied my time. Did I mention checking on Hurricane Richard and the currents that will hopefully steer it away, making lunches, and watching some of the news? By the time I left the house, three children had been fed, two taken to different schools were added to the list, too.

Many of you have similar or even more crowded schedules. Most of us wish we had at least one more hour in the day, or another day in the week, but, somehow, the time committee never gets that message.

And there was evening and there was morning...

What's so amazing about these words is the schedule of God's day! His day doesn't begin at sun up, or a few minutes before mine or yours begins. God's day begins in our night!

When I awakened this morning, God had already been at work in His day long before I even reluctantly opened my eyes. Before I even reached for the first Bible verse, God the Holy Spirit was already calling to mind the promises of my Baptism. Before I even thought about prayer, God the Son was already holding His wounds before His Father, interceding for me on account of His suffering and death. God the Father had already brought creation to bear for my benefit.

What's more, in God's night, there is no sleeping. In Psalm 121:4, we are told, "Behold, He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." Even though I grow weary and tired, even though I go to sleep in the night, God, whose day begins in my night, never takes a break.

In our busiest of days, the true God who charts the course of the universe also has been working in our day well before we awaken. Long after we retire in slumber, the true God still continues to work in our day. It's pure grace!

O God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, You have established the times and the seasons, the days and the weeks. While we go about our daily business, You are already at work, before us, beside us, and after us. Help us to realize Your gracious workings in our own lives and to rejoice in Your gifts. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Next Sunday, Mt. Olive will hold its second annual Trunk Treat Night. This is an opportunity for us to invite our neighbors in this community to receive some goodies, and to proclaim Christ the Crucified to those who may not know Him. Members of Mt. Olive are invited to share in this activity. Bring your car, truck or van. Decorating is encouraged. Bring some goodies to share (wrapped candy is always best). And, maybe even wear your costume (the non-violent, non-scary kind)! See me in my annual costume as Revolutionary Spy! Trunk Treat Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. - it's a school night. Come a little early and set up your place!

Also next Sunday, after late service (noon), the Confirmation Class will be watching the movie "Luther." The congregation is invited to join us, and maybe even enjoy some popcorn.

The Fellowship Committee is hosting a special Russian Dinner on November 6. Featured at the dinner are a lot of things I can't pronounce, but sound REALLY good (including Pyrogue - definite REALLY good)! Tickets are $10. Please see one of the Fellowship Committee members for purchase.

Finally, 30 AUG begins the annual Scouting for Food drive in Corpus Christi. Most of you will be receiving bags this Saturday, and are asked to place these on your front porch the following Saturday with some food. If you do not receive a bag, or you need to leave your food at a place other than your home, I'll have some extra bags here at the church on Sunday, October 31, and will provide any food we receive in them to Troop 3's food gathering.

Prayer Concerns:
Jackie Steele, undergoing shoulder surgery this week
Donnae Blake, hospitalized
Raymond Whitaker, my uncle, going through therapy following knee replacement
Helen Placke, going through therapy following double knee replacement
Ruth Prytz, at Retama Manor
Ruby Rieder, at Westwood Manor
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke, Dru Blanc (Corpus Christi)
Lutheran churches throughout the world as they continue to proclaim the Reformation message of Holy Scripture: Justification by grace through faith on account of Christ
Churches, church councils, and the Church Council at Mt. Olive, as they work through the budget process, that God would be glorified in them

This Week at Mt. Olive
Monday, October 25
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

6:30 p.m.
Board of Elders

Tuesday, October 26
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Bokenkamp Advisory Board - pastor out

7:30 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study at Barnes and Noble

Wednesday, October 27
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Deuteronomy)

6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, October 31
8 and 10:30 a.m.
Divine Service

9:15 a.m.
Sunday School

12 p.m.
"Luther" movie

6-8 p.m.
Trunk Treat Night

God bless!
PKJ

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Reformation Day October 31, 2010

Lessons for Reformation Day (Lutheran Service Book)

Revelation 14:6-7 ~ God sent a messenger to proclaim the eternal gospel.
Psalm 46 (Antiphon: Psalm 46:1)
Romans 3:19-28 ~ God’s law uncovers our Sin; His grace proclaims our justification.
John 8:31-36 ~ God’s Son sets us free indeed!

GATHERING THE TEXTS: The Gift of God's Grace
God's grace is our refuge and fortress. We are not able to do anything to get into God's good graces; he has brought us there! In Jesus, God has given us a new way to be brought to justice. Our sentence is carried out through the blood of God's own Son, and we are set free from condemnation. In the new covenant of Jesus' blood, God forgets our sins and promises us eternal life as heirs of his kingdom!

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Gracious God in heaven above, through Christ you came to me in love; help me always know your grace and in it see your loving face. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God showers us with His richest blessings for this life and for eternity, even though we have done nothing to earn or deserve them. He has put them into our care so that we may share them with others who need to know God’s great mercy in life and His love in Christ.

OFFERING PRAYER: Our life, our love, and wealth, O Lord,
We dedicate to You.
Sanctify us for Your work
In all we say and do.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We want life to be fair, but we have a way of interpreting life’s circumstances so that we do not see our own failings and even deny our slavery to sin. The law of God holds us to account for all our sins. Suddenly we realize it is not justice that we need, but mercy. God, by His grace, has meted out justice on our sin and at the same time, has given us His own righteousness! Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ His Son!

A Pharisee; A Tax Collector; And An Infant

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Gospel lesson appointed for the day. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Last week in our adult bible class we had a spirited discussion on the question: “Does God reward our obedience to his will?” And the answer to that question is “Yes, he does.” The class was a little bit taken aback when I said that and maybe you are too—so let me give you some examples.

The Fourth Commandment about honoring our father and mother has a promise attached to it: “that your days may be long”. When we follow God’s counsel on money found in Proverbs there are financial blessings that come with that obedience. The Book of Romans says that God has established government to reward those who do good and punish those who do evil. And the Small Catechism says in conclusion to the commandments that “God threatens to punish all who break the commandments and promises grace and every blessing to those who keep the commandments.” Biblically and confessionally there is no doubt: God rewards those who are obedient.

But the blessings and rewards that God gives to those who are obedient to his will-- have to do with life on this earth—they are material blessings—not spiritual blessings. Financial success, happy marriages, wise governments—all of these ARE blessings from God—but they only have to do with this life—and they have: NOTHING to do with our standing in God’s sight—NOTHING to do with whether or not we are in a right relationship with him—NOTHING to do with eternal life to come in heaven. All of these spiritual blessings come to us through faith in Jesus Christ APART from works of the Law.

It is very easy to get confused about this. People think to themselves: “I’m a pretty good guy—I’m certainly better than the vast majority of folks around me—I strive to do what God wants me to do—I have tangible blessings to show for my obedience--surely things are fine between me and God”. This idea is as old as humanity—it is the religion of natural man—it is the underlying principle of all religions-- EXCEPT for Christianity. Today in God’s Word we see Jesus confront and correct this idea in the lives of a Pharisee—a Tax Collector—and an infant. The Bible says that:

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

It is the most natural thing in the world, when we are considering what our status is with God—where we stand with God—to begin with ourselves—especially in comparison to others. But that this beginning place is the most natural thing—does not mean that it is the right thing. It is simply one more piece of evidence of how far we have fallen into sin that we are: blind to the truth about ourselves—blind to the truth about others—blind to the truth about God. And this inborn blindness leads us to lift up ourselves and look down on others.

Every religion in the world except for Christianity is a testament to this blindness because the foundation of their faith- and their followers’ focus- is on what they do to please God. Even we Christians have to struggle against this inborn, sinful tendency in our flesh that wants to believe that who we are in God’s sight rests on us as we compare ourselves to others rather than to God. Jesus said that:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

The Pharisee may have addressed his words to God out of self-conscious piety because of where he was there in the temple. He begins with God but then says: I—I—I—I—I. Jesus said that he told this parable to those who trusted in themselves and can there be any doubt that this Pharisee was one of those? The focus of his worship was not upon God—but upon himself—and especially upon how he compared to others. But it was even worse than that: the point of his comparison was not “other men”—but the worst of men: extortioners, adulterers, and tax collectors.

How very modern his words are—you hear them all the time! With kind of an “aw-shucks” attitude people will say with mock humility: “Well of course, I’m not perfect—but I’m not a murderer or thief—I do the best that I can”. But what the Pharisee was not willing to do-- and what folks today are not willing to do—is to measure their lives by the best kind of men—to say nothing of God.

Let’s just leave God’s standard of his own holiness out of this for right now and consider for a moment that our right standing with God DOES depend upon our own conduct as compared to others. Why is the measure always the worst kind of men and not the best? Do our lives match up to the love and humility and service of Mother Teresa? Do our lives match up to the heroes of faith that we have known in our own lives? No! And they certainly don’t match up to God’s expectation of us.

The only way that a person comes to a place of trusting in themselves for their right standing before God is when they have reduced the standards of God and lifted themselves up in comparison to men worse than themselves. But God’s standard for our lives is his own holiness-- NOT the worst kind of human beings—and that standard of perfect holiness convicts and condemns every one of us in God’s sight.

But what about the principle of God rewarding obedience? After all, the Pharisee was attending worship—he fasted and tithed—he lived an outwardly obedient life—was there no reward? There was! He was well respected in the community. He was admired for his piety. He got to feel good about himself. Those were his rewards. On another occasion Jesus encountered the same kind of people and this is what he said:

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

There most certainly were rewards in the Pharisee’s obedience to the law—but none of them had anything to do with his right-standing before God—but instead they hindered it because they blinded him to his own sins and his need for God’s mercy—which is the truth about all people—even the outwardly righteous. But there was another man that day who had no pretensions about his status before God because his sin was as close to him as his day-to-day work. The Bible says that:

A tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Several weeks ago, when we were reflecting on the story of the thankful Samaritan, we saw how the lepers stood at a distance and cried out to Jesus for mercy. And I remember making the point that their disease made the distance between them and Jesus and how the same thing is true in our spiritual lives—that our sin-disease makes a distance between us and God. Here we see that very thing.

The tax collector would not enter into the inner part of the temple—he would not even lift his eyes up to heaven. He knew something about himself- and God- and other people- that the Pharisee (that religious expert) did not. He knew: that God was holy—that he could not fool God about who he was—that he was a sinner who had no claim upon God but stood in need of his mercy. He recognized these things because they were simply inescapable—he knew what he was-- and everyone in town knew what he was—and this knowledge of the great distance between himself and a holy God was the beginning of a brand new life for him with God.

And so then, is it better to be a notorious sinner—is Jesus recommending that we lead evil lives? Certainly not! But it is a much needed reminder to the good folks sitting here today that if we ever come to a point in our life with God where we begin to think that our life with him is based upon what we do—or in being a little bit better than other folks—right then, in that moment, we need to reflect again on the perfect, holy standard that God has for us and take an honest look at our lives. That knowledge cannot help but make us say with the tax collector: God, be merciful to me, a sinner!

It’s an interesting thing that- even though almost every English translation has the word “mercy” there—that is not the word that is used in the Greek. Beck’s bible has: God forgive me-- and that’s a little bit better—but the word that is used in the original is “to propitiate”—to be reconciled to God on the basis of a sacrifice that takes away his wrath.

The place where the tax collector was standing (the temple in Jerusalem) had one and only one purpose—and that was to set before the people’s eye—day by day—sacrifice by sacrifice—the promise of Almighty God that he would send a Savior who would make a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world—who would bear our griefs, carry our sorrows, be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities—whose punishment would reconcile us to God and bring us peace.

That is the promise that God had made—that is the promise that the temple sacrifices pointed to—that was the promise that was fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—and that was the promise that the tax collector laid hold of and clung to in faith when every pretense about his own righteousness had been torn away. And believing the promise of God—he left the temple that day forgiven and right in God’s sight. Jesus said:

I tell you, THIS man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then and now, there is only one way to be right in the sight of Almighty God—and that is through faith in the Savior he has sent. We can try to justify ourselves on the basis of what we do—we can try to justify ourselves on the worse behavior of others—but all of these efforts are SELF-justification—not God’s justification. Only through faith in Jesus does GOD declare us right in his sight.

A right relationship with God begins in the humility of repentance: that we recognize the truth about God—that he is holy and demands that we too be holy. Life with God begins with the truth about ourselves—that we are sinners who do not even measure up against the best kind of men-- to say nothing of God. And emptied this way of our own self-righteousness—we can be lifted up by the perfect righteousness of Christ—which God gives as a gift. The Bible says:

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

We began our meditation on God’s Word by affirming that God does indeed reward obedience. There are all kinds of earthly, material blessings that God gives to those obey him—but they are ONLY that—earthly and material. The kingdom of God: the rule and reign of Christ in our hearts—forgiveness, life, and salvation—cannot be earned by our works of obedience, they can only be RECEIVED.

That is the beautiful, comforting truth we see in Jesus welcoming infants. The disciples were just like the Pharisee—they didn’t understand the nature of the kingdom and so they wanted to keep infants away—because, after all, they couldn’t do anything to make a place with God for themselves. But not only did Jesus’ welcome show that it was possible for infants to have a place in God’s kingdom—they were the example of how a person can come into the kingdom at all!

Now is Jesus really talking about how old we are when we come into his kingdom? No! He’s talking about an attitude that recognizes that our place in his kingdom is not about what we can do—but about receiving in faith what God has done for us in Christ when we were helpless to do anything to earn a place in God’s family.

There ARE blessings that come through obedience—but salvation is not one of them. Our life with God is a gift that he graciously gives us when he declares us right in his sight-- through faith in Jesus-- apart from anything we do.

I pray that you would hear this Good News as Jesus’ invitation to you to come into the kingdom of God and receive-with a humble heart and the open hands of faith—all of the gifts of salvation that he has earned for you in his holy life, bloody death, and glorious resurrection! Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

Proper 25c General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Father, hear us now as we pray in the name of Your Son Jesus: calm our fears, deliver us from falling, guide our life’s journey, and receive our thanks and praise:

Be with all of those who through sickness and injury have been reminded that this life will not endure forever. As You grant them healing according to Your prefect will and timing, remind them that their souls will be delivered from death. Especially do we remember: Mike, Matthew, Xavier, Sandy, Michael, Kay, Elvira, Nancy, Donald, Laura, Robert, Tim, and Nicole.

We thank You for the gifts of marriage and family that are Your creation and yet we know that our sin often mars these relationships. We stand in constant need of Your help to live together faithfully as husbands and wives—parents and children. Forgive us when we fail in our particular place in the family and forgive those we love when they fail. Help us to abide together in holy love.

Like Abel, grant us a right spirit when it comes to our offerings, that we would always bring You that which is best, gladly sacrificing in thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Your own dear Son upon the cross. We thank You for the faithful stewardship of the members of this congregation and for the material blessings that you have lavished upon us during this last year and pray that You would continue to receive with favor the offerings we bring.

Grant us the gift of Your holy Spirit, active in our lives through Word and Sacrament, that the words of Paul might be our own: that throughout our lives we have fought the good fight and kept the faith so that we might look forward in confident love to the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank You for those faithful Christians who have come before us and now rest in Your presence. Especially do we remember: Wayne and Irene and Domenick and Annie. Keep us perfectly united with them and all Your people in the living Body of Christ.

Continue to bless the work of Your church throughout the world so that Your message of Law and Gospel would be fully proclaimed for the salvation of the world. Protect and bless and empower all of those who preach and teach Your Words and rescue them from every evil and danger of body and soul.

We especially pray that You would graciously keep us from every temptation to trust in anything or anyone other than Your Son Jesus Christ for our salvation. Grant us humility and repentance that we might be lifted up in his righteousness. Help us to return again and again to the promise of life and salvation that You made to us in our baptism and keep us in that grace throughout our life so that we might enter into Your kingdom and obtain the crown of righteousness.

All of these things and whatever else You see that we need—whatever is for the good of our neighbor and redounds to Your glory—grant to us dear Father for the sake of the One who taught us to pray:

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Pentecost 22, Series C October 24, 2010

Lessons for Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost (LSB Proper 25)

Genesis 4:1-15 ~ Instead of examining his own offering, Cain removed Abel’s gift by killing his brother.
Psalm 5 (antiphon: v. 11a)
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 ~ Paul was convinced that the course of life is measured and won by faith in Christ.
Luke 18:9-17 ~ A Pharisee used the tax-collector as a standard, but did not see the righteousness God gives.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: Life Depends On How You Measure It.
Cain’s offering to God fell short because he compared himself to Abel. In a jealous anger he wiped out his competition by killing his own brother. St. Paul declared to Timothy that the race of life is won on the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior, from whom we have received the Crown of Life. When the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable measured himself by the failures of the tax collector and other sinners, he looked pretty good to himself. Jesus says we get a more accurate picture when we measure ourselves by the Law of God, the way the tax collector did. Then we know we need God’s mercy!

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord Jesus, help me always to see myself according to your plan for me so that I may not think my worth and my powers or greater than they are. Rather than trusting in my own abilities, let me always rely on your grace and mercy. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Our offerings are not measured by their worth or size, but by our attitude in bringing them. The thankful heart of a cheerful giver makes the gift more valuable than all the jewels in the world.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, look upon these gifts the way You look upon our hearts.
Consider them in Jesus’ blood, redeemed from every stain,
To be Your instruments of love in near and distant parts,
Declaring that the shame of Jesus’ cross is all our gain.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We like to compare ourselves to others to see how well we are doing, physically, financially, and morally. We exult when we find someone worse off than we are. When we find someone who makes us look bad, we find a way to overcome them, the way the wicked witch did with Snow White – or Cain with Abel! If we compare ourselves to God’s perfect will, we can only admit our own powerlessness and look to the righteousness only God can give through Christ Jesus.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Today's Epistle from 2 Timothy 3:16 is an oft-quoted text in our church. Some translations render the phrase, "All Scripture is given by inspiration from God." Sorry, that's not what the Greek says! The adjective is "God breathed." St. Paul calls Holy Scripture "God-breathed," a phrase usually quoted to mean that the Bible is God's holy Word, and rightly so. The texts of the Bible, the things written down, are God's words put to writing by human authors. Talk about heavy!

Yet, it's heavier than at first glance! If Holy Scripture is more like Reader's Digest, a book of truths simply to be mined for its content, Holy Scripture is sadly downplayed.

That Holy Scripture is God-breathed tells us not only that the words are God's Words, divinely breathed out and written down by human authors, but also that this same Holy Scripture is living and active. It is through this Word that the Holy Spirit has promised to work, birthing faith (Romans 10:17). This word combats error (Ephesians 6:17) and gives comfort to the afflicted (2 Corinthians 2:12).

This afternoon, as the confirmands and I worked through the creation account of Genesis 1 and 2, we learned how God created: He spoke. God creates by speaking. It's no wonder, then, that Holy Scripture, breathed out by God, is what we long to hear each day. We want to hear God's powerful, faith-giving, error-combating, comforting, creative Word!

Lord God, You are the talking God who has breathed out His Word. Through this Word, Your Spirit has promised to work. Keep us firm in this Word daily, that we may be kept firm in our faith, safeguarded from the attacks of the devil and comforted in this valley of sorrow. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Things get exciting each year about this time for a number of reasons.
After seeing Burt Nelson in church last week (and again this morning), Michael Dearing was in attendance today following surgery. Praise God!

Jr. Confirmation began again today. It's always a great joy to watch these young people as the truths of God's Word unfold before them. First year confirmands this year are: Wade Adler, Cassi Hamer, Stephanie Hanelt, and Michael Jennings

Youth functions for the church kick up about this time of year. Next Sunday, October 24, there will be a youth planning and game night for grades 6-12 (that's both groups). Bring your calendars, some ideas for activities, your favorite soda. Word has it that touch football on the parking lot may be a reality. Of course, the big question: Can Mt. Olive's youth go on a camping trip without a hail storm?

Choir has also begun rehearsing, working up to Reformation Sunday (31 October).

Sunday, October 31, will mark many Halloween celebrations. Following in the practice from last year, I invite all those interested to participate in another Trunk-Treat Halloween Celebration. This is an opportunity to share goodies and the Good News about Jesus with our community. I'll have the beginning and ending time later in the week.

I ask that you remember the Church Council in your prayers this week. This month usually marks the month when budget deliberations begin for the coming year. Pray that God give these men and women wisdom, and that, by the Holy Spirit, they be kept faithful and safe from the attacks of the devil.

Finally, the weekly beginning of Sunday School and Bible Class will be a special time. It's time for this fall's first award ceremony! Please make it a point to celebrate these achievements in the faith!

Prayer Concerns:
Johnnie King, father-in-law of Sue King, who is hospitalized
Daryl Piering, friend of the Jennings family, who is battling leukemia
Helen Placke, who is progressing well after double knee replacement surgery
Ruth Prytz, Donnae Blake, Ruby Rieder, and Ann Cleveland, who are currently home bound
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan)
The Sunday School teachers of Mt. Olive and the students committed to their instruction
Churches throughout the LCMS as they begin preparations for the new calendar year

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, 18 OCT 2010
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Church Council - Pastor's Conference Room
STARC testing - Overflow

Tuesday, 19 OCT 2010
7:30 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study at Barnes and Noble (Topic: the Flood)

Wednesday, 20 OCT 2010
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Deuteronomy)

6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, 24 OCT
8 and 10:30 a.m.
Divine Service

12 p.m.
Jr. Confirmation Instruction

5 p.m.
Youth Planning and Game Night

God bless!
PKJ

Pray And Do Not Lose Heart!

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Gospel for the day. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The words that Jesus speaks to us today about the importance of persistence in prayer-- are set in the context of a discussion that he is having with his disciples concerning the last days and his return in glory to judge the world. He calls to their memory the days of Noah and Lot—that people were going about their daily lives—unconcerned about their relationship with God—when the judgment of God fell upon them—destroying them all-- save for a few who still remained close to God.

The flood in Noah’s day and the fire in Lot’s days are Old Testament signs pointing to the final judgment that is still to come and we have Jesus’ warning that, just as it was it Noah’s day and Lot’s day, so it will be in the Day of the Lord—that the vast majority of people will be living life apart from God—going about their daily business unconcerned for their spiritual life—when the final, inescapable judgment of God will fall upon them.

He reminds his disciples- then and now- of the necessity for God’s people to stay close to him—especially through prayer. It is in that context that Jesus speaks these words on the importance of persistence in prayer. Luke writes that Jesus:
…told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

One of the great gifts that God has given us to sustain and strengthen our life with him is prayer: talking to him with our minds and mouths. Prayer is one half of that divine dialogue where God speaks to us in his Word—in the sermons we hear and in the Bible reading that we do throughout the week—and we respond to his words with our words of prayer. It is an amazing thing that the living God of the universe desires to speak to us and desires to hear from us!

But we don’t always do our part in this divine dialogue like we ought to. When it comes to our prayer life we look like that old married couple sitting in their living room and the wife is talking away and the husband has his head hidden behind the paper and contributes only the occasional “grunt” and sometimes not even that. Couples who don’t talk to one another don’t have as strong a relationship as God wants for them-- and it’s the same way in our relationship with God.

For our own spiritual welfare—to be prepared for the Last Day and even the next day of life-- we need to talk to God regularly in prayer.

Jesus knew that this would be difficult for us to do—he knew that the cares of the world would take over our lives at times-- and he knew that at others times it would seem as if God were not listening to our prayers and if he was listening, he certainly wasn’t answering. And so Jesus tells his disciples then and now this little parable to assure us that God is listening to our prayers-- and will answer us when we pray-- and so we ought to be persistent and confident in prayer. Jesus said:

"In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'

The judge in this parable was just the opposite of what a judge ought to be. A judge ought to recognize that he is God’s minister. He ought to have a proper fear of God knowing that he himself will one day be judged. He ought to see the law as the servant of the people for their good.

But the judge in the parable had none of these qualities—he had no fear of God and no regard for the opinions of men—and he was unconcerned about justice being done. But he met his match in a poor widow—and that is what is so unexpected in this parable.

The people of Jesus’ day would have understood immediately how desperate her situation was. Widows of that day had very few resources and even less power and influence. But what she did have was persistence—and that was enough. Though the judge didn’t care one wit about what God or his neighbors thought of him—he grew tired of listening to her and finally gave her the justice she asked for and needed.

She was powerless- and he was powerful- and yet because of her persistence his concern was that “she will beat me down by her continual coming.” The word that Luke uses to describe her persistence comes from the boxing world and it means that “she will give me a black eye”—a TKO--her persistence will pummel me to the point of submission to her request.

It is a vivid image—like a boxing match with Mike Tyson in one corner of the ring and Granny Clampet from the Beverly Hillbillies in the other corner of the ring. Just looking at the two of them you would never think that poor old Granny has a chance—but that widow never gave up—she was persistent--and that’s what makes the difference—that’s what gave her the victory when the odds were against her.

The widow’s persistence is the point of this parable on prayer. Jesus directs our attention to what the judge says about her: " Hear what the unrighteous judge says. Jesus wants us to pay special attention to the judge’s words. And so what does he say again?

'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'

We don’t know what got a burr under this poor old lady’s saddle—whether it was something to do with a bill or a boundary--but what ever it was, she cared about it deeply and simply wasn’t going to give up in asking for what she needed. Jesus wants us to do the same when it comes to our prayer life.

And yet when we compare our prayer life to the persistence of the widow we come up pretty short and we give up pretty easy—and what’s even worse is that we give up in spiritual things that are much more important than the material things this woman was so concerned about.

We pray for greater faith- and deliverance from temptation- and the grace to do God’s will- but we never make any real progress in spiritual things because we give up too easily --which is especially shameful because the God who is listening to our pleas and petitions is totally different than the evil judge in the parable. Jesus contrasts the complete difference between the judge and our heavenly Father. He says:

Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

The way the Greek grammar reads in this sentence is this: Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry out to him day and night (YOU BETTER BELIEVE HE WILL!). Will he delay long over them (NOT A CHANCE!)

The way that Jesus uses the judge in the story is as an example that is completely opposite of God. It is an argument from the least to the greatest and it means this: if even a wicked, unjust judge will eventually give in to the persistence of an old woman-- HOW MUCH MORE-- will your loving heavenly Father hear and answer your persistent prayers--you who have been known and loved and chosen from eternity to be his children—HOW MUCH MORE will God answer your prayers.

Our God is completely different than the judge in Jesus’ parable. Our God cares about justice-- and our God loves mankind-- and both of these concerns are shown finally and fully in the cross.

It was there on Calvary that God did what justice demanded by punishing the sins of the whole world. But it was also there, on that rough cross, that he showed his love for mankind by laying those sins upon his own Son who took our place under God’s wrath and suffered the punishment that our sins deserve. Justice and love perfectly united in the death of Christ to make things right between us and God.

God does indeed give justice to his elect—he gives the justice of righteousness fulfilled and sins atoned for and through faith in his Son Jesus Christ, God declares us not guilty. We who have been elected in Christ from eternity can be confident that through faith in Christ: our prayers are heard by God—that prayer is not an exercise in futility or wishful thinking or a last resort-- but instead prayer is the language of faith—a firm confidence that our prayers will be answered by God in his perfect time.

Jesus promises: I tell you, God will give justice to them SPEEDILY. We live in a culture where people want-- what they want—right now. The whole concept of patient waiting, to say nothing of the value of delayed gratification, is completely lost on us. We want new furniture and so instead of saving for it we pull out the old credit card. Couples want intimacy with one another but won’t wait for marriage. We can’t wait 45 minutes for dinner to be ready so we go out for fast food.

Our demand for things NOW affects our prayer life and faith life as well-- and when we don’t get what we want, when we want it, we think God has somehow failed us and we don’t persevere in prayer like we ought.

But the Lord answers our prayers with not only what we need-- but he answers them so that we receive what we need at just exactly the right time. What we see as a delay in the Lord’s answers is the Lord removing selfishness from our petitions- and what we see as silence is the Lord strengthening our faith—which is what we really need AND what God really wants to give us.

Given our lack or persistence in prayer and our lack of patience in prayer—Jesus asks us: When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" In other words, are we going to live our lives like the people of Noah’s day and Lot’s day—busy with the things of the world but unconcerned about spiritual things and disconnected from God—OR—are we going to stay close to God through persistent prayer?

The day of the Lord will come. Evil will be punished with everlasting fire. The faithful will go to be with the Lord in heaven. This world that is broken by sin will be destroyed and a new heaven and a new earth will come forth. What God’s people have hoped for and longed for in this life—even if we couldn’t put a name on it—will be granted on that day. Will Jesus find us faithful on that day?

The Lord doesn’t ask us that question to cause us to doubt our eternal future. He asks it so that we can respond with the “yes” of faith! “Yes Lord! By your grace and with your help I will remain faithful and steadfast until I stand in your presence. And until that day I will stay close to you in prayer.” May God grant it to us all for Jesus’ sake! Amen.

And now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.