Rev. Dustin ParkerBest Sermon I've never actually Preached
Concordia Lutheran Church
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church
Pentecost 22, October 24, 2010
( Sunday, Concordia had a missionary, Pr. Bernie Lutz preaching God's word, this sermon was preached by deacon Don Harrell, as he substituted in one of our tri-circuit churches)
Let Them Come
Luke 18:9-17
IN JESUS NAME
May God’s abundant mercy flow into this community, overwhelming that which would hinder anyone from coming to Him!
Real life, defining the parable…
Let them come…
The parable is to them
We all know people like the Pharisee in the parable that starts the gospel don’t we? Those people that are so self-righteous, so judgmental, so willing to treat other people with contempt – oh they drive me crazy! It seems I have to deal with at least one of them every day! You know the type! They dismiss those that are less mature in the faith, and sigh deeply when someone less knowledgeable asks a question that everyone should know the answer to in Bible Study. The kind that are sure that God’s people couldn’t vote for that person, and that people that go to those other denominations might not even be Christian. The kind that isn’t sure if we should waist good money supporting ministry that share the gospel with those… heathens over “there”, or down there….
I hate dealing with those kids of people! They just so spiritually lost, and they just don’t get it!
O wait…. I am describing someone I know all too well – and deal with on a daily basis –
Me.
Using the story of the disciples rebuking the parents for bringing infants to Jesus, I see myself often as both the infant – needing God’s love and touch, kindling in me faith. But I also see myself as the greatest hindrance to me actually getting to Christ, and it is those times as well that I often find myself looking down on others.
It is a perfect example of Paul’s words to the church in Rome, the things I know I should do, it seems like I cannot, the things I should not do, I find myself doing.
When it says Jesus told this parable to those who were confident in their own righteousness, I want to dismiss it, I want to think about those that He really means, and yet, I need to know He cares, that He knows me, and what I need.
And so I admit – this parable is about me, I need to hear it, I need to Let them be brought to Jesus, I need to be brought to Him. I am pretty sure it fits most of us, at least once a week or so…
We need to see the hindrance dealt with, we need to realize why Jesus told them the parable…and how the parable could have been different….
If I were telling these self righteous jerks (including myself) this parable, I would want it to sting, to cause them to realize that they were evil, to brutalize them the way they have brutalized others. I would probably be as mean to them – and jam this down there throat. But Jesus has something else in mind – their salvation. Knowing that they cannot care for themselves – He wants to care for them, and to remove that which would hinder their coming.
The Hindrance
Is it 8th Commandment?
Look at our targets
Or is it first?
Confidence in their righteousness….
The Pharisee in the parable has a problem – that shows itself in two ways. The first is that he has convinced himself, persuaded himself, trusted his own judgment that he was just and righteous. He was so convinced by his own judgment of his life that he went to the holy place, the place no one else would stand, to utter his “prayer”. So on one hand – his judgment erred in his evaluation of himself.
He also erred in his judgment of the tax collector, the one who was broken in every way by his sin. Can you imagine me out loud, during the general prayer, praying for loud enough to hear (look up to the cross.) “Thank you Lord, that I am not like other people, not like Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman; like those who cheat on their taxes, or waste time at work surfing the internet or even well like these people at Fountain of Life. Lord remember that I am a great deacon, and that I willing do whatever my pastor asks, and know all about the fact that the chief purpose of all service is to teach people about Christ, and that you’ve made me good at it!”
How many of you would hear me pray that way and walk out – or probably toss me out? Or call Pastor Parker…uhm..
But how often is such bravado masking our own pain, our own shame? Why do we have to believe that we are holier than those people or more mature than others? Is this simply about not breaking the 8th commandment, or is there something more. Do we set ourselves up as some kind of idol to be worshipped and praised? Is there something behind this?
The word for trust is interesting here, it is not faith- but rather a passive form of being persuaded – we have to con ourselves into our righteousness, and so often, it is at the cost of destroying others.
There is a better way….
The Prayer that Avails..
Send the HIlasterion!
That’s what the temple was! The Pharisee knew this..yet…
The Cross
Mercy Delivered! (John, Hebrews, Eph.)
The other man is there, back in the corner of the courtyard, not willing to even look up at the temple beauty, or to consider the God that put His name there, as Solomon prays in the original temple dedication, that God would hear when people pray toward this place, and when God hears in heaven, forgives. This is the temple that when that is humbly prayed by their King, God devours the sacrifices with flames, and the smoke is so thick the priests cannot continue to lead the service. God cleansed them that day of their sin, completely. God and His people celebrated their relationship.
The political appointee who betrayed his people – for that is what the tax collector was, prays for such comfort, it is his hope. He is not better than the Pharisee, they are both sinners. Rather that focus on the other person’s sin, he sees his own need, his own failures and pleads for mercy – but not just any mercy.
This word is different, only used a few times in the scriptures – the tax collector is calling for someone to compensate for his failures, to make amends, to pay the price, the theological term is propitiation. It’s the term as well for when the blood of the sacrifice is poured out on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant – the blood that would atone. He is begging for that which God had promised since the garden, that God would provide the sacrifice that would establish the fullness of God’s mercy and show it to him.
It is the cry of the Psalm 79, 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! Psalm 79:9 (ESV)
And God did. Hear a few other places where this incredible word is used. Look at your handout – the word for propitiation is seen in the underlined sections.
62 I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, 63 that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 16:62-63 (ESV)
Remember our words of institution – the Blood of the New Covenant…. (pause and let this sink in) Further – hear more…
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Romans 3:25-26 (NLT)
17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (NLT)
2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 1 John 2:2 (NLT)
That which the tax collector so desired, to know that God would fulfill the promises, we know has occurred. Christ was the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice, the one who compensates and makes amends for our sins, and makes us His people! We are his brothers and sisters, His co-heirs, the children of the Father, (pause)
He is our God and we are His people…
The man went away justified, he went away declared as righteous… not convinced of it by his own mind and judgment, but by the very judgment of God.
The purpose of the temple is complete… the ancient prayer of Solomon answered fully!
He is forgiven – even as we are – even when we recognize that we act more like the Pharisee at times….
And Jesus has removed that which would hinder us from being in His presence…and we find ourselves there.
Imagine the difference…..
A new parable is possible in Christ. Convinced by scripture, trusting in the blood of Christ, we are found praying in this sanctuary. We become aware of some slipping in the back – and almost hiding in the back pews….
We stop our prayer, and heading back to our brother or sister, one created in the image of God, another for whom John’s epistle description is accurate. (said softly this time)
2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
Instead of rejoicing in our own estimation of ourselves, we rejoice in our commonality, the one thing that binds us together…. That we are sinners, who the Lord has compensated for, who has been our propitiation, our righteousness.
We sit beside them, the tax collector, the person who has sinned and betrayed, who cannot lift their eyes up to look at the altar, and the cross, and we say….
“your prayers have been answered, trust in Jesus, that His blood was the sacrifice for our sins…come – the hindrances are gone!”
And rejoice with them as you both abide in the peace of God that passes all understanding, even as Jesus secures our hearts and minds in that peace.
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church
Pentecost 22, October 24, 2010
( Sunday, Concordia had a missionary, Pr. Bernie Lutz preaching God's word, this sermon was preached by deacon Don Harrell, as he substituted in one of our tri-circuit churches)
Let Them Come
Luke 18:9-17
IN JESUS NAME
May God’s abundant mercy flow into this community, overwhelming that which would hinder anyone from coming to Him!
Real life, defining the parable…
Let them come…
The parable is to them
We all know people like the Pharisee in the parable that starts the gospel don’t we? Those people that are so self-righteous, so judgmental, so willing to treat other people with contempt – oh they drive me crazy! It seems I have to deal with at least one of them every day! You know the type! They dismiss those that are less mature in the faith, and sigh deeply when someone less knowledgeable asks a question that everyone should know the answer to in Bible Study. The kind that are sure that God’s people couldn’t vote for that person, and that people that go to those other denominations might not even be Christian. The kind that isn’t sure if we should waist good money supporting ministry that share the gospel with those… heathens over “there”, or down there….
I hate dealing with those kids of people! They just so spiritually lost, and they just don’t get it!
O wait…. I am describing someone I know all too well – and deal with on a daily basis –
Me.
Using the story of the disciples rebuking the parents for bringing infants to Jesus, I see myself often as both the infant – needing God’s love and touch, kindling in me faith. But I also see myself as the greatest hindrance to me actually getting to Christ, and it is those times as well that I often find myself looking down on others.
It is a perfect example of Paul’s words to the church in Rome, the things I know I should do, it seems like I cannot, the things I should not do, I find myself doing.
When it says Jesus told this parable to those who were confident in their own righteousness, I want to dismiss it, I want to think about those that He really means, and yet, I need to know He cares, that He knows me, and what I need.
And so I admit – this parable is about me, I need to hear it, I need to Let them be brought to Jesus, I need to be brought to Him. I am pretty sure it fits most of us, at least once a week or so…
We need to see the hindrance dealt with, we need to realize why Jesus told them the parable…and how the parable could have been different….
If I were telling these self righteous jerks (including myself) this parable, I would want it to sting, to cause them to realize that they were evil, to brutalize them the way they have brutalized others. I would probably be as mean to them – and jam this down there throat. But Jesus has something else in mind – their salvation. Knowing that they cannot care for themselves – He wants to care for them, and to remove that which would hinder their coming.
The Hindrance
Is it 8th Commandment?
Look at our targets
Or is it first?
Confidence in their righteousness….
The Pharisee in the parable has a problem – that shows itself in two ways. The first is that he has convinced himself, persuaded himself, trusted his own judgment that he was just and righteous. He was so convinced by his own judgment of his life that he went to the holy place, the place no one else would stand, to utter his “prayer”. So on one hand – his judgment erred in his evaluation of himself.
He also erred in his judgment of the tax collector, the one who was broken in every way by his sin. Can you imagine me out loud, during the general prayer, praying for loud enough to hear (look up to the cross.) “Thank you Lord, that I am not like other people, not like Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman; like those who cheat on their taxes, or waste time at work surfing the internet or even well like these people at Fountain of Life. Lord remember that I am a great deacon, and that I willing do whatever my pastor asks, and know all about the fact that the chief purpose of all service is to teach people about Christ, and that you’ve made me good at it!”
How many of you would hear me pray that way and walk out – or probably toss me out? Or call Pastor Parker…uhm..
But how often is such bravado masking our own pain, our own shame? Why do we have to believe that we are holier than those people or more mature than others? Is this simply about not breaking the 8th commandment, or is there something more. Do we set ourselves up as some kind of idol to be worshipped and praised? Is there something behind this?
The word for trust is interesting here, it is not faith- but rather a passive form of being persuaded – we have to con ourselves into our righteousness, and so often, it is at the cost of destroying others.
There is a better way….
The Prayer that Avails..
Send the HIlasterion!
That’s what the temple was! The Pharisee knew this..yet…
The Cross
Mercy Delivered! (John, Hebrews, Eph.)
The other man is there, back in the corner of the courtyard, not willing to even look up at the temple beauty, or to consider the God that put His name there, as Solomon prays in the original temple dedication, that God would hear when people pray toward this place, and when God hears in heaven, forgives. This is the temple that when that is humbly prayed by their King, God devours the sacrifices with flames, and the smoke is so thick the priests cannot continue to lead the service. God cleansed them that day of their sin, completely. God and His people celebrated their relationship.
The political appointee who betrayed his people – for that is what the tax collector was, prays for such comfort, it is his hope. He is not better than the Pharisee, they are both sinners. Rather that focus on the other person’s sin, he sees his own need, his own failures and pleads for mercy – but not just any mercy.
This word is different, only used a few times in the scriptures – the tax collector is calling for someone to compensate for his failures, to make amends, to pay the price, the theological term is propitiation. It’s the term as well for when the blood of the sacrifice is poured out on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant – the blood that would atone. He is begging for that which God had promised since the garden, that God would provide the sacrifice that would establish the fullness of God’s mercy and show it to him.
It is the cry of the Psalm 79, 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! Psalm 79:9 (ESV)
And God did. Hear a few other places where this incredible word is used. Look at your handout – the word for propitiation is seen in the underlined sections.
62 I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, 63 that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 16:62-63 (ESV)
Remember our words of institution – the Blood of the New Covenant…. (pause and let this sink in) Further – hear more…
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Romans 3:25-26 (NLT)
17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (NLT)
2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 1 John 2:2 (NLT)
That which the tax collector so desired, to know that God would fulfill the promises, we know has occurred. Christ was the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice, the one who compensates and makes amends for our sins, and makes us His people! We are his brothers and sisters, His co-heirs, the children of the Father, (pause)
He is our God and we are His people…
The man went away justified, he went away declared as righteous… not convinced of it by his own mind and judgment, but by the very judgment of God.
The purpose of the temple is complete… the ancient prayer of Solomon answered fully!
He is forgiven – even as we are – even when we recognize that we act more like the Pharisee at times….
And Jesus has removed that which would hinder us from being in His presence…and we find ourselves there.
Imagine the difference…..
A new parable is possible in Christ. Convinced by scripture, trusting in the blood of Christ, we are found praying in this sanctuary. We become aware of some slipping in the back – and almost hiding in the back pews….
We stop our prayer, and heading back to our brother or sister, one created in the image of God, another for whom John’s epistle description is accurate. (said softly this time)
2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
Instead of rejoicing in our own estimation of ourselves, we rejoice in our commonality, the one thing that binds us together…. That we are sinners, who the Lord has compensated for, who has been our propitiation, our righteousness.
We sit beside them, the tax collector, the person who has sinned and betrayed, who cannot lift their eyes up to look at the altar, and the cross, and we say….
“your prayers have been answered, trust in Jesus, that His blood was the sacrifice for our sins…come – the hindrances are gone!”
And rejoice with them as you both abide in the peace of God that passes all understanding, even as Jesus secures our hearts and minds in that peace.
