The Offer Still Stands

Proper 19 year C, Luke 15:1-10

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

that Jesus teaches in a particular way. So just to break open what are seen in the context of what we're seeing here with Jesus is that Jesus opens up chapter 15 of Luke, eating and dining with, we are told by the Pharisees and scribes, with sinners and tax collectors. So right out of the gate in chapter 15, we need to understand that there are two groups of people. There are sinners and tax collectors who have come near to Jesus who are to listen to him and who are eating with him. They're dining with him. Then you have the Pharisees and the scribes who witnessed this and are grumbling. Now, this is important because a chapter previously in Luke chapter 14, which we've already looked at a couple of weeks ago, chapter 14 opens up with Jesus dining with Pharisee on the Sabbath and he gives those parables about not positioning yourself closest to the host, but humbling yourself, and then you'll be exalted. And then he tells the host, don't invite people who can repay you, but instead invite the lame, the poor, and the crippled. So here in chapter 15, we see Jesus demonstrating what he has previously taught at the house of the Pharisee at that dinner meal. Jesus is eating and dining with sinners So they are being exalted from their humble estate to come near to Jesus and to dine with him. And this means, or this for the Pharisees and scribes, we are told, causes them to grumble. Now, if you are a student of the scriptures, you should be very familiar with that word grumble. When Moses delivers Israel out of the land of Egypt and into the wilderness, he immediately out in the wilderness after they've been saved from slavery, what do the people of Israel begin to do? They begin to grumble, or we can also use the word murmur. They're annoyingly proclaiming, why have you brought us out into the wilderness to die? We have nothing to drink. So the Lord brings water from the rock. And then they murmur again in Exodus 16. The next chapter after they ask for water and drink, they're murmuring about food. Man, it would be way better to go back to Egypt than to die out here in the wilderness because we have no food. At least we would fill our bellies back there. So the Lord provides in their murmuring, in their grumbling, he provides manna from heaven. So you have bread and living water coming and feeding those who are murmuring and grumbling in the wilderness. That's how God handled and responded to their grumbling. But I have a question before we go any further, and this will involve audience participation. When Jesus breaks into this trilogy of lostness, so he's going to have three parables here about lostness, the lost sheep, the one leaving the 99 for the sake of the one, which we all are familiar with, with, where he's going to talk about the woman who lost a coin, right, and goes searching for it and finds it. We're familiar with that one. And then we're probably most familiar with the prodigal son, the son who's lost, who repents and returns back to his father, and they celebrate and rejoice. So that's the trilogy of lostness. So because we have two groups of people, To whom is this trilogy of lostness for? The sinners and the tax collectors or the Pharisees and the scribes? Because those are the two groups that Luke is giving us. How many people would say, well, that parable speaks to the sinners and the tax collectors who are dining with Jesus? Show of hands. You gotta be kidding me. Okay, one, we got one here. All right, two, three. I see that hand, I see that hand. Okay, so that must mean, how many people think he's referring to the Pharisees and the scribes? How many people don't care? Right, you guys kind of failed me on that one. Okay, well, traditionally I felt, I grew up on this, that Sunday school, the Sunday school lesson is that he is, Jesus is teaching these parables about the lost sheep to point out why he is eating with the sinners and the tax collectors. Because the Pharisees and the scribes, as we all know, are his critics, his biggest critics, his biggest rivals, his enemies, Those who oppose him, those who are hostile to him, right? Because they're grumbling. Jesus says, well, I know you're grumbling, but let me tell you some parables that heaven and earth and I rejoice over repentant ones who come. And when they come, I get to dine with them. And that makes really good sense. But this morning, I would like to suggest to you that that is not the best way to read this. And what I am about to teach you, hopefully, will open your mind to consider how it is that God responds to his worst critics, how God might respond to those who are constant murmurers and grumblers, his enemies. How does Jesus respond to his enemies? This word grumble that Luke uses is meant to have the reader or his audience draw their attention back to the Exodus when Israel was grumbling, right? And how God responded to their grumbling. So to give you a frame of reference for what Jesus is about to teach. So if the Pharisees and scribes are grumbling and God once responded to them out of his mercy and grace and provided water and food for them, which is what they grumbled for, how is Jesus now going to respond to those who are grumbling that he is eating with sinners? And I'm going to argue that that's what we're going to see in the parables that Jesus teaches. Further, the parables talk about something that's lost that was previously possessed. The parable of the lost sheep is about having a hundred sheep and one leaves the flock in the wilderness and the shepherd leaves the flock and goes and pursues the one. If we are to read that the sinners and the tax collectors are the one that he goes and pursues, then when was the sinners and the tax collectors ever a part of the flock? That makes more sense that Israel or the Pharisees and scribes who were once a part of Israel or still a part of Israel have gone gone astray and left the shepherd, and the shepherd is now going to pursue them. Just to offer you other evidence of this is that Jesus himself talks about the Pharisees and the scribes in Matthew chapter 10, 5 and 6, specifically 6, and says that he instructs the disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The lost sheep. So Jesus himself refers to the Pharisees and the scribes and Jews in general, Israel in general, as the lost sheep. Another point that I think is interesting, that I think helps determine who Jesus is intending for these parables, is that in Luke chapter 7, verses 29 through 30, this is what it says. It says that when all the people in the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John. What is John's baptism but repentance? So it makes better sense that those who have already repented, the sinners and the tax collectors, are now dining with Jesus. And the rejoice is being received. The joy is being received. But the parables speak to those who are not yet repentant. And so I think we are meant to understand that at least these first two parables that is in our gospel lesson today is pointed directly at the Pharisees and the scribes as the lost sheep, as the lost coin that was once possessed, but has gone astray. And Jesus, then the whole implication, the whole significance of what we're talking about, why I'm laying this out before you is because in our minds, being sinners ourselves, We want to know that Jesus welcomes us in, that he will forgive us of our sins if we repent and we can draw near to him then and then dine and feast with him. And that is true. And that is what happens and is taking place with the sinners and the tax collectors. But what about the enemies of God? What about the critics of God? What about those who are rebellious? The Pharisees and the scribes are definitely rebelling against Jesus and what he's bringing, which is the kingdom. What about them? Will God offer grace and mercy and extend an offer to them to come and dine with them? This whole time as we've been walking through Luke, I have in intentionally been painting because the scriptures do, how bad these Pharisees and scribes are. I continually make notice of how hostile they are, how they're seeking to catch Jesus, how eventually they're going to want to kill him. And how is it that Jesus responds to their grumbling here? Well, he responds by painting them a picture. See, they are grumbling because I think they're jealous of the fact that he is dining with sinners and tax collectors. And there's a part of them that wants to know if they, if that offer is also extended to them. If the offer still stands to come and dine with Jesus. And even if they're not thinking it, I think that's Jesus's intent. That if they were to stop opposing him and if they would repent of their ways and their self-righteous ways to embrace the kingdom that Jesus is bringing to an embrace the message that Jesus is proclaiming, then what Jesus is saying is profound. And this is what Jesus is saying. Jesus is saying, for you, Pharisee and scribe who are grumbling over what is taking place here, the offer also stands for you. That if you were to repent of your ways, Then I, like a shepherd, will come and lift you up on my shoulders. I will bear your burden and I will bring you back into the flock. I, like a woman, Jesus says, who lost a day wage, will go and light lamps and search the house for it to find it and then rejoice over it. making the point that if you were to repent, Pharisees and scribes, if you were to repent, there is great rejoicing in heaven over your repentance than over those who need no repentance. That's what it says in the gospel. Who doesn't need repentance but the ones who have already repented and have been welcomed and are already dining with Jesus? Because that is the end result of repentance is is union to Christ, is moving closer to Christ, is getting to dine and feast and have communion with Christ. That's what repentance affords. And Jesus is saying, my offer still stands for you. And that's what Jesus is teaching. That's how Jesus responds. to his enemies, to his opposition, to those hostile to him. And so how might we apply this to our lives? Well, first, before we get there, let me just point that reality out. I mean, you can make fun of me and you're going to become my enemy, or you can punch me in the face and I'm not going to invite you to dinner. But what does this say about the God we serve that even in your own life, when you are cast away with your rebellion and you're shaking your fist at God because you're spurned and enraged by whatever is happening in your life, how is it that he approaches you? Like this, Romans 2, 4. Or do you not think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? The fact that Jesus is saying the offer still stands to the Pharisees and the scribes demonstrates the kindness, the loving kindness of God. And the reason why he is so loving and kind, because he believes and he embodies the fact that that's what brings people to repentance, to be given something they don't deserve, to be treated with kindness and love despite their wayward ways and their ignorance. God is saying that he is a loving and kind God, and it is the best thing that leads people to repentance. Whereas we might think, well, no, discipline and violence, that is the thing that will bring people to their knees. Jesus says, no, my way to bring people to their knees and cause them to turn their life around is my loving kindness. And it's through my loving kindness that they'll receive their repentance. And then they'll be able to draw near to me. So what does this mean for our lives? That means that we should embody a lifestyle that is constantly repenting. If it is true from these parables, from the teaching of Jesus, that every time a sinner turns in repentance, that there is a great celebration in the heavens that takes place among the angels, Couldn't every Sunday when we confess our sins, a great party blasts and echoes through the realm of heaven? Couldn't we incite heaven to constantly be in celebration over the fact that when we sin and repent, they rejoice? And I think in even our pardon that I speak over you and you speak into me, 1 John 1, 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I know you didn't come here for a Greek lesson, but that's why you guys pay me the few bucks that you do or the big bucks. I don't even know how much you get paid, but that's why you guys pay me. Go find out Greek and tell us what it means. So here's what it means. As you are continuing to confess Confess is the Greek verb. As you are constantly in a position of confessing, that's what that means when it says, if we confess. If we are confessing our sins, then Jesus is faithful and righteous to be forgiving of our sins, a perpetual verb. So as long as you confess... then Jesus will constantly as well forgive you. Which means we should be getting sin out of ourselves and repenting of it, confessing it constantly so that we could be constantly receiving the forgiveness from Jesus. And when this happens, by Jesus' own mouth and his words, heaven erupts in celebration over you who repent of your sin. In one way, our lives can be a constant celebration by ridding our lives of the sin through confession. It also teaches us that just like Jesus, who extends grace to even his fierce critics, that we too can offer that same grace to those who oppose the church or who oppose us or who continue to oppose Christ. We are the ones who can extend an offer of repentance, which means we're extending an offer to come in fellowship, to come in commune. That's how we ought to respond to our enemies. That's how we ought to respond to our critics in the exact same way that Jesus does. But then all of this lastly embodies urgency as well. Because the offer still stands for now. The offer to repent and draw near to Christ and enjoy a meal with him and commune with him still stands even for his enemies, even for anybody that we would never fathom that would bow their knee to Jesus. But for now... See, Jesus has sent out the invitations. His table is already set. And the kingdom of heaven is already at hand. So if we respond to that invitation through repentance, then we will enjoy that feast with Jesus. But it's a limited offer. It doesn't happen for all eternity. In 2 Corinthians 6, 2, it says this, For he says, At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. But that day comes to an end. When does it come to an end? Well, when Jesus returns, or Hebrews 9, 27, And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment. So you have two opportunities. One, you get to repent until Jesus returns. You can take up his offer and invite to feasting with him, to communion with him, until he returns, and then he's going to execute his judgment, but also your own lifetime. Maybe you've already worked out the date of when you'll pass away. I don't know. Probably not. We don't know when that day comes, but it's clear in the Scriptures that that you can repent while you have life, but when you die, you will face judgment. And then the offer that still stands, stands no more if you have not repented. And I'll say this because we're about to enter time of communion where we commune with God through offering our tributes and thanksgiving to him, but also to offer our prayers and thanksgiving to him. Amen. Amen. And I've heard a couple things talked about this week that I thought made really good sense and really speaks into why we have to, as the church, continue to be together. To continue to be the family. And that is, there were people that were testifying. I didn't know Charlie Kirk personally. I've seen a few things of his. But there's something in me that really is mourning his loss. Something more so than any other thing that has taken place in our culture. And it dawned on this person that it's because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the family of God. That when we are made aware that one of our brothers and sisters, something has happened to them for the sake of Christ, we feel the weight of it, even though we may not know them. I think that's true. I think that's how the church works. We are a family of God. I'm one that... would even claim, like, I have this weird thing where I can feel people's empathy. I can feel what people are feeling. And oftentimes, I wish I didn't feel that. When Beau scratches or hurts himself, I somehow, like, feel the pain. When my wife is down, I kind of feel that. And my response is generally to try to fix it and problem solve it and say, okay, let's do this. I can feel it. I don't know why that is. I just do. And I think there's an element of that that exists within the family. We share each other's burdens. We're here for each other. And that's why we can't forsake and give up the coming together. Because I could tell you, Melissa or I can come into this place on Sunday just feeling really down because things are happening. But what this is meant to also do is to lift up our souls to Christ together. That by seeing your faces, you could believe this or not, by seeing your faces brings utter joy to my life. It's because I've come to love you crazy people more than I've ever loved anybody before And I hope you reciprocate that. And that's why I don't want to forsake this. That's why I don't, we don't take many vacations on the weekend because I want to be here with you. And that's just me. I'm also a pastor. But I'm just like that. That's me. I'm not imposing that on anybody else because that's what I need in my life. And when we come together as the church, there's only one thing in all this crazy evil world that actually possesses the power to push back upon the enemy. I said it this morning in our choir as we were talking, our choir practice, and that is, what we saw this week is this, oftentimes evil parades itself, but it's masquerading. It has a mask on. And we would like to pinpoint it, but it's still kind of vague. We're like, man, that feels evil. But it's not directly apparent, but it feels evil. I discern that it's evil. Well, that's because evil masquerades. It hides behind other things. But every once in a while in our world, the boldness of evil lifts up the masks and smiles and says, oh, it's me. And there's no confusion. There's no more hiding. There's no more masquerading. And what we're seeing now in our culture this week is the world freaks out. The world responds and wants to maybe be violent or cause division. And they're going to come up with solutions that do not possess the power of the kingdom of God to push back the enemies into his rightful place. I hope you understand this. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church, but it can prevail in any other gates there are, in any other kingdoms in the world. It won't, Jesus promises, here. And Jesus says, and I've even given you the keys to bind things and to loose things. This is why we can't stop our worship. This is why I'm imploring you that when we pray together, your mouth and your words and all of us doing that together possesses the power to push back, to bind up the enemies. We are going to be praying for people who need healing. We are going to be praying against the wickedness of the world. And we plead to the one who has the only ability and power to do so. Only in the name of Jesus Christ do the demons flee and shudder. Guess who's marked and etched and engraved with the name of Christ? Us. And you might think like, well, let's all go to our houses and we'll do it all there. No, no, no, no. Right now, just us being together, gathered here in our worshiping and singing to God, in our acts of worship, of offering our bodies in sacrifice to the Lord in worship, us praying together is the most powerful weapon we can offer in advancing the kingdom out there and pushing back the enemy. So you might think we're crazy with being so formal and this, that, and the other thing. It's just to make sure that we're getting all our weapons out. I stand here, hopefully, to remind you of the thing that even if your life is forfeit, you're going to be dressed like this when you dine with Jesus as you draw close. The scriptures only tell you there's one attire and that everybody looks like Jesus by wearing radiant white robes. And so you could come in here and had a horrible week, but maybe, just maybe in our practices, in our actions, in service, in worship, and how we look can communicate to you the hope that we long to have. Amen. Amen. Amen. the small C Catholic Church, the universal church of all the saints gathering together and praying to God, because they're the only ones that can intercede. I hope I can stir you to passion to join me in all that. That we pray for our enemies, those who disagree with us, those who need the salvation of Christ Jesus. Because think about this. We could try to incite political change. We could try to get out leaders and put better ones in. But what if the agents of evil out there repented and had a complete heart change? That's a win-win. That's most effective is to take a murderer and have his heart changed to loving life and having life himself through Jesus Christ to where he cherishes every image of God ever made. That's true change. Guess who possesses those type of influences? Only us, church. Only believers of Jesus Christ as we've experienced so now we can offer it to others while the offer still stands let's pray