PROPER 14-Epistle

TEXT: Romans 10:5-17

TITLE: “It’s Too Easy”

“(that is, to bring Christ down)…(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)” Rom.10:6-7

“It’s too easy!” That’s a common thought of both believer and unbeliever when they consider God’s means of grace and our salvation. RCH Lenski says, “God’s righteousness calls out to us, not to ask with discouraging hearts who will ascend up to heaven as though righteousness had not yet been purchased and won for us by Christ.” We have it now! And…it’s in His Word! He goes on to say, “The parenthesis pertains only to the use made of the question by Paul, (“Who will ascend to heaven?”) which is to show that Christ and His righteousness are and ever have been in the Word.”

We don’t need to ascend to heaven to hear Christ either. We have Him in His Word. Paul, who did ascend to (the 3^rd) heaven, hence he speaks as one who’s been there. In the second parenthesis, Paul refers to the completion of Christ’s mission by His resurrection.

We needn’t look any farther than our Bible for we have our salvation in God’s Word. Jesus said, “I am the logos (the Word).” From “In the beginning,” to when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” to ‘these last days,’ Jesus is with us. True, His grace it is too easy.  But thanks be to God it’s ours! 

Father, thank you for Your Word which like You, is life to us, in Jesus Name, Amen.

PROPER 14-Gospel

TEXT: Matthew 14:22-33

TITLE: God’s Ever Present Helping Hand

“Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Matt.14:28

Peter walking on water; what a fascinating story! I’m reminded by Peter’s question-“Lord, if it’s you, etc?” to that of Satan’s question of temptation to Jesus, “If you’re the Son of God?” followed by his request for Jesus to do a miracle. One question coming from a faithless tempter, the other from a faith-filled friend! Both questions directed toward the Lord, God’s Son! We know which question he answered and He did so with a miracle.   

This story always focuses on Peter and his faith and rightfully so. However, what about the faith of the others in the boat! I wonder if Jesus had done the calling and called us, would we have stepped out. When we think of it, we’re often called to step out in faith. Like Peter, we do so believing our Lord is before us. However, there may also be times when the wind and waves of our trial seem so great we begin to wonder, fear, and cry for help. “Lo, I’m with you always” is Jesus promise. “Why did we doubt? Like Peter, we’re weak sinners. Yet, as believers we’re forgiven, gifted with faith, and live under His grace. We can step out trusting in God’s love and presence in our lives.

Lord God, grant me courage and trust that in all my life’s circumstances, I know You’ll be there for me, in Jesus Name, Amen. 

PROPER 14-Old Testament

TEXT: Job 38:4-18

TITLE: Mr. Know-it-all

                                     “Tell me if you think you know all this.” Job 38:18b

There was a segment from the old Rocky and Bulwinkle tv show entitled, “Mr. Know-it-all.” Bulwinkle donned a hat, tux, and cane and gave pearls of wisdom regarding such things as how to catch a bee or sneak into a movie without buying a ticket. There is also a Mr. Know-it-all song. The following is an excerpt:

                                      “They call me Mr. Know-it-all; I have no time to waste;

                                        My mouth it spews pure intellect, And I’ve such elegant taste.

                                        They call me Mr. Know-it-all, I am so elegant;

                                        And whatever…rhymes with elegant!”

Job could not understand his suffering. He believed God brought about his suffering and it was unjust. In a sense, Job thought he was a Mr. Know-it-all! But he didn’t know it all nor do we! We may question God with things such as the suffering of innocent children. Or, things like the rich continually getting richer and the poor, poorer. Or, things such as hunger, homelessness, orphans? God knows, and like Job, we need to recognize that He is God and we’re not. Plus, His ways are higher than our ways. Yet, we’re Godly Mr. Know-it-all’s when by faith, we believe in Jesus and trust in His Word and love; particularly when it comes to times and things we just can’t understand. Thus, we let go to Him who is the uncreated, Holy, Almighty and ultimate Mr. Know-it-all...God.  

PROPER 15-Epistle

TEXT: Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32

TITLE: Signs

“For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all.” Rom.11:32

“Signs” a 5-Man Electrical Band song of the early seventies, contains lyrics that protest the rules made by the establishment of that day. One lyric states-“The sign says you have to have a membership card to get inside.” Exclusivity! Not so with the Kingdom of God! The door to heaven is open for all people. Paul makes a special point to include both Jews and Gentiles in this text.

But before anyone (Jew or Gentile) thinks they have some sort of exclusive rights and privileges to the Kingdom of God Paul reminds us that we are all sinners. We’ve the sign-‘Sinner’ above our life’s personal ledger. Once, Jesus had a sign above His head that read, “King of the Jews.” Though rejected by His own people-the Jews and put to death by the Gentile establishment; Jesus paid the price for our sins. Thus, He erased that sign-‘Sinner’ from the Book of Life and stamped a couple signs of His own; ‘Forgiven!’ and ’Saint!’ This is the mercy of which our text speaks. Though we’re undeserving, Jesus still provided His mercy. He once proclaimed, “I am the door;” the door to heaven. No sign above that door or membership card required to get inside; only free passage by grace through faith in Jesus! 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your sign of love through Jesus your Son, in His Name we pray, Amen.

PROPER 15-Gospel           

TEXT: Matt.15:21-28

TITLE: Dogged Determination

“Yes Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table.” Matt.15:27

I had a dog once named Sparky. The thing with Sparky was, when he grabbed onto his ‘play sock’ he wouldn’t let go. I could pull him off the ground and spin him in circles and he wouldn’t let go. The woman of our text was a lot like Sparky! The Bible says, “God indeed tempts no one,” but He will test us. Jesus put this Canaanite woman to the test; 3 of them to be exact! Test 1-He gives her the silent treatment; Test 2-Jesus tells her He’s not sent except to the lost sheep of Israel to which she was not a part.  Finally Test 3; He indirectly calls her a name by saying, “It’s not right to take the children’s food and toss it to the dogs.” Instead of taking offense to Jesus dog remark, she claimed it and like Sparky, wouldn’t let go till Jesus blessed her. She turned Jesus words into words of faith by saying though she be a dog (Gentile) she was at least like a ‘family dog’ happy with the crumbs; knowing even the ‘crumbs’ would be enough to answer her request. He would have us ‘not let go’ either as He desires to answer our every persistence prayer

according to His perfect will and love.  

Father, may Your Spirit ever keep us persistent in seeking Your Will, in Jesus Name, Amen.    

PROPER 15-Old Testament

TEXT: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

TITLE: God’s Open House of Prayer

“For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isa. 56:7b

There’s a story of a Spanish family that came to abide in a small, peaceful, church-going community in South Texas. The father and mother found work doing manual labor in the fields surrounding the town and the three young boys entered the public school. A problem arose when it was found out that the three boys had AIDS. The boys were considered HIV ‘lepers’ and shunned. Soon, this family was asked to move by people both in their church and community. The fear and anger got so great their home got burned to the ground leaving them no other choice but to return to Mexico.

Laws and control over illegal aliens is a political issue that needs to be addressed by due process by the Kingdom of the Left. However, how we treat our neighbor is one for the Church; the Kingdom of the Right. The church of Isaiah’s day became insular, caring only for its own and shutting out foreigners. Our text reminds us God’s House of Prayer is for all nations. Thus, there are no foreigners; only God’s children. Jesus became ‘foreign’ to His Father who forsook Him for the price of our sins. Jesus love toward all

people has brought all believers together as a family of God.

Lord, help us honor your House of Prayer by helping us share Your love with others, Amen.