Prayer of the Church Series C Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost · Proper 20c 18 September 2016 · 10:30A Concordia Lutheran Church & School 836 Park Ave. · Sikeston, MO Rev. Alan J. Wollenburg, Pastor T I N I T Text: Luke 16:15b Theme: “‘Whatever Works’ Does NOT Work with God” Intro.: WHAT SIN OF MINE DOES THIS TEXT IDENTIFY?? Seems like I never run out of sins about which I must learn . . . A very common sentiment, even amongst pastors – even with me – even thought today I’m going to tell you what’s wrong with it. “Whatever works” is the attitude of us who would like to see things just get done – we are impatient – we tend to be focused on the goal – but “whatever works” is really NOT the way things work in God’s “economy” and I’ll explain what I mean by that in a few minutes . . . but first . . .

I. What (on earth) was Paul talking about? = a HARD text, in part A. remember that this is the word of God!  Many simply dismiss it or try to explain it away when they get to a hard text = NO = this is a magisterial use of our fallen “wisdom” . . .  What we are supposed to do is use our wisdom in a “ministerial” way, i.e., we make our wisdom subservient to the Word and we rightly assume that, when we don’t understand God’s Word, it’s OUR fault, not His B. women are NOT treated unfairly by God – =ly saved (Gal. 3:28) – but have obviously different roles in life &, though men and women share so much in common as was Eve created for Adam and so that they can give one another the mutual fulfillment which they usually need, they obviously have many things which make them wayyy different. The 2 reasons why they do not qualify the public preaching of the Word (these are GOD’S arguments – which might explain why we have such a hard time accepting them): 1. Adam was created first 2. Eve sinned first C. “saved thru Child-bearing” WDTM?  Different ideas put forth, incl that, generally speaking, she lives a fulfilled life in that she is “plumbed” for child-bearing  problem with that = not all women are given children  BUT THERE WAS A WOMAN WHO HAD A CHILD WHO SAVED ALL OF HUMANKIND = Mary – a kind of play on words (Greek is a bit unclear here) = HE IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL – so let the holy women of God continue in faith in Christ and in faith and love and sanctification

II. Why we tend to value the world’s values A. we are sinners & we are “of the world” in the sense that we are human/organic – once heard a young woman say that she thought a particular pastor was “so organic” – meant it a compliment, but in effect saying that he was of the world B. one of the ways in which our sinfulness manifests itself is in the fact that we like the idea of “helping” God – we imagine in OUR “Eureka!” moments that we have thought of something which God and the Church before us has not thought of . . . really?! ◦ Kind of puts us in category with Pharisees who thought it was their job to improve on God’s Law so that they unwittingly set themselves up as the true models of sanctity and piety (while they looked down upon everyone else) C. besides which, some things just make sense: we don’t want to see perfectly good earthly things destroyed – BUT that’s b/c we don’t understand how God truly sees earthly things as “an abomination” in His sight b/c of the importance which WE attach to them . . . (what if God told me to destroy a perfectly good motorcycle, . . . ?) i. Achan in the OT caused Israel’s defeat at Ai after the battle of Jericho – why? God had said to destroy ALL of the stuff there but Achan kept some of the “good stuff” ii. Elisha’s servant Gehazi after the healing of Naaman . . . (leprosy to him and his family) – again, God wants us to learn what matters to HIM and to not always think about what matters to our frail “wisdom” D. Peter’s sword (drawn at Gethsemane) & Judas’s silver (the “price” for which he betrayed our Lord) are NOT valued by Christ III. What JC is NOT saying here . . . A. We are NOT to adopt a “by hook or by crook” mentality – whatever “works” or whatever we value are NOT the values of the Christian Church B. We are NOT to be as obsessed with the world as the world is with itself C. those “values” are NOT the Lord’s values/world view

IV. What Jesus DOES value is . . . salvation of the lost A. See the economy of God: what He values is what forgives us & sets us right again B. His means of grace = i. the more you understand Law & Gospel, the better you “get” Scripture ii. and the better you “get” Scripture, the more you will see those things iii. and the more you use those things the more you will love those things iv. God wants us to be as enamored with His means of grace as the world seems to be enamored with itself v. the means of grace (b/c they are GOD’S means of grace) ALWAYS deliver Jesus Crucified and risen again for the salvation of our souls . . . Concl.: “whatever works” can very easily give way to all sorts of faulty practices in the Church . . . (is why we have pledge cards, praise bands, “come to Jesus” decisions, etc. = all business practices) but Church is not a business . . . I pray, with you, that God will teach us His true values, that He will preserve us from using one another and the people around us, that He will give us a true love for Jesus Who loves us and gave Himself for us. In the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit. Amen. T S D G T { STAND FOR PRAYER } + PRAYER of the CHURCH Let us pray to the Lord, whose testimonies and promises are righteous and true forever. { Brief silence } For the people of God, that we might not misuse the gifts that God has entrusted to the Church nor be captivated by worldly wealth, but that we would use His gifts accordingly and for the good of all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For repentant hearts and the joy that, for Jesus’ sake, the Lord remembers our sinful deeds no more, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For zeal and understanding to tell of the eternal promises of God to a world that has forgotten or rejected them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For rulers and all who are in high positions, that God would grant them every good gift for their callings; that they might exercise their authority for the good of all whom He has entrusted to their care; and that we might not misuse the blessings of prosperity and security, but lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For parents, that the Lord would maintain in them a desire to nurture their children in faith and love and holiness, with self-control, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For husbands and wives who suffer infertility, that the Lord would make them joyous parents of children according to His will and wisdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all marriages, that husbands and wives will live in a spirit of humility with one another, that they will be forgiving toward one another, and that they will honor God and teach the world about God’s will by their example, and for Jim & Alberta as they have celebrated a recent milestone of marriage that they will give glory to God for His grace poured out upon them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For our Sunday schools, that the Lord would bless them with teachers who are eager to tell of Jesus and fill their classes with children who desire to hear His saving Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the poor and the needy, that the Lord would raise them from the dust and provide for them abundantly, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all who are employed, that they might conduct themselves in all honesty and industry, and for all employers and managers, that they might treat their subordinates well, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For those in need of mercy, strength, healing and deliverance, all who are sick or incapacitated, all who suffer the difficulties of old age, those who have addictions, and those with mental illnesses, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy. For all those who receive the Lord’s body and blood this day, that they might approach the altar with repentant hearts that praise Him who gave Himself as a ransom for all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. And finally, we pray that You, Lord, will make us ever faithful to Your Word, that You will preserve and extend the influence of Your Church here, and that You will send individuals and families to us whom we may serve and with whom we may serve this world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. We give thanks to You, O Lord, for You have forgiven our debt of sin for the sake of Jesus. Preserve us in His grace and life until that day when You gather us to be among the saints in glory around Your throne; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. + THE OFFERING + THE OFFERING HYMN 3. Oh, hearts are bruised & dead, 4. To comfort and to bless, And homes are bare and cold, To find a balm for woe, And lambs for whom the Shepherd To tend the lone and fatherless bled Is angels’ work below. Are straying from the fold.

+ THE COMMUNION SERVICE – p. 208ff.