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spent1204
Be Like Men...of
Faith
Text:
Luke 12:32-40
Date: Pentecost XII
8/22/04 torrent trance
It
is undeniable that we live in a syncretistic age—a time when popular
opinion increasingly holds that all religions are equal. Sort of
like the lottery. That is, because we have disposed of the idea
that there can be anything that is objectively true for all people
(and therefore also anything that can be labeled “false”) all religions
somehow have an equal shot or chance at being “right,” or better
yet, all are as good as the others and everyone will be saved in
the end anyway.
In
such a time it is more important than ever for the Church to get
back to preaching the basics. In today's readings we hear some of
the most fundamental words of the Bible describing this thing we
call faith. We have the memorable definition of the Book of Hebrews
chapter 11, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction
of things not seen.” But is that as general and broad as it seems
on the surface? It is important to know that the things hoped for
and the things not seen are not just anything the human imagination
comes up with but Divine things, Divine realities revealed from
the mind and heart of the one, true God. We are dealing with the
prophetic and apostolic scriptures here, the Word of God and not
imitations like the Koran or Joseph Smith's Mormon fantasy.
The
Old Testament reading from Genesis narrates God giving Abram a seemingly
impossible promise. Yet we read that Abram believed the Lord's Word,
and the Lord “counted it to him as righteousness.” Counted what?
Well, his faith in the Word, that's what! And what is this “righteousness”?
It is the central, most important doctrine, the driving principle
of everything that goes on in the Bible and in the Church, the doctrine
upon which the Church stands or falls, namely, the justification
of the sinner by God's grace through faith alone in Christ, the
Eternal Word alone. It's all about a Savior and salvation from sin
and death.
So
what is this faith and how do you know if you've got it? Hebrews
11 goes on to say that it is by faith alone that people receive
not condemnation but commendation from God. Paul says, “There is
therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
To be “in” Christ Jesus means to believe in him, to belong to him
by faith. “By faith we understand that the universe was created
by the word of God.” That is, we can scientifically break down and
disprove the whole idea of evolution. But to discover, admit and
confess that the universe was created by God speaking his creative
Word “in the beginning” is, after all, a matter of faith created,
inspired and given through that same Word of God.
Now
these words were selected to support and explain the Gospel for
today in which Jesus tells his disciples to be like men. “Stay dressed
for action and keep your lamps burning,” he says, “and be like men….”
Be Like Men…of Faith.
Jesus
speaks to his disciples like a shepherd to his sheep. They are those
who have heard his Word, believe in him, trust him and follow him.
He speaks to you, his sheep, saying, “Fear not, little flock, for
it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” As of
first importance the Christian disciple knows and believes that
the salvation of God, his kingdom and righteousness, and even the
faith to believe it is all God's work, God's gift.
When
you know that, then you are ready to hear Jesus' next words, saying,
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like
men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding
feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes
and knocks.” Our text describes what faith does and what the life
of faith is by saying two things. First, Faith is watchful. Second,
Faith is Ready.
Faith
is watchful. Watchful for the Lord's return on the day of judgment,
but also watchful for itself. When he says to keep your lamps burning,
this is nothing other than the care and nurture of the gift of faith
which, if it is cut off from the oil or energy or fuel, can grow
dim, fade and even die away. The oil or fuel of faith is the Word
of God and the baptized life. A couple times lately we have been
reminded of Martha's sister Mary who “chose the good portion that
will not be taken away,” as she made for herself the priority of
sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to his Word. Listening to the
reading of Holy Scripture, listening to a Christian sermon is a
different sort of listening, more than mere hearing. For the Word
of God is living and active, as it says in Hebrews 4, “sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,
of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions
of the heart” [Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)]. It is Law and Gospel: the Law
revealing and condemning our sin, and the Gospel revealing and commending
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