St. Paul’s Sermon 2004

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Pentecost - November 14, 2004

Lessons: Malachi 4:1-2; 2 Thes. 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

“End Game Promises”

Introduction:

The end game tells it all-

- Football- 2 minute warning- way the plays work changes; no huddles, etc.

- Elections- lots of articles on how the tactics change in the last week-

- Pro Basketball- all decided by last two minutes- lasts about a half an hour- might as well only play those two!

I) Jesus sits with the Disciples at the End

A) -This text comes from Jesus’ end game- the next chapter is Jesus in the upper room on Maundy Thursday.

-All the rules had changed- time to talk very openly about things they couldn’t possibly understand

-Things we can’t really understand- the end game when Jesus returns

- As we come to the end of the Pentecost season and the beginning of Advent we look at these texts-

- Texts about Jesus’ return.

B) Several times over the years I’ve talked about God’s promises. The Gospel about Jesus works itself out to us in his promises. In fact a year ago this Sunday, we looked at John’s Gospel, and I said that Gospel is Promise and Promise is Gospel in the Bible. Last year I said,

“God's promises are all Gospel. As we talk about how God's word works, we think of Law and Gospel. Law is God's moral demand. The Gospel is all promise. In fact, all the promises of the Bible are the Gospel being fleshed out.” (RJW-Pentecost 23- Nov. 16, 2003)

C) -When I read today’s text... I wasn’t sure I was right in last year’s sermon!

-Today we have twelve promises, and eight, count ‘em EIGHT promises- all seem to be bad news:

(a) For many will come in my name...

(b) These things must happen first...

(c)"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

(d) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

(e) "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you.

(f) They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and

governors, and all on account of my name.

(g) You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.

(h) All men will hate you because of me.

D) -These are promises; they do outline the truth; they aren’t law, because they’re not moral statements and don’t convict us; but what are they? How is God working through these words? Can they possibly be Good News? Can they be Gospel?

-They certainly are promises- but promises we don’t want to hear.

II) Amplifiers

A) -I play a couple instruments which make virtually no sound. Bass guitar and electric guitar make very little sound, but electronically, they’re amplified to be appallingly loud. Perhaps we can think of these ‘bad promises as ‘amplifiers!’

B) -These ‘bad promises’ amplify some really good promises:

(A) This will result in your being witnesses to them.

(B) For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

(D) By standing firm you will gain life. (“your souls”)

C) -Each of these four good promises are really powerful promises. They turn the tables completely on the way things seem to be.

-Even though you are killed, you will not be destroyed, ‘not a hair...’- you will come through unscathed.

-This was the experience of Christians- Nero, Diocletian, Russia, China- Christ’s church exploded.

-Rome, 1974- Pantheon- now a church- stood there over the bones of the martyrs; felt oddly at home- faithful ones.

-Walked through from life to life- people like Helen Wegener, Agnes Hall, Bob Halvorsen- calmness, the assurance- they knew their Lord was at hand- not pleasant, but very much at peace- you learn from that.

D) What about the “Bad” promises?

- they too are Gospel- all of this is happening because Jesus said it would- all part of the way the battle will go- the old is passing away- if they killed the Master, do we expect it to be easy? But we know the end of the story.

-Each serve as an amplifier-“It’s going to look like this, BUT...this is what’s really going on...”

Key here- no matter what direction life takes-

1) Jesus is in control.

2) He’s not going to let you down.

Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Col. 3:2-4 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, [3] for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

John 16:33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"

And so, as we look to the end of all things, even hard times, we’re not filled with fear, we’re overwhelmed with hope. We know the end of the story. The same thing with life- we know the end of the story- we know who wins. We know what eternity will be. This is 70, 80, 90 years. This is a few days, weeks or hours of suffering; we see far beyond that. We life without fear; we live in joy and hope. Paul sums it up well in the magnificent 8^th chapter of Romans:

Romans 8:18, 23 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...[23] we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

We live life differently, the rules have changed, because we’re people who play the end game. Invitation, Amen

Pentecost 24 - November 14, 2004

Malachi 4:1-2

"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. [2] But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

2 Thes. 3:6-13

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. [7] For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, [8] nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. [9] We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. [10] For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

[11] We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. [12] Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. [13] And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Luke 21:5-19

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, [6] "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."

[7] "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"

[8] He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. (a) For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. [9] When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. (b) These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."

[10] Then he said to them: (c)"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [11](d) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

[12] (e) "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. (f) They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. [13] (A) This will result in your being witnesses to them. [14] But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. [15](B) For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. [16](g) You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. [17] (h) All men will hate you because of me. [18] C) But not a hair of your head will perish. [19] (D) By standing firm you will gain life.