Rev. Roland J. Wells, Jr. - Pastor

St. Paul's Sermon 2002

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 15, 2002

Lessons: Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35

" Remembering 9/11"

Introduction:

It's curious how the Bible texts, chosen by an interdenominational committee several years ago, end up being so appropriate for today. Our OT Lesson is the end of a remarkable story, about Joseph and his brothers. They had sold him into slavery, he had been through many trials, ended up as the number two man in Egypt- and then his brothers came to him for help. He could have then had them killed- instead he forgave them- the most interesting thing is his summary of the whole story- "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? [20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Or as the RSV says: "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."

Our second lesson ends saying, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Our Gospel is a story about forgiving our brother 77 times.

But what does that have to do with 9/11? How is God going to work good out of the evil? How is God working through all the terrible pain here, and in Afghanistan? And what does forgiveness have to do with it? How do we as Christians live in love and forgiveness, and yet live as part of a country which sometimes goes to war or does other violent things to keep the peace? How does this fit together?

I) A Great Reformation Truth:

THE WORD OF GOD

LAW

1) Creates Order (Limits Old Self)

2) Drives Us To Christ (Kills Old Self)

Creates God's "Left Hand" Kingdom in World-

Earthly Kingdom - "alien work" - Rulers & Laws

GOSPEL

Creates New Self

God's "Right Hand" Kingdom of Christ-

Made up of Believers -

Made perfect at Christ's return. Luther writes about these kingdoms:

There are two kingdoms, one the kingdom of God, the other the kingdom of the world. I have written this so often that I am surprised that there is anyone who does not know it or remember it.²² Anyone who knows how to distinguish rightly between these two kingdoms will certainly not be offended by my little book, and he will also properly understand the passages about mercy. God's kingdom is a kingdom of grace and mercy, not of wrath and punishment. In it there is only forgiveness, consideration for one another, love, service, the doing of good, peace, joy, etc. But the kingdom of the world is a kingdom of wrath and severity. In it there is only punishment, repression, judgment, and condemnation to restrain the wicked and protect the good.²³ For this reason it has the sword, and Scripture calls a prince or lord "God's wrath," or "God's rod" (Isaiah 14 [:5-6]).

The Scripture passages which speak of mercy apply to the kingdom of God and to Christians, not to the kingdom of the world, for it is a Christian's duty not only to be merciful, but also to endure every kind of suffering--robbery, arson, murder, devil, and hell. It goes without saying that he is not to strike, kill, or take revenge on anyone. But the kingdom of the world, which is nothing else than the servant of God's wrath upon the wicked and is a real precursor of hell and everlasting death, should not be merciful, but strict, severe, and wrathful in fulfilling its work and duty. Its tool is not a wreath of roses or a flower of love, but a naked sword; and a sword is a symbol of wrath, severity, and punishment. It is turned only against the wicked, to hold them in check and keep them at peace, and to protect and save the righteous [Rom. 13:3-4]. Therefore God decrees, in the law of Moses and in Exodus 22 [21:14] where he institutes the sword, "You shall take the murderer from my altar, and not have mercy on him." And the Epistle to the Hebrews [10:28] acknowledges that he who violates the law must die without mercy. This shows that in the exercise of their office, worldly rulers cannot and ought not be merciful...

II) Living In Two Kingdoms

We gather here, because we are followers of Jesus. We trust in him, because the Gospel has come and created faith in our hearts. We have been set free from sin, and are being re-made daily to a new obedience of freedom. We live as forgiven people, and we live daily seeking forgiveness and forgiving others. That is how the Gospel plays itself out in our lives-

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22] Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

When we are attacked, we forgive; we turn the other cheek, and as Paul says, [Rom 12:18] 18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. We have been forgiven, so we forgive. But that's not the way it works in the God's Kingdom on the left. In the broken world, the Law is a good gift.

Because evil needs to be limited, all cultures, all governments have the ruler, the police, the army and the executioner. These may take many forms, but it is the same universal moral law that creates them, whether their human creators recognizes God's action or not.

As we read Isaiah, we read how God calls such action is 'alien work' (Isa 28:21) He raises up nation against nation, as he uses them on each other like a hammer on a rock- even to destroy Israel which would not repent. God raises up Assyria, and then uses Babylon to smash it. God will create order and limit human sin.

It's hard to see God's hand. We look back 60 years to what seemed a 'good war'- WWII. We see 100 million people die- we see godless Communism and godless Nazism destroy each other- where was God's hand in that? Certainly, we can't, from our human vantage point, do anything more than guess the involvement of God in the midst of such a huge war. Was God's hand in it? Did he use the other countries to destroy the sin of Germany and the USSR? No human being can, at this point, can give the definitive answer. Someday we'll understand God's working- but not completely in this life. God did not cause war- humans did; but from there, it looks like God's actions were being worked out, in with and under the actions of the human beings involved. When we look at Isaiah, (chap 5&7) God says he 'whistles' for the nations to come and do his will- like you'd whistle for your pet cocker spaniel. God will create order, and he will invisibly work his plans out in history.

But warfare always cuts two ways. During Luther's time, Europe was being attacked from the east. The forces of Islam had passed through southeastern Europe, and the Turkish army was literally at the gates of Vienna, Austria. It was one of the major crises of all European history. Luther said that Europe had two enemies. One was the Turks, the other was God himself, driving Europe to repentance. The hardship of WWII brought the revivals of the '50's. The Vietnam War brought us the Jesus Movement. God works in hidden ways in times of human war. No country is immune to the repercussions and pain of war. The family chaos of the 60's can be traced to the pain and emotional absence of many veteran fathers. Europe responded to WWII not with revival, but with a great apathy toward God. Wars have repercussions on all for generations to come. There is no such thing as an innocent nation.

II) Daily Life in Two Kingdoms

So how does this work out in my life? Do I live in permanent multiple personality disorder? No, both kingdoms are God's rule; both are created by the Word; both are good. God rules in all times and all places by giving laws, and keeping order. For atheists, and Buddhists, and Muslims- the whole world has some sense of God's laws, even if they don't believe in God, because they're written on their hearts and consciences.

This same moral law of God governs all human endeavors, from the local Cub Scout den to the US Senate- it's all kept in order by God's law- whether they realize it or not. This cold, hard law keeps things in order.

I live daily, as a believer, forgiving those around me; loving those around me, living out the freedom and wholeness of the Gospel. If I am struck, I turn the other cheek. I forgive my brother 490 times- and more. And certainly, all people who are indwelt with God's Spirit, are led to know God in a new way and be forgiven even as they forgive. This is grace, forgiveness and love in action. This is how the Kingdom of God on the right, the Kingdom of Christ is lived out in the invisible Church.

On the other hand, God needs to keep order, keep us from killing each other, by bringing his Law into the situation. And even those with faith can hurt each other- their old natures lash out, and the Law is needed to hold that in check.

When nations start invading helpless nations; God desires to create order. When countries attack non-aggressing countries; when a country takes over a country, when a husband abuses a wife; when a drug dealer is selling drugs in front of a school- then it's time for God to create order. That's God other kingdom It's not pretty, it's not kind, it's not forgiving- it's the good gift of God's Law, bursting forth like a flame to destroy the things that destroy human life. This too is God's action, by the king, the soldier and the executioner. God will create and sustain order. And that's part of the work of his Kingdom, too.

The Law is harsh, brutal, sharp and uncompassionate. That's its job. It's the role of the army, the sheriff and the executioner. But it is good, if just, because it is part of God's moral Law, and his 'alien work' of keeping human sin in check. God's primary work is to bring us to him through the Gospel. But he's got to keep us alive in the meanwhile. When our children misbehave, we use the law, we use consequences or maybe a spanking, to put limits on their behavior. Children without limits become monsters. But my central job as a parent is not endless spankings. My job is to love and tenderly nurture these little people who God has put in our hands. So it is with God. He desires the Fatherly relationship- but he must protect us as well.

Summary:

So how do we live as Christians, in a nation that's at war? First, because we are people of forgiveness, we seek justice, not vengeance. We seek the restoration of order and peace, not revenge. Rarely does human revenge accomplish God's good. We see that we are members of the body of Christ, but also Americans. We encourage our nation to act justly; we pray that war may not come; when it does come, we pray that God works through it quickly to bring order. We pray for God to create justice and repentance in our country.

In the midst of terrorist attacks, God wills to create order. God wills to bring good out of this evil- they meant it for evil but God meant it for good. We pray for justice and peace to prevail in this world; and that we would live in peace and righteousness. We pray for God to make our leaders just; to create order because it's right, not because of selfishness, personal glory or revenge. We pray for true justice- and yet we are driven to repentance, because we ourselves would hate to be judged by true justice.

Pentecost 17 - September 15, 2002

Genesis 50:15-21

When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" [16] So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: [17] 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

[18] His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.

[19] But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? [20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. [21] So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Romans 14:1-12

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. [2] One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. [4] Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

[5] One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. [6] He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. [7] For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. [8] If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

[9] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. [10] You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. [11] It is written:

" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,

'every knee will bow before me;

every tongue will confess to God.' "

[12] So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Matthew 18:21-35

[23] "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. [25] Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

[26] "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' [27] The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

[28] "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

[29] "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

[30] "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. [31] When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

[32] "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. [33] Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' [34] In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

[35] "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."