Tomorrow we present what is often purported to be the most difficult parable in the Bible: the parable of the dishonest manager. He is — to an extent — praised by Jesus. But there is a very specific reason for this commendation and the focus is not upon the manager himself, but upon the MERCY of the master. All the while, the Lord is teaching about how disciples view and treat money and possessions.

The sermon is immensely practical in teaching about something we handle practically everyday: money, but it will present the Lord’s liberating teaching that leads us to the riches of Christ, instead of the riches which fade. Still, even the “unrighteous” riches are important, and we must know how to use them. You won’t want to miss this proclamation and teaching from God’s Word.

Also, we will receive once again the true riches of the body and blood of Christ which assures us that we are blessed with the Kingdom of God and the riches which do not fade nor are approached by robbers. The Holy Sacrament keeps you rich in Christ and the forgiveness of sins!

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon:

“Trusting in Christ, Not Money”

(Luke 16:1-15)

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 22^nd, 2013

Pastor Espinosa

            Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Last Sunday we heard about the parables of what was lost: lost sheep which picture us sinners who wander from the Lord (thank God the Lord seeks us and finds us); and the lost coin picturing the faithful woman (the church/the bride of Christ) seeking those who wander and become lost and which coins/Christians are entrusted into the care of the faithful church.

 

But why do we get lost to begin with? The answer is through our own sin, the evil influences of the world, and on account of the adversary, the devil. But in the context of our Gospel this morning in Luke 16 (and in other sections of Luke), we disciples (like the original disciples being addressed in this section) are given a major head’s up on a key reason/threat that leads to getting lost and for that matter giving reason as to why the church would not concern herself (a terrible sin) for the lost. The reason is money. And our Lord Jesus is teaching a very basic – and yet profound and critical lesson – that we must learn: you can’t have two masters:

 

1)      You will either love money and possessions and be attached to them.

OR

2)      You will love God and His mercy in Christ and be attached to Him.

 

But the Lord teaches us in many ways that people get lost from God and stray from how life should be really lived  (i.e. following the Lord) because of money and possessions. Early on in Luke’s Gospel we read this:

 

Luke 8:14: “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”

 

Even one who hears and apparently receives the Gospel of Christ, can become distracted by “the cares and riches and pleasures of life,” and they can get lost, and many do. How often dear Christians are we consumed by these things: either on the one hand, so afraid and worried because we do not have enough money; or so consumed by all that we can get when there is much money. After a while, it is the money that we carry in our minds and hearts, and not the Lord. We get lost and we do as the servant in today’s parable did: we start “wasting” our lives and neglect the proper use of God’s gifts.

Hear the words of wisdom from Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV): “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

 

The Proverb is not saying that a Christian cannot be materially rich nor materially poor, but he is cognizant of the tremendous temptations and distractions that accompany one or the other situation.

 

So again Jesus taught in the Gospel of Luke:

 

Luke 12:33-34: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

 

God is clear on this matter and He lovingly warns you and me:

 

1^st Timothy 6:6-10: Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment. For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

 

            Again, don’t take this mean that a believer cannot have money and possessions. It is not money itself that is the root of all evil, but the love of money. Abraham, King David, and rich Zacchaeus in Luke 19 were materially rich and they were also rich towards God. What counts is who you serve and what you do with God’s gifts; what you do with the money. If you love God by His grace, then money is used to glorify God and to help your neighbor period.

Finally, may you continue to be blessed as you remain steadfast in reading and/or listening to the Gospel of John. Here are the summaries for chapter 18 (from the Lutheran Study Bible):

18:1-11: “Jesus takes charge and powerfully confronts those who come to arrest Him in the garden, even while He voluntarily accepts the suffering that lies before Him. Jesus suffered and died not as a martyr for a noble cause but as the Savior whose sacrifice atoned for our sin. I give You thanks, O Redeemer, that I am counted among Your own. Amen.”

18:12-14: “Jewish officials arrest Jesus with the assistance of Roman soldiers and lead Him to the high priest Anna for questioning. The arrest of God’s Son reveals the depths to which sinful humans will go to remove Him from their lives. God used those who led Jesus to His cross as His instruments to accomplish our salvation. O Lord Jesus, I praise You that You died not only for my sins, but for the sins of all people. Amen.”

18:15-18: “Despite Peter’s ‘brave’ promise to lay down his life for Jesus (13:37), Peter denies that he is Jesus’ disciple because of his concern for self-protection. Tragically, our mouths with which we confess Jesus as Savior can also quickly deny Him. Our loving Lord did not begrudge His atoning sacrifice even to those who had denied and abandoned Him. The living Word saves us. ‘What wondrous love is this That caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!’ Amen. (LSB 543:1)”

18:19-24: “After Jesus’ arrest, Annas conducts the preliminary interrogation of Jesus. As in the case of Jesus’ accusers, sinful human beings are prone to dealing unfairly with others. Jesus calls us to honest dealings. He became the innocent victim of oppression and judgment in order that He would endure the just punishment of our sin (Is 53:7-9) and become our Savior. O Lamb of God, who went to the cross with no complaint, remind me always of Your unfailing mercy. Amen.”

18:25-27: “In sharp contrast to Jesus’ forthright self-disclosure (‘I am,’ vv 5, 8), Peter denies Jesus a third time (‘I am not’), leaving Jesus alone on the way to suffering and death. Jesus warned that whoever denies Him before others, He will deny before His Father in heaven (Mt 10:33). But Christ’s love is greater than our sin, and with His forgiveness He will restore a broken heart. Lord Jesus, be patient with me and forgive me, that I might live by Your promise. Amen.”

18:28-32: “To avoid religious contamination, the Jewish leaders refuse to enter Pilate’s residence, but they unjustly seek to use Pilate’s authority to put Jesus to death. Even religious people are capable of manipulating others to advance personal agendas. Remarkably, Jesus’ death at the hands of unjust accusers became the very means through which our gracious God took away the guilt of sin. ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me’ (Ps 51:10). Amen.”

18:33-40: “Pilate tries to dismiss the case before him by accommodating a Jewish custom calling for the release of a prisoner at Passover — in this instance, an insurrectionist called Barabbas. The story of Jesus’ Passion is filled with people refusing to accept responsibility for their own sins, a failure that afflicts us all. But God willed that the guilt of sin be laid on His innocent Son so we might receive God’s forgiveness. Teach me to confess my faults, O Lord. Rule my heart with Your most gracious favor. Amen.”

Let us gather tomorrow morning in God’s house to receive God’s Word and Sacrament and to thereby receive God’s blessing upon our lives…and to encourage one another and all the more as the Day approaches!

In Jesus’ Love,

Rev. Alfonso O. Espinosa, Ph.D., senior pastor, Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine