Today is “Yom Kippur” which translated means “Day of Atonement.” The day’s establishment is recorded in Leviticus 23:27f. In the context there is much said about the people needing to “afflict” themselves as part of this holy day. Because of this some modern versions of the day refer to it as a day to “afflict the soul.” This is an unfortunate concept in that it implies that in order to “atone” for your sins, you must cause affliction to yourself (suffer for your sins). This of course is the popular idea in the phrase: “atone for your sins” or “make atonement for your sins.” It means that you must “pay up” or go through something bad so as to be restored, etc.

This of course is bullet train moving away from the Gospel.

In actuality, the “Day of Atonement” involved the blood which “covered” sins. Or — and another way of understanding atonement — you “became one” with that which saves you. In either direction of the meaning, this is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the idea that you must suffer for yours sins. Instead, the Lord has provided the sacrifice for your sins!

As for tomorrow morning: Jesus is coming to serve through His Word and Sacrament, keeping us in forgiveness and eternal life!

We also celebrate some new members being received — along with some complementary special music — and we are excited about Ruth Koenig and Rosemary Hilton officially joining Saint Paul’s! We are having a reception after worship and its a chance for us to relax and enjoy some fellowship as we welcome our newest members.

Tomorrow will proclaim the Parable of the Vineyard. Have you ever felt pain for being rejected? Come and hear about what Jesus came to do for you!

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon:

“The One Rejected Is the One We Welcome” (St. Matthew 21:33-43)

For Your Life in Christ the Week of the 17^th Sunday after Pentecost

October 5^th, 2014

Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine, CA (LC-MS)

Pastor Espinosa

Introduction: Definition of “Parable”

1. Literally means “putting things side-by-side.”
2. It is an extended simile. When we say, “This thing is LIKE that ” And then go on to elaborate.
3. It is presented in story form and things in the world (physical things) represent spiritual realities. Spiritual things are “put along side of” physical things.
4. What is conveyed in a biblical parable is TRUTH and an actual state of affairs.
5. Jesus used parables constantly during His earthly ministry; He was the master teacher! Why did He use parables?

St. Luke 8:10: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”

1. Jesus Himself taught that parables contain “secrets” or “mysteries,” in the sense of something higher than us, or beyond our own ability and reason; things that teach us about ultimate realities (about ourselves and about God).
2. What challenges folks though is that the words in Luke 8:10 seem to indicate that Jesus does not give these beneficial mysteries to all people. Some people will see, but not see; some will hear, but not understand. Why?
3. NOT because Christ does not love all people. He does! The difference, however, is that some people continue to REJECT Christ. Jesus once described the difference between people:

St. Matthew 9:12-13: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means,

‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

1. But those who believe themselves to be “righteous” apart from God do not need Christ, and therefore reject Him. Thus some who “heard” the parables of Jesus, did not understand a word. They did not see their meaning, but were spiritually blind.
2. Let us now delve into the “secrets” of today’s parable:

 

Part I: The Parable of the Tenants

1. This is a very important parable presented three times in Scripture, in Matthew 21, Mark 12, and Luke 20!
2. The imagery of the parable:
3. The “vineyard” = the nation of Israel, God’s people.
4. The “landowner” = God.
5. The “wall” = the Word of God that protects God’s people.
6. The “winepress” = sacrifice of atonement, blood.
7. The “tower” = the watchmen, the prophets of God.

 

Part II: This Parable Applies to Our Lives Today!

1. The Church is like the Vineyard today. We are His people. Notice that in the New Testament this imagery is maintained:

 

Jesus said in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

 2. We know the location of the vine and branches = in the vineyard; this describes the mystical union of Christ and His people which is precisely the Church, the Body of Christ. Jesus is here with us in His vineyard!

3. The landowner is still and always the Lord. He is our head and He leads us through life! Think of the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation.”

4. The wall is still the Word of God that surrounds us and protects us. Think of the hymn “Thy Strong Word.” Think of the “surrounding” description we find in Deuteronomy:

 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ⁸You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

 

5. The winepress is perhaps most evident in the Church today! The winepress where the wine flows is the Holy and Blessed Sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is where the blood of Christ is continually poured out for the forgiveness of sins!

6. And finally, the watchtower is still held by servants who watch over God’s people through the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. One term for them is “overseer,” but today we typically call them “pastors.”

I hope to see you in the morning dear Christian!

In Jesus’ Love,

Pastor