Scriptural passages on Sunday, for Pentecost 15, taken from Ezekiel 18:25-32 which focused on individual responsibility for sin; Philippians 2:1-13 which tells us about Christ's willingness to submit to the conditions of the law for our sake; and the Gospel reading from Matthew 21:23-32 where the question is asked which son obeyed the father ...
The message could be summarized as: Options, Choices, and Responsibilities!
Ever heard of the book title 'A Tale of Two Cities'? Well, the story told by Jesus is a tale of two brothers. One who is quick to agree (or give the appearance of cooperation), while the other resisted at first but after some thought acted appropriately. Here is the challenge for us in the church today: 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions!'
What am I getting at? I believe that the most destructive and misleading lie told by the church as doctrine is: 'once saved, always saved.' I don't think you can back that up with scripture! Yet most Christians live their lives as if that is gospel truth ... and the way they express it is through their absence from church as they follow like puppy dogs their false gods and idols.
This is most acutely felt at nearly every baptism. After going through a pre-baptism course and agreeing with the basic premise behind the gift of baptism, we hardly ever see them again, if ever. What is wrong with this picture? We are creating a horde of baptized heathens, who treat the church more like a spiritual insurance agency, and devalue the relationship they have with God onto a level of the worst kind of consumer bargain basement.
There is a reference in Matthew we need to keep in mind - it tells us of all these people who come to Jesus claiming that they have done wonderful things in his name, only to be turned away with these sobering words: 'go away, I don't know you.' Man, that would be a shock to the system.
The gift we have received from God is so clearly articulated in Philippians 2; the total identification with us in order to communicate salvation into our reality. The gift goes on to facilitate the total identification with Christ in order to be lifted up into the presence of God. Is it possible to walk away from that? You bet ya! And many so-called Christians are doing just that - walking away from their salvation and connection with God. Where does that leave them? ... well, the road to hell is fill with good intentions!
Again, Jesus says that if we deny him before our generation, then he will deny us before the Father. Is he speaking about the unbelievingly world? Nope. Guess again.
Ezekiel already sets it out: we are going to have to take responsibility for our own actions of spiritual neglect. Our own congregation consists of about 500 members, with only about a fifth in attendance on Sunday. Didn't Jesus say that if you loved him you would keep his commandments ... Ever seen the one about worship and the holiness of God? Actions speak louder than words among Christians ... and it's not looking good!
This Sunday we want to begin a concerted effort to pray for our Christian membership, Christian family members and friends who have become absorbed into the crowd happy to walk into hell. The amazing reality is that modern evangelism is now about reaching out to baptized lost souls, whereas the church should be full and strengthened by the masses of people baptized around the world to reach out to a cynical and atheistic world that cannot see the relevance and reality of God. If we cannot see it in the church, then what on earth have we got to offer an unbelievingly world?
Rev.'D
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