Time to work

Time to work

Matthew 21:28-32

9/25

† In the Name of Christ

Grace and Peace be yours, from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ! †

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Once upon a time, in a small town far, far away, a very disheveled man, who everyone knew as the town drunk and drug addict, walked into church on a Sunday morning. Though he was barely 40, he looked about 80, so ravaged was he by his loose lifestyle. The town rumor mill had circulated that the man was probably not far from death, as the local clinic had determined his liver and kidneys were shot from his lifestyle. He came forward, and sat in the front pew of church, showing people he did not really understand what church was about.

As the service started, the man fumbled through the hymnal, trying to figure out what to do. No one paid much attention to their own music, or the singing, or even the pastor, as everyone stared at this character. He definitely was something different, as he often yelled praise God, as a song, or a scripture reading, or the pastor mentioned “grace” in his sermon. The longer this occurred, the more the congregation grew uneasy.

The pastor seemed unaffected by this, matter of fact, he began to smile, and nod at the derelict. You see, earlier in the week, the man had been in the pastor’s office, and fearing the death the clinic doctor said was soon to come, asked the pastor if there was anything that could be done, for him to avoid hell. The pastor then explained the grace that is given us, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The man, in incredible joy, received Christ’s grace and repented of his sin. The congregation however, was unaware of this, and was shocked by the odd relationship. Some even wondered about going to the elders, and asking if there was anyway to prevent the man from returning, for he was obviously a disruption to their worship service!

Four times this week, I have heard or read a story like this from a fellow pastor. One was much braver than the others were, as he confronted one of the church members, telling them, that while the derelict would be soon in heaven, he was not so sure about the church member. The church member, quite taken aback, demanding to know how that could be just. The pastor replied, because that man knows and rejoices in grace, whereas you do not even acknowledge a need for its existence!

The parable of the two brothers is obviously then, quite alive and well. Still to this day, repentant men who disobeyed and talked back to the Father, are found in the vineyard, and those who claim to be upright sons, are found to be outside of vineyard, and cut off from the family.

Today, I would hope would all realize the blessing of working in the vineyard, and are found in it, having taken the path that leads us there.

Work in the Vineyard

Verse 2 and 3 of Phillipians 2

Regret/Repentance

Our own vineyard unworked?

Westminster Cathedral

I think our second reading this morning, the one from Paul’s letter to the church in Phillipi, describes the work of God’s vineyard very well;

be like-minded, have the same love, be one in spirit and purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV)

In reading a passage like this, I must confess my own inability. Perhaps in saying no, the first brother is simply realizing and confessing his inadequacy? These things God inspired Paul to urge us to do, we struggle achieving. Not be ambitious? Be humble and consider others above us? Looking to others best interest, rather than our own? Difficult at best. Have we worked in our own vineyards? Or are they overgrown, even as we claim we work there every day?

Even think more specifically. Consider this illustration.

An elderly lady was touring the incredible complex of Westminster Cathedral in England. As the tour guide showed them the church, he talked of the incredible windows, the ornate stone and woodwork, the incredible architecture, all dedicated to the glory of God. The simple lady from Tennessee, interrupted the presentation with a firm but strong question. She said, “I have to know, has anyone been saved here recently?”

Churches and mission stations are places where people are drawn, to find the hope they live with out. If we dedicate them to the glory of God, then it is my contention that we use them to do the work He has given us. Think back to my opening story, the kind of praise that comes from those who knew not God’s love and grace, being re-created in Christ! Our building, our funds, our talents, can be used in such a way to see a incredible miracle! The miracle described in Eph 2:10, where it says those that believe are the proof of God’s skill as a master craftsman. He creates us to do good work in His vineyard, work prepared for us from the beginning.

Work that we cannot do without His presence, without being what Jesus identified as the message of John the Baptist, that the Pharisees ignored.

Way of Righteousness

Luther’s Quote about gallows/church cemeteries

The third brother? Said Yes, and did the will, of love, not fear

Prodigal Hugging church!

³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Luther in commenting on this gospel passage, uttered something quite extraordinary. “Therefore it is true that many more people go to heaven from the gallows than from the church cemetery.^[1]” Kinda of shocking, isn’t it? Yet perhaps, sadly, all to true, even today. Luther had commented that it required being broken, realizing the death sentence upon us. Like the first brother, who realize how he had disobeyed his father’s desire. He regretted that action, he was repentant.

John’s way of righteousness was actually that simple. He preached a simple message, Repent – for the Kingdom of God is at hand. The Pharisees actually saw the Kingdom of God, as they interacted with Jesus, yet still did not repent! However, those, knowing they needed to be saved, trusted the message. They knew John’s message was from God, it had hit them where they lived. The grace of God walked right through the crowds of these Pharisees, and the recognized Him not, nor their need for Him. I pray we never become that blind!

The grace of God, which did think of others more highly than himself, so much more so, that He died for us. Who humbled himself, who put our needs first. Our incredible Lord Jesus. One pastor, commenting on this passage, called him the Third Son, the one who said yes, and then did work in the harvest field. The One whose work in that field, harvests us.

What an amazing God, who Acts says, grants us repentance. He calls the prodigals home, of which we are.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, remember always, that we are like the prodigal who returns and cannot but praise God when reminded of the grace given to him in Christ. Who then treasure that grace, that love, knowing the difference it has made in our lives. A difference worth shouting AMEN, a difference worth investing our lives, into ensuring others that they may two share in it.

A church, that hugs prodigals, rather than stares at them, that looks out for their interest, because He looked out for ours. A church that sees any visitor, as a person who Christ was willing to die for, that they might know life. Having been in that person’s place, we share with them the glorious gospel, and A Church, that realizing it has told God no, then goes out, and works in the fields of harvest, till all are gathered in.

A church, made up of people, who once were not welcome into the presence of God, but thanks to Jesus Christ, are not only welcome, but wanted there.

It is there, and knowing that we are destined for that place, that the peace of God that passes all understating comes in, which shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

AMEN.

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^[1]Luther, M. Luther's Works, Vol. 16 : Lectures on Isaiah: Chapters 1-39. Ed. J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann. Luther's Works. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999, c1969.