Archive for October, 2009

For the 20th Sunday after Pentecost for Series B, the three readings are Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Hebrews 4:1-16 and Mark 10:23-31. The passage which is the basis for the sermon is Mark 10:27, “But looking at them, Jesus said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible.”

This passage is a continuation of last week’s reading of Jesus’ meeting with the rich man who asked what he had to do to inherit eternal life. This week’s text of Mark 10:27 makes crystal clear that for men it is impossible to do anything to inherit eternal life. Jesus continues to answer the rich man’s question which was not how can I be saved but rather what do I have to DO in order to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ point is simple, “There is nothing a rich man, a poor man, a good-looking man, an ugly man, any man, woman or child can do to inherit eternal life in heaven with God.

Examining Jesus’ answer in verse 27, we remember that every theological verse of the Bible can be taken in two ways–the wrong way and the right way. Theologically speaking, any such verse can be interpreted by a theologian of self-glory or a theologian of the cross. Here is how the theologian of self-glory interprets verse 27. “With men, all by themselves, it is impossible to be saved but with the help of God, then a man can do the impossible and save himself.” Here is how the theologian of the cross interprets verse 27, “With men it is impossible to save themselve so that God, all by Himself, without any cooperation or contribution by men, saves them!”

In all members of the congregation, the old Adam always is swayed by the theology of self-glory and this can be demonstrated in various ways by the pastor depending on what is going on in that particular congregation. Each of us is prone to wrong headed old Adam thinking for which we need to repent daily and flee to the promises connected to the waters of baptism.

Proper law preaching takes place when the hearer not only learns of the demands of the law but also realizes that the perfection demanded by God is never achieved by even a believer this side of Judgment Day. That is why the Law can be regarded as the diagnostic tool of the spiritual Physician followed up with the Gospel as the sure treatment for the greatest problem facing every human being which is the curse of the Law resulting in eternal damnation. If a sermon does not touch on this problem, then it may be a wonderful lecture or some psychological benefit but a sermon it is not!

For the 19th Sunday after Pentecost in Series B, the three readings are Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19 and Mark 10:17-22. Chosen to preach on is Mark 10:17, “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’”

This text is a perfect example of one of the key distinctions between Law and Gospel which is when to give the Law and when to give the Gospel. It is clear from verse 19 that Jesus uses the Law as He speaks about the commandments. But was Jesus correct? Did not the rich man ask Jesus how to get to heaven? And would not the proper response be to believe in Jesus as Savior? Why did Jesus instead use the Law rather than the Gospel? The key is in the question asked by the rich man.

He did NOT ask, “How do I get to heaven?” but “What shall I DO that I may inherit eternal life?” Let me ask you this question. What do you DO to inherit anything? The answer is “nothing.” Inheritance is a gift that is neither merited nor earned. It usually is due to a relationship that is passive, not active in nature such as being a child of a parent. The rich man got the idea of inheriting salvation from the Old Testament and the idea of doing something from Judaism. Judaism is not a continuation of the religion of Israel but rather a new religion that had synagogues instead of the temple, rabbis instead of priests and teaching of the Law instead of sacrifices.

The key distinction involved in whether you give Law or Gospel is the attitude on the part of the hearer. If the hearer, like this rich man, will not repent of his many sins because he is unaware of them, then he needs to hear the Law. However, if he had been in fear of God’s wrath due to sin, then he would have needed to hear the Gospel. The passage will continue with further explanation by Jesus in next week’s Gospel but at this point, Jesus has properly used the Law in light of the attitude of the rich man.