Series A – Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost – Sunday, October 19, 2014 | Pr. Chris Rosebrough
| Welcome to the Teaching Ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church. Kongsvinger is a beacon for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is located on the plains of Northwestern Minnesota. We proclaim Christ and Him crucified for our sins and salvation by grace through faith alone, and now, here’s a message from Pastor Chris Rosebrough: |
| Time Stamp | Transcript |
| 0:28 | the holy Gospel According to Saint |
| 0:30 | Matthew chapter 22 verses 15 through 22. |
| 0:34 | then the Pharisees went out and they |
| 0:37 | laid plans |
| 0:39 | to trap Jesus in his words |
| 0:42 | they sent their disciples to him along |
| 0:44 | with the herodians teacher they said we |
| 0:47 | know you are a man of integrity and that |
| 0:49 | you teach the way of God in accordance |
| 0:51 | with the truth you aren’t swayed by men |
| 0:54 | because you pay no attention to who they |
| 0:55 | are so tell us then what is your opinion |
| 0:58 | is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or |
| 1:01 | not but Jesus knowing their evil intent |
| 1:04 | said |
| 1:05 | you hypocrites |
| 1:07 | why are you trying to trap me |
| 1:09 | show me the coin used for paying the tax |
| 1:11 | and they brought him a Denarius and he |
| 1:14 | asked them whose portrait is this |
| 1:16 | and whose inscription Caesars they |
| 1:19 | replied then he said to them give to |
| 1:21 | Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what |
| 1:24 | is God’s and when they heard this they |
| 1:27 | were amazed so they left him and went |
| 1:29 | away |
| 1:31 | in the name of Jesus |
| 1:35 | so then the Pharisees went out and they |
| 1:36 | laid plans to trap Jesus in his words |
| 1:40 | let that sentence sink in for a second |
| 1:44 | who are the Pharisees |
| 1:46 | they were the religious leaders of |
| 1:48 | Israel these are Church men right |
| 1:51 | these are pastors these are the guys who |
| 1:54 | teach in the synagogue these are the |
| 1:56 | people who you know you go to when you |
| 1:58 | have a question about a tough biblical |
| 2:00 | passage you need an opinion about what |
| 2:02 | God’s word is saying these are the guys |
| 2:04 | who read the Torah these are the guys |
| 2:07 | who were preeminent in the synagogue |
| 2:11 | so how is it that the Pharisees then who |
| 2:15 | supposedly are teaching Israel about God |
| 2:20 | are trying to trap |
| 2:23 | the very God that they claim that they |
| 2:26 | worship |
| 2:28 | that is a huge conundrum |
| 2:31 | first and foremost let us be warned |
| 2:34 | by this passage |
| 2:36 | that not all religion that claims to |
| 2:38 | worship God actually does so |
| 2:41 | this is very important this lesson |
| 2:43 | teaches us that now |
| 2:46 | in order for us to kind of understand |
| 2:47 | what’s going on here why is it that the |
| 2:50 | Pharisees have it out for Jesus how is |
| 2:53 | it possible that these religious leaders |
| 2:54 | want to kill the very God they claim |
| 2:57 | that they’re worshiping trap him in his |
| 2:58 | word so to speak well this requires us |
| 3:00 | to know a little bit about the Pharisees |
| 3:02 | religion and so I thought I would take |
| 3:03 | the occasion of this sermon this morning |
| 3:05 | to do a little bit of historical and |
| 3:07 | biblical study if you have your Bibles |
| 3:10 | open up to the gospel of Mark chapter 7 |
| 3:13 | Mark chapter 7 and we’re going to learn |
| 3:17 | a little bit about the Pharisees and |
| 3:19 | just why it is that Jesus is so |
| 3:21 | threatening to them |
| 3:24 | Mark chapter 7 verse 1. |
| 3:28 | here’s what it says the Pharisees and |
| 3:29 | some of the teachers of the law who had |
| 3:31 | come from Jerusalem gathered around |
| 3:33 | Jesus and saw some of his disciples |
| 3:35 | eating food with hands that were unclean |
| 3:39 | that means it was unwashed now pause for |
| 3:42 | a second here you were only seven |
| 3:44 | chapters into the gospel of Mark now |
| 3:46 | Mark is a short as a short gospel and it |
| 3:48 | moves along really quick that one of the |
| 3:50 | best words in the gospel of Mark is and |
| 3:51 | immediately and immediately and |
| 3:53 | immediately this is the gospel of action |
| 3:54 | right and so Jesus is still pretty early |
| 3:57 | in his ministry here in the gospel of |
| 3:59 | Mark and well it’s time for headquarters |
| 4:02 | to send an investigative committee to |
| 4:05 | decide whether or not this Jesus guy is |
| 4:07 | on the level right so the committee |
| 4:11 | shows up and they’re they’re hanging out |
| 4:13 | with Jesus they’re hearing him teach |
| 4:14 | seeing him perform Miracles but then |
| 4:17 | here comes the thing that they’re going |
| 4:19 | to say this is the thing we’ve got to |
| 4:22 | draw a line on |
| 4:24 | whether or not the disciples wash their |
| 4:27 | hands after they’ve been Out Among the |
| 4:30 | Gentiles that’s the thing that the |
| 4:33 | Pharisees are getting upset about |
| 4:36 | why |
| 4:38 | have you ever asked yourself this |
| 4:39 | question why are they getting all upset |
| 4:40 | about this and by the way we’re not |
| 4:41 | talking here about when your mom would |
| 4:43 | say listen cleanliness is Next to |
| 4:45 | Godliness make sure that you wash your |
| 4:46 | hands before you eat that’s not what |
| 4:48 | this is about I’ll explain it in a |
| 4:50 | minute so the Pharisees and all the Jews |
| 4:52 | the text says do not eat unless they |
| 4:55 | give their hands a ceremonial washing |
| 4:57 | holding to the tradition of the elders |
| 4:59 | keep that phrase in mind tradition of |
| 5:01 | the elders it’s important and when they |
| 5:03 | come from the marketplace they do not |
| 5:04 | eat unless they wash and they observe |
| 5:06 | many other Traditions such as the |
| 5:08 | washing of Cups pitchers and Kettles so |
| 5:11 | the Pharisees and the teachers of the |
| 5:12 | law ask Jesus why don’t your disciples |
| 5:15 | live according to what not the |
| 5:17 | scriptures listen to this why don’t they |
| 5:18 | live according to the tradition of the |
| 5:20 | elders instead of eating their food with |
| 5:23 | unclean hands that’s the rub let me read |
| 5:26 | a little bit more of the text even then |
| 5:27 | we’ll unpack this so Jesus replied |
| 5:31 | Isaiah was right when he prophesied |
| 5:33 | about you Hypocrites as it is written |
| 5:36 | these people they honor me with their |
| 5:39 | lips |
| 5:40 | but their hearts are far from me |
| 5:43 | this is the religion of the Pharisees |
| 5:45 | they honor God with their lips |
| 5:48 | but there’s no faith in their heart they |
| 5:51 | worship me in vain their teachings are |
| 5:53 | but rules taught by men |
| 5:56 | you have let go of the commands of God |
| 5:58 | and you are holding on to the traditions |
| 6:01 | of men Jesus says and he said to them |
| 6:03 | you have a fine way of setting aside the |
| 6:06 | commands of God in order to observe your |
| 6:08 | own traditions for Moses said honor your |
| 6:12 | father and mother and anyone who curses |
| 6:14 | his father and mother must be put to |
| 6:16 | death but you say if a man says to his |
| 6:18 | father a mother well whatever help you |
| 6:20 | might otherwise have received from me |
| 6:22 | well that’s now Corban that means a gift |
| 6:24 | that is devoted to God well then you no |
| 6:26 | longer let him do anything for his |
| 6:28 | father or his mother thus you nullify |
| 6:31 | the word of God by your tradition and |
| 6:33 | that you have handed down and you do |
| 6:35 | many things like that |
| 6:38 | so the Pharisees religion honors god |
| 6:42 | with their lips |
| 6:44 | they claim they worship the one true God |
| 6:47 | they worship Yahweh |
| 6:49 | they show up in the synagogue they read |
| 6:50 | the scriptures they read Moses and the |
| 6:53 | prophets |
| 6:55 | but they don’t have faith |
| 6:57 | all of its lip service now so that you |
| 7:00 | can understand the religion of the |
| 7:01 | Pharisees I’m going to give you a little |
| 7:03 | bit of a lesson here and this is from |
| 7:04 | the work of Nehemiah Gordon who actually |
| 7:07 | lives in Israel and he’s a karahide Jew |
| 7:09 | Kara height you can just kind of roughly |
| 7:11 | translate that as equals scripture only |
| 7:13 | Jew and this is in very sharp |
| 7:16 | distinction to Orthodox Judaism which by |
| 7:20 | the way in case you don’t know this |
| 7:21 | Orthodox Judaism comes directly it’s a |
| 7:24 | direct descendant of the religion of the |
| 7:26 | Pharisees and the reason for this is |
| 7:28 | that when the temple was destroyed in 70 |
| 7:31 | A.D the Pharisees were the last people |
| 7:33 | standing |
| 7:35 | and so they got to re-craft Judaism |
| 7:39 | at Judaism that doesn’t have a temple a |
| 7:42 | Judaism that doesn’t have the |
| 7:43 | Forgiveness of sins that doesn’t have |
| 7:45 | sacrifices right so you think how can |
| 7:49 | you practice Judaism biblical Judaism |
| 7:51 | today without a temple the answer is you |
| 7:53 | can’t because the temple was always |
| 7:55 | meant to be temporary it was type |
| 7:57 | pointing us to the reality which is |
| 7:59 | Christ well the Pharisees were the last |
| 8:01 | people standing so when Orthodox Judaism |
| 8:03 | today is a direct descendant of the |
| 8:04 | religion of the Pharisees in Nehemiah |
| 8:06 | Gordon grew up in this let’s talk about |
| 8:08 | this hand washing ceremony where did |
| 8:11 | this come from can any of you think |
| 8:13 | where in the Bible does it say when you |
| 8:16 | go out into the mark and place and |
| 8:18 | you’re among the unwashed pagans that |
| 8:20 | when you get back into your house you |
| 8:22 | need to wash your hands |
| 8:25 | this is about get their sins off of me |
| 8:28 | they’re icky people where does the bible |
| 8:30 | say that |
| 8:32 | answer it doesn’t |
| 8:34 | this is found in what is called the |
| 8:37 | tradition of the elders a second book if |
| 8:40 | you would and it’s an oral tradition |
| 8:43 | that comes down through the Pharisees |
| 8:45 | and in this here’s how the the hand |
| 8:48 | washing ceremony goes what you do when |
| 8:51 | you come in there’s actually a |
| 8:53 | ceremonial picture and water you know a |
| 8:56 | water basin when you come in from the |
| 8:57 | marketplace you take your left hand and |
| 9:00 | you put it over the wash basin and you |
| 9:02 | take the picture and you pour water on |
| 9:05 | your left hand and then you sprinkle it |
| 9:07 | off you switch right hand water pitcher |
| 9:10 | sprinkle it off switch again open your |
| 9:14 | left hand pour the water |
| 9:16 | switch again pour the your the water |
| 9:18 | over your right hand sprinkle it and |
| 9:20 | then you say this prayer blessed art |
| 9:23 | thou Lord King of the universe who has |
| 9:25 | Sanctified us with his Commandments and |
| 9:27 | commanded us to wash |
| 9:28 | the hands that’s the prayer |
| 9:32 | this is found nowhere in scripture so |
| 9:34 | where do they get this from |
| 9:36 | well here’s how this works and the |
| 9:38 | Pharisees religion they believe that |
| 9:41 | there are two torahs you know what the |
| 9:44 | Torah is Right Torah would be the law |
| 9:47 | okay the law of God the Torah |
| 9:49 | technically is the first five books of |
| 9:50 | the Old Testament but according to the |
| 9:52 | tradition of the Pharisees God not only |
| 9:55 | gave Moses a written Torah but God also |
| 9:59 | gave Moses an oral Torah |
| 10:02 | and so this oral Torah they were the |
| 10:04 | keepers of the two torahs and um so the |
| 10:08 | idea then is is that it’s there’s this |
| 10:10 | tradition of the elders |
| 10:13 | has as much Authority and in many cases |
| 10:15 | you can argue has more authority over |
| 10:17 | the written Torah and so this is why the |
| 10:21 | Pharisees go to war with Jesus regarding |
| 10:23 | the hand washing thing because what’s at |
| 10:25 | stake Jesus’s disciples are out in the |
| 10:28 | marketplace They’re Out Among the |
| 10:30 | they’re ministering Jesus is healing |
| 10:32 | people they get into the house and you |
| 10:34 | know what the disciples do they just say |
| 10:37 | goodbye wash basin we’re not going to |
| 10:39 | stop here |
| 10:40 | what’s at stake |
| 10:42 | by not requiring Jesus’s disciples to |
| 10:46 | wash their hands Jesus is challenging |
| 10:49 | and basically repudiating the entire a |
| 10:53 | second Authority structure within the |
| 10:54 | pharisaical religion the oral Torah |
| 10:58 | and it without the oral Torah the |
| 11:00 | Pharisees don’t have any Authority at |
| 11:02 | all |
| 11:03 | what’s at stake for the Pharisees is |
| 11:05 | everything everything is at stake now in |
| 11:09 | the Pharisees religion this is also |
| 11:11 | important at they claim that they had |
| 11:14 | the absolute authority to interpret the |
| 11:16 | scripture and that rests on pharisaical |
| 11:20 | rabbis and this Authority cannot even be |
| 11:23 | usurped even by God himself this is what |
| 11:25 | they claim and according to the oral |
| 11:28 | Torah God gave Israel rabbis |
| 11:32 | and therefore rabbis can actually add to |
| 11:35 | the you know the the binding |
| 11:37 | requirements of the Torah so if the |
| 11:39 | majority of rabbis together make a |
| 11:41 | decision |
| 11:42 | everybody in Israel is bound by it |
| 11:45 | and this hand washing ceremony who came |
| 11:48 | up with it the Pharisees did the rabbis |
| 11:51 | did it was a custom that turned into a |
| 11:54 | law and they claimed to have the |
| 11:56 | absolute authority to interpret |
| 11:58 | scripture and Jesus is basically saying |
| 12:00 | you got no Authority at all |
| 12:03 | so what’s at stake for the Pharisees in |
| 12:05 | their Showdown with with Jesus is |
| 12:08 | everything their entire Authority |
| 12:10 | structure their power within culture |
| 12:12 | their Authority structure and even their |
| 12:15 | own salvation |
| 12:16 | is at stake because if they don’t have |
| 12:19 | authority to bind people and make rules |
| 12:21 | and decide what God’s word means and |
| 12:24 | this oral tradition has no bearing |
| 12:26 | whatsoever on truth |
| 12:27 | the whole religion is kaput |
| 12:30 | and so many people do not understand |
| 12:33 | this they don’t understand this aspect |
| 12:35 | if they understand that well the |
| 12:37 | Pharisees they had their own rules that |
| 12:39 | they added to the Torah and the basic |
| 12:41 | idea was that if you know if you follow |
| 12:44 | their rules then you won’t break God’s |
| 12:46 | rules and therefore you’re saved but see |
| 12:48 | that’s the thing about the Pharisees |
| 12:50 | religion it’s a 100 works-based religion |
| 12:53 | you want to get on God’s good side |
| 12:56 | you must obey their rules and by obeying |
| 13:01 | their rules you won’t break God’s rules |
| 13:02 | and then you’re in with God they become |
| 13:05 | the intermediaries they become the power |
| 13:07 | base they become the power Brokers and |
| 13:09 | everything Jesus is doing is completely |
| 13:10 | upsetting the entire system |
| 13:14 | and rather than repent |
| 13:17 | rather than say you know what Jesus Is |
| 13:19 | Right |
| 13:20 | they decided that it was time to go to |
| 13:23 | war with Jesus find a way to trap this |
| 13:26 | guy in his words get rid of him because |
| 13:29 | if he we don’t get rid of him he’s going |
| 13:31 | to get rid of us and he’s that they’re |
| 13:34 | right he would have because their |
| 13:36 | religion is false even though it was in |
| 13:38 | the name of the one true God |
| 13:40 | so now you’ve kind of got the |
| 13:42 | understanding a little bit of the |
| 13:43 | history there what’s going on I could go |
| 13:45 | on more about that in fact nahemiah |
| 13:46 | Gordon writes about what he calls the |
| 13:49 | five iniquities of the Pharisees which |
| 13:50 | is absolutely fascinating but I’ll have |
| 13:52 | to save that for another time maybe uh |
| 13:54 | we’ll do that during Sunday school but |
| 13:57 | you got the idea so now let’s go back to |
| 13:59 | our text we’re back in Matthew 22 verse |
| 14:01 | 15. so now you’ve got a little bit of |
| 14:03 | the back story you know why the |
| 14:05 | Pharisees want to get rid of Jesus |
| 14:07 | they’re com he’s completely undercut |
| 14:09 | they’re secondary Authority system which |
| 14:11 | is this so-called oral Torah |
| 14:14 | and what’s at stake is their entire |
| 14:16 | power and religion so it says this so |
| 14:18 | then the Pharisees went out and they |
| 14:20 | laid plans to trap Jesus in his words |
| 14:22 | they sent their disciples to him along |
| 14:24 | with the herodians little historical |
| 14:26 | fact Pharisees and herodians don’t |
| 14:28 | normally get along the herodians are |
| 14:31 | Jews who like the rule of Caesar such a |
| 14:35 | critter is not supposed to exist in |
| 14:37 | Israel if he really truly worshiped the |
| 14:39 | one true God at least the way logic goes |
| 14:40 | right so these are guys who are we love |
| 14:43 | Herod we love Caesar right and stuff |
| 14:45 | like that so the fact that the Pharisees |
| 14:46 | and the herodians are working together |
| 14:48 | this should tell you something this is |
| 14:51 | like this is not supposed to happen |
| 14:52 | right |
| 14:54 | so |
| 14:55 | they come to him and watch the flattery |
| 14:57 | teacher they said we know that you’re a |
| 15:00 | man of integrity and you teach the way |
| 15:03 | of God in accordance with the truth |
| 15:05 | do you think they believe a single word |
| 15:07 | of that |
| 15:09 | not at all so here they are they’re |
| 15:12 | honoring God with their lips because |
| 15:14 | that’s who Jesus is right but their |
| 15:17 | hearts are far from him |
| 15:19 | oh Jesus you are such a good guy and you |
| 15:23 | teach the way of God in accordance with |
| 15:25 | the truth and oh you’re so awesome |
| 15:26 | because you aren’t swayed by men you pay |
| 15:28 | no attention to who they are |
| 15:31 | lie lie lie lie lie you don’t believe a |
| 15:35 | word of it |
| 15:40 | problem is this |
| 15:42 | how many of us |
| 15:45 | when we sing A Hymn or a praise song |
| 15:47 | that says oh Lord I Lift Your Name on |
| 15:49 | High |
| 15:50 | those are just words on your lips but |
| 15:53 | your heart doesn’t mean it |
| 15:57 | you recite a Psalm that says the lord’s |
| 15:59 | name should be extolled among the |
| 16:01 | Nations |
| 16:03 | and you’re thinking about oh man |
| 16:06 | I gotta get back to the farm I gotta get |
| 16:08 | you gotta get in the shop or something |
| 16:10 | like that right |
| 16:11 | we all do this in our own ways |
| 16:14 | what they do explicitly we do in subtle |
| 16:17 | ways and it’s important for us to |
| 16:18 | recognize that |
| 16:20 | so you aren’t swayed by men you pay no |
| 16:22 | attention to who they are so tell us |
| 16:23 | what is your opinion is it right to pay |
| 16:25 | taxes to Caesar or Not by the way this |
| 16:28 | isn’t really about taxes if you’re wor |
| 16:29 | if you’re concerned about whether or not |
| 16:30 | the Bible wants you to pay taxes the |
| 16:32 | Bible says pay your taxes |
| 16:34 | okay yeah let’s just get that out there |
| 16:37 | if you’re not paying your taxes come see |
| 16:39 | me we need to talk okay there’s this |
| 16:41 | little thing called confession and |
| 16:42 | Absolution and then we want you to bear |
| 16:44 | fruit in keeping with repentance so you |
| 16:46 | understand what I’m saying |
| 16:47 | so he says Jesus knowing that their evil |
| 16:49 | intent said you Hypocrites so you know |
| 16:51 | what a hypocrite is Right a hypocrite is |
| 16:52 | the old Greek Theater people would put |
| 16:54 | on a mask and so the mask would have |
| 16:56 | this big smiley face right and so the |
| 16:58 | big mask has to find and they’d be on |
| 16:59 | stage and they were in the character is |
| 17:01 | smiling but they’re a hypocrite because |
| 17:03 | behind the mask it’s not that right |
| 17:07 | you Hypocrites why are you trying to |
| 17:09 | trap me show me the coin used for paying |
| 17:12 | the tax so they brought him a Denarius |
| 17:14 | and they asked him whose portrait is |
| 17:16 | this |
| 17:17 | and whose inscription |
| 17:19 | at least they can read Caesar’s they |
| 17:21 | replied and then he said to them give to |
| 17:24 | Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what |
| 17:27 | is God’s |
| 17:28 | when they heard this they were amazed so |
| 17:30 | they left him and went away and I’ll |
| 17:31 | pause there for a second |
| 17:33 | I want you to think about this what is |
| 17:35 | easier to do pay your taxes or give to |
| 17:38 | God what is God’s |
| 17:42 | um |
| 17:43 | okay let’s do a little review here okay |
| 17:46 | I know you don’t have a copy of your |
| 17:47 | small catechism in front of you but |
| 17:48 | let’s just do a little bit of review you |
| 17:50 | want to know what you’re supposed to |
| 17:51 | give to God well give to God what is |
| 17:53 | God’s well here’s what God requires of |
| 17:55 | us you shall have no other gods what |
| 17:58 | does this mean |
| 18:00 | hair Luther writes |
| 18:01 | we should fear love and trust in God |
| 18:04 | above all things |
| 18:07 | so let me ask you a couple questions |
| 18:10 | do you look to God your heavenly father |
| 18:12 | for all love good and joy |
| 18:17 | um is everything that is measured to you |
| 18:19 | or for you is it based upon what pleases |
| 18:22 | you |
| 18:23 | in all things are you self-centered and |
| 18:26 | selfish yes or no maybe not all how |
| 18:28 | about some |
| 18:30 | do you see your worry in fretting as a |
| 18:33 | sin against God |
| 18:34 | do you complain about the troubles the |
| 18:36 | people the work the suffering that God |
| 18:38 | lays on you |
| 18:40 | do you love the things that God gives |
| 18:42 | you more than you love the one who gives |
| 18:44 | them |
| 18:47 | do you cling to what God takes away even |
| 18:49 | though he gives himself to you |
| 18:56 | that’s what it means to drill down into |
| 18:58 | this commandment |
| 19:02 | do you sanctify the holy day and keep it |
| 19:04 | holy what does this mean we should fear |
| 19:06 | and love God so we do not despise |
| 19:07 | preaching in his word but hold it sacred |
| 19:09 | and gladly hear and learn it |
| 19:11 | do you strive to make the day of rest |
| 19:14 | Sunday holy |
| 19:17 | do you care about holy living |
| 19:20 | do you use the word of God In Prayer to |
| 19:23 | make your time and your work and your |
| 19:25 | study and your life holy day to day |
| 19:29 | are you lazy and bored with the word of |
| 19:32 | God |
| 19:34 | have you any fear of God over this |
| 19:36 | neglect |
| 19:39 | do you honor the word of God highly by |
| 19:42 | studying it gladly learning it by heart |
| 19:44 | living it |
| 19:47 | or are you quick to make excuses for |
| 19:49 | neglecting worship because of what |
| 19:51 | someone else has said or done or to do |
| 19:53 | other things |
| 19:55 | that you like to do more |
| 19:59 | let me ask a question again which is |
| 20:01 | easier |
| 20:02 | to pay your taxes or to give to God what |
| 20:04 | is God’s |
| 20:06 | and by the way |
| 20:08 | there’s nobody in this room |
| 20:11 | that this is not hitting hard when we |
| 20:14 | think about it including me |
| 20:16 | We’re All in This Together |
| 20:21 | let me read a little bit more |
| 20:23 | you shall not bear false witness against |
| 20:25 | your neighbor this is one of The |
| 20:27 | Commandments what does this mean Luther |
| 20:28 | writes it says that we should fear and |
| 20:30 | love God so we may not deceitfully belie |
| 20:32 | betray or slander or to fame our |
| 20:34 | neighbor but defend him |
| 20:36 | think and speak well of him and put the |
| 20:39 | best construction on everything |
| 20:42 | have you told the truth in court or in |
| 20:44 | school or before authorities or before |
| 20:45 | your parents when you knew what the |
| 20:48 | truth was |
| 20:50 | or have you been afraid to have you been |
| 20:52 | afraid to Bear witness when you knew the |
| 20:54 | truth and it was necessary to speak up |
| 20:56 | against a wrongdoer or to speak up for a |
| 20:59 | victim have you remained silent but |
| 21:01 | those who needed you to speak up |
| 21:03 | have you gossiped or delighted to tell |
| 21:06 | others about the faults or mistakes or |
| 21:08 | sins of another and of course excusing |
| 21:10 | yourself especially by saying oh well I |
| 21:13 | only said the truth about them |
| 21:18 | have you gone to others to make peace if |
| 21:20 | you were wronged by them |
| 21:23 | or to correct them if you knew that they |
| 21:25 | were in the wrong |
| 21:27 | or have you flattered others or put on a |
| 21:30 | front to make them think differently |
| 21:31 | from what is true |
| 21:35 | render to God what is gods |
| 21:40 | I think when you take some time to |
| 21:41 | really drill into this and I could go on |
| 21:45 | you begin to understand that there’s a |
| 21:48 | real need |
| 21:49 | every Sunday when we open up with these |
| 21:51 | words most merciful god we confess that |
| 21:53 | we are by Nature sinful and unclean we |
| 21:56 | come here every Sunday because we do not |
| 21:58 | render to God what is God’s even close |
| 22:02 | to perfectly |
| 22:03 | at all |
| 22:05 | not me not you |
| 22:07 | all of us are in need of mercy and |
| 22:10 | forgiveness |
| 22:11 | and see that’s the important thing here |
| 22:13 | Christ Jesus he has perfectly rendered |
| 22:18 | unto God what is God’s and he has done |
| 22:21 | it for you |
| 22:22 | the debt that you owe God Which is far |
| 22:25 | greater than your taxes |
| 22:27 | it has been paid in full by the blood of |
| 22:30 | Jesus |
| 22:31 | over and again in many various ways |
| 22:34 | Jesus is here to comfort you and assert |
| 22:37 | you assure you that your bill is paid |
| 22:39 | before God he assures you of this fact |
| 22:42 | in the words of the Absolution that you |
| 22:44 | hear from my lips every Sunday he |
| 22:46 | assures you of this fact here at the |
| 22:49 | altar when you receive the body and |
| 22:50 | blood of Jesus broken and shed for you |
| 22:52 | for the Forgiveness of your sins he |
| 22:54 | assures you of this fact when you are |
| 22:56 | again pointed back to the Waters of your |
| 22:58 | baptisms and the Day When Jesus washed |
| 23:00 | your sins away and you were buried and |
| 23:02 | raised with Christ and now Jesus wants |
| 23:06 | you to believe this good news trust him |
| 23:08 | and don’t fret your bill is paid you are |
| 23:12 | now forgiven and set free unlike the |
| 23:15 | Pharisees who would not repent and |
| 23:16 | refuse to believe that Jesus was their |
| 23:19 | God and that Jesus was the way the truth |
| 23:21 | and the life and who and who made up |
| 23:23 | their own rules and their own traditions |
| 23:25 | in order to throw the true faith in God |
| 23:28 | throw it out you on the other hand you |
| 23:31 | have of the truth you have Jesus and |
| 23:33 | Jesus has rendered to God all that you |
| 23:36 | could not and would not render in order |
| 23:38 | that you a sinner may be saved by his |
| 23:41 | grace alone through faith |
| 23:44 | there’s no need now for hypocritical lip |
| 23:46 | service when you’ve received the free |
| 23:48 | gift of God’s grace in fact hypocritical |
| 23:51 | lip service to God is Not service to God |
| 23:54 | at all |
| 23:55 | it is instead hostile |
| 23:57 | hypocritical lip service is murderous |
| 23:59 | and it’s a form of seething hatred |
| 24:02 | towards God it refuses to bend the knee |
| 24:04 | it refuses to believe and instead it |
| 24:07 | lies in wait looking for clever ways to |
| 24:09 | trap Jesus and his words in order to |
| 24:11 | discredit Jesus and try to convince |
| 24:13 | people that Jesus is not worthy of their |
| 24:16 | faith |
| 24:17 | this is all of us by the way at one time |
| 24:20 | or another |
| 24:21 | and if this is you right now |
| 24:23 | repent |
| 24:25 | change your mind |
| 24:26 | and Trust Jesus |
| 24:29 | because here’s the good news he even |
| 24:31 | bled and died for the sins of hostile |
| 24:33 | Hypocrites who’ve rendered lip service |
| 24:35 | to him |
| 24:37 | that’s right Jesus he’s so merciful and |
| 24:40 | kind and forgiving that he even shed his |
| 24:42 | blood for those who are his arch enemies |
| 24:45 | and if you’re truly honest with yourself |
| 24:47 | and with God |
| 24:49 | then you’ll see that the person that I’m |
| 24:51 | actually describing is not a Pharisee |
| 24:54 | but it’s you |
| 24:55 | so put away your lip service repent |
| 24:58 | believe be forgiven trust Jesus is |
| 25:01 | saving work done for you through his |
| 25:02 | sinless life and shameful death on the |
| 25:04 | cross he has rendered to God unto God |
| 25:08 | all the things that are gods and he’s |
| 25:10 | done it perfectly and he’s done it for |
| 25:13 | you |
| 25:13 | in the name of Jesus Amen |
| 25:16 | [Music] |
| If you would like to support the teaching ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, you can do so by sending a tax-free donation to: Kongsvinger Lutheran Church 15950 470th Ave NW, Oslo, MN 56744 We thank you for your support. All of our teaching messages may be freely distributed as long as you do not edit or change the content of the message, and, again, thank you for listening. |
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