In gratitude
Commentary
At the heart of most sinning is the spirit of ingratitude. After all, those who are truly grateful, who admit that most of what they are and have is not of their own doing, who have something of a spirit of humility about them, are the people who are most unlikely to sin the sin of ingratitude.
In Deuteronomy 8 there is a word of warning given to God's people as they are readied to come to the promised land:
"Beware lest you say in your heart, ÔMy power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth ..."
The writer knows that all selfishness begins with an assumption that we are self-made and self-directed. It begins with forgetting that most of what we have and are is a gift from the hand of God.
The word ingratitude is, of course, matched by the word ungrateful. I remember an old lady, who was nearly 100 years old, once telling me that someday I ought to preach a sermon on the topic UN ... Then she pointed out what that little prefix did to so many wonderful words. Surely, that is true of the word grateful. By adding the prefix UN, we turn it into its opposite.
When we are ungrateful we sin the sin of ingratitude which is rooted in our own self-trust and self-worship. To repent of that sin to begin with an acknowledgment that it is God who is at the base of all things -- who does, in fact, give us the gift of life and the gift of the power to get and be what we have and are.
OUTLINE I
How Can This Happen to Us?
Micah 1:2; 2:1-10
Introduction: Begin by doing some homework on the life and times of Micah, the prophet, and then tell your congregation about it. It always helps to know the background. It is not difficult to determine what is going on just by reading the text. Micah shares a concern for the wanton injustices and rampant evil in Israel, and sees only destruction in the offing. Prophets, of course, are not popular people, especially when they so vividly catalog the offenses of people. You can imagine that Micah wasn't very popular.
A. The Response of the People: "Do not preach ... one should not preach of such things, disgrace will not overtake us."
One of Israel's and our, greatest sins is to presume on the grace of God, to assume that, because he has made himself known to us and called us his own, he will tolerate anything and everything we do. Far from it. In fact, say the prophets, to have received the revelation, to have been chosen, places a special burden on us and makes our sins all the more offensive. These people actually believed they were so favored that no consequence would come of their actions.
Take time to apply this to the current day assumption by many that, because we are Americans and have received so much, we have a sign that we are God's special people and no harm will come to us. The lesson which came to Israel ought to be instructive, for the truth is God does reprove those whom he loves.
B. The Response of God. It is interesting that God's Word comes, reminding the protestors he does indeed want to be merciful, but they, by their actions, prove they do not deserve such mercy. His charge is as harsh as their sinfulness.
Conclusion: There are many who imagine that, because they are from a Christian family, or live in a god-fearing nation, or even belong to one of the best churches, all is well. Here is a solemn reminder which needs to be brought to the attention of all who would so presume on God's mercy. The reminder is that much is expected of those to whom much is given. Therefore, they bear the most grievous burden for seeking to be righteous and to conduct themselves as God would have them do.
OUTLINE II
A Stern Rebuke
Luke 17:11-19
Introduction: It is always in order to open a sermon, on any text from the Gospel according to Luke, with reminders about the basic message and spirit of this writer/physician. He is always concerned, first and foremost, for the downtrodden, the helpless, the poor, and those who are despised in society. It is important to listen to the story in this context.
A. Ten Come Asking: Note that in keeping with what was expected of lepers, they kept their distance. Apparently, they have heard of this Jesus and his miraculous powers. Like many others around the countryside, they come for healing, for a gift. Like many in our own day, they come to Jesus for what they can get out of it. Anyway, we in the church are the ones who make the promises, aren't we?
B. Ten Healed: All of them received the gift. They had shown that they accepted the promise by acting on it. Going to the priests was all that was required. All are healed and all go their way cleansed. But note:
C. One Is Grateful: I suppose that ten percent is not all that bad. Wonder where the other nine went? And wonder what they-told people? Did they give Jesus credit? Who knows? But I suppose we ought to speculate, anyway. This is a good place to put your imagination to work. Perhaps you can remember some in your own community who have received great gifts and taken them for granted -- talked about good fortune, good luck, being smiled on by the man upstairs, etc. Isn't it interesting how many people do all they can to avoid any suggestion of a religious solution or that God might have been involved.
D. A Samaritan: You had better not miss that word! One can know it is a deliberate word by Luke. Remember, it is Luke who tells of the Good Samaritan in chapter 10.
Conclusion: What we have here is another example of the way in which God does not perform according to our expectations. Didn't he love Jews best? Weren't they favored? Here is a rebuke to all who think they are the apple of God's eye.
OUTLINE III
How To Win Friends
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Introduction: Whenever the letters to Timothy were written, one thing is clear -- the receiver of the letters is having a tough time winning acceptance because of his youth. In those days, anyone under age forty was considered young and inexperienced. Timothy had been given a difficult assignment. Somehow, he had to deal with the pressure being brought against himself and his peers and, at the same time, deal with those who wrote him off because of his age. Add to that internal church pressure and pressures from the political structure and he had his hands full. In today's selection, there are at least two suggestions how Timothy can overcome this deficit. By the way, there are others in the letter and you can search them out for yourself. Let's take a look at these.
A. You Are Not Representing Yourself: Verses 8-13 sound like a creed. It is almost structured, but not quite. It does make the necessary points. And the writer is bold to use himself as an example. He hangs in there, no matter what others say, and recommends that Timothy do the same.
B. Do Your Best: Sometimes we are not accepted because what we present is not acceptable. But people have a difficult time overlooking competence and dedication. Sooner or later they win the admiration of others.
Conclusion: Be sure to remember who you are representing and do your best. Still good advice for those in our day who are at work in the church, or anywhere else, for that matter. Suggest that your people give it a try.
In Deuteronomy 8 there is a word of warning given to God's people as they are readied to come to the promised land:
"Beware lest you say in your heart, ÔMy power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth ..."
The writer knows that all selfishness begins with an assumption that we are self-made and self-directed. It begins with forgetting that most of what we have and are is a gift from the hand of God.
The word ingratitude is, of course, matched by the word ungrateful. I remember an old lady, who was nearly 100 years old, once telling me that someday I ought to preach a sermon on the topic UN ... Then she pointed out what that little prefix did to so many wonderful words. Surely, that is true of the word grateful. By adding the prefix UN, we turn it into its opposite.
When we are ungrateful we sin the sin of ingratitude which is rooted in our own self-trust and self-worship. To repent of that sin to begin with an acknowledgment that it is God who is at the base of all things -- who does, in fact, give us the gift of life and the gift of the power to get and be what we have and are.
OUTLINE I
How Can This Happen to Us?
Micah 1:2; 2:1-10
Introduction: Begin by doing some homework on the life and times of Micah, the prophet, and then tell your congregation about it. It always helps to know the background. It is not difficult to determine what is going on just by reading the text. Micah shares a concern for the wanton injustices and rampant evil in Israel, and sees only destruction in the offing. Prophets, of course, are not popular people, especially when they so vividly catalog the offenses of people. You can imagine that Micah wasn't very popular.
A. The Response of the People: "Do not preach ... one should not preach of such things, disgrace will not overtake us."
One of Israel's and our, greatest sins is to presume on the grace of God, to assume that, because he has made himself known to us and called us his own, he will tolerate anything and everything we do. Far from it. In fact, say the prophets, to have received the revelation, to have been chosen, places a special burden on us and makes our sins all the more offensive. These people actually believed they were so favored that no consequence would come of their actions.
Take time to apply this to the current day assumption by many that, because we are Americans and have received so much, we have a sign that we are God's special people and no harm will come to us. The lesson which came to Israel ought to be instructive, for the truth is God does reprove those whom he loves.
B. The Response of God. It is interesting that God's Word comes, reminding the protestors he does indeed want to be merciful, but they, by their actions, prove they do not deserve such mercy. His charge is as harsh as their sinfulness.
Conclusion: There are many who imagine that, because they are from a Christian family, or live in a god-fearing nation, or even belong to one of the best churches, all is well. Here is a solemn reminder which needs to be brought to the attention of all who would so presume on God's mercy. The reminder is that much is expected of those to whom much is given. Therefore, they bear the most grievous burden for seeking to be righteous and to conduct themselves as God would have them do.
OUTLINE II
A Stern Rebuke
Luke 17:11-19
Introduction: It is always in order to open a sermon, on any text from the Gospel according to Luke, with reminders about the basic message and spirit of this writer/physician. He is always concerned, first and foremost, for the downtrodden, the helpless, the poor, and those who are despised in society. It is important to listen to the story in this context.
A. Ten Come Asking: Note that in keeping with what was expected of lepers, they kept their distance. Apparently, they have heard of this Jesus and his miraculous powers. Like many others around the countryside, they come for healing, for a gift. Like many in our own day, they come to Jesus for what they can get out of it. Anyway, we in the church are the ones who make the promises, aren't we?
B. Ten Healed: All of them received the gift. They had shown that they accepted the promise by acting on it. Going to the priests was all that was required. All are healed and all go their way cleansed. But note:
C. One Is Grateful: I suppose that ten percent is not all that bad. Wonder where the other nine went? And wonder what they-told people? Did they give Jesus credit? Who knows? But I suppose we ought to speculate, anyway. This is a good place to put your imagination to work. Perhaps you can remember some in your own community who have received great gifts and taken them for granted -- talked about good fortune, good luck, being smiled on by the man upstairs, etc. Isn't it interesting how many people do all they can to avoid any suggestion of a religious solution or that God might have been involved.
D. A Samaritan: You had better not miss that word! One can know it is a deliberate word by Luke. Remember, it is Luke who tells of the Good Samaritan in chapter 10.
Conclusion: What we have here is another example of the way in which God does not perform according to our expectations. Didn't he love Jews best? Weren't they favored? Here is a rebuke to all who think they are the apple of God's eye.
OUTLINE III
How To Win Friends
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Introduction: Whenever the letters to Timothy were written, one thing is clear -- the receiver of the letters is having a tough time winning acceptance because of his youth. In those days, anyone under age forty was considered young and inexperienced. Timothy had been given a difficult assignment. Somehow, he had to deal with the pressure being brought against himself and his peers and, at the same time, deal with those who wrote him off because of his age. Add to that internal church pressure and pressures from the political structure and he had his hands full. In today's selection, there are at least two suggestions how Timothy can overcome this deficit. By the way, there are others in the letter and you can search them out for yourself. Let's take a look at these.
A. You Are Not Representing Yourself: Verses 8-13 sound like a creed. It is almost structured, but not quite. It does make the necessary points. And the writer is bold to use himself as an example. He hangs in there, no matter what others say, and recommends that Timothy do the same.
B. Do Your Best: Sometimes we are not accepted because what we present is not acceptable. But people have a difficult time overlooking competence and dedication. Sooner or later they win the admiration of others.
Conclusion: Be sure to remember who you are representing and do your best. Still good advice for those in our day who are at work in the church, or anywhere else, for that matter. Suggest that your people give it a try.
