Everyone Is Invited
Sermon
Christmas Grace
Cycle A Second Lesson Sermons for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
Object:
Every summer Kaitlin joins her youth group on mission trips. One summer the group traveled to New Orleans to help with the Hurricane Katrina relief. Their job was to clean out houses that had not been open since the hurricane. "As I entered the first untouched home," Kaitlin remembered, "the idea of caring and reaching to others really kicked in." Her first thought was to complain about the conditions but she said, "I knew if this were my own home that would be the last thing thought crossing my mind. I could not imagine the difficulty and the pain of walking into my own house after such destruction."
The experience of participating on mission trips has changed Kaitlin's life. "I continue to reach out to people within my community," she said. For Kaitlin helping other people provides an opportunity to share her faith, she explained, "I enjoy the warm feeling I get when I know I have impacted an individual by dribbling the slightest bit of faith into their heart."1
In a world with confused and competing loyalties Paul boldly claimed, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel." Paul was writing to the church of Rome, to people he had never met, to people who might have been unsure of their faith. It was dangerous to be a follower of Jesus Christ in a culture that claimed that the emperor was a god. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ was Paul's life mission and nothing or no one would prevent him from carrying out God's plan for his life. In making that bold claim Paul's life was in jeopardy but he unashamedly placed his life not in the hands of earthly rulers or authorities but in his Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul's goal in writing to the Romans was to bolster and strengthen their faith. The gospel, he wrote, "is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith." To experience "the power of God for salvation," all one has to do is believe in Jesus. It no longer mattered where someone was born because God's saving power was available to all people, in all classes, and circumstances of life. It was truly amazing to acknowledge that God had included all people in God's plan of salvation. The previous barriers were all knocked down, thanks to the life, death, and new life of Jesus Christ. It was now possible for all people to come to faith in Jesus Christ.
During Jesus' earthly ministry he worked first among those of Jewish descent, after his resurrection Jesus sent the disciples out into the entire the world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," Jesus instructed his disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." Elsewhere in his writings the apostle Paul claimed, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
The gospel message opened people's eyes to the possibility of faith in Jesus. The plan of salvation was God's intention from the beginning of time, but now it came to fruition. Those from a Jewish background were able to see how the promises they stood on had been fulfilled in Jesus. The Gentiles now understood that there was one true God. All the boundaries had been removed.
Further Paul writes, "The righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith." God keeps God's promise made to the ancestors of faith in the Old Testament. Because God kept the covenant, all people receive faith in and through Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ yields salvation whereas the law always falls short. Through faith we are set into a right relationship with God. Paul makes his point by quoting the Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, "The one who is righteous will live by faith." Faith means believing in Jesus, in all circumstances and not relying on one's lineage or the law. This is incredible good news, because it includes every one of us. The season of Epiphany serves to remind us of the importance of sharing the good news with all people in all places -- Jesus is Lord of all.
"For there is no distinction," Paul writes as he continues to develop this important theme in the third chapter. In the kingdom of God no one has higher rank or standing because all those barriers have been broken down. Claiming that everyone stands on equal footing was a radical break with the present world of the Romans where there were different classes and social rankings. There is no distinction precisely because, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sinful humanity cannot save itself but stands in need of God's grace.
What this means is that no person is exempt from being in a right relationship with God in and through Jesus Christ. We are "justified" made right through God's amazing grace. Grace is God's gift to us and is not something that we earn or even deserve; it is given to us freely from the God who loves each and every one of us. God's love for us is so strong that God stopped at nothing to restore our relationship. God's Son Jesus Christ suffered and died at the hands of a sinful humanity.
Jesus'death pointed to God's answer for sinful humanity and also God's sense of justice, truth, and faithfulness. Ultimately God has kept the covenant established with the heroes of faith. God sent Jesus to rescue us from the power of sin, something we cannot accomplish by ourselves.
To the Corinthians Paul wrote about the power of the cross. In times of confusion Paul advised believers to remember and look to the cross of Jesus. Elsewhere in his letter to the Romans Paul writes of the cross in terms of a sin offering. Again he draws from the Old Testament notion of the Day of Atonement. Paul declares that what God has done through Jesus Christ is once and for all -- we are saved because of his sacrifice.
As we know the death of Jesus was not the end of the story -- God raised Jesus to new life. "God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith." Through his death Jesus paid the price for all of our sins. Salvation is available to all people since as Paul stated God showed "no distinction" between people. This was God's plan from the beginning of time.
We live our lives by faith believing and trusting in Jesus. We cannot earn our salvation by following the letter of the law as some might have mistakenly thought. We are not saved by our good works either although Jesus demands much from us. We are saved only by God's grace! We can trust in Jesus knowing that he will never desert us. By trusting in Jesus we allow him to reshape our lives. The power of the gospel not only changes our lives but alters all of our relationships. The way we view ourselves and others is changed once we surrender everything to Jesus. Paul experienced that saving power in his own life. He was transformed from a fierce opponent of Christ to a zealous missionary.
Don Kimbro was going through a rough time in his life. "Everything I had worked so hard for was falling apart," he recalled, "my marriage, my family, and my business." Was this all he could expect from a lifetime of hard work -- a life of sadness, disappointment, and failure, he reflected.
One day a local businessman stopped by his office to speak with him. Don immediately thought he was trying to sell him something. The gentleman promised that he would only take a few minutes of his time. He introduced himself as the owner of a local consulting firm. He explained that he was sharing with other business people in the community something that had changed his life as well as his business.
Don stated that he was short on time. The gentleman responded, "I want to talk to you about Jesus Christ and how knowing him can change your life." "You've got to be kidding," Don interrupted, "I'm in the biggest crisis of my life and you want to talk to me about religion?"
"I understand," the man replied. "I believe God can help." He reached into his pocket and handed Don a little booklet titled, "Steps to Peace with God." For the next few minutes he explained how much God loved him. He told Don what he needed was a new life. "God will totally redirect your life if you let him," he said. With that the man turned to leave, thanking Don for his time. Don sat there speechless. He tossed the booklet on his desk.
Six months later Don was cleaning out his office; his company was in the process of bankruptcy. As he was putting papers from his desk into a folder he found the booklet the visitor had left. He stopped what he was doing, sat down, and began reading. As he read he said he could almost hear the man's voice. He prayed the prayer on the back of the booklet, asking Jesus to forgive him and come into his life.
That was 25 years ago. Don said his life has never been the same. God dramatically changed his life. He never saw that gentleman who visited his office again, but Don says he expects to see him again in heaven.2
Could you be the person who shares Jesus with someone who is confused and hurting?
Faith and not works, grace and not law, and all humanity, not just some chosen few were the points Paul wanted the Romans to grasp. As we continue to live out our faith in Jesus Christ may we remember that we are saved in and through God's amazing grace and that grace includes all people. Everyone is invited; no one is excluded from God's grace. Amen.
__________
1. www.thisibelieve.org.
2. Don Kimbro, "A Divine Appointment," Today's Christian, July/August 2005, Vol. 43, No. 4, 45.
The experience of participating on mission trips has changed Kaitlin's life. "I continue to reach out to people within my community," she said. For Kaitlin helping other people provides an opportunity to share her faith, she explained, "I enjoy the warm feeling I get when I know I have impacted an individual by dribbling the slightest bit of faith into their heart."1
In a world with confused and competing loyalties Paul boldly claimed, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel." Paul was writing to the church of Rome, to people he had never met, to people who might have been unsure of their faith. It was dangerous to be a follower of Jesus Christ in a culture that claimed that the emperor was a god. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ was Paul's life mission and nothing or no one would prevent him from carrying out God's plan for his life. In making that bold claim Paul's life was in jeopardy but he unashamedly placed his life not in the hands of earthly rulers or authorities but in his Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul's goal in writing to the Romans was to bolster and strengthen their faith. The gospel, he wrote, "is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith." To experience "the power of God for salvation," all one has to do is believe in Jesus. It no longer mattered where someone was born because God's saving power was available to all people, in all classes, and circumstances of life. It was truly amazing to acknowledge that God had included all people in God's plan of salvation. The previous barriers were all knocked down, thanks to the life, death, and new life of Jesus Christ. It was now possible for all people to come to faith in Jesus Christ.
During Jesus' earthly ministry he worked first among those of Jewish descent, after his resurrection Jesus sent the disciples out into the entire the world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," Jesus instructed his disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." Elsewhere in his writings the apostle Paul claimed, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
The gospel message opened people's eyes to the possibility of faith in Jesus. The plan of salvation was God's intention from the beginning of time, but now it came to fruition. Those from a Jewish background were able to see how the promises they stood on had been fulfilled in Jesus. The Gentiles now understood that there was one true God. All the boundaries had been removed.
Further Paul writes, "The righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith." God keeps God's promise made to the ancestors of faith in the Old Testament. Because God kept the covenant, all people receive faith in and through Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ yields salvation whereas the law always falls short. Through faith we are set into a right relationship with God. Paul makes his point by quoting the Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, "The one who is righteous will live by faith." Faith means believing in Jesus, in all circumstances and not relying on one's lineage or the law. This is incredible good news, because it includes every one of us. The season of Epiphany serves to remind us of the importance of sharing the good news with all people in all places -- Jesus is Lord of all.
"For there is no distinction," Paul writes as he continues to develop this important theme in the third chapter. In the kingdom of God no one has higher rank or standing because all those barriers have been broken down. Claiming that everyone stands on equal footing was a radical break with the present world of the Romans where there were different classes and social rankings. There is no distinction precisely because, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sinful humanity cannot save itself but stands in need of God's grace.
What this means is that no person is exempt from being in a right relationship with God in and through Jesus Christ. We are "justified" made right through God's amazing grace. Grace is God's gift to us and is not something that we earn or even deserve; it is given to us freely from the God who loves each and every one of us. God's love for us is so strong that God stopped at nothing to restore our relationship. God's Son Jesus Christ suffered and died at the hands of a sinful humanity.
Jesus'death pointed to God's answer for sinful humanity and also God's sense of justice, truth, and faithfulness. Ultimately God has kept the covenant established with the heroes of faith. God sent Jesus to rescue us from the power of sin, something we cannot accomplish by ourselves.
To the Corinthians Paul wrote about the power of the cross. In times of confusion Paul advised believers to remember and look to the cross of Jesus. Elsewhere in his letter to the Romans Paul writes of the cross in terms of a sin offering. Again he draws from the Old Testament notion of the Day of Atonement. Paul declares that what God has done through Jesus Christ is once and for all -- we are saved because of his sacrifice.
As we know the death of Jesus was not the end of the story -- God raised Jesus to new life. "God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith." Through his death Jesus paid the price for all of our sins. Salvation is available to all people since as Paul stated God showed "no distinction" between people. This was God's plan from the beginning of time.
We live our lives by faith believing and trusting in Jesus. We cannot earn our salvation by following the letter of the law as some might have mistakenly thought. We are not saved by our good works either although Jesus demands much from us. We are saved only by God's grace! We can trust in Jesus knowing that he will never desert us. By trusting in Jesus we allow him to reshape our lives. The power of the gospel not only changes our lives but alters all of our relationships. The way we view ourselves and others is changed once we surrender everything to Jesus. Paul experienced that saving power in his own life. He was transformed from a fierce opponent of Christ to a zealous missionary.
Don Kimbro was going through a rough time in his life. "Everything I had worked so hard for was falling apart," he recalled, "my marriage, my family, and my business." Was this all he could expect from a lifetime of hard work -- a life of sadness, disappointment, and failure, he reflected.
One day a local businessman stopped by his office to speak with him. Don immediately thought he was trying to sell him something. The gentleman promised that he would only take a few minutes of his time. He introduced himself as the owner of a local consulting firm. He explained that he was sharing with other business people in the community something that had changed his life as well as his business.
Don stated that he was short on time. The gentleman responded, "I want to talk to you about Jesus Christ and how knowing him can change your life." "You've got to be kidding," Don interrupted, "I'm in the biggest crisis of my life and you want to talk to me about religion?"
"I understand," the man replied. "I believe God can help." He reached into his pocket and handed Don a little booklet titled, "Steps to Peace with God." For the next few minutes he explained how much God loved him. He told Don what he needed was a new life. "God will totally redirect your life if you let him," he said. With that the man turned to leave, thanking Don for his time. Don sat there speechless. He tossed the booklet on his desk.
Six months later Don was cleaning out his office; his company was in the process of bankruptcy. As he was putting papers from his desk into a folder he found the booklet the visitor had left. He stopped what he was doing, sat down, and began reading. As he read he said he could almost hear the man's voice. He prayed the prayer on the back of the booklet, asking Jesus to forgive him and come into his life.
That was 25 years ago. Don said his life has never been the same. God dramatically changed his life. He never saw that gentleman who visited his office again, but Don says he expects to see him again in heaven.2
Could you be the person who shares Jesus with someone who is confused and hurting?
Faith and not works, grace and not law, and all humanity, not just some chosen few were the points Paul wanted the Romans to grasp. As we continue to live out our faith in Jesus Christ may we remember that we are saved in and through God's amazing grace and that grace includes all people. Everyone is invited; no one is excluded from God's grace. Amen.
__________
1. www.thisibelieve.org.
2. Don Kimbro, "A Divine Appointment," Today's Christian, July/August 2005, Vol. 43, No. 4, 45.
