#RedLetterChallenge - Let's Celebrate

Old Testament: Psalm 5

Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Gospel: Luke 18:9-17

Intro

Skit with Kermit - Kermit is trying to get into heaven by climbing the ladder (be sure to get a big ladder) and doing everything that he’s supposed to do. Why, because he wants to be in heaven with God, but he doesn’t want to change his heart. He doesn’t want to spend time with Jesus, he hasn’t forgiven those around him, he doesn’t like to serve, he doesn’t want to give his hard earned money, and he definetly doesn’t want to go anywhere. We remind him that all those things are a blessing even though it may not always feel like it. We get to Be with Jesus, He has forgiven us, He served us, He Gave everything, He came to us first - it is because of God’s work for us that we try to be like him in faith.

There are so many verses that I would love to talk with all of you about today. We could talk about the many times that Jesus celebrated in Sciprture. Just a few examples are include the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12), and when we went to Matthew’s house (Matthew 9:9-13). Or we could talk about the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), and how the Father threw a party to welcome back the son that was lost. Or we could go Old Testament and talk about how Isaiah describes heaven as a great banquet - as a party (Isaiah 25:6).

But today I want to go two places with you - first that you have been called by God. You are chosen by him! The second thing then is, now what? What do I do with this knowledge? How do I live?

You are Chosen!

Live each day with Jesus!

We’ve spent the last 40 days diving into the Red Letters of Jesus. We’ve examined five key targets that all of Jesus’ Words can be framed around. Jesus teaches us what is means to be his disciple, but know the real challenge is about to begin. You thougth that the #RedLetterChallenge was over - but it is only the beggining. Now that we have learned these 5 targets, now we live our life each and every day to live up to them.

Just one final review - let’s look again at these 5 Key Targets.

Being - Forgiving - Serving - Giving - Going

(explain and review each)

Why is finishing something so important? Well let’s look at what Paul had to say about it in our Epistle for this week. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

2 Timothy 4:6–8 (GW)

My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.

The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. 

Paul is writing his final letter. He knows that shortly he is going to be killed by the Romans and in this final letter to Timothy (whom he has taught how to be a pastor), he reminds us all what we are fighting for. He reminds us where we are going. Life is a race, we don’t know how long any of us have, God does. Paul describes that he is being “poured out” as a sacrifice to the Lord. He has done what God has called him to do, and now is eagerly awaiting the prize. Well, what is that prize - it is eternal life - life forever without pain, saddness, corruptoin, Life with the Lord as it was intended to be from the beginning. How well are you racing? Maybe right now you feel like you’ve stumbled and fallen quite a bit. Maybe you think you’re doing great only to discover that you’ve been running down the wrong path. Or maybe you’re comparing yourself to the other runners and don’t think you’re as good as them.

Here’s the deal, we are all on this path together, we are in this together as a body of believers we are running the race. Not a race to win as we might in a compeition, but an endurance cross country, cross cultural journey were we encourage, help, and lead one another with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

You are Chosen

Why, Why are we in this Race?

Because you are chosen! God has bought you as a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20

1 Corinthians 6:20 (GW)

You were bought for a price. So bring glory to God in the way you use your body. 

The calling of the disciples is a great illustration of why each one of us is called. But first let’s look at part of our Gospel reading from Luke 18:15-17

Luke 18:15–17 GW

Some people brought infants to Jesus to have him hold them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people not to do that.  But Jesus called the infants to him and said, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me! Children like these are part of God’s kingdom. I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom as a little child receives it will never enter it.” 

We briefly looked at this text a few weeks ago when we were talking about serving, but now I want us to focus on that the Kingdom of God is for all people. The children in Jesus’ time were not viewed as worthy anything until they could do work. Kids, what Holiday is coming up in just a little over two months from today? Yes, it’s going to be Christmas! Sorry adults did I just make you have a little anxiety. Kids, what’s your favorite part of Christmas - be honset? Of course, it’s going to be getting the presents. We celebrate the gift of Jesus to humanity, by sharing presents with one another. The Kingdom of God is a gift that has been given to all that receive. Children love to recieve presents don’t you. Do we love to recieve this gift - it comes with no string attached - it’s just for all people to believe that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Now What?

Come and Follow Me

Okay, now turn back to Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9–14 GW

Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else. He said, “Two men went into the temple courtyard to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my entire income.’  “But the tax collector was standing at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Instead, he became very upset, and he said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’  “I can guarantee that this tax collector went home with God’s approval, but the Pharisee didn’t. Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.” 

What is Jesus teaching us in this parable? It’s about who has God’s approval isn’t it. About one man who thought that he had it, and another who wasn’t sure...

This passage of Luke comes in a time when Jesus is describing the Kingdom of God in several different ways. Maybe you remember that our Fall Spiritaul Emphasis Challenge a few years ago was all about this “The Kingdom of God is like...”

1 Samuel 16:7 (GW)

But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see.Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.” 

Jeremiah 17:10 (GW)

I, the Lord, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions. 

Proverbs 4:23 (GW)

Guard your heart more than anything else, 

because the source of your life flows from it. 

Psalm 19:14 GW

May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart  be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my defender. 

Ezekiel 36:26 GW

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts.

Matthew 6:21 (GW)

Your heart will be where your treasure is. 

Should I keep going? As you can see - do a quick search to see how many more times God’s Word talks about our hearts - God cares about our hearts. These 5 Targets that we have been learning about mean nothing if the heart is not in it - and your heart cannot be in it - if the Holy Spirit is not in your heart! How does the Holy Spirit come to reside in our hearts - through the power of Grace and Faith. In Holy Baptism, and in the power of the Spirit to change us as 2 Corinthians 5:

2 Corinthians 5:17 GW

Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.

It is not in us to run the race, we would fall every step of the way - it is in the power of the Spirit that gives us the ability to run. He has called us into a new creation a new life, a Kingdom of Heaven here and now on Earth, but also in heaven that we eagerly await.

We follow Jesus because he has called us and our hearts have been changed by him.

So, yes let’s celebrate our complition of this #RedLetterChallenge, but let’s also remember that it’s not over. It’s only the start of our renewed life in the Spirit. Because we are Chosen by God for a purpose to share and make a difference in the world around us. We do not do it in order to get the prize, but we race out of love for the one we are racing towards and doing our best to imitate.

Philippians 4:7 GW

Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.