Pentecost 16 (7)
Notes
Transcript
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
“The night is nearly over, the day is almost here.” What does this mean? It is a strong reminder that time is running out. A deadline is coming and whether we are ready or not, a big change is coming that will not be avoided. As children we learn this in the game of hide and go seek. The person who is “It” counts off rather loudly the time remaining. When that time runs out, they call out: “Ready or not! Here I come!”
In our homes there may have been a set schedule as to when meals were served and eaten together.
School certainly has numerous schedules and deadlines for academics, sports, and other extra curricular activities. Those who play in the band learn timing and how important it is to play the right note at the right time.
In church we have a well defined order of service for worship, planned classes and meetings, seasons of the church year.
Sometimes we are so ordered in life that we feel as though we are “married” to the clock or the calendar and long for the time when we are free to do what we want and when we want.
It is really nothing new. Paul uses this statement because it was a universal truth. Jesus speaks on it as well.
John 9:4–5 (NIV84)
4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
You may also recall Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes.
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Paul uses this universal truth to drive home an appeal to act now before it is too late. He applies it specifically to what follows but it can certainly apply to all the exhortations in our text.
Submit to the authorities. This is an ongoing task and Paul reminds us of how God has established earthly government and that the authorities use rewards and punishments to punish evil doers and reward good citizens.
Some of the obedience to the authorities is time sensitive. Paul uses the example of paying taxes. April 15th is a key day of the year for this. Those who pay estimate income taxes also circle the 15th of June, September, and January on their calendars.
Paul uses an example of debts. Credit card users find out quickly that not paying at least the minimum on time results in a hefty fee and not paying the full amount by the deadline results in activating interest rates nearing 20%. Those who take out car loans or mortgages should understand the threat of repossession and foreclosures for those who are late.
Paul also emphasizes fulfilling the debt of love by keeping the commandments which are summed up with the word “Love”.
Paul concludes this section with how we started the sermon. Now is the time! Even though we may think we have more time, it is not only running out but because of the uncertainty of life, our time on earth can end abruptly. And even if our lives don’t end suddenly, circumstances may change very quickly so that certain activities are no longer possible.
Professional athletes may think they have time to win a championship only to have their hopes and dreams (and manifestations) come to a sudden stop due to a season (possibly career) ending injury.
On a more common note, certain sports games are controlled by the clock and you only have so much time to snap the ball, take a shot, or play a game until time is up.
Time is running out. This is a universal truth that we cannot change and will remain constant until time itself stops when Jesus returns and ushers in the timelessness of eternity.
Since this is true, what does St. Paul urge Christians to do?
Wake up from your slumber. Be aware of what is happening.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
1 Thessalonians 5:4–11 (NIV)
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Peter 4:1–11 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Martin Luther, when writing on the daily benefit of our baptism teaches us how we can daily use our time to make the most use of our time.
What does such baptizing with water indicate?
What does such baptizing with water indicate?
It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written?
Where is this written?
St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom. 6:4)