We Have One Job

You Had 1 Job!

I’m sure you’ve seen things like this. Pictures of people who had one job, just one job, and failed miserably.

You had 1 job:

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Planning is important

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Versatility in holidays. Santa and the Easter bunny

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Back to school supplies: knives

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Jesus was here. What once water, now wine

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Communication is key. Are we coming or going?

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Pick up the tools before laying down the road surface

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Geography is hard

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Reading is hard. Stacking seems to be easy.

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Important: Put up a sign to remind motorists to make room for bicyclists. Just don’t put in the middle of the bike lane.

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Yogi Berra once famously said, when you come to a fork in the road, take it. Now we know where the fork was.

When you have one job and you fail miserably to do it, what happens? Usually you get fired.

Around here, I have told everyone, if you mess up here at church, I will promote you. I find that to be much more motivating to get the job done right. How do you think I got this job?

Typically, if you mess up this bad, unless you have a very patient boss, you’ll be sent packing right way. Hit the road. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

God is a very patient boss, but He has his limits. Israel had one job and they had 1500 years to get it right. Moses was given the law on Mt. Sinai after Israel came out of Egypt 1500 years before Jesus showed up.

Mess up after mess up after mess up. Finally, He reached his limit.

Even God will fire those who mess up that bad and replace them. Israel was warned. Jesus made it clear.

And now, we are the replacements. We have one job. Israel had their chance. They messed it up. Now it’s our turn. Let’s not make the same mistake they did.

We’re in Luke 13. Jesus just told the crowd to make sure their deficit is paid, what they owe God is no longer outstanding. Of course, the only way to do that is by believing in Jesus, having faith and accepting His death on the cross as payment for your debt to God.

Just prior to that He scolded them for not recognizing the sigs of the time. It was more obvious that He is the Messiah than predicting the weather. See the signs. Interpret them correctly. Come to the right conclusion and place your faith in Jesus to be right with God.

Now, He has an important warning for them. They had one job to do and they were failing. If they continued, they were going to get replaced.

Life & Death & Life

Luke 13:1–5 NIV

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Jesus had just scolded them for missing the signs. So, they thought they could make up a little ground w/ Jesus by thinking they recognized the signs of sinful people. But they were wrong. Once again.

Thinking that tragedy was a sign of sinfulness. By default, a lack of tragedy is a sign of being right with God. Wrong.

They brought up one example and Jesus followed that with another. Jesus’ point was calamity can happen to anyone b/c we are human and live in a fallen world. Things break. People make unfortunate decisions and others get caught in the shrapnel of those decisions.

The example they brought up. A group of Galileans were worshiping their Pagan god near the temple in Jerusalem. Pilate, not wanting a riot on his hands, killed the Galileans participating in this occult ritual.

So, the assumption of the Jewish leadership was these Galileans were more sinful than most so God judged them immediately and used Pilate to exact his punishment.

Do you think they were worse sinners than the others? They asked.

Jesus’ answer was simple and to the point. No. We are human. We are all going to die. Something is going to take us from this life.

Some people die young, some old. Some die of natural causes, some die from accidents, and some die from human hands or their own stupidity. This is no sign of rightness or wrongness before God.

What else is at work here? They were trying to entrap Jesus once again. The question was designed to get him to answer in way that would get Him in trouble.

If He criticized Pilate for his heavy handed discipline, then the Romans would have justifiable cause to arrest Jesus and execute Him. Thus, taking the schemes out of the hands of the Jewish leadership.

If Jesus expressed sympathy for the Galileans, the Jewish leadership believed, He was violating God’s mandates against God’s plan to judge the non-Jews for their behavior. This would not pass the buck to the Romans for his execution, but it would give them ammunition to go to Pilate and plead their case to crux Him.

If God judged these Galileans and Jesus expressed sympathy for them then He was contradicting God on this issue.

So, Jesus, smarter than all of them combined, answered in a way that did not offend anyone except the ones asking the question trying to entrap Him.

Repent. What? His point is, we’re all going to die. Something is going to take us from this life. Whether Jewish or Galilean or American. It’s not a matter of being right with God so that we avoid tragedy. It’s a matter of when do die, are were prepared to live again?

Repent and get right with God. Not so you avoid tragedy. But so that when the time comes, your faith will save you and Jesus will usher you into His kingdom of heaven.

Then, Jesus brought up a second case similar to the first. A tower near the Siloam Spring collapsed and killed 18 people.

This was probably one of Herod’s building projects. He was known for building massive structures. This one collapsed. He doesn’t say why. Was there an earthquake? They happen in the region. Was it human error and poor construction? Don’t know.

But, again, as Jesus mentioned this, their hopes were up that He might criticize Herod like He could have Pilate in the previous example. Thus, giving Rome a reason to arrest and execute Him. But He didn’t do that.

Jesus asked the question. Were these 18 more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? Why did they die when everyone else lived? Again, simple answer. No.

And He added that they must repent for the same reasons. Accidents happen. Negligence happens. But what takes you from this life only gives you the opportunity make it into the next life. So, repent so that you can.

Their position and teaching that those who die young in tragic accidents or at the hand of a tyrant must have some sin in their life that God deems worse than anyone else’s only pushed people away from God. At a time when people were grieving and needed the support that God could give them, they offended them by telling them the ppl they cared about were responsible somehow for what happened to them.

Often times, ppl turn to God when hurting to find comfort. And that comfort leads to faith and the permanent change in life that comes from faith.

I make it a point to not be critical of other churches, Christian denominations, or their doctrinal positions. Nobody has cornered the market on truth. There are several different lines of fundamental church doctrine that may differ from church to church. But, we’re all trying our best to figure it out. We may disagree on some things like should we sprinkle when we baptize or immerse like we do. Should we be speaking in tongues or keeping everything in understandable English? There are differences and that’s okay.

But there is one doctrinal distinctive in some churches I feel the need to address here. B/C Jesus is hitting it head on.

A good friend of ours who lives in Elkhart, IN next to South Bend is a successful business man. Now retired. Like so many others, divorced and remarried long before we knew him. And, he was an elder in our church there.

Years earlier, tragedy struck the family. His grandson drown and died in his hot tub on his deck. Some well-meaning Xian, quoting Exodus 20:5-6

Exodus 20:5–6 NIV

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

actually told him they believed his grandson died b/c he divorced his first wife and married again.

Believing, the sins of the father pay consequences down 3 to 4 generations. But that’s not even what those verses mean. It’s not what they are teaching. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. God is declaring how gracious He is to show love to people thousands of generations after earlier generations were unfaithful to the law He gave them.

Our friend was grieving deeply. He needed to be comforted by Christ and his friends. But this person only pushed him away from the church and the Jesus who could truly help him overcome his guilt and grief.

Please don’t ever tell anyone that tragedy stuck their family because of some sin in their life somewhere in their past. Lead them to Jesus who will carry their pain, ease their pain, and help them overcome what is weighing them down.

There was another case of a young family in Minto, ND who attended a different church. They had just adopted a baby as they were unable to conceive themselves. Then, the pressures in life triggered the dad’s mental illness and he killed his wife and baby, then himself. It rocked the whole town.

The church the attended, in fact had leadership positions in, agreed to perform the funeral for the mother and child. But they refused to allow the father and his remains to be included.

Their reasoning was since his last act on earth was sin, it cost him his salvation, and this church did not do funerals for those whom they perceived not to be saved.

His parents had to take him to the Catholic church where he grew up for his service. At a time when fissures and fractures were occurring all over and devastating this extended family and their community, the church stepped on them. It did not step in and offer them grace and the opportunity to begin to heal.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

No work of your hands can cause you to lose your salvation. Even a horrific act like this. God’s grace covers. Faithful ppl make mistakes. It does not mean they have no faith anymore.

We are saved by faith alone. No one can work their way into heaven. And if you could work you way out, then you’d have to undo that work and do something else to work your way back in. But, you can’t work your way in. And faith can’t be turned off and on like that. Either you have it, or you don’t.

Jesus also said, recorded in John 10:28

John 10:28 NIV

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Those who have faith will ever be snatched out of God’s hand. No one, not even you, can cause yourself to be dropped or grabbed out of God’s hand.

Our job, as the church, made up of individual believers, is to lead ppl to Jesus. If you don’t know Him, we will introduce. If you do, then we will lead you closer so that your life will more resemble His.

Sanctification, life-change, growth, maturity. More patience. More Self-control. Few bad decisions. Less sinful activity. More like Jesus. That’s our job.

It had been Israel’s. They received the law thru Moses 1500 years before Jesus arrived. He spent 3 years introducing Himself as their long-awaited Messiah. If only they would just accept Him, believe in and receive Him as their Savior. But, they didn’t.

And that’s where Jesus went next. It was almost too late for them. Not quite yet. But, the clock was ticking, fast approaching God’s limit before He would fire them and replace them.

Faithful, Fruitful, Figs

Luke 13:6–9 NIV

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

So, the question these Jewish leaders posed to Jesus in the previous example was, who is worthy of judgment? Was ppl who died young? There must have been some reason like sin in their life.

But, Jesus said no. Then, He made clear to anyone paying attention that those who deserved to be punished and judged were those in that generation of Israel.

The parable.

Fig trees were planted all over Jerusalem. Next to every path and roadway. They were planted for one reason, and one reason only. To produce figs.

Travelers were free to pick the figs and eat them. Anytime, any place.

A fruitless fig tree was worthless. Not only did it not provide nourishment for ppl, it occupied land where a productive tree could be planted.

The only sensible thing to do was cut it down and replace it.

Jesus’ point is, that is about to happen to Israel.

For 3 years He has been calling all Israel to believe in Him. Beginning with the leadership. Do your job. lead ppl to Jesus. But they had only been pushing ppl away.

Their arrogant leadership style. Their rites, rituals, and rules only made it hard for ppl who wanted in the worst way to be close to God.

So, here’s their warning. Time is running out. If they fail to produce fruit in the near future, the next harvest cycle, then they will be cut down and replaced.

The year was ad 33. By ad 70, the Emperor Titus would destroy Jerusalem and the temple. Various empires have contributed to the destruction over the centuries. The Ottomans did extensive damage to the existing wall around Jerusalem.

On the temple site today, the dome of the rock where Jesus was crux’d, a muslim mosque was built between 685 and 715. It still stands today.

God is not entirely done with Israel. The theme of the end times will be the final judgement on unbelieving Israel. A remnant of individuals will come to faith and be saved. But the vast majority of Israelites will perish at that time. God will establish His kingdom on earth and all believing Jews and non-Jews alike will occupy its territory.

And, what does God replace Israel w/?

Matthew 21:43 NIV

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Matthew 16:18–19 NIV

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Acts 2, Pentecost. 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, the HS comes down and indwells every believer on the planet establishing for the first time, this replacement org. 3000 members were added in that first day.

Then, Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

New ppl were coming to faith daily. And those who experienced this new faith were growing in it daily. They were being taught by the apostles. They enjoyed their new close friendships w/ their fellow believers. They sac’d for each other, those who had financial needs had them met. They hosted their new friends in their homes, served them, praised God with them and enjoyed the favor of all the ppl.

God was moving powerfully among them.

It was then their job to lead ppl to Jesus. If someone didn’t know Him, they’d introduce them. If the already did know Him, they would lead them closer. And, the closer individuals get to Jesus, the more like Him they act.

Here we are today. Almost 2000 years later. Representing the same God they did, doing the same job they did.

Jesus was speaking to Israel as a nation, as a group. But there were individual implications for each Israelite.

Jesus established the Church. But the church, ekklesia in Greek, is defined as a gathering or collection of individuals who share the same mission and vision.

IOW, as members of the church, please don’t expect everyone else to do the job Jesus called us all to do. It’s a group effort. Everyone gets to play. Everyone has a role. Do whatever you can to lead the ppl around you, here and out in the community, closer to Christ.

That’s our job. It’s our only job.

Our job is not to have the best worship services or best music or best sermons in town. We do. But that’s not the job. How we worship should help us do our job.

Our job is not to have the best bible studies, rough rider rides, the most OCC boxes, host the best dinners, or throw the best parties. These are all important. But now our highest priority. They are part of the means that get us to the end which is to accomplish our 1 job.

As long as we are doing that, then we are right with God. Only faithful ppl can do this. Only the obedient can do this. Therefore, our faithful obedience is a necessity.

This is something Israel lost along the way. May we never lose our way and be guilty of failing to do the 1 job God has called us to do.

Applications

Good Doctrine

Please pay attention and learn good doctrine from the Word of God as it’s taught here.

I do my best. Geri and John do their best. Sara and Lynn will this fall. Please take advantage of what we offer to learn more about what God expects of us.

Attractive

Would you consider yourself to be attractive? Good looking. Not just in appearance. Your life the kind of life that attracts ppl to God?

Are you pushing ppl away? What can you do to change in your life that makes ppl want to join you in your walk w/ Jesus?

Growing

Are you growing?

Someone once said, their child asked them, Why do adults stop growing? Unfortunately, too many of us are growing out once we stop growing up.

But, have you stopped growing spiritually? Are you more patient now than you used to be? Experiencing more peace? Have more self-control? Accessing more of the power of God that resides in you? Controlling your tongue better? More hope? Better attitude?

It’s all about growth. Wherever you were to wherever you are. The closer you get to Christ, the more like Him you become, and these characteristics become a more prominent part of your life.

Are you growing? Are you taking advantage of the opportunities we give you, God gives you to exercise and grow?

When you have one job to do it’s important to keep your eye on that ball and do that job. You know what happens when you don’t.

You get fired.

Around here, I have told everyone, if you mess up here at church, I will promote you. I find that to be much more motivating to get the job done right. How do you think I got this job?

Typically, if you mess up this bad, unless you have a very patient boss, you’ll be sent packing right way. Hit the road. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Even God will fire those who mess up that bad and replace them. Israel was warned. Jesus made it clear.

And now, we are the replacements. We have one job. Israel had their chance. They messed it up. Now it’s our turn. Let’s not make the same mistake they did.