Proper 9 (2025)

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’

Luke 10:16–20 NIV

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Children's Message - Lydia

Scripture Reading

Galatians 6:1–16 NIV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

Sermon

Two weeks ago, we affirmed the ground is level at the foot of the cross. There is no better. There is no worse. We are all equal before Christ. And this morning, as believers in Christ, we are at the foot of the cross. And Paul is continuing to challenge the church in Galatia in how they are to live, not according to legalism but according to grace. Because the truth is, we are all tempted. Each of us has an area of weakness. Mine may not be the same as yours. Yours might not be the same as his or hers. And his or hers may not be the same as me. But we are all tempted. And the enemy knows this. And he knows how to use this. And he knows when to use this.

And it’s possible, that any one of us might give in to the temptation placed before us. And if that’s the case, what should the rest of us do? According to Paul, we are to restore each other gently. Sadly, the church has been accused of “shooting the wounded.” Suggesting that instead of offering help to those who are struggling, we criticize and condemn. Instead of offering arms of welcome, we point fingers of accusation and condemnation.

And Paul says the reason for this comes from those who consider themselves “better than”. Those who think they are something when they are not, “deceive themselves”. Though it’s not the same, we are all tempted. And we all need to support each other. We are not isolated Christians but we are instead, as Paul has made it clear elsewhere, “the Body of Christ”.

There is another word of caution in this text as Paul continues. For those who might think “they have it all together”. For those who think they can do whatever they want. Paul says, “God cannot be mocked”. In other words, while you might be able to fool those around you, you can’t fool Him. But that’s also freeing in the fact that the God who knows your struggle will help you when you come to Him honestly. Do you think if you pray to God asking Him to help you when temptation comes, that He will respond with shock and surprise? Disappointment? Do you think He’ll speak harshly and say, “Child, are you really bothering me with that again?”

Or do you think He will respond with grace and mercy? If God cannot be fooled, then we don’t have to try to fool Him. We can simply be honest and know that His love for us is true regardless of what we may be tempted or even how we have failed. God loves us, in spite of, not because of. And again, being aware of our own brokenness and weaknesses, let us like God, be gracious to others who are broken and weak.

Which is why Paul again, pulls the church of Galatia and us away from the legalism that others are attempting to push. “This checklist version of Christianity—do this, do that, and then you’ll be good enough—is not the gospel.” It is unrealistic, unfair, and ultimately unbiblical. The gospel is proclaimed when Paul declares, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

We have nothing to boast about. Which is how we come to this table. Humbly and with gratitude that though we did not deserve God’s mercy and grace, we have received it anyway. All are welcome at this table. The ground is again, level here. There is no better or worse. There is no richer or poorer. There’s room for the tempted, the tired, the sinner, the seeker. There's room for you.”

Communion

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Hymn #342, v. 4 Just As I Am

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Giving of Tithes and Offering

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #1(4 vs.) Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

*Benediction

Go in the joy and peace of Christ,

restored and sent to gently restore others.

May grace guide your steps,

and the Spirit empower your faithful walk.

Amen.

Sanctuary

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