Practicing the Gospel

Key Question: What does it mean to live a life of gospel?

Key Question:

The need for repentance and God’s slowness to punish

Life of receiving grace, and sharing grace.

Key Reflection: Is gospel active in my life?

Connecting Story

Wanting to say “sorry” to John (Owen)

Have you ever had an urge to tell someone you’re sorry?

We look for reconciliation, restoration.to overcome that which divide us.

We’re in the season of Lent.

So we do our lenten fasting.

We think about our sins.

And we talk about repenting.

It’s not a fun topic to talk about.

Repentance is something we did… before we were baptized.

We’re supposedly living a “new life”

Repentance feels like talking about old girlfriend, the life I left behind, stuff piled in the garage.

But are we completely without sin?

Sin may no longer reign in us but its remanent is still there.

Our false self still kicks in, we long for our old Egypt, we have old habits yet to ditcIs it only when we first begin?

Is it only when we first begin?

Is it only when we first begin?

And this is undoubtedly true, that there is a repentance and a faith, which are, more especially, necessary at the beginning

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

And this is undoubtedly true, that there is a repentance and a faith, which are, more especially, necessary at the beginning

It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom.

a repentance and a faith which are requisite after we have bleived the gospel, yea, in every subsequent stage of our Christian course, to our continuance and growth in grace.

It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom.

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

But in what sense are we to repent and believe, after we are justified?

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

Repentance frequently means an inward change, a change of mind from sin to holiness. But we now speak of it in a quite different sense

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

Repentance frequently means an inward change, a change of mind from sin to holiness. But we now speak of it in a quite different sense

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom.

There’s still pride in my heart, hate, still some bitterness in heart, road-rage

Our we without sin?

We covet still, we gossip, get lazy

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

it is natural to suppose that we are no longer sinners, that all our sins are not only covered but destroyed.

And there’s sins of omission - for what we have done, and what we have left undon

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

yet we cannot allow that he does not feel it from within: it does not reign, but it does remain. And a conviction of the sin which remains in our heart, is one great branch of the repentance we are now speaking of.

We feel often helpless to temptation and our old sins creeping up

Because there’s still pride in my heart.

So repentance.

Wesley

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

In this sense we are to repent, after we are justified. And till we do so, we can go no farther. For, till we are sensible of our disease, it admits of no cure. But, supposing we do thus repent, then are we called to “believe the gospel.”

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

And this is undoubtedly true, that there is a repentance and a faith, which are, more especially, necessary at the beginning

Our readings for today help us to reflect on this.

Biblical Text & Story

The Parable of the Fig Tree

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Luke 13:6–9 NRSV

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Luke 13:6-9

A simple parable

A fig tree in a vineyard is fruitless.

The owner tells the gardener cut the tree down.

The gardener pleads for one more year for the tree, to give it another chance.

He will give it a special care, dig around to give water, put good soil around it.

Presumably, his plea was granted, but we are not told the outcome of the story.

That’s a proper parable - leaves it to us to decide the outcome of the story.

This parable in Luke takes the place of the incident of Jesus’ cursing of the barren fig tree, recorded in Matthew (21:18–19), and Mark (11:12–14). - so only in Luke

The lesson of this parable is fairly obvious.

A fig tree growing within a vineyard reminds from OT the favor of God (; )

The fig tree is Israel, which had failed to bring forth fruit for three years.

The three years may refer to Israel’s past, or Jesus’ ministry.

the three years may refer to Israel’s past.

Jesus during the three years of His ministry.

The application clearly is that if the nation of Israel did not show signs of repentance and exhibit the fruits as nation of priests, it would have to be cut down.

This actually happened to the nation in a.d. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed.

Or it may mean the people, the church. We can’t be certain. That’s the beauty of parable.

Why is Jesus telling this parable?

What’s the theme in this context?

The preceding passage has stressed the importance of repenting and this one highlights the fact that opportunity does not last for ever.

The lesson of the parable is different from that of the introduction.

the parable indicates that mercy is available for those who repent in time.

Concluding of the section

Strange, confusing movementFamily division - weather - court scene - news of tragedies - fig tree

Strange, confusing movement

Family division - weather - court scene - news of tragedies - fig tree

Judgment as the theme

Why Jesus came

Don’t worry about possessions on earth - be rich toward God

Then the conclusion

Then the conclusion

Why Jesus came, ignorant people, what do we do now

Luke 12:49 NRSV

49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Luke 12:49–50 NRSV

49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!

Jesus came to bring fire - what?

Luke 12:50-51

A bit of venting? Why? No one gets Him

Do you know why Jesus came? Have you got it?

Jesus we see round this passage is passionate.

Jesus is venting, shouting, a little red faced, frustrated

Why? He’s passionate about the work that He’s called to do

He’s passionate for God and for people

Are you? Passionate - showing or caused by a strong feeling or belief

Passion - strong and barely controllable emotions

Christians today - too cool, too socially conscious, too lame, too lazy, too inactive, too afraid, too shy

Maybe the fault is that you think Jesus was all cool, lazy, shy, socially conscious

He wasn’t. He tells it here

Luke 12:51 NRSV

51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

Luke 12:

No, famulies will divide up

Then about how to read / predict weather - present time

Sermons, on Several Occasions Sermon 14: The Repentance of Believers

But in what sense are we to repent and believe, after we are justified?

Settling the case with opponents - against Rome

Current affair - just as they suffered - Rome

This is obviously about Israel, Rome and God’s judgment on Israel.

Jesus does not dispute or affirm the connection between sin and disaster.

What the stories have in common is that they appear to happen quite suddenly.

Then the parable of the fig tree

Bears no fruit, useless, the owner wants it cut down, the gardener buys it some time. That’s it. end of the parable. What?

Either Jesus has had it with Israel and is done but a little time is left

Or God has had it with Israel but Jesus has bought them a little time

Regardless, the judgment is inevitable, the crisis is coming

How do we deal with this Jesus?

Not so cool headed, peace sign, easy going…

Missed focus - we see Jesus as a rescuer of our troubles NOT empowerer in our troubles

Missed focus - we see Jesus as a rescuer of our troubles NOT empowerer in our troubles

Misunderstand Jesus & faith

Mostly working in the way it benefits us, sounds positive, peaceful; Israel did - killed Jesus

Concluding words of Jesus

Wake up, know what’s going on

Repent I have brought crisis, are you prepared, Jesus is the crisis of the world, prince of division

Our passage today demands repentance and renewal.

Repentance needs to be an ongoing attitude toward my life, rather than an occasional act.

So how do we live a repentant life?

So how do we live a repentant life?

So how do we live a repentant life?

So How?

Responding Story

Responding Story

Repentant lifestyle

Know your sins, shortcomings, self centeredness

AA 12 Steps

Step 4: check my moral inventory (see my own log)

psalmist, gift to us and others, easy to love

Gospel is synonymous with repentance - Martin Luther

Trust God - also simultaneous

Trust God - also simultaneous

Change your way, course - don’t just be sorry

Seek the Lord - we need God - simultaneous with repenting - changing

Gospel is synonymous with repentance - Martin Luther

Look at Jesus’ parable, we need to repent of our lack of production.

Either or, not both

Look at Jesus’ parable, we need to repent of our lack of production.

What have we fail to do, live up to God’s call in our lives?

Sin is relational, not abstract.

So we reflect on how we have sin against people

We also reflect on how we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

AA 12 Steps

Step 5: Admit our wrongs to God me, others

But I’m a glass half full kind of guy

Practicing the Gospel

A repentant life is about living in the gospel.

A repentant life is about living in the gospel.

There’s good news to our sins

There’s good news to our sins

Good news is not compromised by the warnings against false security (epistle) warning is a good news

While the judgment and death threatens us, life is offered (psalm)

God’s steadfast love deliver us to forgiveness and redemption.

God’s wrath is real but there’s always a room for joy.

Isaiah 55:7 NRSV

7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6 NRSV

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;

Isaiah 55:9 NRSV

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8 NRSV

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

God is open to us but are we ready to be restored?

Isaiah 55:9

God is open to us but are we ready to be restored?

Know your sins, shortcomings, self centeredness

Repentance is of most importance - comes first

Be ashamed, guilty, sorrow - simultaneous reaction to realization of sin

Trust God - also simultaneous

Change your way, course - don’t just be sorry

Seek the Lord - we need God - simultaneous with repenting - changing

Gospel is synonymous with repentance - Martin Luther

Are you living a repentant life? or a proud life?

Either or, not both

Repentance and production are expected.

Proclamation

What gives us courage - the good news , if we wonder if our repentance is ever good enough, often enough, sincere enough

We look to the role of the gardener

the tree must bear fruit but it does not labor alone.

The gardener promises to tend us, to watch over us, to remind us that repentance and restoration do not occur apart from the care of God.

Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary: Year C, Volume 2 Theological Perspective

in the parable it is the gardener who allows for the possibility of fruitfulness, first by pleading his case to the owner of the field, and then by his constant care, digging around the roots, and applying manure.

Our repentance alone is nothing without the blood of Jesus.

Romans 5:8 NRSV

8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

If we promise to not sin, it is not our promises that matter but God’s promise to be gracious that matters.

Submission

The call for repentance is ever timely during Lent

We know God loves us while we may not be so love-able.

We know the grace and mercy of God

But this often breeds indifference, arrogance and presumptuousness.

And grace and mercy gets cheap.

God’s grace is not automatic. It demands our response.