Father’s Day Weekend
06202020 – Matthew 10. 24-39
“Tough words” from Jesus…intentionally SO…
By-in-large, people DO NOT like to hear “tough words” or even “tough suggesting words.”
Following Jesus IS NOT for “sissies.”
Nor was it EVER MENT to be.
He does have DEMANDS.
There are EXPECTATIONS.
It IS NOT easy.
This IS NOT some kind of a free-for-all.
Obviously, it IS NOT for everyone.
At one time, he talked about how the way was “NARROW…”
VERY NARROW…
What we have before us is a “very RADICAL depiction of Jesus.”
And I can tell you this.
The CHURCH has never-much-liked-the- tough-guy-Jesus. It is a HARD SELL.
Preferred is-the-ever-so-SWEET-so-NICE-so-KIND-so SYRUPY-GRACIOUS-Lord. (“Cheap Grace” it was called back in the 40’s…)
We like the “WATERED-DOWN version of Jesus.”
Mister, NICE guy.
Mister, no DEMANDS.
Mister, ANYTHING goes.
Mister do NOTHING.
Mister stand for NOTHING.
Mister, anything but COMMITTED.
He loves and accepts EVERYONE…
And you can SAY, and DO, whatever it is you like. NO PROBLEM.
Treat others WITH CONTEMPT, it is ok.
Turn your BACK on God, it is alright.
Oppose JUSTICE, it’s fine.
Fail to daily WALK with God, you can always HOOK-UP at a later time…no WORRIES.
No “judgmentalism.”
No “finger-pointing.”
No “nothing.”
“Most people (in all actuality) are looking for a “Burger King religion” — they want it THEIR WAY.”
And, if the church does not give it to them, they will just STAY AT HOME and create their own WATERED-DOWN-VERSION.
One that SUITS THEM to a tee.
We have talked about this BEFORE, (I know we have) although NOT RECENTLY… (and NOT for years.)
I remember joking years ago, that the church should be RENAMED, “Saint Convenient Lutheran Church.”
I could envision an entire Synod of Convenience Lutheran Churches.
It would probably be THE BIGGEST and GROW the largest and be the most POPULAR branch world-wide.
Talk about a MEGA-CHURCH.
You see, it would all be based on what is convenient for you.
As long as it is convenient, people will “come.”
People will “help out,” as long as it is convenient for them.
When it fits into their schedule – it is fine. It has to be convenient, of course.
When it comes to giving, forget stewardship, forget the financial needs of the church, give when it is convenient.
Give when you feel like it.
Give when you are moved.
Give when the spirit moves YOU.
As long as it is convenient for YOU, that is what matters. As long as the church is REPRESENTATIVE of YOU, that is all that counts.
We surely do not want to “RUFFLE ANY FEATHERS.” You surely do not want to make anyone feel UNEASY…or QUEASY, GUILTY…or WRONG.
EVERYBODY’S a winner.
EVERYBODY gets the prize.
WE ALL get trophies and crowns of joy.
Whatever you DO, THINK, BELIEVE, SAY, and PUT into practice is just fine “at Saint Convenient!”
But NOT SO according to Matthew. NOT SO according to Jesus.
Jesus says, CALCULATE the COST FIRST.
FAITH HAS ITS COST. And it is EXPECTED that you will GROW in your life of FAITHFULNESS.
Jesus could be BLUNT, and he is anything BUT CONVENIENT. Amen.