Sermon Tone Analysis
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Sermon for Proper 19 cycle c September 15 16, 2007 CtK What’s your story?
Lost?
Greeting
Know someone – will not be named.
Some would say paranoid
If a tanker is at a gas station – he won’t stop – might blow up
If an armored car is at a store – won’t pull in – might get robbed.
You know the risk right?
It happens all the time in the movies.
What about the lit cigarette rolling into the puddle of Gas?
It will explode, right?
You all have seen it happen – right?
Well actually – it isn’t likely
Research by the ATF hasn’t been able to make that happen – no luck
It seems that it happens only in movies.
This got me thinking – what are some of the other things that happen only in the movies.
Nostalgia Central notes 40 + things that can only happen in a movie.
For example:
You can see the Eiffel Tower from any window in Paris
Anyone can land a 747 with the help of the control tower.
There is always a parking spot open by the door, across the street, etc
Cars shot with a single bullet explode (myth busters)
Tried everything and couldn’t make it happen!
It seems that movies are really rather unreal.
When we come to the Gospel text today, we come with that perspective – it can’t happen in real life
When does one leave 99 to find 1
Who would put that much work into one little coin?
It must be something that only happens in the Bible, Right?
Well there is some truth to that – but that doesn’t capture it completely.
Jesus is again being followed by large crowds
This time we are told it is the lowlifes, the sinners – tax collectors
The very ones that the good church folk should have been shunning!
The tax collectors were traitors – sold out to Rome!
When they complain he begins to teach with these parables.
A shepherd has 100 sheep – 1 is missing – leaves the 99 to find the one.
This makes not sense
One observer said its like the fight in the movies where 1 person takes on 10
It only works in the movies – right?
Well there is a little more there
Shepherds weren’t typically alone, they were in groups
Yet at the same time, would you put that much effort into finding 1 that was already probably dead and devoured?
No.
Then Jesus says: there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (v. 7).
\\ \\ More joy over the tax collector who repents than over 99 Pharisees.
\\ \\ More delight over the prostitute who repents than over 99 scribes.
\\ \\ More rejoicing over the drug dealer who repents than over 99 clean-and-sober Christians.
\\ \\ More happiness over the career criminal who repents than over 99 law-abiding Americans.
\\ \\ Hey, wait — that doesn’t seem right, does it?
\\ \\ We’d like God to feel some joy toward us, but instead he says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost” (v. 6).
\\ \\ This kind of stuff happens only in the gospel.
And in the kingdom of God.
Jesus continues with the story of a woman who has lost one of 10 coins.
She lights a lamp, sweeps the house – well you know the story.
All over one coin
We who wouldn’t pick up a coin … well you know!
Except we don’t
Some scholars suggest that the coin was part of dowry.
Coins had holes punched in, tied with leather – worn – family pride!
OK – imagine with me for just a minute – the lost coin found party – invitation – U GO?
I know – I can hear you now – pastor that only happens in the bible.
If you want to know how things are now – you only need open the newspaper
Remember Ken Lay – Enron – Climbed the ladder – biggest supplier of gas & oil.
Yet when it collapsed – house of cards, sham, - suffering, losses , jobs
What about Bernie Ebers – devout Christian – deacon – CEO Worldcom
Lied, deceived stole
One businessman “ I can’t tell you how embarrassed I am to be in business with the likes of Ken Lay and Bernie Ebers in business also.
They retreated to their mansions in Florida, retreated to their millions, while thousands lost their jobs, stock, retirement.”
Aren’t we glad we’re not them
That only happens somewhere else right?
What about Harold Hopkins of Aurora – selling securities and bilking people?
Eric "Big Willie" Wilson Who’s shots killed a 12 year old – who’s life was filled with a trail of crimes
OK but those are them – they aren’t us.
Yet then we quickly find ourselves in the role of the Pharisees & scribes –
Whether we want to be or not!
It is clear the lectionary cuts off the text: What follows:
The parable of the prodigal son.
So what do we do with this all?
Do you remember the words from the first reading?
“The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”
In others places Jesus says
The healthy don’t need a doctor
I’ve come for those who are sick and the lost
Yet the leaders of the Jesus day had no joy.
Sort of like us – we don’t want to think of Jesus coming for Lay, or Peterson or Big Willie
\\ But the good news is that Jesus did come for them
And if when we are honest – we realize that while our sins may be different – the magnitude of our sinfulness is no less.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners
Will willimon reminds us that he didn’t come to reward good church folks for sitting through pointless boring sermons.
He didn’t come to pay tribute to the upright.
He came to save sinners.
Brother and sisters in Christ – Paul is right – this is worthy of full acceptance –
Jesus came to you, Jesus came to save me
It isn’t something that happens only in the Bible!
It happens in our heart and lives each and every day!
It gives God pleasure to
Find the lost
Heal the broken
Reconcile the alienated
Heal the sick
Raise the dead
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