O Beware of Judgment Day!
For God So Loved • Sermon • Submitted
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· 37 viewsPhysical death comes to all, but Spiritual death is only for the unrepentant
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O Beware of Judgment Day!
O Beware of Judgment Day!
Scripture:
Scripture:
INTRODUCTION :
Have you ever planted a lilac bush? I did once. I love the smell of lilacs so I planted one in my yard in Nampa. I was so eager for it to grow and bloom. However, I found out that you have to wait about 5 years for one to begin to bloom. Mine did eventually begin to bloom my fourth or fifth summer in Nampa, but unfortunately I moved shortly after that. When I got to Pennsylvania, I knew what I was facing so I planted a more mature lilac I had purchased at a nursery. I placed it right outside a window where I used to sit and read. I looked forward to the day when I would have that window open and could smell the lovely scent of lilac as I read. This lilac grew much taller than the one I had in Nampa and the leaves burst out all over it. I was so hopeful, but after three years nothing had developed but beautiful leaves. So the next year I read up and did all the nutrient and fertilizer recommendations for lilacs and waited expectantly for the next spring, only to be disappointed once again. A year or two later, I finally decided to take it out and replace it with something different.
In this passage, Jesus tells a similar story sharing the same frustration and the same result. However, He is talking about something far worse than the removal of a plant. Bow your heads with me as we pray before jumping into this passage.
In this passage, Jesus tells a similar story sharing the same frustration and the same result.
Pray
At the time of Jesus, the Jewish culture was permeated with the idea that all disasters were a sign of God’s displeasure due to sin. When you look at their history, this is understandable. These were part of living by the law. There were blessings pronounced for adhering to the law and curses described when they did not. They even had a day where they had one group stand upon one hill shouting out the blessings, while a second group called across the cursings in an antiphonal fashion. However, not all disasters are caused by sin from an individual. Our cosmos (earth) is suffering the effects of sin also. These also cause disease and natural disasters that effect all living creatures upon this earth. Even today, people often associate bad events with God’s judgment.
For example, after Hurricane Katrina, religious leaders declared that the sins of New Orleans were the reason for such destruction. It was declared an “immoral city,” and they claimed that God caused the hurricane in order to spark a revival in the area.
After the mass shooting in Las Vegas, people were quick to point out many of the same issues, declaring that lawlessness was an example of God’s second coming and the ways people were being judged for sin.
Apparently this response to both natural and human-created disaster is nothing new, since the text in Luke today points to two different events in which it seems people were looking to find the sins of the people. The first, Galileans who had been killed at Pilate’s hand. The second, eighteen who died when a tower fell on them.
In today’s text, Jesus comes up against this notion once again. Jesus has been talking with His disciples and a large group of people that have gathered to hear Him teach. Jesus has been talking about God’s judgement when someone brings up a disaster that has recently taken place and they are seeing this as a response from God for sin. Apparently this response to both natural and human-created disaster is nothing new, since the text in Luke today points to two different events in which it seems people were looking to find the sins of the people. The first, Galileans who had been killed at Pilate’s hand. The second, eighteen who died when a tower fell on them.
The way Jesus talks about them seems to imply that others were talking about them, discussing them, probably in much the same way we discuss these issues today. Are these catastrophes due to sin the in the lives of the victims? Why would God allow such suffering to take place?
For example, after Hurricane Katrina, religious leaders declared that the sins of New Orleans were the reason for such destruction. It was declared an “immoral city,” and they claimed that God caused the hurricane in order to spark a revival in the area.
These are not new questions, and while some of us move into the realm of the wrath of God with surety, Jesus’s response is different. He declares with authority that it is not the fault of the victims and that they are not being punished for their sins. He then turns the question around. The question of calamity then becomes less about the victims and more about ourselves. Catastrophe happens, but we are the ones who are called to repentance. We are the ones who are called to be prepared in case of disaster. We are the ones who are called to bear fruit.
After the mass shooting in Las Vegas, people were quick to point out many of the same issues, declaring that lawlessness was an example of God’s second coming and the ways people were being judged for sin.
Were these acts of God’s judgment? Some would say “yes,” while others would say “no.” I say, let us get Jesus perspective on it.
In our passage today, just such an incident has recently occurred. Some Galileans were struck down at the order of Pilate as they were making sacrifices in the temple. Jesus has been teaching about God’s judgment so some within the crowd bring up this incident to Jesus asking if this is a case of God’s judgment? Jesus response is one that is of great value to us today. So let us look carefully at this passage and learn Jesus response to...
2 MARCH 24, 2019THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
(BODY)
Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.
are not being punished for their sins. He then turns the question around. The question of calamity then becomes less about the victims and more about ourselves. Catastrophe happens, but we are the ones who are called to repentance. We are the ones who are called to be prepared in case of disaster. We are the ones who are called to bear fruit. BODY
1. When Disaster Happens
1. When Disaster Happens
a. Our text references two great disasters.
a. Our text references two great disasters.
i. The first is the Galileans killed at the hands of Pilate.
i. The first is the Galileans killed at the hands of Pilate.
1. We don’t know much about this event because it isn’t recorded in secular history. It is possibly Judas Gauionites mentioned in .
1. We don’t know much about this event because it isn’t recorded in secular history. It is possibly Judas Gauionites mentioned in .
“After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.
“After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.
“And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
The slaying of Judas and his followers took place while they were in Jerusalem making their sacrifices. Pilate ordered their slaying even though these were people under Herod’s jurisdiction. Some believe this was the cause of the falling out between Herod and Pilate spoken of at the time of Jesus trial.
However, the truth is that this was not an isolated incident. Such destruction of people was not uncommon in these days of history.
2. We do know that Pilate was a Roman ruler placed in charge over Jerusalem to keep the peace at the center of Jewish worship.
2. We do know that Pilate was a Roman ruler placed in charge over Jerusalem to keep the peace at the center of Jewish worship.
Pilate was known to be a ruthless man. He was never above having people slain for various reasons.
3. We also know that Jesus was a Galilean, so this news would be something he was probably familiar with at the time.
3. We also know that Jesus was a Galilean, so this news would be something he was probably familiar with at the time.
4. We also know that Jesus was a Galilean, so this news would be something he was probably familiar with at the time.
Those around him would expect Him to know of this incident and have an opinion on it. Some believe the ones bringing it up were doing so in order to set a trap for Jesus. If Jesus sided with the Romans, the Jewish people would revolt against Jesus. If Jesus sided with the Jews, they would have cause to report to Rome that Jesus was an insurrectionist. However, in reading the text, there is no reason to think it was anything but an innocent question asked much like we might in the wake of any recent disaster.
4. We also know that Jesus was a Galilean, so this news would be something he was probably familiar with at the time.
In response, Jesus cites a disaster of a different nature.
ii. The second is the tower of Siloam falling and killing eighteen people.
ii. The second is the tower of Siloam falling and killing eighteen people.
1. Unlike the first disaster, this seems to be purely accidental.
1. Unlike the first disaster, this seems to be purely accidental.
2. Siloam was a neighborhood south of Jerusalem.
2. Siloam was a neighborhood south of Jerusalem.
3. There also is little known about this event other than what we read here in the text.
3. There also is little known about this event other than what we read here in the text.
4. We can infer, however, that—whether by earthquake, time, wind, or faulty building—a tower fell, killing eighteen people in the collapse.
4. We can infer, however, that—whether by earthquake, time, wind, or faulty building—a tower fell, killing eighteen people in the collapse.
b. These great disasters seem to be referenced in very much the same way that we see disasters referenced today.
b. These great disasters seem to be referenced in very much the same way that we see disasters referenced today.
i. They seem to be fairly common knowledge. These were probably events that people were talking about and speculating about among themselves.
i. They seem to be fairly common knowledge. These were probably events that people were talking about and speculating about among themselves.
ii. The questions begin to arise. Why? Why did this happen? Did they deserve these horrors? What is the purpose of suffering and death?
ii. The questions begin to arise. Why? Why did this happen? Did they deserve these horrors? What is the purpose of suffering and death?
iii. These are not unlike the questions we ask when disaster happens.
iii. These are not unlike the questions we ask when disaster happens.
2. Jesus’s Response to Disaster
2. Jesus’s Response to Disaster
a. He definitively declares that it is not the fault of the people killed.
a. He definitively declares that it is not the fault of the people killed.
i. Though people were saying it was due to their sin, Jesus states definitively that it was not.
ii. He does not blame the victims.
Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.
ii. He does not blame the victims.
b. He turns the questions around to those asking the questions.
b. He turns the questions around to those asking the questions.
i. Instead of focusing on the victims of the disasters, he focuses on the response of the people talking about the disasters.
i. Instead of focusing on the victims of the disasters, he focuses on the response of the people talking about the disasters.
i. He turns the questions around to those asking the questions. a. Instead of focusing on the victims of the disasters, he focuses on the response of the people talking about the disasters. b. He tells the people to repent. i. “Repent” often means to view things with new eyes, to have a new heart, to turn in a new direction. ii. The focus, then, is not on what others had done but on what those who are talking are doing. Are they people of repentance? c. He tells a parable. i. The story about a fig tree focuses on the production of fruit. If a tree does not bear fruit, you do not just kill it; rather, you tend it and give it another opportunity to grow when given the right nutrients. ii. If the fig tree still doesn’t produce fruit, even with the right nutrients, then it is to be cut down. iii. This is not a parable about the people who died; rather, it is a parable about the people who are listening. They are to bear fruit. They are to flourish in the ways of God.
ii. He tells the people to repent.
ii. He tells the people to repent.
1. “Repent” often means to view things with new eyes, to have a new heart, to turn in a new direction.
2. The focus, then, is not on what others had done but on what those who are talking are doing. Are they people of repentance? Physical death will come to all, however, it is not physical death where we perish. It is in the spiritual life that we are at risk. The people that they were discussing were gone. For good or bad, there was nothing these people could do for them. Whether or not they had repented, it was too late to do anything about it. However, it was a wake up call for those around them. Disasters can strike at any moment. When they do, it is too late to take care of our spiritual souls. We need to do so immediately. In the NOW! Before it is too late.
To punctuate the importance of personal repentance,
iii. Jesus tells a parable of a fig tree.
iii. Jesus tells a parable of a fig tree.
A man had planted a garden and within it he planted a fig tree. For three years he came to inspect the tree looking to see if it had yet produced fruit. After three years the tree still had not produced fruit and the man wondered if he was wasting his time on this tree. It took up valuable space that could be used to grow something more productive. It also robbed the land of nutrients, but for no use. The man debated about digging it up and starting over, however, his gardener encouraged him to give it another year. Perhaps all it needed was another some fertilizer and special care. The gardener would give it the care it needed and if that did not work, then he would recommend it be dug up.
1. The story about a fig tree focuses on the production of fruit. If a tree does not bear fruit, you do not just kill it; rather, you tend it and give it another opportunity to grow when given the right nutrients.
2. If the fig tree still doesn’t produce fruit, even with the right nutrients, then it is to be cut down.
3. This is not a parable about the people who died; rather, it is a parable about the people who are listening. They are to bear fruit. They are to flourish in the ways of God.
There are different ways to view this parable, but for me the one that makes the most sense is that the owner of the garden is God and the gardener is Jesus. God sees those that do not bare fruit and he wishes to remove it and so another can do the work that is needed. Jesus is the gardener interceding and asking for a little longer. However, eventually either fruit needs to be evidenced or the judgment will come.
So what does this teach us about...
3. Our Response to Disaster
3. Our Response to Disaster
a. When disaster happens, are we quick to blame victims?
a. When disaster happens, are we quick to blame victims?
i. Do we examine the sins of those who have died?
i. Do we examine the sins of those who have died?
ii. Do we ask why is this happening?
ii. Do we ask why is this happening?
ii. Do we ask why is this happening?
b. How often do we examine our own hearts?
b. How often do we examine our own hearts?
i. The parable of the fig tree is a lesson for us; we are people who are supposed to bear fruit.
i. The parable of the fig tree is a lesson for us; we are people who are supposed to bear fruit.
Remember, it was God’s chosen people, the Jews, that Jesus shared this with. As Christians, we are God’s chosen. Lent is a time of self-examination. It is a time when we take time to allow God to examine our hearts and direct us to fix what needs to be fixed.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm
ii. The fruit we are supposed to bear is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
ii. The fruit we are supposed to bear is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
iii. If we are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit, what must we do to ensure that we are repenting and being fertilized for growth? i. Maybe there are things in our lives that need to be pruned away. This is a key part of Lent, stripping things away things that are keeping us from life with Jesus. ii. Maybe we need to add fertilizer, spending more time with the scriptures, in prayer, or in a small group. iii. Maybe we need to spend more time in self-reflection instead of focusing on what others are doing.
We should not be standing around evaluating if someone is being judged by God. It is not our job to judge others. The best way we can help others is by being a good example. If we are producing fruit, we do not need to label or condemn others. Our proper behavior will be use to God to point to and help them to make the changes they need to make. Our #1 job is to love! Love God and love others. When we truly love God, He fills our heart with love for others. The fruits of the Spirit are not something we put on like the armor of God. The fruits are something that grow on us from what is planted on the inside; God’s Spirit. When disasters happen, we do not judge and speculate as to their reason. We empathize with compassion.
iii. If we are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit, what must we do to ensure that we are repenting and being fertilized for growth?
iii. If we are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit, what must we do to ensure that we are repenting and being fertilized for growth?
1. Maybe there are things in our lives that need to be pruned away. This is a key part of Lent, stripping things away things that are keeping us from life with Jesus.
1. Maybe there are things in our lives that need to be pruned away. This is a key part of Lent, stripping things away things that are keeping us from life with Jesus.
The best way to figure out if this is the case is to ask God and then be quiet and listen! That is why prayer and fasting are a key part of Lent.
2. Maybe we need to add fertilizer, spending more time with the scriptures, in prayer, or in a small group.
2. Maybe we need to add fertilizer, spending more time with the scriptures, in prayer, or in a small group.
We may do this alone to a point, but often the best fertilizer comes when we are with people. There is a reason why God instructed us to not forsake gathering together. The reason is we learn from each other. We are challenged by what others see that we missed. We are encouraged to see others struggling with the same things we are struggling with. And when we voice our opinion, we have to think hard to find a way to express what we are saying. All these things help us to grow. It is when we are together that the pruning, watering, and fertilizing are taking place. Yes, I know. Some spread more fertilizer than others! But, we can even learn from those we consider full of fertilizer. We may not like it, but it is true.
3. Maybe we need to spend more time in self-reflection instead of focusing on what others are doing.
3. Maybe we need to spend more time in self-reflection instead of focusing on what others are doing.
When we are with others, we need to be sure we are focusing on the right things. Then we take what we have learned in the gathering together and we take time to self-evaluate and apply what needs applied. This is just as important as the gathering time. Things do not get applied in our life unless we take time to plan how to apply them. This is done again with prayer and listening to the Father. He will then help us to find ways to apply His truth to our life.
Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.
CONCLUSION:
We often worry and fret over the lives of others without examining our own hearts.
This past week, I preached this same passage at a funeral. It seemed natural to preach it as it stemmed out of a conversation she and I had had. Her husband had passed away in December. I had gone to visit her the week after the funeral to see how she was doing. At that time, she asked me if I could assure her that her husband had gone to heaven. I told her I was sorry, but I did not know him and had no evidence to support that he was a Christian. However, it was more important in that moment that she be able to answer that question for herself. She and I talked a little more and she prayed asking Jesus to forgive her.
Jesus’s words are hard here, about how the focus should be less on what others have done and more on the type of people we are supposed to be. We are supposed to be people of repentance who bear fruit of love and grace to the world around us. A phrase uttered frequently to young children is “worry about yourself.” It would be good for us this Lenten season to do the same. To take time to repent of the things that are holding us back from a full relationship with Jesus and to grow the fruits of love, grace, and peace that God is asking us to grow.