What Do We Do Now?

What Do We Do Now?

¹ Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria— the notable people in this first of the nations, those the house of Israel comes to. ² Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours? ³ You dismiss any thought of the evil day and bring in a reign of violence. ⁴ They lie on beds inlaid with ivory, sprawled out on their couches, and dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall. ⁵ They improvise songs to the sound of the harp and invent their own musical instruments like David. ⁶ They drink wine by the bowlful and anoint themselves with the finest oils but do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. ⁷ Therefore, they will now go into exile as the first of the captives, and the feasting of those who sprawl out will come to an end. 

^{Amos 6}

Jesus tells the crowd a story…and the Old Testament reading describes the state of the church during the time when Uzziah was king of Judah.

So…when you and I hear these Words, what are we to do?

Listen, of course.

I have often wondered how many people think these Words—lots of what the Bible says—were meant ONLY for those whom they were written to. That they don’t really apply to us today.

Some will echo words like—“we are in the New Testament, not the Old.” Yes, but Jesus’ story…what about that?

 “That was written for Jewish people.” Some of it yes…

Yet, St. Paul, has another idea. He writes this to Timothy, a young Pastor:¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  [CSB][2 Timothy 3:16-17]

Timothy was a pastor in a non-Jewish church.

St. Paul explains this to the Corinthian church—another non-Jewish church:

¹ Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them, since they were struck down in the wilderness. ⁶ Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did. ⁷ Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party. ⁸ Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day twenty-three thousand people died. ⁹ Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. ¹⁰ And don’t grumble as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. ¹¹ These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹² So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. ¹³ No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.  [CSB]
^{1 Corinthians 10:1-12:}

So, when you hear or read any of the Words of the Bible, like our Old Testament lesson: ¹ “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! ² Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.

When you hear or read them, put your own name in there. Your family name. Put your own town, state and country. Replace the name of whom the words are directed with the name of this church.

Take heed, lest you fall.

I will ask you what the prophet asks: Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory, ³ O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence? ⁴ “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, ⁵ who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, ⁶ who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

Are we any different? Are we better people, more godly, more moral?

That is exactly WHY Jesus tells His story to Jewish people. They thought they were better. Especially the Pharisees—the top church goers in the land.

Who are you in Jesus’ story? Notice the rich man is not even named. As no, his name is not written in the book of life. He is dead—dead on earth and in eternity. Eternal separation from God—nameless in God’s eyes. No longer one of God’s children.

And yet this guy was a church member.

I have to ask myself which character in this story am I? What kind of church do we have here? Is it acting and doing as Jesus commanded? Do we love one another? Do we gossip about each other? Are we generous to those in need?

King David says this: It is better to be a doorman in the house of the Lord, than to revel and party in the tents of the wicked. [Psalm 84].

But do we…you and I…go out of here…and be about our business week after week…ignoring and caring less about the ruin of the church? When the Bible talks about Joseph, Judah, Ephraim, Israel, Jacob…He is talking about the church.

When we don’t grieve about our church’s condition. When we don’t pray, help, and act on her behalf…when we let it come to ruin all because we rather be…name the reason!

Take heed, lest you fall. This is directed to us, to our towns, state and country. To this very church here today.

Remember, this is in the Bible. I am not taking this out of context so I can preach doom and gloom sermons to you. I did not select these verses. They are part of the historic readings in the church. You will hear them again—every three years, in fact.

We have to listen. We have to take heed.

So, what must we do?

On Pentecost St. Peter preached a sermon telling the crowd about how Jesus was murdered. That they all failed to recognize their own Messiah. That they let it happen—did nothing to stop the illegal trial. That they did not notice—were not bothering about the condition that their church was in.

They were just in town for the Pentecost festival services and would have just left afterward, checking the obligation box…as if that is what it’s all about…then to just go back to their lives…as if nothing happened.

So then doing exactly what the prophet just warned against.

Yet, when Peter got up and preached. They were “cut to the quick” as the old English version puts it. They realized deeply that this was their fault as if they drove the nails into His hands and feet themselves.

Well, in truth, we all did. My sins made Jesus suffer. Yours too.

But they asked Peter, “What must we then do?”

Peter answered ³⁸ … “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”  [CSB][Acts 2:38-39]

Yes, repent. Return to your Baptism.

How?

And repent of what?

Listen: YES, IT IS BETTER TO BE THAT WRETCHED SORE COVERED BEGGAR WHO DIED WITH NOTHING…IT IS BETTER TO BE HIM THAN THE RICH MAN WHO ENDS UP IN HELL.

What good does it do anyone, Jesus asks, for us to have the entire world, but lose our soul?

Listen to St. John repeat Jesus’ very own words to an established churches long after He ascended into Heaven:

¹⁴ …‘Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: ¹⁵ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.  [CSB][Revelation 3:14-18]

Jesus is speaking to you and me. We are rich. The richest nation of the world. But…you see, that wretch begging outside the rich man’s door, was far richer. Take heed lest you fall.

Why have I preached a sermon like this? Why am I saying all this? Jesus told us that we are to make disciples…by baptizing and TEACHING TO OBEY ALL that Jesus Commanded. All of Scripture in other words. [Matthew 28].

So today, Jesus is saying this to you: ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent. ²⁰ See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹ “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”  [CSB][Revelation 3:19-22]

He is reproving us…but only so that we don’t end up like that rich man. Only so that our church does not end up as the Old Testament lesson predicts and what DID happen to the church of that time:⁷ Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.”

²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” Take heed, lest you fall.

But in that fall—during this time of Grace—as Jesus is still knocking at your door—at this time, Jesus is right there to catch us. He fell to the depth of hell, so as to be able to rescue even the worst of us. You and me.

And we do fall and have fallen. The church in this country is a mess. Faithless, corrupt and apostate as Israel ever was. You and I have fallen many times.

Maybe even in a very big way this week…even perhaps today. So, He will reprove, chasten, punish and discipline.

Me.

You.

With these very Words, in fact. That is why they are read in the church. So, listen to these Words of God that rebuke you. Do not think they are for someone else.

You are here. Listen. Take to heart what you hear. Repent and be caught by the Merciful hands of Jesus. In these very Words, He gives the required ears to hear. [Romans 10:17] He melts hard hearts and heads—by His Word—so that He can have compassion on us. So that He can save us and take us to heaven, like that poor beggar.

Listen as St. John explains what we must do (and we have heard these Words many times): ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [CSB][1 John 1:9]

He is knocking. That text in Revelation is not for unbelievers, but believers who have sinned. Hearing His voice then, in these very Words…

Repent, confess and be caught up in the Mercy and Grace of Jesus…for yes, All your sins are forgiven you…in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And then because of that, He invites us and comes to sit down with us at His table…and feeds us Himself…and then…in the end all beggars become princes. You and me even.

Amen.

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