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Lord of Love Lutheran Church
(ELCA)
June 27, 1999 |
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Lord of Love Lutheran Church
(ELCA)
June 27, 1999 |
Readings: Jeremiah 28.5-9, Psalm 89.1-4, 15-18, Romans 6.12-23, Matthew 10.40-42
Grace to you and peace in the name of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
As much as I like to talk about the over-powering
love of God which justifies the ungodly and as much as I firmly believe
that morality in and of itself will never get you into heaven, there is
something to be said for doing the right thing. It just feels so
terribly dangerous to orient you towards what you can do for yourself away
from the gospel of what God desires to do for you. Honestly, I have
never felt more close to uttering heresy than by encouraging you to do
the right thing. ‘Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Here we go.
You shall have no other Gods. You are to fear,
love, and trust God above anything else. Above anything else.
Above mother or father, above husband or wife, above children. Above
your career, above your national or ethnic pride. Above Husker football.
Above your own abilities, accomplishments, cleverness or even your religious
devotion. Every addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs, TV, shopping,
or ice cream, is idolatry. Don’t do it.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
in vain. We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name
superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but call on
God in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. God will not be mocked.
Don’t do it.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his Word and the
preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.
You are here. You’re listening. Good. Keep it up.
Honor your father and your mother. We are
to fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and
others in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them. Luther
also said, “Obey God. If you will not obey God you are to obey your
parents. If you will not obey your parents then you will have to
obey the police. If you will not obey the police then you will have to
obey the judge. If you will not obey the judge then you will have
to obey the executioner.” I suppose after the executioner has had
done with you, then you will obey God.
You shall not kill. We are to fear and love
God so that we do not hurt our neighbor in any way, but help them in all
their physical needs. It’s not just about murder or killing.
It’s about not tearing people down.
You shall not commit adultery. We are to fear
and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and
honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each other. And
adultery isn’t just about sex. It includes the infidelity that occurs
when you invest yourself in your work or your hobby or your friends more
intimately than in your spouse.
You shall not steal. We are to fear and love
God so that we do not take our neighbors’ money or property, or get them
in any dishonest way, but help them to improve and protect their property
and means of making a living. You are not to take unfair advantage,
or manipulate or exploit your neighbor, but use all your resources on their
behalf.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about
our neighbors, but defend them, speak well of them, and explain their actions
in the kindest way. That means putting an end to gossip when you
hear it. That means going out of your way to cover your neighbor’s
sins the way Jesus has covered yours.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbors’
possessions by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them, but
always help them keep what is theirs – including their good name.
See Commandment No. 7 “Thou shalt not steal.”
You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse, or their
riding mower, or their new car or their friends, or their kids. We
are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax away from our
neighbor their spouse or workers but encourage them to remain loyal…
God warns that he will punish all who break these commandments. Therefore
we are to fear his wrath and not disobey him. But God promises grace
and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore
we are to love and trust God, and gladly do what the Lord commands.
As sinners we confess that we do not live up to
God’s expectations and fearfully we know that we deserve God’s wrath and
punishment. As saints, baptized into the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ, we boldly lay claim to the free gift of righteousness that
God has bestowed on us, undeservedly, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
By this faith in the unmerited grace of God bestowed on sinners, we move
from fear of God to love of God. When you welcome this message in
your heart you welcome God and God welcomes you. Amen
Copyright © 1999 Lord of Love Lutheran Church
All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be copied without the
express written permission of Lord of Love Lutheran Church, 10405 Fort
Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134.
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