Sermon - 2014-02-16

Today’s text seems rather harsh. In fact, they seem very hard to achieve.  We know of people who have had a divorce. Someone who was even angry with a brother, sister, or even someone in the community.  Yet, Jesus warns that even if something is on your heart and mind. You will face judgement that most people fear.  

Now in order to truly understand this piece of scripture, we should really look at the whole Sermon on the Mount that Jesus delivers to the people.  So, let’s begin with what we talked about last week. It comes right before the words that are shared today.  Remember, you are the Salt of the Earth and the light unto the world.  You are God’s People and Christians. When people look at you and the way you live your life, are they seeing the way  Christians live their life?  So they begin to wonder, would I want to be a part of that community?  Would I want to live my life that way?  Jesus is reminding the people that the way you live your life does matter.  

However, within today’s part of that same sermon, he takes it even further.  God does not care simply for the way that you are acting, but what God is truly interested in is your heart and your mind.  Jesus wants those very things because when your heart and mind are placed upon God, then your actions will follow easily.  It is within your heart and mind that is the good soil in which God’s Word and God’s love takes root within your life.  They are the things that help lead you and guide you in all of life’s journey. Leading you through the good times and the struggles.  

Too often we, humans, get so focused on the doing, that we forget the purpose. We get so focused on what we have. What we are doing for our own namesake and our own glory. We actually forget or are willing to hurt those around us for own benefit.  We turn from our created purpose and sense of identity that is found in God.   We forget the motivation and the reasons behind why we should live our lives following God’s Will within the world.  When Jesus comes and lives and dwell among us, Jesus brings the message loud and clear.  He does not stop there.  Jesus actually lives a life completely fulfilling these very things.  However, he points out that we can not accomplish this on our own.  We need Christ; we need God within our life; and we need that forgiveness.  

God does just that.  God sends his own Son to show you the very depths and distance that God is willing to go for you.  Jesus goes all the way to the cross, all the way to death, and declares not even this will separate you from my love and my presence. You are my beloved Child.  Lately, we were reminded that we do not know the hour or the way in which we shall depart this world and stand before our Heavenly Father.  This text reflects upon the way in which we are living the life that God has given to us and this seems rather important. 

We need a reminder of this within our daily life.  We need to understand that we need God within our life and we are God’s People.  We make this part of our worship service every week.  In fact, it is the very beginning.  Please open your hymnals to the Confessional and Forgiveness.  Here at the beginning of our worship, we remember in the name in which we gather, we then continue to be reminded that we are not perfect but do in fact make mistakes, we need God to help us, guide us in what we do so that our lives may be for God’s purpose.  However, it is not only being reminded that we make mistakes but that God is there with us in our lives, forgiving us so that we may continue in good relationships as forgive others and God forgives us.  As we continue in our lives, we are reminded that we are all God’s People and in need to God’s care as we gather at the cross.  When we continue, we are even reminded that when we say that we have NO sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us but rather we must confess our sins so that we may receive forgiveness, return to a right relationship with God and one another.  Then we receive that forgiveness that we are longing for on the cross, in the way in which we all gather there in the presence of God, humble, seeking God’s love.  

Now, Jesus Christ has done the work of your salvation. Jesus Christ has given you the gift of eternal life with your Creator and Sustainer and now Redeemer.  So we are to live a life worthy of that gift.  We are to live a life worthy of our Baptism; and a life fulfilling those promises that you made within your Baptism to help you on that journey.  

May all the work that you do in this world be as a Disciple of Jesus Christ, be for the service of others, and be for the glory of God.  Amen.