Sermon - 2014-07-27

Each one of our Scriptures today have great messages.  Each one has a sermon within it that I could share with you.  I could easily stand up here all day and share with you insights and how this relates to our modern life.  However, I will not do that to you.  Rather, I will share with you how today’s scripture gives us insight into the whole message that God is sharing with us.  

Looking at our Old Testament reading today, Solomon asks God for wisdom and understanding.  Solomon wants to be able to lead and help the people who he shall rule, whom God has chosen to the Chosen People through whom all nations shall be blessed.  It is the very gift that is found in the Old Testament that God gives for us that help us.  In the Old Testament, God gives to his Chosen People, the Law, a means in which they shall be able to have good relationship with God and good relationship with one another.  It was there to make us closer to God and one another, so we are able to work together, putting aside our differences and realizing we are all children of God.  It was because of this selflessness of Solomon that God also blessed him with riches, prosperity, and long life.  These are all things for which we continue to strive. Here, we are being reminded that God is the source of it all.

Within our Gospel, Jesus continues to share with us what heaven is like.  He uses earthly things to help us gain insight and understanding of what God will do for us.  But also, what we would be willing to do in order to receive the Kingdom of Heaven.  People within the parables give up everything. Some give all their wealth or all for which they have been striving. This is something they truly have been seeking in their life.  However, Jesus does not have people solely focus on the future of what heaven will be like, but to realize that it is part of what we are doing right here and now.  Sharing that Kingdom of Heaven and making it part of this world, to experience it, to feel it, and to be a part of it.  

We have heard the kingdom of God has become a part of this world, and for many of us we hope it is true.  We want to see it, hear it, and experience it. Only then will we do some of what Jesus is calling us to do.  Because within our lives, we still doubt.  We doubt God’s word, we view God’s work as natural occurrences, and we want to know for certain that we shall receive it.  So Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses to the people.  He shares with them the very story of Jesus once again, but gives even more insight.  When those moments of doubt arise, we are reminded that it was not because of our own understanding, or calling that God sent his son into the world.  Rather, Jesus Christ was a gift given to us, to set us free from the old covenant of things, we had to do, and into a new covenant found in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Yet, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, not even death.  So, if God is for us, who can be against us?  There is nothing in heaven or earth.

So, then as we look at the world around us, we see and hear of ways in which God is calling us to serve him for his glory and honor by sharing the same love and compassion that has been shared with you.  Those Laws that we received are not something that we have to do, but rather something that we want to do.  So, go and be disciples of Jesus Christ, knowing the love that has been given to you is to share with others around you.  

Thanks be to God. Amen.