17th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 150

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thought of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN

Introduction

Harvest time – conjures up images – of fields of corn – Farmers in their combine Harvesters – tractors towing carts piled high with – potatoes – turnips – and sugar beet.

A time too for remembering that God has sown His own spiritual seeds in our hearts, and wants us to bear an abundant harvest.  

In our NT reading we find Jesus – sowing spiritual seeds to a group of new Christians – hoping – like in the parable of the Sower – that some might grow – and produce a rich harvest –

But from their reaction – they were more like the dry and barren soil – of the footpath and rocks – than good soil –

We are going to have a look at what Jesus is telling them – and at their response – to see if it helps us to produce a better harvest – 

 
Point 1      Jesus’ teaching on truth & freedom

 

‘If you stand by my teaching’, says Jesus – ‘You are truly my Disciples ……..you will know the truth, the truth will set you free”

Christian discipleship begins with the belief that Jesus is telling us the truth – about the love of God – and the problems of sin – it starts with the realisation that we need to change – and follow God’s way of doing things

Here – Jesus reminds us – that beginning well – is not enough – to be one of His followers – we need to – stand firm – in His teaching – whatever difficulties we face –

When it comes to the Christian Faith – what ever progress we think we are making – we are all learners –and because of that – in – constant need of fresh additions – through prayer – Bible reading – and worship – we all- need to go back to Jesus – again and again – to receive from Him – to help us understand what He is telling us – and to keep us close to Him-

the reward for our perseverance is that He will reveal more and more about Himself to us –

Being a disciple is also about – listening – getting through the static – and tuning in to God’s message

Jesus is offering – these Jews – what everyone in Israel was longing to hear – freedom at last – and at a deeper level than they ever imagined –

we might have expected them to have been overjoyed at His news –

but no – they react negatively towards Him – ‘How can you say – such a thing? – We are Abraham’s children – we have always been free’

their claim was obviously not true – as a race they had been conquered by the Egyptians, the Babylonians and they were currently being ruled by the Romans – but the Jews set tremendous value on freedom – their Laws state that – no Jew – however poor – must descend to the level of a slave – so as far as they were concerned – Jesus’ remarks about slavery was an insult to them

  

Point 2       Jesus’ teaching on slavery & sin

 

but Jesus was clearly talking about another kind of slavery – worst slavery than – they had suffered in Egypt – or under the rule of Rome –

The kind of slavery that grips everyone of us –and one – we – cannot break away from – by ourselves

‘In very truth I tell you ……….. everyone who commits sin is a slave”

These days – most people think that sin is an offence against someone else’s old fashioned morality – but we know there’s more to it than that –

Sinning is dangerous business –

When people rebel against God – in whatever way – new fields of force are being called in – and a cumulative effect builds up – individuals and groups can become enslaved – just as surely as if each person has a heavy chain around their neck –
Freedom – is not about doing what we want – its about being what God made us for – and we were all made to be like Jesus

If we do what we like – before long we will discover that we are slaves and victims to what we hate –

Ask a drug addict – and he’ll tell you all he wants is his next fix – because he is a slave to his drugs –

– or the person – who steals – and has to keep on stealing – to feed their addiction –

Ask a man or women who has committed adultery – the lies and deceit just keep building up

when we have sinned we become trapped and entangled by it- and get drawn in – deeper and deeper –

Our sins control us – we cannot control them – its only God that can break their grip –

The way to Freedom – says Jesus – is through responding to the truth that He speaks – which comes from the Father –

Jesus uses an illustration of Son-ship to get His message across –

‘The slave has no place in the household’ –he says – ‘but the Son belongs to it forever’

‘If the Son stress you free – you will indeed be free’

Jesus doesn’t explain here – that – its His death – the truth within the truth – that brings freedom –

(Jesus was sent by God to die on the cross for our sins – so they can be forgiven – we can start again with our relationship with God and with others –
There is nothing greater – than having such a debt cancelled)

His warnings – are also a solemn reminder – that if we remain as slaves – we have no assurance for the future – its only true members of the family that have –

Jesus is the promised Messiah – our heaven sent Saviour – through Jesus we receive freedom – here and now – and in a life to come –

– freedom from fear – (He is always with us)
– freedom from ourselves – (often our greatest enemy)
– freedom from others – (because we focus on what God says we should do)
– and freedom from sin –

There is only one way to salvation – one Saviour – one hope for us all – Abraham and the OT Saints looked to the same Christ that we do – and as God’s true Son – Jesus desires no Glory for Himself – only for God  

 
 

Conclusion

Jesus is ready to transform our lives today
(we just have to respond to His invitation – to His teaching and His word)

So when our master sower throws His seed our way – are we ready to let His teaching and word show us the way to freedom and new life

Jesus said " and some seed fell on good soil, where it came up and grew, and produced a crop; and the yield was thirty fold, sixty fold and a hundred fold "

"If you have ears to hear, then hear!"

At harvest time – what sort of harvest will we make?

 

 
Prayer to finish

In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN