Notes for Sunday: Oct 4th
Matthew 21 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.
God has a plan. This plan is laid out in Ex 20 in what we call the 10 Commandments. Before the 10 commandments are given back in Ch 19 we read:-
4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6 but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” Exodus 19:4-6 (NRSV)
The People are reminded that before they are given the commandments they are already in a state of grace. “A priestly Kingdom, a holy nation! This is before they hear and obey! So the commandments become the life goals that translate faith into action. They have entered into a state of blessing and so demonstrate that by how they live.
Faith is always relational. John Wesley said. The bible knows nothing of a solitary Christian. So the 10 are a blue print to how the society will function in God’s kingdom.
God alone is worshipped, people living in harmony, everyone finds a secure place because justice and peace prevail.
This was the plan of God in relationship with Israel. The nation lived on this understanding. But on the day Jesus told the parable they saw a very different picture emerging. The chosen tenants had been rejected, finalised by the killing of the Son. God’s plan had been for a nation under God’s leadership, worshipping and living in obedience, and by their witness shining a light across the rest of creation so that all may be gathered in. And they had failed.
18 Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD! Why do you want the day of the LORD? It is darkness, not light; 19 as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake. 20 Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? 21 I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:18-24 (NRSV)
God’s plan has not changed but there is a new direction.
2. Jesus includes us in that plan. When Jesus dies on the cross, he took with him, “all our darkness, all our failures”. And left us as believers in a state of grace. It is not a philosophical proposition, it is a practical reality, When Jesus died all that is contrary to God in us also was put to death.
In the Christian faith your action does not determine your worth. Out of nothing God created and from that creation you and I emerged, we are not separate from Creation, therefore we are sustained by God. Job done! I have nothing more to do, except recognise both the enormity and the cost of that action. And then get on with life, living with that new beginning in mind.
Jesus’ parable foretells a renewed plan. With the resurrection of Jesus the new plan has been put into place. The Lord God is resetting the kingdom for all those under a state of grace, through the cross.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NRSV)
Sound familiar!
3. The plan is to bear fruit. How do we do that?
1. By remembering God has a plan Ask your self what do you really believe. Wafted off to some idyllic place in the sky maybe! That has more to with Platonism than Christianity.
God has a plan for future restoration of the whole of creation; including you and me. This gives us hope for the future in every situation.
Not only must God be central, also be sovereign!
Remember what you believe will in the end determine how you see life and then how you live.
2. That future hope then means we live with expectancy for a re-created society.
In Jesus the kingdom has been re-directed. Now that God is king then all in the kingdom live in a wonderful harmony.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD. Isaiah 65:25 (NRSV)
As preparation we live our life on a daily basis using the Commandments as a true blue print for living.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21 (NRSV)
Keeping God central. Building true family relationships. Living at peace with all.
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