Lectionary for Sunday 17
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. Romans 8:28
Collect. O Father, fount of wisdom, you have revealed to us in Christ the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. Grant us the Spirit’s gift of discernment, that, in the midst of the things of this world, we may learn to appreciate the priceless value of the kingdom, and be willing to renounce everything joyfully for the sake of gaining the gift you offer. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Romans 8:26-39. A main point flowing from this passage is the concluding statement, “If God is for us who is against us”, thus in all this series of statement the main thing to remember is that God is for us one hundred percent.
Paul has reminded his readers that they are linked in fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit and our own spirit testifies to that. As we call out our spirit assures us that we are heard. Then he goes on to say that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness”. Our weakness is that no matter how much we might want to, we can only connect with God through the Spirit Nevertheless; the Spirit is both willing and able to ensure that connection with God is always available. Furthermore the Spirit enables our longings and desire to be in accord with the will of Jesus Christ himself. It is Jesus who by his sacrifice has made us worthy of becoming God’s children.
As we reflect on the state of our world or the needs of our family and friends we find it hard to express in words just what is needed hence we groan or perhaps struggle inwardly. It is the Spirit who brings to God the longings in a way which conform to the very will of God and so an authentic prayer is heard. Then Paul goes on to remind us that as we pray we can be confident that God’s will in each situation achieves the perfect outcome.
Paul then moves on to the understanding of predestination. Predestination has caused some “interesting” debates in the Christian Church! The first thing to remember is that God knows the beginning and the end for God is the Alpha and the Omega. Like it or not, that is the fact of the matter. This knowledge does not imply that God deliberately alters outcomes; the consequences from life come by our own decisions. However there is great comfort in predestination. Look at it this way. In a few weeks we will be travelling by train to Melbourne for a weekend away. Now if we boarded the train and instead of Melbourne we arrived in Perth we would be both shocked as well as disappointed. However this will not happen because the train that we will catch has been predestined to travel to Melbourne. Simple! Trusting in Christ gives us salvation. Trusting in Christ will grant us forgiveness. Obedient to God brings peace and security. We can know these things because they have been predestined and God is ever faithful. (Hebrews 13:5)
We end our passage with a familiar reading often used at funeral services. This section reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God and this is the greatest comfort that a Christian can ever have. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
Prayer. Holy Lord, we thank you for your steadfast love that never ceases, and for your mercies which never come to an end; all these are new every morning; how great is your faithfulness. In humility we bow in prayer before you, knowing that through your Holy Spirit our prayers are heard. Out of your faithful love you have blessed us with abundance; grant that we may use your gifts as faithful and obedient children now and always. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God for ever and ever. Amen
Reading. Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. The kingdom was established through a single event, the birth death and resurrection of Jesus our Saviour. This even is called the incarnation. Consider the famous phrase from Wesley, “Our God contracted to a span; incomprehensively made man” Through this one event the Kingdom gave birth to many children. From a tiny “seed” the Kingdom has grown and now can protect all of God’s creatures. It is a Kingdom that influences everything! As it is a priceless treasure it is worthy of sacrificing everything else in order to obtain it. In our passage today Jesus uses many examples to describe the kingdom.
We remember that the Kingdom in all its complexity represents ‘The reign and rule of God” Today this kind of definition does not find universal acceptance and yet we need to understand that this is God’s creation and it belongs to God alone. God is the one who makes the rules and God alone has absolute authority. So under this authority the Kingdom grows to include everything: It influences all aspects of life: though it is sometimes hidden, nevertheless it will always remain something beyond price. The Kingdom will bring a new purity to the whole creation and some things will be discarded and new things will be introduced. Nothing will be abandoned that accords to the will of God and nothing new will be present that does not accord to the will of God. All this will happen so that righteousness, justice and peace will be established in the Kingdom and Jesus Christ will reign supreme over all things.
With such a picture in mind the passage reminds us that joining the Kingdom is worth any sacrifice. It is not something we can either take or leave, because it represents the reign of God a decision has to be made. Remember at the, “end of the age”, some fish are retained and some are thrown away. While that is true is it not better to focus on all that the Kingdom represents and actively long for that! “Choose this day whom you will serve, … but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Prayer. Gracious God, we thank you that Jesus came to establish your kingdom and renew the whole creation. We thank you that though we live in a fallen world your word is still actively working to bring together the completion of all things. Grant that we may be faithful in our work and service in your name; ever trusting in the victory of our Saviour Jesus Christ. May we ever long for the pearl of great price and day by day forget what lies behind and reach out for what is still to be. We pray in Jesus name. Amen
Collect. God our rock, constant through change; open our eyes to the signs of the kingdom: people regaining human dignity, walking in freedom and living without fear. Help us to hope for that great day when your will shall be done on earth through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
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