Matthew 22:15-22, Give Yourself Back to God

The text for this past Sunday's sermon is found in the Gospel of Matthew in the 22nd Chapter, verses 15-22, and covers one of the more quoted statements of Jesus "Give to Caesar the things that are the Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s".

The end focus of the sermon was the Greek word Ἀπόδοτε or Apodote translated here as "give" or sometimes translated in these verses as "render" or "pay to"; the definition of the word Ἀπόδοτε or Apodote is actually better stated as "I give back", "restore", "return", or "sell".  To change the reading to "Return to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and return to God the things that are God's", give us an entirely different take on this verse.

We are to give back to Caesar that which by the definition of Roman Law is already his, the denarius that bears his image and the inscription "Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus", claiming at least in part deification for Tiberius Caesar the current Roman Emperor (Caesar Augustus was considered a god by the Cult of the Emperor). Under Roman Law, the Emperor owned all of the currency in circulation. This coin, bearing the graven image of the Emperor had no place in the Temple, to begin with, and much has been made of this in endless sermons and commentaries. 

The denarius bore the image of Caesar but what bears the image of God? We find the answer to this question in these verses in Genesis:
Genesis 1:26-27  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

We bear the image of God, we are God's... to return to God what is God's means that we return ourselves to God. Give to Caesar his defiled coin but give yourself to God.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In God's grace,
Roy

Matthew 22:15-22  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Question about Paying Taxes

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Philippians 4:1-13 "Our Strength In Christ"

This past Sunday, the sermon covered the verses found in the book of Philippians Chapter 4, verses 1 through 13. I chose to go through the verses a verse or so at a time and to expound upon them as such. In as such, the primary focus of the sermon was the final verse, verse 13 (I can do all things through him who strengthens me.) Undoubtedly, the strongest point made is that it is not our strength either of body or will that allows us to prevail, but rather the strength of Christ that we receive through our faith in Him. It is also important to remember that the impetus here is not that we always win, but rather that we can prevail whether winning or losing... Paul tells us this in the verse immediately preceding verse 13.

No matter what comes to us in this world in which we live, we can and will prevail sustained by the strength which we find in Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Strength,
Roy

Philippians 4:1-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,[b] help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[d] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved,[e] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice[g] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.[h] 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Footnotes:

a) Philippians 4:1 Gk my brothers
b) Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus
c) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
d) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
e) Philippians 4:8 Gk brothers
f) Philippians 4:8 Gk take account of
g) Philippians 4:10 Gk I rejoiced
h) Philippians 4:10 Gk lacks to show it

Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Wicked Tenants.

This week I tackled the difficult verses found in Matthew 21:33-46. It was a considerably different sermon for me, compared to my general focus in preaching. This is a sermon touching on judgment. As much as we'd like to stay constantly focused on grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation, there is undoubtedly an emphasis on judgment in scripture and in the preaching of Jesus himself.

I did also point out that these verses have to do with the sins of the leadership, and that any refocusing of these verses into our own time must remember that Jesus is warning the leadership... folks like myself and those higher up in the chain of command in our various denominations. The warning that Christ is voicing as a prophet here is against the collaboration of the Jewish Leaders with the Roman Empire. Today, we see the entire block of the Mainline Protestant Denominations lined up in support and honestly indirect at best, and most assured actual direct collaboration with one particular political party. There's no difference here than what the Jewish Leaders were doing with the Romans. Our leaders should fully expect on judgment day to be called to task for this collaboration.

As a moderate, I see the collaboration of other denominations with the opposing political party, this is no better... and I called them out in the sermon as well.

Let us strive to remove ourselves from politics, to see a third way through these times. If you find yourself always in the camp of one political party, I present to you that you are being guided by political concepts and NOT theological concepts... no matter how hard you work to rationalize and legitimize your standing.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Matthew 21:33-46  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35 But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;[a]
this was the Lord’s doing,
    and it is amazing in our eyes’?
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.[b] 44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”[c]

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Footnotes:

a) Matthew 21:42 Or keystone
b) Matthew 21:43 Gk the fruits of it
c) Matthew 21:44 Other ancient authorities lack verse 44

Matthew 21:23-32, The Authority of Jesus and the Parable of the Two Sons - October 1, 2017

This past Sunday's sermon was, by my estimation, a bit rambling.  I do apologize, I was a little weary on Sunday morning as I had traveled to Omaha on Friday and then to Saint Paul, MN on Saturday. Both trips were to haul vehicles back to Lake City. On Friday, I trailered back to Lake City the old Cougar that I purchased a few weeks back. Due to the length of the car and the size of the trailer, there was no good way to balance the load and I ended up trailering her with more weight to the back of the trailer than I'd recommend. That made the trailer a bit finicky to tow and we ended up driving all the way at around 50 mph or less. Needless to say, it was a long drive home and in the dark to boot.

She's a beautiful old car with low miles and has spent all of her life thus far in and around Oakland, California. I had the car delivered to Omaha, as it was much less expensive than having it hauled all the way here. The old girl is currently down at Scott Gorden's garage having some steering issues examined (which is why I didn't just drive it here as I'd planned to do originally). Hopefully, he'll get whatever is going on worked out and I'll be able to drive her soon.

But, back to my rambling message on Sunday.  The sermon this week was over the verses found in the Gospel of Matthew 21:23-32. The passage covers the questioning of Jesus' authority by the leaders and then the beginning of His response to them. The sermon this coming week will continue on with this exchange between Jesus and the leaders.

The parable of the "Two Sons" speaks to us today, asking us when do we do better... when we immediately answer Jesus' call and then drop the ball... or when we argue with God and then relent and go and do His bidding... or is there a better way?  Well, of course, there is... we are called to respond and to carry through. Of course, we all know that there have been, and will be again, times when we emulate both brothers. Let us by preparation and prayer be ready to react properly the next time our God asks us to be His hands and feet to this wanting world.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

Matthew 21:23-32  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father[a] went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 21:30 Greek He

October 2017, Newsletter Article

Fall is in the air and October is quickly coming upon us! Honestly, Fall is one of my favorite seasons (second only to Spring) but of course, the problem with Fall is that we know it's a very brief season, and all too soon we'll find ourselves in the grips of another Midwestern Winter.  Hopefully, it will be a mild winter this year and we'll all get through with flying colors.

These last couple weeks have been very sad for all of us here at Woodlawn with the passing of our very dear and beloved friend Lou Green.  Lou has been such a long-term fixture here at Woodlawn that she'll be forever missed.  If you haven't reached out to her family with words of support, please do so.  God's love and strength to all of Lou's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

This past Sunday was, however, a great day for us all here at Woodlawn, as we saw the Kuhlers family come forward to ask to become members here at Woodlawn.  We welcome Jared, Laura, Stephanie, Will, and Lucas to our little family.  I will be putting together a baptism class for them and if there is anyone else that is interested in getting baptized, please let me know.  Right now I'm thinking we'll schedule the ceremony for Easter 2018, which happens to fall on April 1st.  Please make sure and introduce yourselves to the Kuhlers and welcome them to Woodlawn.

Our concert “Son Celebration” on the 16th was a bit disappointing due to the rainy weather.  But undaunted, we moved the concert into Fellowship Hall and everyone that turned out really enjoyed the show.  I do thank our performers for the evening, “Peregrine” along with “Will & Jane”, both groups were fantastic!  “Will & Jane” performed for us last year as well, though last year they performed under the name of “Orphan's Cry”.

On the 21st, the 'Women of Woodlawn' had a dinner and meeting to celebrate a new name for the Women's Group.  It was a great night and even though I was unable to attend, everything I'm hearing about it is very positive and exciting.  Thank you to all those who worked to make this program happen, and thank you to Kim Anderson especially, for all her hard work on planning and preparation.

On the 9th, we had a wedding here at Woodlawn, Jordan and Kelsey Beidler were married and we all wish them all the very best.  Jordan and Kelsey have started attending the 'Sunday Night Group' since their work schedules clash with being able to attend our normal Sunday Morning Worship. We're very glad that they've started attending and we welcome them here to Woodlawn.

The big news to remember is that starting October 1st, we have moved our normal Sunday Morning Worship from a start time of 10:30 AM to a starting time of 10:00 AM. Please, make sure to note the change or else you'll find yourself coming into worship when we're about halfway through. If by chance you discover you're running late, PLEASE do go ahead and come to worship... none of us is going to mind you walking in at the mid-way mark of the service.

The 'Catch' training program is going along very well, and we have just two more sessions left to complete. The next sessions will be October 10th and 24th.  Even if you've missed the previous sessions, please feel free to join us on either or both of these nights.  In the spirit of 'Catch', I would like to invite everyone to invite someone to Church in October (and November and December and...).  We're called to be 'Fishers of People' and it's tough to catch fish if you don't cast a line every now and again. Please, invite a friend or relative to join you at worship or at a Church Event.

Other things to note in October are; Contemporary Worship Committee Meeting on the 1st after Sunday Worship, Christian Council Meeting on the 3rd at 6:30 PM, Elder's Meeting on the 8th after Worship, Church Council Meeting on the 11th at 6:30 PM, Men's Meeting (at Sweet Things) on the 14th at 7:00 AM, and the 'Baked Steak Dinner' on the 19th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

As you may have noticed, the Men's Meeting in October will be down at Sweet Things.  We've decided to try this for a few months to see how it goes over, it relieves us of having to plan for how many may or may not show up, and it also gets us out and visible in the community.  Please plan to gather with all the men on the 14th at 7:00 AM.

It's also time to start thinking about the “God's Portion Sale” in November.  If you'd like to be on the committee for the sale there is still time to add your name, the committee is currently made up of Clyde Westcott, Jesse Gorden, Bill Hungate, Leon Hendricks, and myself. We could certainly use a lady or two on the committee, if you're interested please give me or one of the other members a call.

Well, I've probably used up my allotted space in the newsletter already so I better wrap it up... “BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE TODAY”!

In His Grace & Care,
Pastor Roy

Unfair Wages - sermon given on Sept 24th, 2017

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Newton, IA

In my "Children's Conversation" Sunday, I presented the scenario of hiring two of the children to do work for me.  One I wanted to hire to fold a single towel, and the other I wanted to mow the Church grounds (a total of a block and a half of ground).  When I told them that I want to pay the same amount for both jobs I was emphatically told, "That's crazy"!  And yes, that is CRAZY, but, that's just the kind of crazy that God is to us his children.

The parable of the "Workers in the Vineyard" is perhaps the second most important parable in understanding the nature of God that there is in the Bible. (First and foremost in my humble opinion would be the parable of 'The Prodigal Son') This isn't a story about justice, though some might confuse it as such, rather this is a story of grace.  The type and degree of grace that God extends to us does, in fact, seem 'crazy' in our human experience.

Ultimately, God's grace, God's capacity to forgive, God's desire for reconciliation, makes us exclaim "That's Crazy", but that's the radical nature of our all loving and all forgiving God.  The hour is not important to our God, what is important is that we arrive, that we accept the invitation to join the workers in the vineyard.  Praise be to God!

Please remember today and every day to...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In My Father's Grace,
Roy

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Newton, IA

Matthew 20:1-16  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Laborers in the Vineyard
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage,[a] he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.[b] 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.[c] 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?[d] 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’[e] 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”[f]

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 20:2 Gk a denarius
b) Matthew 20:9 Gk a denarius
c) Matthew 20:10 Gk a denarius
d) Matthew 20:13 Gk a denarius
e) Matthew 20:15 Gk is your eye evil because I am good?
f) Matthew 20:16 Other ancient authorities add for many are called but few are chosen

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Newton, IA

Romans 14:1-23 "We All Judge"

This past Sunday, September 17th, the sermon was over the verses found in Romans 14:1-23.  The emphasis of the sermon was over 'judging'.  The sad reality is that we all judge, even Paul in the verses that we read today 'judged'. Here Paul calls those with whom he disagrees 'weak'.  Many, if not most of those who Paul is opposing here are the same people he's opposing in the letter we call Galatians. Here, Paul is using somewhat kinder words, but none-the-less he is all too busy judging them.

The sermon isn't long and though I'm as always biased, I do feel it's worth listening to.

I'll let the sermon do my talking this time, please do take a listen.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Romans 14New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Do Not Judge Another
14 Welcome those who are weak in faith,[a] but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2 Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3 Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord[b] is able to make them stand.

5 Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6 Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister?[c] Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?[d] For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[e] 11 For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
    and every tongue shall give praise to[f] God.”
12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.[g]

Do Not Make Another Stumble
13 Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.[h] 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 If your brother or sister[i] is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. 19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; 21 it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister[j] stumble.[k] 22 The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. 23 But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith;[l] for whatever does not proceed from faith[m] is sin.[n]

Footnotes:

a) Romans 14:1 Or conviction
b) Romans 14:4 Other ancient authorities read for God
c) Romans 14:10 Gk brother
d) Romans 14:10 Gk brother
e) Romans 14:10 Other ancient authorities read of Christ
f) Romans 14:11 Or confess
g) Romans 14:12 Other ancient authorities lack to God
h) Romans 14:13 Gk of a brother
i) Romans 14:15 Gk brother
j) Romans 14:21 Gk brother
k) Romans 14:21 Other ancient authorities add or be upset or be weakened
l) Romans 14:23 Or conviction
m) Romans 14:23 Or conviction
n) Romans 14:23 Other authorities, some ancient, add here 16.25–27