August 22, 2010.
Christianity has a lot of uncomfortable ideas. One in particular:
'salvation by God's grace alone'. It is uncomfortable to unbelievers, but also
to the unbelief in each of us. You hear that today in the Gospel reading.
Someone in the crowd was uncomfortable with what Jesus said. "Will only a few
people be saved?". Here is a Ping-Pong comparison between what
wishful-thinkers believe and what Christ says. This is the message which must
ring out in the world:
Heaven is Exclusive, Yet by Grace it's Open to All!
Will those who are saved be FEW? Wishful-thinker answers - "No! Of course
not! All religions are equal! There are many ways to heaven! No religion or
person has exclusive rights to heaven - if there is such a place." Consider
the number of ecumenical services and inter-faith chapels not just in
hospitals, but other buildings like hotels. Think of the last time you saw a
TV show that talked about crossing-over to heaven: didn't just about everyone
get in? When a typical university teacher, political hack, journalist, movie
producer, or other culture-shaper talks about religions, you will usually hear
that all religions are the same; and you should mix the parts into something
you like (syncretism). That is wishful-thinking; and by the way, evil.
God does want all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). So much so that He sent His
one-and-only Son into human flesh (Incarnation) to live and die for all sins.
But even Christians have trouble with the idea we are saved by grace alone.
Faith does take effort! This is why Luther's first of the 95 Thesis is
about repentance. It is agonizing at times to believe I have NOTHING to do
with my salvation - beginning to end - and I am saved by God's grace alone.
Lifelong LCMS church members have problems with grace even though it is
constantly preached from pulpits and in Sunday School lessons. The Old Adam in
each of us falsely wants to believe we must do something either to get
salvation or keep it: rather than rely on Christ alone.
In today's Epistle to the Hebrews, Christians are reminded to struggle
against sin in verse 4. He goes on to write about self-discipline, willpower,
and some actions Christians should take. He lists encouragement (12-13), being
peaceful (14) rather than bitter (15), and living a holy life (16). BUT this
attitude and these actions don't MAKE us Christians. Living a better life does
not make you a better Christian. Holy living does not make God love you more.
Illustration: I think you know bribing a judge breaks the law and it will
cause you to be fined or land you in jail. So why is it that people think they
can bribe the Judge of All? The LORD can not be bribed with your church
attendance, offerings, prayers, or any of that. No matter how much good you
feel you do for God, no matter how big or small the bribe, it is worthy of
hell; and it earns you the title "workers of evil" as Christ labels it (v.27).
Is Heaven's Door Really so NARROW? Wishful thinkers again say -- No! They
talk about a sliding scale of naughty and nice. Certain groups of people get a
pass on sins - their sins don't count. Nearly anyone can "squeeze in", if they
try hard enough.
Christ says - Yes, the Door is VERY narrow. No self-righteous, no unholy
things may enter heaven (Revelation 21:27). Nothing can get in without
Christ's personal approval (John 14:6). All other religions and spirituality
always fail.
Illustration: Your car key won't unlock my house or my car. Only my set
of keys will unlock my house or car. The Cross of Christ is the only key that
unlocks heaven's Door. As we heard last week, 'without faith in Christ, it is
impossible to please God.' Hebrews 11:6.
Is There ONLY JOY in the Afterlife? Wishful thinkers say -- Yes! Only
Joy! Every few years, pollsters ask questions of various groups or random
samplings of people about the afterlife. Those polls often show most believe
in heaven or a blissful state. Few folks believe in hell. Some go for
"annihilation" - our life-force slowly vanishes to nothingness like smoke if we
aren't good enough for heaven.
Even many Christian pulpits seldom mention hell. It makes Christians
uncomfortable. When it IS mentioned, it is usually only for the "very bad
people". Wishful thinkers want God to be a life-coach and a Lord of Love.
God's perfect holiness is ignored, or replaced with our own personal goodness
by wishful thinkers.
Christ on the other hand says -- No! There's not just joy after death.
Many will be told by God, "Go away! I don't know you!" (v.25b). Some
church-goers may even say, "we took communion (ate and drank with You - not "we
ate and drank YOU in Holy Communion!) and learned about You in catechism class
as verse 26 says. We know about You, Jesus! Let us inside! But Christ says:
no.
Knowing about Christ is not knowing Christ. Most of us know about
President Obama. Few actually KNOW him personally. Faith is more than knowing
ABOUT Jesus.
Illustration: let's say you're in a hotel in a big city on the fifth
floor, watching TV. Suddenly, the fire alarm goes off! There is a fire in the
hallway. But you remember that there is a fire escape just outside your
window. So you go back to watching TV, right? Just knowing about the eternal
fire escape (God's grace in Christ) will not do you any good either.
Christians seek God's compassion and mercy at the first whiff of smoke.
Unbelievers continue their lives even as hell's flames consume them.
Is there any second chance at heaven? Wishful thinkers say -- Yes!
Certain folks will have another shot at heaven by something other than God's
grace in Christ. They deserve it.
Christ in contrast says -- No! Believe-it-or-not, there IS eternal
torment for unbelievers in hell. (Psalm 9:17, 55:15; 2 Peter 2:4, etc.)
"Wailing and gnashing of teeth," Christ says. God's Word says so. As Hebrews
9:27 clearly says, "it is appointed once to die, and then the Judgment."
Nothing in-between. No second chance for grace. God owes nothing to anyone
(Job 41:11). To deny hell is to call God a liar. (Titus 1:2) Once the Door of
heaven is locked, there's no second chance: no matter how hard people try
(v.24-28). Even as Esau found out, as referenced in Hebrews 12:17. 'He found
no chance to repent, even though he sought forgiveness with tears.' No second
chance.
Salvation is not a collective or group event. Jesus warns the mixed crowd
of believing and unbelieving Jews that people from the east, west, north, and
south will be in heaven: that is, non-Jewish people. The LORD's undeserved
mercy, forgiveness, life, and strength (that is, God's grace) is not given
because of lineage, skin color, mental ability, net worth, strength,
connections, church membership, or anything like it. Grace is a very narrow
door!
Jesus gives a LOT of Law here. If you're like me, you're hoping for
Gospel. He gives it! Heaven is exclusive, but by grace open to all!
Jesus holds out salvation by grace to us: "MANY will come..." They will
come to the feast of heaven in the kingdom forever: all nations, tribes,
peoples and tongues described in the Book of the Revelation. Any person who
has been given the gift of faith in Holy Baptism knows and believes the promise
from Joel 2:32: "Anyone who calls on the Name of the LORD God shall be saved."
It is not "Jesus in my heart" but "Christ on the cross" that saves us.
God calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies us individually and
personally through His means or channels of Holy Baptism or His Word to us
(which is the Bible). His gifts come thru humble instruments: water and
words, pastors or parents, and other such packages.
God's offer of free entrance into eternal life is offered to each of us by
the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:16). Should we be
concerned about the many who won't be saved? YES! "Those who will be saved
are few" compared with those not saved. God's Word needs to come to them so
they can be rescued from hell. But in today's lesson, Jesus is concerned about
you. "YOU make every effort to enter the kingdom," He says. Do not rely on
your lineage, good thoughts, emotions, or actions. You are saved: by grace
alone. Strive to believe in the Name of Jesus!
Pastor Michael Harman,
St. Peter LCMS - Newell, IA
vacancies at ...
Immanuel, Pomeroy
First Evangelical, Fonda
Opening hymn: Glory be to Jesus; Sermon Hymn: Salvation Unto Us Has Come;
Closing Hymn Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
I left out a lot of the citations again due to printing space.
As always, if you find something here that seems not right even when you "put
the best construction on everything", email me.
