Note: Some of the salient points herein were taken from a sermon by Rev. Tim Landskroener from some years ago. Where the sermon is good, thank God for His work through Rev. Landskroener; and where it lacks, blame me. Pr. Ron Rock Zion Lutheran Church Beecher, IL
Offering a Christian Apology Easter 6, A Sunday, May 29, 2011 Zion Lutheran Church, Beecher, IL Sermon Text 1 Peter 3:13-22 Reading from the Book of Acts Acts 17:16-31 Epistle Reading 1 Peter 3:13-22 Gospel Reading John 14:15-21 Alleluia! Christ is risen! [He is risen, indeed!] Alleluia! Our sermon is based on todays epistle reading. Dear friends in Christ Jesus, This past week, there was a shoot out of sorts on our nations airwaves. One news commentator, Laura Ingraham, took issue with President Obama for something that he did. Another news commentator, Ed Schultz, took exception to Ingrahams comments on the matter and then blasted her, but he made his comments personal very personal. He called her a name thats extremely offensive to anyone regardless of their gender but the name he called her is especially offensive to women. The day after Schultz used his vile name for Ingraham, his management came down on him very hard, and lets just say his management helped him see the error of his ways! Schultz went on air and offered an apology to Laura, using the same venue that hed used to insult her in the first place. He said: On my radio show yesterday, I used vile and inappropriate language talking about radio talk show host Laura Ingraham. I am deeply sorry and I apologize. It was wrong, uncalled-for, and I apologize for the severity of what Ive said. That action of Ed Schultz describes exactly what we look for in an apology. For within it, the offending person takes outright ownership of his or her actions with no qualification whatsoever and asks for forgiveness. For example, Schultz didnt use weasel words and say: Im sorry if Laura Ingraham took exception to what I said for such words are really no apology at all! No, Schultz was direct and to the point he admitted that his conduct was wrong and that his words should never have been said regardless of how his words would be perceived by Ingraham! I dont know if Ed Schultz is a Christian or not, but he did the right thing according to our Lord Jesus who tells us all: So if you are offering your gift at the altar (of the Lord) and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Mt. 5:23-24, ESV) You see, God calls us to not only take ownership of our sins against Him in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone (Lutheran Service Book, Confession and Absolution, Divine Service, Setting One, p. 151) but He also calls us to take ownership of our sins against others whoever they may be and offer our sincere apology for our failures for our sins against them regardless if theyre Christian or not regardless of anything! Following our Lords desire of us, and not using weasel words, we say: Im sorry for what I said. Im sorry for what I did. I was wrong. Please forgive me. And then, if were the one who was sinned against when the apology has been offered as Christians God calls us to readily accept their apology and then move on from there with them in that forgiveness the offense forgiven and forgotten! St. Paul instructs us in this regard in Ephesians 4: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:32, ESV) After Schultz offered his apology to Ingraham (who IS a Christian, by the way) she quickly accepted it, saying: It seemed heartfelt, it seemed like he really wished he hadnt said it, and I accept that apology Dear Christians, that attitude by Schultz and by Ingraham is what our dear Lord would have us imitate. When weve failed someone as did Schultz were to take ownership of our sin admit it and ask for forgiveness. And, when were the one whos been sinned against be ready to quickly offer your forgiveness as did Ingraham when an apology is offered. If the apology doesnt come quickly even after youve made the offender aware of their offense toward you dont fret about it dont let it eat on you; rather, know that you suffer for righteousness sake (and) you will be blessed. (1 Pet. 3:14, ESV) The Lord, your God, will take care of you and the unrepented sin in His perfect time and in His perfect way. So, while we as Christians should offer such an apology to God and to others when weve wronged them we should also be prepared to offer an apology in another sense as well and that sense is the one used by Peter in todays epistle. The translation in your bulletin says that we are to always be prepar[ed] to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason or the hope that is you. (1 Pet. 3:15, ESV) The Greek word for defense is apologian or simply apology in English. So it is that we Christians are called by God to always be prepared to offer an apology or an explanation and defense when were asked about our Christian hope. And, if we live like the children of God that we are we will be asked. Well be asked about this living hope (1 Peter 1:3) thats far beyond the comprehension of the unbelieving world. For the world judges all things according to what it sees according to externals and it often sees us Christians suffering. Unbelievers dont understand why Christians continue to believe and trust in a God who lets bad things happen. They dont understand how Christians who are suffering various illnesses or diseases can continue to trust in God. Yet, we understand from Scripture that God, in His wisdom, sometimes allows us to suffer and He might do so to keep us close to Him so that we dont stray far from Him. He also might allow us to suffer so that others will see our faith remain steadfast even in the face of much trial and many difficulties. For we know that our suffering isnt a punishment for bad behavior nor is our lack of suffering a reward for being good. Our suffering is used by God for His good and gracious purposes both in our lives and in the lives of others. So even if we suffer for doing what is good and St. Peter frequently alerts us to that probability did you get that not possibility but probability! Even in the face of suffering for doing what is good we need fear nothing since our Lord has promised to be with [us] always, even to the end of the age. (Mt. 28:20, ESV) For remember always remember that which is yours through faith in Christ Jesus: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:31-32, ESV) Christ Jesus Who died and rose from the dead He who suffered once for [your] sins (1 Pet. 3:18, ESV) is the very One who has opened the gates of heaven for you! He gives you His kingdom through His power and by His eternal, unquenchable love for you. And you receive it through your God-given faith conveyed to you in your holy Baptism! And so, we gladly heed Peters call to always be ready to apologize in this way too. In fact, we even look forward to giving a defense and explanation why we believe this Word of God and why we faithfully attend Divine Services receive His Supper and weekly congregate with fellow believers. For were convinced that in Christ our heavenly Father holds us as the apple of His eye our sins are forgiven and that truly heaven is our eternal home! So, as you go about your life this week, think about the two senses of the word apology that weve just discussed. And, as you do so, remember that everything weve said isnt just for the other guy its for you as well! By the grace of God, may we ever be ready to offer a Christian apology both in the sense of: Admitting our sins to both God and others; and in the sense of a defense for that eternal hope rooted in Christ that is ours. May God help us to do both to His glory! In Jesus name and for His sake! [Amen.] ` ____________________________________________________________ Groupon™ Official Site 1 ridiculously huge coupon a day. Get 50-90% off your city's best! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4de564d5d83e314a755st05vuc
