 |
| Norma Boeckler - The Sower |
Sexagesima Sunday, 2014
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time
The Hymn #190 Christ the Lord 1:52
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 339 All Hail the Power 1:57
The Sower and the Seed
The Hymn # 308 Invited 1:63
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #46 On What Has Now Been Sown 1:62
2 Corinthians 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? soam I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen,in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
KJV Luke 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Sexagesima Sunday
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that through Thy Son Jesus Christ Thou hast sown Thy holy word among us: We pray that Thou wilt prepare our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may diligently and reverently hear Thy word, keep it in good hearts, and bring forth fruit with patience; and that we may not incline to sin, but subdue it by Thy power, and in all persecutions comfort ourselves with Thy grace and continual help, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Sower and the Seed
KJV Luke 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
The parables are masterpieces, simply from a literary point of view, but they are primarily a method of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught in parables, but the true meaning of the parables was explained to the disciples, who were puzzled by what He meant.
This parable explains two important matters. One - why people seem to know the Gospel but fall away from the faith and even turn against it. Two - how the Gospel is overwhelmingly successful in spite of the many apparent crop failures.
Do people understand the parables? Most traditional Christians know the the content of the parables, but many do not know the application. Jesus explained the application. If all the church-goers understood the application, there would be a revolution in their congregations overnight. Denominations would change in a miraculous way. But laity and clergy seemed determine to fulfill the prophesy of the Age of Apostasy.
On the Hardened Pathway
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
The garden plots were separated by footpaths, which are necessary to access the plants and also to avoid trampling the seedlings. Nothing is more deadly than tramping the soil down so that nothing can grow there. Not even a weed will grow where people walk constantly, which should tell everyone something about soil renewal going on under the surface at all times, thanks to the Creator.
In sowing the seed, some would fall on the footpaths or wayside. It was stepped on, but the birds could spot it and eat it before it had any chance of finding root somewhere else. Birds watch for such activity as digging and sowing, so they can benefit from a bounty of food.
2. The first class of disciples are those who hear the Word but neither understand nor esteem it. And these are not the mean people in the world, but the greatest, wisest and the most saintly, in short they are the greatest part of mankind; for Christ does not speak here of those who persecute the Word nor of those who fail to give their ear to it, but of those who hear it and are students of it, who also wish to be called true Christians and to live in Christian fellowship with Christians and are partakers of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. But they are of a carnal heart, and remain so, failing to appropriate the Word of God to themselves, it goes in one ear and out the other. Just like the seed along the wayside did not fall into the earth, but remained lying on the ground in the wayside, because the road was tramped hard by the feet of man and beast and it could not take root.
This is the largest group of mankind. They are not the scum of the earth, as one British general described the army that defeated Napoleon. These are the great and wise people. They will talk about Jesus but cheat their best friends in business deals. They will "glory in the Gospel" but make sure their neighboring pastor is removed from the ministry for teaching the truth. They are honored community leaders who are pillars of their congregation, but these people do not measure values by the Word but by the world.
They know enough of the Scriptures to give an excuse for everything. They know they are sinners, etc. And everyone is sinful, which is like saying, "Everyone shoplifts." And no one is perfect.
For this reason, Satan's messengers (the birds represent them) snatch the Word from them. What began as a an acquaintance with the Gospel turns into hatred for the Gospel. In church history there are many examples, such as Agricola, who wrote part of the Small Catechism (the keys). He kept turned back to Antinomianism, which teaches that there is no Law. Instead of having the peace that passes all understanding, he was constantly agitated and torn by his divided loyalties.
That happened with the mainline denominations a long time ago. They turned away from Creation to evolution. They embraced working together and worshiping together, so that creeds became causes for division and therefore bad. They finally agreed that everyone was already forgiven anyway, so why talk about doctrine at all - except to raise money and justify Marxist revolution.
That is long past. Now we are in the Evangelical Age of Apostasy, where those who were shocked by mainline hatred of the Word are now repeating the same errors in the same way. They are only bit later at the gate to endorse gay marriage, as Andy Stanley and other "Evangelicals" have done.
This is a warning to pastors and laity alike not to let error snatch the Word from us. That starts with:
1. Someone will be angry with me.
2. I will lose friends.
3. The denomination will shun me.
4. Community members will avoid me.
5. Family members will call me a fanatic.
4. Thus all heretics, fanatics and sects belong to this number, who understand the Gospel in a carnal way and explain it as they please, to suit their own ideas, all of whom hear the Gospel and yet they bear no fruit, yea, more, they are governed by Satan and are harder oppressed by human institutions than they were before they heard the Word. For it is a dreadful utterance that Christ here gives that the devil taketh away the Word from their hearts, by which he clearly proves that the devil rules mightily in their hearts, notwithstanding they are called Christians and hear the Word.
Likewise it sounds terribly that they are to be trodden under foot, and must be subject unto men and to their ruinous teachings, by which under the appearance and name of the Gospel the devil takes the Word from them, so that they may never believe and be saved, but must be lost forever; as the fanatical spirits of our day do in all lands. For where this Word is not, there is no salvation, and great works or holy lives avail nothing, for with this, that he says: “They shall not be saved,” since they have not the Word, he shows forcibly enough, that not their works but their faith in the Word alone saves, as Paul says to the Romans: “It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Examples are easy to find in gardening today. People grow maple trees in their gutters, but the trees have no future, only a start and some pretty little maple leaves. Birdseed will sprout on concrete walks with a little soil on them, but that living plant will dry up in the sun.
They also know that they are free from the bondage of the law, of their conscience and of human teachings; but when it comes to the test that they must suffer harm, disgrace and loss of life or property, then they fall and deny it; for they have not root enough, and are not planted deep enough in the soil. Hence they are like the growth on a rock, which springs forth fresh and green, that it is a pleasure to behold it and it awakens bright hopes. But when the sun shines hot it withers, because it has no soil and moisture, and only rock is there. So these do; in times of persecution they deny or keep silence about the Word, and work, speak and suffer all that their persecutors mention or wish, who formerly went forth and spoke, and confessed with a fresh and joyful spirit the same, while there was still peace and no heat, so that there was hope they would bear much fruit and serve the people. For these fruits are not only the works, but more the confession, preaching and spreading of the Word, so that many others may thereby be converted and the kingdom of God be developed.
I know many who became aware of doctrinal error after hating on me and giving me the silent treatment. They joined in the research and confessed the truth. Church Growth and UOJ are two examples. There is even a blog called Intrepid Lutherans where this is exemplified many times over.
There is only one Gospel, which is justification by faith. This is so clear to many of my FB friends (non-Lutherans) that they ask, "How can someone be forgiven without faith?" Since this Gospel and this faith are the foundations of the Christian Church, everyone should be proclaiming with clarity, not iffing and whatting, hemming and hawing, backing up and reversing. So-called Lutherans denounce me for emphasizing justification by faith so much, which is either amusing or tragic, since they call themselves Orthodox Lutheran.
This is a significant part of the parable because confessing the truth is essential in the Christian Church. Debating the truth began two decades after the resurrection of Christ, when the Council of Jerusalem met to debate doctrinal issues. The parasite-ridden flour must be separated from the flour to make worthwhile bread.
The irony of ignoring the pantry moths in the flour is that they multiply exponentially when left to meet, breed, and lay 300 eggs at a time. Thus the false teachers multiple when no one will confess the truth.
A silenced "conservative" is precious to the false teachers, who count on the quislings to discourage others, apologize for errror, and serve as an example of one beaten down by threats and imagined future slights.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Weeds covet the good soil, moisture, and sunlight of the garden. Rampant weed growth will smother the plants so they may still exist but bear no fruit. Instead, the weeds flower and fruit.
6. The third class are those who hear and understand the Word, but still it falls on the other side of the road, among the pleasures and cares of this life, so that they also do nothing with the Word. And there is quite a large multitude of these; for although they do not start heresies, like the first, but always possess the absolutely pure Word, they are also not attacked on the left as the others with opposition and persecution; yet they fall on the right side, and it is their ruin that they enjoy peace and good days. Therefore they do not earnestly give themselves to the Word, but become indifferent and sink in the cares, riches and pleasures of this life, so that they are of no benefit to any one. Therefore they are like the seed that fell among the thorns. Although it is not rocky but good soil; not wayside but deeply plowed soil; yet, the thorns will not let it spring up, they choke it. Thus these have all in the Word that is needed for their salvation, but they do not make any use of it, and they rot in this life in carnal pleasures. To these belong those who hear the Word but do not bring under subjection their flesh. They know their duty but do it not, they teach but do not practice what they teach, and are this year as they were last.
When people hear the Word and believe it, God allows them to live in prosperity, since the Gospel is abundant with its blessings. Christianity began with the ruffians, the thieves, prostitutes, and low-lifes. One would never know now that the Methodists were once scorned as trash in England, so that identifying with them was a brave act. Wilberforce did that in his campaign to rid England of the slave trade.
Denominations begin with dirt floors, tiny chapels, and threadbare preachers. Soon they have carpeting that swallows up feet, cathedrals named after rascals, and preachers driving the latest luxury cars.
Ministers will always face financial punishment for the truth. Even Chemnitz, the greatest theologian of the Lutheran Church after Luther, was fired and driven away for offending the ruler of the territory (who compromised with the papalists).
The more we have, the more we are afraid of losing. Thus denominations tied up their clergy in knots by managing group pension funds and health insurance. How did Paul do his missionary work without monthly benefits? He made tents.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Every gardener and farmer knows about the miraculous abundance created by the planting of seed, even though many are lost. One kernel of corn can produce 500 to 1000 kernels on one stalk.
8. He says: “In honest and good hearts.” Like a field, that is without a thorn or brush, cleared and spacious, as a beautiful clean place: so a heart is also cleared and clean, broad and spacious, that is without cares and avarice as to temporal needs, so that the Word of God truly finds lodgment there. But the field is good, not only when it lies there cleared and level, but when it is also rich and fruitful, possesses soil and is productive, and not like a stony and gravelly field. Just so is the heart that has good soil and with a full spirit is strong, fertile and good to keep the Word and bring forth fruit with patience.
9. Here we see why it is no wonder there are so few true Christians, for all the seed does not fall into good ground, but only the fourth and small part; and that they are not to be trusted who boast they are Christians and praise the teaching of the Gospel; like Demas, a disciple of St. Paul, who forsook him at last, 2 Timothy 4:10; like the disciples of Jesus, who turned their backs to him. John 6:66. For Christ himself cries out here: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” as if he should say: O, how few true Christians there are; one dare not believe all to be Christians who are called Christians and hear the Gospel, more is required than that.
The first three sections are mostly warnings, but the last one is full of hope and promise. As Luther points out here and in other places, putting God in second place (behind world honors, money, or external peace) will never work. But if the heart is cleared of those things, which grow out of our sinful nature, then the Word will grow as miraculously as promised.
The clearing effort, wrought by the Law, is constant. That is why we worship and study, teach and learn.
This gives us confidence that the Word that goes out will bear fruit, as God promised. It will alienate some. It will move some to acts of vengeance. It will motivate shunning and slander. But it will sow eternal life.
Wherever the Gospel is taught and believed, eternal life springs up. What do we measure? Buildings? I see many glorious church buildings in ruins or 90% empty.
Popularity? Anyone who becomes a minister is going to be unpopular, unless he is spineless, vacuous, and conniving - but I do not need to tell some readers about those qualities. Should we accumulate possessions? The more we have, the more easily they are taken away - and they are all left behind ultimately. Everything is rented, not owned.
This week I sowed five copies of Rehwinkel's The Flood. College kids and one professor really wanted the book - not because they doubted but because they believed.
Each believer starts with himself. We cannot believe for someone else. The Word directs us to God's message about His nature, not to others or ourselves. In that message is peace and forgiveness, love and joy.
