Trinity 14 2021
Rev. Thomas Van Hemert
Luke 17:11-19
Trinity 14
September 5, 2021
In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Why did the one leper return? It seems, to give thanks. To worship God in the flesh. He was polite. He was doing the right thing. Yet our Lord said to him, “Your faith as made you well.” He was not talking about physical well-being. Faith did not cure him of leprosy. The Word of Our Lord did that, even as it did also to the nine who did not return. He spoke and they were all clean. This man returned and worshiped Jesus and was healed by faith through and through, body and soul. All then were healed of leprosy, but only one had faith. His faith saved him. The others were healed, but not saved.
Why did Americans fill churches after terrorists attacked New York City almost 20 years ago? Mostly, it was superstition. They were afraid and distraught. They were grasping at straws. They went to church seeking to gain some approval from God, to appease Him somehow. Most of them have since gotten over it. They’re not here now. They got their fix of comfort and went back to their old ways. I suspect, however, that there were a few, like this leper, whose souls were healed. They have kept coming. But even so, this hasn’t changed the statistics for the church in America. The percentage was too small for that. But what it did, for those who remained, is it changed their lives and their eternities. God used the Law, even that awful September tragedy, to make them aware of their need. That terrible September tragedy made them and us realize that we are not as well off or as powerful as we think we are. What we need, God gives.
Why do we come here today? Sometimes we come out of obligation. It’s a response to the Law. Our mothers made us write thank you notes. We figure we owe God and He wants us here. And maybe we’re hoping to butter Him up, to stave off future disasters, to make up for past sins. All that is fine. That’s the natural response to the Law—like people coming to church after disasters. For the Law, the Ten Commandments, threaten to punish anyone who breaks God’s commandments—one of which is to worship and to come to worship God regardless of what is going on in the world outside these church walls. The Law should get a reaction from us.
The problem, of course, is that while the outward response is good, it is never good enough. It always falls short. It fails to satisfy. The Law—what is required of us in the Ten Commandments—is an impossible standard. Yet, it is good. So that if you think you have kept the Law, you are broken again. You have heard that it was said that you shall not murder but I say to you that if you have hated any man, at any time, at any point in your life, you are guilty. You have heard it said that you shall not commit adultery but I say to you that if you have lusted after anyone, you are guilty. You have heard it said that you shall not commit abortion but I say to you that if you have despised your children, regretted them, daydreamed of being free of obligation and no need of babysitters or daycare, then you are guilty.
The Law does its work by accusing and convicting, by killing. It brings you here and breaks you. It empties you of excuses and vanity. But all of that only so that God can have His way with you. He is gracious and merciful. He forgives you, heals you, restores you. No matter why you came, He is glad you are here, whatever the reason. Because He is here and HE is here for you. You come to say thank you and be on your way, drop your money in the plate and move on. But He intervenes and cleanses your soul. He speak and you are free.
As worship goes, so do all good works. We offer our good works in weakness. We are filled with mixed motives. But God purifies them, loves them, is well-pleased in you for them. His death and resurrection perfect all things you do—even coming to Church for the wrong reason. Think too of the offerings you give. Some think it is a payment for services. But how can we pay God for what He has done? Thirty pieces of silver is an insult. We can’t pay Him back. So don’t try. Just accept it. Jesus died for you for free, not to obligate you to do things. He did it because He loves you, to save you. It is a gift. To pay for it is to reject it. Nor is the offering an investment meant to bring a return. Was there ever blasphemy like the constant, lying old TV preachers who promise you that for every $10 you send in, you’ll get a hundred back. Where does it say that in the Bible? It doesn’t. It’s a lie. There is no reward. The offering that you give is a gift, a response to what we have received. There is no promise of any return on this earth or in heaven for any good works. Christians don’t get rewards. They get grace. All of it is given to us by the grace of God for the sake of Jesus Christ. It is given to you for nothing! It is free as free can and should be.
The only “reward” in good works is the work itself. God is good. He has declared you to be good, and He has sanctified what you do. He lets you be part of His work on earth. That is the only “reward” and that too is really a gift. He has prepared good works for you to perform, custom-made and designed just for you based on your vocation in life. He lets you be part of His plan, part of His goodness and mercy. He uses you to provide for His people. Through you and the work of your hands, He brings order out of chaos and uses you as a witness to His compassion and mercy.
So if you don’t want to give an offering, if you don’t feel like it, if it doesn’t feel good, if you miss the money, then just keep it. God will be fine. He doesn’t need it. His work and His will will be done. This Church and Ministry are best supported by those who believe in what we are doing here. God will provide. Or He won’t. If He doesn’t, if God doesn’t provide, no amount you give will be enough. We’ll close the doors and move on. We’ll write in the history books that the town changed, the pastor was a jerk. We’ll say that he wasn’t social enough or that he didn’t appeal to the youth, or that he didn’t allow “happy-clappy, feel-good, contemporary music” to be played in this sanctuary. Or we’ll blame it on the Synod that it became either too conservative or too liberal, and the time came to end. So be it. God’s work will not be stopped. It is not dependent upon you. He doesn’t need me or this building or even us. So don’t give to keep up the status quo or to convince God of anything. Don’t give to earn favor with Him. It won’t work. And you don’t need it. You already have favor with Him. He can’t love you anymore than than He already does. Either give or don’t give, because you believe in what is preached here in this church, because you want other people to hear this Good News, because money is the least you can do. But don’t worry about it. God loves you and forgives you for free. Whatever mixed motives you may have, whatever you do or don’t do, won’t change that. And God will bless, purify, and accept all you do for Jesus’ sake, for free.
Ten lepers stood off at a distance and cried for mercy. They wanted a cure for leprosy, the restoration of their flesh, health, reunion with their friends and family, a place in society. Jesus gave them all of that. But their desire was too small. They did not understand their own prayer. His mercy would go further. It would not stop until they were completely healed. He would clean their souls, adopt them as sons, keep them safe in His perfect live. His mercy would never fail or come short. It would drive Him to the cross to exchange His life for theirs. There is nothing He would not give those ten lepers, nothing He would keep from them, nothing was too good for them. For He loved them. He loved them before and without their prayer. He loved them before and without their thanksgiving. And He took care of everything for them. He cares no less for you.
Give thanks this day by receiving what He gives in His Body and His Blood. Your faith, that ultimate gift of grace, has saved you and there is nothing to pay, nothing to do. You are free and you are saved by grace. His mercy endureth forever.
In +Jesus’ name.
