Pastor Quinn • July 31, 2022
Focused Living Properly Values Earthly Wealth
Jesus wants focused followers. However, one of the things that can most easily get in the way of our focus is our earthly possessions. It is no surprise, therefore, that Jesus’ words so frequently focus his followers on wealth.
Jesus’ followers don’t reject earthly wealth or despise it. They can be grateful for every good gift that comes from the hand of God. However, Jesus’ followers value earthly wealth correctly. They understand what earthly wealth can and cannot do. They don’t give earthly wealth a role in their lives it will never be able to fill. This week we focus on the fact that the identity and security earthly wealth can never provide is found fully and freely in Christ.
When we gather for public worship we call it a service – even Divine Service. Do you know why? Many think of what we do on Sunday mornings as coming together mainly to worship and praise God. We gather in service of the divine. It’s about our service to him. However, while that is certainly one aspect of what we do in worship, it’s not the primary purpose of our gatherings. The main service that happens every Sunday morning actually goes in the other direction – from God to us. This remarkable truth completely changes the way we view “going to church” on Sunday. God himself invites sinners like us to come into his house to enjoy nothing less than divine hospitality. Every single Sunday our Savior stoops down and rolls up his sleeves to serve us. In word and sacrament he washes us in his forgiveness and feeds us with a spiritual feast for our souls. He reminds us of his great love for us, renews our hope, and provides us with the peace that goes beyond understanding. Worship is where Christ serves us.
Jesus told his followers, “You will be hated by everyone because of me” (Matthew 10:22). So, the time between Christ’s first and second coming is going to be perilous for believers. A good example: Martin Luther. All that priest wanted was to share the pure gospel with the world. For trying to do just that, both political and religious leaders wanted to end his life. The Festival of the Reformationemphasizes our unfailing reliance on the Word of God. We give unflinching testimony to that Word even in the face of persecution. Today we pray that the Lord would keep us steadfast in the faith.
We need rest. Without rest, we suffer. Studies show that with too little rest, people experience fatigue and physical imbalances that result in decreased attention, poor decisions, and even speech impairment. People who take no breaks during the workday have lower productivity than those who take periodic breaks. Christians know they need more than sleep or breaks, more than physical rest. We need spiritual rest. The only place to find that type of rest is Jesus. Jesus provides more than a pause in work or enjoyable recreation. Jesus provides the removal of our sins, the cleansing of our guilty consciences, and a gentle new yoke of discipleship in the freedom of the gospel. After a long day of work there is nothing like coming home and finding your couch or your favorite chair or even your bed so you can finally get some physical rest. When we come home to worship each week we find Jesus. And in Jesus, Christians find rest right now from life’s biggest burdens and battles, and eventually eternal rest in heaven. Come home often and enjoy God’s gospel rest.
