1 John 1:1-4 [show] [1:1]That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- [2]the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-- [3]that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4]And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (ESV)
The essence of Christianity is summed up in John’s words, “Our fellowship is with the Father and his Son.” This is a radical statement, for from Adam to Christ no one was bold enough to call God “Father.” But through his Son, God has resolved our greatest need (justification) and given us the highest privilege (adoption as sons and daughters).
The Book of Job
The meaning of the book of Job is found in the privileged voice of God in the divine speech(es) of Job, in chapters 38-41. Job’s reply to the divine speech (“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ears, but now my eye has seen you”) tells the reader the effect of God’s speech on Job, but the book never explicitly tells the reader why or how the divine speech satisfied Job. I argue that the paternal and maternal metaphors used by the Lord to describe his relationship with both animate and inanimate creation allow Job to “know God” in a way he had not previously known Him: as a father. Job was then able to once again trust God and became for the reader a paradigm of faith and piety.
Luke 10:25-37 [show] [25]And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" [26]He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" [27]And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." [28]And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
[29]But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" [30]Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. [31]Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. [32]So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33]But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. [34]He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35]And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' [36]Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" [37]He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." (ESV)
Jesus told the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan in response to someone’s question about eternal life. But what does helping others have to do with the kingdom of God?
Mark 6:30-32 [show] [30]The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. [31]And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. [32]And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (ESV)
After his disciples returned from ministering to people, Jesus made a surprising statement: “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” What? After seeing such success as demons were being cast out, the sick being healed, and the gospel was being preached? Even while there were still so many pressing against them for ministry even now? Why does Jesus command them to rest? Christ teaches us the importance of “taking care of our tools.”
Matthew 25:14-30 [show] [14]"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. [15]To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. [16]He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. [17]So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. [18]But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. [19]Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. [20]And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' [21]His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' [22]And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' [23]His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' [24]He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, [25]so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' [26]But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? [27]Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. [28]So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. [29]For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [30]And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (ESV)
In this last sermon in the series on Radical Stewardship, Jesus explains what he considers faithful stewardship. It isn’t what you’d expect, however, for the one who plays it safe is rebuked while the ones who take risks are commended. This parable challenges those who follow Christ to ask whether we will be commended or rebuked as stewards.