Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 2 Cor. 12. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our three Scripture readings reveal rather dismal aspects of the Kingdom of God in the world. Ezekiel was sent to rebellious people – impudent and stubborn. Paul comments on the “thorn in the flesh” given to him, and also of “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” Jesus’ hearers take offense at Him, give Him no honor, and He finally marvels at their unbelief. His commissioning of the twelve also included warning of rejection.
- However, the progress of the Kingdom of God is not only measured by the success of the Gospel in bringing people to repentance, faith, and salvation, but also in terms of people who have been served and called to faith but who reject God and His servants. The goal and the will of God is that “all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth,” or at the least that dust is left as “a testimony against” those who reject the truth.
- These are things for us to consider today. First that we not be rebellious, impudent, stubborn, and unbelieving in response to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. Second, that as we bring the good news of God’s salvation into the world we not become depressed by “the many” who insist on taking the broad path of the world that leads to destruction. God warns us that this will often be the case – that we will meet with rejection and hardship.
- So it is important for us to note that:
I. God Richly Blesses Those Who Bear His Word And His Grace Into The World
A. He Gives Them Understanding Of His Grace, His Word, His Will, And His Plan
OT Lesson: “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.”
Text: “Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
Gospel: “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.”
B. He Blesses Them With His Spirit And With Wisdom
OT Lesson: “And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.”
Gospel: “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands?”
C. He Blesses Them With His Discipline And With His Power
Text: “To keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.”
Gospel: “He gave them authority over the unclean spirits . . . and they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”
D. He Always Provides What Is Needed To Accomplish His Purposes
Gospel: “He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.”
Statement: Again, “THE PROGRESS OF THE KINGDOM” often does not appear very glamorous or successful, and the servants of God who are sent out into the world often experience difficulties and trials. But they also have the Spirit of God and the power of God – as they bear witness to God’s Word, calling people to repent and believe in God’s wondrous grace and mercy, His gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. They may require God’s discipline and correction – and God supplies all that is necessary for them to accomplish their mission. And they are to remember that the mission is to spread the Gospel and invite people into God’s kingdom – even though the many will reject them!
Application: We are called to do the same – to invite our friends, neighbors, family, and acquaintances to hear the Word of God, to repent of their sins, and to join us in the blessedness of God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness, within the fellowship of the church. We certainly hope – as God wills – that many will come to faith. But we know that for many we are simply bearing witness and preparing testimony against them – those who refuse to listen to us. Still, we are called to go – knowing how difficult it was for Ezekiel, Paul, the disciples, and even Jesus Himself! But the love of Christ compels us to follow Him and to do His bidding! And so that our enthusiasm and determination not become diminished, we remember that:
II. The Progress Of The Kingdom Is Always Slow And Halting
A. The Audience [Humanity] Remains Rebellious
OT Lesson: “The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ and whether they hear or refuse to hear [for they are a rebellious house] they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
B. The Persecution Is Personal, And Abounds
Gospel: “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household. . . . And He marveled because of their unbelief. . . . And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”
Text: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
C. Regardless Of The Outcome Of Our Testimony, Witness Is Borne And Remains
Gospel: “And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”
Statement: We would much prefer that the outcome be successful, that we grow in popularity, and that everyone would appreciate us and embrace us. This is rarely the case for those who follow Jesus and do His bidding. The Old Testament record of the treatment of the prophets, the rejection of the Lord Jesus and His crucifixion, and the persecution of the apostles, all portray for us what to expect as we seek to do God’s bidding in the world today. “THE PROGRESS OF THE KINGDOM” is always sketchy, slow, and seemingly weak. But this is God’s will and God’s way – in view of what He has to work with!
Application: So let us be understanding as we continue to carry out the will of the Lord. It will certainly do us no good to become like the impudent and stubborn. And it will do us no good to allow the recalcitrance of unbelievers to erode away our faithfulness to Jesus. We are called to continue bearing witness to the world around us “whether they hear of refuse to hear.” In the end, God’s people and His servants will be clearly identifiable and vindicated!
Conclusion: And let us not forget the blessings that God makes available to His people – the gift of His Spirit and the wisdom of His Word. God will give us what we need to accomplish His purposes – including our provisions and also the discipline we need to keep us in line. Then we will clearly see “THE PROGRESS OF THE KINGDOM,” and we will be full participants in that progress! God grant it to each of us, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.