Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Exodus 19. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- One message comes through very clearly in all three of our Scripture readings for this morning: God chooses His people by His grace, God brings His people to faith and back to Himself by His grace, and God provides His people with resources and purpose by His grace.
- When we got up this morning we probably had already planned and determined that we would be coming here to church. It seems to us that this is a matter of our own choosing – and to some extent it is. We could have stayed home.
- Likewise, when we determine and decide that we are going to do something for the Lord, for His people, or for the institutional structure of the congregation, it seems to us that this is our own doing. And to some extent this is true – we can choose to not to serve, not to give an offering, or not to participate.
- However, had God not chosen us even while we were weak and ensnared in sin, had He not brought us to faith and the knowledge of His love, and had He not given us resources and purpose, we would not even have “choice” when it comes to hearing His Word, receiving His Sacrament, serving Him by serving others, or bringing our financial offerings to Him. All of this would seem useless nonsense to us.
- We do have freedom in these matters – after God has richly blessed us by His gracious love. God wants us to act in these matters out of love, and love is always a matter of freedom – what we willingly do out of love for God, in response to His great love for us! So it is important to know His gracious love and to understand what He has done for us. It is also important for us to know and understand the purpose He has given to us as His people – so that we do freely fulfill that purpose out of love for God.
- So, we first consider that:
I. God Rescues And Redeems His People Out Of His Gracious Love For Us
A. It Was Certainly This Way In The Exodus
Text: “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.’”
B. It Is The Same With Our Redemption And Salvation In Christ Jesus
Epistle: “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.”
C. And This Is, Really, The Life And Mission Of The Church, To Freely Give To Others What God Has Given To Us
Gospel: “You received without paying; give without pay.”
Statement: It is rather remarkable, what God has given us. We recall and recite it in the Creed. First, all the physical gifts of creation which we cherish so much. Second, the gift of redemption and salvation in Christ Jesus – which gives us hope beyond this earthly life. Third, the work of the Holy Spirit Who brings us to faith and into the Christian Church, making us God’s own cherished possession, His people.
Application: It is also rather remarkable that we can become so focused on our own issues, our own pleasures, and also our own decisions, that we can forget about what God has given us and done for us! It is true that we are forward looking. But we forfeit so much when we look forward without remembering the past. In fact, we lose our grounding in reality if we forget what God has bestowed upon us.
Transition: And God does want us to look forward. But He wants us to live in the present and move toward the future with a keen awareness of what He has already given us. And this brings us to another gift of God, namely that:
II. God’s People Have A Great Purpose And Value
A. We Are God’s Treasured Possession
Text: “I brought you to Myself. Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples.”
B. We Are God’s Kingdom Of Priests, His Holy Nation
Text: “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Statement: We tend to look at the church, and Christians who populate the church, as normal people who have a faith, true faith in God, as people who are saved, and also as people who do some good things for God. It is all part-time, very part-time, a couple to three or four hours a week. We do not tend to look at ourselves as having a changed status, a changed nature, and a unique and full-time relationship to God and the world – as His priests and His holy nation. But according to our text – and the rest of Holy Scripture, we are “GOD’S PEOPLE WITH A PURPOSE.”
Application: This is difficult for us to transition to. I would prefer to be in control of my own identity, my own future, my own destiny, and my own determination as to how I spend my time and live my life. Yes, I know I need forgiveness, and I know I need to give some deference to God. But to consider my whole life as having been swooped up by God for His purposes – this seems suffocating and perhaps over-bearing.
In reality, this is a stupendous blessing which God has bestowed upon us! And to be freed and empowered to fulfill His purposes – this is truly glorious!
Conclusion: All of these blessings come to us by God’s grace – in spite of our sin and our weaknesses, all of which God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. He has called us to be His people forever, and to fulfill His purposes. So let us remember these three things:
- Let us believe His Word and freely receive all the blessings and gifts which He has bestowed upon us.
- Let us embrace our dignity and status as His dear children, His treasured possession, His kingdom of priests.
- Let us give freely to others what we have receive from God – speaking His good Word of grace and forgiveness to all, and bestowing good works, charity, love, and our alms to those in need. Freely we have received; let us also give freely!
Let us do so in love, not out of fear or coercion, remembering the blessings God bestows on us each day, and that we are “GOD’S PEOPLE WITH A PURPOSE.” 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.