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 Ezek. 34. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Apparently some things virtually never change – at least not in this fallen, sinful world. There is conflict even within the people of God – the church; and there is conflict and complaining even against the Lord Jesus – what He does and what He teaches. It occurred back in Ezekiel’s time, it occurred in the very presence of Jesus, and it happened even in the early church. And it happens within the church to this day.
- What is the source of such conflict? There are all kinds of dynamics within our sinful nature which produce conflict – selfishness, pride, envy, animosity, self-righteousness, ignorance of God’s love and forgiveness, and unfaithfulness to God’s Word. In our text from Ezekiel the principle problem was selfishness and pride. In the Gospel reading the problem was ignorance of God’s love and mercy, and false belief. In the Epistle reading Paul confesses that his early persecution of the church was the result of “insolence, ignorance, and unbelief.”
- Now we all have a sinful nature –which continues to exert destructive influence within the fellowship of the church. Yet there is hope even for us – Paul points to himself as “an example” of the Lord’s “perfect patience.” And in the end, Paul had and exercised great love for the church – that kind of love which Jesus describes as creating great joy “over one sinner who repents.” And it is possible for this kind of love to permeate and even predominate the life of the church. This should be our prayer for our congregation and for the whole church today.
- However, it is important for us to be aware that:
I. Sin And Pushiness Still Exist In The Flock That God Himself Gathers
A. The Strong Push Others Around And Scatter The Flock
Text: “Behold, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad.”
B. Even The Weak – Those Who Are Ignorant Of God’s Gracious Forgiveness And Love – Try To Push And Manipulate Others
Before God gave Him strength, Paul was weak like this, as he describes himself in the Epistle reading:
Epist. “I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to His service though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.”
C. And Often Both Strong And Weak Destroy The Pasture And Muddy The Water Within The Church – Drinking In God’s Love And Forgiveness But Denying It To Others
Text: “Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clean water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? Why must My sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?”
Statement: It is important to understand what is being referred to as “strength” and who is denoted as the “weak.” The “strength” that is often used to abuse others – as in our text, is not spiritual strength but rather things like wealth, influence, status, and power, and even arrogant self-righteousness. The weak, in our text, are humble believers [who may have greater spiritual strength] but who have little wealth, privilege, status, or power. It is the same in the Gospel lessen – the Pharisees and Scribes were well to do, privileged, powerful, highly influential and in control of the institutional “church,” but also arrogant and self-righteous, elevating themselves over others, especially the “sinners”; the “sinners” were often the spiritual outcasts, people who were scrambling to make a living and a life for themselves. The chief complaint God levels in our text – and which Jesus addresses, is that “prestigious” people within the church – the wealthy, the influential, and the self-righteous – actually destroy the life of the church by pushing the humble and pious aside and destroying the vitality of the church’s ministry, “muddying” the pure water of the Gospel. This can be perpetrated by laity or by clergy, by the wealthy and by the poor.
Application: It is no different to this day – so that all of us must hear and take consideration of what the LORD God expresses. The church must not become a “battlefield” or a “stadium” within which our egos compete for ascendency, privilege, and prestige. In fact, those who do so demonstrate that they are among the “weak” spiritually, refusing fellowship and love to others – and in so doing they forfeit leadership. In addition, it is apparent that they place themselves under God’s judgment, outside of His gracious mercy and forgiveness – and He promises that He will judge!
Likewise, the church is not to be troubled by those who bring in “blasphemy” and “insolence” against God’s Word. When this happen it must always be opposed by all who are faithful to God’s Word, especially His faithful shepherds – so that there will be conflict and trouble when this occurs. This is no matter of “ego” or “power struggle” – even though conflict ensues. Rather, the conflict is initiated by the proud and arrogant, those who reject God and His Word, His grace and mercy. This is the rich, the powerful, the arrogant, and the self-righteous seeking to pervert the “food and water” of the flock – they must be opposed, which means conflict. However, the origin of this conflict lies with those who corrupt the pasture, not with those who defend it. So all must take care as to what they are actually doing when it comes to this kind of conflict within the church!
Transition: So the principle message of our text – and of Jesus in the Gospel Lesson, is that:
II. God Calls All Of Us To Repentance And To Genuine Love For Others
A. For All Have Sinned And So All Are Called To Humbly Take Their Place Under God’s Gracious Mercy And Forgiveness – In Christ Jesus
We read in the Gospel lesson the accurate and truthful accusation of the self-righteous Scribes and Pharisees against Jesus:
Gospel: “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
But Jesus instead taught in the Gospel lesson:
Gospel: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Likewise, the apostle Paul affirms that only humble repentance and understanding God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy in Christ Jesus restores us to fellowship with God:
Epistle: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
B. If We Are Living In Humble Repentance And Faith In God’s Gracious Love And Mercy We Will Not Be Pushing And Shoving Others, And We Will Not Be Bringing False Teaching Into The Church
Epistle: “I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief – [even though I was formerly a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.]”
C. Rather, Humble Believers Have Loving Devotion To God Our Savior
1. They remain devoted to His Word – His trustworthy Word of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness
2. They remain devoted to genuine love and concern for one another – forgiving and accepting one another just as God has forgiven us and accepted us in Christ
Gospel: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine [self] righteous persons who [think that they] need no repentance.”
Statement: The “One” Shepherd that God has placed over His people, His church, is the Lord Jesus Christ – and He calls all people, all of us, to repent of our sin, especially our sins of pride, arrogance, and selfishness, and our mean disregard for others. Only as we live in humble repentance, recognizing how great His grace and mercy is toward us, that He would receive us sinners, will we be humbled enough to actually care for and love others – as He loves us and them. Then our principle goal within the church will be the joy of the “lost” being found, sinners being forgiven and welcomed by Jesus!
Application: So let us remember God’s judgment upon destructive and scattering egotism, pride, and self-righteousness. And let us also remember His perfect patience and love – that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, like us. Then we will also remember His principle and primary will for the Christian Church, and for our congregation – that others might join us sinners in the fellowship of Jesus our Savior, the King of ages!
Conclusion: So there will be “CONFLICT AND LOVE IN THE CHURCH” – but let us take great care as to which side we are on, and how we manage ourselves. 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.