Proper 8A Sermon: Amen! But...

Preached on Jeremiah 28:5–9
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
28 June AD 2020

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Summary: Jeremiah’s “Amen!” to Hananiah wasn’t because he agreed with the false prophet’s prediction but rather because he also earnestly desired peace. Peace between Judah and Babylon, of course, but more importantly, between God and Judah.

After apparently giving his seal of approval to Hananiah’s words, Jeremiah turned around and reminded his opponent how their prophetic predecessors “prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms.” The prophet reminds us that peace is a rare and precious gift and the one who accurately proclaims it is worthy of honor.

True peace comes only when sins are forgiven and we are right with God. Even when Satan and this sinful world resist the Church and “war, famine, and pestilence” are commonplace, Christians live in peace with God through the gift of the True and Greatest Prophet, Jesus Christ. This peace dwelling in us is God’s pledge of absolute and everlasting accord with Him and with all who believe in His Son when we are raise up to life without end.

Note that a few of of my comments during the sermon are directly addressed to the young people who would be confirmed later in the service.

Text: Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.

“Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” Jeremiah 28:5–9

Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Other Readings: Psalm 119:153–160; Romans 7:1–13; Matthew 10:34–42

Proper 8A Sermon: Not Worthy ... Worthy

Preached on Matthew 10:34–42
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
28 June AD 2020

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Summary: No matter how worthy we or others think we are, by nature we have no true worth in God’s eyes. Our value comes not from building ourselves up but rather by admitting that we are nothing and can do nothing without Christ.

When we believe in salvation through Jesus and begin to know His love for us, His Spirit works love for Christ in our hearts. And as we grow in love toward Christ, the Spirit also moves us to truly love others. Our Savior counts us worthy not because of who we are but whose we are — for we are His.

Text: So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:34–42

Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Video: Click to view the YouTube video of Not Worthy ... Worthy.

Audio: Click Not Worthy ... Worthy to listen to the MP3.

Other Readings: Psalm 119:153–160; Jeremiah 28:5–9; Romans 7:1–13