Going to the Cross a Journey and some hints to get there

 

Third Sunday before Lent. On the Way to the Cross.

The Collect and Lessons

The Collect

 

O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

The Epistle

1 Corinthians ix. 24.

KNOW ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. ( castaway is the greek word not approved , counterfeit, used of coins that were not true or real,  but counterfeit)

 

The Gospel

St. Matthew xx. 1.

THE kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

 

I Corinthians 9:24-27

“ And this I do for the glad tidings ( for the gospel’s sake)”  9:23

      The weeks before Lent---the Way to the Cross,  we have an opportunity to do a bit of accounting.  I am not talking about doing our taxes.  That can be an accounting as well but we are not talking about that kind of accounting today.  (Although our Lord does want us to honestly pay our taxes and obey the government if it does not go against the commandments)  I would like for us to lay back spiritually and ask ourselves, “ Just what kind of Christian example am I setting for others anyway?”

      The Apostle Paul realized in this chapter “ woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 9:16  But how often do we preach something other than the good news with our lives?  Our words do matter.  Our actions are a reflection of our words and our belief system.  If everything were taken from us, what would we treasure?  This gospel is our treasure.  We have been entrusted with an “administration” 9:17.  The little Greek word there is household.  Here he is talking about the household of the gospel where are dispensed the riches of God’s love &grace to others.

    4:1 says it “stewards” –same greek word as in 9:17 of the mysteries of God. A household manager in other words….” It is required of stewards that he be found faithful.” 4:2 We have been entrusted as Christians with the gospel, the good news of liberation of a soul from death unto life.  We must be faithful as we the householders dispense the good news of His grace to people who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins.

    Knowing this remarkable trust of the gospel and having it we share it with the people around us and far who need it.  What are the things the Apostle shares about this in I Cor. 9?  He says that “ to the weak I became weak: I am become all things to all men that I may be all means save some.” 9:22  What are we talking about?  For the Apostle it meant being a servant so that people could see that and respond.  It is His message and He will take care of the harvest.  We cannot do that. We are sowers of His Word and trust that some hearts will receive the Word, and believe it for eternal life.  The Spirit of God brings new life.  We are His ambassadors 2 Cor 5:20 ( the word denotes be an elder or eldest) carrying His treasure in “earthen vessels” , that is in our joys and in our sorrows.   So we should look at how we are carrying this treasure and how our lives are lights to others when they look at us.  We should do an accounting.  One day He will do that. It behooves us to take a look now at how things are going in the area of our Christian witness .

   SENDING THE VERY BEST

 

Someone has composed the following list of "Cards You'll Never See at Hallmark": ( we may say they are castaway or counterfeit)

 

 

"Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder....

What was I thinking?!"

 

"I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love....

After having met you, I've changed my mind."

 

"As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am....

that you're not here to ruin it for me."

 

"As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've given me.....

Like the need for therapy."

 

"You look great for your age....

Almost life-like!"

 

"When we were together, you always said you'd die for me....

Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise."

 

"We have been friends for a very long time....

What do you say we call it quits?"

 

"I'm so miserable without you....

It's almost like you're here."

 

"You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket....

I'd miss you heaps and think of you often."  ( from sermon illustrations humourous)

Best Oxymorons---contradiction in terms

State worker

Legally drunk

Exact estimate

Act naturally

Found missing

Resident alien

Genuine imitation

Airline Food

Good grief

Government organization

Sanitary landfill

Alone together

Small crowd

Business ethics

Soft rock

Butt Head

Military Intelligence

Sweet sorrow

"Now, then..."

Passive aggression

Clearly misunderstood

Peace force

Extinct Life

Plastic glasses

Terribly pleased

Computer security

Political science

Tight slacks

Definite maybe

Pretty ugly

Rap music

Working vacation

Microsoft Works  ( from Hank Roberts on FB)

     The meat of today’s passage is about the athletic games.  The people in Corinth would know about athletic contests.  The Isthmian games were held there every three years, second only to the Olympic games.  What runner would run to come in second and not win the prize?  The prize was a wreath of pine.  The Christian runs for Christ and with Christ to gain the crown that never fades. 9:25

   Self –denial was necessary for the athlete in preparation for the games.  Self-control was needed.  The language is blunt, “ I keep under my body and bring it under subjection….lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.” 9:27  It is said that Luther counted suffering among the marks of the true church.  Bonhoeffer in Discipleship said, “ Discipleship is being bound to the suffering Christ. That is why Christian suffering is not disconcerting. Instead it is nothing but grace and joy.”

   In conclusion minister William Law said, 1686-1761 said that, “  if we are to follow Christ, it must be in the way we spend each day.”