Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Proper 28, Series A November 13, 2011

Lessons for The Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

Zephaniah 1:7–16 ~ Those who think God does not care about their sins will surely be judged.
Psalm 90:1-12 [Antiphon: Ps. 90:17]
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 ~ God has given us salvation in Christ, so we may live in the light of His grace.
Matthew 25:14–30 ~ God calls upon us to invest His forgiveness through our lives of service.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: It’s Time to Take a Risk!
Zephaniah brought God’s word of warning to complacent merchants and rulers of Jerusalem at a time when they thought they could count on political and economic stability without figuring on God’s investment! Jesus described the coming of the Kingdom in terms of a wealthy merchant who is looking for considerable returns on his investments. St. Paul reminded early believers that they have an inside track on the Kingdom market, living in the light of the grace of God, and so are able to risk faith, hope, and love to build up one another in a rich life for God just as Christ risked His life for us.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord Jesus, wake me up with the light of Your day so that I am not complacent or haughty about Your judgment. Make me aware of Your claim upon me so that I will be aggressive in my investment of Your love and grace in my life as I await Your return in glory. Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER: What a privilege it is, Lord, to use the wealth You give
For the building of Your kingdom in the faithful way we live.
Keep us always watchful as we await our Lord’s return
So we see and help the need we meet at every turn. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God has given us great material blessings and expects us to use His goods to build up His kingdom, not to advance our own gain or position. The faithful steward invests capital in the Master’s business.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We recognize many occasions when we have “buried our talents” – not being willing to risk our goods or our gifts to advance the kingdom of God. The comfort we have is that God has invested us with great gifts, grace beyond measure. He has entrusted us with the message of Christ’s redeeming love. While this parable sums up the warning of the unexpected return of the Lord and encourages faithfulness in our use of his gifts, it also points forward to Jesus’ identity with the needy and outcast, that we apply his investment of love toward their needs.