WHY SHOULD I SHARE MY FAITH?

By Dr. Eric C. Stumpf, Senior Pastor

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church – Munster, IN

Luke 10:1-20 + Pentecost 6 + 7 & 8 July 2007

            Do you want to have joy in your life?

            All of you have the seeds of joy in your life and I would like to tell you how to cultivate it so it can become a source of joy in your life.

            Most would agree that $1,673,000 is not small change.  Maybe, but that was the price paid at an auction last week in Gettysburg, PA.  It was the amount paid for a sword.  The sword was decorated in gold and silver, and had a diamond monogram of the General to whom the sword was given.  The citizens of Kentucky presented this sword to Ulysses S. Grant in 1864.  But it still seems like a lot of money.  Such things happen.  In August the oldest running car, a steam provided vehicle made in 1884, will be auctioned at Pebble Beach, CA.  It is expected to bring in $1.5-2 million. (Lutheran Hour Ministries Daily Devotions, July 3, 2007)

            If you had the desire and the money to buy such a treasure, what would you do with it?  Hide it?  Never speak of it?  Or would you be proud you had such a thing, talk about it with enthusiasm, show it any chance you had? 

            At my former residence our next door neighbor was not a talkative person.  Every chance to strike up a conversation was ended quickly.  One day he had a very odd looking car in his driveway and he was washing it.  I asked him about the car and this reluctant talker suddenly turned into a avid conversationalist about his passion, collecting Kaiser cars – he had over fifty of them in a warehouse.

            You have a treasure worth far more than a few million dollars.  It is the source of joy and peace which passes all understanding.  Lets talk about the joy it can bring you. 

The Text

            Luke recorded the closing days of Jesus’ ministry.  He was heading to Jerusalem, not to re-establish an earthly kingdom, but to sacrifice himself for our salvation.  His name had spread through out Galilee and Judea.  People, like the 72, were the ones who spoke of who Jesus was and that he was the promised Messiah.

            The Mission was simple – tell people who Jesus was.  The challenge was clear – too few workers, dangerous, like sending lambs to wolves, the chance of being rejected, and living on the charity of others.  But in pairs they went.  They healed the sick (v. 9), prayed with them (v.12), and shared what they had heard and seen about Jesus (v.9).  They were also empowered by Jesus like nothing else – “listen to you, listen to me” (v. 16).

            What was the result?  Joy! 

Law and Gospel

            We’ve all heard the obnoxious tone, and then the words, “This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System.  The broadcasters of your area in voluntary cooperation with the FCC and other authorities have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of an emergency.”  But what would happen if the alert was not a test, but for real?

            Last Tuesday this Region found out.  Radio and TV stations were told an emergency message was going to be broadcasted from the White House.  WGN patched into the signal and waited.  The morning broadcaster for WGN was Spike O’Dell.  He waited for the message that never came.  It never came because the whole thing was a major mistake.

            How did the public react to a possibility of Armageddon?  Was there panic and hysteria?  Only a few calls were received by concerned listeners.  Most kept on going as if nothing were happening.  The system worked, but the people didn’t listen.

            Our text warns of the same thing.  We still need to share our faith in Christ with others.  The reaction we will receive sometimes is rejection.  As some rejected in the past – Sodom and others – so some will reject today and the final results will sadly be the same.  Jesus spoke of this in verse 16 – “reject you, reject me…and the one who sent me.”

            The Gospel tells us the good news that God has made our salvation through Jesus.  Acceptance of Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit through your baptism and through the Word we hear and read.  Because you are God’s dear child your name is written in heaven.  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Rom 10:13)  But now, this is what the Lord says -- …I have summoned you by name, you are mine. (Is. 43:1)  If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:15)  There is truly joy in sharing the good news that saves souls.  It is indeed a treasure. 

What Does This Mean for Me?

            The mission still exists.  The harvest is plentiful.  Workers are needed.  Single mindedness is still important.  It is easy to be side tracked from the focus on the Savior.  Rejection will continue, but joyful results will also happen.

            Note the result report by Luke.  Nothing is said about buildings being built, attendance numbers or money raised.  Some of that did happen, I suppose.  Instead “Joy.”  Joy is only 3 letters, but a very big word.  Did you hear what Jesus said?  Joy is not in some accomplishment, although I’m sure some joy could come, “the spirits submit to you,” but the joy that really counts is “your names are written in heaven.” (v. 20)

            Your name is written in heaven as God’s dear child.  You have in your life a treasure so costly and fine that no billionaire could possibly buy it.  It cost God’s son to die for it.  Since we can buy it or earn it, God gives it to us for free.  Remember my neighbor who became a fountain of information about his passion for Kaiser cars?  How much more can we speak of the hope we have in our hearts because our names are written in heaven?

 I asked you at the beginning if you wanted joy in your life?  Share Jesus, share your faith in him, share the joy your names are written in heaven, and you will have joy.  Amen.          

SDG