"The Pleasure of God"     

Psalm 33:13-22                     Luke 12:32-40

 

Psalm 33:13-22 (NRSV) The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind. 14From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth— 15he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds. 16A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. 18Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. 21Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

 

Luke 12:32-40 (NRSV)    “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 39“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

 

One time when I was driving along Baylor Canyon Road at dusk,

            I saw a big green lizard

                  perched with its feet spread out across the top of a bush,

                                    balancing and swaying on a branch as the wind blew …

     … seemingly for the fun and sheer pleasure of it.

 

It surprised me, because I never thought that a lizard,

            a creature with only a primitive reptilian brain,

                            even had the capacity  

                                    to do something for the fun and pleasure of it.

 

Similarly,   but     on the infinitely opposite end of the scale,

            I have never thought or considered that God

                        might do something for the delight and pleasure of it.

 

I just

     wouldn't associate pleasure-seeking   with an infinite being;

                        yet Jesus tells us, according to Luke 12:32

                                                “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. "

 

            It is God's earnest desire and delight; it is God's pleasure

                        to give us the Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

 

Jesus refers to the kingdom of God frequently,

            but what exactly does he mean by this term,  kingdom of God?

 

The kingdom of God actually has several layers of meanings.

            In the most simple and literal sense,

                        it is the promise of eternal life,

                                    our dwelling and place with God beyond the grave.

 

Jesus also said, however, that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

   Kingdom of God also refers to the reign & sovereign rule of God.

            The Kingdom of God is when we obey,

                        and live out grace,  the just and merciful ways of God.

 

When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us,

            that   is living under God's reign, that   is kingdom-living.

 

When we choose to forgive, rather than resent or hit back.

            When in forbearance, we don't say hurtful words of attack.

                        It's when we pause to think grace   before responding.

It's when we trust God rather than try to manipulate a situation-

 

The Kingdom is placing the needs of others, ahead of our own,

            it is giving our time and effort, to serve other people.

The Kingdom comes as the courage and strength we need à

            to stand for what is right and good, even when others do not.

-- all of that   is living under the rule of God's grace and mercy.

 

* The Christian life

          is about reflecting God's gracious love and purpose,

               and when we are faithful, the promised kingdom is at hand.

 

Yes, the Kingdom of God is the promised

            and coming   eternal life for which we await and hope.

                        And at the same time, it is when

                       in the present life,  we live in faithful obedience,à

                       à submitting to

                             the word, the ways, the will and Holy Spirit of God.

 

The point is, because it is   God's pleasure to give the kingdom,

            we don't need to live frantic, fearful and anxious lives,

                             because we are free from

                                    trying to satisfy the demands of a wrathful God.

 

God isn't a nit-picking judge waiting to pounce and punish us,

            but rather, God wants to bless us.  

 

            God wants us to receiveà

                        for it's God's good pleasure to give us the kingdom…

 … this is our future hope, which enables non-anxious living now.

 

When I was a little boy, my mother mentioned to our minister

            that my brother was really afraid of God and God's wrath,

                        especially fearful and anxious when we did Communion.

            Our minister replied something like, "Good,

                        maybe that fear will keep him on the straight & narrow."

 

There is a stream of Christian thought, a Puritan theology

            associated with early American frontier revival preachers,

                        that tries   à to so trouble and terrify the listener,

                                    that they are driven by fear and panic   to repent.

 

The listener comes to Jesus so to avoid the burning & brimstone,

                        to escape the anguish of hell's infernal fires

                                    and the cries of those damned to eternal hell

                                                for offending an angry and wrathful holy God.

 

In the 1820's, Charles Finney advised fellow revival preachers,

            "to thunder out verbal pyrotechnics, to set the guilt of men on fire, to lance and wound the conscience, and then, upon heartfelt sorrow and emotional repentance, only then, offer up hope of God's mercy and grace."

 

Dwight L. Moody

            become especially well known for his characteristically

                        fiery and scorching revival-style of preaching.

               But in 1872, when he attended a Bible conference in London

                        and heard a sermon based on John 3:16-17:

            "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.   Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

 

Dwight Moody later wrote that he was astonished by that sermon.

                 Up until then, he had always called on sinners to repent

                        in order to flee from the wrath that was sure to come.

But instead of emphasizing    what sinners should flee from,

            that sermon,  based upon John's gospel reversed all of that.

 

Moody noted, that without suggesting that God will not judge,

            that sermon was significantly different,        instead,        drawing                            sinners toward God's righteousness   by love & gratitude,

                        coming to God   as a faithful response to love and mercy.

 

Moody's insight, matches my own life and spiritual journey.

            I remember at first, being taught at Boy's Brigade Camp

                        mostly about fearing God's wrath and the fires of hell.

 

            But that teaching never motivated me  

                        or created any desire to want to know God any better

                                    or to grow and experience a deepening of my faith.

 

The God I learned about as a young boy in New England

            was a scary God who kept track of my failings and mistakes,

                   & who seemed to delight in catching & punishing sinners.

 

Fortunately eventually I was introduced to a God of grace & love…

                        … whose pleasure and delight,    is to give  the Kingdom.

 

My Christian life didn't really begin to grow deeper until

            I finally became aware of God's loving and gracious presence

                        and recognized that my life

                                    was actually BETTER, walking faithfully with God.

 

My life turned to God, not because of guilt and deadly fear,

            but because I wanted more life,   & to live within God's love.

 

My walk with God was transformed and became real ----

            when,  instead of fleeing the fires and torments of hell,

                        I was drawn toward my God who created me and loves me.

            Once I was not driven by fear and guilt,

               I found peace and joy and pleasure  in serving a loving God.

 

I think it's regrettable that many Christians live and act as if

            God were angry and hesitant to show his mercy & compassion;

                as if God had to be placated & cajoled into showing grace,

    or that somehow   we have to earn or deserve

            by something we must do  in order to gain the kingdom of God…

 

…   but   that is not the message that is revealed in Scripture;

          for God doesn't want for any to suffer and perish in hell.

 

We read in 2 Peter 3:9 NRSV

            The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

 

Or, consider verse 32 of our Luke text today:

            Do not be afraid, little flock,

                        for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

                       

Little flock – that is a term of endearment and nurture.

            Jesus has assured us that it's God's good pleasure,

                 that it's the fulfillment of the Lord's ultimate desire,

                             to accomplish His plan and purpose for His Creation …

… which is for us to all live in loving relationship with our God.

 

God wants to give us the kingdom, to bless us abundantly ---

            not hesitantly, not grudgingly, but eagerly and joy-fully.

So we wait eagerly to receive God's gift & grace in its fullness.

 

I could have checked this morning,

    but didn't try to find out if it's going to rain in Tibet today;

            because since I'm not going to be there,

               and honestly, I don't care whether it rains in Tibet today.

 

Similarly, I don't give much thought or fear concerning hell;

            because I am not going to be there either,

                                    so honestly, I don't care much about hell…

 

                   … instead my live is lived in hope,  and in response

                             to God's gracious presence and purpose in my life.  

 

But in order to receive the full abundance that God does intend

            and the amazing blessings & gifts that God desires to give,

                        we must be ABLE  and we must be READY to receive.

 

Jesus warns us, vs. 33-34                 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

 

 

This isn't a universal command for all to sell everything we own,

            but a warning that our stuff, our possessionsà

                can get in the way of receiving the  blessings God intends.

    I cannot receive from God, unless I am open, willing and ready.

 

I have found that I receive best,   by not being distracted,

            by breaking the hold of acquiring possessions in this world.

I have to trust God and be willing let go of them,

            for if I hold on too tight, then I cannot receive from Godà

              the blessings of today or the unfailing treasure of heaven.

 

When my hands, when my heart's desires,

            when my life is already filled, clutching this world's stuff

                        then how can I receive and hold onto God's good gifts?

 

The question is,

            do I trust and God and that God's promises are true,

                or am I trying to build my life & security on my own stuff?

 

I want to live in a way that is ready to receive,

            and I want to be captivated by God's gracious love and truth,

                        and to build my life

                                    on the promise that it's God's pleasure to give…

…which means that my efforts are about being open, willing to receive.

 

We are created to be the recipients – receptacles of God's love.

   We are vessels whom God has designed for receiving & reflecting

            God's love, grace, kindness and blessings to all the world.

And in our Luke text, Jesus explain what is necessary

     for us to be able & to be ready to accomplish this, God's will:

 

First, it has to do with our attitudes toward our stuff.

    We cannot be dominated by our desire for 'things' of this world

        and at the same time be able and open to receive God's riches.

 

Our lives cannot have two 'first-priorities'

            therefore,   divest  ourselves of our love for earthly things

                        so that we are free to invest in

                                    the truly more valuable, the eternal riches of God.

 

Second, it has to do with living our lives in readiness,

            constantly focused on our hope in God's truth and promises.

vs. 35-37

            Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.  Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.

 

This parable is a picture of God's amazing and radical grace.

            The servants have been faithful, they are ready & waiting,

                        and so the returning Master, comes and serves them;

                             just as by grace, Jesus suffered & died to serve us.

 

The longer I walk with God,

            and the closer my relationship with God grows,

                        the more I am beginning to realize and recognize,

                                    the infinite depth, breadth and height  and  power;

                                                of God’s amazing love, mercy and grace,

              and how overwhelmingly incredibly wonderful God really is.

 

Our call, as vessels, as the receptacles of God’s love,

      is to focus on the Kingdom; it’s our Lord's pleasure to give -

                    and thanks be to God  for this indescribable good gift!

 

The Psalmist reminds us, vs. 20-22

            Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.  Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.