Sermon 9-22-24

Pastor Ray Lorthioir

Trinity Lutheran Church

W. Hempstead, NY

Based on the Second Lesson for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, James 3:13 - 4:10.

What Kind of Life?

Have you ever thought much about what will happen on the other side of physical death? In our culture we try to avoid that as much as possible. And when we do think about it, the culture tends to think the same way the ancient pagans did. We’ll be gathered to our fathers and everything will be OK. But is that what Jesus and the Apostles teach?

We’re going to look at that first before we continue our study of James. But before we get to Jesus and the Apostles, let’s announce what science (what general revelation) has been forced to admit about death by a mountain of evidence that continues to grow.

The atheists are absolutely wrong. Our personal existence doesn’t cease on the other side of death. Modern technology has made it possible to resuscitate many people from clinical death — no heartbeat, no brain waves. And a certain percentage of them report experiences while their bodies were in the state of death — experiences that can be verified.

For instance, a woman suffered death in the emergency room. She had an out of body experience, floated up to the ceiling and could see the staff attempting to bring her back. On top of one of the taller machines she saw a serial number and was able to memorize it. When resuscitated, she was able to tell the staff what they said and did and the number on the top of the machine. Someone went to look. And sure enough, that was the serial number. How could she have seen that number lying on the gurney?

The best I’ve heard is a teenage boy born blind. I don’t know what caused him to be in an emergency room being resuscitated. But while he was clinically dead, his spirit drifted outside the hospital. There he saw snow on the ground and a set of railroad tracks. He watched as a train traveled down the tracks. Mind you, he’d never seen any of this with his blind eyes. When the staff checked, they found that a train had passed the hospital at the time the young man was in death. It’s reports like this that have driven the scientific literature to grudgingly admit that physical death does not appear to end human life.

In the scientific literature these experiences are called Near Death Experiences. And there are many different reports of the experiences people have had. Even the famed 20th century British atheist philosopher, A.J. Ayer, had a Near Death Experience a year before he finally died. He wrote an article about it called, “What I Saw When I Was Dead.” You can find it on the internet.

On the internet you can find people giving testimony to all kinds of Near Death Experiences. However, only that which can be proven is scientific. These days there is considerable scientific proof that physical death does not end human existence. We have eternal souls. 

So, recognizing that physical death does not end human life, we turn to what Jesus and the Apostles had to say about existence after death. Why turn to Jesus and not Buddha or Mohammed? Jesus claims to be humanity’s Creator God come in human flesh. He backed up His claim with incredible miracles and with a provable resurrection from the dead in an immortal body. Therefore, if Jesus is our Creator — God come in the flesh — who knows better what existence beyond the grave is all about than the one who created us?

So here is what Jesus had to say. Matthew 13:40 “40. . . ‘So will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.’”

Matthew 13:49-50, “49 ‘So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” 

And here’s something a little different. Matthew 8:10, “10. . . ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

The truth is that beyond death there is a separation of souls — a Judgment — based on the righteousness of our Creator. Jesus said that all sinners, law-breakers and evil doers will be thrown into the fiery furnace. Unrighteousness will be punished. But there’s a judgment that trumps even evil itself. It’s unbelief in Yahweh, our Creator and His Messiah.

Those who reject their Creator and their Messiah on earth will not be forced to have Him in eternity. Yahweh doesn’t run any concentration camps to force love for Big Brother. Instead, Yahweh has made a place where those who reject Him can go to be free of Him forever. Unfortunately, as Jesus said, the place has a bad climate and it’s a place of misery. But it will be characterized by one most important thing — total freedom from Yahweh for eternity. There will be total freedom from His righteousness. There will be total freedom to be one’s own god. And being one’s own god will be the source of the really bad thing about the place. Without Yahweh’s righteousness, all there will be filled with capricious, total evil,  making their existence evil.

On the other hand, Jesus says that He will separate righteous ones from the rebels in the final Judgment. They will be gathered to Yahweh in His eternal Kingdom of righteousness. In eternity, Jesus says they will shine like the sun with their Creator’s righteousness. Who are these righteous ones?

In the enormous vision he was given, the Apostle John was asked just that. He was shown an uncountable multitude of people in white robes crying out the glory of the Lord before the throne of God. So, we read in Revelation 7:13-14, “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ 14 I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”

Notice. Every one in this crowd was washed in the blood of the Lamb. The Lamb is symbolic language for the suffering and victorious Messiah. In English He’s called Jesus. The term “Lamb” refers to the animal sacrificial system commanded in the Old Testament.

The sacrificial system existed because of human sin and rebellion against Yahweh. Guilt has to be punished. And from Yahweh’s totally righteous perspective it must be punished eternally. However, for those who were willing to call their sin, “sin,” and repent of it, Yahweh provided a way to have their guilt removed.

To understand the system, we have to remember that in the ancient world wealth was measured in animals. Because animals provide food, those with great flocks were the wealthiest. Therefore, in order to be forgiven of sin, rebellion and evil, the law of Moses commands that the sinner select a perfect animal from his flock — the most expensive kind of animal — and sacrifice it to Yahweh. That animal would be a propitiation — a substitute — for the sinner himself. So, when the animal was killed and its blood sprinkled against the altar in Yahweh’s temple, the debt of sin owed Yahweh would be satisfied and forgiven. The repentant human didn’t have to die for his sin.

Now, we read this of Jesus in Hebrews 7:26-27, “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

This means that the sacrificial system came to an end with Jesus. When Jesus gave Himself up in sacrifice on the cross, the holy, precious blood of the Son of God was sufficient to atone — to pay for — all the human sin of all the ages. And where sin has been paid for, only righteousness remains. This is how the multitude before the throne could be dressed in the purity of white. We all know how blood stains white clothing. But the righteous blood of Messiah actually removes stain — all the stain of sin and rebellion. 

Now, the righteous blood of Messiah must actually be applied to each human being for the forgiveness of sins. This happens through proclamation of the Word — both Law and Gospel — so that faith in that Word may be generated in the hearer by Lord Holy Spirit. The same is true of Baptism and Holy Communion. In these Sacraments the righteous atoning blood of Messiah is applied to those who receive them. And Holy Spirit generated faith brings cleansing from sin to the receiver. Again, where there is cleansing from sin there is righteousness before the Lord.

So, beyond death, there is most definitely existence, life and reality. The only question is, what kind of life? Will it be the life of blessed righteousness or the horror of total sin and rebellion? That is determined by the blood of Messiah.

The New Testament teaches that faith in the righteousness of Messiah brings a new birth in Messiah. And this new birth brings righteous living into the life of the believer.

We see righteous living defined in the letter of James. And perhaps nowhere better than in the letter of James. For as we’ve seen in recent weeks, James forcefully distinguishes between real faith in Jesus and false faith. Real faith in the righteous Son of God brings real righteousness into the world through the likes of forgiven sinners like us. This is so Yahweh can display His power through our weakness.

So let’s dig into the righteous living described in James. James 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Wisdom is a huge feature of the Old Testament. Wisdom is knowing what Yahweh has done. How things really are. How things work. It’s being able to navigate in the midst of other people to the best possible effect. Wisdom is knowing how to conduct one’s life in the righteousness of God. Wisdom is knowing when to speak and when not to speak.

Meekness is the opposite of pride and arrogance. It’s knowing that wisdom doesn’t begin and end with you. Rather, wisdom begins and ends with the living God and His Word. We’re just practitioners of Yahweh’s wisdom. We’re practitioners of His righteousness — not by our own power, but by the power of Lord Holy Spirit.

James 3:14-18, “14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition — in the Church? James isn’t talking to unbelievers. He says so at the beginning of the letter. Yes — in the Church. This can take so many forms it’s impossible to name them all. Jealousy can range from who is the better preacher to who makes a better chocolate cake. Selfish ambition can range from taking charge of as much as you can lay your hands on to taking exclusive charge of the corner closet. It’s very territorial. Jealousy and ambition are very sensitive and very reactive to perceived slights of any kind. Both can easily plot the ruin of those perceived to be more gifted or more favored by the Lord.

In Scripture, there are plenty of examples. These range from Abel — killed out of religious jealousy by his brother Cain — to Joseph, son of Jacob — sold by his jealous brothers into slavery — to Moses — opposed by those jealous of his position —  to Stephen, deacon and martyr — opposed by those angered by his Holy Spirit given power to preach the gospel — to Jesus Himself. Indeed, we read in Mark 15:10 that Pontius Pilate perceived that the Jewish leadership was seeking Jesus’ execution out of pure envy. All this, as James says, is from our lowest, most base nature. It’s even demonic in origin. In order for the Church to function in godliness, those subject to such temptation must confess these sins and root them out of their beings. Lord Holy Spirit has the power to do precisely that.

But for our benefit, James names the virtues that come from Lord Holy Spirit — purity, peaceableness, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, impartiality and sincerity. This list is similar to what Paul calls the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Paul says you’ll never find a law against such virtues. Wise people know the value of such fruit of the Spirit. Such virtue can move a tense situation to righteous resolution. And blessed are those who can operate in such virtue. They make life in Christ’s Church so much easier, so much more blessed.

James 4:1-4, “1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Quarrels and fights? In the Greek it is literally war and combat. And in the Church of all places! Passions? In the Greek, it’s the root word of hedonism. This is pleasure for the sake of pleasure. Desire? It’s setting one’s heart on something. Asking and not receiving. Should Yahweh answer prayers begging Him to provide the self-centered luxuries and pleasures of this life — the very things that lead us away from Him?

Adulterous people. Adultery is being unfaithful in the most intimate relationship of life. It’s betraying the one closest — and theoretically dearest — to you. However, there’s a relationship in life more intimate than marriage. It’s the relationship between Yahweh and His people. It’s the relationship between Yahweh, your Creator, and you.

Original Sin causes all of us to be unfaithful to Yahweh. However, Messiah’s blood has satisfied all of Yahweh’s rage at our unfaithfulness. As we’re told in Romans 5:10, “. . . while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. . . .” So, if the mighty action of Messiah has reconciled us to Yahweh, how can we go on in adultery? That’s James’ point.

The world is the illicit lover of the adulterous Christian. We read in 1John 5:19, “. . . the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” And there’s the problem. Love of the world is actually love of the devil, the rebellious one.

So, if  the blood of Messiah has freed us from slavery to the devil, how can we go back to slavery? Very easily. The sinful nature fueled by Original Sin is hungry for slavery to sin. Only Lord Holy Spirit’s power can suppress such hunger in us. Only our baptism into Christ’s death can kill it. We read in 1John 5:4-5, “4. . . everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world —our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” And here we’re back to the power of faith in Jesus.

James 4:5, “Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us’?” Scripture makes it very clear that Yahweh is a jealous lover. He’ll do anything to win us back from the world. He’ll even give His only begotten Son to make it happen. And then preach the Good News about Jesus to us.

James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” The quote is a loose rendering of Proverbs 3:34. Pride refuses to admit need. Humility asks for help. Therefore, ask for help. It will be given.

James 4:7-10, “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” This section is full of of quotable quotes that we often see in Christian literature.

Just as the Lord is jealous for us, we should yearn for Him. For there is nothing in this world that we can take beyond death except Him. And He is our life beyond death. Oh, there is one other thing. We can take righteous living and good deeds done in the power of the Spirit with us into eternity. For, they confirm our faith in the powerful, atoning blood of Jesus.

As for the devil fleeing, it’s true. Resist your favorite sin for a day and see how it has less power the next day. Resist it that day and the next day it will have even less power. Resist it for as long as you need to until it fades into the background.

Just beware. It will seem to disappear — sometimes for quite long periods of time — until it suddenly shows up again out of nowhere. When it does, just follow the same pattern of resistance, and it will have to flee again.

Settle it in your own mind. Until you die, the world and the devil will show up on your doorstep with temptation. However, the same Lord Holy Spirit is always your defense against unwanted solicitors. He’s like a guard dog. Use Him. He won’t complain. Your spiritual sanity and safety is what He’s here for.

In closing, glory be to the Lord Jesus who has rescued us from eternal damnation. Resurrected righteous life beyond the grave is all in Him. He is on our side. Therefore, as James admonishes us, we are to let go of the world and grab hold of Jesus by Holy Spirit given faith. Let us live in His righteousness. Amen.

All Bible quotes are from the ESV.