TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
Gen. 15:1-6
Heb. 11:1-16
Luke 12:32-40
Psalm 50
 
Are you ready to receive the Gift of the Kingdom?
 
Jesus calls us to live on the edge, a place that is often uncomfortable. "Sell your possessions and give to the poor, be dressed for action." Above all be ready, because you don't know when the Son of Man will come. Don't get too comfortable with this earthly life. Yes, it is a gift from God, but as we learned last week, the gift must not be allowed to overshadow the giver. We must beware, so our . . .

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
Gen. 15:1-6
Heb. 11:1-16
Luke 12:32-40
Psalm 50
 
Are you ready to receive the Gift of the Kingdom?
 
Jesus calls us to live on the edge, a place that is often uncomfortable. "Sell your possessions and give to the poor, be dressed for action." Above all be ready, because you don't know when the Son of Man will come. Don't get too comfortable with this earthly life. Yes, it is a gift from God, but as we learned last week, the gift must not be allowed to overshadow the giver. We must beware, so our treasure does not lead our hearts astray.
 
Are we able, though, to live a life that is radically devoted to God? It will be difficult. Such a lifestyle requires a repentance, a turning around so that we are more attuned to giving than receiving. Such as in the gospel of Luke has taught us, is the way of the disciple.
 
Ah let us see the rewards--to have Christ not only eat with us, but actually serve us our LORD'S Supper. Do we worry whether we'll be able to earn that reward by the way we live? We are called to keep our lamps lit, but finally, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Come the wedding feast awaits.
 
Christian friends, as a Christian, are you longing, watching, and praying for the thrilling moment of Christ's return that will usher in the joys of living with God? The Bible promises special rewards to every faithful servant who awaits that meeting with high expectancy. 2 Tim. 4:8
 
      Blessed are those whom the LORD finds watching
      In His glory they shall share;
      If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
      Will He find us watching there?
 
PRAY- Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve, pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy, forgiving us the things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us the good things we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our LORD.  Amen