Sweet or Sour?

15th Sunday after Pentecost

August 28, 2016

Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14

From last week: God: You must go where I send you and say what I tell you to say.
• The first thing God tells Jeremiah to say: My people have committed 2 crimes: they have forsaken me and they have dug broken wells that can’t hold water
• In other words: (1) My people have forgotten and ignored me (2) My people have chosen to worship worthless gods and spend their lives on activities that will not make them healthy and happy

Why do we choose muddy water (from broken wells) instead of clean water?
1. Because it’s ours
2. Because it’s familiar – “better the devil you know…”
3. Because we’re stubborn

But our stubbornness is making us disloyal to God
• Value pride or loyalty more?
• We know about both – pride in a job well done; loyal to Orioles, Ravens, Maryland, America
• Yet you can be modest and take pride in your work at the same time, you can be humble and loyal
• Stubbornness is perseverance taken to the extreme, persisting is good, stubbornness means you don’t acknowledge when to stop (Paul: all things in moderation)

God says, “Don’t forget how I acted in the past and all that I have done for you!”
• Don’t be disloyal to me. I am always faithful. I will not betray you.
• I saved you. I led you thru the wilderness.
• I love you. I want good things (abundant life) for you.

Why are we satisfied with muddy water when God offers us good, clean water?!
We drink vinegar when God offers us honey (Psalm)

Let’s get over our stubbornness, accept that God’s way is better than our way – ours may be good, but God’s is better

Let’s get over fear of unknown and change
• Hallmark store sign: Don’t be afraid of change; be afraid of not changing
• It would be a problem if our kids didn’t grow and change; adults have to grow and change, too, mentally and emotionally and spiritually

So, what does it look like to accept God’s honey and clean water?
Follow what we’re told in Hebrews & Luke: God invites us to mutual love
 
Hebrews:
• Keep loving each other like family
• Don’t neglect to show hospitality, because some of entertained angels unawares
• Remember prisoners and the mistreated
• Marriage must be honored
• Your way of life should be free from love of money – don’t love money
• Be content with what you have – don’t be jealous or consumer mindset of more
• Don’t forget to do good and to share – don’t be selfish or hoard

Luke:
• Release our need for honor, our desire for privilege
• We are more likely to exalt ourselves and mock the mistreated
• We choose to believe we are self-sufficient rather than trust in God’s strength
• We are to serve all people without regard to the outcome, devoting ourselves to God’s honor alone (not ours) - serve those who can't pay you back

Also, we must remember God and depend on him (Jeremiah)

Jesus is what stays same – building won’t, people around you won’t, old rugged cross might even get polished

Time to let go of whatever muddy water you’ve been holding onto. Yes, it will sustain you and you will survive, but you will not thrive. God wants abundant life for us. It’s time to live into it!