The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls
On the Gospel Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Luke 16:1-9
Trinity IX
1. This text has been called the most difficult of Jesus'
parables. But it is not so difficult if a person carefully
studies the words. Vss. 1-13 are addressed to Christians, the
disciples, vs. 1. These vss. tell Christians to use their
earthly possessions wisely, always with the thought that all
things belongs to God and that they will live forever, vs. 9.
Vss. 10-13 keep us from interpreting wrongly. Then vss. 14-18
describe the money- loving, Christ-hating Pharisees who
refused to listen to God's Word and who wanted to be
considered righteous without changing their hearts. Then
another parable, vss. 19-31, tells us how _not_ to use our
earthly possessions.
2. This is our parable: A wealthy landlord hired a manager
who managed the laborers on his land. The manager was accused
of mismanagement and was fired immediately and told to turn
in the record books. Before the manager turned in the books,
without the consent of the landlord, he shrewdly but
crookedly called in several laborers and made settlement of
debts which favored the laborers. In this way the crooked
manager made friends with the laborers so that he could live
with them after he had turned in his books. Vs. 8 must be
handled very carefully. The first half of this verse tells us
that the landlord congratulated the wicked manager for
shrewdly, though wickedly, looking out for himself. The
second half of this verse tells us that the children of this
world, unbelievers, are wiser in worldly matters than
Christians are. Then, vs. 9 tells us that we should use the
money which is usually used for unrighteous purposes to make
friends for ourselves so that when we die we may be received
into heaven.
3. This parable does not say that people earn heaven by their
works. It is talking about the proper use of earthly goods
(money, house, wife, family, car, work) in the interest of
other people and the kingdom of God.
4. Luther often said: "Faith alone justifies but faith is
never alone." Works never save us but where there is saving
faith there are always works. James said: "Faith without
works is dead." Jesus said: "Every branch in Me which does
not bear fruit He cuts it off." "If anyone does not abide in
Me he is thrown out as the branch and is withered and people
gather them and throw them into the fire and burn them." Jn.
15:2.6. The parable of the talents at Mt. 25:14-30 tells us
that God expects us to use everything which He has given us
to His glory and the benefit of our neighbor.
5. Our text, Lk. 16:1-9, is a parable of opposites. Just as
the wicked manager shrewdly used everything in his own
interest for this life only, so the believing child of God
should shrewdly use everything as God wants him to use it in
his own interest for the life to come. In vs. 9 "they will
receive you" means "the Triune God will receive you.
6. Vss. 10-12 keep us from wrong interpretations. A person's
use of his temporal things is a clear indication of his use
and victory of spiritual things. Then vs. 13 warns us to
serve the Lord whole-heartedly because no person can serve
two masters at the same time.
7. How does a Christian pursue stewardship correctly? By
simply doing his God-given duty faithfully at all times. Col.
3:2 says: "Seek the things which are above, not the things on
the earth." One theologian has commented: "In the right use
of earthly things given to us, we really mind and seek
heavenly things."
8. Both believers and unbelievers live for the future. The
unbelievers live only for this life. The believer always
keeps his attention on eternal life. Jesus has already given
the believer eternal life. But now the believer must live
wisely and faithfully, always remembering that at the end the
Lord will welcome him with the words: "Well done, good and
faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things. I
will put you in charge of many things. Enter the joy of your
Lord." Mt. 25:21.
The Sermon Outline of Harold Buls
On the Gospel Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Luke 16:1-9
Trinity IX
THEME: What A Persons's Use Of Temporal Things Reveals About
Him
INTRODUCTION
People cannot look into our hearts. But they can see our life
and works. That's why Jesus said: "Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your good works and thus glorify
your Father in heaven." Our life should show people that we
are heaven-bound.
I. THE USE OF TEMPORAL THINGS REVEALS GOALS
A. The goal of the worldling. He is like the
unjust manager of our text. He was thinking only
of the joy and security of this life. He
cheated his master. He cheated the laborers. He
was very dishonest. His only goal was the joy
and security of this life. Jesus says in our
text that the people of this world are shrewd in
these things.
B. The goal of the Christian. He is the opposite
of the unjust manager. His primary thought is
the joy and security of eternal life. Ps. 16:11;
Php. 1:21-23; Jn. 14:1-3; Heb. 11:13-16. He
longs to be welcomed into the mansions of his
Lord.
II. THE USE OF TEMPORAL THINGS REVEALS WISDOM
A. The wisdom of the worldling. Even the master
of the manager admired the selfish wisdom of the
manager. Even Jesus admits the shrewdness of
the worldling, vs. 9. But it is a selfish
shrewdness which does not care about other
people. See I Tim. 6:9-10. Also Lk. 12:16-21.
B. The wisdom of the Christian. He is wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus. II Tim. 3:15. Christ Jesus became for us
wisdom from God. I Cor. 1:30. He seeks the
things which are above, not the things on earth.
Col. 3:2. He knows that he cannot serve two
masters at the same time. Lk. 16:13. He is
faithful. Rev. 2:10.
III. THE USE OF TEMPORAL THINGS REVEALS VALUES
A. The values of the worldling. The unjust
manager had only one value, himself. He cheated
everyone to get everything for himself. He cares
nothing about the Gospel, forgiveness of sins
and everlasting life.
B. The values of the Christian. He knows that if
you can trust someone with unimportant things,
you can trust him with valuable things, vs. 10
He knows that if you cannot manage your money
(which belongs to God), how can you responsibly
handle the Gospel and its forgiveness? Vss.
11-12. For the Christian nothing is secular or
worldly. It is all spiritual, gifts from God for
time and eternity.
IV. THE USE OF TEMPORAL THINGS REVEALS WHO YOUR MASTER IS
A. The master of the worldling. In vs. 13 Jesus
says: "No man can serve two masters." That is an
axiom which everyone understands. Who was the
master of the unjust manager? Not the landowner.
Not God. Only himself and his earthly desires.
He wanted earthly security after he lost his
position. He found that in a wicked way.
B. The master of the Christian. Like Paul, when
he was converted Acts 22:10, the Christian asks:
"What shall I do, Lord?" When the Baptist said
that the whole Bible can be summarized in two
commandments: "Love the Lord with all your
heart, soul and mind." "Love your neighbor as
you love yourself." Mt. 22:34-40. The Christian
has faith in God and love for his neighbor. Thus
he serves only one Master.
CONCLUSION
You are like Paul, like Zacchaeus, like those who asked the
Baptist what to do. You are sinners. You did not come to
church to tell God how good you are. You came to confess your
sins. And I Jn. 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins He is
faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." And Jesus says: "The Son of man came to
seek and save that which is lost." Lk. 19:10. You are
forgiven. Turn now from your selfishness and serve God by
loving your neighbor. Your Father in heaven is waiting for
you at the door of everlasting life.
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This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain by permission
of Dr. Buls. You may freely distribute, copy or print this
text.
Please direct any comments or suggestions to:
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Walther Library
at Concordia Theological Seminary
E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu
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