C, Pent 10 Proper 13 - "Hit for the Cycle"

Imagine that a steam roller has just driven over you. Well that's how I feel at this point in time. Yes! I am feeling sorry for myself! The first half of the week my pain was tooth ache. You know, at first the pain makes you worry that you're going to die, then after a while you worry that you won't die! Then I went to the dentist, now the pain has moved to my back pocket! In recent days some other bug is in my system, making me feel down right lousy! So by the grace of God, I am reproducing a sermon that I read once in a book called "Testing the claims of Church Growth" by Rodney Zwonitzer. Friarpuk

Discussing the subject of sanctification (being holy) a Reformed theologian, compared the various views on sanctification with a wind-up doll. When you wind-up the Pentecostal doll, it speaks in tongues. The Reformed doll grabs the third use of the Law. The Holiness doll goes after perfect sanctification. And what about the Lutheran doll? Well, from the Reformed theologian's perspective, when you wind up the Lutheran doll, it simply goes in circles.

After giving some thought to what he said, I came to the conclusion that he was right. Lutherans do go in circles. Or, to put it into baseball terminology, we hit for the cycle.

Let me explain ... Think of a baseball diamond. At home plate, put the Law. At first base, the Gospel. At second base, faith. At third base, good works or the Christian life.

Now then, when an unbeliever steps up to the plate, the first thing he is hit with is the Law. He becomes aware of his sin before God. This drives him to first base, where the Gospel confronts him with the Good News of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

As he rounds first base, the Holy Spirit produces faith, causing him to grasp the Good News and rejoice in his salvation. As he rounds second base, faith, being no idle notion, brings the Holy Spirit and produces good works. His life is changed as he motors to the good works of third base.

In the third-base coaching box there are a variety of coaches holding up the “stop” sign. “Stop,” they cry. “Come over here and speak in tongues to get really holy." Others offer the dream of perfect sanctification. Some promote their own evangelical house rules—don't drink, smoke, dance, or go to movies. Some theologians of the Reformation group are debating the third use of the Law.

The apostle Paul is also in the coach's box, waving the runner through. “Get to home plate," he shouts. “Keep going! Don't stop at third base." So the runner rounds third and heads for home, saying to himself, “Wow! I am really a good, holy Christian."

As he gets to home plate, he is in for a surprise. He gets nailed by the Law again. This time, though, it is not Romans 1 and 2, but rather Romans 7. “So, you think you are really hot stuff," the Law says to him. "Quite a good Christian, eh? You are merely a wretched man born out of the wretched root of your father, Adam."

Filled with sorrow and contrition, he wanders back up the first base line declaring, 'Almighty God, merciful Father, I am a poor, miserable sinner'. This time as he gets to first base, he not only hears the Good News of forgiveness, but his pastor is waiting for him with words of absolution—"I forgive you!" He also hears Jesus saying to him, "Take and eat, this is my body and blood given for your forgiveness."

"This is fantastic," he cries as his faith is again built up and his heart is filled with great joy. He heads toward second base renewed in his faith. As a result, his behaviour, actions, and attitudes are again being adjusted. This time, as he arrives at third base, the coach's box is filled to overflowing. Everyone wants him to stop. One former football coach offers "Promise Keeping." Someone else wants to put a "What would Jesus do?" bracelet on his wrist. Bearded psychologists are there offering self-esteem, support groups, and help for his wounded inner child.

The apostle Paul is still there waving him home. But this time he is being backed up with some of the saints of the past — Martin Luther and C. F. W. Walther. So our faithful base runner heads back to home plate only to get clobbered with the Law again.

He continues to run the bases and his understanding of sin deepens. He grows in the knowledge of the grace of God in Christ Jesus. His faith increases and good works freely flow from his life. Much to his amazement, as he reads the Bible, he discovers that this is exactly what God wants for him.

As he grows, he learns to love the worship of the church. He discovers that various elements of the liturgy deal with either the Law, Gospel, faith, or good works. The traditional hymnody of the church enhances his experience of Christian growth. He sings with enthusiasm "Alas, My God, My Sins Are Great," "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness," "My Faith looks up to Thee," and "May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfil." In so doing, he is running the bases again and growing.

So, we go in circles! Fight the good fight, and run the good race, but whatever you do—don't stop at third base!

This sermon illustrates differences over preaching. Church Growth advocates "third base ministry," while the Lutheran Confessionalists promote "running all the bases." Third base ministries tend to focus on sanctification issues-now that you're saved, this is the way to live your life in Christ. Sermons will be topical; that is, they do not follow the lectionary of the Church Year. In one Church Growth congregation, the pastor polls the congregation to find out what topics they would like to hear about. The pastor then schedules these topics for the year — sex, taxes, money management, parenting, and so on. His "messages" consist of lists of what to do and to not do, along with guidelines for improvement and correction. The various doctrines (teachings) of the faith are not requested by the people, nor are they selected by Church Growth preachers.

By Rev. Don Matzat from Page 54-57 in “Testing the claims of Church Growth” by Rodney Zwonitzer, 2002, CPH.