What do you Treasure?

August 10, 2025 Luke 12:32-40 What do you Treasure? 9th Sunday after Pentecost Year C Prelude Greeting Call to Worship We are people who have been called to follow where God leads us. By faith we can obey, even when asked to walk into an unknown future. We are people who have been challenged to tell God's story to others. By faith we have the ability to share the good news. We are God's children who are invited to feast at the Table of grace. By faith we will embrace our sisters and brothers in Christ. (Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies) Invocation Song Take Time to be Holy UMH 395 A Sermon for all Ages PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Jesus Christ, God of our mothers and fathers, you are a God who acts in history. Yet we confess that we are too busy with our own lives to perceive you at work in our time. We fall into fear and despair about our troubled world, as if you had no care for us. Forgive our lack of faith and help us to join you as you labor to bring new life on earth; in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Touch Holiness, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi. Copyright © 1990 by The Pilgrim Press. Assurance of pardon God’s grace is given freely. God’s love is steadfast. Receive the good news that you are forgiven, and live liberated from sin to the glory of God. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri Ott) Prayer for illumination God, your Word directs every step we take. Help us listen closely to your Word as it is read and preached today, so we may understand your message and follow your will. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri Ott) Scripture Luke 12:32-40 Sermon What do you Treasure? Fifth grade was an interesting year – during the first half of the year, we had Ms. Conner and during the second half of the year we had Ms. Johnson. They were two very different teachers, but they had one thing in common – they loved to leave the class unattended – for long periods of time. They would walk out of class so much, our class developed a whole different culture when they were not around. The teacher would give us a reading assignment and walk out of the room. Every time she was gone one of the bullies of the class would start a class wide conversation and soon the whole class was derailed. The time unattended would usually end with the bullies picking a fight. The new girl, Angela became the target of a lot of these fights. She would say something to Dinah, and Dinah would beat her up. No one in the class wanted to see Angela get picked on, but no one, not even the teacher could control Dinah. And Dinah wanted to keep it that way. I remember the first day after winter break like it was yesterday. The teacher walked out of the room. All of us are actually working on our assignment. Angela stands up and disturbs the peace by telling us that she has an announcement. She tells us that it is a new year, a new day, and from this day forward things are going to be different. She says she is tired of getting beat up everyday, and that she is no longer afraid. From now on, she was going to stand up for herself, and no one was going to hurt her anymore. As we sat and listened to Angela’s speech – we were all encouraged. We wanted to believe that things had changed. That bullies could no longer control the class. Maybe if Angela got peace, then there was hope for us all. Angela stopped talking, and we were all ready to clap for her, we were proud of her. But then Dinah stands up and says that she has heard enough, and that she is not going to let Angela disturb the peace. She picks a fight with Angela. The teacher returns in time to break up the fight and take them both into the hall. All of a sudden, we hear Dinah bop Angela in the nose, blood splashes on the floor and Angela screams. The principal comes, and both Dinah and Angela get suspended, just like they always do. Oh well, so much for a brand new day – Dinah’s behavior still has a stronghold on our class. Everyone goes back to the assignment – it is business as usual. Sometimes I feel like my life today is a lot like it was in fifth grade. Sometimes it seems like the bullies of the world are in control. You look at people getting away with bad behavior. You see people working hard, but nothing changes. Sometimes you wonder who is overseeing all of this. When will Christ step in and keep life fair for us all. If Jesus was here, would life be so out of control? If people knew that Jesus was watching them, would they behave differently? Jesus promises that he will come back a second time – but he doesn’t say when. Sometimes, his absence can cause a lot of anxiety and concern. Our scripture for today starts out with Jesus saying – do not be afraid little flock, because your father delights in giving you the kingdom. You know the bible spends a lot of time telling us not to be afraid. That is the one message that unites both the Old and the New testament. Do not be afraid. There is a lot about life that stresses us out.. But in Luke 12 – do not be afraid is not a word of comfort. It is more a word of……good advice, maybe even a warning…..a stern suggestion on how to live. He also tells us to be prepared for the unknown at any time. In this scripture, Jesus wants us to take account of our lives, our worries, our sense of security, our fears, our faith, even our treasures. Do we treasure the things in front of us or do we treasure the kingdom of God. We our behavior be any different if Jesus was standing in front of us? In my fifth grade class, the teacher was gone so much that out class developed a whole sub culture. It was someone’s job to watch outside to see when the teacher was walking down the hall. When Debbie saw the teacher, she would tell us all to get back to work. But there was a small group of us, who didn’t want to be a part of the drama, who were working all along. We didn’t have to jump when we got the signal because were already trying to stay on task. We learned later that our teachers liked to go to other classrooms and spend time talking to the other teachers. The good thing was that once the principal got involved in the fight in the hall, the principal asked the teacher not to leave the classroom so much. Heavenly Service There was once a blacksmith who worked hard at his trade. The day came for him to die. God sent his angel to the smith, but to the angel's surprise, the smith refused to go. He pleaded with the angel that he was the only blacksmith in the village and it was time for all his neighbors to begin their planting and sowing. He would be needed. The blacksmith did not want to appear to be ungrateful and was looking forward to having a place in God's kingdom, but could he put it of for a while? The angel went and made the blacksmith's case before God. And God agreed. Sometime later, after the harvest, the angel returned to bring the blacksmith to heaven. But again the smith requested that his return to God be delayed. "A neighbor of mine is seriously ill and it's time for the harvest. A number of us are trying to save his crops so that his family won't be destitute. Please tell God I am grateful for his blessings to me. But could you come for me later?" And the angel returned to heaven. Well, it got to be a pattern. Every time the angel would come to bring the faithful blacksmith to heaven, the smith would shake his head and explain to the angel that he was still needed by someone on earth. Finally, the blacksmith grew very old and weary and so he prayed to God to send his angel to bring him to heaven. Immediately the angel appeared. "If you still want to take me home, I'm ready to live forever in God's kingdom." The angel laughed and looked at the blacksmith with delight and surprise. "Where do you think you have been these years?" Keith Wagner, Do You Have a Backup Plan? God is present in our faithfulness. Luke 12 has two lessons for us – first to stay prepared, and second this is definitely a stewardship lesson. Actually all of Jesus words are a lesson in being a good steward of life. This lesson encourages us to take an audit of our lives. Where do you spend your time, how do you spend your money, where do you give your talents. Is God a part of what you do or not? Luke encourages us to put God first. But Luke is not so direct as Matthew. In Matthew Jesus says sell everything you have and give it to the poor. The early church used to do just that. No one could have anything for themselves. Eventually, the church let people keep their wealth, but willingly help others. Today, we don’t have to give everything to the poor, but Jesus does give us financial planning tips to live by. 1. Don’t worry – God not only provides for your needs, God provides for your discipleship journey. 2. Set your priorities – Put God First. And 3. Invest in people and relationships, not things. Take care of people in need. This scripture reminds us that we all have to stand before God at some point – whether it be death or the second coming. When you are face to face with God – where is your treasure – in yourself and what you have achieved, or in heaven? What are your priorities? God wants us to strive for a stress free life. Do not be afraid. Let us pray. Song In Christ there is no East or West UMH 548 PRAYER OF THE DAY Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We come convinced of many things but trusting very few. Holy God of limitless surprises, meet us here in this place as we touch that which we cannot see, that which we have not dared to hope. Written by Katherine Hawker. Posted on Liturgies Outside. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/07/opening-prayers-hebrews-11.html. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Often when we come to this time in our worship, we move almost by rote. People who come frequently know it takes generous giving from many to keep the congregation “in the black.” We invite individuals and families to participate in the offering, encouraging one another to be “good stewards of the gifts God has given you” or to “return a portion of what God has given to you.” But in Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12, the faithful (called “little flock” as a diminutive word of affection) are directed: “Sell your possessions, and give alms.” The word “alms” is different than regular stewardship. It comes from a Greek word for “compassion” or “mercy.” Alms are a response of compassion in the face of the poor. Our offering time today gives us opportunity to share as stewards – regular giving for the support of this congregation – but also as people of compassion, giving “alms.” Please give now, putting your treasure where you want your heart to be! Every sermon that we hear is a stewardship sermon. Every sermon is a reminder for us to put God First. For us to care for the things that God cares for, and for us to invest in the world around us. Because when we invest, we make the world better for all of us. Today, let us be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us. Prayer of Thanksgiving God of mercy, you have made us in your image. Thank you for this opportunity to respond with compassion, in imago dei, giving alms, beyond our regular, weekly giving. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Invitation to Communion (just print the title) Jesus often helped his disciples and others recognize more about God. Often he spoke about God’s generosity and God’s desire to provide for believers. When we come to moment in worship, we see tangible evidence of God’s intention to “give (us) the kingdom”. This table holds gifts of bread and juice, true signs of God’s nurturing care. In this one loaf, we, who are many, are “membered”, each one of us one part (or “member”) of the one body of Jesus the Christ. In this one cup, we are united, like many grapes coming together to be made into juice. As we eat and drink, we can glimpse what God intends: enough for everyone, shared with all who come. No one is turned away, no one is forbidden. All are welcome at this table of the Lord. That, surely, is a sign of God’s Realm “in this very room.” (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Communion Announcements Remember to rsvp for Jean Erdman’s party. You can tell me today, and I will make sure that you are included on the list. Mr Utke made a display in fellowship hall of the entries that we made for the Kankakee County Fair. We are preparing for the Will County Fair, so he is taking a poll of which picture to participate in. What is God calling us to do in the future, what does god have in store for the ministry. All are invited to be a part of the conversation. The DS encourages us to being the gospel to the community. Once again the vote was 36 – 0 for reimagining the endowments. Closing Prayer for Facebook Children of God, by faith, God has brought us this far. Go now in the blessing of the God who goes before you and behind you, surrounding you on all sides with grace as we journey toward a better country in our neighborhood, our community, and beyond. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, February 2024. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Go, clothed for compassion Attired with joy Covered by peace And dressed for action Knowing that the God who knit you together Goes with you In strength, gentleness, and power (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Additional Illustrations Sermon Opener - Ready or Not, Here I Come - Luke 12:32-40 When you were a child, did you play the game, "Hide and Go Seek"? The person who is "It" closes his or her eyes, counts to ten, and then searches for the other children who are hiding. "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10. Ready or not, here I come!" Something like that is going on in our text. The master is off to a wedding banquet. His servants are at the family farm. Some are alert, ready for his return; some are not ready. The countdown has begun. No one knows exactly when the master will return. At the end of our story, Jesus says, "You ... must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour" (Luke 12:40). Clearly, Jesus is talking about his Second Coming. Clearly, Jesus is speaking of his return at the end of the world. Clearly, we must be ready to meet him when he returns in power and majesty. We don't know when that will be, but we are called to wait with patience and act with faithfulness, like good servants. The countdown has begun. We live between the lightning and the thunder. The First Coming of Christ is like the lightning. We wait; then comes the thunder. When we see the one, we know the other will follow. The countdown has started: 1-2-3-4.... The Second Coming of Christ is like that. We know it's coming, but we don't know when it will arrive. Between the lightning and the thunder we are called to wait with patience and faith and act with faithfulness and obedience to the master's teaching. The countdown has begun for the Second Coming. In addition, the countdown has begun for our death. At death, as well as at the Second Coming of Christ, we must be ready to meet the Lord face-to-face. We don't know when we will die, but we are called to wait patiently and act faithfully in this in-between time. "Ready or not, here I come" Jesus said.... Back to School Good Behavior Even though it certainly still feels like summer across the country, many schools are back in session in the next few weeks. Here is a story for all of the teachers, students, and school personnel who are getting ready for another academic year. Lutheran pastor Larry Henning tells a humorous story about when he was in the fourth grade. He writes: Our teacher, Mrs. Cannon, would periodically leave the room and say, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just work quietly at your desks on your math worksheets. Now, my friends and I tried hard to figure out just when Mrs. Cannon was coming back. We would take turns going to the door to see if she was indeed making her return. Why this obsession about the exact timing of her return? Because in her absence, we were throwing chalkboard erasers around the room and didn’t want to get caught by her sudden and unexpected reappearance. Mrs. Cannon was a good teacher who was nice most of the time, but her wrath in response to willful disobedience was an awesome thing to behold. ... Meanwhile, our classmate Elaine never worried about just when Mrs. Cannon might reappear. Why? Because Elaine would be at her desk the whole time faithfully doing her math -- faithfully doing what Mrs. Cannon asked her to do. Whenever Mrs. Cannon would return, she would find Elaine faithfully at work. Elaine was so good! (I wonder whatever happened to Elaine.) The purpose of sharing this story -- a story that some of us may have variations on -- is to suggest an analogy to the gospel reading. In the story, Elaine is doing the work her teacher has set before her. So whenever her teacher returns, she is busily engaged in her work. She has no need to fear the return of her teacher, unlike the boys in the story. In our lives, the Rabbi – the Teacher -- from Nazareth has given us work to do as well. We are to live as those who belong to God. We are to love as those who belong to God. If we are faithfully engaged in such work for the sake of God’s realm, then we need not fear those times when Jesus enters our lives, when Jesus returns in the stranger, or alien, or outcast. We will be ready, for our hearts are turned toward God, and we have been faithfully doing the work of love that we are given. Larry Henning, adapted by Mark Richardson, Ready to Risk If I Should Die Before I Wake Many of you are familiar with the childhood prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep, " but I was little surprised to learn that it is a shortened version of an Old English prayer, which goes like this: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, bless the bed that I lie on. Before I lay me down to sleep, I give my soul to Christ to keep. Four corners to my bed, four angels there aspread, two to foot, and two to head, and two to carry me when I'm dead. I go by sea, I go by land, the Lord made me by his right hand. If any danger comes to me, Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me. He's the branch, and I'm the flower, pray God send me a happy hour. And if I die before I wake, I pray that Christ my soul will take. The prayer has an important refrain, that Christ is the keeper, the caretaker of our soul. And, when we slip into the unconsciousness of the night I suppose, on a daily bases, we are never nearer death. It was out of this fear of sleep that this prayer was written. At night, when we are vulnerable, we want someone watching over us. So, we prepare ourselves with a prayer: If I should die before I wake... Our text this morning asks us to be prepared, to be dressed ready for service. We are to keep our lamps burning for we do not know when our Lord returns. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com Christ Return - Watchfulness There is a woman who is buried under a 150-year-old live oak trees in the cemetery of an Episcopal church in rural Louisiana. In accordance with this woman's instructions, only one word is carved on the tombstone: "Waiting." Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995, p. 275. __________________ Giving Up Our Comfortable Customs One of the favorite stories of the great Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegard, concerns an emperor, touring his domain and receiving the accolades of his people. When the entourage reached the market square of one village, his carriage was surrounded by cheering villagers and peasants. To the amazement of his neighbors, one brash young farmer stepped out of the crowd and approached the emperor’s carriage. "Give me a boon, Sire," he pleaded. "Grant me a special blessing." The villagers were even more amazed at the emperor’s reply: "Of course, my good man," he said. "Get into my carriage. Come with me. Live in my palace. Eat at my table. Marry my daughter. Be my son-in-law." The young man exclaimed his delight. To be the emperor’s son-in-law! Then he thought about it. No more Saturday nights at the pub with his friends. No more dirty, comfortable peasant clothes. He’d have to get dressed up. He’d have to take a bath - maybe every week. He’d have to clean his fingernails. He’d have to learn the manners of the court. He sadly shook his head and lowered his eyes. "No, Sire," he said. "I would be too uncomfortable. It would pull me out of my comfortable customs. It would be too hard to live up to. It would take too much of me." "If you want to do something for me, give me a plot of ground, a farm, a house of my own; but to live in your palace, eat at your table, be your son-in-law - this is too much." So he declined it. You see - he wanted the emperor’s blessing; but he wanted it on his own terms. He wanted to be blessed in doing what he wanted to do - not what the emperor wanted him to do. He wanted to be blessed right where he was, not moved out of his comfortable customs. He wanted the blessing, but not the responsibility that went with it. Carveth Mitchell, The Sign in the Subway, CSS Publishing Company. A Palace in Heaven There is a legend from the first century about the disciple Thomas who was sent by Christ to India. Thomas was employed by the local king Gundaphorus to build a new palace, and he was given money to buy materials and hire workmen. Thomas gave the money to the poor, but always assured the king that his palace was rising steadily. The king became suspicious when Thomas kept putting off his requests to see the work in progress and finally sent for Thomas. "Have you built my Palace?", he asked. "Yes", Thomas replied. "Then we shall go and see it now," said the King. Thomas answered: "You can not see it now, but when you depart this life you shall see it. I have built you a palace in heaven by giving your money to the poor and needy of your kingdom." The King was furious and had Thomas thrown in prison. All that night he considered how he should put Thomas to death. It seems good to me, the king said, to flay him and burn him with fire. But that night the king's brother dies and sees the kings palace in heaven which has been built by Thomas' charitable work. He makes a request to return to earth. His dead body is suddenly revived; he tells his brother of the magnificent palace awaiting him in heaven. Thomas is freed from prison and the king and his brother become Christians. Suggestion by Richard J. Fairchild: http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-or19sn.html. Adapted by Brett Blair. The Saddest Story Bishop Peter Storey from South Africa tells a story of three men in town for a convention. They were assigned rooms on the 51st floor of the convention hotel. They had been out for an evening -- having had a late dinner and entertainment. When they came in, the elevator was out of order. Can you imagine that? In a room on the 51st floor and no way to get there but to climb the stairs. It was a terrible dilemma, but they had no alternative. Being creative, they decided that they would devise a way to make that climb bearable. For 17 stories -- as they climbed the stairs -- they would tell funny stories. Then, for the next 17 stories, they would tell scary stories. Then, for the final 17 stories, they would tell sad stories. Well, it did work. For 17 stories, they laughed and laughed as they told funny story after funny story, taking their minds off of their arduous climb. Then, for the next 17 stories there were the scary tales -- and that helped because it seemed to energize them. Then as they began the last trek -- up the steps of the last 17 stories -- they began to tell sad story after sad story. When they got to the 50th floor, they had run out of stories seemingly. No one spoke up. Then it happened. One fellow broke the silence, "Fellows, here is the saddest story of all. I forgot the key at the reception desk." The key -- whether a door is being opened, or a door is being closed; the key is that we stay awake. Because we never know when we are going to be surprised by a new possibility; nor, do we ever know when something important is going to be taken from us. Maxie Dunnam "Should I replace the bandage on his ankle?" inquired the nurse of the doctor. "It looks well enough to be removed now." "Yes, give him a new bandage," said the doctor. "He doesn't really need it there but I want him to come back, so I can check up on something else about him. Without the bandage he won't return." Many times patients are brought to the doctor by members of their family for some hidden reason because the patient will not come for the true reason. This is done to avoid unnecessary rebellion or anxiety. It is important that the trouble be ascertained and the cure administered. People sometimes come to church for some selfish reason, but whatever brings them can lead to a good result. Many ask the question, "Why did this happen to me?" Defeats sometimes set the stage for victory. Those who suffer great sorrow may become equipped to give understanding love and help to others. The alcoholic may be more willing to receive assistance from one who suffered the same failing. Thousands of good deeds are performed daily in patterns that circumvent the barriers of human pride. Each of us may ask, "What hidden blessings has God in store today?" Challenging difficulties can cause us to build character and faith or give us opportunity to serve others in Christ's spirit. Read St. Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."