"Gaining By Losing!" Luke 16:1-13
Series: Trinity Season Gospel Sermons
August 06, 2023
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
"For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. "(Psalms 51:3-5) We need the Steward Savior to cancel the debt we owe God. He takes our bill upon Himself to free us by His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. Sermon Text: Luke 16:1-13. Sermon Theme: "Gaining By Losing." Preached for the 9th Sunday After Trinty, 6-August-2023, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Tell City, Indiana by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert, Pastor.
Episode Notes
The Ninth Sunday After Trinity 6-August-2023
Sermon Text: Luke 16:1-13
Sermon Theme: “Gaining By Losing!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. “In God We Trust” On July 30, 1956, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution "declaring 'IN GOD WE TRUST' the national motto of the United States." These words had been stamped on U.S. federal coins since the Civil War beginning in 1864. They are common place on our currency. “In God We Trust” or is it in the currency that we trust? Do people crowd churches to receive cross won resurrection certified forgiveness of their sins through Jesus’ flesh and blood? Or do they line up in excitement to buy a lottery ticket that may pay out a billion? Do people get upset when Christ’s doctrine is watered down and forgotten? Or are they more concerned about the rate of inflation and the shrinking of the dollar’s worth? Do we trust God or do we trust the paper money the words are printed on? Do we worry about the debt we owe God due to our sin? Or do we worry more about the 32 trillion dollar deficit our nation’s government has billed and enslaved us and all future generations?
“In God We Trust” is our national motto, but in the moral collapse of our culture we must ask “What god is it that we trust?” A god who destroys the family, promotes death through abortion, euthanasia, and mutilation of the human body to follow perverse fantasies isn’t the God of the Holy Bible. It is demonic to promote a culture of death, sexual perversion, mutilate the sanctity of the human body, and decimate the natural order of marriage between a man and a woman for the procreation of children. Satanic inspired idolatry in the false god of scientism incites people to fear the heat of summer and to enslave themselves to tyranny. What god is it that you trust?
In our August Lutheran Witness we see the false gods, heresy, which Satan has used to lead Christians away from Christ and His Word. The devil re-brands ancient heresies deceiving many. Many American Christians follow moralistic therapeutic deism - they only pray to God, come to church, when they need help - otherwise they have no need of Him. Others follow the lie of the prosperity Gospel - believe in Jesus and you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Study this issue to expose the false teachings that like cancer may be creeping into your thinking. We will study false teachings of God during Table Talk on the 17th at 6:30p.m. - join us.
Repent! Turn from the demonic spirituality of our age, the idolatry of self, fear, death, accumulating stuff, and cash. Learn from the only True God - Christ Jesus of the nature of God’s Kingdom: “Gaining By Losing!” Learn: I. The Just Sentence (vs.1-3) II. Our Schemes (vs.4-7) III. God’s Gift of Salvation (vs.8-10). IV. True Security (vs.11-13).
I. Jesus is journeying towards the final Passover in Jerusalem. He knows what price He must pay to redeem you, me, and all sinners from the eternal hell fire we have earned by our sin. He now speaks to you - to His students, followers, disciples. History records:(Lk16:1-2) “You shall not steal” our Creator has written His commandment upon our hearts, spoke it from Sinai, written it with His finger on the stone tablets, and recorded it in His holy Word. We learn to ask, ‘What does this mean?’ responding: We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.” This steward stole through embezzlement. He snuck a little of the rich man’s money away at first, then when it wasn’t notice, stole more and more. He was padding his own pockets and living the high life - until he is caught.
An accusation is made against the unjust steward. The rich man calls to him, “What is this I hear about you?” “Where are you?” “What have you done?” “Time to open the books and for you to stand judgment for what you have done with My riches!” You know the feeling. A letter arrives from the IRS as they question your deductions and plan to audit your books. Where do you turn? (Lk 16:3) The unjust steward realizes that his own strength can’t secure his future - he is too weak and old to dig. His pride won’t protect him - he is ashamed to beg. The just sentence of the Law exposes his evil.
The just sentence of God’s Law exposes your evil, your sin. If you’ve ever fudged on your taxes, underpaid for work done for you, spent other peoples’ money for your profit, tasted a strawberry in the grocery store - you are a thief. The Law condemns you as it condemned the two thieves nailed to crosses on Calvary on Jesus’ left and right hands. What will you plead when God’s books are opened and every one of your thoughts, words, deeds are brought to light before the Judge of every human heart?
II. Will you trust in your own whits? Your reason to see you though? The unjust steward now schemes to secure his future. (Lk 16:4) His trust is only in himself, his own thinking and doing. “I will do” “I alone will secure my future.” How? Through further embezzlement. Sin schemes to secure its future with more sin. (Lk 16:5-7) One by one the rich man’s debtors are called before the unjust steward. They are not aware of the pending judgment against this man. When he orders them to sit down and reduce their bill, they trust that the rich man is being generous and merciful. They are share croppers, and the Owner of all they have is showering them with His generosity through this steward. They rejoice to receive His gifts through this unjust steward.
Our schemes cannot save us from the judgement our debt of sin deserves. We cannot save ourselves.
III. Salvation must come from outside of us, who from conception are dead in our trespasses and sins. We need someone else to cancel the debt of death and hell we owe. We need Jesus. Col 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (14) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Learn well of the True God - the Merciful Master! (Lk 16:8-10) What do you have that isn’t from God? He gives you day by day all you need to support your body and life. He guards and protects you from all evil. He delivers you from the slavery of Satan, sin, and the fear of death baptizing you into Christ, feeding you the Bread of Heaven as you drink from the Rock - Christ Jesus. Don’t break faith with Him as did the children of Israel in the wilderness. Their lusting and scheming only brought death to them in the desert. The way of escape is always and only His Salvation - Jesus’ body and blood given and shed for you wiping out your debt of sin fully!
The Merciful Master commends the unjust steward for he finally realizes that his future is only secured by trusting in the Master’s goodness and mercy! Dear Christian! Why fret, worry, fear, and scheme? Repent! If the children of this world know how to manipulate the markets for their temporary benefit - trust in the Father’s grace, the Son’s salvation, and the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying power within His Church daily and richly washing you forgiven. Freeing you by trusting Jesus to cling to Him alone. Freeing you to give to those in need at your doorstep as the Triune God has given you.
God is faithful in what is least. He clothed you this morning, brought you into His House. He is faithful in much - forgiving all your sins for Christ’s sake - securing your eternity by His Holy Spirit in your baptism.
IV. He alone is your True Security! Yesterday, today, and forever! David learned of God’s faithfulness to a poor miserable sinner like him. He was merciful with the humble lad felling Goliath and honoring King Saul. He brought crooked King David the adulterer, liar, murderer to repentance torturing his conscience. Sending the prophet to call the King to account and see he deserved death - that he might free him through Christ’s cross won - Easter verified absolution.Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
In God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit I trust above all things! He alone deserves my fearful respect as my True Father. He alone deserves my love for while I was yet a sinner He died for me taking my bill and writing with His blood -“FORGIVEN!” Freed by God the Holy Spirit from Satan’s lies and chains of fear - I live as His child in true security. (Lk 16:11-13) Your future isn’t in a social program, it is in God the Father supporting your life day by day through the mammon He gives. Use it as a tool, it isn’t your god, it can’t redeem your soul from hell, it can’t extend your life by one second. Use it to support your own family. Give to those in need around you for they are created by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit through the Good News of the Gospel.
Serve God - not stuff. Fear, love, and trust in Him above all the other blessings of unrighteous mammon He showers upon you. Then you will sing forth with forgiven David: 2Sa 22:29-34 "For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness. (30) For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. (31) As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (32) "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? (33) God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. (34) He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.” In the Triune God alone in His Salvation and Security. Amen.
Sermon Text: Luke 16:1-13
Sermon Theme: “Gaining By Losing!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. “In God We Trust” On July 30, 1956, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution "declaring 'IN GOD WE TRUST' the national motto of the United States." These words had been stamped on U.S. federal coins since the Civil War beginning in 1864. They are common place on our currency. “In God We Trust” or is it in the currency that we trust? Do people crowd churches to receive cross won resurrection certified forgiveness of their sins through Jesus’ flesh and blood? Or do they line up in excitement to buy a lottery ticket that may pay out a billion? Do people get upset when Christ’s doctrine is watered down and forgotten? Or are they more concerned about the rate of inflation and the shrinking of the dollar’s worth? Do we trust God or do we trust the paper money the words are printed on? Do we worry about the debt we owe God due to our sin? Or do we worry more about the 32 trillion dollar deficit our nation’s government has billed and enslaved us and all future generations?
“In God We Trust” is our national motto, but in the moral collapse of our culture we must ask “What god is it that we trust?” A god who destroys the family, promotes death through abortion, euthanasia, and mutilation of the human body to follow perverse fantasies isn’t the God of the Holy Bible. It is demonic to promote a culture of death, sexual perversion, mutilate the sanctity of the human body, and decimate the natural order of marriage between a man and a woman for the procreation of children. Satanic inspired idolatry in the false god of scientism incites people to fear the heat of summer and to enslave themselves to tyranny. What god is it that you trust?
In our August Lutheran Witness we see the false gods, heresy, which Satan has used to lead Christians away from Christ and His Word. The devil re-brands ancient heresies deceiving many. Many American Christians follow moralistic therapeutic deism - they only pray to God, come to church, when they need help - otherwise they have no need of Him. Others follow the lie of the prosperity Gospel - believe in Jesus and you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Study this issue to expose the false teachings that like cancer may be creeping into your thinking. We will study false teachings of God during Table Talk on the 17th at 6:30p.m. - join us.
Repent! Turn from the demonic spirituality of our age, the idolatry of self, fear, death, accumulating stuff, and cash. Learn from the only True God - Christ Jesus of the nature of God’s Kingdom: “Gaining By Losing!” Learn: I. The Just Sentence (vs.1-3) II. Our Schemes (vs.4-7) III. God’s Gift of Salvation (vs.8-10). IV. True Security (vs.11-13).
I. Jesus is journeying towards the final Passover in Jerusalem. He knows what price He must pay to redeem you, me, and all sinners from the eternal hell fire we have earned by our sin. He now speaks to you - to His students, followers, disciples. History records:(Lk16:1-2) “You shall not steal” our Creator has written His commandment upon our hearts, spoke it from Sinai, written it with His finger on the stone tablets, and recorded it in His holy Word. We learn to ask, ‘What does this mean?’ responding: We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.” This steward stole through embezzlement. He snuck a little of the rich man’s money away at first, then when it wasn’t notice, stole more and more. He was padding his own pockets and living the high life - until he is caught.
An accusation is made against the unjust steward. The rich man calls to him, “What is this I hear about you?” “Where are you?” “What have you done?” “Time to open the books and for you to stand judgment for what you have done with My riches!” You know the feeling. A letter arrives from the IRS as they question your deductions and plan to audit your books. Where do you turn? (Lk 16:3) The unjust steward realizes that his own strength can’t secure his future - he is too weak and old to dig. His pride won’t protect him - he is ashamed to beg. The just sentence of the Law exposes his evil.
The just sentence of God’s Law exposes your evil, your sin. If you’ve ever fudged on your taxes, underpaid for work done for you, spent other peoples’ money for your profit, tasted a strawberry in the grocery store - you are a thief. The Law condemns you as it condemned the two thieves nailed to crosses on Calvary on Jesus’ left and right hands. What will you plead when God’s books are opened and every one of your thoughts, words, deeds are brought to light before the Judge of every human heart?
II. Will you trust in your own whits? Your reason to see you though? The unjust steward now schemes to secure his future. (Lk 16:4) His trust is only in himself, his own thinking and doing. “I will do” “I alone will secure my future.” How? Through further embezzlement. Sin schemes to secure its future with more sin. (Lk 16:5-7) One by one the rich man’s debtors are called before the unjust steward. They are not aware of the pending judgment against this man. When he orders them to sit down and reduce their bill, they trust that the rich man is being generous and merciful. They are share croppers, and the Owner of all they have is showering them with His generosity through this steward. They rejoice to receive His gifts through this unjust steward.
Our schemes cannot save us from the judgement our debt of sin deserves. We cannot save ourselves.
III. Salvation must come from outside of us, who from conception are dead in our trespasses and sins. We need someone else to cancel the debt of death and hell we owe. We need Jesus. Col 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (14) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Learn well of the True God - the Merciful Master! (Lk 16:8-10) What do you have that isn’t from God? He gives you day by day all you need to support your body and life. He guards and protects you from all evil. He delivers you from the slavery of Satan, sin, and the fear of death baptizing you into Christ, feeding you the Bread of Heaven as you drink from the Rock - Christ Jesus. Don’t break faith with Him as did the children of Israel in the wilderness. Their lusting and scheming only brought death to them in the desert. The way of escape is always and only His Salvation - Jesus’ body and blood given and shed for you wiping out your debt of sin fully!
The Merciful Master commends the unjust steward for he finally realizes that his future is only secured by trusting in the Master’s goodness and mercy! Dear Christian! Why fret, worry, fear, and scheme? Repent! If the children of this world know how to manipulate the markets for their temporary benefit - trust in the Father’s grace, the Son’s salvation, and the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying power within His Church daily and richly washing you forgiven. Freeing you by trusting Jesus to cling to Him alone. Freeing you to give to those in need at your doorstep as the Triune God has given you.
God is faithful in what is least. He clothed you this morning, brought you into His House. He is faithful in much - forgiving all your sins for Christ’s sake - securing your eternity by His Holy Spirit in your baptism.
IV. He alone is your True Security! Yesterday, today, and forever! David learned of God’s faithfulness to a poor miserable sinner like him. He was merciful with the humble lad felling Goliath and honoring King Saul. He brought crooked King David the adulterer, liar, murderer to repentance torturing his conscience. Sending the prophet to call the King to account and see he deserved death - that he might free him through Christ’s cross won - Easter verified absolution.Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
In God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit I trust above all things! He alone deserves my fearful respect as my True Father. He alone deserves my love for while I was yet a sinner He died for me taking my bill and writing with His blood -“FORGIVEN!” Freed by God the Holy Spirit from Satan’s lies and chains of fear - I live as His child in true security. (Lk 16:11-13) Your future isn’t in a social program, it is in God the Father supporting your life day by day through the mammon He gives. Use it as a tool, it isn’t your god, it can’t redeem your soul from hell, it can’t extend your life by one second. Use it to support your own family. Give to those in need around you for they are created by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit through the Good News of the Gospel.
Serve God - not stuff. Fear, love, and trust in Him above all the other blessings of unrighteous mammon He showers upon you. Then you will sing forth with forgiven David: 2Sa 22:29-34 "For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness. (30) For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. (31) As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (32) "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? (33) God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. (34) He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.” In the Triune God alone in His Salvation and Security. Amen.
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