A Sermon for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. Priscilla Grey

Luke 16:1-13

I. Introduction - Rascals- We love them

A. Rascals - In film
Ferris Bueller, Mel Gibson Characters, Lethal Weapon Bill Murray- Caddy Shack, Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters

B. Rascals - In the Bible
Abraham - Lies about Sara, his wife
Jacob - Steals the birthright, tricks his ailing fatherJoseph- Braggart, prideful
David- Lecherous- adulterer, murderer
Matthew - tax collector, extortionist of taxes from the poor
Paul - Persecutor of the Saints
Jesus - Dissident, law breaker, political activist, anarchist(?), revolutionary

C. Rascals in the lesson Luke 16:1-13
The Owner - Absentee landlord, collects income but never shows up - lazy, uncaring, gives nothing- Idle rich? Nothing more that a gangster -"Don"
The manager /steward - Lazy, liar, cheat, involving others in crime, selfish, not willing to face punishment, deceiver, henchman for the "Don"
The Renters - Greedy and unwilling to pay the rent, cheaters, willing accomplices to a crime, signing on to do a "favor" later for the manager unwise and setting themselves up for blackmail later.

All rascals, scoundrels,

II. History - Joachim Jeremias "rediscovering The Parables"

A. The Event commented on in the parable probably took place in the vicinity. The story and characters would have been familiar to the audience

B. Root of the Parables in this section of the Gospel were probably drawn from an Egyptian folk tale telling of the journey of Si-Osirus and his father Setme Chamois to the underworld. The words of the story, according to Jeremias, end with"He who has been good on earth will be blessed in the kingdom of the dead; and he who has been evil on earth will suffer in the kingdom of the dead."
The ending of the parable alludes to making friends who will help you into a place in your eternal home.

C. Outrage - The people, God's Chosen were appalled by the seeming suggestion that criminals and embezzlers should be models for god-fearing behavior. They missed the point.
The Owner/ Lord recognized the sin and the cleverness of one who has, at least to himself, admitted the sin and attempted to make better of the situation.
The manager, and those with him vicariously, is given a second chance: a fresh start.

III. The Good News - What is the "Good News"

A. We can make a fresh start. We can do it while there is still time.
We are like kids that have gotten off the hook for some crime, and are relieved and ripe to start over. (Sunday School Story)

B. There is a warning - Crime doesn't begin with large, noticeable acts. begins with small things and then escalates.
Crimes against groups of people don't begin with bashings, mass murders in Concentration Camps, They begin with small insults and disrespects.
We are warned to be ever vigilant, and to be ever aware of a chance for a fresh start.
Today's Epistle from 1 Timothy 2:1-8 reminds us that God would have us "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth."

C. We are God's Adopted Children. God wants a life of peace and abundance for us.
As I was writing my sermon, I received an e-mail collection of stories and the following was included. I think it tells us why that fresh start is always offered to us.

"Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boys in the picture had a different color hair than the other family members. One child suggested that he was adopted and a little girl named Jocelynn Jay said, "I know all about adoptions because I was adopted." "What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child. "it means," said Jocelynn, "that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy."

We grew in God's heart, all of us, saint and sinner alike. That is why we are offered an endless supply of "fresh starts".

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