The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Text: Provers 4:10-23
Our Old Testament reading is from the book of Proverbs. In some circles, Proverbs is a book that is not meditated on as it should be, and yet, it remains incredibly relevant today, especially as Christians navigate this chaotic world of evil and wickedness.
An evil and wickedness that has been on full display these past few weeks as young adults have taken the lives of other human beings. Whether it is the life of an innocent girl on a subway, children praying, or Charlie Kirk being assassinated.
And as we discussed last week, we all have to take stock and examine the ways our words and actions contribute to this downfall in humanity. In our homes, our communities, and schools.
One aspect that cannot go unnoticed in our society today is the breakdown of the family unit, especially the failure of fathers to lead their families. As of 2023, one in four children did not have a father physically present in the home.
But you have to also ask, how many children live with a father who is physically present but emotionally and spiritually absent? A father who does not lead the home and family with wisdom—wisdom that transcends society and this world—and that leads to peace in Christ.
For this reason, today’s reading remains valuable and significant as Solomon shows fatherly love for his sons by teaching them the way of godly wisdom.
A noble task, entrusted to the head of the household. The teaching of Godly wisdom is a father’s job. (Just think of how Luther begins each section of the Small Catechism, “As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.”)
So, Solomon portrays life as a journey and describes the father as the one who must guide the young person in the way of wisdom. The child’s role here is to listen to the instruction given by the father, and this becomes an ongoing conversation throughout life. However, the father also needs to be aware of where he is leading the child.
Solomon wrote,
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life. (Proverbs 4:11-13)
The father is to teach and lead his children to wisdom, and wisdom is to understand God’s will, the truth revealed in His word.
Where is this will of God found?
Don’t overthink it, begin with the Ten Commandments.
Begin with the First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods.”
“You shall fear, love, and trust in God above all things.”
When someone has this anchor throughout their life, they will start to walk and run in the paths of righteousness, the path, the way of eternal life.
This is where the words of the Epistle come into focus as St. Paul wrote,
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
He goes on to say,
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17)
So, what are these works of the flesh?
The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (Galatians 5:19-21)
These works of the flesh are also the path of the wicked, where Solomon says sleep is robbed, where the diet of man is to eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of this world’s violence. (Proverbs 4:17)
In other words, the evil you consume with your lips and your ears will enslave you, not to do good, but to do evil. To attack your very heart and the seat of faith.
So, what are you and your families consuming?
To figure this out, think about where you spend your time. Whether it's online, in front of the TV, talking with others at the dinner table, or reading books.
We all have to make this examination of our lives.
As Jesus said to the Jews and says to us still today,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)
This is a struggle, even for a parent, to be enslaved to sin.
To have “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
So how are we supposed to lead the children of God if we, too, have fallen short or found ourselves on the path of wickedness? Show them and guide them on the way back by first confessing your own sins to them and God, the ways you’ve allowed yourself to succumb to the works of the flesh, and how you have stumbled into darkness and evil. Show them that you’ve permitted the sin of leprosy to consume you and say with them, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:13)
I am no different. When the path of wickedness appears for me, I too must go to my children, repent of my sin, and turn away from the darkness that assaults me. I, too, must say, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:13) So that they, like me, might be led back to the way of wisdom and the path of righteousness. To the place where the light shines in the darkness, to the place where Jesus is present with His forgiveness and eternal life for poor sinners like us.
As Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 812)
And this light of Christ enables man to go in the way of the Spirit, to have,
The fruit of the Spirit [that] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24)
Because this is the way of Christ: to confess and immerse the sins of Adam in the font of Holy Baptism, to go to the cross and die in Christ, and to rise again to new life.
And the children entrusted to our care, or those who see and observe us, only learn this way of life if we, too, are living it.
As we observe this corrupt and often vile world, parents, especially fathers, have a vital role in guiding their children—to keep them from falling into wickedness and to lead them toward the eternal light of Christ.
Listen to Solomon's voice, hear your Father in heaven, and follow His words, for they are your life and healing balm for your soul. They will guide you and your descendants to eternal life. +INJ+
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
The Sermons of Pastor Rogness can we found at www.RognessOnTap.com
Learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at www.goodsheptomah.org
