Text: Luke 6:17-26
Theme: On being open and closed
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Intr – For our Valentine’s Potluck lunch today, I brought a special treat for you: Apple pie! I know many of you enjoy it, as it is a beloved traditional recipe.

I decided to be open-minded, though, and there are some changes to it. I’m counting on you to be open-minded about this as well. Instead of apple, this pie has a filling of avocado and jalapeño. Also, the dough was made with ultra-processed artificial flour, generated by AI. Again, I’m counting on you to keep an open mind.

It will be available during our Valentine’s Potluck, and I hope to see many of you enjoying a slice, as I prepared it with much love and care. I know you don’t want to hurt my feelings, so… you are looking forward to it, aren’t you?

I know that at this point you are thinking, ‘What the heck? Now I’ll have to eat an apple pie with no apple but with avocado, and made with questionable ingredients just so I don’t hurt my pastor’s feelings?… I better give an excuse and sneak out before lunch even starts.”

To have an open mind can be good. But it has its limits.

This illustration connects to daily life.  As we stand in the biblical truths the way we received them, sometimes we may see ourselves in a position that can be summed up by the familiar phrase: (Slide 1)‘You have to be more open-minded.” The topics may vary—anything from the authority of Scripture to dealing with past mistakes; from the concept of faith and love to what happens to those who are not in Christ; from biblical teachings on sexuality and gender to the roles in marriage. But the challenge remains the same: Will you stay with the historical recipe that the Church has been passing down through the centuries or will you open your mind to this generation’s new ingredients to understand the world and the meaning of life?

It’s a tough place to be—I know. I’ve been there too, believe it or not. Especially when it involves people you love and respect. The truth is, we don’t like conflict, and we often wish things were different. Nevertheless, there you are—standing firm in the apple pie recipe you know is true while resisting the avocado-butter whatever-it-is being served before your heart.

Sometimes opposition to your faith may come in a light way. Sometimes, in a more direct way, like this example from last week: (Slide 2)

Now, do you know what Jesus calls these situations? Blessed. 

I know it’s hard to accept it at face value, but Jesus is clear in today’s Gospel: you are blessed when this happens. The Gospel passage contains four ‘blessings’ and four ‘woes’—exact opposites of each other. They show that in spiritual matters, being cursed by the world means you are truly blessed. But if you feel blessed by the world, you may very well be on the wrong path.”

The backwardness of the Gospel

Jesus contrasts following Him with not following Him using the terms “blessed” and “woe.” Here, we see how, in the Kingdom of God, things appear backward.

• Blessed: The poor are rich, the hungry are satisfied, weeping turns to joy, and persecution becomes a reward.
• Woe: The rich are poor, the well-fed are hungry, joy turns to weeping, and words of praise become words of condemnation.

Blessed are you whenever you stand for God’s Word in your life, even when it brings woes from the world. Woe to you whenever you go with the flow against God’s Word, even when it seems to bring blessings from the world.

From the biblical perspective, truth is not relative. Wrong is wrong, even if everyone agrees with it. Right is right, even if everyone shames or condemns it.

Now, let’s consider “on being open and closed,” as our theme for today calls us to think about.

Open-Minded

As I mentioned earlier, we’re often encouraged to be more “open-minded.”

An open-minded approach can be a good thing—when it involves reconsidering lifelong stances that could be better understood in a different light. This is particularly valuable when it leads to growth in our lives, relationships, and work in the Kingdom of God. Some examples:

Engaging with Cultural Diversity – Jesus told us to go into the world to preach the Gospel. Here in Canada, the world is coming to us. Being “open-minded” might mean embracing the idea that the Church is made of diversity. See Revelation 7:9.[1] Did those people have a name tag on them? How did John know they were from different peoples and tribes? We see here that we are not only a church that embraces diversity. The Church is diverse!

Understanding Mental Health – The world today is more aware of mental health struggles than ever before. Many Lutherans may have previously thought of emotional and mental struggles only in terms of spiritual warfare or a lack of faith. The “open-minded” approach in this context involves understanding mental health while continuing to offer biblical counseling, prayer, and community support. It would also mean acknowledging the complexities of the human condition and offering compassion and care.[2]

Engaging in Social Topics – Our essential work as Church is to live around Word and Sacraments. From there, we can engage in social topics with our faith in action, acting in society. With an open mind, we engage in these issues from a theological standpoint—asking how we can live out our faith by caring for the least among us, advocating for justice, and showing mercy, while staying true to Scripture’s teachings about the nature of sin and redemption.

Science and Faith – We don’t change the Bible in any of its teachings, from Genesis to Revelation. Here, with an open mind, first we don’t embark in the eternal antagonism between Science and Faith that is pushed upon us; and also engage with the findings of science in light of our Christian faith, affirming that scientific discoveries can never disprove God’s creation; what they can do is to offer deeper understanding in many topics related to God’s Work in the World.

When we are solidly grounded on the Word of God, we don’t need to be afraid of being open when it comes to love, service, growth, and connection—loving God and loving our neighbour.

Closed[3]

Now, when you hear calls to “be more open-minded,” listen carefully. What’s often meant by this advice is: “You can’t think like that anymore. You need to go with the flow of current values.” In other words, you’re only considered right if you change your thinking and think like them.

To be open minded can be good. But it has its limits. While there are topics where we can open our minds to conversation and understanding, Jesus also calls us to a stay-of-mind—we remain closed, firmly grounded in His Word, His promises, faith, and salvation.

For example, in today’s Epistle, we’re reminded that the resurrection of the dead is a fundamental teaching of Scripture. One cannot be a Christian without believing in Jesus’ resurrection—and, consequently, in our resurrection on the last day. There is no negotiation here.

Other examples include:

The Exclusivity of Christ – The world may tell us that all religious paths lead to God, but Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Being “closed” in the Word in this case remaining locked in the belief that salvation is found only through faith in Christ, even when society promotes pluralism or inclusivity in religious beliefs.[4]

Forgiveness and Reconciliation – The world may suggest “moving on” or “cutting people out” when hurt, emphasizing personal peace over reconciliation. However, Scripture teaches us to forgive one another (Matthew 18:21-22, Colossians 3:13) and seek peace and reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24). Even when it’s difficult, remaining “closed” to the temptation of holding grudges or simply cutting off relationships is part of living the life Christ calls us to.

Holy Communion – The bread and the wine are often referred to as “symbols” or “representations” of Christ’s body and blood. Or as if they transformed into it. We remain locked in on the teaching that with the bread and the wine we have the Real Presence of Jesus’s body and blood in us and for us, and that together at the altar we all confess the same faith.

Marriage and Sexuality – Society often pushes the acceptance of non-biblical views on marriage, gender, and sexuality, arguing for flexibility in these areas. However, the Bible’s clear teachings on the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6) and the importance of chastity (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) call us to stand firm, even when cultural pressures encourage “open-mindedness” toward alternative lifestyles. We remain locked in on the Biblical teaching while remaining open to loving and sharing the gospel with everyone.

Perseverance in Suffering – The world often tells us to avoid suffering at all costs and pursue comfort and ease. Yet, the Bible teaches us to take joy in suffering for the sake of Christ, knowing that it produces endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). Remaining “closed” to the world’s avoidance of suffering and accepting it as part of the Christian journey shows faithfulness in Christ.

From all of this, we see that in Jesus 1) we learn, grow, and change in areas of life where we can make progress and do things differently than past generations in the world. But when it comes to the Word, we must remember that 2) the recipe has never changed. Our minds and hearts were already opened when we were called to faith by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to receive Christ through faith. Your mind and heart are well-nourished already by the traditional recipe—you don’t new spiritual ingredients. You have been regenerated, born again, and filled with God’s wisdom—a gift to cherish, care for, and cultivate for the rest of your life.[5] As we remain closed in Him, we will not only comments that challenge us, but also those who cheer us. (Slide 8)

And remember, this is not a question of “hurting people’s feelings.” We want to speak the truth in love, but when it comes to what we know it is true, we are not out to hurt people’s feelings, but to be the blessed people Jesus speak about – we walk in faith and hope while we share this recipe with all hungry hearts.

Conclusion: As a closing, I have to say that what I mentioned in the illustration is not actually true. This is an authentic apple pie, filled with pie and made with regular ingredients. It will be available during the potluck luncheon. You may feel free to have a piece of it or not.

This is what we want to share with the world: the recipe hasn’t changed. God is the same today and forever. What may change are the ways in which we present and share it – just like we don’t bake the pies exactly the way we did 500 years ago. We want to offer the authentic content of God’s Word. People may taste it or not, we can’ force them. But we can love them, and live a life where anyone can see this: We are blessed people, living locked in on the Word, and living our faith open to love, interact and share is the best flavour of life anyone can ever taste.

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[1] “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hand.”

[2] Gender and Family Roles – While Lutheran theology has clear teachings on the roles of men and women, being “open-minded” might involve recognizing the variety of ways families can thrive in the modern world. For instance, we can support women who decide to be stay at home moms, when many would pressure them into out of the home careers as the only way for having an identity.

Environmental Stewardship – It involves recognizing the theological truth that God created the world and entrusted it to us, not just for our use but for His glory. Caring for God’s creation through responsible environmental practices aligns with our stewardship role in the Kingdom of God, as we seek to preserve the earth for future generations.

[3] This term can have a negative connotation in society, suggesting stubbornness or an unwillingness to consider new ideas. However, from a biblical perspective, being “closed-minded” in some areas can be seen as a positive thing. For example, remaining closed to worldly influences and firmly holding to God’s Word, even when it contradicts cultural trends, is a sign of faithfulness to the truth. In this sense, “closed-minded” refers to a steadfast commitment to the gospel and Scripture, even when it’s unpopular or challenging.

[4] The Authority of Scripture – In a world that increasingly elevates personal experience, feelings, or reason above Scripture, holding fast to the belief that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) can feel counter-cultural. Being “closed” to the relativistic view that all spiritual paths are equally valid or that biblical teachings can be edited to fit modern sensibilities is essential for staying true to the recipe passed on to us.

Work and Rest – In a world that values busyness and productivity, we are often encouraged to work harder, longer, and to measure our worth by our achievements. But the Word of God teaches the importance of Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11), the value of work as service to God (Colossians 3:23-24), and that our identity isn’t tied to our productivity. Remaining “closed” to the idea that rest is a waste of time is crucial for spiritual and physical well-being.

The Sanctity of Life – In a culture that often prioritizes convenience, the Bible’s teaching on the value of human life (Psalm 139:13-16) stands in stark contrast to the increasing acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. Christians are called to remain closed to the idea that life can be treated as disposable, and to protect the unborn and care for the elderly, sick, and marginalized.

Materialism and Wealth – Our society promotes the idea that more is better, and accumulating wealth and possessions is a key to happiness. Scripture, however, teaches that true wealth comes from being rich toward God (Luke 12:15-21) and that our treasure is in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Remaining “closed” to the pursuit of earthly treasures and focusing on generosity and service to others reflects the priorities of God’s Kingdom.

[5] He is the one who keeps you not as the avocado, but as the apple of His eye and hides you in the shadow of his wings. (Psalm 17:8)