The Affirmation of Life
Commentary
One of the reasons so many are skeptical about Christianity is what they see and hear from people who profess to be Christians. They hear some of us talk of the evil world we have to live in, all the sacrifices we have to make to be Christian disciples, the burdens we bear for the Lord, the hope for the day when we are released from this evil world, the dreams we have for heaven. On and on the litany of denying the world goes. Gloom and doom seem to surround our daily lives. Little wonder they are impressed or tempted to join.
Easter is an affirmation of life in the here and now.
Often we hold our Easter services in graveyards and imply that all life worthy of living is still out there before us -- in the future somewhere and sometime.
Better if we were to hold our services in the streets, where life
goes on, and be reminded that it is there new life begins.
A careful reading of today's selections will remind us that we are always being pointed toward the future, that things eternal begin here and now, and that the faith we hold is world-affirming. We are a people who are reminded that "God so loved the world that he sent his only Son."
The faith we share is an affirmation of life in the present, and a declaration that life can be joyful and meaningful while we live in the world, because we know that we do not live here alone.
Easter is not only the story of Jesus' resurrection or the promise of our resurrection. Easter is the promise of life given to us now. Resurrection is that power for new life day by day. We can be alive now if we will.
OUTLINE I
Turning Toward the Future
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Introduction: If one is not careful they may be tempted to interpret this selection of scripture as if there is some compulsion on the part of the disciples to make sure there are twelve of them -- to keep up some connection with the twelve tribes. It is important to read the selection carefully and note the purposes they set forth.
A. Someone Knowledgeable. It is clear from verses 21 and 22 that they are not looking for new candidates. They are going to choose from someone who has been there from the beginning and knows all that has taken place -- experienced it -- so that they can be witnesses to it.
B. Someone for the Future. In verse 25 the plan is set out, "to take the place in this ministry and apostleship ..." Already they are facing the future and the task that lies ahead of them. They have put the past behind them, and now turn toward the command that is theirs. Note that all this is in good and proper fashion for Luke. Luke's church is stalled. They have been awaiting the return of Christ, and that return has not happened as they had expected. Many are sitting on their hands. Luke-Acts is a call to mission, to work in God's world. Take time to reread that story in Acts 1 about the angel coming to the disciples at the Ascension. Remember his words: "Why do you stand looking into heaven?" Indeed! Luke was challenging his church to get on with it -- to go to all the world -- and it did just that. The story about the choosing of Matthias, then, is not a story to repair the past, but to be ready for the future.
Conclusion: What motivates the church being addressed by this sermon? Is there satisfaction if the line is held, if losses are replaced by gains, if the status quo is not allowed to slip? Are we always facing backwards; or, do we face the future?
OUTLINE II
The Gift that Begins Now
1 John 5:9-13
Introduction: When one begins to talk of eternal life in the church many imagine this means life that goes on and on, ad infinitum. At funerals everybody worries whether the person will go to heaven and live forever. Eternity is associated with time; it is assumed that being able to live forever is a good thing. Here is an opportunity to challenge that contention. You can bring up many circumstances, describe them, and raise the question about whether there would be great joy if these circumstances prevailed forever. The point is that eternal and forever may not mean the same thing.
A. Forever. Speculate on that word for a moment. Expand on the notion that for some things to last forever may not be the greatest thing one can look forward to. For instance, take a look at Psalm 76:7-8 and listen for the hopelessness that is associated with the word forever. Forever could be a mighty burden if there were no change in circumstances.
B. Eternal. A thing that is eternal has an added dimension. To be eternal means to be lasting, to be enduring, to be of a quality that is indestructible, to be dependable. Thus one can say that God's love is eternal -- that his grace is eternal; not just because it will last forever, but because of its very nature. If one takes this tack then one can begin to understand when the writer speaks of eternal life he means a quality that includes wholeness, unity, integrity, newness, dependability. Such things do have the qualities that make it possible for them to last forever.
Conclusion: The point is to help your listeners to be less glib about using the words forever and eternal as if they meant the same thing. Such a sermon can help them think more clearly about the faith to which they are called, and to accept the gift of eternal life which can begin here and now, rather than worrying about living forever after they die.
OUTLINE III
No Relief in Sight
John 17:11b-19
Introduction: There are those who imagine the faith we share to be some sort of magic shield, protecting us from life, giving us special privileges and breaks, and exempting us from what happens to other people in this world. I know of no better antidote to this attitude than the scripture selection for today. Verse 15 is the key.
A. "I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world." Check down a few verses and you will read that Jesus was not only praying for those whom he was about to leave; he said, "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word." That's us. And the prayer that we not be snatched out of the daily circumstances of life, common to all, fits us as well as them. For those who look to the heavens daily for relief from life, the message is that none is coming. Except ...
B. "That thou shouldst keep them from the evil one." The point is that we are left in the world, but we are not left alone. The defeat of evil is already accomplished and assured. The struggle goes on. But we are not left alone. Be sure to reread chapters 14-16, which immediately precede this material, in order to know that John has already spoken to the promise of the Spirit that will be with us as guide, counselor, advocate.
Conclusion: Challenge those who hide from life to move out into the mainstream (of life) where God means them to be. Call those who are bitter, because they got more than their share of something bad, to stop accosting God as the culprit. Remind all hearers that life is here to be lived; that what is common to life, sooner or later, comes to all of us; but that, when it does come, we are not left alone.
Easter is an affirmation of life in the here and now.
Often we hold our Easter services in graveyards and imply that all life worthy of living is still out there before us -- in the future somewhere and sometime.
Better if we were to hold our services in the streets, where life
goes on, and be reminded that it is there new life begins.
A careful reading of today's selections will remind us that we are always being pointed toward the future, that things eternal begin here and now, and that the faith we hold is world-affirming. We are a people who are reminded that "God so loved the world that he sent his only Son."
The faith we share is an affirmation of life in the present, and a declaration that life can be joyful and meaningful while we live in the world, because we know that we do not live here alone.
Easter is not only the story of Jesus' resurrection or the promise of our resurrection. Easter is the promise of life given to us now. Resurrection is that power for new life day by day. We can be alive now if we will.
OUTLINE I
Turning Toward the Future
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Introduction: If one is not careful they may be tempted to interpret this selection of scripture as if there is some compulsion on the part of the disciples to make sure there are twelve of them -- to keep up some connection with the twelve tribes. It is important to read the selection carefully and note the purposes they set forth.
A. Someone Knowledgeable. It is clear from verses 21 and 22 that they are not looking for new candidates. They are going to choose from someone who has been there from the beginning and knows all that has taken place -- experienced it -- so that they can be witnesses to it.
B. Someone for the Future. In verse 25 the plan is set out, "to take the place in this ministry and apostleship ..." Already they are facing the future and the task that lies ahead of them. They have put the past behind them, and now turn toward the command that is theirs. Note that all this is in good and proper fashion for Luke. Luke's church is stalled. They have been awaiting the return of Christ, and that return has not happened as they had expected. Many are sitting on their hands. Luke-Acts is a call to mission, to work in God's world. Take time to reread that story in Acts 1 about the angel coming to the disciples at the Ascension. Remember his words: "Why do you stand looking into heaven?" Indeed! Luke was challenging his church to get on with it -- to go to all the world -- and it did just that. The story about the choosing of Matthias, then, is not a story to repair the past, but to be ready for the future.
Conclusion: What motivates the church being addressed by this sermon? Is there satisfaction if the line is held, if losses are replaced by gains, if the status quo is not allowed to slip? Are we always facing backwards; or, do we face the future?
OUTLINE II
The Gift that Begins Now
1 John 5:9-13
Introduction: When one begins to talk of eternal life in the church many imagine this means life that goes on and on, ad infinitum. At funerals everybody worries whether the person will go to heaven and live forever. Eternity is associated with time; it is assumed that being able to live forever is a good thing. Here is an opportunity to challenge that contention. You can bring up many circumstances, describe them, and raise the question about whether there would be great joy if these circumstances prevailed forever. The point is that eternal and forever may not mean the same thing.
A. Forever. Speculate on that word for a moment. Expand on the notion that for some things to last forever may not be the greatest thing one can look forward to. For instance, take a look at Psalm 76:7-8 and listen for the hopelessness that is associated with the word forever. Forever could be a mighty burden if there were no change in circumstances.
B. Eternal. A thing that is eternal has an added dimension. To be eternal means to be lasting, to be enduring, to be of a quality that is indestructible, to be dependable. Thus one can say that God's love is eternal -- that his grace is eternal; not just because it will last forever, but because of its very nature. If one takes this tack then one can begin to understand when the writer speaks of eternal life he means a quality that includes wholeness, unity, integrity, newness, dependability. Such things do have the qualities that make it possible for them to last forever.
Conclusion: The point is to help your listeners to be less glib about using the words forever and eternal as if they meant the same thing. Such a sermon can help them think more clearly about the faith to which they are called, and to accept the gift of eternal life which can begin here and now, rather than worrying about living forever after they die.
OUTLINE III
No Relief in Sight
John 17:11b-19
Introduction: There are those who imagine the faith we share to be some sort of magic shield, protecting us from life, giving us special privileges and breaks, and exempting us from what happens to other people in this world. I know of no better antidote to this attitude than the scripture selection for today. Verse 15 is the key.
A. "I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world." Check down a few verses and you will read that Jesus was not only praying for those whom he was about to leave; he said, "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word." That's us. And the prayer that we not be snatched out of the daily circumstances of life, common to all, fits us as well as them. For those who look to the heavens daily for relief from life, the message is that none is coming. Except ...
B. "That thou shouldst keep them from the evil one." The point is that we are left in the world, but we are not left alone. The defeat of evil is already accomplished and assured. The struggle goes on. But we are not left alone. Be sure to reread chapters 14-16, which immediately precede this material, in order to know that John has already spoken to the promise of the Spirit that will be with us as guide, counselor, advocate.
Conclusion: Challenge those who hide from life to move out into the mainstream (of life) where God means them to be. Call those who are bitter, because they got more than their share of something bad, to stop accosting God as the culprit. Remind all hearers that life is here to be lived; that what is common to life, sooner or later, comes to all of us; but that, when it does come, we are not left alone.
