All Saints
Commentary
One of the worrisome things that is a part of our heritage is the matter of saints. Many, of course, imagine saints to be the best and the most perfect people among us. Sometimes they come off as a bit gray and ashen faced, timidly facing life, speaking in low and holy tones, and seeming to walk about a foot off the ground.
The New Testament tells differently. Just take time to thumb through Paul's letters and note how many times he addresses his readers as the saints. Then read the rest of the letters and read of all the terrible things he accuses them of being involved in. Saints must have meant something different in those days. The fact is that those who were followers of Jesus were called saints at first. Later they will be known as members of the Way. Finally, we are told in Acts 11:26 that they were first called Christians in Antioch.
So, saints, disciples, followers, members of the Way, Christians; all these are interchangeable terms in the New Testament, and they refer to those who have come to see themselves as God sees them, to understand his offer of grace as revealed in Jesus Christ, and who have accepted that grace and now pursue the new life to which they are called.
So, the next time you hear someone use the word saint to refer to some Casper Milquetoaste person who is a mere shadow of what God means him/her to be, challenge that assertion and make it clear that the word saint is reserved for the robust, active, growing, witnessing servant and disciple of Christ.
OUTLINE I
The Meaning of Gratitude
Psalm 65:1-8
Introduction: One has to begin consideration of this part of Psalm 65 wishing that the entire Psalm had been included. Just take time to look over the rest of this beautiful nature Psalm. I have used it many times at the occasion of the interment of someone on a beautiful fall day. The Psalmist says all that needs to be said at such a moment.
We will, however, have to be satisfied with the first eight verses. Here is a poet who sees God present on every hand. In life, on the streets, in nature, he discerns God at work. Perhaps the best way to begin with such a poem is just to summarize and comment briefly on each of those things that lead the poet to praise.
A. Forgiveness.
B. Dwelling in God's presence.
C. Deliverance.
D. Creation.
E. Providence.
Just take a look at this list. Did it ever occur to you that the only portrait we have of God is God in action? We know him only by what he does.
Such a God deserves our worship. Therefore the Psalmist declares that such praise and worship is due him. Note that the intent of this poet is to center praise at the Temple. There is a strong emphasis on the centrality of the Temple as God's dwelling place. Thankfully the poet does not limit him to that Temple. This Scripture may have been a favorite of Stephen, who, as you will no doubt remember, declared that God did not dwell in houses made by hands.
Conclusion: Here is an excellent opportunity to comment on the immanence of God. Too often our people hold him at arms length by focusing on his transcendence and majesty. This is the God who seeks in all things to reveal himself to his people. Check out the first verse of Hebrews 1 for a succinct expression of that and then check out Psalm 139 which deals with God's immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, and omnipresence.
OUTLINE II
A Pastoral Concern
2 Thessalonians 2:12--3:5
Introduction: In the selection for today we find Paul at his best as pastor. He wants to be with those at Thessalonica, he wants them to be strong in the faith, and he wants to be sure that they are holding true that which he has taught them. One can surmise from what is written here that Paul has somehow picked up a rumor that all is not well at Thessalonica. Though he does not come right out and say it, he is worried about them.
A. Gratitude. A good pastor always begins with the positive things that are on his mind. Paul is grateful for their eagerness to hear and to receive his message. They have held fast to their witness even under difficult circumstances.
B. Desire to visit them. I wonder how Paul knows the difference between those times when he says the Lord kept him from doing something and those times he says it is Satan. I do not mean to be light at this point, but the question is an interesting one to raise. There is no doubt that Paul truly does wish to visit them. It is also true that he thinks that all of them live in the days near to the coming of Jesus. He will change this in later letters and admit that it is likely not to happen in his lifetime.
C. Help on the way. Since he cannot be with them, he sends Timothy for their sakes. He wants to be sure that they have not been led astray by teachings that are not his own. All one has to do is to read Paul's letters to discover that there were others who were presenting themselves as authorities and doing all they could to put Paul down.
Conclusion: The good pastor always thinks of the well-being of his congregation, even when his circumstances are difficult. Paul has enough to worry about and yet he takes time to care about the Thessalonians. Sometimes many of us are harried, overly busy, up to our ears in work, and we begin to pity ourselves and forget what we are called to be and to do. Paul gives us a meaningful model for being pastor of the flock that is our concern.
OUTLINE III
Jesus' Word About the Resurrection
Luke 20:27-38
Introduction: One must remember that Luke is not recording Jesus' words for posterity but that he is addressing a problem that is apparently very real in his faith community. Remember that the Sadducees did not accept the Resurrection, while the Pharisees did. The text breaks easily into two parts.
A. 20:27-33. Here we find the Sadducees coming up with what they think is a question that will silence talk of the Resurrection. They are referring to the law (Deuteronomy 25:5) that requires the brother of a deceased man to marry his widow and therefore save her from poverty or prostitution. Remember, there were no jobs for women. (You will find an exceedingly interesting story related to this law in Genesis 38.) In any case, the Sadducees think that they finally have Jesus stumped.
B. 20:34-38. Note that here the answer is cast in the time frame of the present age and "that age" or the "age to come." Remember that the present age was considered corrupt and impossible to redeem, while in the new age to come God would rule, and his Kingdom would extend over the whole earth. Jesus speaks in the context of the time frame understanding of his own people. He offers proof from their own Scriptures that Resurrection is a certainty and that it is something different. It is more than just more life like this life. It is something entirely new. Remember, Luke could have had 1 Corinthians available to him when he wrote this material. The point that Jesus makes best of all comes in verse 38 when he declares that God has to do with life and that he is God of the living.
Conclusion: Here is an excellent opportunity to lay to rest some of the commonly held folk wisdom regarding the hereafter. Many imagine that it is just more of the same and are therefore ready to begin. Here Jesus makes it clear that it is something more, and that those who imagine that it is more of the same are mistaken. In fact, the gospels give little clue as to what we shall be. Of one thing we can be sure. If God could give us a body fit for meaningful life in the here and now, he surely can do the same for the hereafter. Read again Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15 that end with the phrase "God gives it a body as he has chosen." That is enough for the person of faith.
The New Testament tells differently. Just take time to thumb through Paul's letters and note how many times he addresses his readers as the saints. Then read the rest of the letters and read of all the terrible things he accuses them of being involved in. Saints must have meant something different in those days. The fact is that those who were followers of Jesus were called saints at first. Later they will be known as members of the Way. Finally, we are told in Acts 11:26 that they were first called Christians in Antioch.
So, saints, disciples, followers, members of the Way, Christians; all these are interchangeable terms in the New Testament, and they refer to those who have come to see themselves as God sees them, to understand his offer of grace as revealed in Jesus Christ, and who have accepted that grace and now pursue the new life to which they are called.
So, the next time you hear someone use the word saint to refer to some Casper Milquetoaste person who is a mere shadow of what God means him/her to be, challenge that assertion and make it clear that the word saint is reserved for the robust, active, growing, witnessing servant and disciple of Christ.
OUTLINE I
The Meaning of Gratitude
Psalm 65:1-8
Introduction: One has to begin consideration of this part of Psalm 65 wishing that the entire Psalm had been included. Just take time to look over the rest of this beautiful nature Psalm. I have used it many times at the occasion of the interment of someone on a beautiful fall day. The Psalmist says all that needs to be said at such a moment.
We will, however, have to be satisfied with the first eight verses. Here is a poet who sees God present on every hand. In life, on the streets, in nature, he discerns God at work. Perhaps the best way to begin with such a poem is just to summarize and comment briefly on each of those things that lead the poet to praise.
A. Forgiveness.
B. Dwelling in God's presence.
C. Deliverance.
D. Creation.
E. Providence.
Just take a look at this list. Did it ever occur to you that the only portrait we have of God is God in action? We know him only by what he does.
Such a God deserves our worship. Therefore the Psalmist declares that such praise and worship is due him. Note that the intent of this poet is to center praise at the Temple. There is a strong emphasis on the centrality of the Temple as God's dwelling place. Thankfully the poet does not limit him to that Temple. This Scripture may have been a favorite of Stephen, who, as you will no doubt remember, declared that God did not dwell in houses made by hands.
Conclusion: Here is an excellent opportunity to comment on the immanence of God. Too often our people hold him at arms length by focusing on his transcendence and majesty. This is the God who seeks in all things to reveal himself to his people. Check out the first verse of Hebrews 1 for a succinct expression of that and then check out Psalm 139 which deals with God's immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, and omnipresence.
OUTLINE II
A Pastoral Concern
2 Thessalonians 2:12--3:5
Introduction: In the selection for today we find Paul at his best as pastor. He wants to be with those at Thessalonica, he wants them to be strong in the faith, and he wants to be sure that they are holding true that which he has taught them. One can surmise from what is written here that Paul has somehow picked up a rumor that all is not well at Thessalonica. Though he does not come right out and say it, he is worried about them.
A. Gratitude. A good pastor always begins with the positive things that are on his mind. Paul is grateful for their eagerness to hear and to receive his message. They have held fast to their witness even under difficult circumstances.
B. Desire to visit them. I wonder how Paul knows the difference between those times when he says the Lord kept him from doing something and those times he says it is Satan. I do not mean to be light at this point, but the question is an interesting one to raise. There is no doubt that Paul truly does wish to visit them. It is also true that he thinks that all of them live in the days near to the coming of Jesus. He will change this in later letters and admit that it is likely not to happen in his lifetime.
C. Help on the way. Since he cannot be with them, he sends Timothy for their sakes. He wants to be sure that they have not been led astray by teachings that are not his own. All one has to do is to read Paul's letters to discover that there were others who were presenting themselves as authorities and doing all they could to put Paul down.
Conclusion: The good pastor always thinks of the well-being of his congregation, even when his circumstances are difficult. Paul has enough to worry about and yet he takes time to care about the Thessalonians. Sometimes many of us are harried, overly busy, up to our ears in work, and we begin to pity ourselves and forget what we are called to be and to do. Paul gives us a meaningful model for being pastor of the flock that is our concern.
OUTLINE III
Jesus' Word About the Resurrection
Luke 20:27-38
Introduction: One must remember that Luke is not recording Jesus' words for posterity but that he is addressing a problem that is apparently very real in his faith community. Remember that the Sadducees did not accept the Resurrection, while the Pharisees did. The text breaks easily into two parts.
A. 20:27-33. Here we find the Sadducees coming up with what they think is a question that will silence talk of the Resurrection. They are referring to the law (Deuteronomy 25:5) that requires the brother of a deceased man to marry his widow and therefore save her from poverty or prostitution. Remember, there were no jobs for women. (You will find an exceedingly interesting story related to this law in Genesis 38.) In any case, the Sadducees think that they finally have Jesus stumped.
B. 20:34-38. Note that here the answer is cast in the time frame of the present age and "that age" or the "age to come." Remember that the present age was considered corrupt and impossible to redeem, while in the new age to come God would rule, and his Kingdom would extend over the whole earth. Jesus speaks in the context of the time frame understanding of his own people. He offers proof from their own Scriptures that Resurrection is a certainty and that it is something different. It is more than just more life like this life. It is something entirely new. Remember, Luke could have had 1 Corinthians available to him when he wrote this material. The point that Jesus makes best of all comes in verse 38 when he declares that God has to do with life and that he is God of the living.
Conclusion: Here is an excellent opportunity to lay to rest some of the commonly held folk wisdom regarding the hereafter. Many imagine that it is just more of the same and are therefore ready to begin. Here Jesus makes it clear that it is something more, and that those who imagine that it is more of the same are mistaken. In fact, the gospels give little clue as to what we shall be. Of one thing we can be sure. If God could give us a body fit for meaningful life in the here and now, he surely can do the same for the hereafter. Read again Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15 that end with the phrase "God gives it a body as he has chosen." That is enough for the person of faith.
