Anxiety
Commentary
It is a good exercise to contrast Abram's anxiety about his future with the assurance on the part of Jesus. These lessons afford an opportunity to contrast this anxiety and confidence as well as to speak of the meaning of faith.
Anxiety is at its bottom a lack of faith. Here I do not speak of that kind of anxiety generated by illness but of that anxiety which is driven by an overdose of self-concern. Abram knows that both he and his wife are getting too old to expect a child of their own and expresses that concern. After all, he wants to ensure that the bloodlines of his people remain pure. Jesus, on the other hand, is fully aware of what is ahead of him and yet, in the face of it all, he persists in going about his business. He is filled with the same confidence of the message that came to Abram declaring that this is a God who keeps his word. Take time to check out Jesus' comments on anxiety in the Sermon on the Mount. It is tough advice for a people who live in a material age and worry every day not only about today but tomorrow, next week, and next year.
In Psalm 127 the poet furnishes a clue to the solution for anxiety when he declares that when God is put first things are on a firmer foundation. The invitation is to keep the focus on God as the one who brings stability and trust as his gifts.
OUTLINE I
A Warning Against Anxiety
Psalm 127
Introduction: One cannot but help wonder if this poem was written with something of Solomon's understanding learned from the experience of the building of the temple. You will, no doubt, recall that Solomon's father, David, wanted to build the temple but did not gain the permission of God. Solomon was chosen for the task. Both Solomon and David were interesting combinations of despot and artist, selfish men who nevertheless showed some depth of religious sensitivity. One could shape a sermon around this theme or one of the outlines which follows.
A. Approach verses 1 and 2 from the standpoint of anxiety and then link them to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34. Amos also points the finger at those who are concerned for little else than the material and are always on the chase, missing life in the meantime. Amos 4:4, 5. Or,
B. Focus attention on verses 3-5 in which the poet seems to take off in a totally different direction and focus attention on the wisdom contention that many sons are a sign of acceptance and blessing from God. Moreover, since the Jews at this time had no clear doctrine of the afterlife, the possession of many sons was a guarantee that a man's influence and power would continue to live on in his name.
Conclusion: Whichever direction you choose be sure to find a way to apply the lesson you uncover to the daily life and concerns of your hearers.
OUTLINE II
Standing On the Promises
Genesis 15:1-12, 17, 18
Introduction: I suggest that you avoid getting bogged down in a discussion of those two murky events that take place in this selection except to note them as God's way of validating the promise he has made to Abram. Three things commend themselves to me in today's lesson.
A. Abram's pushiness. "Sure God, I hear you, but when are you going to put your money where your mouth is and show some sign of keeping that promise?" One has to admire Abram's courage and his willingness to stick his neck out with God. Most of us are so pious even when we talk about God, much less to him, that we would probably never dream of being so forthright.
B. God keeps his cool. You'd almost expect that there would be some rebuke to Abram. "Where is your faith? Don't you trust me? Shame on you!" But it is not there. God knows what he is doing even if Abram does not. He knows where he is leading Abram even when Abram does, as the writer of Hebrews says, go out not knowing where he was going.
C. The promise renewed. Sometime just try going through the Old Testament and counting the times God comes and renews his promise to Abram, Jacob, Moses and on and on and on. God never grows impatient. He is faithful even in the face of our questions and doubt. He never gives up on us.
Conclusion: Here is a good example of a man at the end of his patience having it out with God and discovering that God can take his questioning and remain faithful. This is a God who not only offers his Word but comes close to us in rituals and ceremonies to remind us that it is our lack of faith that drives us to mistrust his Word.
OUTLINE III
Surprising Friends
Luke 13:31-35
Introduction: Most of the time when you hear Christian ministers talk about the Pharisees it is with a voice filled with accusation and assumption that they were always Jesus' enemies. One good thing about today's lesson is that it reminds us that not all Pharisees were Jesus' enemies -- in fact many were friends. Joseph of Arimathea made a tomb available for Jesus' burial.
A. It is clear that Jesus was not threatened by Herod's threat. He sees himself living his life out in clear fulfillment of prophecy and has no intention of exposing himself to Herod or anyone else. If death is to come, then the most must be made of it and that can only be done in Jerusalem where people will attach special significance to what takes place.
B. Listen for the pathos in Jesus' words as he wishes that Jerusalem and the nation, for that matter, would not choose the way of belligerency. Remember, when Luke writes, the choice was already made -- Jerusalem lay waste as a warning to those in Luke's church who still wanted to instigate a rebellion. Luke makes good use of this happening.
C. Again in verse 35 Luke refers to an event that has already taken place when he reminds us of the events of that Sunday before Holy week. The readers in Luke's church will hear and they will remember the events of that day. No doubt they will remember with broken hearts that those who began the day shouting "Hosanna" ended it crying "Crucify him."
Conclusion: Remind your hearers that this is one of the most pathos-filled selections in the New Testament. Remember that what is written here has already taken place and that Luke is seeking to remind his readers of the deeper meanings of these events and warn them not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Anxiety is at its bottom a lack of faith. Here I do not speak of that kind of anxiety generated by illness but of that anxiety which is driven by an overdose of self-concern. Abram knows that both he and his wife are getting too old to expect a child of their own and expresses that concern. After all, he wants to ensure that the bloodlines of his people remain pure. Jesus, on the other hand, is fully aware of what is ahead of him and yet, in the face of it all, he persists in going about his business. He is filled with the same confidence of the message that came to Abram declaring that this is a God who keeps his word. Take time to check out Jesus' comments on anxiety in the Sermon on the Mount. It is tough advice for a people who live in a material age and worry every day not only about today but tomorrow, next week, and next year.
In Psalm 127 the poet furnishes a clue to the solution for anxiety when he declares that when God is put first things are on a firmer foundation. The invitation is to keep the focus on God as the one who brings stability and trust as his gifts.
OUTLINE I
A Warning Against Anxiety
Psalm 127
Introduction: One cannot but help wonder if this poem was written with something of Solomon's understanding learned from the experience of the building of the temple. You will, no doubt, recall that Solomon's father, David, wanted to build the temple but did not gain the permission of God. Solomon was chosen for the task. Both Solomon and David were interesting combinations of despot and artist, selfish men who nevertheless showed some depth of religious sensitivity. One could shape a sermon around this theme or one of the outlines which follows.
A. Approach verses 1 and 2 from the standpoint of anxiety and then link them to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34. Amos also points the finger at those who are concerned for little else than the material and are always on the chase, missing life in the meantime. Amos 4:4, 5. Or,
B. Focus attention on verses 3-5 in which the poet seems to take off in a totally different direction and focus attention on the wisdom contention that many sons are a sign of acceptance and blessing from God. Moreover, since the Jews at this time had no clear doctrine of the afterlife, the possession of many sons was a guarantee that a man's influence and power would continue to live on in his name.
Conclusion: Whichever direction you choose be sure to find a way to apply the lesson you uncover to the daily life and concerns of your hearers.
OUTLINE II
Standing On the Promises
Genesis 15:1-12, 17, 18
Introduction: I suggest that you avoid getting bogged down in a discussion of those two murky events that take place in this selection except to note them as God's way of validating the promise he has made to Abram. Three things commend themselves to me in today's lesson.
A. Abram's pushiness. "Sure God, I hear you, but when are you going to put your money where your mouth is and show some sign of keeping that promise?" One has to admire Abram's courage and his willingness to stick his neck out with God. Most of us are so pious even when we talk about God, much less to him, that we would probably never dream of being so forthright.
B. God keeps his cool. You'd almost expect that there would be some rebuke to Abram. "Where is your faith? Don't you trust me? Shame on you!" But it is not there. God knows what he is doing even if Abram does not. He knows where he is leading Abram even when Abram does, as the writer of Hebrews says, go out not knowing where he was going.
C. The promise renewed. Sometime just try going through the Old Testament and counting the times God comes and renews his promise to Abram, Jacob, Moses and on and on and on. God never grows impatient. He is faithful even in the face of our questions and doubt. He never gives up on us.
Conclusion: Here is a good example of a man at the end of his patience having it out with God and discovering that God can take his questioning and remain faithful. This is a God who not only offers his Word but comes close to us in rituals and ceremonies to remind us that it is our lack of faith that drives us to mistrust his Word.
OUTLINE III
Surprising Friends
Luke 13:31-35
Introduction: Most of the time when you hear Christian ministers talk about the Pharisees it is with a voice filled with accusation and assumption that they were always Jesus' enemies. One good thing about today's lesson is that it reminds us that not all Pharisees were Jesus' enemies -- in fact many were friends. Joseph of Arimathea made a tomb available for Jesus' burial.
A. It is clear that Jesus was not threatened by Herod's threat. He sees himself living his life out in clear fulfillment of prophecy and has no intention of exposing himself to Herod or anyone else. If death is to come, then the most must be made of it and that can only be done in Jerusalem where people will attach special significance to what takes place.
B. Listen for the pathos in Jesus' words as he wishes that Jerusalem and the nation, for that matter, would not choose the way of belligerency. Remember, when Luke writes, the choice was already made -- Jerusalem lay waste as a warning to those in Luke's church who still wanted to instigate a rebellion. Luke makes good use of this happening.
C. Again in verse 35 Luke refers to an event that has already taken place when he reminds us of the events of that Sunday before Holy week. The readers in Luke's church will hear and they will remember the events of that day. No doubt they will remember with broken hearts that those who began the day shouting "Hosanna" ended it crying "Crucify him."
Conclusion: Remind your hearers that this is one of the most pathos-filled selections in the New Testament. Remember that what is written here has already taken place and that Luke is seeking to remind his readers of the deeper meanings of these events and warn them not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
