Either/Or
Commentary
One of the most overwhelming things about the faith we share is its uncompromising demand. No other gods! Today! Choose! Spirit or flesh, not both! No either/or!
I am convinced most of us think about our faith and faithfulness in terms of more or less. We consider ourselves good enough, devoted enough, etc. We are like the people spoken of in 2 Kings 17:32. (Look it up.) And we see no sense of urgency about our situation since there is always plenty of time.
But not in the Scriptures. Their God will tolerate no rivals and he will not share us with any other. Because his love for us and his yearning for us is total and undivided in its initiative to win us, it will accept nothing less than a full response.
The reason is not that we need to get on with it and decide, lest we delay and are, at the end, lost. The reason is there is life to be had in the here-and-now and every minute, hour, and day lived half-heartedly is a minute, hour, and day in which we have rejected the gift of life.
We relate salvation to the end of life and the hereafter. God clearly relates it to all of life and in the here-and-now.
Eternal life is a quality of life, not a quantity we finally gain at the end. Many hope for life everlasting and will miss it because they have failed to live an eternal kind of life. That life requires our all. There is no both/and; only either/or.
OUTLINE I
A Word for the Half-hearted
1 Kings 19:14-21
Introduction: If you have been preaching on these Kings texts as a series you have been keeping your hearers up-to-date on the detail. Good! Surely you have brought Elisha onto the scene. If not, now is the time to introduce this lesser light who is to succeed the powerful Elijah.
1. What Elisha Wants: Check out the story in 2 Kings 2. It is clear Elisha expects to succeed Elijah. In an interesting way, the first thing he does after Elijah is taken up is to check things out to see if he really does have the power.
2. What Elisha Does: Willing to have the power, he is not quite ready. First, he wants to tell the folks at home goodbye. It was an easier time and he goes home for a farewell banquet. Times are different when the Luke selection is written. Domitian is at the door. There is no time for picnics. (See Matthew 8:18-22 for Jesus' attitude.)
3. What Elisha Becomes: Mostly a miracle-worker. Never quite measuring up. Isn't that the way it is with those who make half- hearted-and self-centered commitments?
Conclusion: There must be a few Elishas out there. Speak to them.
OUTLINE II
Signs of Rejection
Luke 9:51-62
Introduction: In a real way Jesus is rejected here by two groups: one on the basis of religious heritage, the other on the basis of demand.
1. Samaritans: Recall the conflict between Jews and Samaritans. Help the hearers to understand the conflict and then bring it up-to-date. What about Protestants and Catholics? Jews and Christians? Or Methodists and Baptists? How much real credence do we allow to the faith of others?
2. Potential disciples: Many are ready to be disciples but ... If we can hold on to something or if we can do something else first. How often do we hear someone say, "When I get older," "When I have my career underway," "When I make more money - then ..."
3. Jesus' Terrible Demand: Emphasize the uncompromising dimension of his call. When we accept it, all else is subsidiary, and, in that way, we truly place all else first, because then are we ready to be at our best, give life our best. The terrible demand is truly the way to life.
Conclusion: Open the way to life to the hearers. Remind them when they make such a commitment they lose nothing (of real value) and gain everything that really matters.
OUTLINE III
Multiple Choices
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Introduction: If one were to wish for a clear and precise description of alternative lifestyles expected of the faithful, one need not hope for more than is given here.
1. Things of the Flesh: Turn to Barclay's Commentary. Few do a better job on the meanings of the words used here. It's a list that remains contemporary. Give it an up-to-date interpretation.
2. Works of the Spirit: People are always wondering where to find the spirit. These days there's lots of talk about having the spirit. Unfortunately it seems as if having the spirit is evidenced by some sort of emotional state. Here are more practical clues. Wherever you find these things, you'll be sure to find the spirit. Help the hearers explain the meaning of the words for their lives.
Conclusion: One can choose. This is no description of kinds of people, but a description of what we can become. Offer the choice to your congregation in the spirit of Joshua 24:14, 15.
I am convinced most of us think about our faith and faithfulness in terms of more or less. We consider ourselves good enough, devoted enough, etc. We are like the people spoken of in 2 Kings 17:32. (Look it up.) And we see no sense of urgency about our situation since there is always plenty of time.
But not in the Scriptures. Their God will tolerate no rivals and he will not share us with any other. Because his love for us and his yearning for us is total and undivided in its initiative to win us, it will accept nothing less than a full response.
The reason is not that we need to get on with it and decide, lest we delay and are, at the end, lost. The reason is there is life to be had in the here-and-now and every minute, hour, and day lived half-heartedly is a minute, hour, and day in which we have rejected the gift of life.
We relate salvation to the end of life and the hereafter. God clearly relates it to all of life and in the here-and-now.
Eternal life is a quality of life, not a quantity we finally gain at the end. Many hope for life everlasting and will miss it because they have failed to live an eternal kind of life. That life requires our all. There is no both/and; only either/or.
OUTLINE I
A Word for the Half-hearted
1 Kings 19:14-21
Introduction: If you have been preaching on these Kings texts as a series you have been keeping your hearers up-to-date on the detail. Good! Surely you have brought Elisha onto the scene. If not, now is the time to introduce this lesser light who is to succeed the powerful Elijah.
1. What Elisha Wants: Check out the story in 2 Kings 2. It is clear Elisha expects to succeed Elijah. In an interesting way, the first thing he does after Elijah is taken up is to check things out to see if he really does have the power.
2. What Elisha Does: Willing to have the power, he is not quite ready. First, he wants to tell the folks at home goodbye. It was an easier time and he goes home for a farewell banquet. Times are different when the Luke selection is written. Domitian is at the door. There is no time for picnics. (See Matthew 8:18-22 for Jesus' attitude.)
3. What Elisha Becomes: Mostly a miracle-worker. Never quite measuring up. Isn't that the way it is with those who make half- hearted-and self-centered commitments?
Conclusion: There must be a few Elishas out there. Speak to them.
OUTLINE II
Signs of Rejection
Luke 9:51-62
Introduction: In a real way Jesus is rejected here by two groups: one on the basis of religious heritage, the other on the basis of demand.
1. Samaritans: Recall the conflict between Jews and Samaritans. Help the hearers to understand the conflict and then bring it up-to-date. What about Protestants and Catholics? Jews and Christians? Or Methodists and Baptists? How much real credence do we allow to the faith of others?
2. Potential disciples: Many are ready to be disciples but ... If we can hold on to something or if we can do something else first. How often do we hear someone say, "When I get older," "When I have my career underway," "When I make more money - then ..."
3. Jesus' Terrible Demand: Emphasize the uncompromising dimension of his call. When we accept it, all else is subsidiary, and, in that way, we truly place all else first, because then are we ready to be at our best, give life our best. The terrible demand is truly the way to life.
Conclusion: Open the way to life to the hearers. Remind them when they make such a commitment they lose nothing (of real value) and gain everything that really matters.
OUTLINE III
Multiple Choices
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Introduction: If one were to wish for a clear and precise description of alternative lifestyles expected of the faithful, one need not hope for more than is given here.
1. Things of the Flesh: Turn to Barclay's Commentary. Few do a better job on the meanings of the words used here. It's a list that remains contemporary. Give it an up-to-date interpretation.
2. Works of the Spirit: People are always wondering where to find the spirit. These days there's lots of talk about having the spirit. Unfortunately it seems as if having the spirit is evidenced by some sort of emotional state. Here are more practical clues. Wherever you find these things, you'll be sure to find the spirit. Help the hearers explain the meaning of the words for their lives.
Conclusion: One can choose. This is no description of kinds of people, but a description of what we can become. Offer the choice to your congregation in the spirit of Joshua 24:14, 15.
