God's Initiative
Commentary
If you attend enough revival meetings, you can soon come to the conclusion that salvation is something much to be sought after and difficult to attain. One hears phrases such as "seeking after God" and "praying through" and "confessing so we can be forgiven" and the like. At other times the language used would lead one to picture God as standing before us with his hands behind his back and holding the prize away from us until we have jumped through the proper hoops and had the right experiences. All I know is that these are phrases and pictures not to be found in the New Testament.
What we do find, in both New Testament and Old, are pictures of a God who is forever pursuing the lost, seeking out those who flee him, and One who is always pleased to give us the kingdom.
Check out Psalm 103, Genesis 3, and those parables about fathers who could offer their sons serpents and stones.
There are many other places where the initiative of God is made clear and our seeking God is pictured as our response to him. For instance, check out Luke 15 again. The shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, the woman sweeps and searches for the lost coin and the father stands daily looking down the road. When the son comes home, the father seems not even to hear his confession. Forgiveness is already his. Little wonder there is always rejoicing. Rejoicing is in order when God has had his way with us.
OUTLINE I
A Reliable God
Psalm 34:1-8
Introduction: One of the nice things about some of the Psalms is that they are very often structured in such a manner that they lend themselves easily to sermon preparation. Today's selection fits very well into that category. For instance ...
Verses 1-3. Here is a declaration and an invitation. Take the verses one at a time and comment on them separately.
Verses 4-6. Now comes the reason for the declaration and invitation. God is dependable. God hears those who call upon him. The psalmist's experience is proof of these things. God has come to him in the midst of life and made himself known through his gifts.
Verses 7-8. The promise. Those who accept the declaration and invitation, those who have experienced God's presence and gifts in the midst of life, these are they who are open to the promise that comes at the end of the Psalms.
Conclusion: Psalms are generally constructed in such a way as to allow their use for sermons and for worship. Remind your hearers that they are listening to the worship liturgy of the Jewish community, that this is the hymnbook of that community, and that by it that community expressed its faith, worshiped, carried out its religious education, and witnessed to one another. The Psalms still afford us that opportunity.
OUTLINE II
Therefore, So
1 Corinthians 5:16-21
Introduction: Some think that Paul is essentially a theologian and that his letters are primarily theological treatises. Look again. Of course Paul does deal with theology but only in an effort to get to what he really wants to say. Remember, these are letters, letters written to congregations, letters of instruction and admonition. Theology is used as a basis for having something to say about the life to be lived. So, when you read Paul always be on the lookout for the therefores, and the so's.
A. Therefore. Check them out. Everybody now even looks different and are considered from a different point of view. Those who have perceived the truth as revealed in the Christ and accepted it are new creatures. Reconciliation is the name of the game. There is no longer a gulf, no longer hostility. Acceptance is God's gift.
B. So. Now a task is given. Do some work on the tasks assigned to ambassadors as persons to represent another. We talk much about the Holy Spirit convicting persons while Paul makes it clear that when that happens, it happens through us.
Conclusion: Here we have one of those many wonderful places in Paul's letters where he pauses and summarizes. When he does that he blends both theology and Christian living into one bundle and lets us see clearly the prophetic assertion that fidelity and faith are evidenced in new life.
OUTLINE III
A Rebuke to Orthodoxy
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
Introduction: There are so many possibilities available in today's selection that one hardly knows where to begin. Let me suggest that you resist the temptation to use this as a text for a sermon on the family and begin by reading the first two verses over and over. Pay attention to those who are listening -- tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, and scribes. Here are gathered the outsiders and the insiders of the religious community of the day. The stories of Luke 15 are told for them.
A. For tax collectors and sinners. That of Luke 15 which we wrongly call the Prodigal Son story is for them. Read it carefully as you remember the hearers and you will discover that this is the story of a Prodigal God, one who is ever ready to shower his grace on those who turn to him. You can find the same story in Genesis 1. Isn't it interesting that in both cases, God, the Father and Creator, provides a covering for nakedness ... grace.
B. For Pharisees and scribes ... the orthodox. They are those who, like the elder brother have stayed home, been faithful, followed the rules, and imagine that because of all that they are in a special category. They are shocked to learn that the Father can still love one who has treated him so rudely.
Conclusion: It is important to note that in this parable the gift of grace is made available for all. Not only for tax collectors and sinners but for self-righteous religious people as well. Therefore, this becomes a good text for the entire congregation. Here there is something for everybody.
What we do find, in both New Testament and Old, are pictures of a God who is forever pursuing the lost, seeking out those who flee him, and One who is always pleased to give us the kingdom.
Check out Psalm 103, Genesis 3, and those parables about fathers who could offer their sons serpents and stones.
There are many other places where the initiative of God is made clear and our seeking God is pictured as our response to him. For instance, check out Luke 15 again. The shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, the woman sweeps and searches for the lost coin and the father stands daily looking down the road. When the son comes home, the father seems not even to hear his confession. Forgiveness is already his. Little wonder there is always rejoicing. Rejoicing is in order when God has had his way with us.
OUTLINE I
A Reliable God
Psalm 34:1-8
Introduction: One of the nice things about some of the Psalms is that they are very often structured in such a manner that they lend themselves easily to sermon preparation. Today's selection fits very well into that category. For instance ...
Verses 1-3. Here is a declaration and an invitation. Take the verses one at a time and comment on them separately.
Verses 4-6. Now comes the reason for the declaration and invitation. God is dependable. God hears those who call upon him. The psalmist's experience is proof of these things. God has come to him in the midst of life and made himself known through his gifts.
Verses 7-8. The promise. Those who accept the declaration and invitation, those who have experienced God's presence and gifts in the midst of life, these are they who are open to the promise that comes at the end of the Psalms.
Conclusion: Psalms are generally constructed in such a way as to allow their use for sermons and for worship. Remind your hearers that they are listening to the worship liturgy of the Jewish community, that this is the hymnbook of that community, and that by it that community expressed its faith, worshiped, carried out its religious education, and witnessed to one another. The Psalms still afford us that opportunity.
OUTLINE II
Therefore, So
1 Corinthians 5:16-21
Introduction: Some think that Paul is essentially a theologian and that his letters are primarily theological treatises. Look again. Of course Paul does deal with theology but only in an effort to get to what he really wants to say. Remember, these are letters, letters written to congregations, letters of instruction and admonition. Theology is used as a basis for having something to say about the life to be lived. So, when you read Paul always be on the lookout for the therefores, and the so's.
A. Therefore. Check them out. Everybody now even looks different and are considered from a different point of view. Those who have perceived the truth as revealed in the Christ and accepted it are new creatures. Reconciliation is the name of the game. There is no longer a gulf, no longer hostility. Acceptance is God's gift.
B. So. Now a task is given. Do some work on the tasks assigned to ambassadors as persons to represent another. We talk much about the Holy Spirit convicting persons while Paul makes it clear that when that happens, it happens through us.
Conclusion: Here we have one of those many wonderful places in Paul's letters where he pauses and summarizes. When he does that he blends both theology and Christian living into one bundle and lets us see clearly the prophetic assertion that fidelity and faith are evidenced in new life.
OUTLINE III
A Rebuke to Orthodoxy
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
Introduction: There are so many possibilities available in today's selection that one hardly knows where to begin. Let me suggest that you resist the temptation to use this as a text for a sermon on the family and begin by reading the first two verses over and over. Pay attention to those who are listening -- tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, and scribes. Here are gathered the outsiders and the insiders of the religious community of the day. The stories of Luke 15 are told for them.
A. For tax collectors and sinners. That of Luke 15 which we wrongly call the Prodigal Son story is for them. Read it carefully as you remember the hearers and you will discover that this is the story of a Prodigal God, one who is ever ready to shower his grace on those who turn to him. You can find the same story in Genesis 1. Isn't it interesting that in both cases, God, the Father and Creator, provides a covering for nakedness ... grace.
B. For Pharisees and scribes ... the orthodox. They are those who, like the elder brother have stayed home, been faithful, followed the rules, and imagine that because of all that they are in a special category. They are shocked to learn that the Father can still love one who has treated him so rudely.
Conclusion: It is important to note that in this parable the gift of grace is made available for all. Not only for tax collectors and sinners but for self-righteous religious people as well. Therefore, this becomes a good text for the entire congregation. Here there is something for everybody.
