Lenten Athletes
Commentary
Sometimes when I hear people talking about what they are going to do during Lent, it seems to me that they are about to enter some kind of spiritual aerobics class in an effort to shape up spiritually and in an effort to please and impress God. Many have heard that Lent is a time for self-denial and so they embark on a program of denying themselves of things in an effort to prove their loyalty and gain merit.
It is important, I think, that we just listen to the words "self-denial." They do not mean that we are to deny ourselves "something," but that we are to deny ourselves. That means that we focus our attention on putting self in place, removing ourselves from position of number one, and that we come ready to be disciples and followers of Jesus.
Once Jesus' disciples were discussing who was greatest, who had the most clout, spiritual muscle, and deserved first place in the coming kingdom. Remember Jesus' answer. He who wanted to be greatest was to be servant of all. That is not an easy thing to hear, especially in a day when so many churches and preachers who are trying to win us as disciples for themselves make so many glowing promises. But, after all, is it preachers we want to follow, churches into which we want to be accepted -- or do we truly wish to be disciples of Jesus?
OUTLINE I
Blessed Assurance?
Psalm 91:9-16
Introduction:
Two things need to be said about today's lesson at the outset. First, it is clear that this poem, like Psalm 1 sets out at least a part of the theme of wisdom literature in Israel that declared blessings for the righteous and troubles for the sinner. Here the poet deals with half the equation. Second, it is clear that over time this passage came to be associated with the expected Messiah. This is the scripture which the Tempter quotes to Jesus on the Mount of Temptation. Even so, we should not write off this poem. Let us just let it speak for itself.
A. Verses 9:13. Here is a wonderful declaration of trust in the providence of God. It might not always come true but when that providence is in evidence it is proper to bless God. This writer is spiritual kin to the first Job, the patient Job who, after his first afflictions simply states that both good and bad come from the hand of the Lord. The pious Jew would rather maintain that than to confess dualism and suggest that there is a bad God loose in the world.
B. Verses 14-16. Here God is made to speak. Here the wisdom proclamation is terse and clear. One needs to go immediately to Psalm 73. Here the poet says he has heard such things, but, read that poem for a corrective.
Conclusion: It is acceptable to proclaim the providence of God so long as you do not make it conditional, dependent on our faithfulness, or imply what Job's friends implied, that it was always the way they said it was. Better to help your people identify with the second Job, the impatient one of chapters 3-41 and teach them how to be realistic about their expectations when it comes to God's providence.
OUTLINE II
God is faithful
Romans 10:8b-13
Introduction: I once attended a revival meeting where there was a woman who had been trying to "pray through" for three nights but could not come away from the altar with any confidence at all. The minister asked me to talk to her. I asked her if she truly believed that God kept his word. The answer was yes. Then I asked if she believed that God offered salvation to any who came to him. Again the answer was in the affirmative. Then I asked if she had confessed her sin, sought forgiveness and had given herself to God. Again, yes. "So," I asked, "then what are you doing here?" I meant that. I think that Paul would agree.
A. Confess ... and you will be saved. Not might, not even probably, but will be. You have his word. To doubt his word is the essence of disbelief. You don't have to feel like it, or duplicate some experience somebody has described. Confess and God is faithful.
B. No one/everyone. What Paul had to say may have worried some of the die-hard particularists who still wanted to believe that they were special and had first claim on salvation. But there it is. There are no special classes or cases.
Conclusion: Assure all those in your hearing that there are no hoops to jump through so that God will forgive. He is ready to forgive, more ready than we are to turn. Let them hear the Good News that God waits for them to take the gift from his hand and make it their own, that there are no barriers of race or creed or color or morals of anything else. The surprise of the Gospel is its picture of a God who relentlessly pursued those whom he loves ... sinners. Look up Francis Thompson's Hound of Heaven. It is the best thing around these days.
OUTLINE III
Sorting it Out
Luke 4:1-13
Introduction: Since Jesus was alone on that mountain it stands to reason that this is a story that had to come directly from him. You can imagine the disciples worrying among themselves as to how they are going to get this kingdom he talks about established. It must have been the topic of discussion around many a campfire. Jesus listens to all their suggestions which include feeding the people, engaging in a bit of compromise and offering a bit of messianic razzle dazzle. You can hear him offering his comments.
A. "Yes, I thought about bread. But don't you see that that is all the people want. They don't want to be real disciples. They want to be mealtime disciples. It has to be better than that. When the going gets tough, we will need better followers than that."
B. "Yes, I thought of compromising with the authorities. They do have tremendous power. It does look like the way to go some days. But check it out. Inevitably one s own principles are compromised, one is trapped by the deals he has made. Worse, it is service and loyalty to God with half a heart. God wants all we have to offer."
C. "Yes, I know that they know about the Psalm. Every time they come to Jerusalem they look up at the temple towers wondering if it will happen today. Well, that would draw a crowd, but what do you do next week? And, what if the wisdom writers had a flaw in their wisdom? Could it be that one acting so would have no claim on God's providence?"
Conclusion: Take time to make this one personal and warm. Let Jesus do the talking for you.
It is important, I think, that we just listen to the words "self-denial." They do not mean that we are to deny ourselves "something," but that we are to deny ourselves. That means that we focus our attention on putting self in place, removing ourselves from position of number one, and that we come ready to be disciples and followers of Jesus.
Once Jesus' disciples were discussing who was greatest, who had the most clout, spiritual muscle, and deserved first place in the coming kingdom. Remember Jesus' answer. He who wanted to be greatest was to be servant of all. That is not an easy thing to hear, especially in a day when so many churches and preachers who are trying to win us as disciples for themselves make so many glowing promises. But, after all, is it preachers we want to follow, churches into which we want to be accepted -- or do we truly wish to be disciples of Jesus?
OUTLINE I
Blessed Assurance?
Psalm 91:9-16
Introduction:
Two things need to be said about today's lesson at the outset. First, it is clear that this poem, like Psalm 1 sets out at least a part of the theme of wisdom literature in Israel that declared blessings for the righteous and troubles for the sinner. Here the poet deals with half the equation. Second, it is clear that over time this passage came to be associated with the expected Messiah. This is the scripture which the Tempter quotes to Jesus on the Mount of Temptation. Even so, we should not write off this poem. Let us just let it speak for itself.
A. Verses 9:13. Here is a wonderful declaration of trust in the providence of God. It might not always come true but when that providence is in evidence it is proper to bless God. This writer is spiritual kin to the first Job, the patient Job who, after his first afflictions simply states that both good and bad come from the hand of the Lord. The pious Jew would rather maintain that than to confess dualism and suggest that there is a bad God loose in the world.
B. Verses 14-16. Here God is made to speak. Here the wisdom proclamation is terse and clear. One needs to go immediately to Psalm 73. Here the poet says he has heard such things, but, read that poem for a corrective.
Conclusion: It is acceptable to proclaim the providence of God so long as you do not make it conditional, dependent on our faithfulness, or imply what Job's friends implied, that it was always the way they said it was. Better to help your people identify with the second Job, the impatient one of chapters 3-41 and teach them how to be realistic about their expectations when it comes to God's providence.
OUTLINE II
God is faithful
Romans 10:8b-13
Introduction: I once attended a revival meeting where there was a woman who had been trying to "pray through" for three nights but could not come away from the altar with any confidence at all. The minister asked me to talk to her. I asked her if she truly believed that God kept his word. The answer was yes. Then I asked if she believed that God offered salvation to any who came to him. Again the answer was in the affirmative. Then I asked if she had confessed her sin, sought forgiveness and had given herself to God. Again, yes. "So," I asked, "then what are you doing here?" I meant that. I think that Paul would agree.
A. Confess ... and you will be saved. Not might, not even probably, but will be. You have his word. To doubt his word is the essence of disbelief. You don't have to feel like it, or duplicate some experience somebody has described. Confess and God is faithful.
B. No one/everyone. What Paul had to say may have worried some of the die-hard particularists who still wanted to believe that they were special and had first claim on salvation. But there it is. There are no special classes or cases.
Conclusion: Assure all those in your hearing that there are no hoops to jump through so that God will forgive. He is ready to forgive, more ready than we are to turn. Let them hear the Good News that God waits for them to take the gift from his hand and make it their own, that there are no barriers of race or creed or color or morals of anything else. The surprise of the Gospel is its picture of a God who relentlessly pursued those whom he loves ... sinners. Look up Francis Thompson's Hound of Heaven. It is the best thing around these days.
OUTLINE III
Sorting it Out
Luke 4:1-13
Introduction: Since Jesus was alone on that mountain it stands to reason that this is a story that had to come directly from him. You can imagine the disciples worrying among themselves as to how they are going to get this kingdom he talks about established. It must have been the topic of discussion around many a campfire. Jesus listens to all their suggestions which include feeding the people, engaging in a bit of compromise and offering a bit of messianic razzle dazzle. You can hear him offering his comments.
A. "Yes, I thought about bread. But don't you see that that is all the people want. They don't want to be real disciples. They want to be mealtime disciples. It has to be better than that. When the going gets tough, we will need better followers than that."
B. "Yes, I thought of compromising with the authorities. They do have tremendous power. It does look like the way to go some days. But check it out. Inevitably one s own principles are compromised, one is trapped by the deals he has made. Worse, it is service and loyalty to God with half a heart. God wants all we have to offer."
C. "Yes, I know that they know about the Psalm. Every time they come to Jerusalem they look up at the temple towers wondering if it will happen today. Well, that would draw a crowd, but what do you do next week? And, what if the wisdom writers had a flaw in their wisdom? Could it be that one acting so would have no claim on God's providence?"
Conclusion: Take time to make this one personal and warm. Let Jesus do the talking for you.
