Looking For God In Miracles
Commentary
"If only things like that would happen once again. Then everyone would be certain of the reality and presence of God. No one would doubt. All would have faith. All would be well."
So many wish it to be.
If only we had a sure sign.
Jesus had a word for these: Matthew 12:38-42.
The sign has already been given; the word has been spoken. Here is a call to faith.
Jesus knew what all, who understand how God works in the world, know: a miracle is not just an extraordinary event. A miracle exists whenever and wherever the presence and action of God is perceived in what is extraordinary -- or ordinary.
Too many wish God would step out on some cloud some day and declare himself. Then they could be sure.
But the invitation to faith is we should look for the presence of God here on earth, not in the clouds, and in the midst of real life, not only at special times.
Wonders are taking place all the time. Unfortunately, we have to keep looking for new ones once the old ones have been explained. To take this tack is to ensure the day of miracles will one day cease and, with it, the pseudo-faith based on it.
Miracles are everywhere for those who see God at work in the world. When lives are changed, when love is shared, when hearts are softened, when meaning and purpose are restored, and a thousand other places, the spirit comes and offers miracles no one else can offer. They are miracles because they are gifts of God.
OUTLINE I
A Message for the Paranoid
1 Kings 17:17-24
Introduction: Introduce your congregation to this special brand of prophet. Already great spokesmen for God such as Samuel and Nathan had appeared and challenged the growing power of the state. Elijah continues that line. And what a fearful person Elijah is! This is a good place for dealing with the many stories told about this man of power and making it clear the power was indeed perceived to be the power of God. Review the stories leading up to today's lesson, including the wonderful story of his coming to the home of the widow at Zarephath.
1. The Misunderstanding: The old woman was certain the death of her son (like her other calamities) had been visited upon her for some sin. She sees the prophet as some sort of diviner who has come to drive the point home and reveal her sin -- which we are never to hear about. Isn't it interesting how similar to the story of the Prodigal Son this one is? The widow, like the son, seems anxious to repent but note here, as with the father in Luke 15, no time is allowed for it.
2. The Act of Grace: The son is restored (You might have a bit of fun noting the clear description of CPR here.) Never mind, the son is restored and that is what matters, and it is what matters in Luke 15. Nothing deserved, nothing expected, everything given.
Conclusion: How many of us imagine some nemesis pursuing us because of some sin, or some Sword of Damocles dangling until we cut the string and fulfill the terrible prophecy? For all of us there is the offer of restoration, the act of salvation -- grace -- even though we imagine ourselves to be unworthy.
OUTLINE II
Are You Listening?
Galatians 1:11-24
Introduction: If ever a man considered himself claimed, accosted, possessed, subdued, captured, enslaved (you add your words) it was Paul. Looking back over his life, he could see it was not just a chain of incidents or accidents, but, at every turn, God was present offering his gifts.
1. Set Apart: Before I was born. What a wonderful thing to conclude! To have such a sense of destiny, to believe God has marked me out and chosen me for some special service.
2. Called: There is no predestination here in the sense that Paul had no choice. He could have said "No," and so can we. But he saw this call as an act of grace and said, "Yes." Nothing would ever again be the same.
3. Revealed: From God came the insight that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. It was the lifelong result of a man on a fervent search being accosted by a God with a message he didn't want to hear. Paul was convinced no human could have ever deterred him from his allegiance to Judaism. Only God could have driven him to such hopelessness and then hold out hope -- for a reason.
4. That I Might Preach to the Gentiles: God always has something in mind, a task, an adventure, some purpose.
Conclusion: Invite the hearers to look back over their lives. What is there which might, for far too long, been ignored and now ought to be listened to?
OUTLINE III
Messages for the Telling
Luke 7:11-17
Introduction: How can one escape the clear parallel between this story and the one of Elijah in 1 Kings? Luke is forever using Old Testament stories as models and outlines for his stories and his messages. What really matters is the message, the declaration of who Jesus is and what God is doing.
1. A Prophet has Arisen: The word means. "a man of power" or, better, one who brings the power of God into our midst. No one but God can raise the dead so it is clear the power of God is present. To conclude Jesus is a prophet -- power bearer -- is an act of logic.
2. God has Visited His People: That is the truth Luke wants understood. This is no new God, no new faith, but a fresh proclamation: just as God came to the widow at Zarephath, so he came at Nain. Two little insignificant places and two unimportant people. Luke never lets go his theme of God's love for all, including the down-and-out. Check out the Magnificat again. It is his theme song.
3. The Report Spread: That is the purpose of it all. The good news of God's action should be made known to all.
Conclusion: Help the hearers focus on those times when it has been clear God has been in their lives and present. Ask whether the good news of it has been spread around.
So many wish it to be.
If only we had a sure sign.
Jesus had a word for these: Matthew 12:38-42.
The sign has already been given; the word has been spoken. Here is a call to faith.
Jesus knew what all, who understand how God works in the world, know: a miracle is not just an extraordinary event. A miracle exists whenever and wherever the presence and action of God is perceived in what is extraordinary -- or ordinary.
Too many wish God would step out on some cloud some day and declare himself. Then they could be sure.
But the invitation to faith is we should look for the presence of God here on earth, not in the clouds, and in the midst of real life, not only at special times.
Wonders are taking place all the time. Unfortunately, we have to keep looking for new ones once the old ones have been explained. To take this tack is to ensure the day of miracles will one day cease and, with it, the pseudo-faith based on it.
Miracles are everywhere for those who see God at work in the world. When lives are changed, when love is shared, when hearts are softened, when meaning and purpose are restored, and a thousand other places, the spirit comes and offers miracles no one else can offer. They are miracles because they are gifts of God.
OUTLINE I
A Message for the Paranoid
1 Kings 17:17-24
Introduction: Introduce your congregation to this special brand of prophet. Already great spokesmen for God such as Samuel and Nathan had appeared and challenged the growing power of the state. Elijah continues that line. And what a fearful person Elijah is! This is a good place for dealing with the many stories told about this man of power and making it clear the power was indeed perceived to be the power of God. Review the stories leading up to today's lesson, including the wonderful story of his coming to the home of the widow at Zarephath.
1. The Misunderstanding: The old woman was certain the death of her son (like her other calamities) had been visited upon her for some sin. She sees the prophet as some sort of diviner who has come to drive the point home and reveal her sin -- which we are never to hear about. Isn't it interesting how similar to the story of the Prodigal Son this one is? The widow, like the son, seems anxious to repent but note here, as with the father in Luke 15, no time is allowed for it.
2. The Act of Grace: The son is restored (You might have a bit of fun noting the clear description of CPR here.) Never mind, the son is restored and that is what matters, and it is what matters in Luke 15. Nothing deserved, nothing expected, everything given.
Conclusion: How many of us imagine some nemesis pursuing us because of some sin, or some Sword of Damocles dangling until we cut the string and fulfill the terrible prophecy? For all of us there is the offer of restoration, the act of salvation -- grace -- even though we imagine ourselves to be unworthy.
OUTLINE II
Are You Listening?
Galatians 1:11-24
Introduction: If ever a man considered himself claimed, accosted, possessed, subdued, captured, enslaved (you add your words) it was Paul. Looking back over his life, he could see it was not just a chain of incidents or accidents, but, at every turn, God was present offering his gifts.
1. Set Apart: Before I was born. What a wonderful thing to conclude! To have such a sense of destiny, to believe God has marked me out and chosen me for some special service.
2. Called: There is no predestination here in the sense that Paul had no choice. He could have said "No," and so can we. But he saw this call as an act of grace and said, "Yes." Nothing would ever again be the same.
3. Revealed: From God came the insight that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. It was the lifelong result of a man on a fervent search being accosted by a God with a message he didn't want to hear. Paul was convinced no human could have ever deterred him from his allegiance to Judaism. Only God could have driven him to such hopelessness and then hold out hope -- for a reason.
4. That I Might Preach to the Gentiles: God always has something in mind, a task, an adventure, some purpose.
Conclusion: Invite the hearers to look back over their lives. What is there which might, for far too long, been ignored and now ought to be listened to?
OUTLINE III
Messages for the Telling
Luke 7:11-17
Introduction: How can one escape the clear parallel between this story and the one of Elijah in 1 Kings? Luke is forever using Old Testament stories as models and outlines for his stories and his messages. What really matters is the message, the declaration of who Jesus is and what God is doing.
1. A Prophet has Arisen: The word means. "a man of power" or, better, one who brings the power of God into our midst. No one but God can raise the dead so it is clear the power of God is present. To conclude Jesus is a prophet -- power bearer -- is an act of logic.
2. God has Visited His People: That is the truth Luke wants understood. This is no new God, no new faith, but a fresh proclamation: just as God came to the widow at Zarephath, so he came at Nain. Two little insignificant places and two unimportant people. Luke never lets go his theme of God's love for all, including the down-and-out. Check out the Magnificat again. It is his theme song.
3. The Report Spread: That is the purpose of it all. The good news of God's action should be made known to all.
Conclusion: Help the hearers focus on those times when it has been clear God has been in their lives and present. Ask whether the good news of it has been spread around.
