The Partial Gospel
Commentary
One of the problems faced by every preacher is the fact that one cannot say everything about everything every time the pulpit is mounted. As a result it is inevitable that there will be those who are ready to retort, "But," and then to add some other consideration. That is just the way the world is.
For instance, the Daniel selection for this week reminds us of God's might and power and providence. The Ephesians selection calls to mind all the gifts that are given to us by God. And the Luke selection speaks of the response expected of us. The truth is that these three together are a pretty good summary of all that needs to be said at a given time.
Therefore it is important that we speak in ways which let our people know we do not think we are presenting the full Gospel message every time we speak. We are in truth giving special attention to parts of it, expanding on it, opening it up for consideration, assisting people to give more careful consideration to all that being a Christian disciple means.
Everybody knows the problem with preaching is not having nothing to say. The problem is knowing what to say when, what needs to be said to this people on this day. The good thing about the lectionary series is that it enables us sooner or later to deal with a full presentation of all the things our people ought to consider.
Then, when you have licked that problem you have another one; namely, how do you get them there every Sunday so they will in the long run have a full view of the message presented?
The truth is most of us deal with congregations that are poorly fed when it comes to spiritual things. They are anemic and undernourished spiritually. If they ate their daily food on such a basis they would starve. That is a good thing to keep in mind. Many of our people are starved for the Gospel and we ought not to fail to present it when we have the opportunity.
OUTLINE I
But ...
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Introduction: These days a preacher ought to take any opportunity available to clarify anything that can be clarified about literature such as the book of Daniel. Daniel and The Revelation are being bandied about in religious circles these days as if they were some sort of calendar for the twentieth century Christian. Do some work on both. Your congregation will be able to make much better use of this material once they understand its background and purpose. The days of the mid-second century B.C. were not easy ones for the Jews. Whether you agree with the recommendation of the writer for dealing with persecution or not is beside the point. What is to the point is his insistence that God has the final victory.
A. But: For the little nation of Israel the rise of great powers one after another was a dire threat. On every hand there loomed great armies and great power. What possible chance did they have against them. Their only consolation was that little word but. But there is a god in heaven, a god of justice, a god of might and power. He is Lord of history in Daniel. That little word stands between them and disaster.
B. But: This is a good place to do some history work. Why not trace some of the great events that have taken place in the world in which what seemed like disaster was turned to God's purposes. There have always been those who have pretended to power, assumed there was no God, sallied forth to do as they pleased, only to discover the truth of those words in Psalm 2. Take a second look at this Psalm and comment on it.
Conclusion: There are those in every audience who are wrestling with difficulties and threats that are known to no one but themselves. You do not need to know the details in order to minister. Just call attention to the little word but, and let them know they are not alone.
OUTLINE II
The Social Gospel
Luke 6:20-36
Introduction: Who can read the Gospel of Luke and not be aware of the social dimension of his reporting of the story of faith. Maybe it is because he is a physician and closer to the pains and concerns of the people that he sees everything through the eyes which care about what happens to people. All you have to do is read the Magnificat again to see that it is the hymnic declaration of his theme. He never departs from it. Here he summarizes some of the directions to which our faith ought to lead us.
A. The Blessed: It seems everybody has given a try at defining the word blessed. Words like happy and joyful have been used and seem to fall short. It seems to me that to be blessed is to have a sense of wholeness, to be at peace, to know your heart is one with God's heart and to have the sense of well-being within that keeps you from eternal self nit-picking anxiety and from egocentric self-assurance.
B. The Woeful: Here and there in the book of Revelation the word woe is used to speak of the plight of those who choose wrongly in life. For a time, all might seem to be sailing along well, but sooner or later there is a payday. What we hear is a word of warning to take heed and to consider carefully the choices we are making.
C. The Better Way: What is written here is not difficult to understand. Sometimes we think we have to add something, to expand on it. There are times when what is written is enough. Why not just read it and let it speak for itself.
Conclusion: Speak directly to those who assume that salvation is highly and exclusively personal, that once they are saved all is well. Remind them of the Gospel call for new life and that this new life is to include new relationship -- to things, to God, and to people.
OUTLINE III
Celebration, Prayers and Affirmation
Ephesians 1:11-23
Introduction: How does one deal with all that is contained in such a selection? It reads as though the author could not quite control his thoughts or pen. So many things are in his mind, so much needs to be said that it all seems to tumble out on the page. There is enough theology here to keep you busy for a while. Let's see if it can be grouped into some useful categories.
A. What Has Happened to Them: Look at all those words: destined, appointed, believed, sealed, promised, guaranteed, possession. The writer seems to try to cover every base. Surely he means for them to be grateful for all the wonder involved in what God has done for them. By the way, if I need anything to convince me that Paul did not write Ephesians it is this passage. Surely it is in his spirit but it seems to depart from his general style.
B. What the Writer Offers: The writer will not let the matter rest. There are those who think once they are saved that is all there is to it. Now they can sit down and wait for heaven to descend. Note that the writer seeks more for them that they might not only be aware of their blessings but that their lives might be made new by that knowledge.
C. Affirmation: The last part of this passage is an early creed. Actually you could put verse 11 just before verse 19, leave the rest out, and you would have a great creed. The creedal form seems to allow the writer to exult and seek to express all the deep feelings that wrestle within him for expression. Not a bad way to climax what you have to say.
Conclusion: Suggest to the congregation that they listen to these words as if they had been written to them. Of course they were not, but when they are listened to as if they were, they take on a new and personal dimension of meaning.
For instance, the Daniel selection for this week reminds us of God's might and power and providence. The Ephesians selection calls to mind all the gifts that are given to us by God. And the Luke selection speaks of the response expected of us. The truth is that these three together are a pretty good summary of all that needs to be said at a given time.
Therefore it is important that we speak in ways which let our people know we do not think we are presenting the full Gospel message every time we speak. We are in truth giving special attention to parts of it, expanding on it, opening it up for consideration, assisting people to give more careful consideration to all that being a Christian disciple means.
Everybody knows the problem with preaching is not having nothing to say. The problem is knowing what to say when, what needs to be said to this people on this day. The good thing about the lectionary series is that it enables us sooner or later to deal with a full presentation of all the things our people ought to consider.
Then, when you have licked that problem you have another one; namely, how do you get them there every Sunday so they will in the long run have a full view of the message presented?
The truth is most of us deal with congregations that are poorly fed when it comes to spiritual things. They are anemic and undernourished spiritually. If they ate their daily food on such a basis they would starve. That is a good thing to keep in mind. Many of our people are starved for the Gospel and we ought not to fail to present it when we have the opportunity.
OUTLINE I
But ...
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Introduction: These days a preacher ought to take any opportunity available to clarify anything that can be clarified about literature such as the book of Daniel. Daniel and The Revelation are being bandied about in religious circles these days as if they were some sort of calendar for the twentieth century Christian. Do some work on both. Your congregation will be able to make much better use of this material once they understand its background and purpose. The days of the mid-second century B.C. were not easy ones for the Jews. Whether you agree with the recommendation of the writer for dealing with persecution or not is beside the point. What is to the point is his insistence that God has the final victory.
A. But: For the little nation of Israel the rise of great powers one after another was a dire threat. On every hand there loomed great armies and great power. What possible chance did they have against them. Their only consolation was that little word but. But there is a god in heaven, a god of justice, a god of might and power. He is Lord of history in Daniel. That little word stands between them and disaster.
B. But: This is a good place to do some history work. Why not trace some of the great events that have taken place in the world in which what seemed like disaster was turned to God's purposes. There have always been those who have pretended to power, assumed there was no God, sallied forth to do as they pleased, only to discover the truth of those words in Psalm 2. Take a second look at this Psalm and comment on it.
Conclusion: There are those in every audience who are wrestling with difficulties and threats that are known to no one but themselves. You do not need to know the details in order to minister. Just call attention to the little word but, and let them know they are not alone.
OUTLINE II
The Social Gospel
Luke 6:20-36
Introduction: Who can read the Gospel of Luke and not be aware of the social dimension of his reporting of the story of faith. Maybe it is because he is a physician and closer to the pains and concerns of the people that he sees everything through the eyes which care about what happens to people. All you have to do is read the Magnificat again to see that it is the hymnic declaration of his theme. He never departs from it. Here he summarizes some of the directions to which our faith ought to lead us.
A. The Blessed: It seems everybody has given a try at defining the word blessed. Words like happy and joyful have been used and seem to fall short. It seems to me that to be blessed is to have a sense of wholeness, to be at peace, to know your heart is one with God's heart and to have the sense of well-being within that keeps you from eternal self nit-picking anxiety and from egocentric self-assurance.
B. The Woeful: Here and there in the book of Revelation the word woe is used to speak of the plight of those who choose wrongly in life. For a time, all might seem to be sailing along well, but sooner or later there is a payday. What we hear is a word of warning to take heed and to consider carefully the choices we are making.
C. The Better Way: What is written here is not difficult to understand. Sometimes we think we have to add something, to expand on it. There are times when what is written is enough. Why not just read it and let it speak for itself.
Conclusion: Speak directly to those who assume that salvation is highly and exclusively personal, that once they are saved all is well. Remind them of the Gospel call for new life and that this new life is to include new relationship -- to things, to God, and to people.
OUTLINE III
Celebration, Prayers and Affirmation
Ephesians 1:11-23
Introduction: How does one deal with all that is contained in such a selection? It reads as though the author could not quite control his thoughts or pen. So many things are in his mind, so much needs to be said that it all seems to tumble out on the page. There is enough theology here to keep you busy for a while. Let's see if it can be grouped into some useful categories.
A. What Has Happened to Them: Look at all those words: destined, appointed, believed, sealed, promised, guaranteed, possession. The writer seems to try to cover every base. Surely he means for them to be grateful for all the wonder involved in what God has done for them. By the way, if I need anything to convince me that Paul did not write Ephesians it is this passage. Surely it is in his spirit but it seems to depart from his general style.
B. What the Writer Offers: The writer will not let the matter rest. There are those who think once they are saved that is all there is to it. Now they can sit down and wait for heaven to descend. Note that the writer seeks more for them that they might not only be aware of their blessings but that their lives might be made new by that knowledge.
C. Affirmation: The last part of this passage is an early creed. Actually you could put verse 11 just before verse 19, leave the rest out, and you would have a great creed. The creedal form seems to allow the writer to exult and seek to express all the deep feelings that wrestle within him for expression. Not a bad way to climax what you have to say.
Conclusion: Suggest to the congregation that they listen to these words as if they had been written to them. Of course they were not, but when they are listened to as if they were, they take on a new and personal dimension of meaning.
