A Realistic Faith
Commentary
Sometimes one gets the idea that there is something spiritual and different from real life in real religion. Whatever sounds a bit disconnected from life, whatever sounds holy, whatever has the sound of the strange and otherworldly, all these tempt us to assume that we are tuned in on the religious beam. The more holy someone sounds -- the more unctuous (whatever that means) -- the more impressed we are.
These days I am appalled by the number of people being defrauded by well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning persons who fit such patterns, until at some time they truly are. But watch them; seeking a sure word, wanting security, afraid to take risks, too weak to risk growth and maturity, desirous of easy solutions, seeking instant gratification, they run here and there trying to find some voice that will give signs and offer bread and let them take themselves off the hook when it comes to responsible Christian living.
The messages for this Sunday are especially needed to be heard in our churches these days.
1. There is a response to grace. We are meant to put off the old life, like an old coat, and walk away. We are to pick up the new and embrace it. God takes the initiative. He breaks the power of cancelled (note that word) sin and sets us free. But that freedom is for the bondage that gives life. And that new life is possible.
2. We are offered the bread of life (the constant presence and self-giving of Christ who is himself that bread). We have no excuse. Both the possibility and the means are ours. We must never let our congregations lose sight of these.
OUTLINE I
You Can Change!
Ephesians 4:17-24
Introduction: One of the best-kept secrets of the modern world, the ruins of Ephesus give lively meaning to what is read in this letter. So, first of all, let me hasten to recommend a trip to the Mediterranean that includes Ephesus. There you will find some of the finest and most impressive ruins of any city in existence. Because the city was abandoned for health reasons and not destroyed by some earthquake or war, we are privileged to have this display, which makes us aware that all the temptations listed as possibilities in this letter are real. I hope that Paul was there as much as it appears. He deserved it.
It is clear that uniting the Jewish concern for ethical and moral living with the general pagan (Ephesian) concern for religious thought and rites is not going well in Ephesus. If you will listen carefully, you will find that it is a constant problem in the world of the early church.
It appears some hide behind the efficacy of grace. See Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 6. It appears that in Ephesus they are pleading that they have no control. Maybe they have heard Paul hold forth on his theme in Romans 7. One has to be careful just how far to go in the matter of expressing bondage. After a while no one is to blame. And no one has to change. But note the two positive words here that speak a different truth.
A. Put Off. Does that sound like "it will be taken away"? No, there is something for us to do. When I was about thirteen I went to a revival at which the evangelist promised that if we would come to the altar, even the desire for sin would be taken away. It would be done for us. Not so, says the Ephesian writer; we have to do some things for ourselves.
B. Put On. Again the positive and again the reminder that it is our task.
Conclusion: There are always those sitting out there who are looking for some excuse, some way out, some rationalization, some explanation about why they do not change. Make sure that they understand the full responsibility laid on them by this text.
OUTLINE II
Food, Signs, and Life
John 6:24-35
Introduction: I know of no place in scripture where we find a better example of disparity between Jesus' idea of what is important in life and what those who followed him had in mind. Say the word bread and two trains of thought are on the agenda. Speak the word sign and entire differences in expectation are on line. Take a look at this Scripture; you may find there are several ways of structuring an outline and a message. For instance:
A. Bread. Contrast the spiritual and physical need for bread.
1. Be careful not to fall victim to essentially Greek ideas, and demean the body.
2. Note the need for spiritual sustenance if we are to meet the responsibilities of a maturing life of discipleship.
3. Indicate ways in which Jesus becomes the bread (sustenance) for life.
B. Signs.
1. Recall some of the ways in which they were always pursuing him for some reassuring sign. Dig them out and retell them.
2. Relate the expectation for signs to the Hebrew Scriptures. They were forever digging around in their Scriptures, in search of one more place for proof-texting.
3. Note, above all else, that the matter of signs gets lost. It wasn't really what they were after anyway.
C. Belief and work. What work must I do? Believe.
Observe how they turn even what they believe into a work. If they believe the right thing, all will be well. So, convince us.
Conclusion: Notice how those in the text manage to always get things turned upside-down and backwards. All of that is because they are landlocked and time-bound. For them, kingdoms have to do with world; and all they pursue is linked to this world. As long as they and Jesus start from different points, this contrast appears.
But what about us? Those of us listening now? How long has it been since we have read those bulletin-board promises in front of many churches? How intrigued are we by all those miracle campaigns and glib promises of good deals made by so many? How tempting is the easy way, the easy religion? Help your congregation identify itself in this text.
These days I am appalled by the number of people being defrauded by well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning persons who fit such patterns, until at some time they truly are. But watch them; seeking a sure word, wanting security, afraid to take risks, too weak to risk growth and maturity, desirous of easy solutions, seeking instant gratification, they run here and there trying to find some voice that will give signs and offer bread and let them take themselves off the hook when it comes to responsible Christian living.
The messages for this Sunday are especially needed to be heard in our churches these days.
1. There is a response to grace. We are meant to put off the old life, like an old coat, and walk away. We are to pick up the new and embrace it. God takes the initiative. He breaks the power of cancelled (note that word) sin and sets us free. But that freedom is for the bondage that gives life. And that new life is possible.
2. We are offered the bread of life (the constant presence and self-giving of Christ who is himself that bread). We have no excuse. Both the possibility and the means are ours. We must never let our congregations lose sight of these.
OUTLINE I
You Can Change!
Ephesians 4:17-24
Introduction: One of the best-kept secrets of the modern world, the ruins of Ephesus give lively meaning to what is read in this letter. So, first of all, let me hasten to recommend a trip to the Mediterranean that includes Ephesus. There you will find some of the finest and most impressive ruins of any city in existence. Because the city was abandoned for health reasons and not destroyed by some earthquake or war, we are privileged to have this display, which makes us aware that all the temptations listed as possibilities in this letter are real. I hope that Paul was there as much as it appears. He deserved it.
It is clear that uniting the Jewish concern for ethical and moral living with the general pagan (Ephesian) concern for religious thought and rites is not going well in Ephesus. If you will listen carefully, you will find that it is a constant problem in the world of the early church.
It appears some hide behind the efficacy of grace. See Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 6. It appears that in Ephesus they are pleading that they have no control. Maybe they have heard Paul hold forth on his theme in Romans 7. One has to be careful just how far to go in the matter of expressing bondage. After a while no one is to blame. And no one has to change. But note the two positive words here that speak a different truth.
A. Put Off. Does that sound like "it will be taken away"? No, there is something for us to do. When I was about thirteen I went to a revival at which the evangelist promised that if we would come to the altar, even the desire for sin would be taken away. It would be done for us. Not so, says the Ephesian writer; we have to do some things for ourselves.
B. Put On. Again the positive and again the reminder that it is our task.
Conclusion: There are always those sitting out there who are looking for some excuse, some way out, some rationalization, some explanation about why they do not change. Make sure that they understand the full responsibility laid on them by this text.
OUTLINE II
Food, Signs, and Life
John 6:24-35
Introduction: I know of no place in scripture where we find a better example of disparity between Jesus' idea of what is important in life and what those who followed him had in mind. Say the word bread and two trains of thought are on the agenda. Speak the word sign and entire differences in expectation are on line. Take a look at this Scripture; you may find there are several ways of structuring an outline and a message. For instance:
A. Bread. Contrast the spiritual and physical need for bread.
1. Be careful not to fall victim to essentially Greek ideas, and demean the body.
2. Note the need for spiritual sustenance if we are to meet the responsibilities of a maturing life of discipleship.
3. Indicate ways in which Jesus becomes the bread (sustenance) for life.
B. Signs.
1. Recall some of the ways in which they were always pursuing him for some reassuring sign. Dig them out and retell them.
2. Relate the expectation for signs to the Hebrew Scriptures. They were forever digging around in their Scriptures, in search of one more place for proof-texting.
3. Note, above all else, that the matter of signs gets lost. It wasn't really what they were after anyway.
C. Belief and work. What work must I do? Believe.
Observe how they turn even what they believe into a work. If they believe the right thing, all will be well. So, convince us.
Conclusion: Notice how those in the text manage to always get things turned upside-down and backwards. All of that is because they are landlocked and time-bound. For them, kingdoms have to do with world; and all they pursue is linked to this world. As long as they and Jesus start from different points, this contrast appears.
But what about us? Those of us listening now? How long has it been since we have read those bulletin-board promises in front of many churches? How intrigued are we by all those miracle campaigns and glib promises of good deals made by so many? How tempting is the easy way, the easy religion? Help your congregation identify itself in this text.
