Response
Commentary
All three of the Scriptures for this Sunday have to do with different kinds of responses to God's gifts.
Elisha checks out the gift of charisma by putting it to the test and then to use. The lawyer in Luke's story is reminded there is a dimension of religious life that goes beyond his rather limited sense of caring. The Colossians hear from Paul that the faith they seem to enjoy so much requires new life and fruit-bearing if it is to be real. There are few things more clear, it seems to me, and yet few more difficult to convey than the understanding and expectation that a declaration of religious faith must issue in new life and new actions.
There are always those who find it easy to be religious if this means embracing certain ideas. Surely, if they embrace the central doctrines that is enough. After all, if one accepts the virgin birth, the inspiration of the Scriptures, Jesus as the Messiah, God as Father, etc., that is being religious, isn't it? And, if one keeps the requirements of the cult -- being baptized, going to church, tithing, and the like -- one can certainly be considered religious, can't they? And, of course, it does mean we must change some of our attitudes and we are willing to do that -- to some extent.
Beliefs, cultic practices, attitudes -- all these are a part of the whole of the new life, but there is more.
The call of the Christian is a radical call which includes all of our lives and goes beyond these to include our motives and our actions. We are meant to bear fruit worthy of our repentance. That means our deeds ought to measure up to our confession. God has, in a real way, placed his very own reputation in our hands. When others hear our confession and then see our lives, what reflection does that have on him? Check out a couple of Scriptures: about the fig tree with leaves and no fruit (be sure to read the commentaries), and one which, at first, seems to have no connection -- Hebrews 11: 16b. Now there is a pleasant surprise ... for some.
OUTLINE I
Checking Out the Power
1 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Introduction: In all probability your congregation will not know much about these two wonderful Old Testament characters, ELijah and Elisha. So, tell the whole story, fill in the details, and let your congregation have some fun with some of the stories. But remember that while some of the stories are hilarious, they all have a serious intent -- to show the power of God at work in life. Prophets in those days were men not to be messed with or taken lightly. Maybe some of us would be of more use to our congregations if we had that sense of power about us. By the way, do some work on the sons of the prophets. They are an interesting group. Check out Von Rad's book Old Testament Theology Volume II, pp. 6f.
The Spirit: This is the issue in these stories. These men are clothed in the charisma given by God. It was no bad thing to covet that charisma, as is indicated by Elisha's desire.
The Test: Note Elisha does not take the gift for granted. He checks things out to see if the spirit is his. I wonder how many of us ask God for things and then never check them out. We pray for humility, strength, insight, wisdom, courage, and dozens of other things, but do we ever really mean to put them to use? I remember an old college professor who once commented that God does not pour out his spirit on vessels where it will stagnate, go unused, or run off on the ground.
Conclusion: Laugh all you want at Elisha. At least he was willing to follow up on his desires. What about us?
OUTLINE II
How Far Does Love Reach?
Luke 10:25-37
Introduction: Anybody who has not heard this much-told story has been missing a lot of church. It would be interesting to contemplate the number of sermons preached on this text, in an effort to do something about that eternal blind spot carried around by most of us. After all, who has any trouble loving those of our own kind, our own family, our own circle? The real question all of us face is just how far is it supposed to reach -- does it really mean everybody?
Old Testament Backgrounds: You will not be ready to deal with this text until you have done extensive work on the Old Testament problem of Exclusivism vs Universalism. This is one of the themes addressed extensively in the Hebrew Scriptures. The postexilic attempt to establish a holy and pure people who could merit God's approval (see Ezra and Nehemiah) had much to do with the choosing of many Scriptures for inclusion in the Old Testament canon: Ruth, Jonah, Esther, 2 Isaiah, etc. Be sure to do the work and then check out the Old Testament backgrounds of the Jewish-Samaritan schism. What happened when Nehemiah came back to Palestine and what happened when some priests were kept away from sacrifice for marrying outsiders, thus causing the establishment of the competing temple at Mount Gerizim sets the stage for what we read in Luke.
New Testament Backgrounds: Check out Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 for further understanding. Here Jesus not only violates the Samaritan taboo but the female taboo as well. Then check out Matthew 5:43-48 for a compact statement by Jesus on the whole matter. Show what being perfect means -- not being morally circumspect, but being like God in holding no one outside the boundaries of our love.
Conclusion: Apply the insights gained to some local problems. Surely, it will not be difficult to find the outsiders, the unworthy, the looked-down-upon in your community. It might be an interesting thing to rewrite the story, inserting their names, and then ask ourselves just how far our love reaches.
OUTLINE III
Put Up or Shut Up Religion
Colossians 1:1-14
Introduction: In all likelihood, most of your congregation would be surprised there was a letter to the Colossians much less know something about them. Take time to read the commentaries to find out something about Colossae and tell them. Barclay usually does a pretty good job of giving needed background in succinct form, easily understood by both you and your hearers. Tell them about these Gentiles and their problems.
Of course, you cannot address all the problems in one sermon but let them know what they are and then stay with the text.
The Problem: These were pagans (people from other kinds of religious traditions) who knew nothing of the Jewish concern that life and religion match. For them, placating the gods was a major concern, so ritual, sacrifice, etc. comprised their religious experience. One of the problems always encountered by Paul was convincing people who had embraced this new faith they ought to clean up their act and live new lives. There are plenty of allied texts in other Pauline letters so do not hesitate to look them up and use them to strengthen your case.
Proposed Solution: To put it simply -- to bear fruit. New life, new actions, new values, new concerns, new commitments. There is probably no better word picture of the change required than in the phrase in verse 13. Transferred from one kingdom to another. No longer ruled by some other deities who have to be placated, but now ruled by another who requires something from us in response to his gift of grace and love and that something is new life.
Conclusion: Don't let anybody lead you to imagine this message has gotten through to everybody. There are still those in the church who protest, "If my heart is right what else matters?" or "God knows my spirit and intent, doesn't he?" "What I do with my body is my business." Now you are going to have to do some work on Gnosticism which is, in all likelihood, the real problem in Colossae. Not until you understand that one will you see why such things had not mattered to them before. Gnosticism is such a comforting doctrine since it requires so little of us. Then check out Paul's very clear statement in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
Another Conclusion: Remind the congregation there are still plenty of Gnostic attitudes around. Help them deal with them and seek to lead them to an understanding of the responsive life expected of those who have heard the Gospel (Good News) Paul speaks about in this Sunday's Scripture.
Elisha checks out the gift of charisma by putting it to the test and then to use. The lawyer in Luke's story is reminded there is a dimension of religious life that goes beyond his rather limited sense of caring. The Colossians hear from Paul that the faith they seem to enjoy so much requires new life and fruit-bearing if it is to be real. There are few things more clear, it seems to me, and yet few more difficult to convey than the understanding and expectation that a declaration of religious faith must issue in new life and new actions.
There are always those who find it easy to be religious if this means embracing certain ideas. Surely, if they embrace the central doctrines that is enough. After all, if one accepts the virgin birth, the inspiration of the Scriptures, Jesus as the Messiah, God as Father, etc., that is being religious, isn't it? And, if one keeps the requirements of the cult -- being baptized, going to church, tithing, and the like -- one can certainly be considered religious, can't they? And, of course, it does mean we must change some of our attitudes and we are willing to do that -- to some extent.
Beliefs, cultic practices, attitudes -- all these are a part of the whole of the new life, but there is more.
The call of the Christian is a radical call which includes all of our lives and goes beyond these to include our motives and our actions. We are meant to bear fruit worthy of our repentance. That means our deeds ought to measure up to our confession. God has, in a real way, placed his very own reputation in our hands. When others hear our confession and then see our lives, what reflection does that have on him? Check out a couple of Scriptures: about the fig tree with leaves and no fruit (be sure to read the commentaries), and one which, at first, seems to have no connection -- Hebrews 11: 16b. Now there is a pleasant surprise ... for some.
OUTLINE I
Checking Out the Power
1 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Introduction: In all probability your congregation will not know much about these two wonderful Old Testament characters, ELijah and Elisha. So, tell the whole story, fill in the details, and let your congregation have some fun with some of the stories. But remember that while some of the stories are hilarious, they all have a serious intent -- to show the power of God at work in life. Prophets in those days were men not to be messed with or taken lightly. Maybe some of us would be of more use to our congregations if we had that sense of power about us. By the way, do some work on the sons of the prophets. They are an interesting group. Check out Von Rad's book Old Testament Theology Volume II, pp. 6f.
The Spirit: This is the issue in these stories. These men are clothed in the charisma given by God. It was no bad thing to covet that charisma, as is indicated by Elisha's desire.
The Test: Note Elisha does not take the gift for granted. He checks things out to see if the spirit is his. I wonder how many of us ask God for things and then never check them out. We pray for humility, strength, insight, wisdom, courage, and dozens of other things, but do we ever really mean to put them to use? I remember an old college professor who once commented that God does not pour out his spirit on vessels where it will stagnate, go unused, or run off on the ground.
Conclusion: Laugh all you want at Elisha. At least he was willing to follow up on his desires. What about us?
OUTLINE II
How Far Does Love Reach?
Luke 10:25-37
Introduction: Anybody who has not heard this much-told story has been missing a lot of church. It would be interesting to contemplate the number of sermons preached on this text, in an effort to do something about that eternal blind spot carried around by most of us. After all, who has any trouble loving those of our own kind, our own family, our own circle? The real question all of us face is just how far is it supposed to reach -- does it really mean everybody?
Old Testament Backgrounds: You will not be ready to deal with this text until you have done extensive work on the Old Testament problem of Exclusivism vs Universalism. This is one of the themes addressed extensively in the Hebrew Scriptures. The postexilic attempt to establish a holy and pure people who could merit God's approval (see Ezra and Nehemiah) had much to do with the choosing of many Scriptures for inclusion in the Old Testament canon: Ruth, Jonah, Esther, 2 Isaiah, etc. Be sure to do the work and then check out the Old Testament backgrounds of the Jewish-Samaritan schism. What happened when Nehemiah came back to Palestine and what happened when some priests were kept away from sacrifice for marrying outsiders, thus causing the establishment of the competing temple at Mount Gerizim sets the stage for what we read in Luke.
New Testament Backgrounds: Check out Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 for further understanding. Here Jesus not only violates the Samaritan taboo but the female taboo as well. Then check out Matthew 5:43-48 for a compact statement by Jesus on the whole matter. Show what being perfect means -- not being morally circumspect, but being like God in holding no one outside the boundaries of our love.
Conclusion: Apply the insights gained to some local problems. Surely, it will not be difficult to find the outsiders, the unworthy, the looked-down-upon in your community. It might be an interesting thing to rewrite the story, inserting their names, and then ask ourselves just how far our love reaches.
OUTLINE III
Put Up or Shut Up Religion
Colossians 1:1-14
Introduction: In all likelihood, most of your congregation would be surprised there was a letter to the Colossians much less know something about them. Take time to read the commentaries to find out something about Colossae and tell them. Barclay usually does a pretty good job of giving needed background in succinct form, easily understood by both you and your hearers. Tell them about these Gentiles and their problems.
Of course, you cannot address all the problems in one sermon but let them know what they are and then stay with the text.
The Problem: These were pagans (people from other kinds of religious traditions) who knew nothing of the Jewish concern that life and religion match. For them, placating the gods was a major concern, so ritual, sacrifice, etc. comprised their religious experience. One of the problems always encountered by Paul was convincing people who had embraced this new faith they ought to clean up their act and live new lives. There are plenty of allied texts in other Pauline letters so do not hesitate to look them up and use them to strengthen your case.
Proposed Solution: To put it simply -- to bear fruit. New life, new actions, new values, new concerns, new commitments. There is probably no better word picture of the change required than in the phrase in verse 13. Transferred from one kingdom to another. No longer ruled by some other deities who have to be placated, but now ruled by another who requires something from us in response to his gift of grace and love and that something is new life.
Conclusion: Don't let anybody lead you to imagine this message has gotten through to everybody. There are still those in the church who protest, "If my heart is right what else matters?" or "God knows my spirit and intent, doesn't he?" "What I do with my body is my business." Now you are going to have to do some work on Gnosticism which is, in all likelihood, the real problem in Colossae. Not until you understand that one will you see why such things had not mattered to them before. Gnosticism is such a comforting doctrine since it requires so little of us. Then check out Paul's very clear statement in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
Another Conclusion: Remind the congregation there are still plenty of Gnostic attitudes around. Help them deal with them and seek to lead them to an understanding of the responsive life expected of those who have heard the Gospel (Good News) Paul speaks about in this Sunday's Scripture.
