Those Other People
Commentary
In all probability the worst sin most of us commit is the sin of imagining we, of all the people in the world, are those who have come to possess the final insights into the will of God, those who know for sure what God wants of us, and those who are doing it right.
It is difficult for any of us to believe anybody else can be so certain. Surely they know their faith is second level. Why don't they move up?
Certainty and assurance is a good thing, unless ...
Unless that certainty and assurance leads us to imagine, of all the people ever on earth, we are the only ones to get things right.
What wonderful rebukes given to Elijah and to some in the early church who imagined if they weren't the only ones then, surely, they were the best ones. There is nothing wrong with our spirits of certainty (we ought not to be half-hearted believers) if there is included an openness to the fact that God may have shown himself to others, or is perceived by them, a bit differently and enough humility to accept the fact we are like everyone else, people on a pilgrimage in our understanding.
Pilgrims are a people on the way. Disciples are followers. A people of grace depend on that grace, not certainty based on their own rightness.
It is always a good thing to remember God does really and truly love those other people, too. Time to reread the Book of Jonah.
OUTLINE I
Time to Get Going
1 Kings 19:9-14
Introduction: See previous outline (June 15) and comments about background materials. Elijah is now driven to the limit. He has fled to God's mountain. Surely there he will find refuge and safety.
1. The Confrontation: "What are you doing here?" For all too many their faith is a refuge and a sanctuary, a place to hide from the bad old world. Isn't it interesting God never lets us hide, not from him, but from life?
2. That Appeal: "I, Only I": Surely you will protect the last faithful person, God. You'll not leave yourself without a witness. And, besides, I've been so faithful. You owe me. Sound familiar? Often we seem to be saying the same thing to God.
3. The Revelation: Surely Elijah expected wind and fire and earthquakes which would devour and consume his enemies when and if they came. But he is assured of nothing of the kind. A still small voice. My God, how will that help me?
4. The Challenge: To the man hiding in a cave because he saw no protection, cowering and awaiting death ... to this man God comes and gives a task, to anoint kings and a prophet, and a rebuke, a reminder that he is not the only rose in God's garden.
Conclusion: When we come before life, imagine we are alone, hope for a refuge, it is then God comes calling, digs us out of our holes, and says, "Get going!"
OUTLINE II
Walls That Need to Tumble
Galatians 3:23-29
Introduction: Refer to the outline (June 15) for introductory reminders. Then check out the churches of Galatia in which there must have been quite a mix of people having every sort of idea about who was most favored in this world. Paul assaults all the barriers.
1. Jew -- Greek: The worst of the Jews considered Greeks to be firewood for the fires of Hell. The worst of the Greeks resented the insular superiority of the Jews. The wall needed to come down.
2. Slave -- Free: Their world was filled with slaves. The Roman Empire could not have existed without slavery. Use Paul's letter called Philemon for guidance about another wall which ought to fall.
3. Male -- Female: Theirs was a man's world. Women were little more than property. There are plenty of places in Old Testament and New to find references. Check out Jesus' commentary on Moses' bill of divorce. And that wonderful story of the Daughters of Zelophehad in the last chapters of Numbers.
Conclusion: Work on some of the walls that ought to come down in your community and your church. Maybe some reference could be made to Joshua and the Walls of Jericho and how the power of God made it possible to tumble them down. Surely it is the same power that levels all walls among the disciples of Jesus. Also look up Robert Frost's great poem "Mending Wall."
OUTLINE III
Overcoming Blind Spots
Luke 9:18-24
Introduction: What an interesting encounter. While the disciples seem to say all the right things, it appears they aren't aware of the meaning of their words. Or are they? It is clear their expectations and those of Jesus are worlds apart. They are so "sold" on their concept of the Messiah they can't even hear what he has to say.
1. A Compliment: Elijah! Didn't the very last words in the Hebrew Scriptures promise it? See Malachi 5:5-6. John the Baptizer? It was the same idea. After all, many thought of John the Baptizer as Elijah revividus. See 2 Kings 1:1-8 and Matthew 3:4. An old prophet. Not bad company. All this is a good example of the popular religious mind of that day.
2. Revelation: Somehow you'd imagine if they really did believe he was God's Christ they would have acted differently. Alas, we see it all with 20/20 hindsight. And aren't we as bad? We generally understand the faith in terms of our own hopes and dreams and expectations. The revelation was there before their eyes and they were blinded by their own prejudices. How about us?
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to a spirit of gratitude for the fact that we can clearly see what they were blind to. Then lead them around their blind spots.
It is difficult for any of us to believe anybody else can be so certain. Surely they know their faith is second level. Why don't they move up?
Certainty and assurance is a good thing, unless ...
Unless that certainty and assurance leads us to imagine, of all the people ever on earth, we are the only ones to get things right.
What wonderful rebukes given to Elijah and to some in the early church who imagined if they weren't the only ones then, surely, they were the best ones. There is nothing wrong with our spirits of certainty (we ought not to be half-hearted believers) if there is included an openness to the fact that God may have shown himself to others, or is perceived by them, a bit differently and enough humility to accept the fact we are like everyone else, people on a pilgrimage in our understanding.
Pilgrims are a people on the way. Disciples are followers. A people of grace depend on that grace, not certainty based on their own rightness.
It is always a good thing to remember God does really and truly love those other people, too. Time to reread the Book of Jonah.
OUTLINE I
Time to Get Going
1 Kings 19:9-14
Introduction: See previous outline (June 15) and comments about background materials. Elijah is now driven to the limit. He has fled to God's mountain. Surely there he will find refuge and safety.
1. The Confrontation: "What are you doing here?" For all too many their faith is a refuge and a sanctuary, a place to hide from the bad old world. Isn't it interesting God never lets us hide, not from him, but from life?
2. That Appeal: "I, Only I": Surely you will protect the last faithful person, God. You'll not leave yourself without a witness. And, besides, I've been so faithful. You owe me. Sound familiar? Often we seem to be saying the same thing to God.
3. The Revelation: Surely Elijah expected wind and fire and earthquakes which would devour and consume his enemies when and if they came. But he is assured of nothing of the kind. A still small voice. My God, how will that help me?
4. The Challenge: To the man hiding in a cave because he saw no protection, cowering and awaiting death ... to this man God comes and gives a task, to anoint kings and a prophet, and a rebuke, a reminder that he is not the only rose in God's garden.
Conclusion: When we come before life, imagine we are alone, hope for a refuge, it is then God comes calling, digs us out of our holes, and says, "Get going!"
OUTLINE II
Walls That Need to Tumble
Galatians 3:23-29
Introduction: Refer to the outline (June 15) for introductory reminders. Then check out the churches of Galatia in which there must have been quite a mix of people having every sort of idea about who was most favored in this world. Paul assaults all the barriers.
1. Jew -- Greek: The worst of the Jews considered Greeks to be firewood for the fires of Hell. The worst of the Greeks resented the insular superiority of the Jews. The wall needed to come down.
2. Slave -- Free: Their world was filled with slaves. The Roman Empire could not have existed without slavery. Use Paul's letter called Philemon for guidance about another wall which ought to fall.
3. Male -- Female: Theirs was a man's world. Women were little more than property. There are plenty of places in Old Testament and New to find references. Check out Jesus' commentary on Moses' bill of divorce. And that wonderful story of the Daughters of Zelophehad in the last chapters of Numbers.
Conclusion: Work on some of the walls that ought to come down in your community and your church. Maybe some reference could be made to Joshua and the Walls of Jericho and how the power of God made it possible to tumble them down. Surely it is the same power that levels all walls among the disciples of Jesus. Also look up Robert Frost's great poem "Mending Wall."
OUTLINE III
Overcoming Blind Spots
Luke 9:18-24
Introduction: What an interesting encounter. While the disciples seem to say all the right things, it appears they aren't aware of the meaning of their words. Or are they? It is clear their expectations and those of Jesus are worlds apart. They are so "sold" on their concept of the Messiah they can't even hear what he has to say.
1. A Compliment: Elijah! Didn't the very last words in the Hebrew Scriptures promise it? See Malachi 5:5-6. John the Baptizer? It was the same idea. After all, many thought of John the Baptizer as Elijah revividus. See 2 Kings 1:1-8 and Matthew 3:4. An old prophet. Not bad company. All this is a good example of the popular religious mind of that day.
2. Revelation: Somehow you'd imagine if they really did believe he was God's Christ they would have acted differently. Alas, we see it all with 20/20 hindsight. And aren't we as bad? We generally understand the faith in terms of our own hopes and dreams and expectations. The revelation was there before their eyes and they were blinded by their own prejudices. How about us?
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to a spirit of gratitude for the fact that we can clearly see what they were blind to. Then lead them around their blind spots.
