In Transition
Commentary
February is for the church a month of transition from the Epiphany theme of showing forth the life, teachings and acts of Jesus to focusing attention on the events that will lead us to Easter.
Sometimes we find ourselves lurching from one season to another rather than moving smoothly through the year. If we are not careful, we manage to leave large blocks of material unconsidered. A friend of mine points out that even in the ApostlesÕ Creed nothing is said about the teaching or healing ministry of Jesus. What we say is, "... and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary (comma) suffered under Pontius Pilate, etc., etc." He makes the wry observation that perhaps we ought to call him Jesus, the comma.
The calendar moves us quickly from Christmas (the birth) to Good Friday (his death) in only fourteen Sundays. It is therefore important that we make good use of the time and give careful consideration to our preaching so that the congregation has the opportunity for continuity as well as content.
It is a helpful thing for a congregation to be led on a pilgrimage that leads from the manger to the open tomb. This entire block of the calendar begins with glad news of a great joy, allows us to hear the challenges of his life and ministry, enables us to feel the shadows gradually gather about him , weep because of the continuing crucifixions of our own day, and then, to gather at the open tomb to rejoice once again at the wonder of the recurring drama that each year serves to renew and strengthen our faith.
OUTLINE I
Good News for Real People
Job 7:1-7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Introduction: Begin by observing that much too often we focus attention on the cure rather than on the need. The scriptures for today set out three needs which are met by the gospel: despair, lostness and possession.
Despair: The classic descriptions of despair that we find in the book of Job speak for many who had somehow concluded that God protects and favors the good while bringing destruction and judgment on the bad. Alas, life is not so simple. Things can be especially difficult for the pious and faithful who undergo what seems unending trials. There seems to be no relief but the coming of death. All this provides an opportunity for speaking of the kind of God Jesus describes in Matthew 5:43-48 and 6:25-34.
Lostness: There are many ways to be lost. Luke 15 offers three occasions: a blundering sheep, a coin lost through no fault of its own and a willful son who abandons thefatherÕs care. Not only do these stories speak of lostness, they also bring the good news ofa God who is like a shepherd, a woman, and a yearning and gracious father.
Possessed: In every congregation there are those who have lost control. They are possessed by habits, circumstances, sin and guilt which rob them of the joy of life. Offer the good news that such bondages can be broken. Read Romans 6 again.
Conclusion: Now is the time to speak boldly of the cures the gospel offers.
OUTLINE II
Good News for the Put-Upon
Job 7:1-7
Introduction: Do some study regarding the ideas which the book of Job confronts. Help the congregation to see the way in which the people of the Old Testament who had once thought God responsible for all good and evil in a rather capricious manner are now hearing the message that how God acts is in response to our living. Therefore, he blesses the good and judges the bad. There are many who so perceive him.
The Story: Review the story of Job. It might be helpful to deal in passing with the character called Satan, a "Son of God." Show how JobÕs plight contradicts the contemporary wisdom that the good will prosper and the bad perish. There are several Psalms that push this theme and represent this period. Dig them out.
The Conflict: Review the arguments of JobÕs friends (?). Show how, though, he cannot unravel all of lifeÕs mysteries Job will not cave in. His error is not in rejecting their argument. Rather, he too thinks much as they do. He goes on and on in defense of his life and shakes his fist at an unjust God.
The Resolution: Though the book of Job does not come to a conclusion that would be fully acceptable to the Christian, it can be pointed out that the simple theology of Job and his friends is refuted. Though they do not yet see clearly how God comes to us and ministers to us in the midst of our sufferings, yet their trust in the reward and punishment system is shaken. JobÕs insistent pride in his goodness is finally broken and he is called to trust God. That is a step ahead of the unsupportable theology of that day and will lead to the day when Matthew can speak clearly of the way God cares for us in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul echoes this confidence in Romans 8:28-39.
Conclusion: Focus additional attention on the final scripture references which are our good news.
OUTLINE III
Dealing with the Demonic
Mark 1:29-39
Introduction: Deal forthrightly with the first century concept of demon possession. All the contemporary talk about demons has many confused. Do some work on their concept of demonology. Then point out the nature of the demonic in our own time as not necessarily relating to that which is not understood so much as it relates to those forces which exercise control over our thoughts and actions. Note that you donÕt have to imagine personal demons in order to speak of demonic powers.
1) Identify demonic powers as they present themselves in our day. A good resource is a book by William Stringfellow: An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land. Chapter three is especially relevant.
2) Isolate two or three specifically virulent demonic forces that are active in your town or your congregation. These can be ideas, habits, institutions, etc.
3) Show how the gospel which offers the spirit and presence of Christ can exorcize or deal with these demonic forces. Avoid the use of the name of Jesus as an incantation which smacks of magic. Try to be practical and specific in the applications.
Conclusion: Use PaulÕs section on the nature of freedom and bondage from Romans 6 as a means of clarifying how the truly free person is the one who seeks to do GodÕs will.
Sometimes we find ourselves lurching from one season to another rather than moving smoothly through the year. If we are not careful, we manage to leave large blocks of material unconsidered. A friend of mine points out that even in the ApostlesÕ Creed nothing is said about the teaching or healing ministry of Jesus. What we say is, "... and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary (comma) suffered under Pontius Pilate, etc., etc." He makes the wry observation that perhaps we ought to call him Jesus, the comma.
The calendar moves us quickly from Christmas (the birth) to Good Friday (his death) in only fourteen Sundays. It is therefore important that we make good use of the time and give careful consideration to our preaching so that the congregation has the opportunity for continuity as well as content.
It is a helpful thing for a congregation to be led on a pilgrimage that leads from the manger to the open tomb. This entire block of the calendar begins with glad news of a great joy, allows us to hear the challenges of his life and ministry, enables us to feel the shadows gradually gather about him , weep because of the continuing crucifixions of our own day, and then, to gather at the open tomb to rejoice once again at the wonder of the recurring drama that each year serves to renew and strengthen our faith.
OUTLINE I
Good News for Real People
Job 7:1-7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Introduction: Begin by observing that much too often we focus attention on the cure rather than on the need. The scriptures for today set out three needs which are met by the gospel: despair, lostness and possession.
Despair: The classic descriptions of despair that we find in the book of Job speak for many who had somehow concluded that God protects and favors the good while bringing destruction and judgment on the bad. Alas, life is not so simple. Things can be especially difficult for the pious and faithful who undergo what seems unending trials. There seems to be no relief but the coming of death. All this provides an opportunity for speaking of the kind of God Jesus describes in Matthew 5:43-48 and 6:25-34.
Lostness: There are many ways to be lost. Luke 15 offers three occasions: a blundering sheep, a coin lost through no fault of its own and a willful son who abandons thefatherÕs care. Not only do these stories speak of lostness, they also bring the good news ofa God who is like a shepherd, a woman, and a yearning and gracious father.
Possessed: In every congregation there are those who have lost control. They are possessed by habits, circumstances, sin and guilt which rob them of the joy of life. Offer the good news that such bondages can be broken. Read Romans 6 again.
Conclusion: Now is the time to speak boldly of the cures the gospel offers.
OUTLINE II
Good News for the Put-Upon
Job 7:1-7
Introduction: Do some study regarding the ideas which the book of Job confronts. Help the congregation to see the way in which the people of the Old Testament who had once thought God responsible for all good and evil in a rather capricious manner are now hearing the message that how God acts is in response to our living. Therefore, he blesses the good and judges the bad. There are many who so perceive him.
The Story: Review the story of Job. It might be helpful to deal in passing with the character called Satan, a "Son of God." Show how JobÕs plight contradicts the contemporary wisdom that the good will prosper and the bad perish. There are several Psalms that push this theme and represent this period. Dig them out.
The Conflict: Review the arguments of JobÕs friends (?). Show how, though, he cannot unravel all of lifeÕs mysteries Job will not cave in. His error is not in rejecting their argument. Rather, he too thinks much as they do. He goes on and on in defense of his life and shakes his fist at an unjust God.
The Resolution: Though the book of Job does not come to a conclusion that would be fully acceptable to the Christian, it can be pointed out that the simple theology of Job and his friends is refuted. Though they do not yet see clearly how God comes to us and ministers to us in the midst of our sufferings, yet their trust in the reward and punishment system is shaken. JobÕs insistent pride in his goodness is finally broken and he is called to trust God. That is a step ahead of the unsupportable theology of that day and will lead to the day when Matthew can speak clearly of the way God cares for us in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul echoes this confidence in Romans 8:28-39.
Conclusion: Focus additional attention on the final scripture references which are our good news.
OUTLINE III
Dealing with the Demonic
Mark 1:29-39
Introduction: Deal forthrightly with the first century concept of demon possession. All the contemporary talk about demons has many confused. Do some work on their concept of demonology. Then point out the nature of the demonic in our own time as not necessarily relating to that which is not understood so much as it relates to those forces which exercise control over our thoughts and actions. Note that you donÕt have to imagine personal demons in order to speak of demonic powers.
1) Identify demonic powers as they present themselves in our day. A good resource is a book by William Stringfellow: An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land. Chapter three is especially relevant.
2) Isolate two or three specifically virulent demonic forces that are active in your town or your congregation. These can be ideas, habits, institutions, etc.
3) Show how the gospel which offers the spirit and presence of Christ can exorcize or deal with these demonic forces. Avoid the use of the name of Jesus as an incantation which smacks of magic. Try to be practical and specific in the applications.
Conclusion: Use PaulÕs section on the nature of freedom and bondage from Romans 6 as a means of clarifying how the truly free person is the one who seeks to do GodÕs will.
