All Saints' Sunday
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
We have here the eschatological feast of God. It is to be held
on Mount Zion. The banquet is for all people. Not only will God
provide a banquet but he will destroy humanity's worst enemy,
death. Tears will be wiped away and God will remove disgrace from
the peoples of the earth. All of this is God's work of salvation.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:1-6a (C)
John is given a vision of the new earth and heaven. The
present earth and heaven will pass away. The new earth and heaven
are the creation of God who will live with his people.
Consequently, there will be no death. All is made new by the
Eternal One.
Gospel: John 11:32-44 (C)
When Jesus arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, Lazarus was
dead four days. Both sisters confronted Jesus with the charge
that if he were here, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus joined
in the weeping because he loved Lazarus. In spite of Martha's
protest that Lazarus was dead for four days and there would be a
stench, Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave and ordered his
friends to take off the grave clothes and let him go.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 24 (C) -- "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?" (v.
3)
Psalm 119:1-6 (E); Psalm 34:1-10 (L)
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy
church, the body of Christ our Lord: Grant us grace to follow
your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know
the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you."
Hymn Of The Day
"For All The Saints"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 11:32-44 (C)
1. If (v. 32). Both Mary and Martha blamed Jesus for their
brother's death. If he had been present, Lazarus would not have
died. It seemed Jesus did not come as soon as he received the
report that Lazarus was sick. He deliberately delayed his coming
that the people would see the glory of God by his raising Lazarus
from the dead. It indicates that God may delay helping us to
teach us a lesson and to reveal God's glory to us.
2. Weep (v. 35). The sisters and their friends were weeping at
the death of Lazarus. When Jesus saw their tears, he also was so
distressed that he, too, wept. The weeping was caused by his love
for Lazarus. It shows that Jesus was a human and identified with
other humans.
288
Since he knew he was going to bring Lazarus back to life, there
was no need for tears. Rather his tears showed his compassion and
his identification with humanity.
3. Glory (v. 40). Jesus told Martha that if she believed, she
would see the glory of God. Where was the glory of God in this
situation? It was the glory of the power of God over death. It
was the glory of answered prayer. The glory was in Jesus as the
Son of God who could call upon God to bring life out of death. As
the Lord of life, Jesus demonstrated his God-given power over
death.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 25:6-9 (C)
1. All peoples (v. 6). Heaven is not for Jews only but for all
peoples. All people are God's children. No race or nation had a
monopoly on God's salvation. This does not mean automatic
universalism. The disobedient must repent and return to God for
their salvation.
2. Feast (v. 6). When the end of the world comes, God will
have prepared a feast for us. There will be abundant food and
drink. "Thou preparest a table before me ... my cup runneth
over." With a feast comes plenty of food and drink as well as
fellowship and happiness. Why then should anyone be scared of the
end of time?
3. Shroud (v. 7). The dead are clothed in a shroud. In this
text Yahweh promises to destroy the shroud of all people. The
shroud represents death. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
This anticipates the glorious resurrection of Christ who defeated
evil, Satan, and death on the cross. Easter is proof that death
has been vanquished.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:1-6a (C)
1. New (vv. 1, 5). John is shown a whole new heaven and earth
and a new city. God is making all things new. The old earth and
heaven will pass away. What is new about it? The old was a
physical world but the new is spiritual, for in the new God will
dwell with his people.
2. City (v. 2). The new heaven and earth is described as a
city. This city is new and spiritual, a new Jerusalem coming from
heaven. A city is a place where people are gathered. According to
this passage, in the future there will be only one city which
will contain God's people and in which God will live with his
people. If God is in it, there will be no death, no sorrow, no
suffering.
3. Done (v. 6). When the new city is built, the work of
creating it will be "done." This is according to the word of the
Eternal One. The work of God will be done for all eternity. There
will be no future heavens and earths. God and his people will be
in a permanent relationship.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: John 11:32-44 (C)
1. Why weep? 11:32-37
Need: "Why are you weeping?" asked the angels and Jesus on
Easter morning. The dead has risen and there is no reason to
weep. When Lazarus was in the tomb, there was reason for weeping.
Even Jesus wept. If a person died in Christ, though he is dead,
he is alive in Christ, and there is no reason to weep.
Outline: Why are you weeping?
a. Jesus weeps with us -- vv. 33-35.
b. Jesus weeps for us -- vv. 35-37.
2. Glory in the midst of death. 11:38-44
Need: The two sisters blamed Jesus for Lazarus' death. He
delayed his coming when he was notified of Lazarus' illness. He
explained that it was for the glory of God. By raising Lazarus
from death rather than healing his sickness, Jesus manifested the
glory of God by raising him from death. We need to realize that
often God does not answer our prayers or come to our rescue in
order that we may see his glory.
289
Outline: Behold, the glory --
a. The really dead came to life -- v. 39.
b. An answer to prayer -- vv. 41, 42.
c. In the words of Jesus -- v. 43.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 25:6-9
1. At the end, God. 25:6-9
Need: What happens after death? What is our fate? Is God in
charge? We need some answers to questions like these.
Outline: At the end of time --
a. God feeds his people -- v. 6.
b. God destroys death -- v. 7.
c. God saves us -- v. 9.
2. When the end comes. 25:6-9
Need: We all need to know what to expect after physical death.
Without this knowledge we are scared to die. Our text assures us
of God's activity on our behalf.
Outline: God with us at the end means --
a. Hunger is no more -- v. 6.
b. Death is no more -- v. 7.
c. Tears are no more -- vv. 8, 9.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:1-6a
1. The new world for Christians. 21:1-6a
Need: This sermon is needed to give faithful Christians
comfort and assurance of the future. Most people are afraid of
the end of the world because they do not know about the future.
Outline: What is new about the next world --
a. New heaven and earth -- v. 1.
b. A new city -- v. 2.
c. A new life with God -- vv. 3, 4.
2. Heaven -- I can't wait! 21:1-6a
Need: Some people want to go to heaven, but not now? Why not?
They hate to leave the joys of this world and their families and
friends. Here is the known but tomorrow is the unknown. Some have
heaven on earth and are not interested in a heaven in the skies.
Probably they feel this way because they do not know the nature
of the new heaven.
Outline: The new heaven is better than the old earth --
a. All is new -- vv. 1, 5.
b. God lives with his people -- v. 3.
c. New life with no death -- v. 4.
290
on Mount Zion. The banquet is for all people. Not only will God
provide a banquet but he will destroy humanity's worst enemy,
death. Tears will be wiped away and God will remove disgrace from
the peoples of the earth. All of this is God's work of salvation.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:1-6a (C)
John is given a vision of the new earth and heaven. The
present earth and heaven will pass away. The new earth and heaven
are the creation of God who will live with his people.
Consequently, there will be no death. All is made new by the
Eternal One.
Gospel: John 11:32-44 (C)
When Jesus arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, Lazarus was
dead four days. Both sisters confronted Jesus with the charge
that if he were here, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus joined
in the weeping because he loved Lazarus. In spite of Martha's
protest that Lazarus was dead for four days and there would be a
stench, Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave and ordered his
friends to take off the grave clothes and let him go.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 24 (C) -- "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?" (v.
3)
Psalm 119:1-6 (E); Psalm 34:1-10 (L)
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy
church, the body of Christ our Lord: Grant us grace to follow
your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know
the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you."
Hymn Of The Day
"For All The Saints"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 11:32-44 (C)
1. If (v. 32). Both Mary and Martha blamed Jesus for their
brother's death. If he had been present, Lazarus would not have
died. It seemed Jesus did not come as soon as he received the
report that Lazarus was sick. He deliberately delayed his coming
that the people would see the glory of God by his raising Lazarus
from the dead. It indicates that God may delay helping us to
teach us a lesson and to reveal God's glory to us.
2. Weep (v. 35). The sisters and their friends were weeping at
the death of Lazarus. When Jesus saw their tears, he also was so
distressed that he, too, wept. The weeping was caused by his love
for Lazarus. It shows that Jesus was a human and identified with
other humans.
288
Since he knew he was going to bring Lazarus back to life, there
was no need for tears. Rather his tears showed his compassion and
his identification with humanity.
3. Glory (v. 40). Jesus told Martha that if she believed, she
would see the glory of God. Where was the glory of God in this
situation? It was the glory of the power of God over death. It
was the glory of answered prayer. The glory was in Jesus as the
Son of God who could call upon God to bring life out of death. As
the Lord of life, Jesus demonstrated his God-given power over
death.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 25:6-9 (C)
1. All peoples (v. 6). Heaven is not for Jews only but for all
peoples. All people are God's children. No race or nation had a
monopoly on God's salvation. This does not mean automatic
universalism. The disobedient must repent and return to God for
their salvation.
2. Feast (v. 6). When the end of the world comes, God will
have prepared a feast for us. There will be abundant food and
drink. "Thou preparest a table before me ... my cup runneth
over." With a feast comes plenty of food and drink as well as
fellowship and happiness. Why then should anyone be scared of the
end of time?
3. Shroud (v. 7). The dead are clothed in a shroud. In this
text Yahweh promises to destroy the shroud of all people. The
shroud represents death. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
This anticipates the glorious resurrection of Christ who defeated
evil, Satan, and death on the cross. Easter is proof that death
has been vanquished.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:1-6a (C)
1. New (vv. 1, 5). John is shown a whole new heaven and earth
and a new city. God is making all things new. The old earth and
heaven will pass away. What is new about it? The old was a
physical world but the new is spiritual, for in the new God will
dwell with his people.
2. City (v. 2). The new heaven and earth is described as a
city. This city is new and spiritual, a new Jerusalem coming from
heaven. A city is a place where people are gathered. According to
this passage, in the future there will be only one city which
will contain God's people and in which God will live with his
people. If God is in it, there will be no death, no sorrow, no
suffering.
3. Done (v. 6). When the new city is built, the work of
creating it will be "done." This is according to the word of the
Eternal One. The work of God will be done for all eternity. There
will be no future heavens and earths. God and his people will be
in a permanent relationship.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: John 11:32-44 (C)
1. Why weep? 11:32-37
Need: "Why are you weeping?" asked the angels and Jesus on
Easter morning. The dead has risen and there is no reason to
weep. When Lazarus was in the tomb, there was reason for weeping.
Even Jesus wept. If a person died in Christ, though he is dead,
he is alive in Christ, and there is no reason to weep.
Outline: Why are you weeping?
a. Jesus weeps with us -- vv. 33-35.
b. Jesus weeps for us -- vv. 35-37.
2. Glory in the midst of death. 11:38-44
Need: The two sisters blamed Jesus for Lazarus' death. He
delayed his coming when he was notified of Lazarus' illness. He
explained that it was for the glory of God. By raising Lazarus
from death rather than healing his sickness, Jesus manifested the
glory of God by raising him from death. We need to realize that
often God does not answer our prayers or come to our rescue in
order that we may see his glory.
289
Outline: Behold, the glory --
a. The really dead came to life -- v. 39.
b. An answer to prayer -- vv. 41, 42.
c. In the words of Jesus -- v. 43.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 25:6-9
1. At the end, God. 25:6-9
Need: What happens after death? What is our fate? Is God in
charge? We need some answers to questions like these.
Outline: At the end of time --
a. God feeds his people -- v. 6.
b. God destroys death -- v. 7.
c. God saves us -- v. 9.
2. When the end comes. 25:6-9
Need: We all need to know what to expect after physical death.
Without this knowledge we are scared to die. Our text assures us
of God's activity on our behalf.
Outline: God with us at the end means --
a. Hunger is no more -- v. 6.
b. Death is no more -- v. 7.
c. Tears are no more -- vv. 8, 9.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:1-6a
1. The new world for Christians. 21:1-6a
Need: This sermon is needed to give faithful Christians
comfort and assurance of the future. Most people are afraid of
the end of the world because they do not know about the future.
Outline: What is new about the next world --
a. New heaven and earth -- v. 1.
b. A new city -- v. 2.
c. A new life with God -- vv. 3, 4.
2. Heaven -- I can't wait! 21:1-6a
Need: Some people want to go to heaven, but not now? Why not?
They hate to leave the joys of this world and their families and
friends. Here is the known but tomorrow is the unknown. Some have
heaven on earth and are not interested in a heaven in the skies.
Probably they feel this way because they do not know the nature
of the new heaven.
Outline: The new heaven is better than the old earth --
a. All is new -- vv. 1, 5.
b. God lives with his people -- v. 3.
c. New life with no death -- v. 4.
290
