Corpus Christi
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook - SERIES C
The Lessons
Genesis 14:18-20
An Old Testament prefigurement of the Eucharist. Melchizedek, King of Salem, brings out bread and wine to Abraham when the two meet before the sovereign's gates.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Paul's report of the Eucharistic tradition. Writing to the Corinthian Christians, Paul reminds them of the teaching concerning Holy Communion which he first received from the eyewitnesses of the Lord and participants in the institution of this Holy Meal in the Upper Room.
Luke 9:11-17
Feeding the five-thousand. Jesus miraculously multiplies a pantry of five loaves and two fish to feed a hungry congregation, with twelve baskets of leftovers!
Theme of the Day: The Lord Feeds Us With His Own Body
Lesson 1 - God provided for Abraham in his physical hunger.
Lesson 2 - We are fed by Christ in his Royal Meal.
Gospel - Jesus feeds us where and as we are.
Theological Reflections
Gospel
When we read the stories of the miraculous feedings which Jesus performed for those who followed after him, we think not only of people sitting on hillsides but also (a) Jesus' words of promise in the Fourth Gospel, to the effect that he is truly the Bread of Life; and (b) his feeding of his people in the Eucharist, the meal which, instituted in the Upper Room, took flesh on Calvary the next day in the afternoon. All eating is, for Christ's believing family, eucharistic eating: mealtime is a sacramental time for us, whether on picnic, in a dining room, or at the Altar of the Lord.
Lesson 1
This puzzling story raises almost as many questions as it gives answers. Who was the King of Salem? What was Salem? Why did he bring bread and wine to Abraham, a sojourner? Most likely, Salem was a fortress stronghold on the hill around which Jerusalem (Jeru-SALEM) one day grew. Bread and wine, the ordinary table fare in the ancient Orient, were sustenance for any hungry guest. For Christians, this offering of ordinary food prefigures the offer to the faithful of another meal of identical menu by a later royal host, one who also became "King of (Jeru)SALEM."
Lesson 2
As was the case with so much of what he wrote to the Corinthian Christians, Paul wrote to them about Holy Communion because he was hopping mad. That is, he wrote because there was a problem which provoked the discussion which resulted in the letter. Had he not been so provoked, we might not have received this classic text: Paul's telling of the tradition by which the report and practice of Eucharist was handed on from one believer and believing community to another. The original disciples shared with Paul what he here shared with the Corinthians: something happened in an upper room at Passover one year in Jerusalem - that New Passover has now become normative for Christians.
Preaching Possibilities
A Corpus Christi Homily
(All Three Lessons)
Feed Us, Lord, With Heavenly Food
Need: There is a sacramental nature to all life, and certainly to all eating and drinking in Jesus' name. We neglect the element of the holy in our material living to our own peril. We need to recapture constantly the promise and the purpose of creation.
1. God has always fed his people (Lesson 1)
a. Abraham was nourished by surprise.
b. Why should a royal ruler feed a stranger in his land? (Why should God feed us, unworthy as we are?)
2. God feeds us even in our carelessness (Gospel)
a. The crowds that followed Jesus didn't bring a lunch.
b. Our hunger, physical and spiritual, often comes from carelessness on our part, not lack of generosity on God's part.
3. The banquet always waits (Lesson 2)
a. Abraham ate "on the run" (Melchizedek brought food "out" to him.)
b. The crowds ate picnic-style.
c. By contrast the Eucharist draws us inside, to God's own banquet hail. As often as we come, we share the King's own life and love.
PROPER 4
May 29 - June 4
(Common)
PENTECOST 2
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 9
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43 (C)
1 Kings 8:(22-23, 27-30) 41-43 (L)
1 Kings 8:41-43 (RC)
At the dedication of the temple Solomon prays that Yahweh will hear the prayers of foreigners.
Hearing of the glory of God and the splendor of Solomon's temple, non-Jews come from distant places such as the Queen of Sheba from Ethiopia and Naaman from Syria to pray in the temple at Jerusalem. The temple made provision for Gentiles to worship in a court of the nations located in the outer precincts of the temple. Solomon prays that Yahweh will hear the prayers of foreigners who come to the temple. This harmonizes with Jesus' claim that the temple is a house of prayer for all peoples. Since Yahweh loves all humanity, it is proper that the temple should be open to all nations.
Galatians 1:1-10
Paul is astonished that the Galatians have turned to a false gospel. This is the first in a series of six Lessons from Galatians given in a semi-continuous order. It offers a preacher an opportunity to preach a book series of sermons. In the first ten verses of the letter written by Paul in Ephesus ca. A.D. 52, it is immediately obvious that Paul is upset and angry over the Galatian churches turning to a gospel other than the one he brought to them. His righteous indignation is expressed by his immediate defense of his authority and by his words: "astonished" and "accursed." In pain he asks, "Am I seeking the favor of men or of God?"
Luke 7:1-10
Jesus heals a centurion's slave and commends his great faith. Today we begin a long series of gospel lessons from Luke extending from the Sermon on the Plain to the Passion account (7--19:27), from Pentecost 2 to Christ the King. For the balance of the church year a preacher can cover Luke's account of Jesus' teachings, parables, and miracles.
Today's Gospel is the account of Jesus' healing the critically sick slave of a Roman centurion who recognized Jesus' authority to heal. The centurion believed that only a word from Jesus could heal the slave. Jesus commended the pagan foreigner for having the greatest faith in Israel.
Prayer of the Day
"Lord God of all nations, you have revealed your will to your people and promised your help to us all. Help us to hear and do what you command, that the darkness may be overcome by the power of your light."
Hymn of the Day
"Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service"
Theme of the Day: The Universality of God
Gospel
- God's mercy through Christ is extended to non-Christians.
Lesson 1 - God hears and answers the prayers of all people.
Lesson 2 - God's gospel of grace is the one gospel for all sinners.
Earlier it was stated that during the Pentecost season the three Lessons were not chosen according to a theme. Each of the three Lessons was given in a semi-continuous fashion independent of the others. Today is an exception. All three deal with God's relations with foreign, unbelieving people. In the Gospel Jesus heals a pagan slave owned by a non-Christian Roman whose faith was the greatest Jesus found in his country. The non-Jews from distant places could have their prayers heard and answered when they worshiped in the temple. (Lesson 1) There is only one true Gospel, and it is for the entire world. (Lesson 2) The prayer is addressed to the "Lord God of all nations." The hymn deals with the healing ministry of Jesus according to the Gospel lesson.
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 7:1-10
1. Dear (v. 2). The Roman centurion, a pagan, was a man of love. He loved his sick slave enough to send for Jesus' help. Since he was a rich man, he could easily have bought another slave if this slave died. Moreover, the elders told Jesus that he loved the Jewish nation and religion proved by the fact that he built the synagogue in Capernaum. Can a non-Christian love people, nation, and religion? Apparently, one does not need to be a Christian to love God and people.
2. Sent (vv. 3, 6). The centurion sent the elders to ask Jesus to cure his slave and later sent friends telling Jesus he was not worthy to have Jesus come to his house for the healing. He was simply to say the word and the slave would be healed. Why did he not go to Jesus himself? Maybe he did not go because he could not leave the deathly sick slave. Moreover, knowing that Jews were not allowed to enter Gentile homes for fear of pollution, the centurion felt unworthy to have Jesus enter his home to heal.
3. Word (v. 7). This is one of the strangest miracles of Jesus. It was done by long distance. According to this account, Jesus and the centurion never met. The centurion sent messages by intermediaries. Jesus healed the slave whom he never saw. The miracle happened because of the authority of Jesus' words. In healing Jesus often spoke and/or touched the afflicted person, but in this case healing result-ed from the power of his word.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
1. Like (v. 23). Solomon stands before the altar in the temple with hands lifted up to pray. He begins his prayer with adoration and affirmation. He tells Yahweh that "there is no God like thee." Whether or not we pray, how we pray, and what we pray for depend on our understanding of God. Solomon based his prayer on the faith that God was faithful to the covenant and showed steadfast love to his people. With this conviction, let us be bold to pray.
2. Hear (v. 43). Solomon asks Yahweh to hear the prayers of foreigners. Non-Jews were not in the covenant as God's people. They were foreigners and outcasts in the Jewish religion. Would a pagan's prayer be heard by a non-pagan God? In recent years a church leader claimed that God does not hear Jewish prayers because they are not prayed in Jesus' name. Solomon had a broader view of God as one who heard the prayers of people regardless of religion.
3. Heaven (v. 43). Yahweh was asked to hear prayers even though his dwelling place was in heaven. This was a revolutionary idea, for Jews believed Yahweh's residence was in the temple, particularly in the ark of the covenant housed in the Holy of Holies. The truth is that God dwells both in his house on earth and in heaven. They refer to the immanence and the transcendence of God. A transcendent God is in heaven. An immanent God can be heard, praised and experienced in his temple.
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:1-10
1. Apostle (v. 1). Who are you? How would you identify yourself? Paul wastes no time to let the Galatians know who he is: "Paul an apostle." Yes, he is a Christian, but a special kind of one. No, he is not a disciple, because he was not one of the Twelve. He is an apostle, one who was sent out by Christ. He had that call at his conversion on the Damascus road. Since an apostle is one called and sent, each Christian in that sense is also an apostle.
2. Pervert (v. 7). We know of sex perverts, but do we know of gospel perverts? Some in the Galatian churches are accused of perverting the Gospel. To pervert the Gospel is to misuse, abuse, and distort the true Gospel. The genuine Gospel is stated in verse 4: "Christ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age." The Gospel is the good news that for Jesus' sake God has forgiven us and accepted us as his children. Any teaching which disputes this is a perversion of the Gospel.
3. Accursed (vv. 8, 9) Another word for it is "damned." In this passage Paul pulls no punches. Those who distort and falsify the Gospel are to be cursed. In this there is no compromise. Anyone who distorts the precious Gospel of truth concerning human salvation deserves to be damned. It is a flat-out rejection and repudiation of false teaching.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43; Galatians 1:1-10; Luke 7:1-10
God Without End
Need: Many have a God who is too small. The Lessons for this Pentecost 2 shatter every confining limitation falsely imposed on God. The sermon needs to show that God is greater than anything we think, ask, or make. We make a mistake when we place our limitations on God.
Outline: Consider our God without borders:
a. God's house has room for all peoples - L 1
b. God's gospel embraces all people - L 2
c. God's mercy includes all in need - G
Gospel:
Luke 7:1-10
1. What Makes a Great Faith. "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith. " v. 9
Need: Along with the disciples every sincere Christian feels the need of increasing his faith in God. In today's gospel Jesus surprised all by saying he found the greatest faith in the country in a Roman soldier - of all people! What faith that must have been - a faith greater than that of his mother, Simeon, John the Baptizer, a disciple? If this is an example of faith at its best, we need to examine and emulate it. What makes the incident so outstanding is that the believer is not a Jew but a Roman professional military pagan!
Outline: The marks of a great faith:
a. Faith is hearing - v. 3. "Faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ." Romans 10:17
b. Faith is believing - v. 6 "Lord." A Roman would call only Caesar "lord."
c. Faith is trusting - v. 7 "Say the Word."
d. Faith is seeking help - v. 7 "Let my servant be healed."
2. Nothing Is Too Much Trouble. 7:1-10
Need: Often we do realize that no one is beyond the concern of Jesus. Nor do we realize the lengths to which Christ will go to help. Some think they are unworthy of Jesus' concern. Maybe they are too poor. Maybe they have been bad folks. Maybe they consider themselves to be of the wrong race or nation. The text has good news for these people.
Outline: Nothing is too much trouble for Jesus.
a. He goes to a home of a pagan - a hated Roman enemy - v. 6
b. Faith is believing - v. 6 - the lowest, cheapest form of humanity - v. 2
c. He praises an unbeliever's faith more than all others in the land - v. 9
3. Long Distance Call. 7:1-10
Need: The common view is that to get help from Jesus you must come directly in contact with him, make your appeal, and confess your faith. This may happen, but in today's gospel we have an exception. One needing Jesus' help may secure it by long distance through intermediaries. This will bring comfort and hope to people separated from Jesus by twenty centuries and by heaven and earth.
Outline: Jesus will help you even if
a. There is no physical contact, v. 6. Jesus did not come into the centurion's home. He did not see or touch the dying slave. Though Jesus is in heaven, he can still help us on earth.
b. There is no direct communication, vv. 3, 6. The Centurion sent two delegations to serve as intermediaries. Through them Jesus got the message of need and of the centurion's faith. Here we see the value of intercessory prayer - taking the needs of others to Jesus for his healing.
c. There is no expression of faith by the healed one, v. 10. The slave never saw or spoke to Jesus. He never cried out for mercy. He offered no expression of faith. The slave was healed on the basis of the Centurion's faith which came to Jesus second-hand. Christ is good even to unbelievers for the sake of those who believe. There is such a thing as vicarious faith.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
God Has No Favorites
Need: For us this text may be "old hat." We are accustomed to think of the universality of God. Not many would claim they have a monopoly on God. How different it must have been to the Jews who were brought up on the idea that Israel was God's chosen people. Jonah was their spokesman:
he would not take God to the Ninevites lest they be saved. Yet, while we claim to hold to the universality of God, some still try to contain God in their own church. A celebrated case was the Plains Baptist Church to which President Carter belonged before going to Washington. Acceptance of a black member caused a split in the church, removal of the pastor to Hawaii, and the founding of a new church by the dissidents. Are we sure we believe God is the God for all peoples when, like Jonah, we refuse to send missionaries to bring the gospel to non-Christian lands?
Outline: The text reveals that -
a. God is a God of all people who fear and know him, v. 43
b. He is the God who hears the prayers of anyone, vv. 41, 42
c. God's house is a house of prayer for all peoples, v. 43. If so, we have no right to choose members of the church nor to exclude anyone from praying in God's house.
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:1-10
1. A Series of Sermons on Galatians
Pentecost 2 - 1:1-10 - Whatever Became of the Gospel?
Pentecost 3 - 1:11-24 - Whose Gospel is it?
Pentecost 4 - 2:15-21 - What is the Gospel?
Pentecost 5 - 3:23-29 - Living by the Gospel
Pentecost 6 - 5:1, 13, 25 - Freed by the Gospel
Pentecost 7 - 6:7-18 - The Good Life of the Gospel
2. Free the Gospel! Galatians 1:6-9
Need: The gospel is often put into human straight-jackets. We make the gospel to fit us rather than our fitting into the gospel. In Paul's day, Judaizers were putting the gospel in legalistic clothes, claiming that one had to become a Jew before he could become a Christian. This is a distortion and a perversion of the gospel. This sermon is to persuade the people to free the gospel from our self-imposed restrictions.
Outline: How we can restrict the gospel.
a. Make the gospel another law.
b. Demand speaking in tongues as a condition for being "saved."
c. Claim the true gospel is Biblical literalism.
d. Substitute pietism for the freedom of gospel living.
3. A Different but Devilish Gospel. 1:6-7
Need: Paul was shocked when he learned his people in Galatia were turning to a "different" gospel from the one he brought to them. He could hardly believe anyone would be that foolish. If that was bad, think of the different gospels prevailing today. Now we do not seem to be upset as Paul was over heresy which at one time was serious enough to cause excommunication, torture, or burning at a stake. Our age is worse off because we tolerate false teachings. The trend is to become avant garde by embracing far-out ideas. We may even put a radical teacher with unorthodox views on a seminary faculty.
Outline: Today's different gospels.
a. Different gospels that are worldly: secularism, materialism, pluralism.
b. Different gospels that are religious: Astrology, Unification church, Scientology, Hare Krishna, Transcendental Meditation.
c. The true gospel which differs from the rest: John 3: 16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
PROPER 5
June 5-11
Common
PENTECOST 3
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 10
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
1 Kings 17:17-24
Through prayer Elijah restores a child to life. For the next five Sundays, Lesson 1 focuses upon the great prophet, Elijah, whose name means, "Yahweh is my God." He is the champion of Yahweh, and as the representative of the prophets, appeared at the Transfiguration. To understand today's pericope, one needs to know the context. Because Ahab, King of Israel, turned to pagan gods, a severe drought came upon the land. After the brooks dried up, Yahweh sends Elijah to a pagan widow with one son in Sidon to be fed. When he asks her for food, she explains her supply is down to the very last meal before she and her son die of starvation. However, she shares with Elijah and a miracle follows in that there is always a supply of food. One day her son dies and she frantically comes to Elijah who prayed for the boy's life to return. The prayer was answered and Elijah restored the lad to his mother.
Galatians 1:11-24 (C, L)
Galatians 1:11-19 (RC)
The Gospel came to Paul by revelation of Christ.
The churches of Galatia were hearing two gospels: one by Paul and the other by Judaizers who required circumcision as a prerequisite for becoming a Christian. Paul's opponents claimed that he received his gospel from the Apostles, from a human source. Paul explains that his source of the gospel was not human but divine. He received the truth directly from the risen Christ at the time of his experience on the Damascus road. To confirm his claim, he explains that after his conversion, he did not go to Jerusalem to confer with the Apostles but went to Arabia to preach. Three years later he went to Jerusalem, but visited with only Peter and James. Then he continued preaching in Syria and Cilicia. All of this explanation was to prove his point: the gospel he preached is from God, not man.
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus raises a widow's son in Nain. Only Luke tells us of Jesus' raising the widow's son at Nain. It is a dramatic story. Jesus interrupts a funeral procession to a cemetery. Feeling sorry for the mother who lost her only child, he stops the procession and raises the youth by the simple use of words. Apparently, there was no other reason for doing it. No one requested him to do it. There was no expression of faith in him. By his words of life, the mother is comforted and the people are amazed saying that Jesus was a great prophet. In this episode, a young man received life, a mother got comfort and joy, and a people learned of a great prophet.
Prayer of the Day
"O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers: and, because in the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you in will and deed."
Hymn of the Day
"When in the Hour of Deepest Need"
Theme of the Day: Life Out of Death
Gospel - Through Christ life comes to the dead.
Lesson 1 - Through prayer life returns to the dead.
Lesson 2 - Through the gospel life comes to those dead in sin.
Even though the three Lessons are given in semi-continuous fashion, we can see a theme in the pericopes. Christ through the power of his words brings life to a youth in Nain. (Gospel) Through prayer Elijah restores a widow's child to life again. (Lesson 1) Paul was dead in the sin of persecuting the church until he received the Gospel from the risen Christ. (Lesson 2) In death we are helpless. The prayer asks for grace in those times. The hymn deals with our deepest needs.
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 7:11-17
1. Her (v. 13). The center of Jesus' attention was the mother-widow. "When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her ..." There was a crowd there that day and the object of everyone's attention was the corpse heading the funeral procession. Jesus did not see these but he saw the bereaved widow who lost her only son and with him her livelihood. Jesus focuses his attention upon the needy and distressed.
2. Weep (v. 13). It is normal to weep at the funeral of a member of the family. We are told that weeping is good psychological therapy for grief. However, Jesus tells the mother, "Do not weep." Why not? Even if Jesus had not raised the man, death for a believer in God means paradise. Why weep for the blessed dead? Moreover, the mother should not weep, for Jesus knew he had the power to bring the youth to life again.
3. Say (v. 14). As in the case of the centurion's slave of last Sunday, we have here another incident in which Jesus has the words of life. Unlike Elijah in Lesson 1, Jesus does not ask God to revive the youth. Very simply Jesus says to the dead man, "I say to you, arise." Again it is the power of the Word to give life to the dead as it was to bring healing to a sick slave.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 17:17-24
1. Calamity (v. 20). Elijah is angry with Yahweh for letting the widow's son die, just as the mother was angry with Elijah: "What have you against me?" Both were justified in their lament. What had she or her son done to deserve this fate? Elijah could complain that this woman was doing God's work because God sent him to her to be fed during the drought. At timeslike this, it is OK to be mad at God.
2. Hearkened (v. 22). Elijah's anger was turned to faith. He took the problem to Yahweh in prayer and pled for the life of the child. Yahweh "hearkened" to the petition and the child revived. Here is a reversal of roles of God and a prophet. A prophet usually listens to God and becomes his spokesman. Now God listens to a prophet and fulfills the request.
3. Know (v. 24). How can anyone know whether a person is a true prophet? The final proof is in the person's life and conduct. The widow at the end said she now knew Elijah was a man of God and that he spoke the Lord's word. By their fruit you will know whether a person is truly a prophet and speaks for God.
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:11-24
1. Gospel (v. 11). It is well known that the word "gospel" means "good news." Is the gospel from humanity or from God? How can we know what is proclaimed as gospel is really gospel? Paul's answer is that the true gospel is from God in Christ. The true gospel is not only information that Jesus died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Beyond this content, the true gospel is a power unto salvation. Knowledge about Jesus is insufficient. The true gospel has within it the power of the Spirit to transform life.
2. Revelation (v. 12). How did Paul get the Gospel from God? He says it came to him by "revelation." The Gospel is not attained by human reason or intelligence, nor by research or experimentation. It comes by revelation when God discloses the truth to a person. This calls for an experience when the Gospel is revealed. Paul had this experience on the Damascus road where the risen Christ revealed the Gospel to him.
3. Before (v. 15). "Before" Paul was born, he claims that God had set him apart for the work of apostleship. If his mother had had an abortion, God's plan would have been nullified. Paul feels that God had a destiny for him. Before he entered the world, God had a plan for his life. He was called and destined to be a preacher of the Gospel. Because of this divine destiny, Paul could cry, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel."
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
1. The Touch of New Life
Need: Most of us feel our weakness. It is as though the world is often too much for us. Death is the final declaration of defeat. We need to hear the story of Jesus' raising the widow's son at Nain to be reminded that life is stronger than death and that this life comes from Christ. In verse 13, Jesus is called "Lord" - he is the lord of life.
Outline: In Christ we have the power of new life.
a. Power to comfort - v. 13: "Do not weep."
b. Power to renew life - v. 14: "Arise."
c. Power to restore relationships - v. 15: "He gave him to his mother."
2. When You Care Enough. 7:13 - "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her."
Need: It is a cold and hard world. The endlessly repeated refrain coming from the people is "Nobody cares about me." Commercial ventures seeking new business capitalize on this fact and advertise, "We care." Many ask, "Does anybody really care whether I live or die, succeed or fail?" Does Jesus care? He did when he was in Palestine, but does he care about me today? The answer is in the miracle at Nain. In this instance, Jesus cared enough to raise the dead to dry a mother's tears! And Jesus has not changed. He still has compassion for all who are having a bad time. It is important to observe that Jesus did not raise the youth from death to deliver him from his plight. He was raised to comfort his mother.
Outline: When you care enough.
a. You, like Jesus, will know of this situation - v. 12
b. You, like Jesus, will sympathize - v. 13
c. You, like Jesus, will help - v. 14
3. A Miracle - So What? 7:16 "A great prophet has risen among us.!" God has visited his people."
Need: When a miracle occurs, something happens. It is not only an effect upon the person(s) benefited but the effect upon those who witness the miracle. In today's Gospel, we have no record of a reaction on the part of the mother - was she grateful to Jesus? Did she join the other women who ministered to Jesus? What was the effect on the young man? Was his new life different? Given in service to Christ? While we do not know the reaction of mother and son, we do have an account of the effect the miracle had upon the people who observed it. Here is the point of contact for us today. The miracle can be observed today through the Word almost as well as it was by the eye-witnesses. It is the reaction that counts. What does this miracle indicate about Jesus?
Outline: What we see in this miracle.
a. Presence of God in Jesus - "God has visited his people." God's presence is evident in the love and compassion shown to a nameless woman twice-bereaved.
b. Power of God in Jesus - "A great prophet has risen among us!" The power of God is shown in the words and work of a prophet who is God's ambassador. No greater power can be seen than in the raising of the dead.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 17:17-24
1. Preaching a Series on Elijah
Pentecost 3 - 1 Kings 17:17-24 - A Life Renewed
Pentecost 4 - 1 Kings 19:1-8 - Meals Served by an Angel
Pentecost 5 - 1 Kings 19:9-14 - When God Whispers
Pentecost 6 - 1 Kings 19:15-21 - Getting out of a Depression
Pentecost 7 - 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 - You Can't Get Away With It!
2. Variations on a Theme
Lesson 1 and the Gospel are variations of the same theme: God's power of life over death. The two accounts are parallel: a widow, dead child, resuscitation, restoration of the child to his mother, and recognition of a prophet. Both Elijah and Jesus raised a child to life again. Is there no difference between Jesus and Elijah? Note a few of the differences:
a. Guilt. Elijah caused the widow to feel guilty for the death of her son. In the Gospel, there is no mention of guilt on the part of the widow of Nain. If there were, it would have been in character for Jesus to have forgiven her sin. Elijah ignores the widow's confession of guilt.
b. In Lesson 1, the youth was brought back to life by God through Elijah. He stretched himself on the child three times so that his life force might affect the child. In contrast, Jesus simply touched the casket. There was no great effort, no force but simply a touch for the power to flow.
c. Elijah prayed to God with great intensity for the child's life to return. Jesus did not pray. As the Son of God, he simply said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
3. Are You Known as a Man of God? 17:24 "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth."
Need: The problem is for people to tell who is a true prophet from a false one. Some prophets appear to be genuine - speak fluently, promise bountifully, and make good impressions. Time usually reveals that some of these are phony. After the miracle of raising her son, the widow was convinced Elijah was a true prophet, a man of God who spoke the truth. How did she come to that conclusion? How can we be sure a person is a man/woman of God?
Outline: Like Elijah, one is a true person of God who
a. Loves People - sympathizes with their plight - vv. 17-19
b. Prays for the afflicted - vv. 20-21
c. Serves people - vv. 22-23
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:11-12
1. You Better Believe It! Galatians 1:11-12
Need: This gospel of salvation by grace through faith - whose philosophy or theology or teaching is it? If it is of a man, why is it not just one man's opinion which may need correction? Should a man base his soul's eternal welfare on a man's teaching about God and the soul? Paul makes no claim for the acceptance of the gospel because he preaches it. The gospel is a "given," a revelation from God. This is then God's eternal truth worthy of full acceptance.
Outline: The gospel comes to us
a. Not by research - a discovery of the truth
b. Not by reason - a list of logical propositions
c. But by revelation - a gift from above
2. Is There a Plan for Your Life? 1:15-16
Need: It is obvious that many lives are in confusion because they sense no purpose or plan for their lives. The old traditional position that God has a separate plan for each life has largely been dropped. The result is that lives are purposeless and distracted. Paul expresses a conviction that God had a plan for him even before he was born - destined to be a preacher! Can you also say, "This is what God wants me to do with my life?"
Outline: God's plan for you to serve him is based upon
a. God's destiny for you - v. 15a
b. God's call of grace - v. 15b
c. God's revelation of his Son to you - v. 16
Genesis 14:18-20
An Old Testament prefigurement of the Eucharist. Melchizedek, King of Salem, brings out bread and wine to Abraham when the two meet before the sovereign's gates.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Paul's report of the Eucharistic tradition. Writing to the Corinthian Christians, Paul reminds them of the teaching concerning Holy Communion which he first received from the eyewitnesses of the Lord and participants in the institution of this Holy Meal in the Upper Room.
Luke 9:11-17
Feeding the five-thousand. Jesus miraculously multiplies a pantry of five loaves and two fish to feed a hungry congregation, with twelve baskets of leftovers!
Theme of the Day: The Lord Feeds Us With His Own Body
Lesson 1 - God provided for Abraham in his physical hunger.
Lesson 2 - We are fed by Christ in his Royal Meal.
Gospel - Jesus feeds us where and as we are.
Theological Reflections
Gospel
When we read the stories of the miraculous feedings which Jesus performed for those who followed after him, we think not only of people sitting on hillsides but also (a) Jesus' words of promise in the Fourth Gospel, to the effect that he is truly the Bread of Life; and (b) his feeding of his people in the Eucharist, the meal which, instituted in the Upper Room, took flesh on Calvary the next day in the afternoon. All eating is, for Christ's believing family, eucharistic eating: mealtime is a sacramental time for us, whether on picnic, in a dining room, or at the Altar of the Lord.
Lesson 1
This puzzling story raises almost as many questions as it gives answers. Who was the King of Salem? What was Salem? Why did he bring bread and wine to Abraham, a sojourner? Most likely, Salem was a fortress stronghold on the hill around which Jerusalem (Jeru-SALEM) one day grew. Bread and wine, the ordinary table fare in the ancient Orient, were sustenance for any hungry guest. For Christians, this offering of ordinary food prefigures the offer to the faithful of another meal of identical menu by a later royal host, one who also became "King of (Jeru)SALEM."
Lesson 2
As was the case with so much of what he wrote to the Corinthian Christians, Paul wrote to them about Holy Communion because he was hopping mad. That is, he wrote because there was a problem which provoked the discussion which resulted in the letter. Had he not been so provoked, we might not have received this classic text: Paul's telling of the tradition by which the report and practice of Eucharist was handed on from one believer and believing community to another. The original disciples shared with Paul what he here shared with the Corinthians: something happened in an upper room at Passover one year in Jerusalem - that New Passover has now become normative for Christians.
Preaching Possibilities
A Corpus Christi Homily
(All Three Lessons)
Feed Us, Lord, With Heavenly Food
Need: There is a sacramental nature to all life, and certainly to all eating and drinking in Jesus' name. We neglect the element of the holy in our material living to our own peril. We need to recapture constantly the promise and the purpose of creation.
1. God has always fed his people (Lesson 1)
a. Abraham was nourished by surprise.
b. Why should a royal ruler feed a stranger in his land? (Why should God feed us, unworthy as we are?)
2. God feeds us even in our carelessness (Gospel)
a. The crowds that followed Jesus didn't bring a lunch.
b. Our hunger, physical and spiritual, often comes from carelessness on our part, not lack of generosity on God's part.
3. The banquet always waits (Lesson 2)
a. Abraham ate "on the run" (Melchizedek brought food "out" to him.)
b. The crowds ate picnic-style.
c. By contrast the Eucharist draws us inside, to God's own banquet hail. As often as we come, we share the King's own life and love.
PROPER 4
May 29 - June 4
(Common)
PENTECOST 2
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 9
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43 (C)
1 Kings 8:(22-23, 27-30) 41-43 (L)
1 Kings 8:41-43 (RC)
At the dedication of the temple Solomon prays that Yahweh will hear the prayers of foreigners.
Hearing of the glory of God and the splendor of Solomon's temple, non-Jews come from distant places such as the Queen of Sheba from Ethiopia and Naaman from Syria to pray in the temple at Jerusalem. The temple made provision for Gentiles to worship in a court of the nations located in the outer precincts of the temple. Solomon prays that Yahweh will hear the prayers of foreigners who come to the temple. This harmonizes with Jesus' claim that the temple is a house of prayer for all peoples. Since Yahweh loves all humanity, it is proper that the temple should be open to all nations.
Galatians 1:1-10
Paul is astonished that the Galatians have turned to a false gospel. This is the first in a series of six Lessons from Galatians given in a semi-continuous order. It offers a preacher an opportunity to preach a book series of sermons. In the first ten verses of the letter written by Paul in Ephesus ca. A.D. 52, it is immediately obvious that Paul is upset and angry over the Galatian churches turning to a gospel other than the one he brought to them. His righteous indignation is expressed by his immediate defense of his authority and by his words: "astonished" and "accursed." In pain he asks, "Am I seeking the favor of men or of God?"
Luke 7:1-10
Jesus heals a centurion's slave and commends his great faith. Today we begin a long series of gospel lessons from Luke extending from the Sermon on the Plain to the Passion account (7--19:27), from Pentecost 2 to Christ the King. For the balance of the church year a preacher can cover Luke's account of Jesus' teachings, parables, and miracles.
Today's Gospel is the account of Jesus' healing the critically sick slave of a Roman centurion who recognized Jesus' authority to heal. The centurion believed that only a word from Jesus could heal the slave. Jesus commended the pagan foreigner for having the greatest faith in Israel.
Prayer of the Day
"Lord God of all nations, you have revealed your will to your people and promised your help to us all. Help us to hear and do what you command, that the darkness may be overcome by the power of your light."
Hymn of the Day
"Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service"
Theme of the Day: The Universality of God
Gospel
- God's mercy through Christ is extended to non-Christians.
Lesson 1 - God hears and answers the prayers of all people.
Lesson 2 - God's gospel of grace is the one gospel for all sinners.
Earlier it was stated that during the Pentecost season the three Lessons were not chosen according to a theme. Each of the three Lessons was given in a semi-continuous fashion independent of the others. Today is an exception. All three deal with God's relations with foreign, unbelieving people. In the Gospel Jesus heals a pagan slave owned by a non-Christian Roman whose faith was the greatest Jesus found in his country. The non-Jews from distant places could have their prayers heard and answered when they worshiped in the temple. (Lesson 1) There is only one true Gospel, and it is for the entire world. (Lesson 2) The prayer is addressed to the "Lord God of all nations." The hymn deals with the healing ministry of Jesus according to the Gospel lesson.
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 7:1-10
1. Dear (v. 2). The Roman centurion, a pagan, was a man of love. He loved his sick slave enough to send for Jesus' help. Since he was a rich man, he could easily have bought another slave if this slave died. Moreover, the elders told Jesus that he loved the Jewish nation and religion proved by the fact that he built the synagogue in Capernaum. Can a non-Christian love people, nation, and religion? Apparently, one does not need to be a Christian to love God and people.
2. Sent (vv. 3, 6). The centurion sent the elders to ask Jesus to cure his slave and later sent friends telling Jesus he was not worthy to have Jesus come to his house for the healing. He was simply to say the word and the slave would be healed. Why did he not go to Jesus himself? Maybe he did not go because he could not leave the deathly sick slave. Moreover, knowing that Jews were not allowed to enter Gentile homes for fear of pollution, the centurion felt unworthy to have Jesus enter his home to heal.
3. Word (v. 7). This is one of the strangest miracles of Jesus. It was done by long distance. According to this account, Jesus and the centurion never met. The centurion sent messages by intermediaries. Jesus healed the slave whom he never saw. The miracle happened because of the authority of Jesus' words. In healing Jesus often spoke and/or touched the afflicted person, but in this case healing result-ed from the power of his word.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
1. Like (v. 23). Solomon stands before the altar in the temple with hands lifted up to pray. He begins his prayer with adoration and affirmation. He tells Yahweh that "there is no God like thee." Whether or not we pray, how we pray, and what we pray for depend on our understanding of God. Solomon based his prayer on the faith that God was faithful to the covenant and showed steadfast love to his people. With this conviction, let us be bold to pray.
2. Hear (v. 43). Solomon asks Yahweh to hear the prayers of foreigners. Non-Jews were not in the covenant as God's people. They were foreigners and outcasts in the Jewish religion. Would a pagan's prayer be heard by a non-pagan God? In recent years a church leader claimed that God does not hear Jewish prayers because they are not prayed in Jesus' name. Solomon had a broader view of God as one who heard the prayers of people regardless of religion.
3. Heaven (v. 43). Yahweh was asked to hear prayers even though his dwelling place was in heaven. This was a revolutionary idea, for Jews believed Yahweh's residence was in the temple, particularly in the ark of the covenant housed in the Holy of Holies. The truth is that God dwells both in his house on earth and in heaven. They refer to the immanence and the transcendence of God. A transcendent God is in heaven. An immanent God can be heard, praised and experienced in his temple.
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:1-10
1. Apostle (v. 1). Who are you? How would you identify yourself? Paul wastes no time to let the Galatians know who he is: "Paul an apostle." Yes, he is a Christian, but a special kind of one. No, he is not a disciple, because he was not one of the Twelve. He is an apostle, one who was sent out by Christ. He had that call at his conversion on the Damascus road. Since an apostle is one called and sent, each Christian in that sense is also an apostle.
2. Pervert (v. 7). We know of sex perverts, but do we know of gospel perverts? Some in the Galatian churches are accused of perverting the Gospel. To pervert the Gospel is to misuse, abuse, and distort the true Gospel. The genuine Gospel is stated in verse 4: "Christ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age." The Gospel is the good news that for Jesus' sake God has forgiven us and accepted us as his children. Any teaching which disputes this is a perversion of the Gospel.
3. Accursed (vv. 8, 9) Another word for it is "damned." In this passage Paul pulls no punches. Those who distort and falsify the Gospel are to be cursed. In this there is no compromise. Anyone who distorts the precious Gospel of truth concerning human salvation deserves to be damned. It is a flat-out rejection and repudiation of false teaching.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43; Galatians 1:1-10; Luke 7:1-10
God Without End
Need: Many have a God who is too small. The Lessons for this Pentecost 2 shatter every confining limitation falsely imposed on God. The sermon needs to show that God is greater than anything we think, ask, or make. We make a mistake when we place our limitations on God.
Outline: Consider our God without borders:
a. God's house has room for all peoples - L 1
b. God's gospel embraces all people - L 2
c. God's mercy includes all in need - G
Gospel:
Luke 7:1-10
1. What Makes a Great Faith. "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith. " v. 9
Need: Along with the disciples every sincere Christian feels the need of increasing his faith in God. In today's gospel Jesus surprised all by saying he found the greatest faith in the country in a Roman soldier - of all people! What faith that must have been - a faith greater than that of his mother, Simeon, John the Baptizer, a disciple? If this is an example of faith at its best, we need to examine and emulate it. What makes the incident so outstanding is that the believer is not a Jew but a Roman professional military pagan!
Outline: The marks of a great faith:
a. Faith is hearing - v. 3. "Faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ." Romans 10:17
b. Faith is believing - v. 6 "Lord." A Roman would call only Caesar "lord."
c. Faith is trusting - v. 7 "Say the Word."
d. Faith is seeking help - v. 7 "Let my servant be healed."
2. Nothing Is Too Much Trouble. 7:1-10
Need: Often we do realize that no one is beyond the concern of Jesus. Nor do we realize the lengths to which Christ will go to help. Some think they are unworthy of Jesus' concern. Maybe they are too poor. Maybe they have been bad folks. Maybe they consider themselves to be of the wrong race or nation. The text has good news for these people.
Outline: Nothing is too much trouble for Jesus.
a. He goes to a home of a pagan - a hated Roman enemy - v. 6
b. Faith is believing - v. 6 - the lowest, cheapest form of humanity - v. 2
c. He praises an unbeliever's faith more than all others in the land - v. 9
3. Long Distance Call. 7:1-10
Need: The common view is that to get help from Jesus you must come directly in contact with him, make your appeal, and confess your faith. This may happen, but in today's gospel we have an exception. One needing Jesus' help may secure it by long distance through intermediaries. This will bring comfort and hope to people separated from Jesus by twenty centuries and by heaven and earth.
Outline: Jesus will help you even if
a. There is no physical contact, v. 6. Jesus did not come into the centurion's home. He did not see or touch the dying slave. Though Jesus is in heaven, he can still help us on earth.
b. There is no direct communication, vv. 3, 6. The Centurion sent two delegations to serve as intermediaries. Through them Jesus got the message of need and of the centurion's faith. Here we see the value of intercessory prayer - taking the needs of others to Jesus for his healing.
c. There is no expression of faith by the healed one, v. 10. The slave never saw or spoke to Jesus. He never cried out for mercy. He offered no expression of faith. The slave was healed on the basis of the Centurion's faith which came to Jesus second-hand. Christ is good even to unbelievers for the sake of those who believe. There is such a thing as vicarious faith.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
God Has No Favorites
Need: For us this text may be "old hat." We are accustomed to think of the universality of God. Not many would claim they have a monopoly on God. How different it must have been to the Jews who were brought up on the idea that Israel was God's chosen people. Jonah was their spokesman:
he would not take God to the Ninevites lest they be saved. Yet, while we claim to hold to the universality of God, some still try to contain God in their own church. A celebrated case was the Plains Baptist Church to which President Carter belonged before going to Washington. Acceptance of a black member caused a split in the church, removal of the pastor to Hawaii, and the founding of a new church by the dissidents. Are we sure we believe God is the God for all peoples when, like Jonah, we refuse to send missionaries to bring the gospel to non-Christian lands?
Outline: The text reveals that -
a. God is a God of all people who fear and know him, v. 43
b. He is the God who hears the prayers of anyone, vv. 41, 42
c. God's house is a house of prayer for all peoples, v. 43. If so, we have no right to choose members of the church nor to exclude anyone from praying in God's house.
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:1-10
1. A Series of Sermons on Galatians
Pentecost 2 - 1:1-10 - Whatever Became of the Gospel?
Pentecost 3 - 1:11-24 - Whose Gospel is it?
Pentecost 4 - 2:15-21 - What is the Gospel?
Pentecost 5 - 3:23-29 - Living by the Gospel
Pentecost 6 - 5:1, 13, 25 - Freed by the Gospel
Pentecost 7 - 6:7-18 - The Good Life of the Gospel
2. Free the Gospel! Galatians 1:6-9
Need: The gospel is often put into human straight-jackets. We make the gospel to fit us rather than our fitting into the gospel. In Paul's day, Judaizers were putting the gospel in legalistic clothes, claiming that one had to become a Jew before he could become a Christian. This is a distortion and a perversion of the gospel. This sermon is to persuade the people to free the gospel from our self-imposed restrictions.
Outline: How we can restrict the gospel.
a. Make the gospel another law.
b. Demand speaking in tongues as a condition for being "saved."
c. Claim the true gospel is Biblical literalism.
d. Substitute pietism for the freedom of gospel living.
3. A Different but Devilish Gospel. 1:6-7
Need: Paul was shocked when he learned his people in Galatia were turning to a "different" gospel from the one he brought to them. He could hardly believe anyone would be that foolish. If that was bad, think of the different gospels prevailing today. Now we do not seem to be upset as Paul was over heresy which at one time was serious enough to cause excommunication, torture, or burning at a stake. Our age is worse off because we tolerate false teachings. The trend is to become avant garde by embracing far-out ideas. We may even put a radical teacher with unorthodox views on a seminary faculty.
Outline: Today's different gospels.
a. Different gospels that are worldly: secularism, materialism, pluralism.
b. Different gospels that are religious: Astrology, Unification church, Scientology, Hare Krishna, Transcendental Meditation.
c. The true gospel which differs from the rest: John 3: 16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
PROPER 5
June 5-11
Common
PENTECOST 3
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 10
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
1 Kings 17:17-24
Through prayer Elijah restores a child to life. For the next five Sundays, Lesson 1 focuses upon the great prophet, Elijah, whose name means, "Yahweh is my God." He is the champion of Yahweh, and as the representative of the prophets, appeared at the Transfiguration. To understand today's pericope, one needs to know the context. Because Ahab, King of Israel, turned to pagan gods, a severe drought came upon the land. After the brooks dried up, Yahweh sends Elijah to a pagan widow with one son in Sidon to be fed. When he asks her for food, she explains her supply is down to the very last meal before she and her son die of starvation. However, she shares with Elijah and a miracle follows in that there is always a supply of food. One day her son dies and she frantically comes to Elijah who prayed for the boy's life to return. The prayer was answered and Elijah restored the lad to his mother.
Galatians 1:11-24 (C, L)
Galatians 1:11-19 (RC)
The Gospel came to Paul by revelation of Christ.
The churches of Galatia were hearing two gospels: one by Paul and the other by Judaizers who required circumcision as a prerequisite for becoming a Christian. Paul's opponents claimed that he received his gospel from the Apostles, from a human source. Paul explains that his source of the gospel was not human but divine. He received the truth directly from the risen Christ at the time of his experience on the Damascus road. To confirm his claim, he explains that after his conversion, he did not go to Jerusalem to confer with the Apostles but went to Arabia to preach. Three years later he went to Jerusalem, but visited with only Peter and James. Then he continued preaching in Syria and Cilicia. All of this explanation was to prove his point: the gospel he preached is from God, not man.
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus raises a widow's son in Nain. Only Luke tells us of Jesus' raising the widow's son at Nain. It is a dramatic story. Jesus interrupts a funeral procession to a cemetery. Feeling sorry for the mother who lost her only child, he stops the procession and raises the youth by the simple use of words. Apparently, there was no other reason for doing it. No one requested him to do it. There was no expression of faith in him. By his words of life, the mother is comforted and the people are amazed saying that Jesus was a great prophet. In this episode, a young man received life, a mother got comfort and joy, and a people learned of a great prophet.
Prayer of the Day
"O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers: and, because in the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you in will and deed."
Hymn of the Day
"When in the Hour of Deepest Need"
Theme of the Day: Life Out of Death
Gospel - Through Christ life comes to the dead.
Lesson 1 - Through prayer life returns to the dead.
Lesson 2 - Through the gospel life comes to those dead in sin.
Even though the three Lessons are given in semi-continuous fashion, we can see a theme in the pericopes. Christ through the power of his words brings life to a youth in Nain. (Gospel) Through prayer Elijah restores a widow's child to life again. (Lesson 1) Paul was dead in the sin of persecuting the church until he received the Gospel from the risen Christ. (Lesson 2) In death we are helpless. The prayer asks for grace in those times. The hymn deals with our deepest needs.
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 7:11-17
1. Her (v. 13). The center of Jesus' attention was the mother-widow. "When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her ..." There was a crowd there that day and the object of everyone's attention was the corpse heading the funeral procession. Jesus did not see these but he saw the bereaved widow who lost her only son and with him her livelihood. Jesus focuses his attention upon the needy and distressed.
2. Weep (v. 13). It is normal to weep at the funeral of a member of the family. We are told that weeping is good psychological therapy for grief. However, Jesus tells the mother, "Do not weep." Why not? Even if Jesus had not raised the man, death for a believer in God means paradise. Why weep for the blessed dead? Moreover, the mother should not weep, for Jesus knew he had the power to bring the youth to life again.
3. Say (v. 14). As in the case of the centurion's slave of last Sunday, we have here another incident in which Jesus has the words of life. Unlike Elijah in Lesson 1, Jesus does not ask God to revive the youth. Very simply Jesus says to the dead man, "I say to you, arise." Again it is the power of the Word to give life to the dead as it was to bring healing to a sick slave.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 17:17-24
1. Calamity (v. 20). Elijah is angry with Yahweh for letting the widow's son die, just as the mother was angry with Elijah: "What have you against me?" Both were justified in their lament. What had she or her son done to deserve this fate? Elijah could complain that this woman was doing God's work because God sent him to her to be fed during the drought. At timeslike this, it is OK to be mad at God.
2. Hearkened (v. 22). Elijah's anger was turned to faith. He took the problem to Yahweh in prayer and pled for the life of the child. Yahweh "hearkened" to the petition and the child revived. Here is a reversal of roles of God and a prophet. A prophet usually listens to God and becomes his spokesman. Now God listens to a prophet and fulfills the request.
3. Know (v. 24). How can anyone know whether a person is a true prophet? The final proof is in the person's life and conduct. The widow at the end said she now knew Elijah was a man of God and that he spoke the Lord's word. By their fruit you will know whether a person is truly a prophet and speaks for God.
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:11-24
1. Gospel (v. 11). It is well known that the word "gospel" means "good news." Is the gospel from humanity or from God? How can we know what is proclaimed as gospel is really gospel? Paul's answer is that the true gospel is from God in Christ. The true gospel is not only information that Jesus died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Beyond this content, the true gospel is a power unto salvation. Knowledge about Jesus is insufficient. The true gospel has within it the power of the Spirit to transform life.
2. Revelation (v. 12). How did Paul get the Gospel from God? He says it came to him by "revelation." The Gospel is not attained by human reason or intelligence, nor by research or experimentation. It comes by revelation when God discloses the truth to a person. This calls for an experience when the Gospel is revealed. Paul had this experience on the Damascus road where the risen Christ revealed the Gospel to him.
3. Before (v. 15). "Before" Paul was born, he claims that God had set him apart for the work of apostleship. If his mother had had an abortion, God's plan would have been nullified. Paul feels that God had a destiny for him. Before he entered the world, God had a plan for his life. He was called and destined to be a preacher of the Gospel. Because of this divine destiny, Paul could cry, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel."
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
1. The Touch of New Life
Need: Most of us feel our weakness. It is as though the world is often too much for us. Death is the final declaration of defeat. We need to hear the story of Jesus' raising the widow's son at Nain to be reminded that life is stronger than death and that this life comes from Christ. In verse 13, Jesus is called "Lord" - he is the lord of life.
Outline: In Christ we have the power of new life.
a. Power to comfort - v. 13: "Do not weep."
b. Power to renew life - v. 14: "Arise."
c. Power to restore relationships - v. 15: "He gave him to his mother."
2. When You Care Enough. 7:13 - "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her."
Need: It is a cold and hard world. The endlessly repeated refrain coming from the people is "Nobody cares about me." Commercial ventures seeking new business capitalize on this fact and advertise, "We care." Many ask, "Does anybody really care whether I live or die, succeed or fail?" Does Jesus care? He did when he was in Palestine, but does he care about me today? The answer is in the miracle at Nain. In this instance, Jesus cared enough to raise the dead to dry a mother's tears! And Jesus has not changed. He still has compassion for all who are having a bad time. It is important to observe that Jesus did not raise the youth from death to deliver him from his plight. He was raised to comfort his mother.
Outline: When you care enough.
a. You, like Jesus, will know of this situation - v. 12
b. You, like Jesus, will sympathize - v. 13
c. You, like Jesus, will help - v. 14
3. A Miracle - So What? 7:16 "A great prophet has risen among us.!" God has visited his people."
Need: When a miracle occurs, something happens. It is not only an effect upon the person(s) benefited but the effect upon those who witness the miracle. In today's Gospel, we have no record of a reaction on the part of the mother - was she grateful to Jesus? Did she join the other women who ministered to Jesus? What was the effect on the young man? Was his new life different? Given in service to Christ? While we do not know the reaction of mother and son, we do have an account of the effect the miracle had upon the people who observed it. Here is the point of contact for us today. The miracle can be observed today through the Word almost as well as it was by the eye-witnesses. It is the reaction that counts. What does this miracle indicate about Jesus?
Outline: What we see in this miracle.
a. Presence of God in Jesus - "God has visited his people." God's presence is evident in the love and compassion shown to a nameless woman twice-bereaved.
b. Power of God in Jesus - "A great prophet has risen among us!" The power of God is shown in the words and work of a prophet who is God's ambassador. No greater power can be seen than in the raising of the dead.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 17:17-24
1. Preaching a Series on Elijah
Pentecost 3 - 1 Kings 17:17-24 - A Life Renewed
Pentecost 4 - 1 Kings 19:1-8 - Meals Served by an Angel
Pentecost 5 - 1 Kings 19:9-14 - When God Whispers
Pentecost 6 - 1 Kings 19:15-21 - Getting out of a Depression
Pentecost 7 - 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 - You Can't Get Away With It!
2. Variations on a Theme
Lesson 1 and the Gospel are variations of the same theme: God's power of life over death. The two accounts are parallel: a widow, dead child, resuscitation, restoration of the child to his mother, and recognition of a prophet. Both Elijah and Jesus raised a child to life again. Is there no difference between Jesus and Elijah? Note a few of the differences:
a. Guilt. Elijah caused the widow to feel guilty for the death of her son. In the Gospel, there is no mention of guilt on the part of the widow of Nain. If there were, it would have been in character for Jesus to have forgiven her sin. Elijah ignores the widow's confession of guilt.
b. In Lesson 1, the youth was brought back to life by God through Elijah. He stretched himself on the child three times so that his life force might affect the child. In contrast, Jesus simply touched the casket. There was no great effort, no force but simply a touch for the power to flow.
c. Elijah prayed to God with great intensity for the child's life to return. Jesus did not pray. As the Son of God, he simply said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
3. Are You Known as a Man of God? 17:24 "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth."
Need: The problem is for people to tell who is a true prophet from a false one. Some prophets appear to be genuine - speak fluently, promise bountifully, and make good impressions. Time usually reveals that some of these are phony. After the miracle of raising her son, the widow was convinced Elijah was a true prophet, a man of God who spoke the truth. How did she come to that conclusion? How can we be sure a person is a man/woman of God?
Outline: Like Elijah, one is a true person of God who
a. Loves People - sympathizes with their plight - vv. 17-19
b. Prays for the afflicted - vv. 20-21
c. Serves people - vv. 22-23
Lesson 2: Galatians 1:11-12
1. You Better Believe It! Galatians 1:11-12
Need: This gospel of salvation by grace through faith - whose philosophy or theology or teaching is it? If it is of a man, why is it not just one man's opinion which may need correction? Should a man base his soul's eternal welfare on a man's teaching about God and the soul? Paul makes no claim for the acceptance of the gospel because he preaches it. The gospel is a "given," a revelation from God. This is then God's eternal truth worthy of full acceptance.
Outline: The gospel comes to us
a. Not by research - a discovery of the truth
b. Not by reason - a list of logical propositions
c. But by revelation - a gift from above
2. Is There a Plan for Your Life? 1:15-16
Need: It is obvious that many lives are in confusion because they sense no purpose or plan for their lives. The old traditional position that God has a separate plan for each life has largely been dropped. The result is that lives are purposeless and distracted. Paul expresses a conviction that God had a plan for him even before he was born - destined to be a preacher! Can you also say, "This is what God wants me to do with my life?"
Outline: God's plan for you to serve him is based upon
a. God's destiny for you - v. 15a
b. God's call of grace - v. 15b
c. God's revelation of his Son to you - v. 16
