Epiphany 2
Preaching
THE WESLEYAN PREACHING ANNUAL 2001--2002
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Shout it aloud; do not hold back.
People: Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Leader: Declare His salvation.
People: Declare His holiness.
All: Declare the goodness of God throughout this service!
OFFERING THOUGHT
We are asked to give in times of need, to trust in time of doubt, to believe in moments of despair, to be happy in times of blessings. Help us to meet all challenges of life. In the name of Christ. Amen.
BENEDICTION
End of Worship - Beginning of Service.
SERMON BRIEFS
A Friendly Reminder
1 Corinthians 1:1--9
Recently a friend of mine received a rather lengthy letter in the mail. As he read the letter, he kept asking himself, "Who wrote me this letter?" The writer went on to describe activities: children, fun, hopes, and dreams. Reading through the extended manuscript, his perplexity grew deeper. "Who is this letter from?" Only when my friend reached the conclusion of the letter and saw the signature did he realize that the writer was a long time acquaintance of his whom he had not seen for some time. Via this letter his friend was endeavoring to catch him up on several years of past history and events.
The people who received Apostle Paul's letter didn't have to look at the end to determine whom the author was. The very first word identifies the letter's composer and establishes his authority. "Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother" (1 Corinthians 1:1 NASB). Paul the apostle has a mission. He is not a self--appointed apostle proclaiming his own word, but he is an apostle of Jesus Christ coming to the Corinthians with the message of Jesus.
How is Paul going to communicate to the Corinthians who are fussing and suing one another, and are divided over proper diet, the Lord's Supper, and spiritual gifts? Paul realizes that in order to be able to address the problems of the Church at Corinth, he must first of all build a rapport with these contentious Corinthians. He builds harmony by the following route.
He begins by positively reminding them of who they are (1:2).
Paul describes the Corinthians in six ways: (1) "Church of God," (2) "in Corinth," (3) "in Christ," (4) "saints," (5) "together with all other Christians," (6) "those ... who call on the name of our Lord Jesus."
The Apostle uses glowing terms to describe this combative group of people. Notice he doesn't call them hypocrites, pagans, or phonies. Instead he addresses them as "the church of God." When the Apostle uses this expression, it is his intention to remind the Corinthians that they are the assembly of God. (The word church really means assembly). The Corinthians belong to God and are to pursue God's business. Yes, they are in Corinth, but they are "in Christ." To be in Christ is to be in the church, and to be saints.
When one reflects on the Church at Corinth, the question must be asked of your local assembly, "Who are we?" You are saints in New York, Detroit, Kansas City, or wherever. Where you are located is your Corinth. The church of today is relevant only as it exists in the "Corinth" where God has placed her. In your Corinth you are to flesh out Jesus in the midst of problems and perplexities.
Paul has reminded the Corinthians of who they are, and now he informs them of what they have (1:3).
The Apostle Paul prays for "grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:3). A cursory look at this group reveals a real deficiency in giving grace and peace to each other. Instead, they battle each other, belittle one another. "Meism" is their dominate theme. Yet Paul wants the Corinthians to know that grace and peace are available to them through Jesus Christ. He desires these Corinthians to receive grace so that they might extend that grace to others. Peace then will come as the result of grace. When grace and peace are received from God, alienation is ended, and love is present.
Paul now wants to help the Corinthians understand what he is thankful for (1:4--9).
In a church that is filled with littleness, pettiness, feuds, and cliques, what can Paul be thankful for?
Paul is thankful for the way God has worked in the Corinthians' past (1:4--6). He especially wants to remind them of what they were like before coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, this church was a problem--filled church, but there would have been many more problems had those in the fellowship not been in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:9--11, the Apostle reminds them of what they were like prior to their coming to Christ. They were fornicators, idolators, adultresses, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, rabble rousers, and cheats. Sure, they still had problems, for they were spiritual infants in Christ. Paul rejoices that they are not staying in their past.
How about you? What are you doing with your past? Hanging on to it, reliving it, rationalizing it? Christ invites you to let it go. Your forgiven past has no power over you unless you allow it to dominate and control you.
Paul is deeply grateful for the grace of God these Corinthians received in the past, and for this he gives thanks.
As God worked in the Corinthians' past, he is also at work in their present, and Paul is thankful for the present. God has gifted these Corinthians for living in the present (1:7). They have been cleansed from their past and gifted for the present and because of this, Paul believes the Church at Corinth can make real progress.
God is so amazing that just as He gifted the Corinthians to live in the present, He will also enable us to live in the here and now. Our amazing God will equip us to live in the atmosphere of our age. Paul has given thanks for the Corinthians' past and present, and now he moves to express thanks for their future (1:7--9).
Yes, the Corinthians are immature and very difficult to deal with, but Paul is thankful that he can share with them the hope of a better and brighter future. This future is based upon the faithfulness of God (1:9).
God is always dependable. When we face set--backs, God is there. When we are haunted by guilt, God stands by us. When the bank account shows zero balance, God is faithful. The faithfulness of God is seen in the fact that He did not abandon the Corinthians, but He sent them a letter by Paul's hands.
Not only is God faithful, for which Paul gives thanks, but the Apostle reminds the Corinthians that he is "thankful" they can know and experience the fellowship of Christ (1:9).
The word fellowship means partnership. This church had been called out of a sinful past into something: fellowship with Jesus.
Paul is thankful that he can remind them that they are called into fellowship with Christ.
We have been allowed to read the Corinthians' mail so that we can see ourselves within the story of God's grace. As we look at ourselves as a graced people, pride, pettiness, and conflict should fall away. When this happens, we will truly be a part of a real community of faith in which the walls that separate are broken down, and we become one in Christ.
Curtis Lewis
The Wesleyan tradition has provided me with
a holistic approach to life and ministry.
How Do You Know Jesus?
John 1:29--42
Introduction
Remembering our college days can often bring smiles to our faces. The memories of friendships formed and happy experiences shared fill us with feelings of warmth and joy. Looking back can be both affirming and positive. Some of the best, funniest, most enjoyable stories we can recall are those about how we came to know those persons who have been so significant in our lives in the years since college.
How we have come to know Jesus is also an important memory to recall and retell. The retelling can provide others who do not know Him important clues as to how they may meet Him. Our scripture passage tells us about Jesus' first meeting with others, as John has chosen to recall the episode. Perhaps we can relive and renew our own first meeting with Jesus. Or we may even come to know Him genuinely if we have not known Him before.
I. Jesus is revealed - He comes to us. (vv. 29--34)
The words of John the Baptist in verses 31 and 33 are key for understanding this whole passage: "I myself did not know him ... the One who sent me to baptize with water told me." John's mission was to be a preparer of the way. His commission by God included the key for recognizing the "man who comes after" (v. 30). God had said: "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He" (v. 33). John testified that he saw "the Spirit descend ... and remain" (v. 33). And his conclusion was that "this is the Son of God" (v. 34).
The Fourth Gospel does not relate directly the episode of Jesus' baptism by John, and of the accompanying descent of the Spirit. We are given, instead, John's testimony after the event(s). When Jesus came towards John the next time (v. 29), John announced boldly the inescapable conclusion: "Look, the Lamb of God!" What John had observed and experienced earlier had been a revelation.
John's encounter with Jesus, and his later testimony, illustrate a foundational truth about how we come to know Jesus. Like John, we really do not know Jesus' identity until He comes to where we are. We will know Him because He comes to us. He will actually make the first move, take the first steps. We encounter Him because of His gracious and unmerited approach towards us. He provides the opportunity for our own response to His revealing presence.
II. Jesus is followed - we seek Him. (vv. 35--39)
On another day Jesus came near to John a third time (v. 35). John repeated his testimony, "Look, the Lamb of God!" His words moved two of his disciples to begin following after Jesus. As they followed, Jesus turned and asked them, "What do you want?" They asked him, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" Jesus responded with what we might call the first gospel invitation: "Come and you will see."
John's two disciples illustrate a second truth about how we know Jesus. They were drawn to Jesus by another's testimony. Their curiosity moved them to act so that they could learn of Jesus on their own. Their search climaxed in an extended time of close fellowship with Jesus. They followed Jesus, seeking to know more about Him, and their quest was profoundly successful.
We may read this portion of the passage as a promise. We are often moved to seek Jesus because of another's testimony. This episode provides the assurance that our own seeking for Jesus will have a positive outcome. It gives us reason to hope and believe.
III. Jesus is shared - others are brought to Him. (vv. 40--42)
On the next day, one of the disciples, Andrew, went to his brother Simon and declared the news of his own discovery: "We have found the Messiah." He who so recently had become a follower of Jesus was moved by that discovery to bring his closest relative to Jesus.
Our own experience with Jesus follows a similar pattern. We are so amazed and transformed by our discovery of Him - or His discovery of us - that we want others to share that discovery.
When Simon met Jesus, the encounter was a name--changing experience. He was no longer simply "Simon." He was "Peter," or in terms more familiar to us, "Rocky."
Here is the clearest, most profound truth of the whole passage. Our encounters with Jesus produce change - transformation - in us. This is the climax, the goal, for each and all of the ways we come to know Jesus. He makes us over. He changes our names.
Conclusion
Do you want to know Jesus? Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these situations? Claim the promise of the whole story: You may - you can - know Jesus.
Hal A. Cauthron
The Wesleyan tradition, and specifically the Church of the Nazarene, mediated God's forgiving and
transforming grace to my life, and the difference
it has made in my life is incalculable.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Shout it aloud; do not hold back.
People: Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Leader: Declare His salvation.
People: Declare His holiness.
All: Declare the goodness of God throughout this service!
OFFERING THOUGHT
We are asked to give in times of need, to trust in time of doubt, to believe in moments of despair, to be happy in times of blessings. Help us to meet all challenges of life. In the name of Christ. Amen.
BENEDICTION
End of Worship - Beginning of Service.
SERMON BRIEFS
A Friendly Reminder
1 Corinthians 1:1--9
Recently a friend of mine received a rather lengthy letter in the mail. As he read the letter, he kept asking himself, "Who wrote me this letter?" The writer went on to describe activities: children, fun, hopes, and dreams. Reading through the extended manuscript, his perplexity grew deeper. "Who is this letter from?" Only when my friend reached the conclusion of the letter and saw the signature did he realize that the writer was a long time acquaintance of his whom he had not seen for some time. Via this letter his friend was endeavoring to catch him up on several years of past history and events.
The people who received Apostle Paul's letter didn't have to look at the end to determine whom the author was. The very first word identifies the letter's composer and establishes his authority. "Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother" (1 Corinthians 1:1 NASB). Paul the apostle has a mission. He is not a self--appointed apostle proclaiming his own word, but he is an apostle of Jesus Christ coming to the Corinthians with the message of Jesus.
How is Paul going to communicate to the Corinthians who are fussing and suing one another, and are divided over proper diet, the Lord's Supper, and spiritual gifts? Paul realizes that in order to be able to address the problems of the Church at Corinth, he must first of all build a rapport with these contentious Corinthians. He builds harmony by the following route.
He begins by positively reminding them of who they are (1:2).
Paul describes the Corinthians in six ways: (1) "Church of God," (2) "in Corinth," (3) "in Christ," (4) "saints," (5) "together with all other Christians," (6) "those ... who call on the name of our Lord Jesus."
The Apostle uses glowing terms to describe this combative group of people. Notice he doesn't call them hypocrites, pagans, or phonies. Instead he addresses them as "the church of God." When the Apostle uses this expression, it is his intention to remind the Corinthians that they are the assembly of God. (The word church really means assembly). The Corinthians belong to God and are to pursue God's business. Yes, they are in Corinth, but they are "in Christ." To be in Christ is to be in the church, and to be saints.
When one reflects on the Church at Corinth, the question must be asked of your local assembly, "Who are we?" You are saints in New York, Detroit, Kansas City, or wherever. Where you are located is your Corinth. The church of today is relevant only as it exists in the "Corinth" where God has placed her. In your Corinth you are to flesh out Jesus in the midst of problems and perplexities.
Paul has reminded the Corinthians of who they are, and now he informs them of what they have (1:3).
The Apostle Paul prays for "grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:3). A cursory look at this group reveals a real deficiency in giving grace and peace to each other. Instead, they battle each other, belittle one another. "Meism" is their dominate theme. Yet Paul wants the Corinthians to know that grace and peace are available to them through Jesus Christ. He desires these Corinthians to receive grace so that they might extend that grace to others. Peace then will come as the result of grace. When grace and peace are received from God, alienation is ended, and love is present.
Paul now wants to help the Corinthians understand what he is thankful for (1:4--9).
In a church that is filled with littleness, pettiness, feuds, and cliques, what can Paul be thankful for?
Paul is thankful for the way God has worked in the Corinthians' past (1:4--6). He especially wants to remind them of what they were like before coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, this church was a problem--filled church, but there would have been many more problems had those in the fellowship not been in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:9--11, the Apostle reminds them of what they were like prior to their coming to Christ. They were fornicators, idolators, adultresses, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, rabble rousers, and cheats. Sure, they still had problems, for they were spiritual infants in Christ. Paul rejoices that they are not staying in their past.
How about you? What are you doing with your past? Hanging on to it, reliving it, rationalizing it? Christ invites you to let it go. Your forgiven past has no power over you unless you allow it to dominate and control you.
Paul is deeply grateful for the grace of God these Corinthians received in the past, and for this he gives thanks.
As God worked in the Corinthians' past, he is also at work in their present, and Paul is thankful for the present. God has gifted these Corinthians for living in the present (1:7). They have been cleansed from their past and gifted for the present and because of this, Paul believes the Church at Corinth can make real progress.
God is so amazing that just as He gifted the Corinthians to live in the present, He will also enable us to live in the here and now. Our amazing God will equip us to live in the atmosphere of our age. Paul has given thanks for the Corinthians' past and present, and now he moves to express thanks for their future (1:7--9).
Yes, the Corinthians are immature and very difficult to deal with, but Paul is thankful that he can share with them the hope of a better and brighter future. This future is based upon the faithfulness of God (1:9).
God is always dependable. When we face set--backs, God is there. When we are haunted by guilt, God stands by us. When the bank account shows zero balance, God is faithful. The faithfulness of God is seen in the fact that He did not abandon the Corinthians, but He sent them a letter by Paul's hands.
Not only is God faithful, for which Paul gives thanks, but the Apostle reminds the Corinthians that he is "thankful" they can know and experience the fellowship of Christ (1:9).
The word fellowship means partnership. This church had been called out of a sinful past into something: fellowship with Jesus.
Paul is thankful that he can remind them that they are called into fellowship with Christ.
We have been allowed to read the Corinthians' mail so that we can see ourselves within the story of God's grace. As we look at ourselves as a graced people, pride, pettiness, and conflict should fall away. When this happens, we will truly be a part of a real community of faith in which the walls that separate are broken down, and we become one in Christ.
Curtis Lewis
The Wesleyan tradition has provided me with
a holistic approach to life and ministry.
How Do You Know Jesus?
John 1:29--42
Introduction
Remembering our college days can often bring smiles to our faces. The memories of friendships formed and happy experiences shared fill us with feelings of warmth and joy. Looking back can be both affirming and positive. Some of the best, funniest, most enjoyable stories we can recall are those about how we came to know those persons who have been so significant in our lives in the years since college.
How we have come to know Jesus is also an important memory to recall and retell. The retelling can provide others who do not know Him important clues as to how they may meet Him. Our scripture passage tells us about Jesus' first meeting with others, as John has chosen to recall the episode. Perhaps we can relive and renew our own first meeting with Jesus. Or we may even come to know Him genuinely if we have not known Him before.
I. Jesus is revealed - He comes to us. (vv. 29--34)
The words of John the Baptist in verses 31 and 33 are key for understanding this whole passage: "I myself did not know him ... the One who sent me to baptize with water told me." John's mission was to be a preparer of the way. His commission by God included the key for recognizing the "man who comes after" (v. 30). God had said: "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He" (v. 33). John testified that he saw "the Spirit descend ... and remain" (v. 33). And his conclusion was that "this is the Son of God" (v. 34).
The Fourth Gospel does not relate directly the episode of Jesus' baptism by John, and of the accompanying descent of the Spirit. We are given, instead, John's testimony after the event(s). When Jesus came towards John the next time (v. 29), John announced boldly the inescapable conclusion: "Look, the Lamb of God!" What John had observed and experienced earlier had been a revelation.
John's encounter with Jesus, and his later testimony, illustrate a foundational truth about how we come to know Jesus. Like John, we really do not know Jesus' identity until He comes to where we are. We will know Him because He comes to us. He will actually make the first move, take the first steps. We encounter Him because of His gracious and unmerited approach towards us. He provides the opportunity for our own response to His revealing presence.
II. Jesus is followed - we seek Him. (vv. 35--39)
On another day Jesus came near to John a third time (v. 35). John repeated his testimony, "Look, the Lamb of God!" His words moved two of his disciples to begin following after Jesus. As they followed, Jesus turned and asked them, "What do you want?" They asked him, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" Jesus responded with what we might call the first gospel invitation: "Come and you will see."
John's two disciples illustrate a second truth about how we know Jesus. They were drawn to Jesus by another's testimony. Their curiosity moved them to act so that they could learn of Jesus on their own. Their search climaxed in an extended time of close fellowship with Jesus. They followed Jesus, seeking to know more about Him, and their quest was profoundly successful.
We may read this portion of the passage as a promise. We are often moved to seek Jesus because of another's testimony. This episode provides the assurance that our own seeking for Jesus will have a positive outcome. It gives us reason to hope and believe.
III. Jesus is shared - others are brought to Him. (vv. 40--42)
On the next day, one of the disciples, Andrew, went to his brother Simon and declared the news of his own discovery: "We have found the Messiah." He who so recently had become a follower of Jesus was moved by that discovery to bring his closest relative to Jesus.
Our own experience with Jesus follows a similar pattern. We are so amazed and transformed by our discovery of Him - or His discovery of us - that we want others to share that discovery.
When Simon met Jesus, the encounter was a name--changing experience. He was no longer simply "Simon." He was "Peter," or in terms more familiar to us, "Rocky."
Here is the clearest, most profound truth of the whole passage. Our encounters with Jesus produce change - transformation - in us. This is the climax, the goal, for each and all of the ways we come to know Jesus. He makes us over. He changes our names.
Conclusion
Do you want to know Jesus? Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these situations? Claim the promise of the whole story: You may - you can - know Jesus.
Hal A. Cauthron
The Wesleyan tradition, and specifically the Church of the Nazarene, mediated God's forgiving and
transforming grace to my life, and the difference
it has made in my life is incalculable.
