Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
The dawning on many who Jesus was and the dawning of a new light into the dark world as promised.
Theme For The Day
We disciples are to add flavor to life and be Christ's light in a dark world.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 58:1-9a
True Religion
Let's not tear this one apart but simply accept it for what it is, i.e., true religion. Verse 8 which mentions the dawning sun is probably why this passage was selected by the church mothers and fathers for the Epiphany season which means the dawning. Verse 1 tells us to confront sin; verse 2-3b says we act like people who want to be religious in our daily lives; verses 3c-4a accuses us of not being consistent on our daily practice with our religious practice; verses 4b-5 says self-abasement is of little value; verses 6-7 defines what real worship of God is -- to help those in need; verses 8-9b tells us the religious results of social conscientiousness. The result of right religion is that: we will, like the sun, be healed, God will protect us and when we ask for help, God will be there! While God may not always answer our prayer request for help, God does answer always with God's presence. "Here I am" will preach.
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Power Of The Spirit
Paul continues to defend himself to this divided congregation. He says he didn't try to impress by using words or try to sound all wise. We should be careful lest we could be like some of our intellectual brothers and sisters. What Paul opposes is a certain pride in parading one's education over other people. There is an arrogance in some intellectuals which is wrong. But we don't want to "dumb down" the church in order to be faithful Christians. In fact, the case could be made that Paul was so brilliant, he didn't need to use big words or parade his wisdom. The theme of Paul's that he preaches Christ crucified is again written to this little congregation (v. 2). It sounds like he was no match for the dynamic orators of the day.
Beginning with verse 10, we are introduced to the power and work of the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Because we have this Spirit, we can recognize the blessings from God others cannot see. The heart of this passage must be verse 10b when Paul eloquently talks of what God has planned for us, being more than we can even imagine.
The Gospel
Matthew 5:13-20
The Work Of A Disciple
Continuing Jesus' teaching of the disciples, we learn in this passage that disciples are to: verse 13 -- add flavor to life
verse 14-16 -- let your light shine by doing good things
verse 17-20 -- keep the law of God and also teach it
verse 19b -- expect a place in God's kingdom
Preaching Possibilities
A. You could review the Old Testament lessons so far for Epiphany and make a strong claim for God's people seeing that social justice is lived out in our communities.
Epiphany 3 - Isaiah 9:1-4 -- "You have broken the power of those... (v. 4)
Epiphany 4 - Micah 6:1-8 -- "See that justice is done..." (v. 8)
Epiphany 5 - Isaiah 58:1-9a -- "Remove the chains, etc...." (vv. 6 and 7)
B. But probably the strongest possibilities are in the first couple verses of the Gospel for today. We are salt and we are light. We can connect the light of Isaiah 8 with the light of Matthew 5:14. It was promised by the Prophets and Jesus instructs the disciples not to be timid about it but let it shine through them.
C. There is also the possibility to emphasize the role of the law and the role of the gospel using Matthew's 5:19-20. It tells us of our need to have God's graceful forgiveness for these requirements we do not keep. We could take this literally and say the commands of God we are to obey are the ten commandments: Keep God's name holy, keep the Sabbath day, don't kill, commit adultery, lie, etc. We are driven by these to seek God's forgiveness even when we don't deserve it. Law is how we should be and gospel is how God forgives how we really are. Isaiah connects here with verse 58:1b. Verse 58:9 is a gem. It will stand well alone. You can preach on the promise of last Christmas that our Emmanuel is fulfilled in the infant Jesus growing up and starting his ministry. Isaiah says that God will tell us when we are in need, "Here I am." Not above us but here with us:
1. when we are tempted to do the wrong we think no one will see,
2. when we hurt and it seems no one cares,
3. when we feel so alone and afraid,
4. when we come forward to receive communion,
5. when someone asks for help from us.
D. In spite of all these rich possibilities, I'll go with the Gospel and salt, light, and keeping the commands.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Introduce the idea that today Matthew continues his record of Jesus teaching disciples.
2. Begin with a story about dull and unhappy religion (see below for suggestions).
3. Then turn to the salt in verse 13 of Matthew 5. Flavor is key here. Tell about those people who have added flavor to your religious life as salt does to your food. It is a great metaphor!
4. Now go to a light in the dark and what it can mean to us, especially when we are lost. Jesus was the promised Epiphany light which had been promised for those who lived in the dark. And disciples are instructed to be that light of Christ in our dark world now.
Remember to include the Old Testament lessons (vv. 6, 7, and 8) which instructs us on how to be the light: be concerned about justice and prisoners, be a help to the abused, share food with the hungry, help the poor, homeless, and those without clothes. In doing this, Isaiah says we will cause the light to shine.
5. Now move to the truth that when we see to it that light does shine for those in the dark, our light brightens too.
6. The flip side of this Gospel is that when we brighten others' dark lives, ours takes on an even better radiance. That kind of brightness and glow just can't be hidden!
7. Now frame your sermon by returning to where you began saying our religion need not be dull and unhappy for we are salt with flavor and light which dispels darkness. My sermon notes for this Sunday read like this:
Introduction: Jesus continues to instruct his disciples (and us) Moves: story of Chippy the parakeet (see below) -- We are to be like salt and add zest and flavor to life.
-- Refer to Chippy and how many of us are like that.
-- Tell of Jesus instructing disciples to be his light for those who live in the dark (see Isaiah 58:8 and Matthew 5:14).
-- Isaiah tells us how to be light (vv. 6b and 7).
-- Use light story (see below).
-- You cannot and should not hide this light (Matthew 5:16).
8. Frame: return to Chippy the parakeet.
Prayer Of The Day
God of salt and light, help us to add flavor to our lives by being your light to those who still live in darkness. Instruct us in how we are also to be faithful disciples. Thank you for the great privilege of even being called one of those who follow and learn from you. We pray in Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
In a church newsletter authored by friend/pastor Dan Johns was the story of Chippy the parakeet. Cleaning the cage one day, the owner was disturbed by the telephone and got the hose of the vacuum cleaner too close and sucked the bird right into the sweeper bag. Quickly she took the bag off, pulled out the bewildered bird, and stuck it under the water faucet. The bird survived, but now its owner describes it this way: "Chippy doesn't sing much any more, he just sits and stares." Our church has many who don't sing much any more, but just sit and stare. How shall we minister God's loving grace and profound joy to them?
I preached in Curran Memorial Church in Sanoyea, Liberia, one night. There were no lights in the church except for the ones the several hundred villagers brought with them. They placed a Coleman gasoline lantern in front of me so the congregation could see me as I spoke (no way to use notes or manuscript here!). The lantern kept running down and a deacon kept pumping it up during my sermon with the comment, "Preach on." We can bring light to those in darkness as we proclaim the Word. After the service (and I had preached for an hour), the elder of the congregation led us through the town with lanterns and the Kpella choir dancing and playing sassas, drums, and animal horns tapped with a stick. Here was joy-filled, celebrated Christianity... and to those who watched us that night there was no doubt about our joy in the Lord as we sang in the Kpella language: "Where are we going? We are going to God's Village."
The dawning on many who Jesus was and the dawning of a new light into the dark world as promised.
Theme For The Day
We disciples are to add flavor to life and be Christ's light in a dark world.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 58:1-9a
True Religion
Let's not tear this one apart but simply accept it for what it is, i.e., true religion. Verse 8 which mentions the dawning sun is probably why this passage was selected by the church mothers and fathers for the Epiphany season which means the dawning. Verse 1 tells us to confront sin; verse 2-3b says we act like people who want to be religious in our daily lives; verses 3c-4a accuses us of not being consistent on our daily practice with our religious practice; verses 4b-5 says self-abasement is of little value; verses 6-7 defines what real worship of God is -- to help those in need; verses 8-9b tells us the religious results of social conscientiousness. The result of right religion is that: we will, like the sun, be healed, God will protect us and when we ask for help, God will be there! While God may not always answer our prayer request for help, God does answer always with God's presence. "Here I am" will preach.
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Power Of The Spirit
Paul continues to defend himself to this divided congregation. He says he didn't try to impress by using words or try to sound all wise. We should be careful lest we could be like some of our intellectual brothers and sisters. What Paul opposes is a certain pride in parading one's education over other people. There is an arrogance in some intellectuals which is wrong. But we don't want to "dumb down" the church in order to be faithful Christians. In fact, the case could be made that Paul was so brilliant, he didn't need to use big words or parade his wisdom. The theme of Paul's that he preaches Christ crucified is again written to this little congregation (v. 2). It sounds like he was no match for the dynamic orators of the day.
Beginning with verse 10, we are introduced to the power and work of the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Because we have this Spirit, we can recognize the blessings from God others cannot see. The heart of this passage must be verse 10b when Paul eloquently talks of what God has planned for us, being more than we can even imagine.
The Gospel
Matthew 5:13-20
The Work Of A Disciple
Continuing Jesus' teaching of the disciples, we learn in this passage that disciples are to: verse 13 -- add flavor to life
verse 14-16 -- let your light shine by doing good things
verse 17-20 -- keep the law of God and also teach it
verse 19b -- expect a place in God's kingdom
Preaching Possibilities
A. You could review the Old Testament lessons so far for Epiphany and make a strong claim for God's people seeing that social justice is lived out in our communities.
Epiphany 3 - Isaiah 9:1-4 -- "You have broken the power of those... (v. 4)
Epiphany 4 - Micah 6:1-8 -- "See that justice is done..." (v. 8)
Epiphany 5 - Isaiah 58:1-9a -- "Remove the chains, etc...." (vv. 6 and 7)
B. But probably the strongest possibilities are in the first couple verses of the Gospel for today. We are salt and we are light. We can connect the light of Isaiah 8 with the light of Matthew 5:14. It was promised by the Prophets and Jesus instructs the disciples not to be timid about it but let it shine through them.
C. There is also the possibility to emphasize the role of the law and the role of the gospel using Matthew's 5:19-20. It tells us of our need to have God's graceful forgiveness for these requirements we do not keep. We could take this literally and say the commands of God we are to obey are the ten commandments: Keep God's name holy, keep the Sabbath day, don't kill, commit adultery, lie, etc. We are driven by these to seek God's forgiveness even when we don't deserve it. Law is how we should be and gospel is how God forgives how we really are. Isaiah connects here with verse 58:1b. Verse 58:9 is a gem. It will stand well alone. You can preach on the promise of last Christmas that our Emmanuel is fulfilled in the infant Jesus growing up and starting his ministry. Isaiah says that God will tell us when we are in need, "Here I am." Not above us but here with us:
1. when we are tempted to do the wrong we think no one will see,
2. when we hurt and it seems no one cares,
3. when we feel so alone and afraid,
4. when we come forward to receive communion,
5. when someone asks for help from us.
D. In spite of all these rich possibilities, I'll go with the Gospel and salt, light, and keeping the commands.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Introduce the idea that today Matthew continues his record of Jesus teaching disciples.
2. Begin with a story about dull and unhappy religion (see below for suggestions).
3. Then turn to the salt in verse 13 of Matthew 5. Flavor is key here. Tell about those people who have added flavor to your religious life as salt does to your food. It is a great metaphor!
4. Now go to a light in the dark and what it can mean to us, especially when we are lost. Jesus was the promised Epiphany light which had been promised for those who lived in the dark. And disciples are instructed to be that light of Christ in our dark world now.
Remember to include the Old Testament lessons (vv. 6, 7, and 8) which instructs us on how to be the light: be concerned about justice and prisoners, be a help to the abused, share food with the hungry, help the poor, homeless, and those without clothes. In doing this, Isaiah says we will cause the light to shine.
5. Now move to the truth that when we see to it that light does shine for those in the dark, our light brightens too.
6. The flip side of this Gospel is that when we brighten others' dark lives, ours takes on an even better radiance. That kind of brightness and glow just can't be hidden!
7. Now frame your sermon by returning to where you began saying our religion need not be dull and unhappy for we are salt with flavor and light which dispels darkness. My sermon notes for this Sunday read like this:
Introduction: Jesus continues to instruct his disciples (and us) Moves: story of Chippy the parakeet (see below) -- We are to be like salt and add zest and flavor to life.
-- Refer to Chippy and how many of us are like that.
-- Tell of Jesus instructing disciples to be his light for those who live in the dark (see Isaiah 58:8 and Matthew 5:14).
-- Isaiah tells us how to be light (vv. 6b and 7).
-- Use light story (see below).
-- You cannot and should not hide this light (Matthew 5:16).
8. Frame: return to Chippy the parakeet.
Prayer Of The Day
God of salt and light, help us to add flavor to our lives by being your light to those who still live in darkness. Instruct us in how we are also to be faithful disciples. Thank you for the great privilege of even being called one of those who follow and learn from you. We pray in Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
In a church newsletter authored by friend/pastor Dan Johns was the story of Chippy the parakeet. Cleaning the cage one day, the owner was disturbed by the telephone and got the hose of the vacuum cleaner too close and sucked the bird right into the sweeper bag. Quickly she took the bag off, pulled out the bewildered bird, and stuck it under the water faucet. The bird survived, but now its owner describes it this way: "Chippy doesn't sing much any more, he just sits and stares." Our church has many who don't sing much any more, but just sit and stare. How shall we minister God's loving grace and profound joy to them?
I preached in Curran Memorial Church in Sanoyea, Liberia, one night. There were no lights in the church except for the ones the several hundred villagers brought with them. They placed a Coleman gasoline lantern in front of me so the congregation could see me as I spoke (no way to use notes or manuscript here!). The lantern kept running down and a deacon kept pumping it up during my sermon with the comment, "Preach on." We can bring light to those in darkness as we proclaim the Word. After the service (and I had preached for an hour), the elder of the congregation led us through the town with lanterns and the Kpella choir dancing and playing sassas, drums, and animal horns tapped with a stick. Here was joy-filled, celebrated Christianity... and to those who watched us that night there was no doubt about our joy in the Lord as we sang in the Kpella language: "Where are we going? We are going to God's Village."
