Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Habakkuk 3:1-6, 17-19 (E)
Though nature should fail to provide, a believer in God will still be joyful.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) (C); Isaiah 58:5-9a (L); Isaiah 58:7-10 (RC)
A comparison of proper and improper fasting. The passage, written by Trito-Isaiah in the sixth century BC, deals with the returned exiles in Jerusalem where conditions were deplorable. In those days fasting was used to express great sorrow or supplication. This encourages many fasts, but God seemingly did nothing! Why not? What kind of fasting is acceptable to God? One type of fasting produces no divine results: ceremonial fasting without regard for human suffering. Correct fasting is sharing one's bread and helping the poor. Then their light will shine and their prayers will be answered.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) (C); 1 Corinthians 2:1-11 (E); 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (L, RC)
Paul's preaching was not with words of human wisdom, but with the hidden wisdom revealed by the Spirit. We are still with the problem of church division caused by pride of the people's wisdom. The Corinthian Christians claimed they had a special knowledge that made them free from the law, enabled them to eat meat sacrificed to animals, and gave them the right not to marry by embracing asceticism. They had "knowledge" in terms of prophesying and speaking in tongues. This gave them a superior attitude toward those who were not in the know. In this pericope Paul handles this problem by reminding them that his preaching was not based on words of human wisdom but only on Christ crucified. On the other hand, he did have a wisdom, a secret and hidden wisdom revealed to him by the Spirit. The wisdom was the salvation of the world by the cross of Christ.
Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-16 (RC); Matthew 5:13-20 (C, E, L)
Followers of Jesus are the salt and the light of the world. Jesus describes his followers as salt, a city on a hill, and light. They are light and not will be light. Since they are light, it is meant to be seen. The light consists of their good works which, when seen, will glorify God. The good works are expressed in obedience to God's Law which Jesus came to fulfill.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 112:4-9 (L); Psalm 112:1-10 (C) - "Light shines in the darkness for the upright (v. 4)."
Psalm 27 (E) - "The Lord is my light and my salvation (v. 1)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, you sent your only Son as the Word of life for our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Help us to believe with joy what the scriptures proclaim."
Hymn Of The Day
"May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill"
Theme Of The Day: The Light Of Good Works
Gospel - A Christian's light of good works glorifies - Matthew 5:13-16.
Lesson 1 - Proper fasting causes one's light to shine - Isaiah 58:1-12
Lesson 2 - Divine wisdom is the light of God's salvation through the cross - 1 Corinthians
2:1-12 (13-16)
EPIPHANY SEASON AND EPIPHANY 5
Light is the dominant theme of Epiphany. A candle is a symbol of the season. Christ is the light of God whose glory is manifested throughout the season. Epiphany 5 continues the theme of light but with a different twist. Now Christians are the light of the world because they are in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his followers, "You are the light of the world." Isaiah, in Lesson 1, says the light shines out of those who properly fast. The refrain of Psalm 112 again deals with the theme: "Light shines in the darkness." Though Lesson 2 is given "in course," it is not stretching a point to see that the source of the light is in the crucified Christ proclaimed by Paul.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-16
1. Are (vv. 13, 14). Disciples of Christ are the light of the world. Since Jesus said he was the light of the world, this may seem to be a contradiction. We Christians are light. We do not become light by good works. We are light because we are in Christ, the Light. The light we have is not in us nor produced by us. We are only the reflection of the light of Christ who dwells in us by faith. If we are not seen as light in the dark world, it indicates we are not in Christ. If the light is in us, it will be seen by our good works which result as naturally as a candle sheds its light as a natural part of its essence.
2. Salt (v. 13). Followers of Jesus are the "salt" of the earth. Why did Jesus use "salt" to describe and define a Christian? What a Christian is to the world, salt is to the earth. Salt gives flavor to food. Ever eat salt-free food? Salt preserves meat. Christians keep this world from deterioration. Salt is purifying and healing. After a tooth extraction, did the dentist instruct you to wash your mouth with salt water? Salt is necessary and indispensible for a good life. Christians in the world are equally necessary for the life of the world.
3. Lost (v. 13). Suppose salt is no longer salty. Can a Christian lose his Christianity? There is something special about a follower of Christ. If that uniqueness is lost, the Christian has become worthless. As saltless salt is thrown out, Christless Christians are also cast out. We call them "dead wood" or inactive members. Like saltless salt, we remove their names from the membership roll. Or should we? Can salt become salty again?
Lesson 1: Isaiah 58:3-9a
1. Fast (vv. 5, 6). Among most Protestants today, fasting is scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it. Though fasting is not generally practiced, the principle still applies. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God's blessings. When we put our religious devotions into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God's presence and blessings.
2. Loose (v. 6). The Bible has a passion for liberty. God wants his people to be free. True believers will fulfill this will of God by loosing people from their bondage. People are bound to sin, to oppression and to slavery. Poverty is a bondage. God's people will relieve this economic oppression by sharing with the hungry and the homeless. The source of this freedom is in God's freeing us from sin through the cross. If God in Christ makes us free, we are obligated to cooperate with God in freeing our neighbor.
3. Here (v. 9). Where is God? "Here I am!" Surprised? God has always been here in our midst, but he was hidden behind our superficial and hypocritical religiosity. Put faith into practice and the curtain rises. The pure in heart see God.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-11
1. Nothing (v. 2). Paul decided to know nothing except Christ. Is that smart? Paul knew more than most: how to make a living by making tents; the Bible thoroughly, for he was a student of Gamaliel; the philosophies of the day, for he was a university student. When it comes to making a living, we need to know much. When it comes to making a life, knowledge and wisdom are useless. It is enough to know Christ, for he is the truth about God and life.
2. Weakness (v. 3). Weakness can be strength. This was the case with Paul. He felt that his ability to speak oratorically in great wisdom, as was the custom of his day, was inferior. With fear and trembling he perhaps stuttered and stammered the words of the gospel. In spite of his halting speech, people came to accept Christ as Savior. What did this prove? The Word of the cross is the power to win people to Christ.
3. Wisdom (vv. 6, 7). Paul has been saying to the Corinthians that their quarreling is based upon their "wisdom" received from esoteric knowledge. This has made them proud and pride has divided them into conflicting camps. Then he surprises us in verse 6 by saying that he also imparts wisdom. It is a secret and hidden wisdom. The wisdom is different. It does not result from intelligence, education or experience. Paul's wisdom came to him by the Spirit. It is the wisdom to know that salvation came through Christ alone. It is the Spirit that gives this depth of insight.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Lights in a Dark World
Need: God knows and we know this is a dark world filled with the darkness of crime, doubt and despair. The Light of the world, Christ, left the world at his ascension and now the lesser lights, Christians, are burning. Ours is a world crying for more light. In the darkness we are groping for truth, meaning and purpose in life. The only light the world now has is the light of Christians. Are we Christians truly light? In our neighborhoods, do Christians stand out as lights in the darkness? There is a need for this sermon - to arouse and motivate the people to let their lights shine.
Outline: Consider the light for today's dark world.
a. Christians are the light of the world - Gospel.
b. The source of their light is the gospel - Lesson 2.
c. The purpose of their light is to shine through - Lesson 1.
Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-16
1. Be What You Are. 5:13-16
Need: On a "Phil Donahue Show," there was a 39-year-old man who spent most of his life as an imposter: at age 16 he posed as an airplane pilot; at 19 he posed as a pediatrician. Later, he was an assistant district attorney. By the time he was caught he had passed checks amounting to two-and-a-half million dollars. He was not what he appeared to be. A Christian needs to be genuine, true-blue. He dare not be a phony or a hypocrite. Does the average Christian know who he is that he may be and do what he is?
Outline: Christian, be what you are.
a. What you are: salt, light - vv. 13, 14. Salt and light are different from the world.
b. Remain what you are - v. 13.
1. If salt loses its saltiness, it is like the world. A Christian has a quality of life the world does not have.
2. Light is different from darkness; if the light goes out, it becomes darkness.
c. Express what you are - v. 16. To be of value, salt must lose itself in that which it preserves or flavors. Light expends itself and gets lost in the darkness. A candle expends itself by burning down to nothing.
2. Turn on Your Light! 5:14-16
Need: Before entering a tunnel, a sign usually says, "Turn on your lights." You are entering darkness and you need light. In our dark world of sin, we need light to see the path of righteousness. As Christians we are lights because we reflect the Light of the world. Christ has given us light and it is our responsibility to let the light shine.
Outline: Questions that confront us -
a. Is our light shining? Like the foolish virgins in the parable, have our lamps gone out?
b. Where is our light shining? A light in mid-day is unnecessary and wasted. Is our light shining in life's dark places where light is needed?
c. Can the light be seen? Good works enable the light to be seen - v. 16.
3. Life is Expendable. 5:13-16
Need: Because life is so very precious, most of us try to preserve and prolong it as long as possible. We want to live forever without getting old. For a life to be worthwhile and a blessing, life must be expended. Jesus taught, "He that loses his life for my sake shall find it." The same principle applies to the salt and light of the text. Jesus tells us we are salt and light. To be these we must expend ourselves for the good of the world, and to glorify God.
Outline: A Christian is expendable -
a. Salt
1. Gets involved - salt is mixed with what needs salt.
2. Gets absorbed - salt loses itself in what it salts.
b. Light
1. Burns up and out; a candle gives light until it is consumed.
2. Gets lost in the darkness by overcoming it.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 58:3-9a
1. Why Doesn't God Bless Everyone? 58:5-9a
Need: How is it that God is silent to us when we pray? Why do we sense the absence of God? Has God withdrawn from us? Does he not care for all people? Is it God's or is it our fault that we are not blessed? Isaiah has something to say about this in the text.
Outline: How we can be blessed.
a. Get the right kind of religion - vv. 5, 6.
b. Put your faith to work - v. 7.
2. Release the Light! 58:9
Need: The light of God is bottled up inside us. We are tied in knots of self-concern. We need to let loose and live, to let our light shine. Isaiah used the sunrise to describe our situation. We are living in the darkness of the night. When we start caring and sharing, the light comes up like the sun to dispel the darkness. It is not that we win God's favor or that our good works win God's grace. When we get concerned about others, God is able to bless us.
Outline: The light that breaks forth from us -
a. The light of healing - v. 8.
b. The light of answered prayer - v. 9.
c. The light of God's presence - v. 9.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-11
1. A Know-Nothing Christian. 2:1-5
Need: Paul wrote that he was determined to know nothing but Christ. Why then do Christians send their children to school and maintain church colleges? If we know Christ, is that not enough? Certainly Paul knew more than Christ. He knew the philosophies of his age. Paul does not mean we should be religious ignoramuses. He is saying that knowledge and wisdom cannot reconcile one to God. This is the sole work of Christ on the cross. It would be better to know nothing but Christ than to have all wisdom and not know Christ.
Outline: The only thing a Christian needs to know.
a. A person - Jesus Christ: revelation - v. 2.
b. A place - Golgotha, place of the cross; redemption - v. 2.
2. The Foundation of Our Faith. 2:5
Need: Upon what do you base your faith? It is obvious that a structure must have a good foundation. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus brought this out when he told of houses built on rock and sand. In Paul's day, the tendency was to build faith on oratory, on man's wisdom and rhetoric. This is a foundation of sand because wisdom is frail and futile. By contrast, Paul's preaching was weak and nervous. Yet, this was a blessing because the faith of the Corinthians did not result from his expertise in words but in the power of God, the only sure foundation for faith.
Outline: The foundation of our faith -
a. Is not in man's wisdom. Philosophy, theology, maxims, rhetoric, oratory - these are human opinions.
b. Is in the power of God. The power of God is in the Word, the gospel. In the Word is the Spirit, the power of God. Thus, faith is the creation and gift of God.
Though nature should fail to provide, a believer in God will still be joyful.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) (C); Isaiah 58:5-9a (L); Isaiah 58:7-10 (RC)
A comparison of proper and improper fasting. The passage, written by Trito-Isaiah in the sixth century BC, deals with the returned exiles in Jerusalem where conditions were deplorable. In those days fasting was used to express great sorrow or supplication. This encourages many fasts, but God seemingly did nothing! Why not? What kind of fasting is acceptable to God? One type of fasting produces no divine results: ceremonial fasting without regard for human suffering. Correct fasting is sharing one's bread and helping the poor. Then their light will shine and their prayers will be answered.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) (C); 1 Corinthians 2:1-11 (E); 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (L, RC)
Paul's preaching was not with words of human wisdom, but with the hidden wisdom revealed by the Spirit. We are still with the problem of church division caused by pride of the people's wisdom. The Corinthian Christians claimed they had a special knowledge that made them free from the law, enabled them to eat meat sacrificed to animals, and gave them the right not to marry by embracing asceticism. They had "knowledge" in terms of prophesying and speaking in tongues. This gave them a superior attitude toward those who were not in the know. In this pericope Paul handles this problem by reminding them that his preaching was not based on words of human wisdom but only on Christ crucified. On the other hand, he did have a wisdom, a secret and hidden wisdom revealed to him by the Spirit. The wisdom was the salvation of the world by the cross of Christ.
Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-16 (RC); Matthew 5:13-20 (C, E, L)
Followers of Jesus are the salt and the light of the world. Jesus describes his followers as salt, a city on a hill, and light. They are light and not will be light. Since they are light, it is meant to be seen. The light consists of their good works which, when seen, will glorify God. The good works are expressed in obedience to God's Law which Jesus came to fulfill.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 112:4-9 (L); Psalm 112:1-10 (C) - "Light shines in the darkness for the upright (v. 4)."
Psalm 27 (E) - "The Lord is my light and my salvation (v. 1)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, you sent your only Son as the Word of life for our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Help us to believe with joy what the scriptures proclaim."
Hymn Of The Day
"May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill"
Theme Of The Day: The Light Of Good Works
Gospel - A Christian's light of good works glorifies - Matthew 5:13-16.
Lesson 1 - Proper fasting causes one's light to shine - Isaiah 58:1-12
Lesson 2 - Divine wisdom is the light of God's salvation through the cross - 1 Corinthians
2:1-12 (13-16)
EPIPHANY SEASON AND EPIPHANY 5
Light is the dominant theme of Epiphany. A candle is a symbol of the season. Christ is the light of God whose glory is manifested throughout the season. Epiphany 5 continues the theme of light but with a different twist. Now Christians are the light of the world because they are in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his followers, "You are the light of the world." Isaiah, in Lesson 1, says the light shines out of those who properly fast. The refrain of Psalm 112 again deals with the theme: "Light shines in the darkness." Though Lesson 2 is given "in course," it is not stretching a point to see that the source of the light is in the crucified Christ proclaimed by Paul.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-16
1. Are (vv. 13, 14). Disciples of Christ are the light of the world. Since Jesus said he was the light of the world, this may seem to be a contradiction. We Christians are light. We do not become light by good works. We are light because we are in Christ, the Light. The light we have is not in us nor produced by us. We are only the reflection of the light of Christ who dwells in us by faith. If we are not seen as light in the dark world, it indicates we are not in Christ. If the light is in us, it will be seen by our good works which result as naturally as a candle sheds its light as a natural part of its essence.
2. Salt (v. 13). Followers of Jesus are the "salt" of the earth. Why did Jesus use "salt" to describe and define a Christian? What a Christian is to the world, salt is to the earth. Salt gives flavor to food. Ever eat salt-free food? Salt preserves meat. Christians keep this world from deterioration. Salt is purifying and healing. After a tooth extraction, did the dentist instruct you to wash your mouth with salt water? Salt is necessary and indispensible for a good life. Christians in the world are equally necessary for the life of the world.
3. Lost (v. 13). Suppose salt is no longer salty. Can a Christian lose his Christianity? There is something special about a follower of Christ. If that uniqueness is lost, the Christian has become worthless. As saltless salt is thrown out, Christless Christians are also cast out. We call them "dead wood" or inactive members. Like saltless salt, we remove their names from the membership roll. Or should we? Can salt become salty again?
Lesson 1: Isaiah 58:3-9a
1. Fast (vv. 5, 6). Among most Protestants today, fasting is scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it. Though fasting is not generally practiced, the principle still applies. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God's blessings. When we put our religious devotions into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God's presence and blessings.
2. Loose (v. 6). The Bible has a passion for liberty. God wants his people to be free. True believers will fulfill this will of God by loosing people from their bondage. People are bound to sin, to oppression and to slavery. Poverty is a bondage. God's people will relieve this economic oppression by sharing with the hungry and the homeless. The source of this freedom is in God's freeing us from sin through the cross. If God in Christ makes us free, we are obligated to cooperate with God in freeing our neighbor.
3. Here (v. 9). Where is God? "Here I am!" Surprised? God has always been here in our midst, but he was hidden behind our superficial and hypocritical religiosity. Put faith into practice and the curtain rises. The pure in heart see God.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-11
1. Nothing (v. 2). Paul decided to know nothing except Christ. Is that smart? Paul knew more than most: how to make a living by making tents; the Bible thoroughly, for he was a student of Gamaliel; the philosophies of the day, for he was a university student. When it comes to making a living, we need to know much. When it comes to making a life, knowledge and wisdom are useless. It is enough to know Christ, for he is the truth about God and life.
2. Weakness (v. 3). Weakness can be strength. This was the case with Paul. He felt that his ability to speak oratorically in great wisdom, as was the custom of his day, was inferior. With fear and trembling he perhaps stuttered and stammered the words of the gospel. In spite of his halting speech, people came to accept Christ as Savior. What did this prove? The Word of the cross is the power to win people to Christ.
3. Wisdom (vv. 6, 7). Paul has been saying to the Corinthians that their quarreling is based upon their "wisdom" received from esoteric knowledge. This has made them proud and pride has divided them into conflicting camps. Then he surprises us in verse 6 by saying that he also imparts wisdom. It is a secret and hidden wisdom. The wisdom is different. It does not result from intelligence, education or experience. Paul's wisdom came to him by the Spirit. It is the wisdom to know that salvation came through Christ alone. It is the Spirit that gives this depth of insight.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Lights in a Dark World
Need: God knows and we know this is a dark world filled with the darkness of crime, doubt and despair. The Light of the world, Christ, left the world at his ascension and now the lesser lights, Christians, are burning. Ours is a world crying for more light. In the darkness we are groping for truth, meaning and purpose in life. The only light the world now has is the light of Christians. Are we Christians truly light? In our neighborhoods, do Christians stand out as lights in the darkness? There is a need for this sermon - to arouse and motivate the people to let their lights shine.
Outline: Consider the light for today's dark world.
a. Christians are the light of the world - Gospel.
b. The source of their light is the gospel - Lesson 2.
c. The purpose of their light is to shine through - Lesson 1.
Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-16
1. Be What You Are. 5:13-16
Need: On a "Phil Donahue Show," there was a 39-year-old man who spent most of his life as an imposter: at age 16 he posed as an airplane pilot; at 19 he posed as a pediatrician. Later, he was an assistant district attorney. By the time he was caught he had passed checks amounting to two-and-a-half million dollars. He was not what he appeared to be. A Christian needs to be genuine, true-blue. He dare not be a phony or a hypocrite. Does the average Christian know who he is that he may be and do what he is?
Outline: Christian, be what you are.
a. What you are: salt, light - vv. 13, 14. Salt and light are different from the world.
b. Remain what you are - v. 13.
1. If salt loses its saltiness, it is like the world. A Christian has a quality of life the world does not have.
2. Light is different from darkness; if the light goes out, it becomes darkness.
c. Express what you are - v. 16. To be of value, salt must lose itself in that which it preserves or flavors. Light expends itself and gets lost in the darkness. A candle expends itself by burning down to nothing.
2. Turn on Your Light! 5:14-16
Need: Before entering a tunnel, a sign usually says, "Turn on your lights." You are entering darkness and you need light. In our dark world of sin, we need light to see the path of righteousness. As Christians we are lights because we reflect the Light of the world. Christ has given us light and it is our responsibility to let the light shine.
Outline: Questions that confront us -
a. Is our light shining? Like the foolish virgins in the parable, have our lamps gone out?
b. Where is our light shining? A light in mid-day is unnecessary and wasted. Is our light shining in life's dark places where light is needed?
c. Can the light be seen? Good works enable the light to be seen - v. 16.
3. Life is Expendable. 5:13-16
Need: Because life is so very precious, most of us try to preserve and prolong it as long as possible. We want to live forever without getting old. For a life to be worthwhile and a blessing, life must be expended. Jesus taught, "He that loses his life for my sake shall find it." The same principle applies to the salt and light of the text. Jesus tells us we are salt and light. To be these we must expend ourselves for the good of the world, and to glorify God.
Outline: A Christian is expendable -
a. Salt
1. Gets involved - salt is mixed with what needs salt.
2. Gets absorbed - salt loses itself in what it salts.
b. Light
1. Burns up and out; a candle gives light until it is consumed.
2. Gets lost in the darkness by overcoming it.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 58:3-9a
1. Why Doesn't God Bless Everyone? 58:5-9a
Need: How is it that God is silent to us when we pray? Why do we sense the absence of God? Has God withdrawn from us? Does he not care for all people? Is it God's or is it our fault that we are not blessed? Isaiah has something to say about this in the text.
Outline: How we can be blessed.
a. Get the right kind of religion - vv. 5, 6.
b. Put your faith to work - v. 7.
2. Release the Light! 58:9
Need: The light of God is bottled up inside us. We are tied in knots of self-concern. We need to let loose and live, to let our light shine. Isaiah used the sunrise to describe our situation. We are living in the darkness of the night. When we start caring and sharing, the light comes up like the sun to dispel the darkness. It is not that we win God's favor or that our good works win God's grace. When we get concerned about others, God is able to bless us.
Outline: The light that breaks forth from us -
a. The light of healing - v. 8.
b. The light of answered prayer - v. 9.
c. The light of God's presence - v. 9.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-11
1. A Know-Nothing Christian. 2:1-5
Need: Paul wrote that he was determined to know nothing but Christ. Why then do Christians send their children to school and maintain church colleges? If we know Christ, is that not enough? Certainly Paul knew more than Christ. He knew the philosophies of his age. Paul does not mean we should be religious ignoramuses. He is saying that knowledge and wisdom cannot reconcile one to God. This is the sole work of Christ on the cross. It would be better to know nothing but Christ than to have all wisdom and not know Christ.
Outline: The only thing a Christian needs to know.
a. A person - Jesus Christ: revelation - v. 2.
b. A place - Golgotha, place of the cross; redemption - v. 2.
2. The Foundation of Our Faith. 2:5
Need: Upon what do you base your faith? It is obvious that a structure must have a good foundation. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus brought this out when he told of houses built on rock and sand. In Paul's day, the tendency was to build faith on oratory, on man's wisdom and rhetoric. This is a foundation of sand because wisdom is frail and futile. By contrast, Paul's preaching was weak and nervous. Yet, this was a blessing because the faith of the Corinthians did not result from his expertise in words but in the power of God, the only sure foundation for faith.
Outline: The foundation of our faith -
a. Is not in man's wisdom. Philosophy, theology, maxims, rhetoric, oratory - these are human opinions.
b. Is in the power of God. The power of God is in the Word, the gospel. In the Word is the Spirit, the power of God. Thus, faith is the creation and gift of God.
