Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.
Theme For The Day
Jesus goes ahead of us and prepares for our eternity. And while we are yet here, he is our way, truth, and life.
First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Here is the story of the first Christian martyr, the stoning of Stephen. In verses before this account, Stephen gives a speech which could only end in mob violence (see Acts 7:51), calling these Jews "betrayers and murderers" (v. 52b). It sounds like mob violence rather than any formal judiciary proceeding.
The Jews could not put anyone to death -- so this was "lynching" when they would put him in a pit and roll stones in on him. Stephen is filled with the spirit and faces his death calmly while the crowd gives in to blind mob violence. There is a shadow of Jesus' death here. There is praying for the forgiveness of his executioners (Luke 23:34). Both committed their spirit to God (Luke 23:46). When we follow the Christ, we often find strength which seemed humanly impossible.
Saul (Paul) enters the scene for the first time not where we would expect this great missionary to first appear! He is holding the coats of those doing the stoning of Stephen (v. 58) and he approved the whole mob action (8:1). That he consented to Stephen's death hints that he took part in the previous official action of the Sanhedrin (22:20; 26:10).
Augustine said, "The Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen." Paul, no doubt, never forgot that day and already it was becoming true that "the blood of the martyrs was the Seed of the Church."
New Testament Lesson
1 Peter 2:2-10
A Holy Priesthood
Peter here describes new life in Jesus Christ, an appropriate theme of another Sunday of Easter. There are a number of contrasts presented:
1. New Life in Christ.
2. He is rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious to God (v. 4).
3. The stone the builders rejected became the important corner stone (v. 7).
4. Once we were not a people but now we are God's people (v. 10).
5. Once they had not received mercy but now they have received it (v. 106).
This is a wonderful description of the church in the New Testament. All the terms are "together terms" -- to be a Christian is to live in the community of God's people. The words used are from the Old Testament. Like Israel, the church is a new people who are the elect (Isaiah 43:20b-21). Jesus' subjects are a priesthood (Deuteronomy 7:6 and Galatians 6:16). These are the new people of the New Covenant. The world laos, used here, from which we get our word laity, refers to all the people who belong to God, and distinct from others.
The Gospel
John 14:1-14
Jesus As The Way, Truth And Life
Next to the Twenty-third Psalm, I believe this passage was the most often requested to be read by surviving family members at the funerals I performed. This week and next we will read from John 14, Jesus' farewell discourse. Verses 1-14 deal with the following:
1. Verses 1-3 -- An invitation to follow him to heaven. Two Greek words help us understand. In verse 2, Jesus promises to "prepare a place." The word is monai which means plenty of room. In heaven there is room for them all. Then the promise is given and Jesus will prepare the place for us. The word is prodromos which is the forerunner (see Hebrews 6:20). It is also used of a pilot boat which led the larger boats to safe harbor. That's what Jesus does, he leads the way to heaven for us. No wonder this passage is loved so much by those burying a loved one!
2. Verses 4-6 -- Jesus is the way, truth, and life. True to Thomas' nature, he asked for an explanation. Jesus' claim was not only that he taught them the truth, but that he was the truth... and the life... and the way.
3. Verses 7-11 -- Jesus' claim that to see Jesus is to see what God is like. Jesus said he was the channel through which God came to the people. Then Jesus claimed to be in God and God in him.
4. Verses 12-14 -- Two promises we have here: To believe in Jesus empowers us to do many of the things he did and prayers offered in his name will be granted. So the prayer must be tested by asking if we can pray it in the name of Jesus. The prayer centered on itself will not make it! It must be in the spirit and tone and will of Christ. That means a lot more than putting Jesus' name just before the amen. It means praying what he would pray and what he would want us to pray.
Preaching Possibilities
These three readings probably should stand alone, each one rich in stuff for sermonizing, rather than stretching to find a common theme and put them together in one sermon.
A.One could ask the question what it means to be a member of the resurrected body of Christ, the church now, and say that!
1. Acts 7:55-60 tells us that, like Stephen, we may have to face ridicule and even death in some places in the world.
2. 1 Peter tells us that we are God's holy nation, a royal priesthood and God's own people who received God's undeserved mercy.
3.John 14:1-14 tells us we have God with us here, leading us into eternity where there is room for us and where our place is prepared. It is a bit of a stretch but good theology and opportunity to teach our basic beliefs. It could be titled: "How it is with Easter People."
B. In the Acts reading we could talk about naming the stones, that is, those things we do and say which help with the stoning of God's faithful --
1. like causing dissension in the congregation,
2. living ruthless lives on weekdays and pious ones at church,
3. gossiping,
4. giving in to wealth addiction, and so on.
How do we hold the coats and approve as Saul did?
C. In the 1 Peter account, we have a wonderful opportunity to talk about the ministry of the laity and radical discipleship. What does it mean to be part of a priesthood rather than just a spectator who decides if he or she likes how the ordained priest performs?
1. We are chosen by God (v. 9).
2. We are part of a grander church (v. 5).
3. We have a priesthood, too (v. 9).
4. We must proclaim the good news (v. 9).
5. We are a people of community (v. 10).
6. We have received undeserved mercy (v. 10).
But let's turn to those precious words of Jesus in his good-bye words to the disciples and preach it in all its holiness.
D. There is a marvelous opportunity to preach a two-part sermon based on John 14.
1. Part one can be 1-14 on "Jesus leads the way."
2. Part two can be "Equipment for the trip" -- verses 15-21. It will preach!
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Introduction: Soon Jesus would be arrested, tried, and crucified. The life of the disciples would come crashing in upon them. So Jesus tried to prepare them for such times as these. And the words have comforted millions of believers around the world as they laid their loved ones in the lonely grave.
2. Along with the Twenty-third Psalm, it is some of the most often quoted of all the Bible. Read again John 14:1-3.
3. Then move to the fact Jesus left us wonderful promises for when he would no longer be with us physically:
a. The promise he will calm our troubled hearts (v. 1).
b. The promise there is plenty of room for us in heaven (v. 2).
c. The promise he will prepare our own place for us (v. 2b).
d. The promise that he will escort us there when the time comes (v. 3).
4. Now move to the word "prepare" (prodromos) used for "prepare" in the Greek. Tell your people about the pilot boat, called a prodromos, which would come out and lead in the big corn ships to the safe harbor of Alexandria. Also in the Roman army the reconnaissance troops were called podromos. They went ahead of the rest. So, too, Christ goes ahead of us and leads the way:
a. The way into eternal life (v. 3).
b. The way to the way, the truth, and the life (v. 6).
c. The way to God the Father (v. 11).
d. The way to discipleship (v. 12).
e. The way to answered prayer (v. 14).
5. Then voice an invitation to those listening that if they have come today with troubled hearts; if they aren't certain, like Thomas, where heaven is; if they want to experience God and have their prayers answered; or if they are seeking the way and truth and life which is meaningful for them, they have come to the right place -- his church -- and in the midst of his people.
And if they fear death as we all do, or if they have deep sorrow over losing a loved one, here is real graveside comfort. It encouraged the troubled hearts of those first disciples and it will ours also.
6. There is a Norwegian folk tune by Princess Eugenie of Sweden called "My Heart Is Longing" (tr. Peter E. Sveeggen 1889-1959). Verse 6 goes this way:
What blessed joy overflows my spirit,
Because your wondrous grace to me was giv'n!
Complete your work, that I may inherit
Eternal life at last with your in heav'n!
Prayer Of The Day
Try the hymn "Jesus, Still Lead On," as the prayer.
Jesus, still lead on, Till our rest be won;
And, although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless;
Guide us by your hand To our Father's land.
If the way be drear, If the foe be near,
Let no faithless fears o'er take us,
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
Safely past the foe To our home we go.
When we seek relief From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more.
Jesus, still lead on, Till our rest be won;
Heav'nly leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand In our Father's land.
-- Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf, 1700-1760; tr. Jane L. Borthwick, 1813-1897, alt.
Possible Stories
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oakland where I preached one day, there is a mentally challenged older man whom they helped learn to usher, receive offering, do communion. His name is Buddy. After he finally had received the offering and handed it to the acolyte, an exuberant Buddy raised his two joined hands in the air like a champion. We have won! We are God's champions -- for Christ has accomplished our victory. Raise your arms in victory and celebration.
A boat going ahead of us smoothes out the water for us to travel if we follow carefully. Following the Christ will not smooth our travel altogether, but it will help... and we will not get lost along the way.
In an episode of television's Cheers, a fast-living Jack Dalton takes Sam and Diane for a ride in his airplane and fakes a heart attack. Thinking they are going to die, they tell each other how much they love each other; then they find he isn't dead at all. Life can be more intense and we can be more sensitive and open when we become aware of its being cut short. Jesus reminded the disciples of the brevity of life which brought to them a more intense and worthwhile life in the meantime.
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.
Theme For The Day
Jesus goes ahead of us and prepares for our eternity. And while we are yet here, he is our way, truth, and life.
First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Here is the story of the first Christian martyr, the stoning of Stephen. In verses before this account, Stephen gives a speech which could only end in mob violence (see Acts 7:51), calling these Jews "betrayers and murderers" (v. 52b). It sounds like mob violence rather than any formal judiciary proceeding.
The Jews could not put anyone to death -- so this was "lynching" when they would put him in a pit and roll stones in on him. Stephen is filled with the spirit and faces his death calmly while the crowd gives in to blind mob violence. There is a shadow of Jesus' death here. There is praying for the forgiveness of his executioners (Luke 23:34). Both committed their spirit to God (Luke 23:46). When we follow the Christ, we often find strength which seemed humanly impossible.
Saul (Paul) enters the scene for the first time not where we would expect this great missionary to first appear! He is holding the coats of those doing the stoning of Stephen (v. 58) and he approved the whole mob action (8:1). That he consented to Stephen's death hints that he took part in the previous official action of the Sanhedrin (22:20; 26:10).
Augustine said, "The Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen." Paul, no doubt, never forgot that day and already it was becoming true that "the blood of the martyrs was the Seed of the Church."
New Testament Lesson
1 Peter 2:2-10
A Holy Priesthood
Peter here describes new life in Jesus Christ, an appropriate theme of another Sunday of Easter. There are a number of contrasts presented:
1. New Life in Christ.
2. He is rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious to God (v. 4).
3. The stone the builders rejected became the important corner stone (v. 7).
4. Once we were not a people but now we are God's people (v. 10).
5. Once they had not received mercy but now they have received it (v. 106).
This is a wonderful description of the church in the New Testament. All the terms are "together terms" -- to be a Christian is to live in the community of God's people. The words used are from the Old Testament. Like Israel, the church is a new people who are the elect (Isaiah 43:20b-21). Jesus' subjects are a priesthood (Deuteronomy 7:6 and Galatians 6:16). These are the new people of the New Covenant. The world laos, used here, from which we get our word laity, refers to all the people who belong to God, and distinct from others.
The Gospel
John 14:1-14
Jesus As The Way, Truth And Life
Next to the Twenty-third Psalm, I believe this passage was the most often requested to be read by surviving family members at the funerals I performed. This week and next we will read from John 14, Jesus' farewell discourse. Verses 1-14 deal with the following:
1. Verses 1-3 -- An invitation to follow him to heaven. Two Greek words help us understand. In verse 2, Jesus promises to "prepare a place." The word is monai which means plenty of room. In heaven there is room for them all. Then the promise is given and Jesus will prepare the place for us. The word is prodromos which is the forerunner (see Hebrews 6:20). It is also used of a pilot boat which led the larger boats to safe harbor. That's what Jesus does, he leads the way to heaven for us. No wonder this passage is loved so much by those burying a loved one!
2. Verses 4-6 -- Jesus is the way, truth, and life. True to Thomas' nature, he asked for an explanation. Jesus' claim was not only that he taught them the truth, but that he was the truth... and the life... and the way.
3. Verses 7-11 -- Jesus' claim that to see Jesus is to see what God is like. Jesus said he was the channel through which God came to the people. Then Jesus claimed to be in God and God in him.
4. Verses 12-14 -- Two promises we have here: To believe in Jesus empowers us to do many of the things he did and prayers offered in his name will be granted. So the prayer must be tested by asking if we can pray it in the name of Jesus. The prayer centered on itself will not make it! It must be in the spirit and tone and will of Christ. That means a lot more than putting Jesus' name just before the amen. It means praying what he would pray and what he would want us to pray.
Preaching Possibilities
These three readings probably should stand alone, each one rich in stuff for sermonizing, rather than stretching to find a common theme and put them together in one sermon.
A.One could ask the question what it means to be a member of the resurrected body of Christ, the church now, and say that!
1. Acts 7:55-60 tells us that, like Stephen, we may have to face ridicule and even death in some places in the world.
2. 1 Peter tells us that we are God's holy nation, a royal priesthood and God's own people who received God's undeserved mercy.
3.John 14:1-14 tells us we have God with us here, leading us into eternity where there is room for us and where our place is prepared. It is a bit of a stretch but good theology and opportunity to teach our basic beliefs. It could be titled: "How it is with Easter People."
B. In the Acts reading we could talk about naming the stones, that is, those things we do and say which help with the stoning of God's faithful --
1. like causing dissension in the congregation,
2. living ruthless lives on weekdays and pious ones at church,
3. gossiping,
4. giving in to wealth addiction, and so on.
How do we hold the coats and approve as Saul did?
C. In the 1 Peter account, we have a wonderful opportunity to talk about the ministry of the laity and radical discipleship. What does it mean to be part of a priesthood rather than just a spectator who decides if he or she likes how the ordained priest performs?
1. We are chosen by God (v. 9).
2. We are part of a grander church (v. 5).
3. We have a priesthood, too (v. 9).
4. We must proclaim the good news (v. 9).
5. We are a people of community (v. 10).
6. We have received undeserved mercy (v. 10).
But let's turn to those precious words of Jesus in his good-bye words to the disciples and preach it in all its holiness.
D. There is a marvelous opportunity to preach a two-part sermon based on John 14.
1. Part one can be 1-14 on "Jesus leads the way."
2. Part two can be "Equipment for the trip" -- verses 15-21. It will preach!
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Introduction: Soon Jesus would be arrested, tried, and crucified. The life of the disciples would come crashing in upon them. So Jesus tried to prepare them for such times as these. And the words have comforted millions of believers around the world as they laid their loved ones in the lonely grave.
2. Along with the Twenty-third Psalm, it is some of the most often quoted of all the Bible. Read again John 14:1-3.
3. Then move to the fact Jesus left us wonderful promises for when he would no longer be with us physically:
a. The promise he will calm our troubled hearts (v. 1).
b. The promise there is plenty of room for us in heaven (v. 2).
c. The promise he will prepare our own place for us (v. 2b).
d. The promise that he will escort us there when the time comes (v. 3).
4. Now move to the word "prepare" (prodromos) used for "prepare" in the Greek. Tell your people about the pilot boat, called a prodromos, which would come out and lead in the big corn ships to the safe harbor of Alexandria. Also in the Roman army the reconnaissance troops were called podromos. They went ahead of the rest. So, too, Christ goes ahead of us and leads the way:
a. The way into eternal life (v. 3).
b. The way to the way, the truth, and the life (v. 6).
c. The way to God the Father (v. 11).
d. The way to discipleship (v. 12).
e. The way to answered prayer (v. 14).
5. Then voice an invitation to those listening that if they have come today with troubled hearts; if they aren't certain, like Thomas, where heaven is; if they want to experience God and have their prayers answered; or if they are seeking the way and truth and life which is meaningful for them, they have come to the right place -- his church -- and in the midst of his people.
And if they fear death as we all do, or if they have deep sorrow over losing a loved one, here is real graveside comfort. It encouraged the troubled hearts of those first disciples and it will ours also.
6. There is a Norwegian folk tune by Princess Eugenie of Sweden called "My Heart Is Longing" (tr. Peter E. Sveeggen 1889-1959). Verse 6 goes this way:
What blessed joy overflows my spirit,
Because your wondrous grace to me was giv'n!
Complete your work, that I may inherit
Eternal life at last with your in heav'n!
Prayer Of The Day
Try the hymn "Jesus, Still Lead On," as the prayer.
Jesus, still lead on, Till our rest be won;
And, although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless;
Guide us by your hand To our Father's land.
If the way be drear, If the foe be near,
Let no faithless fears o'er take us,
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
Safely past the foe To our home we go.
When we seek relief From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more.
Jesus, still lead on, Till our rest be won;
Heav'nly leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand In our Father's land.
-- Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf, 1700-1760; tr. Jane L. Borthwick, 1813-1897, alt.
Possible Stories
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oakland where I preached one day, there is a mentally challenged older man whom they helped learn to usher, receive offering, do communion. His name is Buddy. After he finally had received the offering and handed it to the acolyte, an exuberant Buddy raised his two joined hands in the air like a champion. We have won! We are God's champions -- for Christ has accomplished our victory. Raise your arms in victory and celebration.
A boat going ahead of us smoothes out the water for us to travel if we follow carefully. Following the Christ will not smooth our travel altogether, but it will help... and we will not get lost along the way.
In an episode of television's Cheers, a fast-living Jack Dalton takes Sam and Diane for a ride in his airplane and fakes a heart attack. Thinking they are going to die, they tell each other how much they love each other; then they find he isn't dead at all. Life can be more intense and we can be more sensitive and open when we become aware of its being cut short. Jesus reminded the disciples of the brevity of life which brought to them a more intense and worthwhile life in the meantime.
