Fifth Sunday In Lent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (C); Ezekiel 37:1-3, (4-10), 11-14 (E, L); Ezekiel 37:12-14 (RC)
Ezekiel preaches the Word to the dry bones of Israel and they come to life. Ezekiel is a prophet to the exiles in Babylon. This Lesson comes from the section of the book that depicts a restoration of Jerusalem and its temple. He sees the Hebrews in exile as dead in hope because they are separated from the holy city and temple. God commands Ezekiel to preach to the dead bones and the Spirit brings life to the bodies. Through the preached Word, the Spirit of God brings new life and hope to a defeated, exiled people.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:6-11 (C); Romans 8:8-11 (RC)
Christians live not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. A Christian experiences death and resurrection. The believer dies to the "flesh" and rises in the Spirit. "Flesh" is a term denoting evil, sin, weakness, death. It does not mean that the physical body is sinful, but it is the seat of sin. The Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, frees one from the "flesh" and thus frees from the power of sin and death. Christians have life after death of the flesh and thus they have life before physical death. Those who live by the Spirit have life and peace. The same Spirit that raised Jesus will raise us at the final resurrection of the dead.
Lesson 2: Romans 6:16-23 (E)
As redeemed people, Christians are slaves of righteousness.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:11-19 (L)
The Spirit makes us children of God.
Gospel:
John 11:(1-17), 18-44 (E); John 11:1-53 (L); John 11:1-45 (C, RC)
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The raising of Lazarus sets the stage for Jesus' entering Jerusalem for his passion and marks the conclusion of his public ministry. The raising of Lazarus was the last straw that caused the religious authorities to act. They had to do something quickly to rid society of the menace of Jesus who, through the raising of Lazarus, earned tremendous popularity and notoriety. There is nothing new about Jesus' power to raise the dead, for he had already raised several people. In this story we see the reaction of Mary, Martha and the people; the humanity expressed in Jesus' weeping; the power of Jesus' word; and the teaching of his being the resurrection and the life to all who believe.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 116:1-9 (L) - "Thou hast delivered my soul from death (v. 8)."
Psalm 130 (C, E) - "There is forgiveness with you (v. 4)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love."
Hymn Of The Day
"Glory Be To Jesus"
Theme Of The Day: Life Out of Death
Gospel - Christ raises Lazarus from death (Physical) - John 11:1-45
Lesson 1 - Through the Word the Spirit raises dead people (Corporate) - Ezekiel 37:1-14
Lesson 2 - The Spirit raises us from the death of the flesh to life in Christ (Spiritual) - Romans 8:6-11
The theme, life out of death, appears in all three Lessons. In the Gospel, Jesus raises Lazarus and teaches that he is the resurrection. Lesson 1 harmonizes with the Gospel Lesson in that it deals with the raising of the dead bones of Israel through the preaching of the Word. Paul teaches in Lesson 2 that the Spirit will raise us from the level of the flesh (sin) to life in the Spirit and in the end our mortal bodies will be raised from death. Through Ezekiel's preaching of the Word, the dead people came to life. Jesus brought Lazarus out of the tomb with his words, "Lazarus, come out." We are now on the threshold of the Passion and the cross. The raising of Lazarus gave the religious leaders an immediate cause to plot Jesus' death.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
John 11:1-45
1. Meaning ofsuffering. In this passage, illness and death are considered means by which God is glorified. When we are ill, God's healing reveals his glory. When we are dead, God's raising us, like Lazarus, is for the glory of God. In the resurrection, the glory of God's power is manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of God's help.
2. Life now. Eternal life is a present possession. It is not life after death, nor life after life, but life during life. Jesus emphasized the present life - "I am the resurrection and the life." This quality of life begins at the moment of faith in Christ. It is not a natural endowment but a gift to those in Christ. We do not wait until death to go to heaven for life. We are given eternal life before death. If we do not have it before death, we will not have it after death.
3. Compassion. Jesus is a full human who has the capacity to feel the hurts of friends. He shares the sorrow of Mary and Martha. He weeps with Mary over Lazarus' death. He expresses his love for his friends. Jesus did not really need to cry, for he knew what he was going to do in the raising of Lazarus. Yet, human as he was, he was caught up in the situation and identified with his friends.
4. Partnership with God. God did not speak nor work independently. He was one with the Father and the Father gave him his power to heal. Before raising Lazarus, Jesus prays to thank God for hearing and answering his prayers. It was God who worked and spoke through him. The distinctiveness of Jesus was his unique oneness with God.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14
1. Word and Spirit. The Spirit is the creative power of God. By the Spirit the universe was created. His Spirit is identified with his Word - "Let there be light." In Ezekiel the Spirit causes the dry bones to live again. But the Spirit comes to the bones through the prophet's preaching the Word of God. Here we see the power of the Word to create new life, for with the Word there is the Spirit. But the Word must be preached. Out of a faithful preaching of the Word, the Spirit creates new life in the dead bones of God's people.
2. Dead while living. While the outer person is living, he may be dead inside. Israel consisted of dry, dead bones. They were "dead" because they lost hope during their captivity in Babylon. A lifeless people, a dead church, can be revived with hope and love through the preaching of the Word.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:6-11 (C, RC); Romans 8:11-19 (L)
Death and Resurrection. We can have both death and life in us. Though dead, we can live, and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life - existence, the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh which results in sin and death. There is possibly
another life, one with God lived in faith. This life is a product of the Spirit received at baptism. Through baptism a person is born again in the Spirit, adopted as the child of God, and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God, because the Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we are God's offspring.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Problems of Preaching on the Theme of Lent 5
There seems to be a conflict with the overall theme of Lent 5 and the fact that in one week Holy Week begins with the Passion Story. The theme of Lent 5 seems to be in conflict with the Passion and a duplication of Easter. The theme of the day deals with the conquest of death or new life through the Spirit. In Lesson 1 Israel as dead bones comes to life again through the prophet's preaching of the Word. In Lesson 2 Paul tells us that we rise from the sinful flesh existence which results in death to a new life in the Spirit received at baptism. The Gospel shows the power and the glory of God in Jesus by the raising of Lazarus. Jesus identified himself as the resurrection and the life, and offers eternal life here and now to those who believe in him. Does this not duplicate what we will be preaching on Easter - power of life over death? Here we have resurrection before the Resurrection.
THREE LESSONS
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Death - A Friend?
Need: Death is conceived by most as a person's worst enemy. Paul claims that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. This is the Easter message. But this is Lent 5 before death occurs. Death is a friend in the sense that real, true and eternal life cannot be experienced without first going to death. If there is no death, there can be no life. There could be no Easter resurrection without a Good Friday death. For this to be a person experience, we need to welcome death.
Outline: Death can be your friend -
a. Out of physical death comes eternal life - Gospel - John 11:1-45.
b. Out of psychological death (despair) comes new life of hope - Lesson 1 - Ezekiel 37:1-14.
c. Out of moral death (sin) comes life in the Spirit - Lesson 2 - Romans 8:6-11.
Gospel:
John 11:1-45
1. A Challenge to Die. 11:16
Need: We are about to enter Holy Week. In that last week of Jesus' life, he enters Jerusalem, argues with religious leaders, cleanses the temple, meets with his disciples for the last time, prays in Gethsemane, faces a multiple trial, is flogged and crucified. Must Jesus go alone? Must Jesus bear the cross alone? Are we not believers in and lovers of Jesus? Does he not mean all the world to us? If we have any love, any sense of loyalty, we will say with Thomas, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Outline: Can we go all the way with Jesus?
a. Do we love him enough to die for him?
b. Do we love him enough to die with him?
c. Are we loyal enough to endure the worst?
2. Why Not Let the Dead be Dead? 11:1-45
Need: Why disturb the dead? Why not let them rest in peace? Lazarus was dead four days. Because of his friendship with Christ, was he not already in Paradise? Why then bring him back? If Lazarus is brought back, will he not only die again in a few years? What good did it do to bring him back to life on earth? The miracle caused Jesus only trouble. It was the occasion that started the works that led to the cross. Jesus must have thought of all of this and yet he raised Lazarus. Why?
Outline: Why Jesus raised Lazarus -
a. To glorify Jesus - v. 4.
b. To teach the truth about eternal life - vv. 32-36.
c. To comfort the bereaved - vv. 23-27.
3. You Have a Call! 11:28-29
Need: Through the media, William Schroeder, who was recuperating from receiving an artificial heart, was seen and heard receiving a phone call from President Reagan. It was a tremendous event for him and his family. It was a great honor, an unforgettable experience, to get the call. Suppose you, like Mary in the text, received a call from Jesus. That would be even more wonderful, would it not? To you Martha is saying, "The teacher is here, and is calling for you."
Outline: Your response to Martha's message -
a. Who is calling? None other than Jesus!
b. Whom does he want? None other than you!
c. Why is he calling me? To comfort you, to share your sorrow, to express his love.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Need: On Sunday morning when you step into the pulpit, do you see a valley of dry bones? God showed Ezekiel a whole nation living in a valley of bones. They were physically alive but their spirits were dead because of lack of hope in a time of captivity. God's people can be dead in spirit - lack of vitality, energy, interest and enthusiasm. Obviously the need is to revive the church that she might serve Christ and build the kingdom on earth. According to the text, new life comes from the Spirit in the Word of God.
Outline: How the church can be revitalized from dead bones to living bodies.
a. Hear the Word - do you really listen to the Word preached?
b. Read the Word - private daily reading of the Bible.
c. Taste the Word - the Word comes visibly in Holy Communion.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:6-11
Pinch Me to See if I'm Alive! 8:6-11
Need: Am I dead or alive? It is sometimes said, "Pinch me to see if I am alive. I must be dead and gone to heaven, things are so wonderful!" If you are alive, should you not know it? If you are living according to the "flesh," you are dead. If you live in the Spirit, you are alive. How can you be sure you are really living and not only existing?
Outline: You are alive in God because -
a. Your mind is set on the Spirit - v. 6.
b. You are living in the Spirit - v. 9a.
c. You belong to Christ - v. 9b.
d. You are pleasing God - v. 8.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:11-19 (L)
If Alive, You'll Know It! 8:12-17
Need: Are you sure you are a Christian? Are you positive your sins are forgiven? Do you think you will go to heaven? Many are in need of assurance that they belong to God, are children of God, and are destined for heaven. Should it be necessary to have a confirmation of our salvation? If we are alive, we should know it. It is not a matter of "Pinch me to see if I am alive."
Outline: You know you are alive in God because -
a. You died to self and rose to Christ in baptism.
b. You live in the Spirit.
c. Your Spirit witnesses to God's Spirit that you are alive.
Lesson 2: Romans 6:16-23 (E)
Once a Slave, Always a Slave. 6:16-23
Need: Addiction is one of the most serious problems of modern society. An addicted person cannot stop doing what the person may consider wrong. The addiction can involve smoking, alcohol, sex, drugs, sin. Before Christ, we were addicted to sin; we were slaves of Satan. A Christian is a slave of Christ, addicted to righteousness. Every person is a slave to someone or something, good or bad. Each, therefore, is called upon to choose one's slavery. The aim of this sermon is to persuade people to become a slave of Christ.
Outline: Choose your slavery -
a. You are a slave - v. 16.
b. You have a choice - v. 19.
1. Satan and sin.
2. Christ and righteousness.
c. You get a reward - vv. 20-23.
1. Satan offers death - wages.
2. Christ offers eternal life - gift.
Ezekiel preaches the Word to the dry bones of Israel and they come to life. Ezekiel is a prophet to the exiles in Babylon. This Lesson comes from the section of the book that depicts a restoration of Jerusalem and its temple. He sees the Hebrews in exile as dead in hope because they are separated from the holy city and temple. God commands Ezekiel to preach to the dead bones and the Spirit brings life to the bodies. Through the preached Word, the Spirit of God brings new life and hope to a defeated, exiled people.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:6-11 (C); Romans 8:8-11 (RC)
Christians live not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. A Christian experiences death and resurrection. The believer dies to the "flesh" and rises in the Spirit. "Flesh" is a term denoting evil, sin, weakness, death. It does not mean that the physical body is sinful, but it is the seat of sin. The Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, frees one from the "flesh" and thus frees from the power of sin and death. Christians have life after death of the flesh and thus they have life before physical death. Those who live by the Spirit have life and peace. The same Spirit that raised Jesus will raise us at the final resurrection of the dead.
Lesson 2: Romans 6:16-23 (E)
As redeemed people, Christians are slaves of righteousness.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:11-19 (L)
The Spirit makes us children of God.
Gospel:
John 11:(1-17), 18-44 (E); John 11:1-53 (L); John 11:1-45 (C, RC)
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The raising of Lazarus sets the stage for Jesus' entering Jerusalem for his passion and marks the conclusion of his public ministry. The raising of Lazarus was the last straw that caused the religious authorities to act. They had to do something quickly to rid society of the menace of Jesus who, through the raising of Lazarus, earned tremendous popularity and notoriety. There is nothing new about Jesus' power to raise the dead, for he had already raised several people. In this story we see the reaction of Mary, Martha and the people; the humanity expressed in Jesus' weeping; the power of Jesus' word; and the teaching of his being the resurrection and the life to all who believe.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 116:1-9 (L) - "Thou hast delivered my soul from death (v. 8)."
Psalm 130 (C, E) - "There is forgiveness with you (v. 4)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love."
Hymn Of The Day
"Glory Be To Jesus"
Theme Of The Day: Life Out of Death
Gospel - Christ raises Lazarus from death (Physical) - John 11:1-45
Lesson 1 - Through the Word the Spirit raises dead people (Corporate) - Ezekiel 37:1-14
Lesson 2 - The Spirit raises us from the death of the flesh to life in Christ (Spiritual) - Romans 8:6-11
The theme, life out of death, appears in all three Lessons. In the Gospel, Jesus raises Lazarus and teaches that he is the resurrection. Lesson 1 harmonizes with the Gospel Lesson in that it deals with the raising of the dead bones of Israel through the preaching of the Word. Paul teaches in Lesson 2 that the Spirit will raise us from the level of the flesh (sin) to life in the Spirit and in the end our mortal bodies will be raised from death. Through Ezekiel's preaching of the Word, the dead people came to life. Jesus brought Lazarus out of the tomb with his words, "Lazarus, come out." We are now on the threshold of the Passion and the cross. The raising of Lazarus gave the religious leaders an immediate cause to plot Jesus' death.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
John 11:1-45
1. Meaning ofsuffering. In this passage, illness and death are considered means by which God is glorified. When we are ill, God's healing reveals his glory. When we are dead, God's raising us, like Lazarus, is for the glory of God. In the resurrection, the glory of God's power is manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of God's help.
2. Life now. Eternal life is a present possession. It is not life after death, nor life after life, but life during life. Jesus emphasized the present life - "I am the resurrection and the life." This quality of life begins at the moment of faith in Christ. It is not a natural endowment but a gift to those in Christ. We do not wait until death to go to heaven for life. We are given eternal life before death. If we do not have it before death, we will not have it after death.
3. Compassion. Jesus is a full human who has the capacity to feel the hurts of friends. He shares the sorrow of Mary and Martha. He weeps with Mary over Lazarus' death. He expresses his love for his friends. Jesus did not really need to cry, for he knew what he was going to do in the raising of Lazarus. Yet, human as he was, he was caught up in the situation and identified with his friends.
4. Partnership with God. God did not speak nor work independently. He was one with the Father and the Father gave him his power to heal. Before raising Lazarus, Jesus prays to thank God for hearing and answering his prayers. It was God who worked and spoke through him. The distinctiveness of Jesus was his unique oneness with God.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14
1. Word and Spirit. The Spirit is the creative power of God. By the Spirit the universe was created. His Spirit is identified with his Word - "Let there be light." In Ezekiel the Spirit causes the dry bones to live again. But the Spirit comes to the bones through the prophet's preaching the Word of God. Here we see the power of the Word to create new life, for with the Word there is the Spirit. But the Word must be preached. Out of a faithful preaching of the Word, the Spirit creates new life in the dead bones of God's people.
2. Dead while living. While the outer person is living, he may be dead inside. Israel consisted of dry, dead bones. They were "dead" because they lost hope during their captivity in Babylon. A lifeless people, a dead church, can be revived with hope and love through the preaching of the Word.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:6-11 (C, RC); Romans 8:11-19 (L)
Death and Resurrection. We can have both death and life in us. Though dead, we can live, and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life - existence, the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh which results in sin and death. There is possibly
another life, one with God lived in faith. This life is a product of the Spirit received at baptism. Through baptism a person is born again in the Spirit, adopted as the child of God, and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God, because the Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we are God's offspring.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Problems of Preaching on the Theme of Lent 5
There seems to be a conflict with the overall theme of Lent 5 and the fact that in one week Holy Week begins with the Passion Story. The theme of Lent 5 seems to be in conflict with the Passion and a duplication of Easter. The theme of the day deals with the conquest of death or new life through the Spirit. In Lesson 1 Israel as dead bones comes to life again through the prophet's preaching of the Word. In Lesson 2 Paul tells us that we rise from the sinful flesh existence which results in death to a new life in the Spirit received at baptism. The Gospel shows the power and the glory of God in Jesus by the raising of Lazarus. Jesus identified himself as the resurrection and the life, and offers eternal life here and now to those who believe in him. Does this not duplicate what we will be preaching on Easter - power of life over death? Here we have resurrection before the Resurrection.
THREE LESSONS
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Death - A Friend?
Need: Death is conceived by most as a person's worst enemy. Paul claims that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. This is the Easter message. But this is Lent 5 before death occurs. Death is a friend in the sense that real, true and eternal life cannot be experienced without first going to death. If there is no death, there can be no life. There could be no Easter resurrection without a Good Friday death. For this to be a person experience, we need to welcome death.
Outline: Death can be your friend -
a. Out of physical death comes eternal life - Gospel - John 11:1-45.
b. Out of psychological death (despair) comes new life of hope - Lesson 1 - Ezekiel 37:1-14.
c. Out of moral death (sin) comes life in the Spirit - Lesson 2 - Romans 8:6-11.
Gospel:
John 11:1-45
1. A Challenge to Die. 11:16
Need: We are about to enter Holy Week. In that last week of Jesus' life, he enters Jerusalem, argues with religious leaders, cleanses the temple, meets with his disciples for the last time, prays in Gethsemane, faces a multiple trial, is flogged and crucified. Must Jesus go alone? Must Jesus bear the cross alone? Are we not believers in and lovers of Jesus? Does he not mean all the world to us? If we have any love, any sense of loyalty, we will say with Thomas, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Outline: Can we go all the way with Jesus?
a. Do we love him enough to die for him?
b. Do we love him enough to die with him?
c. Are we loyal enough to endure the worst?
2. Why Not Let the Dead be Dead? 11:1-45
Need: Why disturb the dead? Why not let them rest in peace? Lazarus was dead four days. Because of his friendship with Christ, was he not already in Paradise? Why then bring him back? If Lazarus is brought back, will he not only die again in a few years? What good did it do to bring him back to life on earth? The miracle caused Jesus only trouble. It was the occasion that started the works that led to the cross. Jesus must have thought of all of this and yet he raised Lazarus. Why?
Outline: Why Jesus raised Lazarus -
a. To glorify Jesus - v. 4.
b. To teach the truth about eternal life - vv. 32-36.
c. To comfort the bereaved - vv. 23-27.
3. You Have a Call! 11:28-29
Need: Through the media, William Schroeder, who was recuperating from receiving an artificial heart, was seen and heard receiving a phone call from President Reagan. It was a tremendous event for him and his family. It was a great honor, an unforgettable experience, to get the call. Suppose you, like Mary in the text, received a call from Jesus. That would be even more wonderful, would it not? To you Martha is saying, "The teacher is here, and is calling for you."
Outline: Your response to Martha's message -
a. Who is calling? None other than Jesus!
b. Whom does he want? None other than you!
c. Why is he calling me? To comfort you, to share your sorrow, to express his love.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Need: On Sunday morning when you step into the pulpit, do you see a valley of dry bones? God showed Ezekiel a whole nation living in a valley of bones. They were physically alive but their spirits were dead because of lack of hope in a time of captivity. God's people can be dead in spirit - lack of vitality, energy, interest and enthusiasm. Obviously the need is to revive the church that she might serve Christ and build the kingdom on earth. According to the text, new life comes from the Spirit in the Word of God.
Outline: How the church can be revitalized from dead bones to living bodies.
a. Hear the Word - do you really listen to the Word preached?
b. Read the Word - private daily reading of the Bible.
c. Taste the Word - the Word comes visibly in Holy Communion.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:6-11
Pinch Me to See if I'm Alive! 8:6-11
Need: Am I dead or alive? It is sometimes said, "Pinch me to see if I am alive. I must be dead and gone to heaven, things are so wonderful!" If you are alive, should you not know it? If you are living according to the "flesh," you are dead. If you live in the Spirit, you are alive. How can you be sure you are really living and not only existing?
Outline: You are alive in God because -
a. Your mind is set on the Spirit - v. 6.
b. You are living in the Spirit - v. 9a.
c. You belong to Christ - v. 9b.
d. You are pleasing God - v. 8.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:11-19 (L)
If Alive, You'll Know It! 8:12-17
Need: Are you sure you are a Christian? Are you positive your sins are forgiven? Do you think you will go to heaven? Many are in need of assurance that they belong to God, are children of God, and are destined for heaven. Should it be necessary to have a confirmation of our salvation? If we are alive, we should know it. It is not a matter of "Pinch me to see if I am alive."
Outline: You know you are alive in God because -
a. You died to self and rose to Christ in baptism.
b. You live in the Spirit.
c. Your Spirit witnesses to God's Spirit that you are alive.
Lesson 2: Romans 6:16-23 (E)
Once a Slave, Always a Slave. 6:16-23
Need: Addiction is one of the most serious problems of modern society. An addicted person cannot stop doing what the person may consider wrong. The addiction can involve smoking, alcohol, sex, drugs, sin. Before Christ, we were addicted to sin; we were slaves of Satan. A Christian is a slave of Christ, addicted to righteousness. Every person is a slave to someone or something, good or bad. Each, therefore, is called upon to choose one's slavery. The aim of this sermon is to persuade people to become a slave of Christ.
Outline: Choose your slavery -
a. You are a slave - v. 16.
b. You have a choice - v. 19.
1. Satan and sin.
2. Christ and righteousness.
c. You get a reward - vv. 20-23.
1. Satan offers death - wages.
2. Christ offers eternal life - gift.
