First Sunday In Lent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
Jesus makes his way toward Jerusalem and the cross that we might have undeserved forgiveness for our sins.
Theme For The Day
The baptism, temptation, and beginning ministry of Jesus.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 9:8-17
Noah's Covenant
So, after the flood, God makes some promises to the survivors. The Hebrew word for rainbow is qeset, which is also the word for a battle bow. So the rainbow is like a battle bow hung against the clouds and standing for peace. And in verses 15 and 16 this symbol will remind God of the covenant God has made with the people. And the covenant is universal (see v. 17). So the rainbow becomes an important symbol that our grace-full God remains faithful to us. Signs like this are to remind those who have a covenant with another to keep the promise of the agreement and all the stipulations.
It was often the custom in the Near East to make a covenant after a war as a treaty toward striving for peace. God judged sin in the flood and now makes a covenant of peace.
New Testament Lesson
1 Peter 3:18-22
The Suffering Savior
In verse 19 we have the "seat of the doctrine" for the phrase in the Apostles' Creed "... he descended into hell." This passage put together gives us the significance of Jesus death on the cross. Verse 18 tells us it was for everyone and need not ever be repeated (Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; 10:10). And notice it was for sins that he suffered -- to restore a broken relationship between us and our God (1 Corinthians 15:3).
It was also vicarious, i.e., "... the righteous for the unrighteous." I really like verse 18b, which is a new discovery for me. Jesus' human body killed but new life in the spirit. The incarnation body done and now alive with us in spirit. Then verses 20-22 tell us that the resurrection leads to a priestly role for Jesus in heaven. So the covenant symbolized by the rainbow and made with Noah now extends into heaven to a final rule there.
The Gospel
Mark 1:9-15
The Temptation Of Jesus
Typical of Mark's Gospel, we have in rapid-fire narration Jesus' baptism, his time in the wilderness, and the beginning of his Galilean ministry. Since we have already observed "The Baptism of our Lord," I will not spend much time on this baptism account by Mark, except to say for Jesus it was a time to begin his mission, to receive from God the power for that mission, to make public his approval from his God, and to identify with the cause of God's people.
It is interesting that the temptation comes right after the marvelous experience at the Jordan River. Verse 13 mentions the forty days from which the length of Lent was determined. Satan can simply be defined as that power which works against God. It became representative of all which is opposed to God. So Jesus had to decide between God's way and the adversary's way.
Because the beast in the golden age of the Messiah were no longer to be humans' enemies, we have this comment that "... he was with the wild beast."
These words in verse 14b summarize Jesus' beginning ministry: repent, believe, and good news -- that will be his message and where these are taken seriously, there is the Kingdom.
Repent -- Greek, metanoia = change of mind
Believe -- we believe what Jesus tells us about God
Good news -- Greek, euangelion = we are saved and forgiven
Preaching Possibilities
You may want to announce a Lenten series for these weeks. Titles and texts could be:
Mark 1:9-15 -- The message and ministry begins.
Mark 8:31-38 -- The service is defined.
John 2:13-22 -- The battle lines are drawn.
John 3:14-21 -- The promise is certain.
John 12:20-33 -- The results are predictable.
Mark 14:1--15:47 -- The supper is prepared.
If you also need to prepare mid-week sermons, you might try a series on "Second Reading Assurances":
1 Peter 3:18-22 -- The crucifixion was for everyone (v. 18).
Romans 4:13-25 -- Faith will give us God's grace (v. 16).
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Christ crucified is our message (v. 23).
Ephesians 2:1-10 -- God's graceful gift is salvation (v. 8).
Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Reverent submission (v. 7).
The above series could be titled "Lent's Second Lessons." The Old Testament will preach this Sunday with a natural symbol: the rainbow. We could talk about the covenant of peace. Relating this symbol to our storms in life and God's covenant to be with us and see us through could help our people see the rainbow in a new light and be reminded of God's promises each time they see it.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Out Of Baptism Comes Ministry
Text: Mark 1:9-15
A. Introduction: Tell how Mark begins his life of Jesus omitting the birth narrative of Matthew and Luke. Bring the listeners up to date in the early life of Jesus and now these three big events take place.
B. As Jesus was baptized so were we. And as this confirmed God's love for Jesus his son, so our baptism confirms God's love for us, his child.
1. Use an example from below in "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
2. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for our baptisms and for being a member of God's family.
C. Even as Jesus was tempted, so we are also tempted (v. 13). And as angels waited on him they will wait on us also.
1. Use an example from below in "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
2. Pray a prayer for help in temptations and one of thanks for God's protection from evil.
D. Even as Jesus had a ministry and a message, so do we have one (vv. 14 and 15).
1. Use an example from below "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
2. Pray a prayer for guidance and motivation in doing our ministry into which we were also commissioned at Baptism.
Prayer For The Day
As we begin these forty days of Lent, we pray you will show us, and equip us, for our ministry. Make us mindful of the many temptations which surround us and keep us ever reminded of our baptism into your family. In Jesus Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In response to a course on Discipling that I taught in Hong Kong, student Han Kum Ju from Korea wrote the following: "I was baptized from the Pastor in autumn, he sprinkle water three times on my head. My tears come down from my eyes. I felt something special."
There is washing and there is washing. At a car wash today an elaborate sign described the prices for various wash jobs:
Outside rinse only
Outside double wash
Outside with wax
Outside with drying
Outside and inside
Add perfume to make it smell like a new car.
How much we permit Baptism to wash us is also to be considered -- outside only, inside with forgiveness toward others.
Don Strong, in explaining preventive maintenance, said: "We should be pro-active rather than re-active. You don't wait till something breaks before you replace it." So, too, with our spiritual faith. We must work at it before the crises of life threaten to break it.
Clarence E. Macartney writes about temptation: "If the thought of a Godly father or a praying mother, or a faithful spouse, or an innocent child will sometimes hold a person back from sin, how much more will the thought of the presence of Christ deliver the soul in the time of temptation."
When Bishop Wayne Weissenbuehler of Denver spoke to the Invitation to Service event at California Lutheran University, he told this story:
"An Episcopal Bishop signaled for the acolyte to bring a pitcher of water and pour over his hands before communion. 'Wait a minute,' the Bishop said. 'This isn't water; this is wine.' The acolyte promptly replied, 'It was water when I put it in there.' " May the water of our baptism turn into wine of our ministry (vocation).
Jesus makes his way toward Jerusalem and the cross that we might have undeserved forgiveness for our sins.
Theme For The Day
The baptism, temptation, and beginning ministry of Jesus.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 9:8-17
Noah's Covenant
So, after the flood, God makes some promises to the survivors. The Hebrew word for rainbow is qeset, which is also the word for a battle bow. So the rainbow is like a battle bow hung against the clouds and standing for peace. And in verses 15 and 16 this symbol will remind God of the covenant God has made with the people. And the covenant is universal (see v. 17). So the rainbow becomes an important symbol that our grace-full God remains faithful to us. Signs like this are to remind those who have a covenant with another to keep the promise of the agreement and all the stipulations.
It was often the custom in the Near East to make a covenant after a war as a treaty toward striving for peace. God judged sin in the flood and now makes a covenant of peace.
New Testament Lesson
1 Peter 3:18-22
The Suffering Savior
In verse 19 we have the "seat of the doctrine" for the phrase in the Apostles' Creed "... he descended into hell." This passage put together gives us the significance of Jesus death on the cross. Verse 18 tells us it was for everyone and need not ever be repeated (Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; 10:10). And notice it was for sins that he suffered -- to restore a broken relationship between us and our God (1 Corinthians 15:3).
It was also vicarious, i.e., "... the righteous for the unrighteous." I really like verse 18b, which is a new discovery for me. Jesus' human body killed but new life in the spirit. The incarnation body done and now alive with us in spirit. Then verses 20-22 tell us that the resurrection leads to a priestly role for Jesus in heaven. So the covenant symbolized by the rainbow and made with Noah now extends into heaven to a final rule there.
The Gospel
Mark 1:9-15
The Temptation Of Jesus
Typical of Mark's Gospel, we have in rapid-fire narration Jesus' baptism, his time in the wilderness, and the beginning of his Galilean ministry. Since we have already observed "The Baptism of our Lord," I will not spend much time on this baptism account by Mark, except to say for Jesus it was a time to begin his mission, to receive from God the power for that mission, to make public his approval from his God, and to identify with the cause of God's people.
It is interesting that the temptation comes right after the marvelous experience at the Jordan River. Verse 13 mentions the forty days from which the length of Lent was determined. Satan can simply be defined as that power which works against God. It became representative of all which is opposed to God. So Jesus had to decide between God's way and the adversary's way.
Because the beast in the golden age of the Messiah were no longer to be humans' enemies, we have this comment that "... he was with the wild beast."
These words in verse 14b summarize Jesus' beginning ministry: repent, believe, and good news -- that will be his message and where these are taken seriously, there is the Kingdom.
Repent -- Greek, metanoia = change of mind
Believe -- we believe what Jesus tells us about God
Good news -- Greek, euangelion = we are saved and forgiven
Preaching Possibilities
You may want to announce a Lenten series for these weeks. Titles and texts could be:
Mark 1:9-15 -- The message and ministry begins.
Mark 8:31-38 -- The service is defined.
John 2:13-22 -- The battle lines are drawn.
John 3:14-21 -- The promise is certain.
John 12:20-33 -- The results are predictable.
Mark 14:1--15:47 -- The supper is prepared.
If you also need to prepare mid-week sermons, you might try a series on "Second Reading Assurances":
1 Peter 3:18-22 -- The crucifixion was for everyone (v. 18).
Romans 4:13-25 -- Faith will give us God's grace (v. 16).
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Christ crucified is our message (v. 23).
Ephesians 2:1-10 -- God's graceful gift is salvation (v. 8).
Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Reverent submission (v. 7).
The above series could be titled "Lent's Second Lessons." The Old Testament will preach this Sunday with a natural symbol: the rainbow. We could talk about the covenant of peace. Relating this symbol to our storms in life and God's covenant to be with us and see us through could help our people see the rainbow in a new light and be reminded of God's promises each time they see it.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Out Of Baptism Comes Ministry
Text: Mark 1:9-15
A. Introduction: Tell how Mark begins his life of Jesus omitting the birth narrative of Matthew and Luke. Bring the listeners up to date in the early life of Jesus and now these three big events take place.
B. As Jesus was baptized so were we. And as this confirmed God's love for Jesus his son, so our baptism confirms God's love for us, his child.
1. Use an example from below in "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
2. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for our baptisms and for being a member of God's family.
C. Even as Jesus was tempted, so we are also tempted (v. 13). And as angels waited on him they will wait on us also.
1. Use an example from below in "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
2. Pray a prayer for help in temptations and one of thanks for God's protection from evil.
D. Even as Jesus had a ministry and a message, so do we have one (vv. 14 and 15).
1. Use an example from below "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
2. Pray a prayer for guidance and motivation in doing our ministry into which we were also commissioned at Baptism.
Prayer For The Day
As we begin these forty days of Lent, we pray you will show us, and equip us, for our ministry. Make us mindful of the many temptations which surround us and keep us ever reminded of our baptism into your family. In Jesus Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In response to a course on Discipling that I taught in Hong Kong, student Han Kum Ju from Korea wrote the following: "I was baptized from the Pastor in autumn, he sprinkle water three times on my head. My tears come down from my eyes. I felt something special."
There is washing and there is washing. At a car wash today an elaborate sign described the prices for various wash jobs:
Outside rinse only
Outside double wash
Outside with wax
Outside with drying
Outside and inside
Add perfume to make it smell like a new car.
How much we permit Baptism to wash us is also to be considered -- outside only, inside with forgiveness toward others.
Don Strong, in explaining preventive maintenance, said: "We should be pro-active rather than re-active. You don't wait till something breaks before you replace it." So, too, with our spiritual faith. We must work at it before the crises of life threaten to break it.
Clarence E. Macartney writes about temptation: "If the thought of a Godly father or a praying mother, or a faithful spouse, or an innocent child will sometimes hold a person back from sin, how much more will the thought of the presence of Christ deliver the soul in the time of temptation."
When Bishop Wayne Weissenbuehler of Denver spoke to the Invitation to Service event at California Lutheran University, he told this story:
"An Episcopal Bishop signaled for the acolyte to bring a pitcher of water and pour over his hands before communion. 'Wait a minute,' the Bishop said. 'This isn't water; this is wine.' The acolyte promptly replied, 'It was water when I put it in there.' " May the water of our baptism turn into wine of our ministry (vocation).
