Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
The book of Deuteronomy came out of the reform movement during
Josiah's reign in the seventh century. The book is put in the
form of Moses' last address to the people before entering the
Promised Land. This pericope is a part of a section dealing with
prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised to replace the false
prophets. This true Moses-like prophet will mediate Yahweh and
the people. The passage explains how through Moses God provided
for the institution of prophecy. True prophecy demands obedience
on the part of the people and loyalty by the prophets.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (C, L); 1 Corinthians 8:1b-13 (E)
Paul discusses a specific situation in Corinth which caused a
problem for Christians. Pagans participated in offering animal
sacrifices to their gods. Part of the meat was burned on an altar
and the rest was sold for food at the markets. Some Christians
had no qualms of buying such meat for home consumption while
others were conscience-stricken at the idea, for it seemed to
them that they were participating in a pagan practice. Paul says
no one should object to meats offered to idols because idols have
no existence. God is the one and only true God. However, if some
weaker brother still feels it is wrong, those who have the
knowledge that God alone is God should not eat such meats to
prevent offense and the destruction of their faith.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (C, E, L, RC)
After calling four disciples, Jesus begins his ministry by
teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. The people are impressed
by his authoritative teaching compared with the teaching of the
scribes. A man in the congregation has an evil spirit which
addresses Jesus and knows him to be the Messiah. With authority
Jesus commands the demon to leave the man. At the very beginning
of his ministry, Jesus comes into conflict with evil powers. As
God's Son, he conquers the evil spirit. He does it by exercising
his authority as God's Son.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C, E) -- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom." (v. 10)
Psalm 1 (L)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers which
surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that, with your
help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sin has
brought upon us."
Hymn Of The Day
"Dear Christians, One And All, Rejoice"
Theme Of The Day: The Nature Of Authority
Gospel -- The authority of identity -- who you are.
Lesson 1 -- The authority of reception -- who gave it to you.
Lesson 2 -- The authority of revelation -- what you know.
Authority is a primary theme of this day. Jesus teaches and
heals with an authority greater than the authority of the
scribes. A prophet like Moses is to be heeded because he speaks
with the authority of God's word. In Lesson 2 the authority to
eat meat without pangs of conscience is based upon the knowledge
that "there is no God but one." Psalm 111 informs us that the
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the authority
inherent in wisdom. The Prayer of the Day calls for strength to
overcome the weakness caused by sin. The Hymn of the Day, by
Luther, harmonizes with the Prayer by dealing with sin and grace.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
1. Immediately (vv. 21, 23). This is a word Mark often uses.
It has theological significance. It denotes a sense of urgency
and importance. The kingdom cannot wait. There is no place for
laxity nor procrastination. One must work while it is day before
the night comes. The fields are white unto harvest. Jesus had a
world to save in three years! He has the whole truth of God to
reveal. He needs to set up a movement to carry on his work when
he leaves. The church today needs to imitate Christ in this
matter to overcome its lethargy.
2. Authority (v. 22). The authority of Jesus was expressed in
word and deed. He impressed the congregation with his authority
and astonished them with his authority to cast out a demon. It
was an authority without authoritarianism which people do not
admire. This is a problem for preachers as authority figures: how
to preach with authority without being authoritarian. Jesus'
authority was different from other religious leaders. Their
authority was second-hand as derived from past "authorities."
Jesus had the authority of his identity as "the Holy One of God."
His authority was based on who he was.
3. Unclean (v. 23). A man was in "church" worshiping and
listening to a sermon by the best preacher ever to come on earth.
An "unclean" person is one possessed by an evil spirit. Is it
strange he would be in church? This reminds us that evil is
present in people who are faithful, religious persons. The devil
can exist in the church. Christians are not perfect people. The
church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital of diseased
people in need of a cure.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1. Like me (v. 15). Prophets are not the same. There are good
and bad prophets. Moses was the best prophet Israel ever had.
Jeremiah faced this problem in his day, for false prophets were
promising peace when there was no peace. Jesus warned against
false shepherds. Not every preacher is to be respected, admired
and obeyed, for he might be an agent of Satan in the guise of a
man of God. The proof of a good prophet is that his words come
true.
2. My words (v. 18). A prophet is one who speaks for God. God
tells him what to say. He puts his words into the prophet's
mouth, and thus he becomes the mouthpiece or the loudspeaker of
God. The prophet can take no credit for what he says. The truth
is not his. Because he is not responsible for the content of his
message, he can speak boldly. Herein is the source of the
authority and power of preaching God's Word, not the prophet's,
has the authority and power. This calls for biblical preaching,
for preaching the Word.
3. Heed (v. 19). The prophet has the responsibility to
proclaim faithfully God's Word while the people have the
responsibility to heed the Word by obeying. The authority of the
Word proclaimed must be recognized, accepted and obeyed. The Word
that is to be obeyed comes through the words of the preacher-
prophet. He is the voice of God. He is the mediator between God
and the people. God does not speak directly to people. He chooses
to speak through the preacher as he declares the Word. If the
sermon is true to God's Word, it is to be more than enjoyed or
discussed; it is to be obeyed.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
1. Knowledge (v. 1). There is a difference between knowledge
and truth. Not all knowledge deals with truth. There is a
knowledge that just puffs up the pride of man. The truth of
72
God is authoritative and liberating. Truth is self-
authenticating. It needs no defense nor apology. A knowledge of
the truth brings the authority and liberation to the one who
knows. Thus, we constantly emphasize the need for more and more
education.
2. Idols (v. 4). An idol is a representative for a god. For a
Christian, idols are non-existent, for there is only one God. But
for non-Christians, idols do exist. An idol is that which a
devotee considers to be of ultimate concern. For this person the
idol is real. For those who have not come to the knowledge of the
truth of the one true God, there can be a conflict of interests.
To eat meat identified with an idol means nothing to one with
knowledge, but to the Christian without knowledge, it would be an
offense to the conscience.
3. Liberty (v. 9). Knowledge of the truth about God results in
freedom. But there are times when a Christian will give up
freedom for the well-being of a weak brother or sister who has
not reached the stage of liberty. As a Christian, as Luther said,
'I am freest of all men, but out of love I sacrifice the freedom
for my brother's good. Love is a higher value than freedom."
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
The Question Of Authority
Need: In our times we have experienced an erosion of
authority. The authority of the Bible has been questioned by
various biblical scholars. There is a well-known breakdown of
authority in the home. Many no longer respect the authority of
the law nor of public officials, resulting in civil disobedience.
In the church, specifically the Roman church, many members do not
heed the authoritative teachings of the church on birth control,
abortion, divorce and re-marriage. Today's Lessons deal with
authority and several possibilities for preaching on all three
Lessons exist. Possible Outlines:
1. Kinds of Authority
a. The authority of Identity -- Gospel.
b. The authority of God's Word -- Lesson 1.
c. The authority of knowledge of God -- Lesson 2.
2. Characteristics of Authority
a. The source of authority -- Gospel.
b. Obedience to authority -- Lesson 1.
c. Result of authority -- liberty -- Lesson 2.
3. Who has Authority?
a. The authority of Jesus -- nature of deity -- Gospel.
b. The authority of a prophet -- God's Word -- Lesson 1.
c. The authority of a Christian -- knowledge of God --
Lesson 2.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
1. Jesus the exorcist. 1:21-28
Need: Our world suffers from people possessed by unclean
spirits. This includes the church as well. The evidence for this
claim is abundant: rape, murder, theft, perjury, bribery, child
abuse and sexual immorality. How can we explain or understand
this wave of wickedness? The answer is in the fact that we are
demon-possessed. The book and movie The Exorcist, are still
frighteningly fresh in the minds of many. Is there a solution?
Can we be freed from demonic possession?
Outline: What we learn from this passage.
a. The reality of evil -- vv. 23-24.
b. The nature of the church -- vs. 23. The unclean man was
in church at worship.
c. The solution -- vv. 25-26. Jesus has the authority to
drive out evil spirits.
2. Jesus: authority figure. 1:21-28
Need: In our day we have a revulsion against authority figures
-- a pastor, state official, parent, et. al. We seem to resent an
authority figure because it seems to say we are dominated,
directed and denied our independence. We want to be free to make
our own decisions and to do our own thing. In this passage Jesus
appears as an authority figure, and yet the people like it. They
are favorably impressed and marvel at his authority. Can we feel
the same about Jesus today? Let's look at him and his type of
authority.
Outline: Consider Jesus as an authority figure.
a. Source of his authority: who he is -- v. 24.
b. Authority of his knowledge: teaching -- v. 22.
c. Authority over evil -- vv. 25, 26.
3. Authority -- so what? 1:21-28
Need: It is one thing to have authority and it is another to
have that authority accepted. Lack of respect for authority is a
problem of our day. Some years ago, millions in Iran demonstrated
against the Shah to the point that he had to leave the country.
Though he had authority as a king, his authority was no longer
accepted, respected and obeyed by a majority of the people. The
same can happen to any person of authority, including Jesus. What
is our response to his authority?
Outline: Our reaction to authority --
a. Recognize authority -- v. 22.
b. Respect authority -- v. 24.
c. Respond to authority -- v. 26.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1. God's kind of a prophet. 18:15-20
Need: There are good and bad people everywhere, even among
prophets or preachers. The world was shocked and dismayed when in
1978 Jim Jones led over 900 of his people in Guyana to suicide.
"What kind of a preacher is that?" they asked. In order to
prevent such a debacle from happening to us, we need to evaluate
our preachers to see if we should follow them. In this passage we
have the criteria for a good preacher whom we can follow with
confidence. "That prophet" was personalized in Jesus.
Outline: God's kind of a prophet is --
a. A good prophet -- "like me" -- v. 15.
b. A mediator between God and his people -- v. 16.
c. A mouthpiece for God -- v. 18.
2. Should you listen to your preacher? 18:15-20
Need: Not everyone listens (obeys) to his preacher. Maybe he
should not because he may be a false prophet (v. 20). Would that
the 914 people of the People's Temple in Guyana had not listened
to Jim Jones! Here are reasons why the people should listen to
and heed their preachers. In v. 19, God expects his people to
give heed to their preacher.
Outline: You should listen to your preacher because --
a. He is a good preacher -- "like me" -- v. 15.
b. He speaks God's Word -- v. 18.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
1. Free in chains! 8:1-13.
Need: In this Lesson we have a paradox; we are free but
enslaved. Our knowledge of God frees us from superstition,
legalism and a bad conscience, but love enslaves us for the
welfare of our weak brother who does not yet have the knowledge.
The Lesson harmonizes with Luther's "Christian Liberty" in which
he said that the Christian is the freest of all men but the
servant of all. This principle comes out of a practical prolem in
the Corinthian church -- the eating of meat offered to idols. Can
a Christian eat such meat? Though this problem
74
does not exist today, the principle still holds good. How many
Christians today are willing to sacrifice their freedom of
lifestyle to prevent offending a narrow Christian?
Need: To be free in chains --
a. Know the truth about God -- vv. 1-3.
b. The truth will set you free -- vv. 7-8.
c. Love enslaves you to your brother -- vv. 9-13.
2. Something better than an education. 8:1-3
Need: Our generation has gone gung-ho for education. Many jobs
are open only to those with a college diploma. Though we are
better educated than our parents and grandparents, we may not be
better off. Education alone can make us sophisticated,
superficial and "superior" to the less educated. In this text
Paul points out the danger of knowledge and points to a better
way of life -- love. If one had to choose between knowledge and
love, Paul would suggest the choice of love.
Outline: The difference between knowledge and love --
a. Knowledge puffs up -- v. 1. Pride, arrogance,
superiority.
b. Love builds up -- v. 1. Builds good relations with God
and man.
75
Josiah's reign in the seventh century. The book is put in the
form of Moses' last address to the people before entering the
Promised Land. This pericope is a part of a section dealing with
prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised to replace the false
prophets. This true Moses-like prophet will mediate Yahweh and
the people. The passage explains how through Moses God provided
for the institution of prophecy. True prophecy demands obedience
on the part of the people and loyalty by the prophets.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (C, L); 1 Corinthians 8:1b-13 (E)
Paul discusses a specific situation in Corinth which caused a
problem for Christians. Pagans participated in offering animal
sacrifices to their gods. Part of the meat was burned on an altar
and the rest was sold for food at the markets. Some Christians
had no qualms of buying such meat for home consumption while
others were conscience-stricken at the idea, for it seemed to
them that they were participating in a pagan practice. Paul says
no one should object to meats offered to idols because idols have
no existence. God is the one and only true God. However, if some
weaker brother still feels it is wrong, those who have the
knowledge that God alone is God should not eat such meats to
prevent offense and the destruction of their faith.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (C, E, L, RC)
After calling four disciples, Jesus begins his ministry by
teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. The people are impressed
by his authoritative teaching compared with the teaching of the
scribes. A man in the congregation has an evil spirit which
addresses Jesus and knows him to be the Messiah. With authority
Jesus commands the demon to leave the man. At the very beginning
of his ministry, Jesus comes into conflict with evil powers. As
God's Son, he conquers the evil spirit. He does it by exercising
his authority as God's Son.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C, E) -- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom." (v. 10)
Psalm 1 (L)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers which
surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that, with your
help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sin has
brought upon us."
Hymn Of The Day
"Dear Christians, One And All, Rejoice"
Theme Of The Day: The Nature Of Authority
Gospel -- The authority of identity -- who you are.
Lesson 1 -- The authority of reception -- who gave it to you.
Lesson 2 -- The authority of revelation -- what you know.
Authority is a primary theme of this day. Jesus teaches and
heals with an authority greater than the authority of the
scribes. A prophet like Moses is to be heeded because he speaks
with the authority of God's word. In Lesson 2 the authority to
eat meat without pangs of conscience is based upon the knowledge
that "there is no God but one." Psalm 111 informs us that the
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the authority
inherent in wisdom. The Prayer of the Day calls for strength to
overcome the weakness caused by sin. The Hymn of the Day, by
Luther, harmonizes with the Prayer by dealing with sin and grace.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
1. Immediately (vv. 21, 23). This is a word Mark often uses.
It has theological significance. It denotes a sense of urgency
and importance. The kingdom cannot wait. There is no place for
laxity nor procrastination. One must work while it is day before
the night comes. The fields are white unto harvest. Jesus had a
world to save in three years! He has the whole truth of God to
reveal. He needs to set up a movement to carry on his work when
he leaves. The church today needs to imitate Christ in this
matter to overcome its lethargy.
2. Authority (v. 22). The authority of Jesus was expressed in
word and deed. He impressed the congregation with his authority
and astonished them with his authority to cast out a demon. It
was an authority without authoritarianism which people do not
admire. This is a problem for preachers as authority figures: how
to preach with authority without being authoritarian. Jesus'
authority was different from other religious leaders. Their
authority was second-hand as derived from past "authorities."
Jesus had the authority of his identity as "the Holy One of God."
His authority was based on who he was.
3. Unclean (v. 23). A man was in "church" worshiping and
listening to a sermon by the best preacher ever to come on earth.
An "unclean" person is one possessed by an evil spirit. Is it
strange he would be in church? This reminds us that evil is
present in people who are faithful, religious persons. The devil
can exist in the church. Christians are not perfect people. The
church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital of diseased
people in need of a cure.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1. Like me (v. 15). Prophets are not the same. There are good
and bad prophets. Moses was the best prophet Israel ever had.
Jeremiah faced this problem in his day, for false prophets were
promising peace when there was no peace. Jesus warned against
false shepherds. Not every preacher is to be respected, admired
and obeyed, for he might be an agent of Satan in the guise of a
man of God. The proof of a good prophet is that his words come
true.
2. My words (v. 18). A prophet is one who speaks for God. God
tells him what to say. He puts his words into the prophet's
mouth, and thus he becomes the mouthpiece or the loudspeaker of
God. The prophet can take no credit for what he says. The truth
is not his. Because he is not responsible for the content of his
message, he can speak boldly. Herein is the source of the
authority and power of preaching God's Word, not the prophet's,
has the authority and power. This calls for biblical preaching,
for preaching the Word.
3. Heed (v. 19). The prophet has the responsibility to
proclaim faithfully God's Word while the people have the
responsibility to heed the Word by obeying. The authority of the
Word proclaimed must be recognized, accepted and obeyed. The Word
that is to be obeyed comes through the words of the preacher-
prophet. He is the voice of God. He is the mediator between God
and the people. God does not speak directly to people. He chooses
to speak through the preacher as he declares the Word. If the
sermon is true to God's Word, it is to be more than enjoyed or
discussed; it is to be obeyed.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
1. Knowledge (v. 1). There is a difference between knowledge
and truth. Not all knowledge deals with truth. There is a
knowledge that just puffs up the pride of man. The truth of
72
God is authoritative and liberating. Truth is self-
authenticating. It needs no defense nor apology. A knowledge of
the truth brings the authority and liberation to the one who
knows. Thus, we constantly emphasize the need for more and more
education.
2. Idols (v. 4). An idol is a representative for a god. For a
Christian, idols are non-existent, for there is only one God. But
for non-Christians, idols do exist. An idol is that which a
devotee considers to be of ultimate concern. For this person the
idol is real. For those who have not come to the knowledge of the
truth of the one true God, there can be a conflict of interests.
To eat meat identified with an idol means nothing to one with
knowledge, but to the Christian without knowledge, it would be an
offense to the conscience.
3. Liberty (v. 9). Knowledge of the truth about God results in
freedom. But there are times when a Christian will give up
freedom for the well-being of a weak brother or sister who has
not reached the stage of liberty. As a Christian, as Luther said,
'I am freest of all men, but out of love I sacrifice the freedom
for my brother's good. Love is a higher value than freedom."
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
The Question Of Authority
Need: In our times we have experienced an erosion of
authority. The authority of the Bible has been questioned by
various biblical scholars. There is a well-known breakdown of
authority in the home. Many no longer respect the authority of
the law nor of public officials, resulting in civil disobedience.
In the church, specifically the Roman church, many members do not
heed the authoritative teachings of the church on birth control,
abortion, divorce and re-marriage. Today's Lessons deal with
authority and several possibilities for preaching on all three
Lessons exist. Possible Outlines:
1. Kinds of Authority
a. The authority of Identity -- Gospel.
b. The authority of God's Word -- Lesson 1.
c. The authority of knowledge of God -- Lesson 2.
2. Characteristics of Authority
a. The source of authority -- Gospel.
b. Obedience to authority -- Lesson 1.
c. Result of authority -- liberty -- Lesson 2.
3. Who has Authority?
a. The authority of Jesus -- nature of deity -- Gospel.
b. The authority of a prophet -- God's Word -- Lesson 1.
c. The authority of a Christian -- knowledge of God --
Lesson 2.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
1. Jesus the exorcist. 1:21-28
Need: Our world suffers from people possessed by unclean
spirits. This includes the church as well. The evidence for this
claim is abundant: rape, murder, theft, perjury, bribery, child
abuse and sexual immorality. How can we explain or understand
this wave of wickedness? The answer is in the fact that we are
demon-possessed. The book and movie The Exorcist, are still
frighteningly fresh in the minds of many. Is there a solution?
Can we be freed from demonic possession?
Outline: What we learn from this passage.
a. The reality of evil -- vv. 23-24.
b. The nature of the church -- vs. 23. The unclean man was
in church at worship.
c. The solution -- vv. 25-26. Jesus has the authority to
drive out evil spirits.
2. Jesus: authority figure. 1:21-28
Need: In our day we have a revulsion against authority figures
-- a pastor, state official, parent, et. al. We seem to resent an
authority figure because it seems to say we are dominated,
directed and denied our independence. We want to be free to make
our own decisions and to do our own thing. In this passage Jesus
appears as an authority figure, and yet the people like it. They
are favorably impressed and marvel at his authority. Can we feel
the same about Jesus today? Let's look at him and his type of
authority.
Outline: Consider Jesus as an authority figure.
a. Source of his authority: who he is -- v. 24.
b. Authority of his knowledge: teaching -- v. 22.
c. Authority over evil -- vv. 25, 26.
3. Authority -- so what? 1:21-28
Need: It is one thing to have authority and it is another to
have that authority accepted. Lack of respect for authority is a
problem of our day. Some years ago, millions in Iran demonstrated
against the Shah to the point that he had to leave the country.
Though he had authority as a king, his authority was no longer
accepted, respected and obeyed by a majority of the people. The
same can happen to any person of authority, including Jesus. What
is our response to his authority?
Outline: Our reaction to authority --
a. Recognize authority -- v. 22.
b. Respect authority -- v. 24.
c. Respond to authority -- v. 26.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1. God's kind of a prophet. 18:15-20
Need: There are good and bad people everywhere, even among
prophets or preachers. The world was shocked and dismayed when in
1978 Jim Jones led over 900 of his people in Guyana to suicide.
"What kind of a preacher is that?" they asked. In order to
prevent such a debacle from happening to us, we need to evaluate
our preachers to see if we should follow them. In this passage we
have the criteria for a good preacher whom we can follow with
confidence. "That prophet" was personalized in Jesus.
Outline: God's kind of a prophet is --
a. A good prophet -- "like me" -- v. 15.
b. A mediator between God and his people -- v. 16.
c. A mouthpiece for God -- v. 18.
2. Should you listen to your preacher? 18:15-20
Need: Not everyone listens (obeys) to his preacher. Maybe he
should not because he may be a false prophet (v. 20). Would that
the 914 people of the People's Temple in Guyana had not listened
to Jim Jones! Here are reasons why the people should listen to
and heed their preachers. In v. 19, God expects his people to
give heed to their preacher.
Outline: You should listen to your preacher because --
a. He is a good preacher -- "like me" -- v. 15.
b. He speaks God's Word -- v. 18.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
1. Free in chains! 8:1-13.
Need: In this Lesson we have a paradox; we are free but
enslaved. Our knowledge of God frees us from superstition,
legalism and a bad conscience, but love enslaves us for the
welfare of our weak brother who does not yet have the knowledge.
The Lesson harmonizes with Luther's "Christian Liberty" in which
he said that the Christian is the freest of all men but the
servant of all. This principle comes out of a practical prolem in
the Corinthian church -- the eating of meat offered to idols. Can
a Christian eat such meat? Though this problem
74
does not exist today, the principle still holds good. How many
Christians today are willing to sacrifice their freedom of
lifestyle to prevent offending a narrow Christian?
Need: To be free in chains --
a. Know the truth about God -- vv. 1-3.
b. The truth will set you free -- vv. 7-8.
c. Love enslaves you to your brother -- vv. 9-13.
2. Something better than an education. 8:1-3
Need: Our generation has gone gung-ho for education. Many jobs
are open only to those with a college diploma. Though we are
better educated than our parents and grandparents, we may not be
better off. Education alone can make us sophisticated,
superficial and "superior" to the less educated. In this text
Paul points out the danger of knowledge and points to a better
way of life -- love. If one had to choose between knowledge and
love, Paul would suggest the choice of love.
Outline: The difference between knowledge and love --
a. Knowledge puffs up -- v. 1. Pride, arrogance,
superiority.
b. Love builds up -- v. 1. Builds good relations with God
and man.
75
