The God of the universe takes on the form of a servant
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: The God of the universe takes on the form of a servant, suffering not only abuse and scorn, but giving his life for the redemption of the world.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a (C); Isaiah 50:4--7 (RC)
The third servant song. The Lord gives his servant the task of comforting his beaten people. His efforts meet with rejection and abuse but his faith in Yahweh remains unwavering.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 45:21--25 (E)
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5--11 (C, E); Philippians 2:6--11 (RC)
Paul shares this lovely hymn of Christ's humility to restore to the Corinthian Church a sense of unity. The hymn contrasts the divinity of the Lord with his humanity. Jesus was in the form of God pre--existent and divine, yet he emptied himself (v. 7), the ultimate in self--giving service. Consequently, God honored him for his self--abandonment by making him the sovereign of the universe, who would eventually receive the worship and praise of all that inhabit the universe.
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47 (C, RC); Mark (14:32--72) 15:1--39 (40--47) (E)
On Passion Sunday we have two options for the Gospel, a long or abbreviated version of the sufferings and death of our Lord. Since so few Christians attend Good Friday services, a strong argument can be made for employing the long form. However, to keep the interest of the congregation, I would highly recommend doing so in the form of a readers' theater which involves the entire congregation. Those who have major parts should practice them beforehand. A sermon would not necessarily be needed in this case but adequate time should be allocated for meditation. A five minute meditation would also be acceptable. If you employ the shorter text, a ten to fifteen minute sermon is possible.
The longer version of the passion text begins with the account of Jesus' anointing by a woman in preparation for his burial. The shorter version commences after Jesus' arrest, on the morning of the day of crucifixion, and ends with the burial of Jesus in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other women mark the site of his burial. In the extended version, compassionate service of Jesus by women serve as parentheses for the passion of our Lord.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 31:9--16 (C) - "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress..." (v. 9a). "But I trust in you, O Lord..." (v. 14a).
Psalm 22:1--21 (E)
Psalm 21 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
O Gracious God, we sing your praise for sending your Son to take on our humanity in all its frailty and brokenness. Through the power of Christ's Spirit, lead us through our valley of the shadows and raise us to newness of life, in Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a
Facing the enemy. The servant faces shame and ridicule by his enemies but does not turn away, hide his head or flee. "I have not drawn back..." (v. 5). "I did not hide my face from mocking or spitting..." (v. 6). "Therefore, I have set my face like a flint..." (v. 7). The servant, probably identified with the prophet himself, did not attempt to strike down his enemy but neither did he back away from his God--given mission. Jesus faced down his enemies in precisely the same way, not by attacking them but by withstanding the fury of their misguided hatred.
The best defense possible. Verses 8 and 9 imply legal language. The servant stands confident that Yahweh is his defense attorney and that he would ultimately win him an acquittal. With such an advocate, he stands ready to face his foes. "Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!" (v. 8). What better defense than the One who created the laws of the universe? Likewise, those who stand acquitted through the mediation of Christ need not fear any foe they face in the cause of right.
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5--11
Having the right attitude and altitude. Attitude and altitude are two vital measures which a successful pilot must constantly assess. Attitude has to do with the pitch of the plane, whether the nose of the aircraft is up or down. Altitude measures how far the plane is above sea level. Having the correct attitude and altitude are essential aspects of successful flight. In fact, altitude is directly related to attitude. So too, having the right attitude toward God and one another is critical for maintaining the proper spiritual altitude. Our attitude should be that which was manifested by Christ Jesus who was in the form of God but lowered himself to become our human brother and servant.
Taking on a new identity. The poem that Paul quotes states that Jesus was in the very nature of God (v. 6) and took on our nature or humanity (v. 7). Those of us who are children of God find ourselves cloaked in a very human nature; yet in Christ we are empowered to take on the very nature of God, a new identity. However, the divine nature does not seek to dominate but serve. In a phrase, God took on our human nature that we might be clothed with his divine nature.
He made himself nothing (v. 7). I fear that some people might read a kind of false humility into this passage. God does not want us to feel that we are nothing, that we are garbage, just as Jesus did not feel that way about himself when he became our servant. The RSV states that Jesus "emptied himself"; that is, he poured himself out in service. In order to pour yourself out, you must first have something in your cup. We must first have a healthy sense of self before we can empty ourselves in service. Jesus didn't become "nothing" but acted as if he were nothing. This means that he didn't let who and what he was prevent him from pouring out his life, even unto death.
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47
The extravagance of love (14:3--9). As Jesus dined in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came and anointed Jesus' feet with an extremely expensive perfume (nard), probably imported from India. Those present commenced to criticize her for such an extravagance. Jesus, always a gracious receiver, sticks up for her and accepts her ministry in the spirit which it was given. It was a great act of love, probably rendered in appreciation for what Jesus had done for her. Love does not count the cost.
Loyalty has its price (14:10--11). There seems to be a relationship between the extravagance of the anointing and the betrayal by Judas. Judas was the treasurer for Jesus' disciples, perhaps he was greedy or maybe he was merely practical. It could be that letting the kind of money which the nard represented slip through his hands was just too much for a worldly man. Judas decided to betray his Master for the price of a slave. His loyalty definitely had its price. Does ours?
Cowardice and the cross. The time of crisis brings out the good and evil in all of us. In the story of Jesus' suffering and death we see mostly cowardly responses. Judas betrayed his Master. The unnamed young man (14:51--52), probably John Mark, nakedly flees the danger. Peter, the Rock, professes stalwart loyalty but denies that he even knows Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest (14:66--72). Pilate was convinced of Jesus' innocence, yet Pilate wished to satisfy those whom he was attempting to govern. His political future hung by a thread and so he too played the coward. The soldiers heaped cowardly abuse on an apparently helpless and innocent victim (15:16--20). The crowd at the foot of the cross hurled cowardly jeers and jests in the face of the One who absorbed all of their craven abuse. When any innocent victims suffer cowardly abuse, Christ is crucified anew. Do we bravely stand with them or do we flee the fury of cowards?
Open access (15:38). The curtain in the temple divided the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This inner sanctuary could only be entered by the High Priest once a year (the Day of Atonement). The curtain of the temple being torn indicates open access to God through the crucifixion of Christ.
Women of the passion. This pericope opens with a woman ministering to Jesus by anointing his head with ointment, a kind of pre--burial rite. With interest we note the story of our Lord's earthly life closes in the company of a host of nearby women disciples, most of whom are nameless (15:40--41). There were no women counted among the original twelve for a number of reasons, but there have always been women ministers among the followers of Jesus. Jesus never put women in their place and they were among his most loyal disciples.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a
Sermon Title: The Power Of The Word
Sermon Angle: The prophets have long recognized the power of the Word, not their own word but the word of the Lord. The servant of this passage acknowledges that the Lord has given him the power to sustain and strengthen through God's word (v. 4). God's word has the power to lift up and encourage, as the prophet had learned. He also discovered that the power to speak God's word was dependent on the ability to hear God's word (v. 5). God's word also enabled the servant to stand fast in holy purpose against the onslaughts of a cynical world.
Outline:
1. Give examples of the power of the word (Martin Luther King).
2. God gave his servant the power to encourage through God's word.
3. God's word made his servant a fortress of strength against the foe.
4. Give a contemporary witness of the power of God's word.
Sermon Title: High Noon
Sermon Angle: High Noon was one of the stellar movies of the 1950s. Like most westerns, the battle between the good guys and the bad guys composes the core of the plot. However, this western presents the reality of evil more convincingly than most. The plot has this small western community at the mercy of a band of bad guys. The leaders of the town decide to do something about it and so they hire a crack sheriff. The key confrontation was to come on a certain day at noon. The sheriff tries to get the community to stand together against the dark force but they refuse to put themselves at risk. The sheriff is left to face the outlaws by himself, though a few do get around to lending a hand at the last minute. The sheriff's wife tries to convince him to quit the conflict; the town isn't worth the effort. The sheriff does manage to destroy the band of desperados and he becomes a hero. However, the cowardice of the town's folk so disgusts him that he takes off his badge and rides into the sunset. To the casual observer of Isaiah's servant, it would appear that he was left alone to battle the enemy. However, the servant is able to act bravely because he knows that he is never alone. "Behold, the Lord God helps me..." (v. 9).
Outline:
1. In the battle against evil, it might appear that God's people stand alone, like the legendary lawman of the movie High Noon.
2. The messianic figure in our text faced a myriad of foes but knew that he was not alone. God was on his side.
3. Jesus felt alone on the cross ("My God...why have you forsaken me?"), yet God raised him from the dead.
4. Foes might outnumber us, but with the Lord we always have the edge.
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5--11
Sermon Title: Knee Bends: An Exercise That Will Keep You Humble
Sermon Angle: Paul maintains that because Jesus so emptied himself, even to death, God has bestowed on him the name above every name, the name of Lord and King. This name has the power to cause all human or superhuman beings to bow the knee in worship.
Sermon Title: An Attitude That Gains Altitude
Sermon Angle: Jesus Christ provides our role model. He had a humble attitude, the demeanor of a servant. God rewarded him by exalting him to the highest place (vv. 9--11). A Christian ought not consciously to aim for humility, nor should we regard humility as the gateway to glory. Humility is not an attitude that we can set our sights on. We can only focus on the glory of God and doing his will; then humility will trail behind like a caboose. Nevertheless, the attitude of humility enables the child of God to gain altitude.
Outline:
1. Paul encourages believers to have the servant attitude of Jesus.
2. This attitude gained Jesus altitude.
3. Assume the servant role, which will give you an attitude of humility.
4. Those who follow Jesus' example will gain altitude into God's presence.
Gospel: Mark 15:1--47
Sermon Title: Be Loyal: Don't Give Up The Exercise Of Your Faith
Sermon Angle: Mark 15:40--41 lifts up the women disciples of Jesus from Galilee, who cared for Jesus' needs. They were women ministers who stood by him to the end and prepared his body for burial. They were among the most faithful followers of our Lord. Perhaps that's why one of their number (Mary Magdalene) was the first to behold the risen Christ. We who live in society of Teflon loyalties (non--stick) would do well to hold high these women who did not waver in their devotion to Christ.
Outline:
1. Do you have a friend who has stuck with you through thick and thin? Have you been such a friend to others?
2. Most of Jesus' disciples fled after his arrest, Judas betrayed him, but the women disciples from Galilee stayed by him to the end.
3. Though there might be lapses in our loyalty, the gift of eternal life is promised to those who are faithful unto death.
Sermon Title: Falling On Deaf Ears
Sermon Angle: When our Lord's accusers brought him to Pilate, Jesus was asked to give his self--defense. To the governor's amazement, Jesus refused to speak (15:3--5). Why? Did he want to die? No, Jesus knew that anything he said would fall on deaf ears. The religious leaders were stirring up the crowd to shout for his blood. The silence of Jesus stands in sharp contrast to the bloodcurdling shouts of the mob (15:9--14). Pilate's request for the mob to register a valid charge against Jesus also fell on deaf ears. The crowd didn't care about justice. Their blood was set to boil through an appeal to emotion. When someone pushes a person's emotional hot spot, rational considerations fly out the door and fall on deaf ears. We can thank the Lord that our pleas for forgiveness and help do not fall on deaf ears.
Outline:
1. Jesus was silent before Pilate - any defense would fall on deaf ears.
2. Pilate's request for a valid charge against Jesus also fell on deaf ears.
3. We can thank God that he has not turned a deaf ear to us.
Sermon Title: False, Authentic And Christian Worship
Sermon Angle: In the passion scene where the soldiers were mocking Jesus, the text says (15:19): "Falling on their knees, they worshiped him." False worship at its worst. We might contrast this scene to that found in our Second Lesson (Philippians 2:10), where it states that "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." This will be authentic worship in the sense that all flesh will know that Jesus Christ truly is Lord and worship him as such. The problem is that, for many, this worship is rendered only after the verdict on Jesus' Lordship stands irrefutable. However, Christian worship consists of acknowledging the Lordship of Christ in this present age, when all the evidence is not in. Christian worship is fueled by faith.
Sermon Title: The Most God--forsaken Place
Sermon Angle: We sometimes refer to a barren landscape as "God--forsaken." There are areas in the landscape of our lives that seem God--forsaken: a loved one dies, we lose a job, a friend betrays us. Jesus also experienced a God--forsaken place in his life - the cross. God did not save him. His enemies were right: he saved others but he could not save himself (15:31). Then, of course, there's the soul--piercing cry of abandonment: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus experienced separation from God, the existential loneliness and hell caused by our sin. Jesus experienced that ultimate God--forsaken place, the cross, that we might enjoy eternal fellowship with God and all the saints.
Outline:
1. Tell of a time when you felt God--forsaken.
2. Ask your hearers to name their most God--forsaken place.
3. Speak of the cross as Jesus' most God--forsaken place (separation caused by our sin).
4. The point: God did not ultimately forsake Jesus but raised him from the dead. We will never be God--forsaken if we trust in Jesus.
__________
Our Lord experienced loneliness time and again. He struggled in spiritual isolation at Gethsemane to discern the Father's will. When he was arrested, the disciples all fled. On the cross, he felt totally abandoned. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The other day I heard on the radio that the average male does not have a single close friend. He may have plenty of companions or acquaintances but there are few, if any, with whom he can share his fears or failings. Maybe it's because society seems to tell men they must always be in control, always on top. Many men don't feel they can afford the luxury of being vulnerable. That's a really lonely spot to be in.
Women are, on average, less lonely than men. They have not been given the message by society that they must dominate and always be in control. Women are traditionally the relationship keepers. In a family, who is it that does the lion's share of the communicating with other family members? Right, the women. A wife usually maintains ties not only with biological family but also with her husband's. Women spend much more time talking and sharing. That's probably why widows survive longer after their spouse dies than widowers do. They have a built--in network of relationships that they can plug into.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a (C); Isaiah 50:4--7 (RC)
The third servant song. The Lord gives his servant the task of comforting his beaten people. His efforts meet with rejection and abuse but his faith in Yahweh remains unwavering.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 45:21--25 (E)
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5--11 (C, E); Philippians 2:6--11 (RC)
Paul shares this lovely hymn of Christ's humility to restore to the Corinthian Church a sense of unity. The hymn contrasts the divinity of the Lord with his humanity. Jesus was in the form of God pre--existent and divine, yet he emptied himself (v. 7), the ultimate in self--giving service. Consequently, God honored him for his self--abandonment by making him the sovereign of the universe, who would eventually receive the worship and praise of all that inhabit the universe.
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47 (C, RC); Mark (14:32--72) 15:1--39 (40--47) (E)
On Passion Sunday we have two options for the Gospel, a long or abbreviated version of the sufferings and death of our Lord. Since so few Christians attend Good Friday services, a strong argument can be made for employing the long form. However, to keep the interest of the congregation, I would highly recommend doing so in the form of a readers' theater which involves the entire congregation. Those who have major parts should practice them beforehand. A sermon would not necessarily be needed in this case but adequate time should be allocated for meditation. A five minute meditation would also be acceptable. If you employ the shorter text, a ten to fifteen minute sermon is possible.
The longer version of the passion text begins with the account of Jesus' anointing by a woman in preparation for his burial. The shorter version commences after Jesus' arrest, on the morning of the day of crucifixion, and ends with the burial of Jesus in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other women mark the site of his burial. In the extended version, compassionate service of Jesus by women serve as parentheses for the passion of our Lord.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 31:9--16 (C) - "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress..." (v. 9a). "But I trust in you, O Lord..." (v. 14a).
Psalm 22:1--21 (E)
Psalm 21 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
O Gracious God, we sing your praise for sending your Son to take on our humanity in all its frailty and brokenness. Through the power of Christ's Spirit, lead us through our valley of the shadows and raise us to newness of life, in Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a
Facing the enemy. The servant faces shame and ridicule by his enemies but does not turn away, hide his head or flee. "I have not drawn back..." (v. 5). "I did not hide my face from mocking or spitting..." (v. 6). "Therefore, I have set my face like a flint..." (v. 7). The servant, probably identified with the prophet himself, did not attempt to strike down his enemy but neither did he back away from his God--given mission. Jesus faced down his enemies in precisely the same way, not by attacking them but by withstanding the fury of their misguided hatred.
The best defense possible. Verses 8 and 9 imply legal language. The servant stands confident that Yahweh is his defense attorney and that he would ultimately win him an acquittal. With such an advocate, he stands ready to face his foes. "Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!" (v. 8). What better defense than the One who created the laws of the universe? Likewise, those who stand acquitted through the mediation of Christ need not fear any foe they face in the cause of right.
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5--11
Having the right attitude and altitude. Attitude and altitude are two vital measures which a successful pilot must constantly assess. Attitude has to do with the pitch of the plane, whether the nose of the aircraft is up or down. Altitude measures how far the plane is above sea level. Having the correct attitude and altitude are essential aspects of successful flight. In fact, altitude is directly related to attitude. So too, having the right attitude toward God and one another is critical for maintaining the proper spiritual altitude. Our attitude should be that which was manifested by Christ Jesus who was in the form of God but lowered himself to become our human brother and servant.
Taking on a new identity. The poem that Paul quotes states that Jesus was in the very nature of God (v. 6) and took on our nature or humanity (v. 7). Those of us who are children of God find ourselves cloaked in a very human nature; yet in Christ we are empowered to take on the very nature of God, a new identity. However, the divine nature does not seek to dominate but serve. In a phrase, God took on our human nature that we might be clothed with his divine nature.
He made himself nothing (v. 7). I fear that some people might read a kind of false humility into this passage. God does not want us to feel that we are nothing, that we are garbage, just as Jesus did not feel that way about himself when he became our servant. The RSV states that Jesus "emptied himself"; that is, he poured himself out in service. In order to pour yourself out, you must first have something in your cup. We must first have a healthy sense of self before we can empty ourselves in service. Jesus didn't become "nothing" but acted as if he were nothing. This means that he didn't let who and what he was prevent him from pouring out his life, even unto death.
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47
The extravagance of love (14:3--9). As Jesus dined in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came and anointed Jesus' feet with an extremely expensive perfume (nard), probably imported from India. Those present commenced to criticize her for such an extravagance. Jesus, always a gracious receiver, sticks up for her and accepts her ministry in the spirit which it was given. It was a great act of love, probably rendered in appreciation for what Jesus had done for her. Love does not count the cost.
Loyalty has its price (14:10--11). There seems to be a relationship between the extravagance of the anointing and the betrayal by Judas. Judas was the treasurer for Jesus' disciples, perhaps he was greedy or maybe he was merely practical. It could be that letting the kind of money which the nard represented slip through his hands was just too much for a worldly man. Judas decided to betray his Master for the price of a slave. His loyalty definitely had its price. Does ours?
Cowardice and the cross. The time of crisis brings out the good and evil in all of us. In the story of Jesus' suffering and death we see mostly cowardly responses. Judas betrayed his Master. The unnamed young man (14:51--52), probably John Mark, nakedly flees the danger. Peter, the Rock, professes stalwart loyalty but denies that he even knows Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest (14:66--72). Pilate was convinced of Jesus' innocence, yet Pilate wished to satisfy those whom he was attempting to govern. His political future hung by a thread and so he too played the coward. The soldiers heaped cowardly abuse on an apparently helpless and innocent victim (15:16--20). The crowd at the foot of the cross hurled cowardly jeers and jests in the face of the One who absorbed all of their craven abuse. When any innocent victims suffer cowardly abuse, Christ is crucified anew. Do we bravely stand with them or do we flee the fury of cowards?
Open access (15:38). The curtain in the temple divided the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This inner sanctuary could only be entered by the High Priest once a year (the Day of Atonement). The curtain of the temple being torn indicates open access to God through the crucifixion of Christ.
Women of the passion. This pericope opens with a woman ministering to Jesus by anointing his head with ointment, a kind of pre--burial rite. With interest we note the story of our Lord's earthly life closes in the company of a host of nearby women disciples, most of whom are nameless (15:40--41). There were no women counted among the original twelve for a number of reasons, but there have always been women ministers among the followers of Jesus. Jesus never put women in their place and they were among his most loyal disciples.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a
Sermon Title: The Power Of The Word
Sermon Angle: The prophets have long recognized the power of the Word, not their own word but the word of the Lord. The servant of this passage acknowledges that the Lord has given him the power to sustain and strengthen through God's word (v. 4). God's word has the power to lift up and encourage, as the prophet had learned. He also discovered that the power to speak God's word was dependent on the ability to hear God's word (v. 5). God's word also enabled the servant to stand fast in holy purpose against the onslaughts of a cynical world.
Outline:
1. Give examples of the power of the word (Martin Luther King).
2. God gave his servant the power to encourage through God's word.
3. God's word made his servant a fortress of strength against the foe.
4. Give a contemporary witness of the power of God's word.
Sermon Title: High Noon
Sermon Angle: High Noon was one of the stellar movies of the 1950s. Like most westerns, the battle between the good guys and the bad guys composes the core of the plot. However, this western presents the reality of evil more convincingly than most. The plot has this small western community at the mercy of a band of bad guys. The leaders of the town decide to do something about it and so they hire a crack sheriff. The key confrontation was to come on a certain day at noon. The sheriff tries to get the community to stand together against the dark force but they refuse to put themselves at risk. The sheriff is left to face the outlaws by himself, though a few do get around to lending a hand at the last minute. The sheriff's wife tries to convince him to quit the conflict; the town isn't worth the effort. The sheriff does manage to destroy the band of desperados and he becomes a hero. However, the cowardice of the town's folk so disgusts him that he takes off his badge and rides into the sunset. To the casual observer of Isaiah's servant, it would appear that he was left alone to battle the enemy. However, the servant is able to act bravely because he knows that he is never alone. "Behold, the Lord God helps me..." (v. 9).
Outline:
1. In the battle against evil, it might appear that God's people stand alone, like the legendary lawman of the movie High Noon.
2. The messianic figure in our text faced a myriad of foes but knew that he was not alone. God was on his side.
3. Jesus felt alone on the cross ("My God...why have you forsaken me?"), yet God raised him from the dead.
4. Foes might outnumber us, but with the Lord we always have the edge.
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5--11
Sermon Title: Knee Bends: An Exercise That Will Keep You Humble
Sermon Angle: Paul maintains that because Jesus so emptied himself, even to death, God has bestowed on him the name above every name, the name of Lord and King. This name has the power to cause all human or superhuman beings to bow the knee in worship.
Sermon Title: An Attitude That Gains Altitude
Sermon Angle: Jesus Christ provides our role model. He had a humble attitude, the demeanor of a servant. God rewarded him by exalting him to the highest place (vv. 9--11). A Christian ought not consciously to aim for humility, nor should we regard humility as the gateway to glory. Humility is not an attitude that we can set our sights on. We can only focus on the glory of God and doing his will; then humility will trail behind like a caboose. Nevertheless, the attitude of humility enables the child of God to gain altitude.
Outline:
1. Paul encourages believers to have the servant attitude of Jesus.
2. This attitude gained Jesus altitude.
3. Assume the servant role, which will give you an attitude of humility.
4. Those who follow Jesus' example will gain altitude into God's presence.
Gospel: Mark 15:1--47
Sermon Title: Be Loyal: Don't Give Up The Exercise Of Your Faith
Sermon Angle: Mark 15:40--41 lifts up the women disciples of Jesus from Galilee, who cared for Jesus' needs. They were women ministers who stood by him to the end and prepared his body for burial. They were among the most faithful followers of our Lord. Perhaps that's why one of their number (Mary Magdalene) was the first to behold the risen Christ. We who live in society of Teflon loyalties (non--stick) would do well to hold high these women who did not waver in their devotion to Christ.
Outline:
1. Do you have a friend who has stuck with you through thick and thin? Have you been such a friend to others?
2. Most of Jesus' disciples fled after his arrest, Judas betrayed him, but the women disciples from Galilee stayed by him to the end.
3. Though there might be lapses in our loyalty, the gift of eternal life is promised to those who are faithful unto death.
Sermon Title: Falling On Deaf Ears
Sermon Angle: When our Lord's accusers brought him to Pilate, Jesus was asked to give his self--defense. To the governor's amazement, Jesus refused to speak (15:3--5). Why? Did he want to die? No, Jesus knew that anything he said would fall on deaf ears. The religious leaders were stirring up the crowd to shout for his blood. The silence of Jesus stands in sharp contrast to the bloodcurdling shouts of the mob (15:9--14). Pilate's request for the mob to register a valid charge against Jesus also fell on deaf ears. The crowd didn't care about justice. Their blood was set to boil through an appeal to emotion. When someone pushes a person's emotional hot spot, rational considerations fly out the door and fall on deaf ears. We can thank the Lord that our pleas for forgiveness and help do not fall on deaf ears.
Outline:
1. Jesus was silent before Pilate - any defense would fall on deaf ears.
2. Pilate's request for a valid charge against Jesus also fell on deaf ears.
3. We can thank God that he has not turned a deaf ear to us.
Sermon Title: False, Authentic And Christian Worship
Sermon Angle: In the passion scene where the soldiers were mocking Jesus, the text says (15:19): "Falling on their knees, they worshiped him." False worship at its worst. We might contrast this scene to that found in our Second Lesson (Philippians 2:10), where it states that "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." This will be authentic worship in the sense that all flesh will know that Jesus Christ truly is Lord and worship him as such. The problem is that, for many, this worship is rendered only after the verdict on Jesus' Lordship stands irrefutable. However, Christian worship consists of acknowledging the Lordship of Christ in this present age, when all the evidence is not in. Christian worship is fueled by faith.
Sermon Title: The Most God--forsaken Place
Sermon Angle: We sometimes refer to a barren landscape as "God--forsaken." There are areas in the landscape of our lives that seem God--forsaken: a loved one dies, we lose a job, a friend betrays us. Jesus also experienced a God--forsaken place in his life - the cross. God did not save him. His enemies were right: he saved others but he could not save himself (15:31). Then, of course, there's the soul--piercing cry of abandonment: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus experienced separation from God, the existential loneliness and hell caused by our sin. Jesus experienced that ultimate God--forsaken place, the cross, that we might enjoy eternal fellowship with God and all the saints.
Outline:
1. Tell of a time when you felt God--forsaken.
2. Ask your hearers to name their most God--forsaken place.
3. Speak of the cross as Jesus' most God--forsaken place (separation caused by our sin).
4. The point: God did not ultimately forsake Jesus but raised him from the dead. We will never be God--forsaken if we trust in Jesus.
__________
Our Lord experienced loneliness time and again. He struggled in spiritual isolation at Gethsemane to discern the Father's will. When he was arrested, the disciples all fled. On the cross, he felt totally abandoned. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The other day I heard on the radio that the average male does not have a single close friend. He may have plenty of companions or acquaintances but there are few, if any, with whom he can share his fears or failings. Maybe it's because society seems to tell men they must always be in control, always on top. Many men don't feel they can afford the luxury of being vulnerable. That's a really lonely spot to be in.
Women are, on average, less lonely than men. They have not been given the message by society that they must dominate and always be in control. Women are traditionally the relationship keepers. In a family, who is it that does the lion's share of the communicating with other family members? Right, the women. A wife usually maintains ties not only with biological family but also with her husband's. Women spend much more time talking and sharing. That's probably why widows survive longer after their spouse dies than widowers do. They have a built--in network of relationships that they can plug into.
