God's good news
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: God's good news. God shows his graciousness through the covenant he established through Noah. God would never again destroy the world through flood. In the Gospel Jesus announces the kingdom of God. All we have to do is repent and believe the good news.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 9:8--17 (C, E); Genesis 9:8--15 (RC)
Humans become so corrupt that Yahweh drowns them all in a great flood, except for Noah and his family. Noah, his family and various animals are kept safe on the ark which the Lord told Noah to construct. Yahweh promises never again to destroy all the world through flood. This is a universal covenant with all humankind and all the creatures of the world. The sign of the covenant comes in the form of a rainbow. The ancients thought of the rainbow as God's weapon, his bow, with which he shot lightning bolts. Putting his bow in the heavens where all could see it demonstrates that God's wrath has been put aside.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:18--22 (C, RC, E)
Christ is our once and for all time sacrifice for sin, offered to make us right with God. Verses 19--20 are unique in the New Testament by claiming that after his physical death, the spirit of Jesus went to Sheol, the Jewish abode of the dead, and preached repentance to the spirits of those who were destroyed during the time of Noah. With the flood imagery in mind, Peter compares the flood to Christian baptism. The flood was an instrument of judgment for the unrepentant. In contrast, baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ saves us. Water, in the flood account, symbolizes death, but for Christians the water of baptism remains the prime symbol of life.
Gospel: Mark 1:9--15 (C); Mark 1:12--15 (RC); Mark 1:9--13 (E)
Mark sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. John the Baptist has been preaching a baptism of repentance. Jesus comes to John for baptism, a type of ordination. Note there is no protest from John. The heavens open and the Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove. A voice from heaven proclaims Jesus God's beloved (chosen) Son. The same Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness, where he is tested for 40 days by Satan. No specifics of Jesus' temptation are revealed by Mark, in contrast to what we find in Matthew and Luke. These actions conclude the preparatory phases of Jesus' ministry. Now Jesus stands ready to launch his mission. Verse 15 summarizes the entire ministry of Jesus, as told by Mark. "The time is come...The kingdom of heaven is near. Repent and believe the good news."
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 25:1--10 (C); Psalm 25 (E) - "Make me to know your ways, O Lord" (v. 4).
Psalm 24 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
O Merciful Lord, your Son strove with Satan and won. By the power of your Spirit, give us the vision to see our sins and the strength to turn our back on the same, that we might know the joy of your kingdom. In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 9:8--17
Never again. It almost seems like God regrets his having covered the earth with a flood. God promises to establish his covenant with all creatures on earth and never to destroy them again by flood (v. 11). This raises an interesting question. Has God ever regretted anything he has done? If so, why doesn't he undo it? Maybe God feels like parents do sometimes when they have to discipline their children. They regret having to take such drastic actions but do it anyway for the good of the entire family.
Celestial disarmament? The Lord promises to place his bow in the heavens as a sign of his covenant of peace. In the thinking of the ancients the rainbow was God's weapon, the instrument with which he shot his arrows (lightning bolts). God is putting his weapon on the table so all can see and be at ease. It's true that the covenant only mentions that God will never destroy creation with a flood, but I wonder if more isn't suggested here. Is God renouncing violence as the means of solving problems?
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:18--22
Final sacrifice. In the Noah story we have most of the world dying for the sins of mankind. In the story of Christ's sacrifice we have one sacrifice by God for the sins of the world. Christ's sacrifice was the final sacrifice, once and for all.
Second chance. This passage asserts that the spirit of Jesus went to the abode of the dead during the period that his body lay in the tomb for the purpose of preaching repentance to those who perished during the great flood. Perhaps this passage had a formative influence on the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory. It seems that Noah's contemporaries were given a second chance to repent. The Lord does indeed give us many chances to repent in this life, but will he give us another opportunity after death? I wouldn't count on it!
Water of life (v. 21). During the flood the waters brought death. In baptism the waters bring us from death into life.
Gospel: Mark 1:9--15
Spirit driven. Jesus was Spirit driven. Mark reports that immediately after Jesus' baptism and acclamation by the Father, the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. The earthly Jesus did not live by his own power but was propelled and energized by God's Spirit. The secret of the Christian life is being Spirit driven rather than being driven by self--serving ambitions.
Major and minor scale. Music has its major scales and its minor scales. The major scale is celebrative, happy and outgoing music. Minor scale music is more moody, brooding and introspective. Life itself has its major and minor scales. Most of us would rather play out our lives in the major scale; we would prefer that our lives would always be upbeat and buoyant. Yet if life were always on the major scale, it might prove to be superficial, even boring. Interesting music and fulfilling living have contrast, with changes of tempo, mood and scale. The baptism of Jesus was definitely major key, life on the upbeat. He knew himself to be the beloved Son of God. But right after this bright experience, the downbeat was unmistakably sounded. Jesus was driven into the wilderness, thought of as the abode of Satan and evil spirits, where he was tempted by Satan. His life became a struggle for clarity and strength. We need to remember that God is the conductor of the symphony of life, which includes both major and minor keys.
The wilderness experience. The wilderness of Israel is not the same as what we think of as wilderness. The lovely mountain wilderness, which now surrounds me, points to the greatness of our Creator at every turn. However, it was a desert wilderness that Jesus entered - harsh, hot and inhospitable. Yet even in this barren and mysterious place Jesus was not alone. Mark notes that ministering angels were sent to him. Life sometimes assumes the nature of a hostile wilderness for us. The wild beasts of tragedy, sickness and death threaten our life. Sometimes the Lord himself may drive us to the wilderness of testing. With the help of God's Spirit and through the power of prayer, we can come through these wilderness experiences with clarity of mind and strength of purpose.
Initiative and response. Jesus opened his ministry by proclaiming "...the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe the good news" (v. 15). God takes the initiative in establishing the kingdom. All we have to do is respond. Our response is first of all to believe the good news and then to repent by letting the Spirit turn our lives in a new direction.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 9:8--17
Sermon Title: You're In Good Hands
Sermon Angle: Most homeowners take out insurance against man--made or natural catastrophes. One prominent company advertises "You're in good hands with Allstate." After the flood God covered the whole world and every creature with an insurance policy (maybe we should dub it an assurance policy) that guarantees that all creation will never again be inundated by flood waters. This is more than flood insurance. I see it as a promise that God will never again make all creation suffer near--extinction as the divine punishment for the sins of mankind. Creation is in good and loving hands.
Outline:
1. The flood was divine punishment for human sinfulness.
2. Creation suffered near--extinction.
3. God made his covenant of peace with all creation after the flood, symbolized by the rainbow (flood assurance).
4. The world is in good hands with God.
5. Let us care for the earth as extensions of God's loving hands.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:18--22
Sermon Title: The Final Solution
Sermon Angle: God had a huge problem to solve, human sinfulness. The flood solution didn't work too well. Sin still darkened the heart of those spared in the ark. God called the people of Israel to be his own people, to live by his laws and to love him. They too fell far short of the mark. Finally God sent his Son to die for our sins, once for all (v. 18). Christ is God's final solution for the problem of sin, which leads to death. All who accept the Lord's solution are saved.
Outline:
1. Humans present God with a huge problem - sin!
2. God employed various remedies - the flood, the law, punishments - but they were only penultimate remedies.
3. God finally sent his Son to rob sin of its power to destroy - the final solution.
4. Have you embraced God's final solution for sin?
Sermon Title: How To Clear Your Conscience
Sermon Angle: We have all done things that weigh heavy on our conscience. Some are so deeply troubled that they seek professional help. Counselors can help us deal with problems but only God can free us from guilt and give us a clear conscience. Baptism is God's way of washing away the film of guilt that clouds our vision of ourselves, our God and others. Peter goes so far as to say that baptism saves us not by removal of dirt from the body but from the heart, mind and conscience (v. 21). The world tries to clear the conscience by eliminating sin, Christ does so by freeing us from guilt. Baptism clears our conscience through the application of a generous lather of God's grace, acceptance and forgiveness.
Outline:
1. Tell of a time when you were plagued by a guilty conscience.
2. Tell what you and others have done in dealing with a cloudy conscience.
3. Reveal God's remedy for a troubled conscience - God's baptismal grace.
Gospel: Mark 1:9--15
Sermon Title: Wilderness Survival Training
Sermon Angle: If you are going to survive in the wilderness there are certain facts that you must know. You must know what you can eat and drink, where to find shelter, how to deal with enemies or dangers and how to obtain help. Jesus must have had wilderness training. He knew how to survive in a hostile, enemy--held territory, deprived of normal comforts. His relationship with his Father gave him strength not only to survive but to become a stronger person.
Outline:
1. Tell a story of wilderness survival.
2. Explain that the real wilderness is not a geographical area but a spiritual state of being (loneliness, addiction...).
3. Wilderness experiences make us more vulnerable to the devil.
4. Jesus survived his wilderness experience through training and the power of the Spirit. So can we.
An American fighter plane was shot down over Bosnia by hostile Serb forces. The pilot safely ejected, laid low in the forests during the day and traveled at night. This enterprising pilot put his survival training into practice, eating and drinking whatever nature provided. He wisely broadcast his distress signal only sparingly and under the cover of darkness. After six or seven days and nights he was rescued by a daring American commando raid, with no loss of life. During the numerous interviews after his rescue, he revealed that the power that kept him going was his faith in God. He gave the Lord primary credit for his wilderness survival and rescue. Like Jesus in his wilderness experience, he dwelt in the midst of wild beasts but God sent angels to minister to him.
__________
The wilderness was considered a hostile environment, the haunt of evil. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to do battle with the Enemy and prepare for the greater struggle that was to come. According to a poll by U.S. News (reported in the April 4, 1995 issue) about thirty percent of Americans believe the culture of America constitutes a wilderness of forces hostile to their moral and spiritual values. Television tops of the list of enemy forces; 62 percent feel that TV is hostile to their beliefs and values, followed by Congress, 47 percent, newspapers, 46 percent, and President Clinton, 34 percent.
__________
Sermon Title: Begin Your Spiritual Fitness Program With This Exercise
Sermon Angle: Lent is a time of spiritual discipline and spiritual exercises. Athletes tone up and train their bodies through a regimen of special exercises which not only discipline the body but the mind as well. Lent is a good time to get serious about a regular program of spiritual exercises. Jesus announced the kingdom of God and then commanded his hearers to do two exercises in response to this new reality - repentance and faith (v. 15).
Outline:
1. Skilled athletes reach stardom because they know there is a reality they want to be a part of so badly that they engage in a life of discipline and exercise.
2. The kingdom of God, ushered in by Jesus, is a reality we can realize through spiritual discipline - repentance and faith.
- Repentance means turning from our sinful life.
3. Practice these two exercises you can't live without - repentance and faith.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 9:8--17 (C, E); Genesis 9:8--15 (RC)
Humans become so corrupt that Yahweh drowns them all in a great flood, except for Noah and his family. Noah, his family and various animals are kept safe on the ark which the Lord told Noah to construct. Yahweh promises never again to destroy all the world through flood. This is a universal covenant with all humankind and all the creatures of the world. The sign of the covenant comes in the form of a rainbow. The ancients thought of the rainbow as God's weapon, his bow, with which he shot lightning bolts. Putting his bow in the heavens where all could see it demonstrates that God's wrath has been put aside.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:18--22 (C, RC, E)
Christ is our once and for all time sacrifice for sin, offered to make us right with God. Verses 19--20 are unique in the New Testament by claiming that after his physical death, the spirit of Jesus went to Sheol, the Jewish abode of the dead, and preached repentance to the spirits of those who were destroyed during the time of Noah. With the flood imagery in mind, Peter compares the flood to Christian baptism. The flood was an instrument of judgment for the unrepentant. In contrast, baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ saves us. Water, in the flood account, symbolizes death, but for Christians the water of baptism remains the prime symbol of life.
Gospel: Mark 1:9--15 (C); Mark 1:12--15 (RC); Mark 1:9--13 (E)
Mark sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. John the Baptist has been preaching a baptism of repentance. Jesus comes to John for baptism, a type of ordination. Note there is no protest from John. The heavens open and the Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove. A voice from heaven proclaims Jesus God's beloved (chosen) Son. The same Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness, where he is tested for 40 days by Satan. No specifics of Jesus' temptation are revealed by Mark, in contrast to what we find in Matthew and Luke. These actions conclude the preparatory phases of Jesus' ministry. Now Jesus stands ready to launch his mission. Verse 15 summarizes the entire ministry of Jesus, as told by Mark. "The time is come...The kingdom of heaven is near. Repent and believe the good news."
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 25:1--10 (C); Psalm 25 (E) - "Make me to know your ways, O Lord" (v. 4).
Psalm 24 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
O Merciful Lord, your Son strove with Satan and won. By the power of your Spirit, give us the vision to see our sins and the strength to turn our back on the same, that we might know the joy of your kingdom. In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 9:8--17
Never again. It almost seems like God regrets his having covered the earth with a flood. God promises to establish his covenant with all creatures on earth and never to destroy them again by flood (v. 11). This raises an interesting question. Has God ever regretted anything he has done? If so, why doesn't he undo it? Maybe God feels like parents do sometimes when they have to discipline their children. They regret having to take such drastic actions but do it anyway for the good of the entire family.
Celestial disarmament? The Lord promises to place his bow in the heavens as a sign of his covenant of peace. In the thinking of the ancients the rainbow was God's weapon, the instrument with which he shot his arrows (lightning bolts). God is putting his weapon on the table so all can see and be at ease. It's true that the covenant only mentions that God will never destroy creation with a flood, but I wonder if more isn't suggested here. Is God renouncing violence as the means of solving problems?
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:18--22
Final sacrifice. In the Noah story we have most of the world dying for the sins of mankind. In the story of Christ's sacrifice we have one sacrifice by God for the sins of the world. Christ's sacrifice was the final sacrifice, once and for all.
Second chance. This passage asserts that the spirit of Jesus went to the abode of the dead during the period that his body lay in the tomb for the purpose of preaching repentance to those who perished during the great flood. Perhaps this passage had a formative influence on the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory. It seems that Noah's contemporaries were given a second chance to repent. The Lord does indeed give us many chances to repent in this life, but will he give us another opportunity after death? I wouldn't count on it!
Water of life (v. 21). During the flood the waters brought death. In baptism the waters bring us from death into life.
Gospel: Mark 1:9--15
Spirit driven. Jesus was Spirit driven. Mark reports that immediately after Jesus' baptism and acclamation by the Father, the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. The earthly Jesus did not live by his own power but was propelled and energized by God's Spirit. The secret of the Christian life is being Spirit driven rather than being driven by self--serving ambitions.
Major and minor scale. Music has its major scales and its minor scales. The major scale is celebrative, happy and outgoing music. Minor scale music is more moody, brooding and introspective. Life itself has its major and minor scales. Most of us would rather play out our lives in the major scale; we would prefer that our lives would always be upbeat and buoyant. Yet if life were always on the major scale, it might prove to be superficial, even boring. Interesting music and fulfilling living have contrast, with changes of tempo, mood and scale. The baptism of Jesus was definitely major key, life on the upbeat. He knew himself to be the beloved Son of God. But right after this bright experience, the downbeat was unmistakably sounded. Jesus was driven into the wilderness, thought of as the abode of Satan and evil spirits, where he was tempted by Satan. His life became a struggle for clarity and strength. We need to remember that God is the conductor of the symphony of life, which includes both major and minor keys.
The wilderness experience. The wilderness of Israel is not the same as what we think of as wilderness. The lovely mountain wilderness, which now surrounds me, points to the greatness of our Creator at every turn. However, it was a desert wilderness that Jesus entered - harsh, hot and inhospitable. Yet even in this barren and mysterious place Jesus was not alone. Mark notes that ministering angels were sent to him. Life sometimes assumes the nature of a hostile wilderness for us. The wild beasts of tragedy, sickness and death threaten our life. Sometimes the Lord himself may drive us to the wilderness of testing. With the help of God's Spirit and through the power of prayer, we can come through these wilderness experiences with clarity of mind and strength of purpose.
Initiative and response. Jesus opened his ministry by proclaiming "...the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe the good news" (v. 15). God takes the initiative in establishing the kingdom. All we have to do is respond. Our response is first of all to believe the good news and then to repent by letting the Spirit turn our lives in a new direction.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 9:8--17
Sermon Title: You're In Good Hands
Sermon Angle: Most homeowners take out insurance against man--made or natural catastrophes. One prominent company advertises "You're in good hands with Allstate." After the flood God covered the whole world and every creature with an insurance policy (maybe we should dub it an assurance policy) that guarantees that all creation will never again be inundated by flood waters. This is more than flood insurance. I see it as a promise that God will never again make all creation suffer near--extinction as the divine punishment for the sins of mankind. Creation is in good and loving hands.
Outline:
1. The flood was divine punishment for human sinfulness.
2. Creation suffered near--extinction.
3. God made his covenant of peace with all creation after the flood, symbolized by the rainbow (flood assurance).
4. The world is in good hands with God.
5. Let us care for the earth as extensions of God's loving hands.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:18--22
Sermon Title: The Final Solution
Sermon Angle: God had a huge problem to solve, human sinfulness. The flood solution didn't work too well. Sin still darkened the heart of those spared in the ark. God called the people of Israel to be his own people, to live by his laws and to love him. They too fell far short of the mark. Finally God sent his Son to die for our sins, once for all (v. 18). Christ is God's final solution for the problem of sin, which leads to death. All who accept the Lord's solution are saved.
Outline:
1. Humans present God with a huge problem - sin!
2. God employed various remedies - the flood, the law, punishments - but they were only penultimate remedies.
3. God finally sent his Son to rob sin of its power to destroy - the final solution.
4. Have you embraced God's final solution for sin?
Sermon Title: How To Clear Your Conscience
Sermon Angle: We have all done things that weigh heavy on our conscience. Some are so deeply troubled that they seek professional help. Counselors can help us deal with problems but only God can free us from guilt and give us a clear conscience. Baptism is God's way of washing away the film of guilt that clouds our vision of ourselves, our God and others. Peter goes so far as to say that baptism saves us not by removal of dirt from the body but from the heart, mind and conscience (v. 21). The world tries to clear the conscience by eliminating sin, Christ does so by freeing us from guilt. Baptism clears our conscience through the application of a generous lather of God's grace, acceptance and forgiveness.
Outline:
1. Tell of a time when you were plagued by a guilty conscience.
2. Tell what you and others have done in dealing with a cloudy conscience.
3. Reveal God's remedy for a troubled conscience - God's baptismal grace.
Gospel: Mark 1:9--15
Sermon Title: Wilderness Survival Training
Sermon Angle: If you are going to survive in the wilderness there are certain facts that you must know. You must know what you can eat and drink, where to find shelter, how to deal with enemies or dangers and how to obtain help. Jesus must have had wilderness training. He knew how to survive in a hostile, enemy--held territory, deprived of normal comforts. His relationship with his Father gave him strength not only to survive but to become a stronger person.
Outline:
1. Tell a story of wilderness survival.
2. Explain that the real wilderness is not a geographical area but a spiritual state of being (loneliness, addiction...).
3. Wilderness experiences make us more vulnerable to the devil.
4. Jesus survived his wilderness experience through training and the power of the Spirit. So can we.
An American fighter plane was shot down over Bosnia by hostile Serb forces. The pilot safely ejected, laid low in the forests during the day and traveled at night. This enterprising pilot put his survival training into practice, eating and drinking whatever nature provided. He wisely broadcast his distress signal only sparingly and under the cover of darkness. After six or seven days and nights he was rescued by a daring American commando raid, with no loss of life. During the numerous interviews after his rescue, he revealed that the power that kept him going was his faith in God. He gave the Lord primary credit for his wilderness survival and rescue. Like Jesus in his wilderness experience, he dwelt in the midst of wild beasts but God sent angels to minister to him.
__________
The wilderness was considered a hostile environment, the haunt of evil. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to do battle with the Enemy and prepare for the greater struggle that was to come. According to a poll by U.S. News (reported in the April 4, 1995 issue) about thirty percent of Americans believe the culture of America constitutes a wilderness of forces hostile to their moral and spiritual values. Television tops of the list of enemy forces; 62 percent feel that TV is hostile to their beliefs and values, followed by Congress, 47 percent, newspapers, 46 percent, and President Clinton, 34 percent.
__________
Sermon Title: Begin Your Spiritual Fitness Program With This Exercise
Sermon Angle: Lent is a time of spiritual discipline and spiritual exercises. Athletes tone up and train their bodies through a regimen of special exercises which not only discipline the body but the mind as well. Lent is a good time to get serious about a regular program of spiritual exercises. Jesus announced the kingdom of God and then commanded his hearers to do two exercises in response to this new reality - repentance and faith (v. 15).
Outline:
1. Skilled athletes reach stardom because they know there is a reality they want to be a part of so badly that they engage in a life of discipline and exercise.
2. The kingdom of God, ushered in by Jesus, is a reality we can realize through spiritual discipline - repentance and faith.
- Repentance means turning from our sinful life.
3. Practice these two exercises you can't live without - repentance and faith.
