Proper 10
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
David is situated in Jerusalem with his government and he
defeated the Philistines. It is time for David to make his
capital also the religious center of the nation. With his people
he arranges to bring the ark of the covenant which is 10 miles
away in Kirjath-jearim. On the way the oxen stumble. To prevent
the ark from falling from the new cart, Uzzah steadies the ark
and is killed by God. David becomes angry with Yahweh for killing
Uzzah, and in fear of Yahweh, David deposits the ark in a nearby
home of a Philistine. After three months when David hears that
the Philistine was blessed by the presence of the ark, David and
his retinue move the ark to Jerusalem with singing and dancing.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 (C, L, RC)
This is the first of eight pericopes from Ephesians. This
suggests a series of sermons from the book as a whole. Among
scholars there is a question whether Paul was the author of
Ephesians. The central theme of the book is the church. Today's
lesson deals with praise to God who in Christ poured out his love
for us, chose and destined us to be his children, redeemed us by
the cross and revealed his will that in Christ all things will be
united.
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (C)
Because John the Baptist criticized King Herod and his wife,
Herodias, for being married, he aroused their opposition.
Herodias was the former wife of Philip, Herod's brother. Herodias
so hated John the Baptist that she wanted him killed, but Herod
liked his preaching even though it made him uncomfortable.
Herodias got her chance to undo John when Herod had a big banquet
for all the important people in his realm. Salome, the daughter
of Herodias, pleased Herod and his guests so much by her dancing
that he promised to give her anything she wanted. Not knowing
what to ask, she consulted her mother who told her to ask for the
head of John. Reluctantly Herod had John's head brought to him in
the presence of his guests.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 24 (C) -- "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in
it." (v. 1)
Psalm 85:8-13 (E, L)
Prayer Of The Day
"Lord God, use our lives to touch the world with your love.
Stir us, by your Spirit, to be neighbor to those in need, serving
them with willing hearts."
Hymn Of The Day
"The Son Of God, Our Christ"
207
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (C)
1. Raised (v. 16). King Herod explained Jesus' power and
popularity by saying that Jesus was John the Baptist, whom he
beheaded, risen from he dead. By killing John, he thought he was
rid of John forever. Now he sees John in Jesus and his preaching.
Herod was a superstitious man.
2. Grudge (v. 19). The one who had John the Baptist killed was
Herodias. She resented John's preaching that she was living in
sin with Herod. We do not like to be criticized and condemned for
our wrongs. We would rather remove the one who publicly finds
fault with us. Her hatred of John was expressed in her grudge.
She and her daughter were accomplices to the murder and therefore
equally guilty.
3. Swore (v. 23). Herod made a promise he should not have
made. Perhaps he was too proud to retreat, for he would lose face
before all the dignitaries in his kingdom. Moreover, he lacked
the courage to refuse keeping the promise. Maybe he was afraid to
face his wife, Herodias, when the party was over.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 (C)
1. Ark (v. 2). It is called the ark of God or the ark of the
covenant. Like today's altar the ark was the symbol of the
presence of God. Within the ark were the tables upon which the
Decalogue was carved. Aaron's budded rod and a sample of manna.
The ark represented the covenant made between Yahweh and the
people at Mount Sinai. The ark was the visible representative of
the presence of Yahweh with his people. When the Israelites
marched forward, the ark was carried by Levites to lead the
march. Because the ark was identified with Yahweh, it was most
holy. To touch it was to touch God, and thus Uzzah died when he
grabbed it to keep it from falling.
2. Anger (vv. 7, 8). Here we have two cases of anger, one on
the part of Yahweh, and the other, David. Both were justified in
being angry. Yahweh was angry over Israel's disobedience and the
anger was expressed in killing Uzzah. According to Moses, the ark
was not to be moved on a cart but carried by Levites. In this
instance, the Israelites disobeyed and followed the example of
the Philistines in using a cart to transport the ark.
Disobedience brings the wrath of God. On the other hand, David
was angry with Yahweh for killing Uzzah who was doing a good deed
in preventing possible damage to the ark when the oxen stumbled.
Here was a man who was doing a good deed and Yahweh killed him
for doing it!
3. Rejoicing (v. 12). The procession to Jerusalem started with
much celebrating, singing and merry-making. When Uzzah was
killed, the merriment turned to fear and anger. After three
months David realized that Yahweh blessed his people and resumed
the trip of bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The end of the journey
was as the beginning: festivity with singing, dancing and music.
The return of Yahweh was indeed a cause for celebration.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 (C, L, RC)
1. Chose (v. 4). To be chosen is to be wanted. To be wanted
means we are worth something to the one who wants us. Paul says
God chose us to be his people even before the creation of the
world. God has always wanted us! What an honor to be chosen at
any time by anyone, but how great it is to be chosen by God. It
is not so much that we should "choose Christ," but that we should
accept God's choice of us.
2. Blood (v. 7). In Hebrew thought, blood was life. Paul says
we have redemption through the blood of Christ. It means out of
love Christ gave his life that we might be forgiven by the
Father. This forgiveness is the result of the riches of grace.
The Father's love results in the Son's sacrifice which makes it
possible for us to become the people of God. Thus, we are
redeemed from our lost condition which was one of hell and death.
3. Plan (v. 10). God has a plan to bring all humanity into one
family at the right time. Paul sees that time as the time of
Christ. Before Christ, humanity was fractured into Jew and
Gentile. In Christ the two became one because they are one in him
by faith. Christ unites the sinner to the Father and each sinner
to each other as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
208
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29
1. The anatomy of a murder. 6:14-29
Need: Every night the television news reports several murders
that happened that day. Why do people kill each other? What makes
a person do that? Is the murderer out of his mind? Does the
pressure of circumstances cause a person to kill another? What
made Herod pass sentence upon John the Baptist?
Outline: The anatomy of a murder --
a. Failure to resist another's domination -- v. 17.
b. A guilty conscience -- v. 18.
c. An irresponsible promise -- v. 23.
2. The price of telling the truth. 6:17-29
Need: Here is the case of a man losing his head at a dance!
John the Baptist was a fearless preacher. He told it as it was.
He dared to condemn the sin of Herod and Herodias. Right was
right and wrong was wrong. In John's conviction it was wrong to
divorce and marry another man's former wife. It didn't matter
whether it was a king and queen or lowly peasants. His preaching
aroused hatred so intense that it led to his murder.
Outline: Truth that gets you into trouble --
a. Expose sin -- v. 18.
b. Condemn sin -- v. 18.
c. Arouse opposition -- v. 19.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
1. Putting God in his place. 6:1-5
Need: From time to time we are put in our places. It usually
means someone has downgraded us to a level where we belong. Maybe
we spoke out of turn or maybe we assumed authority when we had
none. In this text, David and his people decided to put God in
his place -- in the capital and not in an insignificant village,
not in a private home but in a tabernacle. To put God in his
place is to put him in first place. It is quite self-evident that
today we need to put God in his rightful place at the head of the
line. Our humanism, materialism, secularism and hedonism relegate
God to a subordinate position, and that's what's wrong with
today's society.
Outline: Questions about putting God in his place --
a. Where does God belong? -- v. 2.
b. Who is to put him there? -- v. 12.
c. How is this to be done? Reverence -- v. 7; joy -- v. 15.
2. Is it okay to be mad at God? 6:6-15
Need: In our story God became angry over Israel's
disobedience. God told Moses that the ark was to be carried,
using poles, by Levites. But here ordinary people, sons of
Abinadab, placed the ark on a new cart. Moreover, Uzzah was not
consecrated to touch the ark. When Uzzah was stricken dead by
touching the ark, David became angry with Yahweh. After all,
Uzzah had committed no sin, but was performing an act of service
by keeping the ark from falling from the wagon. At times
suffering, misfortune and death are experienced and we, too, get
angry with God. We ask, "Why? What have I done to deserve this?"
In this passage we seek David going from anger to faith. It is a
model for us.
Outline: Is it okay to be mad at God?
a. Yes, anger is a natural reaction -- v. 8.
b. But, anger leads to fear of God -- v. 9.
c. In the end, we respond with faith -- v. 12.
209
Lesson 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 (C, L, RC)
1. Are you sure of heaven? 1:3-7
Need: People need to be assured of their salvation. "Blessed
assurance" should be the theme-hymn for many who cannot say for
certain that they are children of God destined for heaven. In
this passage Paul gives repeated assurance that true Christians
are chosen and destined for heaven.
Outline: You can be sure of heaven because --
a. You are chosen to be God's children -- v. 4.
b. You are destined to be God's sons -- v. 5.
c. You are redeemed to be saved -- v. 7.
2. Getting it all together. 1:3-10
Need: Nothing is needed more today than for people as
individuals, classes, races and nations to get together in
harmony and peace. We live in a broken and battered world caused
by hatred and injustice. Who can make it one world? Peace,
justice and security depend upon unity. How can we get everyone
together? Our text has the answer: Jesus Christ (vv. 9-10). It is
God's plan for all things and people to be united in Christ.
Outline: How Christ can get us together --
a. He unites us in holy living -- v. 4.
b. He unites us as sons of God through love -- v. 5.
c. He unites sinners with God through redemption -- v. 7.
210
defeated the Philistines. It is time for David to make his
capital also the religious center of the nation. With his people
he arranges to bring the ark of the covenant which is 10 miles
away in Kirjath-jearim. On the way the oxen stumble. To prevent
the ark from falling from the new cart, Uzzah steadies the ark
and is killed by God. David becomes angry with Yahweh for killing
Uzzah, and in fear of Yahweh, David deposits the ark in a nearby
home of a Philistine. After three months when David hears that
the Philistine was blessed by the presence of the ark, David and
his retinue move the ark to Jerusalem with singing and dancing.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 (C, L, RC)
This is the first of eight pericopes from Ephesians. This
suggests a series of sermons from the book as a whole. Among
scholars there is a question whether Paul was the author of
Ephesians. The central theme of the book is the church. Today's
lesson deals with praise to God who in Christ poured out his love
for us, chose and destined us to be his children, redeemed us by
the cross and revealed his will that in Christ all things will be
united.
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (C)
Because John the Baptist criticized King Herod and his wife,
Herodias, for being married, he aroused their opposition.
Herodias was the former wife of Philip, Herod's brother. Herodias
so hated John the Baptist that she wanted him killed, but Herod
liked his preaching even though it made him uncomfortable.
Herodias got her chance to undo John when Herod had a big banquet
for all the important people in his realm. Salome, the daughter
of Herodias, pleased Herod and his guests so much by her dancing
that he promised to give her anything she wanted. Not knowing
what to ask, she consulted her mother who told her to ask for the
head of John. Reluctantly Herod had John's head brought to him in
the presence of his guests.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 24 (C) -- "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in
it." (v. 1)
Psalm 85:8-13 (E, L)
Prayer Of The Day
"Lord God, use our lives to touch the world with your love.
Stir us, by your Spirit, to be neighbor to those in need, serving
them with willing hearts."
Hymn Of The Day
"The Son Of God, Our Christ"
207
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (C)
1. Raised (v. 16). King Herod explained Jesus' power and
popularity by saying that Jesus was John the Baptist, whom he
beheaded, risen from he dead. By killing John, he thought he was
rid of John forever. Now he sees John in Jesus and his preaching.
Herod was a superstitious man.
2. Grudge (v. 19). The one who had John the Baptist killed was
Herodias. She resented John's preaching that she was living in
sin with Herod. We do not like to be criticized and condemned for
our wrongs. We would rather remove the one who publicly finds
fault with us. Her hatred of John was expressed in her grudge.
She and her daughter were accomplices to the murder and therefore
equally guilty.
3. Swore (v. 23). Herod made a promise he should not have
made. Perhaps he was too proud to retreat, for he would lose face
before all the dignitaries in his kingdom. Moreover, he lacked
the courage to refuse keeping the promise. Maybe he was afraid to
face his wife, Herodias, when the party was over.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 (C)
1. Ark (v. 2). It is called the ark of God or the ark of the
covenant. Like today's altar the ark was the symbol of the
presence of God. Within the ark were the tables upon which the
Decalogue was carved. Aaron's budded rod and a sample of manna.
The ark represented the covenant made between Yahweh and the
people at Mount Sinai. The ark was the visible representative of
the presence of Yahweh with his people. When the Israelites
marched forward, the ark was carried by Levites to lead the
march. Because the ark was identified with Yahweh, it was most
holy. To touch it was to touch God, and thus Uzzah died when he
grabbed it to keep it from falling.
2. Anger (vv. 7, 8). Here we have two cases of anger, one on
the part of Yahweh, and the other, David. Both were justified in
being angry. Yahweh was angry over Israel's disobedience and the
anger was expressed in killing Uzzah. According to Moses, the ark
was not to be moved on a cart but carried by Levites. In this
instance, the Israelites disobeyed and followed the example of
the Philistines in using a cart to transport the ark.
Disobedience brings the wrath of God. On the other hand, David
was angry with Yahweh for killing Uzzah who was doing a good deed
in preventing possible damage to the ark when the oxen stumbled.
Here was a man who was doing a good deed and Yahweh killed him
for doing it!
3. Rejoicing (v. 12). The procession to Jerusalem started with
much celebrating, singing and merry-making. When Uzzah was
killed, the merriment turned to fear and anger. After three
months David realized that Yahweh blessed his people and resumed
the trip of bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The end of the journey
was as the beginning: festivity with singing, dancing and music.
The return of Yahweh was indeed a cause for celebration.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 (C, L, RC)
1. Chose (v. 4). To be chosen is to be wanted. To be wanted
means we are worth something to the one who wants us. Paul says
God chose us to be his people even before the creation of the
world. God has always wanted us! What an honor to be chosen at
any time by anyone, but how great it is to be chosen by God. It
is not so much that we should "choose Christ," but that we should
accept God's choice of us.
2. Blood (v. 7). In Hebrew thought, blood was life. Paul says
we have redemption through the blood of Christ. It means out of
love Christ gave his life that we might be forgiven by the
Father. This forgiveness is the result of the riches of grace.
The Father's love results in the Son's sacrifice which makes it
possible for us to become the people of God. Thus, we are
redeemed from our lost condition which was one of hell and death.
3. Plan (v. 10). God has a plan to bring all humanity into one
family at the right time. Paul sees that time as the time of
Christ. Before Christ, humanity was fractured into Jew and
Gentile. In Christ the two became one because they are one in him
by faith. Christ unites the sinner to the Father and each sinner
to each other as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
208
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29
1. The anatomy of a murder. 6:14-29
Need: Every night the television news reports several murders
that happened that day. Why do people kill each other? What makes
a person do that? Is the murderer out of his mind? Does the
pressure of circumstances cause a person to kill another? What
made Herod pass sentence upon John the Baptist?
Outline: The anatomy of a murder --
a. Failure to resist another's domination -- v. 17.
b. A guilty conscience -- v. 18.
c. An irresponsible promise -- v. 23.
2. The price of telling the truth. 6:17-29
Need: Here is the case of a man losing his head at a dance!
John the Baptist was a fearless preacher. He told it as it was.
He dared to condemn the sin of Herod and Herodias. Right was
right and wrong was wrong. In John's conviction it was wrong to
divorce and marry another man's former wife. It didn't matter
whether it was a king and queen or lowly peasants. His preaching
aroused hatred so intense that it led to his murder.
Outline: Truth that gets you into trouble --
a. Expose sin -- v. 18.
b. Condemn sin -- v. 18.
c. Arouse opposition -- v. 19.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
1. Putting God in his place. 6:1-5
Need: From time to time we are put in our places. It usually
means someone has downgraded us to a level where we belong. Maybe
we spoke out of turn or maybe we assumed authority when we had
none. In this text, David and his people decided to put God in
his place -- in the capital and not in an insignificant village,
not in a private home but in a tabernacle. To put God in his
place is to put him in first place. It is quite self-evident that
today we need to put God in his rightful place at the head of the
line. Our humanism, materialism, secularism and hedonism relegate
God to a subordinate position, and that's what's wrong with
today's society.
Outline: Questions about putting God in his place --
a. Where does God belong? -- v. 2.
b. Who is to put him there? -- v. 12.
c. How is this to be done? Reverence -- v. 7; joy -- v. 15.
2. Is it okay to be mad at God? 6:6-15
Need: In our story God became angry over Israel's
disobedience. God told Moses that the ark was to be carried,
using poles, by Levites. But here ordinary people, sons of
Abinadab, placed the ark on a new cart. Moreover, Uzzah was not
consecrated to touch the ark. When Uzzah was stricken dead by
touching the ark, David became angry with Yahweh. After all,
Uzzah had committed no sin, but was performing an act of service
by keeping the ark from falling from the wagon. At times
suffering, misfortune and death are experienced and we, too, get
angry with God. We ask, "Why? What have I done to deserve this?"
In this passage we seek David going from anger to faith. It is a
model for us.
Outline: Is it okay to be mad at God?
a. Yes, anger is a natural reaction -- v. 8.
b. But, anger leads to fear of God -- v. 9.
c. In the end, we respond with faith -- v. 12.
209
Lesson 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 (C, L, RC)
1. Are you sure of heaven? 1:3-7
Need: People need to be assured of their salvation. "Blessed
assurance" should be the theme-hymn for many who cannot say for
certain that they are children of God destined for heaven. In
this passage Paul gives repeated assurance that true Christians
are chosen and destined for heaven.
Outline: You can be sure of heaven because --
a. You are chosen to be God's children -- v. 4.
b. You are destined to be God's sons -- v. 5.
c. You are redeemed to be saved -- v. 7.
2. Getting it all together. 1:3-10
Need: Nothing is needed more today than for people as
individuals, classes, races and nations to get together in
harmony and peace. We live in a broken and battered world caused
by hatred and injustice. Who can make it one world? Peace,
justice and security depend upon unity. How can we get everyone
together? Our text has the answer: Jesus Christ (vv. 9-10). It is
God's plan for all things and people to be united in Christ.
Outline: How Christ can get us together --
a. He unites us in holy living -- v. 4.
b. He unites us as sons of God through love -- v. 5.
c. He unites sinners with God through redemption -- v. 7.
210
