Proper 13
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Genesis 32:22-31 (C)
Jacob wrestles with an angel. Jacob with his family and herds was on his way back to his parents' home. When he learned that Esau with 400 men were coming to him, Jacob was scared that Esau was coming to kill him. To appease Esau, he sent gifts in advance and then his servants, wives and children. He remained at the end of the procession. Jacob spent the night in prayer as he wrestled with a man until he received a blessing.
Lesson 1: Nehemiah 9:16-20 (E)
Upon hearing the Law, the people confess their sins.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-5 (L); Isaiah 55:1-3 (RC)
God calls the hungry and thirsty to come to him for spiritual food and drink.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:35-39 (E, L); Romans 8:35, 37-39 (RC)
If God is for us, nobody can be against us and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Indeed, God is for us. The proof is in what God has done for us in Christ. Because of our faith we are justified by God's grace. Therefore, nothing in all of creation can separate us from God, not even Paul's list of seven forms of suffering and ten demonic powers. Nothing and nobody can separate us from God. Only sin and unbelief can separate. A Christian is not free from the suffering and tragedy of the world but overcome by faith in Christ.
Lesson 2: Romans 9:1-5 (C)
Paul has great concern that the Jews have not accepted Christ.
Gospel:
Matthew 14:13-21 (C, E, L, RC)
Jesus feeds 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. More than any other episode, the feeding of 5,000 is related six times. Apparently, this fact points to the importance with which the apostolic church held it. The account shows us Jesus' power over nature, and his use of the disciples in feeding the multitude. Several items are noteworthy: Jesus' compassion for the needs, his power to make so much of so little, the partnership of the disciples and the oversupply of food.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 17:1-7, 15 (C) - "I shall behold your face in righteousness (v. 15)."
Psalm 78:1-29 (E) - "We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord (v. 4)."
Psalm 104:24-30 (L) - "When thou openest thy hands, they are filled with good things
(v. 28b)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Gracious Father, your blessed Son came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world. Give us this bread, that he may live in us and we in him."
Hymn Of The Day
"Praise And Thanksgiving"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 14:13-21
1. Compassion (v. 14). Here is the heart-beat of the miracle. It is a greater factor than the power to bring food for 5,000 out of five loaves of bread. Because of his love for the hurting and the hungry, Jesus is moved to help and heal. The people are not in a position to help themselves; it is at the end of the day; they are far from civilization; they are out of supplies. To get food at that time and in that place demanded a miracle. This account teaches that Jesus is not only able but willing to help. Contrast this with many contemporary instances when people in trouble are ignored when they cry for help.
2. Eat (v. 16). The people needed physical food. They were plain hungry. Jesus tells the disciples to give the people something to eat. In a world where one-third of the people suffer malnutrition, Jesus has a message to those able to share their food. Jesus is concerned about the physical welfare of people as well as with their souls. There is no dodging this issue by spiritualizing this account to say it refers to the Lord's supper, or to Jesus as the second Moses, or to an eschatological banquet. It is to be taken as a concrete, factual situation of real physical hunger which Christians have a responsibility to alleviate.
3. Me (v. 18). The power of the miracle is Christ. The 5,000 are fed with five loaves. He asks that the loaves and fish be brought to him. He takes the food, gives thanks and breaks the bread until all are fed. The tremendous truth in this act is that man is little and Christ can do great things. This reminds us also that a common meal in the home or out in a field can be a sacramental act of love when the bread is blessed and shared.
4. Satisfied (v. 20). The people were satisfied with the quality and the quantity of food. They were filled with food. In fact, they could not eat it all - 12 baskets were filled with leftovers. Here we see the generosity and abundance of God's provision of our needs. God gives us more than we ask for, more than we need. God does exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.
Lesson 1: Genesis 32:22-31 (C)
1. Wrestled (vv. 24, 25). Having sent his family ahead, Jacob spent the night alone in prayer. He was troubled and feared for his life, because Esau threatened his life. Prayer can be a struggle. It is like wrestling with God. It is the human will against God's will. Jesus had a similar experience in Gethsemane.
2. Unless (v. 26). The angel or "Man" wanted to break away from Jacob. But, Jacob held on saying, "Not until you bless me." Prayer calls for persistence. It is knocking on God's door until he opens it.
3. Man (vv. 24, 28). Who was the one wrestling with Jacob? An angel? A man? God? In the passage the person is described as a "man." It turned out in the end that the "man" was God. The man said, "You have striven with God." Jacob realized the man was God also, "I have seen God face to face." Even before Christ God came in human beings to whom he was to reveal his Word and give blessings.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-5 (L); Isaiah 55:1-3 (RC)
1. Thirsts (v. 1). The passage refers to the spiritually hungry and thirsty. They are invited to come to God who will satisfy these spiritual needs. This sounds good, but not everyone has this hunger for God. "Everyone who thirsts" this implies that not everyone thirsts for God. If you are hungry or thirsty, you will respond to an invitation to eat or drink. Suppose a person has no hunger for God. What do you do? How do you make people hungry for spiritual food? Is it possible we can be hungry for God and not know it?
2. Without money (v. 1). Can we buy without money or credit cards? There are some things that cannot be bought at any price. Can we buy love, friendship, happiness or peace? Can we buy friendship with God? The best things in life are not for sale. They come as gifts from God.
3. Covenant (v. 3). In love, God offers to enter into a covenant with man. God makes the offer, not man. It is an everlasting covenant on God's part. When God establishes a father-son relationship, he never breaks it. Once we are God's children, we are always his children. God never disowns us even if we forsake him.
4. Witness (v. 4).If one comes for spiritual food and drink and one is satisfied, one immediately is used by God as a witness to the world. We can never be smug in our oneness with God. We do not have a monopoly on God. We become witnesses that the nations might also come to God.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:35-39 (E, L, RC)
1. Separate (v. 35). In this pericope the word "separate" is used three times. Paul writes that nothing in the universe can separate us from the love of God. It is impossible because on the cross Christ defeated all of the evil powers. In Christ we conquer. What does it mean to be separated from the love of God? Sin is separation from God. To be apart from God is to be deprived of God's light, life and love. Separation is the worst possible experience. This then constitutes good news that no suffering or evil power can separate us from the love of God.
2. Conquerors (v. 37). The theme song of the civil rights movement is, "We shall overcome." This is a humanistic reliance on human willpower, wisdom and strength. It says the power is in us to rise above every difficulty or injustice. Paul does not share in this heresy. We are conquerors "through him who loved us." At another time Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Christians do conquer but not on their own power. It is Christ who gives the strength to overcome all enemies.
3. Against (v. 31). Who could be against us who put our trust in God? Paul raises this question in the light of our justification by grace through faith. Let's begin with God. Can he be against us? No, because his love for us was shown in the sacrifice of his Son for our good. Can Christ be against us? No, because he died, rose and now intercedes for us. If God and Jesus are not against, but for us, there is no greater power that can be against us, for we use the power of God to overcome all our enemies. This makes the Christian life a victorious one.
Lesson 2: Romans 9:1-5 (C) (See Lesson 2, Proper 14, Pentecost 12)
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel:
Matthew 14:13-21
1. What's Five Among 5,000? 14:13-21
Need: The miracle of feeding 5,000 with five loaves is a vehicle that carries several important truths. If we see only a miracle, we miss the point. Apparently this episode was very important to the apostolic church because all four gospels give an account of this miracle. Our people need to learn the lessons of this pericope.
Outline: Permanent values in this miracle.
a. Christ is able to feed us - vv. 19-20.
b. Christ is willing to feed us (compassion) - v. 14.
c. Christ uses human instruments - vv. 16-19.
d. Christ provides abundantly - v. 20.
2. What It Takes to Feed the Hungry. 14:13-21
Need: It was a staggering task to feed 5,000 in Jesus' day. The people were hungry. There was no place in the wilderness to buy food. The day was over. The disciples' resources amounted to a pittance: five loaves and two fish. If they were to feed 5,000, a miracle was required. The task today to feed hundreds of millions of people who are starving, who have meager food supplies and who are victims of famine and disease, is far more staggering. To feed the world adequately will take a miracle. Can the same miracle which fed 5,000 be repeated for 500 million?
Outline: How the same miracle can happen again.
a. Our part in the miracle - v. 16.
1. Share your food, though small - v. 17.
2. Distribute the food to the hungry - v. 19.
b. God's part in the miracle - vv. 14, 18, 19.
1. Compassion - v. 14.
2. Reception of the food - v. 16.
3. Blessing of the food - v. 19.
3. Give Your Little to the Master. 14:13-21
Need: This miracle shows how Christ can change a minimum into a maximum. The minimum was a boy's lunch - five loaves and a couple of fish. It is an amazing story of what God can do with a small contribution. The lad may have felt that his lunch was too small to be given. This sermon can show people that their little lives or their tiny talent or their miniscule possessions can do wonders if given to Christ.
Outline: Give your little to the Master.
a. He needs it - v. 18.
b. He blesses it - v. 19.
c. He uses it - v. 20.
Lesson 1: Genesis 32:22-31 (C)
When You are in Deep Trouble.
Need: There comes a time in everyone's life when trouble becomes so deep that life itself is at stake. Your past may have caught up with you and now it is reckoning time as it was with Jacob. Jesus had a similar experience: He wrestled with his Father in Gethsemane because he was facing death at the hands of Jews and Romans. What do you do at a time like this? To whom do you turn? How do you get out of the deep trouble? Jacob's experience has a word for us.
Outline: How to handle your trouble -
a. Pray - v. 24 - "Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him."
b. Persist - v. 26 - "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
c. Prevail - v. 28 - "You have striven and have prevailed."
d. Preserved - v. 30 - "My life is preserved."
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-5 (L); Isaiah 55:1-3 (RC)
Shopping Without Money. 55:1-3
Need: How can anyone buy without real or plastic (credit cards) money? Without money the best we could do is "window shop." In this passage God asks us to buy without money, because what he has to sell is beyond money.
Outline: To get the things of God.
a. Futile ways to get them.
1. Your money is no good - v. 2.
2. Your labor is no good - v. 2.
b. Possible ways to get them.
1. Come to God for the gifts - v. 3.
2. Enter into a covenant of love - v. 3.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:35-39
1. Forever in God's Love. 8:35-39
Need: This passage, like John 14, is usually read at funerals for the comfort of the bereaved. It is a comfort at all times, not only at the time of death. Probably the one thing that gives Christians a sense of security and peace is the assurance of God's love. Lose God's love and all is lost. To be separated from God's love is to be apart from God's love is to be apart from God's mercy, acceptance and life.
Outline: We are forever in God's love because -
a. Christ conquered our enemies on the cross. Some of our enemies: tribulation, death, evil powers - v. 38.
b. Our faith in Christ gives the victory - v. 37. Faith keeps us united with God; unbelief (sin) separates.
c. God's love will not let us go - v. 39.
2. Friends Greater Than Enemies. 8:31-34
Need: Every person has enemies. It is not a question or problem of who the enemies are or how many there are. For a Christian it is who are our friends who support and defend us. Who then is for us? We have God who is for us, one greater than any or all of our enemies. He who is for us is mightier than those in the world against us.
Outline: Who is for us?
a. A God who justifies us - v. 33.
b. A Christ who intercedes for us - v. 34.
Lesson 2: Romans 9:1-5 (C) (See Lesson 2, Proper 14, Pentecost 12)
Jacob wrestles with an angel. Jacob with his family and herds was on his way back to his parents' home. When he learned that Esau with 400 men were coming to him, Jacob was scared that Esau was coming to kill him. To appease Esau, he sent gifts in advance and then his servants, wives and children. He remained at the end of the procession. Jacob spent the night in prayer as he wrestled with a man until he received a blessing.
Lesson 1: Nehemiah 9:16-20 (E)
Upon hearing the Law, the people confess their sins.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-5 (L); Isaiah 55:1-3 (RC)
God calls the hungry and thirsty to come to him for spiritual food and drink.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:35-39 (E, L); Romans 8:35, 37-39 (RC)
If God is for us, nobody can be against us and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Indeed, God is for us. The proof is in what God has done for us in Christ. Because of our faith we are justified by God's grace. Therefore, nothing in all of creation can separate us from God, not even Paul's list of seven forms of suffering and ten demonic powers. Nothing and nobody can separate us from God. Only sin and unbelief can separate. A Christian is not free from the suffering and tragedy of the world but overcome by faith in Christ.
Lesson 2: Romans 9:1-5 (C)
Paul has great concern that the Jews have not accepted Christ.
Gospel:
Matthew 14:13-21 (C, E, L, RC)
Jesus feeds 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. More than any other episode, the feeding of 5,000 is related six times. Apparently, this fact points to the importance with which the apostolic church held it. The account shows us Jesus' power over nature, and his use of the disciples in feeding the multitude. Several items are noteworthy: Jesus' compassion for the needs, his power to make so much of so little, the partnership of the disciples and the oversupply of food.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 17:1-7, 15 (C) - "I shall behold your face in righteousness (v. 15)."
Psalm 78:1-29 (E) - "We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord (v. 4)."
Psalm 104:24-30 (L) - "When thou openest thy hands, they are filled with good things
(v. 28b)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Gracious Father, your blessed Son came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world. Give us this bread, that he may live in us and we in him."
Hymn Of The Day
"Praise And Thanksgiving"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 14:13-21
1. Compassion (v. 14). Here is the heart-beat of the miracle. It is a greater factor than the power to bring food for 5,000 out of five loaves of bread. Because of his love for the hurting and the hungry, Jesus is moved to help and heal. The people are not in a position to help themselves; it is at the end of the day; they are far from civilization; they are out of supplies. To get food at that time and in that place demanded a miracle. This account teaches that Jesus is not only able but willing to help. Contrast this with many contemporary instances when people in trouble are ignored when they cry for help.
2. Eat (v. 16). The people needed physical food. They were plain hungry. Jesus tells the disciples to give the people something to eat. In a world where one-third of the people suffer malnutrition, Jesus has a message to those able to share their food. Jesus is concerned about the physical welfare of people as well as with their souls. There is no dodging this issue by spiritualizing this account to say it refers to the Lord's supper, or to Jesus as the second Moses, or to an eschatological banquet. It is to be taken as a concrete, factual situation of real physical hunger which Christians have a responsibility to alleviate.
3. Me (v. 18). The power of the miracle is Christ. The 5,000 are fed with five loaves. He asks that the loaves and fish be brought to him. He takes the food, gives thanks and breaks the bread until all are fed. The tremendous truth in this act is that man is little and Christ can do great things. This reminds us also that a common meal in the home or out in a field can be a sacramental act of love when the bread is blessed and shared.
4. Satisfied (v. 20). The people were satisfied with the quality and the quantity of food. They were filled with food. In fact, they could not eat it all - 12 baskets were filled with leftovers. Here we see the generosity and abundance of God's provision of our needs. God gives us more than we ask for, more than we need. God does exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.
Lesson 1: Genesis 32:22-31 (C)
1. Wrestled (vv. 24, 25). Having sent his family ahead, Jacob spent the night alone in prayer. He was troubled and feared for his life, because Esau threatened his life. Prayer can be a struggle. It is like wrestling with God. It is the human will against God's will. Jesus had a similar experience in Gethsemane.
2. Unless (v. 26). The angel or "Man" wanted to break away from Jacob. But, Jacob held on saying, "Not until you bless me." Prayer calls for persistence. It is knocking on God's door until he opens it.
3. Man (vv. 24, 28). Who was the one wrestling with Jacob? An angel? A man? God? In the passage the person is described as a "man." It turned out in the end that the "man" was God. The man said, "You have striven with God." Jacob realized the man was God also, "I have seen God face to face." Even before Christ God came in human beings to whom he was to reveal his Word and give blessings.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-5 (L); Isaiah 55:1-3 (RC)
1. Thirsts (v. 1). The passage refers to the spiritually hungry and thirsty. They are invited to come to God who will satisfy these spiritual needs. This sounds good, but not everyone has this hunger for God. "Everyone who thirsts" this implies that not everyone thirsts for God. If you are hungry or thirsty, you will respond to an invitation to eat or drink. Suppose a person has no hunger for God. What do you do? How do you make people hungry for spiritual food? Is it possible we can be hungry for God and not know it?
2. Without money (v. 1). Can we buy without money or credit cards? There are some things that cannot be bought at any price. Can we buy love, friendship, happiness or peace? Can we buy friendship with God? The best things in life are not for sale. They come as gifts from God.
3. Covenant (v. 3). In love, God offers to enter into a covenant with man. God makes the offer, not man. It is an everlasting covenant on God's part. When God establishes a father-son relationship, he never breaks it. Once we are God's children, we are always his children. God never disowns us even if we forsake him.
4. Witness (v. 4).If one comes for spiritual food and drink and one is satisfied, one immediately is used by God as a witness to the world. We can never be smug in our oneness with God. We do not have a monopoly on God. We become witnesses that the nations might also come to God.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:35-39 (E, L, RC)
1. Separate (v. 35). In this pericope the word "separate" is used three times. Paul writes that nothing in the universe can separate us from the love of God. It is impossible because on the cross Christ defeated all of the evil powers. In Christ we conquer. What does it mean to be separated from the love of God? Sin is separation from God. To be apart from God is to be deprived of God's light, life and love. Separation is the worst possible experience. This then constitutes good news that no suffering or evil power can separate us from the love of God.
2. Conquerors (v. 37). The theme song of the civil rights movement is, "We shall overcome." This is a humanistic reliance on human willpower, wisdom and strength. It says the power is in us to rise above every difficulty or injustice. Paul does not share in this heresy. We are conquerors "through him who loved us." At another time Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Christians do conquer but not on their own power. It is Christ who gives the strength to overcome all enemies.
3. Against (v. 31). Who could be against us who put our trust in God? Paul raises this question in the light of our justification by grace through faith. Let's begin with God. Can he be against us? No, because his love for us was shown in the sacrifice of his Son for our good. Can Christ be against us? No, because he died, rose and now intercedes for us. If God and Jesus are not against, but for us, there is no greater power that can be against us, for we use the power of God to overcome all our enemies. This makes the Christian life a victorious one.
Lesson 2: Romans 9:1-5 (C) (See Lesson 2, Proper 14, Pentecost 12)
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel:
Matthew 14:13-21
1. What's Five Among 5,000? 14:13-21
Need: The miracle of feeding 5,000 with five loaves is a vehicle that carries several important truths. If we see only a miracle, we miss the point. Apparently this episode was very important to the apostolic church because all four gospels give an account of this miracle. Our people need to learn the lessons of this pericope.
Outline: Permanent values in this miracle.
a. Christ is able to feed us - vv. 19-20.
b. Christ is willing to feed us (compassion) - v. 14.
c. Christ uses human instruments - vv. 16-19.
d. Christ provides abundantly - v. 20.
2. What It Takes to Feed the Hungry. 14:13-21
Need: It was a staggering task to feed 5,000 in Jesus' day. The people were hungry. There was no place in the wilderness to buy food. The day was over. The disciples' resources amounted to a pittance: five loaves and two fish. If they were to feed 5,000, a miracle was required. The task today to feed hundreds of millions of people who are starving, who have meager food supplies and who are victims of famine and disease, is far more staggering. To feed the world adequately will take a miracle. Can the same miracle which fed 5,000 be repeated for 500 million?
Outline: How the same miracle can happen again.
a. Our part in the miracle - v. 16.
1. Share your food, though small - v. 17.
2. Distribute the food to the hungry - v. 19.
b. God's part in the miracle - vv. 14, 18, 19.
1. Compassion - v. 14.
2. Reception of the food - v. 16.
3. Blessing of the food - v. 19.
3. Give Your Little to the Master. 14:13-21
Need: This miracle shows how Christ can change a minimum into a maximum. The minimum was a boy's lunch - five loaves and a couple of fish. It is an amazing story of what God can do with a small contribution. The lad may have felt that his lunch was too small to be given. This sermon can show people that their little lives or their tiny talent or their miniscule possessions can do wonders if given to Christ.
Outline: Give your little to the Master.
a. He needs it - v. 18.
b. He blesses it - v. 19.
c. He uses it - v. 20.
Lesson 1: Genesis 32:22-31 (C)
When You are in Deep Trouble.
Need: There comes a time in everyone's life when trouble becomes so deep that life itself is at stake. Your past may have caught up with you and now it is reckoning time as it was with Jacob. Jesus had a similar experience: He wrestled with his Father in Gethsemane because he was facing death at the hands of Jews and Romans. What do you do at a time like this? To whom do you turn? How do you get out of the deep trouble? Jacob's experience has a word for us.
Outline: How to handle your trouble -
a. Pray - v. 24 - "Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him."
b. Persist - v. 26 - "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
c. Prevail - v. 28 - "You have striven and have prevailed."
d. Preserved - v. 30 - "My life is preserved."
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-5 (L); Isaiah 55:1-3 (RC)
Shopping Without Money. 55:1-3
Need: How can anyone buy without real or plastic (credit cards) money? Without money the best we could do is "window shop." In this passage God asks us to buy without money, because what he has to sell is beyond money.
Outline: To get the things of God.
a. Futile ways to get them.
1. Your money is no good - v. 2.
2. Your labor is no good - v. 2.
b. Possible ways to get them.
1. Come to God for the gifts - v. 3.
2. Enter into a covenant of love - v. 3.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:35-39
1. Forever in God's Love. 8:35-39
Need: This passage, like John 14, is usually read at funerals for the comfort of the bereaved. It is a comfort at all times, not only at the time of death. Probably the one thing that gives Christians a sense of security and peace is the assurance of God's love. Lose God's love and all is lost. To be separated from God's love is to be apart from God's love is to be apart from God's mercy, acceptance and life.
Outline: We are forever in God's love because -
a. Christ conquered our enemies on the cross. Some of our enemies: tribulation, death, evil powers - v. 38.
b. Our faith in Christ gives the victory - v. 37. Faith keeps us united with God; unbelief (sin) separates.
c. God's love will not let us go - v. 39.
2. Friends Greater Than Enemies. 8:31-34
Need: Every person has enemies. It is not a question or problem of who the enemies are or how many there are. For a Christian it is who are our friends who support and defend us. Who then is for us? We have God who is for us, one greater than any or all of our enemies. He who is for us is mightier than those in the world against us.
Outline: Who is for us?
a. A God who justifies us - v. 33.
b. A Christ who intercedes for us - v. 34.
Lesson 2: Romans 9:1-5 (C) (See Lesson 2, Proper 14, Pentecost 12)
