Proper 13, Pentecost 11, Ordinary Time 18
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
We learn of the Christian faith and how we are to follow Jesus as his disciples.
Theme For The Day
The unity in the congregation that is possible by following Paul's advice to his congregations.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
King David Is Confronted And Confesses
The story of King David continues from last week. After Uriah's wife Bathsheba was finished making public mourning for him, she went to David and became his wife. The child born to them was a son. God promised David that this would cause him problems until his death. The effect of David and Bathsheba's sin not only would bring them sorrow for the rest of their lives, but also would bring trouble upon their people.
Nathan the prophet confronts David with a hypothetical story, which he admitted is really David. The punishment promised to David for his crime of adultery and of murdering Uriah was that David would suffer from the sword and his wives would be taken from him (vv. 10-11). This was fulfilled by David's own son Absalom when he slept with David's concubines (16:22).
David may not have been punished because of his contriteness and confession (Psalm 51). God's grace was at work. But the effect of this sin continued and brought sorrow to David and his nation.
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity In The Body Of Christ
The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible introduces this reading as the basis for Christian ethics. Victor Paul Furnish writes: "These are introduced by an appeal to the true basis for Christian ethics: God's call to unity, peace, and love (vv. 1-6) and his bestowal of spiritual gifts for the common good" (vv. 7-16). In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul writes of gifts of the Spirit. This writer talks of gifts of Christ (v. 7) and tries to prove it by quoting Psalm 68:18. He takes this Old Testament reference to Moses and changes it to Christ.
The lower parts of the earth are a reference to Jesus' incarnation and his descent into Hades as recorded in 1 Peter 3:18-22.
The gifts listed in verses 11-16 are not only for the individual but also the community of faith. It is the body of Christ we call the church that may reach a certain maturity (v. 13).
We are to refrain from immaturity like children and grow up maturing in the faith so that we speak the truth in love. Over and over Paul states that our unity and building up must be in love (v. 16b).
The Gospel
John 6:24-35
Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
These people searching for Jesus couldn't get their eyes above seeing him as a wonder worker. They were entirely focused on bread to eat -- right now. One could call them entirely earthbound. Jesus confronts them on that (v. 27). Perhaps these folks represent ourselves who are very rich in material things, yet very poor in spiritual things. One could say that after being fed on the Galilean hillside, they were back for "seconds." We also have a hunger for love, and life, and truth. Only the Christ can satisfy this kind of hunger we all have.
Verses 28-29 are interesting. No doubt the Jews expected a list of good works they could render to gain favor with God. Instead Jesus told them "... that you believe." God wants us to have faith and that means a relationship with God -- the kind of relationship that ensues in obedience, love, and trust, for we now view God not as our feared judge but, rather, our friend and parent.
In verses 30-34, we remember that this manna was always thought of as God's bread (see Psalm 78:24 and Exodus 16:15). Jesus reminds them that it was not Moses but God who gave the manna. Here Jesus' bold claim was that the only real satisfying element in this life is God.
In verse 35 we have one of the highlights of John's Gospel. We shall continue its implication next week.
Preaching Possibilities
If we have not yet dealt with David and his sins at all, today's confrontation by Nathan is ready for an expository or narrative sermon.
Briefly it could go like this:
A. Tell David's story from anointing to Bathsheba to Nathan's confrontation and David's remorse. Then ask what this teaches us about humans.
1. Power corrupts us, too.
2. We have sexual desires that can bring misery upon us and others.
3. Temptation to sin is everywhere and we must resist.
B. Then move to what this teaches us about our God.
1. God sees all our secret acts and schemes.
2. God has messengers like Nathan who speak for God.
3. God is full of grace and forgiveness if we "'fess up" and are truly sorry for our actions.
C. Now apply these truths to our life together as a congregation.
1. There will be temptations as we live together.
2. Our life together is lived out not expecting perfection but, rather, forgiveness.
3. Like Nathan we must confront sin in our community and call for repentance.
D. Today's Gospel begins a too-long series of readings from John's Gospel about bread. You will need to decide which Sunday you will use this theme and then concentrate on other themes the other Sundays. I will not go with living bread this week yet. The Second Reading is just too inviting.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Paul's advice for our congregation (name your church)
Text: Ephesians 4:1-16
A. Introduction: Ask the question why is it that Christians gathered together as congregations fight, quarrel, suffer with dissension?
B. Remind your hearers that when we became a Christian and member of the body of Christ, we still remain sinners. (Look at David, called and anointed by God, deeply religious and he still committed adultery and murder.)
C. Now move to Paul's advice of how a congregation of sinners might get along better and be unified as Christ's body.
1. Lead a life worthy of our calling.
2. Practice humility and gentleness.
3. Be patient in love with each other.
4. Work hard at maintaining unity and peace in the congregation.
5. Remember we all have one baptism.
6. Remember we all have an undeserved gift: God's grace.
7. Acknowledge that each one has their (his/her) gift from God to share with the rest.
8. Grow up and abandon childish ways.
9. Speak the truth but always in love.
10. See yourself as a part of Christ's body on earth and work to promote the growth of that body.
D. Give your own witness as to how you feel the congregation misbehaves or carries out the above advice well.
E. List some of the steps you prayerfully have discerned the congregation ought take because of the above advice from Paul. Examples might be: Start a prayer group for congregational unity; begin a pastoral relations committee; ask some visitors to explain how they view this congregation, etc.
F. Conclude by returning to your opening asking again the questions about dissension in Christian congregations. Then assure your listeners we have a remedy and read verses 15-16.
Prayer For The Day
Bring peace, love, and unity to our congregation, O God, and show us the way to grow up in our relationship to you and mature together as your body and presence in this community. We celebrate your grace, which binds us together and your Son who forgives us. Keep us mindful of our unity in one baptism and one Almighty God. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
According to Mei, Yee Pang, another Hong Kong student, the word for "leader" in Chinese means collar and arm. It means to link together all the parts of a shirt, the parts that protect the main parts of the body. Sounds like Paul's definition of the church as "the body of Christ."
Ads for cars are interesting.
Toyota claims: "Every day belongs to you, make it count." A good stewardship of life itself. Every day we have been given to minister on God's behalf. Let's make it count.
Saturn says: "A different kind of company, a different kind of car." Let our congregations be able, with God's help, to say the same thing. Not a service club or country club -- as nice as they are -- but a different kind of company, one which follows the Christ and ministers on his behalf and celebrates his presence with us now.
Cadillac touts: "Live without limits," as if that is a happy way to enjoy our lives. Not really. A disciplined life lived carefully and consistently with Christ's example is where real joy will be found.
Today I saw a crew of men with air hammers tearing out the front steps and the approach to Debra Heights Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. There are those who work on behalf of the power which works against God to wreck the approach to the church. They hammer away with the power of the world. Sometimes it is on purpose. Other times it is without knowing what they are doing.
There is a little white frame church on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard in Oakland, California. There is a Better Homes and Gardens Realty sign in front. It led me to muse how one would describe a church for sale:
Abundance of forgiveness
Precious fellowship
Security in eternal life
Assurance of companionship
Help for difficult decisions
Real presence of Jesus at meals
Life-changing worship
Will throw the building in free!
Need not have good credit record or references
No shirt, no shoes, still service
We learn of the Christian faith and how we are to follow Jesus as his disciples.
Theme For The Day
The unity in the congregation that is possible by following Paul's advice to his congregations.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
King David Is Confronted And Confesses
The story of King David continues from last week. After Uriah's wife Bathsheba was finished making public mourning for him, she went to David and became his wife. The child born to them was a son. God promised David that this would cause him problems until his death. The effect of David and Bathsheba's sin not only would bring them sorrow for the rest of their lives, but also would bring trouble upon their people.
Nathan the prophet confronts David with a hypothetical story, which he admitted is really David. The punishment promised to David for his crime of adultery and of murdering Uriah was that David would suffer from the sword and his wives would be taken from him (vv. 10-11). This was fulfilled by David's own son Absalom when he slept with David's concubines (16:22).
David may not have been punished because of his contriteness and confession (Psalm 51). God's grace was at work. But the effect of this sin continued and brought sorrow to David and his nation.
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity In The Body Of Christ
The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible introduces this reading as the basis for Christian ethics. Victor Paul Furnish writes: "These are introduced by an appeal to the true basis for Christian ethics: God's call to unity, peace, and love (vv. 1-6) and his bestowal of spiritual gifts for the common good" (vv. 7-16). In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul writes of gifts of the Spirit. This writer talks of gifts of Christ (v. 7) and tries to prove it by quoting Psalm 68:18. He takes this Old Testament reference to Moses and changes it to Christ.
The lower parts of the earth are a reference to Jesus' incarnation and his descent into Hades as recorded in 1 Peter 3:18-22.
The gifts listed in verses 11-16 are not only for the individual but also the community of faith. It is the body of Christ we call the church that may reach a certain maturity (v. 13).
We are to refrain from immaturity like children and grow up maturing in the faith so that we speak the truth in love. Over and over Paul states that our unity and building up must be in love (v. 16b).
The Gospel
John 6:24-35
Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
These people searching for Jesus couldn't get their eyes above seeing him as a wonder worker. They were entirely focused on bread to eat -- right now. One could call them entirely earthbound. Jesus confronts them on that (v. 27). Perhaps these folks represent ourselves who are very rich in material things, yet very poor in spiritual things. One could say that after being fed on the Galilean hillside, they were back for "seconds." We also have a hunger for love, and life, and truth. Only the Christ can satisfy this kind of hunger we all have.
Verses 28-29 are interesting. No doubt the Jews expected a list of good works they could render to gain favor with God. Instead Jesus told them "... that you believe." God wants us to have faith and that means a relationship with God -- the kind of relationship that ensues in obedience, love, and trust, for we now view God not as our feared judge but, rather, our friend and parent.
In verses 30-34, we remember that this manna was always thought of as God's bread (see Psalm 78:24 and Exodus 16:15). Jesus reminds them that it was not Moses but God who gave the manna. Here Jesus' bold claim was that the only real satisfying element in this life is God.
In verse 35 we have one of the highlights of John's Gospel. We shall continue its implication next week.
Preaching Possibilities
If we have not yet dealt with David and his sins at all, today's confrontation by Nathan is ready for an expository or narrative sermon.
Briefly it could go like this:
A. Tell David's story from anointing to Bathsheba to Nathan's confrontation and David's remorse. Then ask what this teaches us about humans.
1. Power corrupts us, too.
2. We have sexual desires that can bring misery upon us and others.
3. Temptation to sin is everywhere and we must resist.
B. Then move to what this teaches us about our God.
1. God sees all our secret acts and schemes.
2. God has messengers like Nathan who speak for God.
3. God is full of grace and forgiveness if we "'fess up" and are truly sorry for our actions.
C. Now apply these truths to our life together as a congregation.
1. There will be temptations as we live together.
2. Our life together is lived out not expecting perfection but, rather, forgiveness.
3. Like Nathan we must confront sin in our community and call for repentance.
D. Today's Gospel begins a too-long series of readings from John's Gospel about bread. You will need to decide which Sunday you will use this theme and then concentrate on other themes the other Sundays. I will not go with living bread this week yet. The Second Reading is just too inviting.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Paul's advice for our congregation (name your church)
Text: Ephesians 4:1-16
A. Introduction: Ask the question why is it that Christians gathered together as congregations fight, quarrel, suffer with dissension?
B. Remind your hearers that when we became a Christian and member of the body of Christ, we still remain sinners. (Look at David, called and anointed by God, deeply religious and he still committed adultery and murder.)
C. Now move to Paul's advice of how a congregation of sinners might get along better and be unified as Christ's body.
1. Lead a life worthy of our calling.
2. Practice humility and gentleness.
3. Be patient in love with each other.
4. Work hard at maintaining unity and peace in the congregation.
5. Remember we all have one baptism.
6. Remember we all have an undeserved gift: God's grace.
7. Acknowledge that each one has their (his/her) gift from God to share with the rest.
8. Grow up and abandon childish ways.
9. Speak the truth but always in love.
10. See yourself as a part of Christ's body on earth and work to promote the growth of that body.
D. Give your own witness as to how you feel the congregation misbehaves or carries out the above advice well.
E. List some of the steps you prayerfully have discerned the congregation ought take because of the above advice from Paul. Examples might be: Start a prayer group for congregational unity; begin a pastoral relations committee; ask some visitors to explain how they view this congregation, etc.
F. Conclude by returning to your opening asking again the questions about dissension in Christian congregations. Then assure your listeners we have a remedy and read verses 15-16.
Prayer For The Day
Bring peace, love, and unity to our congregation, O God, and show us the way to grow up in our relationship to you and mature together as your body and presence in this community. We celebrate your grace, which binds us together and your Son who forgives us. Keep us mindful of our unity in one baptism and one Almighty God. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
According to Mei, Yee Pang, another Hong Kong student, the word for "leader" in Chinese means collar and arm. It means to link together all the parts of a shirt, the parts that protect the main parts of the body. Sounds like Paul's definition of the church as "the body of Christ."
Ads for cars are interesting.
Toyota claims: "Every day belongs to you, make it count." A good stewardship of life itself. Every day we have been given to minister on God's behalf. Let's make it count.
Saturn says: "A different kind of company, a different kind of car." Let our congregations be able, with God's help, to say the same thing. Not a service club or country club -- as nice as they are -- but a different kind of company, one which follows the Christ and ministers on his behalf and celebrates his presence with us now.
Cadillac touts: "Live without limits," as if that is a happy way to enjoy our lives. Not really. A disciplined life lived carefully and consistently with Christ's example is where real joy will be found.
Today I saw a crew of men with air hammers tearing out the front steps and the approach to Debra Heights Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. There are those who work on behalf of the power which works against God to wreck the approach to the church. They hammer away with the power of the world. Sometimes it is on purpose. Other times it is without knowing what they are doing.
There is a little white frame church on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard in Oakland, California. There is a Better Homes and Gardens Realty sign in front. It led me to muse how one would describe a church for sale:
Abundance of forgiveness
Precious fellowship
Security in eternal life
Assurance of companionship
Help for difficult decisions
Real presence of Jesus at meals
Life-changing worship
Will throw the building in free!
Need not have good credit record or references
No shirt, no shoes, still service
