Proper 14
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook - SERIES C
The Lessons
Jeremiah 18:1-11 (C)
Jeremiah's parable of the potter. For the balance of this church year Lesson 1 will deal with the prophets. Today is the first in a series of three from Jeremiah. To help us understand these passages, a review of Jeremiah may be helpful. Jeremiah served as a prophet in Judah for forty years prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He considered Babylonia to be an instrument of God to discipline and purify his people until they learned to be faithful to him. Consequently, he was a prophet of doom and was hated for it. Because he urged the people to surrender to Babylonia, he was considered a traitor and his life was threatened. Yet, he loved his people and Yahweh.
Genesis 15:1-6
Abraham believed God's promise that he would have a son and heir.
Wisdom 18:6-9 (RC)
God tells his secret plans to his faithful. The Israelites, languishing in Egyptian bondage, knew in advance what God's plan was to rescue them. Thus fortified, they could withstand the cockiness of the Egyptians who had no idea what horror would fall upon them when the first-born of all not protected by the Passover blood would be put to death.
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19 (C, RC)
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (L)
True faith is exemplified by Abraham and Sarah.
Hebrews 11 is known as the faith chapter of the Bible. At the beginning of the chapter, faith is defined and then illustrated by various characters among whom Abraham and Sarah were chief. Faith is portrayed as trust in God's promises for the future. In the case of the sacrifice of Isaac, faith is seen as obedience. Life is considered a pilgrimage and the faithful look with faith to the future. The pilgrims before Christ did not receive the promises of God, but they saw from afar their destination which was the city of God.
Luke 12:32-40 (C, L)
Luke 12:32-48 (RC)
God gives his kingdom to those prepared to receive it.
Verse 32 concludes the foregoing section on anxiety about material needs. Verses 33-40 constitute the parable of the waiting servants. Jesus teaches that we should not worry about the material things of life. Instead God will give us the kingdom and then our treasure will be in heaven. But the coming of the kingdom is delayed. When will Jesus return? His coming will be unexpected. Blessed will be those who will be awake to receive him when he comes.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are unworthy to ask."
Hymn of the Day
"Rise, my Soul, to Watch and Pray"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 12:32-40
1. Give (v. 32). Jesus tells us that it would make God happy to give us the kingdom. He wants us to have it and nothing would please him more. Just what is this kingdom? Do we want it as badly as God wants to give it? The kingdom is the realm of all that is good: truth, peace, righteousness, love. It is all God is and all that God desires for his children. But note that the kingdom is not a human production. We do not make the kingdom come and we do not work to bring the kingdom on earth by witnessing and proclaiming. The kingdom belongs to God and he alone can give it. Thus we pray, "Thy kingdom come."
2. Where (v. 34). It is assumed that every person has a treasure of some kind somewhere. The big question is, where is your treasure? One's treasure can be in a bank or stock market, or in one's family, or in one's job. What is most precious to you? That is your treasure. Wherever your treasure is, Jesus says that is where your heart is. If your treasure is spiritual, your heart is with God.
3. Ready (v. 40). "Ready" has become a well-known word through the often-heard commercial used for years, "Delta is ready when you are." Jesus teaches us that we need to be ready when he unexpectedly returns to earth. The truth is that Christ is ready to come into our hearts whenever we are ready to receive him. His physical return at the end of time may not be in our lifetime, but he does come now when a heart is ready to receive him. To be ready is to repent and believe.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 18:1-11
1. There (v. 2). Yahweh instructs Jeremiah to go to a potter's workshop and "there" he would speak to him. Yet, not a word was spoken by God while Jeremiah watched the potter make pots. It was a case of non-verbal communication. In the making and re-making of the vessel God spoke to Jeremiah about the fate of the nation. Communicators claim that we communicate far more by non-verbal means: posture, gestures, attitude, voice, facial expressions, etc.
2. Can (v. 6). God asks, "Can" I not do the same with Israel as the potter did with clay? The potter holds in his hands a mess of clay. He fashions it, changes and re-makes it until it becomes what he wants it to be. God is almighty as the creator of the world and has the power today to make or re-make persons or peoples. "Can" reminds us of the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over creation and nations.
3. Repent (vv. 8, 10). We usually apply this word to sinful people who need to repent. Here it is used twice of God: "repent of the evil" and "repent of the good." The word, "repent," means to change one's mind. Since God can do no evil, there is never any need for God to repent. But he can change his mind. God is not a captive of his own laws. He is free to change his mind about his people. He may intend to bring doom upon a wicked nation, but if the nation reforms, he may change his mind and bring a blessing instead of doom.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19
1. Obeyed (v. 8). The ultimate proof of faith is obedience. It is easy to have faith in terms of intellectual agreement. It is more difficult to trust a statement or person. But to obey calls for implicit faith. What we believe in is what we do. We believe in a certain type of investment and we will invest our money in it. If we did not believe it was a sound investment, not one dollar would be invested. If we, like Abraham, really believe in God, we will obey his commands. Faith without works is truly dead.
2. Received (v. 11). Can a ninety-year-old woman get pregnant? It is a physical impossibility. It would require a miracle. For an aged woman to conceive she would have to have divine aid. In Sarah's case, she "received" power to conceive. It was through faith that she got the power. This gives us another facet of the meaning of faith: It is acceptance of God's gifts. To be saved is to be accepted by God. To accept this divine acceptance is the meaning of faith. Thus, we are saved by faith.
3. Ashamed (v. 16). God is not "ashamed" to be the God of those who have faith in him. It is well to notice that it does not say God is proud of us for the kind of people we are, or the possessions we have, or the good works we do. God is not ashamed to be known as our God because by faith we walk with him, trust his promises, and obey his commands. For some the problem may be that we are ashamed of our God as a hymn suggests, "Jesus and shall it ever be / A mortal man ashamed of thee?"
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 12:32-40
1. Your Faith is Showing! 12:32-40
Need: If it is true faith, it shows. No one can hide it. If one has it, one would not want to hide it. There are church members who are not sure they have faith. They know they should have, would like to be sure they have it, and feel the need for more faith. In today's Gospel, we can test ourselves to see if we really do have faith or just think we have it.
Outline: Your faith is showing when
a. You receive the kingdom - v. 32. The Kingdom of God is not earned or bought. It is received:
"It is your Father's good pleasure to give you ..." This gift is received by faith.
b. You seek spiritual values - vv. 33-34. It takes faith to be less concerned about accumulating spiritual treasure than earthly goods.
c. You watch and wait for Christ's return - vv. 35-40. Before you will prepare, you must first believe Christ is coming again.
2. Why You Don 't Ever Have to be Afraid. Luke 12:32
Need: The antidote to fear is faith. When the Father and Son said, "Fear Not," they were saying, "Have faith." Fear is one of the most popular maladies of our age. Our fears are based on the unknown factors of our lives. A true Christian is free from fear because of his faith in God. This sermon is to show the people how faith eradicates fear.
Outline: Why you don't ever have to be afraid again.
a. Believe that God is for you - v. 32. God considers it a pleasure to be good to you. He is on your side wanting to help, bless, and strengthen you.
b. Believe that God wil provide for you - v. 33. You need not fear for not having your physical needs met. God will provide. In this faith you seek first the Kingdom of God and the material needs will follow.
c. Believe that the end will be good - v. 40. At the end of time Christ will return to set things right. God and the forces of righteousness will conquer evil forever.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 18:1-11
A Possible Series of Three Sermons
Pentecost 12 - Jeremiah 18: 1-11 - The clay of Israel is in the hands of Yahweh.
Pentecost 13 - Jeremiah 20:7-13 - Jeremiah is confident Yahweh will defeat his enemies.
Pentecost 14 - Jeremiah 28:1-9 - Jeremiah opposes Hananiah's prophecy that the Exiles will return in two years.
1. Who's Boss Here? 18:1-11
Need: Is anyone in charge of our world? Can a nation or an individual do what it jolly well pleases? Is there no stopping this nuclear arms race? Must the nations experience a cosmic holocaust? Who can make a nation stop the brutality and torture of minorities? Jeremiah in our text tells us about the sovereignty of God as the potter who holds in his hands the future destiny of nations. The peoples are nothing but soft clay in the hands of an almighty God.
Outline: Who's boss here?
a. God is the sovereign over all nations - v. 5
b. God can un-do a nation - vv . 9-10
c. God can re-do a nation - vv. 7-8
2. God Can Re-make You! 18:1-11
Need: Picture God as the cosmic potter. He holds in his hands a lump of clay. Since we were made of dust, we are the clay. The divine Potter made a vessel of us for himself, but we spoiled it. It needs to be either squashed and thrown away, or re-fashioned. Which shall it be? In our text Jeremiah speaking for God tells us what we must do to have God re-make us.
Outline: If you want to be re-made, God says -
a. Repent - v. 8 (The clay must be soft.)
b. Return - v. 11 (The clay must be malleable.)
c. Reform - v. 11 ("Amend your ways.")
Lesson 1: Genesis 15:1-6
1. Only Believe! 15:6
Need: It is difficult for many lay people to understand the good news that faith alone gets one in right relations with God. It seems too easy: "Only believe." We insist upon working in cooperation with God for our salvation. Others think they can make themselves approved of God. In this Old Testament passage, we have one of the earliest witnesses to the central theme of the Bible: man is saved by grace. Abraham's faith was reckoned as righteousness. That is, he was in right relations with God by virtue of his faith. The sermon is to show that faith alone is sufficient to get right with God.
Outline: Only believe and God will accept you.
a. Abraham did not approach God - God came to him - v. 1 . God took the initiative, an act of grace.
b. Abraham did nothing - God did it all - vv. 2-5. God offered to give Abraham a son and an heir. In Christ God gave us a son through whom we have eternal life.
c. Abraham accepted God's promise by faith - v. 6. This pleased and satisfied God. Abraham let God bless him and use him as a blessing to the world. God's response to Abraham's faith was the gift of righteousness.
2. When God and Man Get Together. 15:1-6
Need: What happens when Creator and creature get together and communicate? Our people need to know what to expect. Some may think they never had an experience with God, because they do not understand what is involved in the experience. This text gives us the basic principles of a God-man encounter.
Outline: When God and man get together.
a. God makes a promise - v. 1 . His promise is to bless, reward, forgive us.
b. Man responds in faith to the promise - v. 6a. Faith accepts the promise and lives according to the promise.
c. God acts in man's behalf - v. 6b. God justifies, calls man acceptable, in right relationship.
Lesson 1: Wisdom 18:6-9
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!
Need: Believers in the Living God are tempted sometimes to pretend that they are best served when identifying with the unsaved world around them. In exchange for the discomfort of "differentness" believers gain the assurance of divine protection in the face of an uncertain future.
1. Living in God's Kingdom is no accident.
a. Israel, in Egypt, kept faith in the Living God.
1. They could easily have adapted to prevailing ways (and gods).
2. By staying separate they preserved a holy witness.
b. God calls us, in our baptism, to be his separated people.
1. We may earn the world's laughter or derision.
2. If we know the Living God, the world's opinions matter little.
2. When the Crises Come, It's Too Late to Make Choices.
a. Israel knew in advance the death angel would come.
b. We know as well that, when critical times come, previously-made alliances, for or against God, mean everything for our future.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 11:1-3,8-19
A Possible Series of Four Sermons on Hebrews
Pentecost 12 - 11:1-3, 8-19 - Abraham and Sarah exemplify faith.
Pentecost 13 - 12:1-2, 12-17 - Life is a race with Jesus as the goal.
Pentecost 14 - 12:18-29 - Worship God with reverence and awe.
Pentecost 15 - 13:1-8 - Jesus Christ is forever the same.
1. Now Faith Is. 11:1-11
Need: Faith is a word used daily by most people. What do they mean by faith? You can have faith in yourself, in others, in a machine. Is this the same as religious faith? Most probably think of faith in terms of blind faith - accepting something beyond reason. To others faith is believing something or someone exists. The author of Hebrews defines faith in our text. This sermon is designed to answer the need people have of a full understanding of the meaning of faith.
Outline: Now faith is
a. Assurance - v. 1a
b. Conviction - v. 1b
c. Trust in God's promises - v. 11
d. Obedience - v. 8
2. What Faith Can Do For You. 11:1-3
Need: We talk about the wonderful thing it is to have faith. This indeed is the truth. For the average church member, faith is something you should have but you do not know why. What difference would faith make in your life? Does faith have any practical help for your life? Our text tells us what faith can do for a life.
Outline: What faith can do for you
a. Faith gives assurance of spiritual realities - v. 1
b. Faith gains God's approval - v. 2
c. Faith enables you to understand God - v. 3
3. Live by Faith. 11:8-16
Need: The need for this sermon is in the fact that faith is often only an intellectual matter: what or in whom to believe. Faith is very practical. It is meant for daily living. Conceive of life as a journey suggested by the text: faith causes Abraham to start on a journey of new life, sustains him during the journey, and gives him the goal of his journey. Faith sustained him during his career.
Outline: Live by faith on life's journey.
a. Obedience to take the trip God offers - v. 8. When faith comes, a new journey of life begins. It is a life of obedience to God - an adventure into an unknown future.
b. Faith on the trip - vv. 9, 13. Life is a pilgrimage on earth. We, like Abraham, are only pilgrims and sojourners. Earth is not our permanent home. We are only passing through, living in tents. Faith sustains and guides us on the pilgrimage.
c. Faith in the trip's destination - vv. 10, 16. The goal of a Christian is heaven, the city of God, a heavenly country. Faith makes us believe in our final destination, keeps our eyes on it as life's goal, and helps us persevere in attaining the goal.
4. A Proud God. 11:16b "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God."
Need: We know that people can be ashamed of God. A Lenten hymn asks, "Ashamed of Jesus?" Turn it around: could God ever be ashamed of his people? He was ashamed of his creation in Noah's times. He was ashamed of Sodom and Gomorrah. In our text God is not ashamed but proud of his people. That is what we hope for and want. How can we make God proud of us?
Outline: God is not ashamed of a people who
a. Are sure of his reality - v. 1
b. Obey his commands - v. 8
c. Accept his promises - v. 11
5. Do You Believe Enough? 11:13
Need: Faith comes in many forms and degrees. Not just any faith saves the soul and gains God's approval. There can be faith in self only. We can believe in the wrong person or teaching. Faith as intellectual assent is insufficient. Christians refer to "saving faith" to distinguish it from other faith. Our text may be surprising and shocking. It says that the heroes of faith before Christ did not receive the promise of revelation, redemption, and heaven. Their faith was insufficient.
Outline: Faith is faith in Christ.
a. Faith in Christ as the revealer of God.
b. Faith in Christ as the redeemer of the world.
PROPER 15
August 14-20
Common
PENTECOST 13
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 20
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Jeremiah 20:7-13 (C)
For preaching Yahweh's message of doom, Jeremiah is persecuted but is confident of victory. Jeremiah expresses his inner turmoil as a prophet. True to God's Word, he preaches doom and destruction for the nation at the hands of the Babylonians as God's judgment upon their sins of idolatry and wickedness. For telling the truth of what is coming, he is ridiculed and thrown into stocks; friends wait to catch him in a word of treason. Because he loves his people, he is hurt by their non-acceptance and he takes his complaint to Yahweh whom he accuses of deceiving him as a virgin who is raped and of forcing him to be a prophet. He decides not to preach, but he has an inner compulsion that will not let him be silent. After his outburst of anger, he realizes Yahweh is with him as a dread warrior who will give him victory over his enemies. He ends his prayer with words of praise of Yahweh.
Jeremiah 23:23-29
God's Word is to be spoken faithfully and truly.
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 (RC)
Jeremiah is cast into a pit of mire. The faithful prophet of God has so wearied his adversaries with his "Thus saith the Lord" pronouncements that they are ready to be done with him. Evidently unready to have his blood on their hands, though, they do what Joseph's brothers once did in the wilderness - they put him harmlessly out of their sight and hearing - in a pit, from which he is rescued at last by someone who has more conscience than Judah's weak-spined king.
Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17
Surrounded by past faithful ones, we are to run the race of faith with Jesus as our model. On the basis of a long list of people of faith in chapter 11, the author of Hebrews calls upon us to run the race of faith. The faithful of the past surround us as we persevere in the race to encourage us. Like runners who wear minimum clothing, we are to discard the clothing of sin. As athletes run toward a goal or finish line, we are to look to Jesus as our model of faith. This calls for self-discipline in order to attain holiness, for an immoral person, like Esau, has no chance to repent.
Luke 12:49-56
Jesus came to cause division among people and to get people to interpret correctly the present time. Jesus says in this passage that he came to cast fire on earth. By fire, he may have meant God who is a "consuming fire," or the Spirit who came like tongues of fire. He may be referring to the judgment, for a tree without good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Moreover, he says in referring to his coming death that he has a baptism to undergo. His coming does not mean peace in terms of status quo but division in family relationships due to his teachings and moral principles. As people forecast the weather by reading the signs in the sky, so should they be able to interpret the present time as one of judgment.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and ever-living God, you have given great and precious promises to those who believe. Grant us the perfect faith which overcomes all doubts."
Hymn of the Day
"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 12:49-56.
1. Fire (v. 49). Jesus said he came to earth to cast fire on it. Apparently he did not mean physical fire, for prehistoric men had fire. Fire is a symbol of spiritual reality. God is identified with fire; Jesus came to bring God on earth. Fire is associated with cleansing; Jesus' atoning death was for the cleansing of sin. Fire is connected with the Spirit, Pentecost's cloven tongues of fire; Jesus promised to send the Spirit. Fire is associated with judgment, for a bad tree is cut down and burned. The world is judged now and will be judged finally at the Parousia.
2. Baptism (v. 50). Jesus speaks of having to be baptized. Was he not already baptized in the Jordan? Again, the word is used symbolically. It is a baptism of suffering and death. He is anxious for it to take place. It is probably the way a person on death row waiting for execution must feel. Jesus' baptism was a necessary sacrifice to redeem humankind.
3. Peace (v. 51). The Prince of Peace says he did not come to bring peace on earth, but rather "division." Is this a contradiction? Did he not say, "My peace I give unto you"? There is no contradiction because of the kind of peace Jesus had in mind. There can be a false, dead peace in terms of status quo with evil. When good and evil confront each other, there is division. The good and evil do not mix. Thus, godly and ungodly people are not at peace with each other. This applies even within a family which can be divided if all are not sincere Christians. Peace is a by-product of harmony among people.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7-13.
1. Deceived (v. 7). Jeremiah has a complaint against Yahweh. In fact, he is angry with Yahweh for getting him into his mess. He was called to be a prophet and he was faithful to speak only what Yahweh told him to say. He felt he had a right to be respected as a prophet and to expect a favorable hearing. Jeremiah claims Yahweh forced him into being a prophet. Instead of giving him a respectful hearing, the people laugh at him, ridicule him, and threaten his life.
2. Cannot (v. 9). So what can Jeremiah do about it? He can quit and no longer speak God's Word. He tried this, but it did not work. While he was silent, he was miserable. It was like fire in his bones. The pressure built up and the Word had to come out. He could not keep quiet. Similarly, Paul said, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." The call of God - the burning Spirit within - the love of God and truth make one speak out for God.
3. Warrior (v. 11). In the midst of his anger and frustration, Jeremiah comes to faith and to an awareness that Yahweh is with him in this predicament. The Lord is with him as a dread "warrior." Whoever thought of God as a "warrior"? It was an appropriate name, for Jeremiah was in conflict with his many opponents. He needed a "warrior" to fight the battles and to win the fight. In our fight-ing for truth and right, God comes to us as a warrior to fight for us and gain the victory.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17
1. Cloud (v. 1). We who are in the race of faith have a cloud of faith-witnesses to cheer us on. There is a "cloud" of them. A cloud signifies presence just as God led the Israelites in the wilderness by a cloud during the day. It also means that the witnesses are numerous, "thick as flies." The people in heaven are gathered together so tightly that they appear as a cloud. It is good to know that as we live out our faith we are not alone but millions are watching, praying, and encouraging us to keep the faith.
2. Looking (v. 2). In a race there is a goal or finish line. The runners press on toward reaching the goal first. They keep their eyes and minds on the objective. They do not see the crowd in the stadium. They do not look to the sky wondering if it will rain. They do not look back to see if their opponents are catching up with them. In the same way we look to the goal of the race - Jesus. We look to him for the meaning of faith. We look to him as the model of endurance in suffering. We look to him in his glory seated in power at God's right hand.
3. Rejected (v.17). This is a hard word. Would Christ reject anyone? The author of Hebrews felt that a Christian, who deserted Christ, could not be re-instated. In that sense, like Esau, he/she would be rejected. Probably the meaning is this: Though Esau wanted his father's blessing, he could not get it because it was already given to Jacob. A missed opportunity cannot be reclaimed. When a sin is committed, it cannot be undone. In the light of this, we will be more careful to strive for holiness.
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 12:49-56.
1. Danger: Flammable Christians! 12:49
Need: Some churches have no fire. Visitors find the church cold, often with icicles on the chandeliers. The warmth of fellowship is lacking. Except for official greeters and the pastor's greeting at the door after the service, strangers would not be greeted. Among the members there is a spirit of apathy and indifference. It is next to impossible to enlist leaders. Resisting change, members say, "We have always done it this way." The average church is in need of warmth, zeal, energy, and enthusiasm. This sermon is to arouse the congregation with the Word of fire coming in Christ. Christian are to be flammable people ignited with the Holy Spirit.
Outline: Flammable Christians ...
a. Are aflame with God. Fire is a Biblical symbol for God: God comes to Moses at the burning bush. On Mt. Carmel God comes in fire consuming the sacrifice prepared by Elijah. Jesus came to baptize with the Spirit and with fire. When the Spirit comes, people are on fire with God, full of energy, interest, zeal, enthusiasm, and vitality.
b. Can let the fire of God go out. The fire of God is not necessarily an eternal flame. The fire can be put out by the water of worldliness, by smothering the fire by the cares of this life, and by letting it burn out for lack of fuel.
c. Use the fire for good. Fire is used to light other fires. Fire is contagious. If a Christian is on fire with God, those who come in contact are set on fire, too. Christians are spiritual arsonists who deliberately set others on fire with God even as Jesus says in the text, "I have come to set fire to the earth." (NEB)
2. Go in Peace or to Pieces? 12:51
Need: We usually think of Jesus in terms of the Prince of Peace. Our text reminds us there is another side of Jesus and his effect. He can also cause trouble, controversy, disharmony, and division. Jesus will have no cheap peace. Sometimes he says, "Go in peace," but other times people go to pieces in terms of disagreement and division. Jesus is telling us that it is not his way to have peace at any price: agreement with falsehood, compromise with evil. When Jesus enters as truth, love, and goodness, people divide themselves pro and con. It is said that wherever St. Paul preached, there was a revival or a riot. With Jesus there is no neutral ground: you are either for or against him. The division occurs even in the close-knit family: some for, some against Jesus.
Outline: How Jesus causes division.
a. He speaks the truth.
b. He refuses to compromise principles.
c. He lives by love.
3. Burned Up But Not Burned Out! 12:49
Need: A common problem today is burned-out people: fatigued, exhausted, and depressed. In contrast Christians are to be burned up about evil conditions and aroused enough to do something about them. Jesus came to put us on fire not to burn out but to burn up.
Outline: We need the fire of God in our lives -
a. The fire of cleansing - Malachi 3:2
b. The fire of compulsion - Jeremiah 20:9
c. The fire of conflict - Luke 12:51
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7-13
1. "I Got to Tell You!" 20:9
Need: When a person is excited or has some special good news, or a sense of guilt, or a serious problem, one often says, "I just got to tell you." It is too good or possibly too bad to keep. There is an inner compulsion like Jeremiah's fire in his bones. This is the true source of witnessing for Christ. We tell others what God has done for us not because we are paid to tell, not because it is our duty, and not because we were asked to do it.
Outline: When you've got to tell -
a. Truth must out - Jeremiah 20:9
b. Faith must speak - Acts 4:20
c. Love must express - 1 Corinthians 9:16
d. Praise must let go - Jeremiah 20:13
2. When the World Is Against You. 20:7-13
Need: The world may be hostile to Christians. When we speak the truth, when we take a stand for justice, we may be attacked, ridiculed, and unfairly criticized and accused of things we never did. Jeremiah had that experience. He told the truth about his nation which for her sins was to experience defeat and destruction. No one wants to hear bad news. Rather than accept the truth, they attacked Jeremiah and persecuted him. If and when we speak for God, we will be in trouble with the world. Jeremiah tells us what he did when it happened to him.
Outline: When the world is against you -
a. Complain to God - vv. 7, 8, 10
b. Try disobedience - v. 9
c. Become aware of God's presence - v. 11
d. Sing God's praise for his help - v. 13
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 23:23-29
1. The Christian's Mighty Weapon. 23:29
Need: Nations are ever seeking the latest weapons in sophistication and power. The latest is the neutron bomb. God has the best weapons which cannot be improved - his Word which in Lesson 1 is described as a fire and a hammer. God needs this weapon in the conflict with evil. In Jeremiah's day the conflict was between the words (dreams) of the prophets and the true Word proclaimed by Jeremiah. The Word of God is still the only weapon of the Christian. In "A Mighty Fortress" Luther referred to this weapon against Satan: "One little word shall fell him." The purpose of the sermon is to convince people of the power of the Word and to use it in the battle against evil.
Outline: The Word is the Christian's mighty weapon because:
a. It is like a fire. Fire consumes, burns up. There are the fires of hell. Like branches, evil-doers are thrown into the fire. When we want to get rid of refuse, we burn it. The fire of God's Word consumes evil.
b. It is like a hammer. A hammer breaks up, divides, destroys. The Word, like a hammer, breaks up the cartels of evil organizations and projects. It is like a hammer smashing a vase into a thousand pieces. Truth destroys falsehood.
2. The God Above. 23:23-24
Need: The emphasis today has been on the immanence of God. God has become localized, humanized, and intimatized to the point that God has become more of a man than God. While his immanence is an essential attribute, we must not overlook his transcendence. This is the point Jeremiah is making in the text. God is also one who is far-off. The prophets of history were making God too little and intimate. God was to be understood as One above and beyond the petty wishes and promises of the false prophets. His Word had a majesty and a power that transcended all human thinking and efforts.
Outline: The God above is
a. A God of knowledge - he knows all.
b. A God of presence - he cannot be escaped.
c. A God of power - his Word has power to destroy evil.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
When Down Is Up
Need: Not every reversal is a defeat; sometimes suffering proves the loudest witness of them all. Jeremiah's "congregation" had stopped their ears. Sometimes words must give way to actions, sometimes righteous suffering can accomplish what right words could not.
1. Nobody said discipleship would be easy.
a. We wonder why we suffer for doing good.
b. Jeremiah wondered as loudly as any of us do - and with good cause!
c. Even the semi-faithful king assented to Jeremiah's being thrown into a pit (our "friends" may turn on us when convenience calls them to it).
2. Sometimes the darkness is the start of light.
a. Jeremiah shamed an entire city by enduring wrong treatment.
b. Not only didn't God abandon Jeremiah, but he lived to preach another day - to a more sympathetic audience.
c. We need to let God lead us through darkness for the sake of his truth (and not complain about the journey).
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17
1. Winning the Race of Faith. 12:1-2
Need: For the Christian, life is a matter of keeping and living by faith. In Hebrews 1 1 , we were given a long list of people of faith. "Therefore" of our text refers to the faithful of Hebrews 11. On the basis of others' faith and in the light of their faith, we are exhorted to run the race of faith. The analogy of an athletic contest is used. In our generation of sports' craze, it is an appropriate analogy to interest our people in running the race of faith. This subject of faith may be harmonized with the theme of the day - the fire of faith needs to burn endlessly in us.
Outline: To win the race of faith
a. Be in the right place: stadium of witnesses - "Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses."
Fans are gathered to fan our faith!
b. Be properly dressed - "Let us also lay aside every weight." An athlete wears a minimum of clothing for maximum performance. A Christian takes off the clothing of sin.
c. Run with perseverance - "Let us run with perseverance." Keep the faith no matter how weary you get or how fierce the competition.
d. Look to the goal - "Looking to Jesus."
1. Jesus is the "pioneer," the originator of our faith.
2. Jesus is the "perfecter," the fulfillment of our faith.
2. Having Someone to Look To. 12:2.
Need: We all look to someone for something, because we are not all-sufficient. Children look to parents for examples. Students look to teachers for guidance. People look to Christians for the truth. All of us have a need to look to Jesus for life and salvation.
Outline: Look to Jesus for -
a. Faith - "pioneer and perfecter of our faith" - v. 2
b. Endurance in suffering - "endured the cross" - v. 2
c. Victory over the world - "seated .at the right hand of the throne of God" - v. 2
PROPER 16
August 21-27
Common
PENTECOST 14
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 21
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Jeremiah 28:1-9 (C)
Hananiah, a prophet, contradicts Jeremiah's prophecy of doom. Jeremiah is confronted by Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon, in the temple. It is a dramatic scene with Jeremiah's wearing a yoke to symbolize the coming bondage of Judah to Babylon. To Jeremiah in the presence of the priests and people, Hananiah tells Jeremiah that Babylon will be defeated and within two years the king, exiles, and the temple treasures will be returned to Jerusalem. Sarcastically Jeremiah says "Amen" to that, but he points out that the prophets in the past pronounced doom for a nation of wickedness and idolatry. If a prophet preaches peace, time will tell whether he is a true prophet. The people are left with the question which of the two is a true prophet, the one with bad news or the one with good news? Dramatically Hananiah takes the yoke off Jeremiah and breaks it in two to signify what Yahweh will do to Babylon.
Isaiah 66:18-23 (L)
Isaiah 66:18-21 (RC)
God promises to bring all nations to him at Jerusalem.
Hebrews 12:18-29 (C)
Hebrews 12:18-24 (L)
Christians are on a mountain greater than Mt. Sinai and hear God's voice that shakes earth and heaven.
Christians have moved from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion, from law to gospel and from the old to the new covenant. On Mt. Sinai the Israelites experienced the terrifying images of God's holiness, but on Mt. Zion we see extraordinary pictures of the city of God: angels, saints, God, and Christ. Mt. Zion is far greater than Mt. Sinai because Christ as our mediator before a God of justice and holiness enables us to be in the very presence of God. However, we are warned that God's judgment comes to those who reject God and refuse to hear his voice which shakes heaven and earth. His voice shakes earthly things that those things that cannot be shaken may remain. God has given us a kingdom that cannot be shaken. For this we should worship God with reverence and awe.
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 (RC)
Hardship builds discipline. For Christians tempted to grumble over a "tough lot in life," the writer of this letter ties hardship to strong discipleship. We are called to see privilege in suffering and enduring, for a parent's child is deliberately put to the test to build up such qualities as longsuffering, patience, and resilience.
Luke 13:22-30
The saved enter the kingdom by a narrow door. Will only a few be saved or will all people ultimately get to heaven? In this pericope Jesus explains that many will try to enter heaven but few will get in because the door to heaven is narrow. Many think they will get to heaven because they know about Jesus and ate and drank with him. This is not enough. Their wickedness keeps them out. From outside they will look into heaven and see people from all over the world at dinner in the kingdom. While the kingdom is open to all people in terms of a universal invitation, few will enter because they must pass through the narrow door of Jesus.
Prayer of the Day
"God of all creation, you reach out to call people of all nations to your kingdom. As you gather disciples from near and far, count us also among those who boldly confess your Son Jesus Christ as Lord."
Hymn of the Day
"A Multitude Comes from the East and West"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 13:22-30
1. Few (v. 23). Why did the man ask Jesus if "few" would be saved? Why did he not say "many"?
Did he think God was choosey? Did he hear Jesus talk about the commandments or did he overhear
Jesus say to the young ruler, "Sell all you have and give to the poor"? Universalists claim that since God is love, he cannot exclude anyone from heaven. According to this view, not many but all people will be saved. It is a live contemporary question being debated in our time.
2. Narrow (v. 24). Jesus answered the question. The answer was "Yes," only a few will be saved. Many will try to enter heaven but they will not get through the narrow door. Maybe they are too fat with the things of this life, too affluent. Jesus called himself the door. Here he says he is a narrow door. It is narrow because he is the only way to God the Father. "No man comes to the Father but by me." "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Various religions are not roads to God. There is but one road and one door, Jesus, and that door is narrow.
3. Iniquity (v. 27). If Jesus is the door to salvation, some claim as in the penicope that they know about Jesus and had meals with him. Still they were excluded on the basis that to know about Jesus is not enough to be saved. One must believe in and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. People who know about Jesus, (and who in today's America has not heard about him?) and live wickedly are excluded. Not even belonging to a religious community such as being a Jew or a member of a church gets one into heaven. Non-Jews, Gentiles, foreigners, anyone from anywhere, can enter the kingdom if they accept by faith Jesus as the Christ.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 28:1-9
1. Prophet (vv. 1, 5). Both Hananiah and Jeremiah are called prophets. Who is a prophet? He is one who speaks in behalf of another, never for himself if he is a true prophet. Accordingly, Hananiah begins his message, "Thus says the Lord." Today the parish pastor is also a prophet, a mouthpiece of God. When he/she preaches, do the people hear one they think speaks for God? Is it really God speaking through the preacher or is the preacher speaking only for him/herself?
2. Amen (v. 6). When Hananiah gives his message of peace and the return of exiles and treasures from Babylon, Jeremiah sarcastically says, "Amen." The word means, "It shall be so." Jeremiah is sarcastic because what Hananiah said is not what Yahweh told him. Hananiah's message was good news of victory and peace, but it was Hananiah's attempt to please the people and not to tell the truth.
3. Truly (v. 9). Here we have Jeremiah's word against Hananiah's word. Whom are the people to believe? Who is "truly" a prophet? Is one a true prophet if the message is one of peace and hope? People will gladly hear this kind of prophet, for he brings a gospel of success and self-esteem. Jeremiah points out that the true prophets of the past brought messages of war and famine resulting from the people's sins. If a prophet like Hananiah preaches peace, if and when peace comes, it will prove the prophet to be "truly" sent.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:18-29
1. Terrifying (v. 21). To be with God on Mount Sinai was a "terrifying" experience for the Israelites. One could not touch the mountain for fear of death. They could not bear to hear God's voice. The sight of God made Moses tremble with fear. The God of Mount Sinai was one of perfect holiness, justice, and wrath. He was the transcendent, totally-other God. It is this side of God that is missing in today's concept of God and in our worship services. Many no longer fear God.
2. "Mediator" (v. 24). Now we have come closer to God than the Israelites and we still live! We are on Mount Zion where we are with the angels, saints, God, and Christ. How is this possible? Christ is our "mediator." He comes between this holy God and sinful us. He intercedes for us. Because of his sacrifice, God accepts us into his holy presence. Because of our "mediator," we can approach God with confidence.
3. Acceptable (v. 28). The author of Hebrews exhorts us to offer "acceptable" worship. What is "acceptable worship"? The text tells us the answer: reverence and awe. In many churches reverence and awe do not exist. The note of adoration and mystery is missing. To have reverence and awe in our church services, we need to realize that the holy, transcendent God is truly present in the worship service. His presence causes us to worship with reverence and awe.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Jeremiah 28:1-9; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:22-30
1. You Can't Win Them All!
Need: The three lessons give a perspective of this problem of universality and particularity in salvation. Are the Universalists correct in claiming that in the end God will save all people? If God is love, could he allow some of his children to perish? In contrast, there are many who claim they only are going to be saved. In Jonah's time the prevailing idea was that God was restricted to Israel. Some churches still hold that only their members are bound for heaven. Are Christians right to hold that only Christians are saved? The individual in the church wonders whether he/she will be among the elect in heaven.
Outline: Why all people cannot be won for the kingdom -
a. False prophets claim all will be saved - Lesson 1
b. Only a few enter by the narrow door of Christ - Gospel
c. Many reject the voice of God - Lesson 2
Gospel:
Luke 13:22-30
1. The Door to Heaven
Need: A door is a means of entrance and a way to exclude. It matters whether the door is open or closed, whether it is wide enough for all or narrow to allow only a few. The question asked of Jesus in the Gospel is still being asked in our churches, "Will those who are saved be few?" Will I be among the saved? Jesus answers in terms of doors.
Outline: The doors you may confront.
a. The open door - v. 29. The door to the Kingdom is open to all regardless of nation or race.
Christianity is a universal religion. God desires all people to be saved. If this is the case, can the church rightfully restrict its membership?
b. The narrow door - v. 24. Though God wants all to be saved, not all qualify. It is a narrow door of obedience to God's laws.
c. The closed door - vv. 25-27. The door is closed to religious people who thought they were going to heaven: "We ate and drank in your presence." The door is closed to the wicked, "workers of iniquity," whether they are in or out of the church. Some will be shut out of heaven by their own evil condition.
d. The glass door - v. 28. Through the door the lost will see who made it inside the Kingdom.
Lesson 1 shows all nations are present. Lesson 2 enables us to see the angels and saints in heaven. This view will make the lost regret their choice of godlessness, but it is too late.
2. What Gets You Into Heaven
Need: Every person would like to know if he is going to make it to heaven. "Heaven" is the same as being "saved," being in a right relationship with God. Jesus makes it clear that not all who think they are going will get there. This sermon is designed to help people know where they stand and learn what is necessary to be saved. The problem to be faced is to preach so that the impression is not given that good works is the way to heaven.
Outline: Who will be saved?
a. Not necessarily one nation or race - v. 29
b. Not necessarily church people - vv. 26, 27
c. But, they who walk through the narrow door of obedience - vv. 24, 27. We are saved by grace through faith and not by good deeds. The test of true faith is obedience to God's will. First we are saved by faith in Christ's atoning work on the cross and the confirmation of that condition is manifested in our obedience.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 28:1-9
1. Who Speaks for God? 28:1-9
Need: In this Lesson we have two opposing preachers and each claims to be speaking for God. Who is really speaking for God: Hananiah or Jeremiah? Today preachers are prophets supposedly speaking for God. Yet we can hear preachers via TV and elsewhere who contradict each other or the local pastor. People hear one thing in church and another thing over TV. To whom should the people listen? Who is the true prophet?
Outline: Consider who is the true prophet -
a. False prophets exist - v. 6
b. The prophet with the unpleasant truth - v. 8
c. The prophecy that is fulfilled - v. 9
2. The Peril of Popular Preachers. 28:1-9
Need: Today we have popular preachers like Hananiah who tell what the people want to hear: well-being, success, peace, and victory. Through TV these preachers speak weekly to millions and receive billions of dollars from the listening audiences. This is not to say that all true prophets are necessarily unpopular, but some popular preachers are not true prophets and our people need to be warned.
Outline: How some popular preachers are perilous -
a. They tell us we are inherently good when we are bad
b. They distort the Scriptures by tearing texts out of context
c. They preach a legalistic morality that enslaves
d. They call upon the State to impose their type of morality
Lesson 1: Isaiah 66:18-23
God's Dream for the World
Need: The Christianization of today's world faces a dual threat. One is the particularity of certain Christian groups who claim that there is salvation in their church only. They are not able to see the universality of God's Kingdom. The other threat is pluralism: one religion is as good as another. Thus, we should not send missionaries to convert non-Christians. We should send only relief workers and teachers. In this text we see the longing of God for all peoples to come to him through Christ, for there is no other way to God. Without this Biblical conviction, world missions have no reason for existence. This sermon is unashamedly interested in winning the world for God by proclaiming Christ to the nations.
Outline: What God dreams for his world.
a. All people to worship him - vv. 18, 23
b. All people to serve him - v. 21
c. All people to be brought to him - v. 20
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:18-29
1. The Population of God's City. 12:22-24
Need: Can we know who is in heaven? Are our loved ones there? Will I be there some day? Will we know each other in heaven? Is there a limit to the number in God's city - say, 144,000? These are questions that say this sermon is needed.
Outline: Our text tells us who is in the city of God.
a. Innumerable angels - v. 22
b. Assembly of true believers - v. 23
c. God the judge - v. 23
d. Jesus the mediator - v. 24
2. How Glorious is This Place! 12:18-24
Need: In recent years we have lost the sense of awe and adoration in our religion and worship. We may have lost it in the craze for informality and in the emphasis upon being human. The immanence of God was emphasized to the point that we lost sight of a transcendent God full of majesty, power, and glory. Out text will help us recover that lost sense of reverence, fear, awe, and adoration.
Outline: In our text we see
a. The glory of the old covenant - vv. 18-21 . God's presence was as fearful as a blazing fire. The voice of God was too loud to bear. Even Moses was terrified in the holy presence of God. To touch the mountain of God was to die.
b. The greater glory of the new covenant - vv. 22-24. Christians now come into the direct presence of God and Christ. They associate with angels and saints. How much more then should Christians fall down in awe as they approach God in prayer and worship?
Lesson 1: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
How Tough is Tough Enough?
Need: We live in an age of "instant everything" and easy answers. Disciples need to toughen themselves for the long haul when the going gets rough and God will need resilient followers.
1. Tough enough to make us tough
a. You can't serve effectively if you have no stamina
b. Stamina comes from endurance
c. God supplies the testing times; we dare not waste them
2. Not too tough to take
a. A loving parent never over-tests; neither does God
b. Jesus' endurance course (his passion) sets the pace for us; we can take comfort and courage
from his example
1. It was tougher than ours ever will be
2. It assures us good things come from tough times
Jeremiah 18:1-11 (C)
Jeremiah's parable of the potter. For the balance of this church year Lesson 1 will deal with the prophets. Today is the first in a series of three from Jeremiah. To help us understand these passages, a review of Jeremiah may be helpful. Jeremiah served as a prophet in Judah for forty years prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He considered Babylonia to be an instrument of God to discipline and purify his people until they learned to be faithful to him. Consequently, he was a prophet of doom and was hated for it. Because he urged the people to surrender to Babylonia, he was considered a traitor and his life was threatened. Yet, he loved his people and Yahweh.
Genesis 15:1-6
Abraham believed God's promise that he would have a son and heir.
Wisdom 18:6-9 (RC)
God tells his secret plans to his faithful. The Israelites, languishing in Egyptian bondage, knew in advance what God's plan was to rescue them. Thus fortified, they could withstand the cockiness of the Egyptians who had no idea what horror would fall upon them when the first-born of all not protected by the Passover blood would be put to death.
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19 (C, RC)
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (L)
True faith is exemplified by Abraham and Sarah.
Hebrews 11 is known as the faith chapter of the Bible. At the beginning of the chapter, faith is defined and then illustrated by various characters among whom Abraham and Sarah were chief. Faith is portrayed as trust in God's promises for the future. In the case of the sacrifice of Isaac, faith is seen as obedience. Life is considered a pilgrimage and the faithful look with faith to the future. The pilgrims before Christ did not receive the promises of God, but they saw from afar their destination which was the city of God.
Luke 12:32-40 (C, L)
Luke 12:32-48 (RC)
God gives his kingdom to those prepared to receive it.
Verse 32 concludes the foregoing section on anxiety about material needs. Verses 33-40 constitute the parable of the waiting servants. Jesus teaches that we should not worry about the material things of life. Instead God will give us the kingdom and then our treasure will be in heaven. But the coming of the kingdom is delayed. When will Jesus return? His coming will be unexpected. Blessed will be those who will be awake to receive him when he comes.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are unworthy to ask."
Hymn of the Day
"Rise, my Soul, to Watch and Pray"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 12:32-40
1. Give (v. 32). Jesus tells us that it would make God happy to give us the kingdom. He wants us to have it and nothing would please him more. Just what is this kingdom? Do we want it as badly as God wants to give it? The kingdom is the realm of all that is good: truth, peace, righteousness, love. It is all God is and all that God desires for his children. But note that the kingdom is not a human production. We do not make the kingdom come and we do not work to bring the kingdom on earth by witnessing and proclaiming. The kingdom belongs to God and he alone can give it. Thus we pray, "Thy kingdom come."
2. Where (v. 34). It is assumed that every person has a treasure of some kind somewhere. The big question is, where is your treasure? One's treasure can be in a bank or stock market, or in one's family, or in one's job. What is most precious to you? That is your treasure. Wherever your treasure is, Jesus says that is where your heart is. If your treasure is spiritual, your heart is with God.
3. Ready (v. 40). "Ready" has become a well-known word through the often-heard commercial used for years, "Delta is ready when you are." Jesus teaches us that we need to be ready when he unexpectedly returns to earth. The truth is that Christ is ready to come into our hearts whenever we are ready to receive him. His physical return at the end of time may not be in our lifetime, but he does come now when a heart is ready to receive him. To be ready is to repent and believe.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 18:1-11
1. There (v. 2). Yahweh instructs Jeremiah to go to a potter's workshop and "there" he would speak to him. Yet, not a word was spoken by God while Jeremiah watched the potter make pots. It was a case of non-verbal communication. In the making and re-making of the vessel God spoke to Jeremiah about the fate of the nation. Communicators claim that we communicate far more by non-verbal means: posture, gestures, attitude, voice, facial expressions, etc.
2. Can (v. 6). God asks, "Can" I not do the same with Israel as the potter did with clay? The potter holds in his hands a mess of clay. He fashions it, changes and re-makes it until it becomes what he wants it to be. God is almighty as the creator of the world and has the power today to make or re-make persons or peoples. "Can" reminds us of the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over creation and nations.
3. Repent (vv. 8, 10). We usually apply this word to sinful people who need to repent. Here it is used twice of God: "repent of the evil" and "repent of the good." The word, "repent," means to change one's mind. Since God can do no evil, there is never any need for God to repent. But he can change his mind. God is not a captive of his own laws. He is free to change his mind about his people. He may intend to bring doom upon a wicked nation, but if the nation reforms, he may change his mind and bring a blessing instead of doom.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19
1. Obeyed (v. 8). The ultimate proof of faith is obedience. It is easy to have faith in terms of intellectual agreement. It is more difficult to trust a statement or person. But to obey calls for implicit faith. What we believe in is what we do. We believe in a certain type of investment and we will invest our money in it. If we did not believe it was a sound investment, not one dollar would be invested. If we, like Abraham, really believe in God, we will obey his commands. Faith without works is truly dead.
2. Received (v. 11). Can a ninety-year-old woman get pregnant? It is a physical impossibility. It would require a miracle. For an aged woman to conceive she would have to have divine aid. In Sarah's case, she "received" power to conceive. It was through faith that she got the power. This gives us another facet of the meaning of faith: It is acceptance of God's gifts. To be saved is to be accepted by God. To accept this divine acceptance is the meaning of faith. Thus, we are saved by faith.
3. Ashamed (v. 16). God is not "ashamed" to be the God of those who have faith in him. It is well to notice that it does not say God is proud of us for the kind of people we are, or the possessions we have, or the good works we do. God is not ashamed to be known as our God because by faith we walk with him, trust his promises, and obey his commands. For some the problem may be that we are ashamed of our God as a hymn suggests, "Jesus and shall it ever be / A mortal man ashamed of thee?"
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 12:32-40
1. Your Faith is Showing! 12:32-40
Need: If it is true faith, it shows. No one can hide it. If one has it, one would not want to hide it. There are church members who are not sure they have faith. They know they should have, would like to be sure they have it, and feel the need for more faith. In today's Gospel, we can test ourselves to see if we really do have faith or just think we have it.
Outline: Your faith is showing when
a. You receive the kingdom - v. 32. The Kingdom of God is not earned or bought. It is received:
"It is your Father's good pleasure to give you ..." This gift is received by faith.
b. You seek spiritual values - vv. 33-34. It takes faith to be less concerned about accumulating spiritual treasure than earthly goods.
c. You watch and wait for Christ's return - vv. 35-40. Before you will prepare, you must first believe Christ is coming again.
2. Why You Don 't Ever Have to be Afraid. Luke 12:32
Need: The antidote to fear is faith. When the Father and Son said, "Fear Not," they were saying, "Have faith." Fear is one of the most popular maladies of our age. Our fears are based on the unknown factors of our lives. A true Christian is free from fear because of his faith in God. This sermon is to show the people how faith eradicates fear.
Outline: Why you don't ever have to be afraid again.
a. Believe that God is for you - v. 32. God considers it a pleasure to be good to you. He is on your side wanting to help, bless, and strengthen you.
b. Believe that God wil provide for you - v. 33. You need not fear for not having your physical needs met. God will provide. In this faith you seek first the Kingdom of God and the material needs will follow.
c. Believe that the end will be good - v. 40. At the end of time Christ will return to set things right. God and the forces of righteousness will conquer evil forever.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 18:1-11
A Possible Series of Three Sermons
Pentecost 12 - Jeremiah 18: 1-11 - The clay of Israel is in the hands of Yahweh.
Pentecost 13 - Jeremiah 20:7-13 - Jeremiah is confident Yahweh will defeat his enemies.
Pentecost 14 - Jeremiah 28:1-9 - Jeremiah opposes Hananiah's prophecy that the Exiles will return in two years.
1. Who's Boss Here? 18:1-11
Need: Is anyone in charge of our world? Can a nation or an individual do what it jolly well pleases? Is there no stopping this nuclear arms race? Must the nations experience a cosmic holocaust? Who can make a nation stop the brutality and torture of minorities? Jeremiah in our text tells us about the sovereignty of God as the potter who holds in his hands the future destiny of nations. The peoples are nothing but soft clay in the hands of an almighty God.
Outline: Who's boss here?
a. God is the sovereign over all nations - v. 5
b. God can un-do a nation - vv . 9-10
c. God can re-do a nation - vv. 7-8
2. God Can Re-make You! 18:1-11
Need: Picture God as the cosmic potter. He holds in his hands a lump of clay. Since we were made of dust, we are the clay. The divine Potter made a vessel of us for himself, but we spoiled it. It needs to be either squashed and thrown away, or re-fashioned. Which shall it be? In our text Jeremiah speaking for God tells us what we must do to have God re-make us.
Outline: If you want to be re-made, God says -
a. Repent - v. 8 (The clay must be soft.)
b. Return - v. 11 (The clay must be malleable.)
c. Reform - v. 11 ("Amend your ways.")
Lesson 1: Genesis 15:1-6
1. Only Believe! 15:6
Need: It is difficult for many lay people to understand the good news that faith alone gets one in right relations with God. It seems too easy: "Only believe." We insist upon working in cooperation with God for our salvation. Others think they can make themselves approved of God. In this Old Testament passage, we have one of the earliest witnesses to the central theme of the Bible: man is saved by grace. Abraham's faith was reckoned as righteousness. That is, he was in right relations with God by virtue of his faith. The sermon is to show that faith alone is sufficient to get right with God.
Outline: Only believe and God will accept you.
a. Abraham did not approach God - God came to him - v. 1 . God took the initiative, an act of grace.
b. Abraham did nothing - God did it all - vv. 2-5. God offered to give Abraham a son and an heir. In Christ God gave us a son through whom we have eternal life.
c. Abraham accepted God's promise by faith - v. 6. This pleased and satisfied God. Abraham let God bless him and use him as a blessing to the world. God's response to Abraham's faith was the gift of righteousness.
2. When God and Man Get Together. 15:1-6
Need: What happens when Creator and creature get together and communicate? Our people need to know what to expect. Some may think they never had an experience with God, because they do not understand what is involved in the experience. This text gives us the basic principles of a God-man encounter.
Outline: When God and man get together.
a. God makes a promise - v. 1 . His promise is to bless, reward, forgive us.
b. Man responds in faith to the promise - v. 6a. Faith accepts the promise and lives according to the promise.
c. God acts in man's behalf - v. 6b. God justifies, calls man acceptable, in right relationship.
Lesson 1: Wisdom 18:6-9
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!
Need: Believers in the Living God are tempted sometimes to pretend that they are best served when identifying with the unsaved world around them. In exchange for the discomfort of "differentness" believers gain the assurance of divine protection in the face of an uncertain future.
1. Living in God's Kingdom is no accident.
a. Israel, in Egypt, kept faith in the Living God.
1. They could easily have adapted to prevailing ways (and gods).
2. By staying separate they preserved a holy witness.
b. God calls us, in our baptism, to be his separated people.
1. We may earn the world's laughter or derision.
2. If we know the Living God, the world's opinions matter little.
2. When the Crises Come, It's Too Late to Make Choices.
a. Israel knew in advance the death angel would come.
b. We know as well that, when critical times come, previously-made alliances, for or against God, mean everything for our future.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 11:1-3,8-19
A Possible Series of Four Sermons on Hebrews
Pentecost 12 - 11:1-3, 8-19 - Abraham and Sarah exemplify faith.
Pentecost 13 - 12:1-2, 12-17 - Life is a race with Jesus as the goal.
Pentecost 14 - 12:18-29 - Worship God with reverence and awe.
Pentecost 15 - 13:1-8 - Jesus Christ is forever the same.
1. Now Faith Is. 11:1-11
Need: Faith is a word used daily by most people. What do they mean by faith? You can have faith in yourself, in others, in a machine. Is this the same as religious faith? Most probably think of faith in terms of blind faith - accepting something beyond reason. To others faith is believing something or someone exists. The author of Hebrews defines faith in our text. This sermon is designed to answer the need people have of a full understanding of the meaning of faith.
Outline: Now faith is
a. Assurance - v. 1a
b. Conviction - v. 1b
c. Trust in God's promises - v. 11
d. Obedience - v. 8
2. What Faith Can Do For You. 11:1-3
Need: We talk about the wonderful thing it is to have faith. This indeed is the truth. For the average church member, faith is something you should have but you do not know why. What difference would faith make in your life? Does faith have any practical help for your life? Our text tells us what faith can do for a life.
Outline: What faith can do for you
a. Faith gives assurance of spiritual realities - v. 1
b. Faith gains God's approval - v. 2
c. Faith enables you to understand God - v. 3
3. Live by Faith. 11:8-16
Need: The need for this sermon is in the fact that faith is often only an intellectual matter: what or in whom to believe. Faith is very practical. It is meant for daily living. Conceive of life as a journey suggested by the text: faith causes Abraham to start on a journey of new life, sustains him during the journey, and gives him the goal of his journey. Faith sustained him during his career.
Outline: Live by faith on life's journey.
a. Obedience to take the trip God offers - v. 8. When faith comes, a new journey of life begins. It is a life of obedience to God - an adventure into an unknown future.
b. Faith on the trip - vv. 9, 13. Life is a pilgrimage on earth. We, like Abraham, are only pilgrims and sojourners. Earth is not our permanent home. We are only passing through, living in tents. Faith sustains and guides us on the pilgrimage.
c. Faith in the trip's destination - vv. 10, 16. The goal of a Christian is heaven, the city of God, a heavenly country. Faith makes us believe in our final destination, keeps our eyes on it as life's goal, and helps us persevere in attaining the goal.
4. A Proud God. 11:16b "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God."
Need: We know that people can be ashamed of God. A Lenten hymn asks, "Ashamed of Jesus?" Turn it around: could God ever be ashamed of his people? He was ashamed of his creation in Noah's times. He was ashamed of Sodom and Gomorrah. In our text God is not ashamed but proud of his people. That is what we hope for and want. How can we make God proud of us?
Outline: God is not ashamed of a people who
a. Are sure of his reality - v. 1
b. Obey his commands - v. 8
c. Accept his promises - v. 11
5. Do You Believe Enough? 11:13
Need: Faith comes in many forms and degrees. Not just any faith saves the soul and gains God's approval. There can be faith in self only. We can believe in the wrong person or teaching. Faith as intellectual assent is insufficient. Christians refer to "saving faith" to distinguish it from other faith. Our text may be surprising and shocking. It says that the heroes of faith before Christ did not receive the promise of revelation, redemption, and heaven. Their faith was insufficient.
Outline: Faith is faith in Christ.
a. Faith in Christ as the revealer of God.
b. Faith in Christ as the redeemer of the world.
PROPER 15
August 14-20
Common
PENTECOST 13
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 20
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Jeremiah 20:7-13 (C)
For preaching Yahweh's message of doom, Jeremiah is persecuted but is confident of victory. Jeremiah expresses his inner turmoil as a prophet. True to God's Word, he preaches doom and destruction for the nation at the hands of the Babylonians as God's judgment upon their sins of idolatry and wickedness. For telling the truth of what is coming, he is ridiculed and thrown into stocks; friends wait to catch him in a word of treason. Because he loves his people, he is hurt by their non-acceptance and he takes his complaint to Yahweh whom he accuses of deceiving him as a virgin who is raped and of forcing him to be a prophet. He decides not to preach, but he has an inner compulsion that will not let him be silent. After his outburst of anger, he realizes Yahweh is with him as a dread warrior who will give him victory over his enemies. He ends his prayer with words of praise of Yahweh.
Jeremiah 23:23-29
God's Word is to be spoken faithfully and truly.
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 (RC)
Jeremiah is cast into a pit of mire. The faithful prophet of God has so wearied his adversaries with his "Thus saith the Lord" pronouncements that they are ready to be done with him. Evidently unready to have his blood on their hands, though, they do what Joseph's brothers once did in the wilderness - they put him harmlessly out of their sight and hearing - in a pit, from which he is rescued at last by someone who has more conscience than Judah's weak-spined king.
Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17
Surrounded by past faithful ones, we are to run the race of faith with Jesus as our model. On the basis of a long list of people of faith in chapter 11, the author of Hebrews calls upon us to run the race of faith. The faithful of the past surround us as we persevere in the race to encourage us. Like runners who wear minimum clothing, we are to discard the clothing of sin. As athletes run toward a goal or finish line, we are to look to Jesus as our model of faith. This calls for self-discipline in order to attain holiness, for an immoral person, like Esau, has no chance to repent.
Luke 12:49-56
Jesus came to cause division among people and to get people to interpret correctly the present time. Jesus says in this passage that he came to cast fire on earth. By fire, he may have meant God who is a "consuming fire," or the Spirit who came like tongues of fire. He may be referring to the judgment, for a tree without good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Moreover, he says in referring to his coming death that he has a baptism to undergo. His coming does not mean peace in terms of status quo but division in family relationships due to his teachings and moral principles. As people forecast the weather by reading the signs in the sky, so should they be able to interpret the present time as one of judgment.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and ever-living God, you have given great and precious promises to those who believe. Grant us the perfect faith which overcomes all doubts."
Hymn of the Day
"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 12:49-56.
1. Fire (v. 49). Jesus said he came to earth to cast fire on it. Apparently he did not mean physical fire, for prehistoric men had fire. Fire is a symbol of spiritual reality. God is identified with fire; Jesus came to bring God on earth. Fire is associated with cleansing; Jesus' atoning death was for the cleansing of sin. Fire is connected with the Spirit, Pentecost's cloven tongues of fire; Jesus promised to send the Spirit. Fire is associated with judgment, for a bad tree is cut down and burned. The world is judged now and will be judged finally at the Parousia.
2. Baptism (v. 50). Jesus speaks of having to be baptized. Was he not already baptized in the Jordan? Again, the word is used symbolically. It is a baptism of suffering and death. He is anxious for it to take place. It is probably the way a person on death row waiting for execution must feel. Jesus' baptism was a necessary sacrifice to redeem humankind.
3. Peace (v. 51). The Prince of Peace says he did not come to bring peace on earth, but rather "division." Is this a contradiction? Did he not say, "My peace I give unto you"? There is no contradiction because of the kind of peace Jesus had in mind. There can be a false, dead peace in terms of status quo with evil. When good and evil confront each other, there is division. The good and evil do not mix. Thus, godly and ungodly people are not at peace with each other. This applies even within a family which can be divided if all are not sincere Christians. Peace is a by-product of harmony among people.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7-13.
1. Deceived (v. 7). Jeremiah has a complaint against Yahweh. In fact, he is angry with Yahweh for getting him into his mess. He was called to be a prophet and he was faithful to speak only what Yahweh told him to say. He felt he had a right to be respected as a prophet and to expect a favorable hearing. Jeremiah claims Yahweh forced him into being a prophet. Instead of giving him a respectful hearing, the people laugh at him, ridicule him, and threaten his life.
2. Cannot (v. 9). So what can Jeremiah do about it? He can quit and no longer speak God's Word. He tried this, but it did not work. While he was silent, he was miserable. It was like fire in his bones. The pressure built up and the Word had to come out. He could not keep quiet. Similarly, Paul said, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." The call of God - the burning Spirit within - the love of God and truth make one speak out for God.
3. Warrior (v. 11). In the midst of his anger and frustration, Jeremiah comes to faith and to an awareness that Yahweh is with him in this predicament. The Lord is with him as a dread "warrior." Whoever thought of God as a "warrior"? It was an appropriate name, for Jeremiah was in conflict with his many opponents. He needed a "warrior" to fight the battles and to win the fight. In our fight-ing for truth and right, God comes to us as a warrior to fight for us and gain the victory.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17
1. Cloud (v. 1). We who are in the race of faith have a cloud of faith-witnesses to cheer us on. There is a "cloud" of them. A cloud signifies presence just as God led the Israelites in the wilderness by a cloud during the day. It also means that the witnesses are numerous, "thick as flies." The people in heaven are gathered together so tightly that they appear as a cloud. It is good to know that as we live out our faith we are not alone but millions are watching, praying, and encouraging us to keep the faith.
2. Looking (v. 2). In a race there is a goal or finish line. The runners press on toward reaching the goal first. They keep their eyes and minds on the objective. They do not see the crowd in the stadium. They do not look to the sky wondering if it will rain. They do not look back to see if their opponents are catching up with them. In the same way we look to the goal of the race - Jesus. We look to him for the meaning of faith. We look to him as the model of endurance in suffering. We look to him in his glory seated in power at God's right hand.
3. Rejected (v.17). This is a hard word. Would Christ reject anyone? The author of Hebrews felt that a Christian, who deserted Christ, could not be re-instated. In that sense, like Esau, he/she would be rejected. Probably the meaning is this: Though Esau wanted his father's blessing, he could not get it because it was already given to Jacob. A missed opportunity cannot be reclaimed. When a sin is committed, it cannot be undone. In the light of this, we will be more careful to strive for holiness.
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 12:49-56.
1. Danger: Flammable Christians! 12:49
Need: Some churches have no fire. Visitors find the church cold, often with icicles on the chandeliers. The warmth of fellowship is lacking. Except for official greeters and the pastor's greeting at the door after the service, strangers would not be greeted. Among the members there is a spirit of apathy and indifference. It is next to impossible to enlist leaders. Resisting change, members say, "We have always done it this way." The average church is in need of warmth, zeal, energy, and enthusiasm. This sermon is to arouse the congregation with the Word of fire coming in Christ. Christian are to be flammable people ignited with the Holy Spirit.
Outline: Flammable Christians ...
a. Are aflame with God. Fire is a Biblical symbol for God: God comes to Moses at the burning bush. On Mt. Carmel God comes in fire consuming the sacrifice prepared by Elijah. Jesus came to baptize with the Spirit and with fire. When the Spirit comes, people are on fire with God, full of energy, interest, zeal, enthusiasm, and vitality.
b. Can let the fire of God go out. The fire of God is not necessarily an eternal flame. The fire can be put out by the water of worldliness, by smothering the fire by the cares of this life, and by letting it burn out for lack of fuel.
c. Use the fire for good. Fire is used to light other fires. Fire is contagious. If a Christian is on fire with God, those who come in contact are set on fire, too. Christians are spiritual arsonists who deliberately set others on fire with God even as Jesus says in the text, "I have come to set fire to the earth." (NEB)
2. Go in Peace or to Pieces? 12:51
Need: We usually think of Jesus in terms of the Prince of Peace. Our text reminds us there is another side of Jesus and his effect. He can also cause trouble, controversy, disharmony, and division. Jesus will have no cheap peace. Sometimes he says, "Go in peace," but other times people go to pieces in terms of disagreement and division. Jesus is telling us that it is not his way to have peace at any price: agreement with falsehood, compromise with evil. When Jesus enters as truth, love, and goodness, people divide themselves pro and con. It is said that wherever St. Paul preached, there was a revival or a riot. With Jesus there is no neutral ground: you are either for or against him. The division occurs even in the close-knit family: some for, some against Jesus.
Outline: How Jesus causes division.
a. He speaks the truth.
b. He refuses to compromise principles.
c. He lives by love.
3. Burned Up But Not Burned Out! 12:49
Need: A common problem today is burned-out people: fatigued, exhausted, and depressed. In contrast Christians are to be burned up about evil conditions and aroused enough to do something about them. Jesus came to put us on fire not to burn out but to burn up.
Outline: We need the fire of God in our lives -
a. The fire of cleansing - Malachi 3:2
b. The fire of compulsion - Jeremiah 20:9
c. The fire of conflict - Luke 12:51
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7-13
1. "I Got to Tell You!" 20:9
Need: When a person is excited or has some special good news, or a sense of guilt, or a serious problem, one often says, "I just got to tell you." It is too good or possibly too bad to keep. There is an inner compulsion like Jeremiah's fire in his bones. This is the true source of witnessing for Christ. We tell others what God has done for us not because we are paid to tell, not because it is our duty, and not because we were asked to do it.
Outline: When you've got to tell -
a. Truth must out - Jeremiah 20:9
b. Faith must speak - Acts 4:20
c. Love must express - 1 Corinthians 9:16
d. Praise must let go - Jeremiah 20:13
2. When the World Is Against You. 20:7-13
Need: The world may be hostile to Christians. When we speak the truth, when we take a stand for justice, we may be attacked, ridiculed, and unfairly criticized and accused of things we never did. Jeremiah had that experience. He told the truth about his nation which for her sins was to experience defeat and destruction. No one wants to hear bad news. Rather than accept the truth, they attacked Jeremiah and persecuted him. If and when we speak for God, we will be in trouble with the world. Jeremiah tells us what he did when it happened to him.
Outline: When the world is against you -
a. Complain to God - vv. 7, 8, 10
b. Try disobedience - v. 9
c. Become aware of God's presence - v. 11
d. Sing God's praise for his help - v. 13
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 23:23-29
1. The Christian's Mighty Weapon. 23:29
Need: Nations are ever seeking the latest weapons in sophistication and power. The latest is the neutron bomb. God has the best weapons which cannot be improved - his Word which in Lesson 1 is described as a fire and a hammer. God needs this weapon in the conflict with evil. In Jeremiah's day the conflict was between the words (dreams) of the prophets and the true Word proclaimed by Jeremiah. The Word of God is still the only weapon of the Christian. In "A Mighty Fortress" Luther referred to this weapon against Satan: "One little word shall fell him." The purpose of the sermon is to convince people of the power of the Word and to use it in the battle against evil.
Outline: The Word is the Christian's mighty weapon because:
a. It is like a fire. Fire consumes, burns up. There are the fires of hell. Like branches, evil-doers are thrown into the fire. When we want to get rid of refuse, we burn it. The fire of God's Word consumes evil.
b. It is like a hammer. A hammer breaks up, divides, destroys. The Word, like a hammer, breaks up the cartels of evil organizations and projects. It is like a hammer smashing a vase into a thousand pieces. Truth destroys falsehood.
2. The God Above. 23:23-24
Need: The emphasis today has been on the immanence of God. God has become localized, humanized, and intimatized to the point that God has become more of a man than God. While his immanence is an essential attribute, we must not overlook his transcendence. This is the point Jeremiah is making in the text. God is also one who is far-off. The prophets of history were making God too little and intimate. God was to be understood as One above and beyond the petty wishes and promises of the false prophets. His Word had a majesty and a power that transcended all human thinking and efforts.
Outline: The God above is
a. A God of knowledge - he knows all.
b. A God of presence - he cannot be escaped.
c. A God of power - his Word has power to destroy evil.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
When Down Is Up
Need: Not every reversal is a defeat; sometimes suffering proves the loudest witness of them all. Jeremiah's "congregation" had stopped their ears. Sometimes words must give way to actions, sometimes righteous suffering can accomplish what right words could not.
1. Nobody said discipleship would be easy.
a. We wonder why we suffer for doing good.
b. Jeremiah wondered as loudly as any of us do - and with good cause!
c. Even the semi-faithful king assented to Jeremiah's being thrown into a pit (our "friends" may turn on us when convenience calls them to it).
2. Sometimes the darkness is the start of light.
a. Jeremiah shamed an entire city by enduring wrong treatment.
b. Not only didn't God abandon Jeremiah, but he lived to preach another day - to a more sympathetic audience.
c. We need to let God lead us through darkness for the sake of his truth (and not complain about the journey).
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17
1. Winning the Race of Faith. 12:1-2
Need: For the Christian, life is a matter of keeping and living by faith. In Hebrews 1 1 , we were given a long list of people of faith. "Therefore" of our text refers to the faithful of Hebrews 11. On the basis of others' faith and in the light of their faith, we are exhorted to run the race of faith. The analogy of an athletic contest is used. In our generation of sports' craze, it is an appropriate analogy to interest our people in running the race of faith. This subject of faith may be harmonized with the theme of the day - the fire of faith needs to burn endlessly in us.
Outline: To win the race of faith
a. Be in the right place: stadium of witnesses - "Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses."
Fans are gathered to fan our faith!
b. Be properly dressed - "Let us also lay aside every weight." An athlete wears a minimum of clothing for maximum performance. A Christian takes off the clothing of sin.
c. Run with perseverance - "Let us run with perseverance." Keep the faith no matter how weary you get or how fierce the competition.
d. Look to the goal - "Looking to Jesus."
1. Jesus is the "pioneer," the originator of our faith.
2. Jesus is the "perfecter," the fulfillment of our faith.
2. Having Someone to Look To. 12:2.
Need: We all look to someone for something, because we are not all-sufficient. Children look to parents for examples. Students look to teachers for guidance. People look to Christians for the truth. All of us have a need to look to Jesus for life and salvation.
Outline: Look to Jesus for -
a. Faith - "pioneer and perfecter of our faith" - v. 2
b. Endurance in suffering - "endured the cross" - v. 2
c. Victory over the world - "seated .at the right hand of the throne of God" - v. 2
PROPER 16
August 21-27
Common
PENTECOST 14
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 21
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Jeremiah 28:1-9 (C)
Hananiah, a prophet, contradicts Jeremiah's prophecy of doom. Jeremiah is confronted by Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon, in the temple. It is a dramatic scene with Jeremiah's wearing a yoke to symbolize the coming bondage of Judah to Babylon. To Jeremiah in the presence of the priests and people, Hananiah tells Jeremiah that Babylon will be defeated and within two years the king, exiles, and the temple treasures will be returned to Jerusalem. Sarcastically Jeremiah says "Amen" to that, but he points out that the prophets in the past pronounced doom for a nation of wickedness and idolatry. If a prophet preaches peace, time will tell whether he is a true prophet. The people are left with the question which of the two is a true prophet, the one with bad news or the one with good news? Dramatically Hananiah takes the yoke off Jeremiah and breaks it in two to signify what Yahweh will do to Babylon.
Isaiah 66:18-23 (L)
Isaiah 66:18-21 (RC)
God promises to bring all nations to him at Jerusalem.
Hebrews 12:18-29 (C)
Hebrews 12:18-24 (L)
Christians are on a mountain greater than Mt. Sinai and hear God's voice that shakes earth and heaven.
Christians have moved from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion, from law to gospel and from the old to the new covenant. On Mt. Sinai the Israelites experienced the terrifying images of God's holiness, but on Mt. Zion we see extraordinary pictures of the city of God: angels, saints, God, and Christ. Mt. Zion is far greater than Mt. Sinai because Christ as our mediator before a God of justice and holiness enables us to be in the very presence of God. However, we are warned that God's judgment comes to those who reject God and refuse to hear his voice which shakes heaven and earth. His voice shakes earthly things that those things that cannot be shaken may remain. God has given us a kingdom that cannot be shaken. For this we should worship God with reverence and awe.
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 (RC)
Hardship builds discipline. For Christians tempted to grumble over a "tough lot in life," the writer of this letter ties hardship to strong discipleship. We are called to see privilege in suffering and enduring, for a parent's child is deliberately put to the test to build up such qualities as longsuffering, patience, and resilience.
Luke 13:22-30
The saved enter the kingdom by a narrow door. Will only a few be saved or will all people ultimately get to heaven? In this pericope Jesus explains that many will try to enter heaven but few will get in because the door to heaven is narrow. Many think they will get to heaven because they know about Jesus and ate and drank with him. This is not enough. Their wickedness keeps them out. From outside they will look into heaven and see people from all over the world at dinner in the kingdom. While the kingdom is open to all people in terms of a universal invitation, few will enter because they must pass through the narrow door of Jesus.
Prayer of the Day
"God of all creation, you reach out to call people of all nations to your kingdom. As you gather disciples from near and far, count us also among those who boldly confess your Son Jesus Christ as Lord."
Hymn of the Day
"A Multitude Comes from the East and West"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 13:22-30
1. Few (v. 23). Why did the man ask Jesus if "few" would be saved? Why did he not say "many"?
Did he think God was choosey? Did he hear Jesus talk about the commandments or did he overhear
Jesus say to the young ruler, "Sell all you have and give to the poor"? Universalists claim that since God is love, he cannot exclude anyone from heaven. According to this view, not many but all people will be saved. It is a live contemporary question being debated in our time.
2. Narrow (v. 24). Jesus answered the question. The answer was "Yes," only a few will be saved. Many will try to enter heaven but they will not get through the narrow door. Maybe they are too fat with the things of this life, too affluent. Jesus called himself the door. Here he says he is a narrow door. It is narrow because he is the only way to God the Father. "No man comes to the Father but by me." "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Various religions are not roads to God. There is but one road and one door, Jesus, and that door is narrow.
3. Iniquity (v. 27). If Jesus is the door to salvation, some claim as in the penicope that they know about Jesus and had meals with him. Still they were excluded on the basis that to know about Jesus is not enough to be saved. One must believe in and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. People who know about Jesus, (and who in today's America has not heard about him?) and live wickedly are excluded. Not even belonging to a religious community such as being a Jew or a member of a church gets one into heaven. Non-Jews, Gentiles, foreigners, anyone from anywhere, can enter the kingdom if they accept by faith Jesus as the Christ.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 28:1-9
1. Prophet (vv. 1, 5). Both Hananiah and Jeremiah are called prophets. Who is a prophet? He is one who speaks in behalf of another, never for himself if he is a true prophet. Accordingly, Hananiah begins his message, "Thus says the Lord." Today the parish pastor is also a prophet, a mouthpiece of God. When he/she preaches, do the people hear one they think speaks for God? Is it really God speaking through the preacher or is the preacher speaking only for him/herself?
2. Amen (v. 6). When Hananiah gives his message of peace and the return of exiles and treasures from Babylon, Jeremiah sarcastically says, "Amen." The word means, "It shall be so." Jeremiah is sarcastic because what Hananiah said is not what Yahweh told him. Hananiah's message was good news of victory and peace, but it was Hananiah's attempt to please the people and not to tell the truth.
3. Truly (v. 9). Here we have Jeremiah's word against Hananiah's word. Whom are the people to believe? Who is "truly" a prophet? Is one a true prophet if the message is one of peace and hope? People will gladly hear this kind of prophet, for he brings a gospel of success and self-esteem. Jeremiah points out that the true prophets of the past brought messages of war and famine resulting from the people's sins. If a prophet like Hananiah preaches peace, if and when peace comes, it will prove the prophet to be "truly" sent.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:18-29
1. Terrifying (v. 21). To be with God on Mount Sinai was a "terrifying" experience for the Israelites. One could not touch the mountain for fear of death. They could not bear to hear God's voice. The sight of God made Moses tremble with fear. The God of Mount Sinai was one of perfect holiness, justice, and wrath. He was the transcendent, totally-other God. It is this side of God that is missing in today's concept of God and in our worship services. Many no longer fear God.
2. "Mediator" (v. 24). Now we have come closer to God than the Israelites and we still live! We are on Mount Zion where we are with the angels, saints, God, and Christ. How is this possible? Christ is our "mediator." He comes between this holy God and sinful us. He intercedes for us. Because of his sacrifice, God accepts us into his holy presence. Because of our "mediator," we can approach God with confidence.
3. Acceptable (v. 28). The author of Hebrews exhorts us to offer "acceptable" worship. What is "acceptable worship"? The text tells us the answer: reverence and awe. In many churches reverence and awe do not exist. The note of adoration and mystery is missing. To have reverence and awe in our church services, we need to realize that the holy, transcendent God is truly present in the worship service. His presence causes us to worship with reverence and awe.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Jeremiah 28:1-9; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:22-30
1. You Can't Win Them All!
Need: The three lessons give a perspective of this problem of universality and particularity in salvation. Are the Universalists correct in claiming that in the end God will save all people? If God is love, could he allow some of his children to perish? In contrast, there are many who claim they only are going to be saved. In Jonah's time the prevailing idea was that God was restricted to Israel. Some churches still hold that only their members are bound for heaven. Are Christians right to hold that only Christians are saved? The individual in the church wonders whether he/she will be among the elect in heaven.
Outline: Why all people cannot be won for the kingdom -
a. False prophets claim all will be saved - Lesson 1
b. Only a few enter by the narrow door of Christ - Gospel
c. Many reject the voice of God - Lesson 2
Gospel:
Luke 13:22-30
1. The Door to Heaven
Need: A door is a means of entrance and a way to exclude. It matters whether the door is open or closed, whether it is wide enough for all or narrow to allow only a few. The question asked of Jesus in the Gospel is still being asked in our churches, "Will those who are saved be few?" Will I be among the saved? Jesus answers in terms of doors.
Outline: The doors you may confront.
a. The open door - v. 29. The door to the Kingdom is open to all regardless of nation or race.
Christianity is a universal religion. God desires all people to be saved. If this is the case, can the church rightfully restrict its membership?
b. The narrow door - v. 24. Though God wants all to be saved, not all qualify. It is a narrow door of obedience to God's laws.
c. The closed door - vv. 25-27. The door is closed to religious people who thought they were going to heaven: "We ate and drank in your presence." The door is closed to the wicked, "workers of iniquity," whether they are in or out of the church. Some will be shut out of heaven by their own evil condition.
d. The glass door - v. 28. Through the door the lost will see who made it inside the Kingdom.
Lesson 1 shows all nations are present. Lesson 2 enables us to see the angels and saints in heaven. This view will make the lost regret their choice of godlessness, but it is too late.
2. What Gets You Into Heaven
Need: Every person would like to know if he is going to make it to heaven. "Heaven" is the same as being "saved," being in a right relationship with God. Jesus makes it clear that not all who think they are going will get there. This sermon is designed to help people know where they stand and learn what is necessary to be saved. The problem to be faced is to preach so that the impression is not given that good works is the way to heaven.
Outline: Who will be saved?
a. Not necessarily one nation or race - v. 29
b. Not necessarily church people - vv. 26, 27
c. But, they who walk through the narrow door of obedience - vv. 24, 27. We are saved by grace through faith and not by good deeds. The test of true faith is obedience to God's will. First we are saved by faith in Christ's atoning work on the cross and the confirmation of that condition is manifested in our obedience.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 28:1-9
1. Who Speaks for God? 28:1-9
Need: In this Lesson we have two opposing preachers and each claims to be speaking for God. Who is really speaking for God: Hananiah or Jeremiah? Today preachers are prophets supposedly speaking for God. Yet we can hear preachers via TV and elsewhere who contradict each other or the local pastor. People hear one thing in church and another thing over TV. To whom should the people listen? Who is the true prophet?
Outline: Consider who is the true prophet -
a. False prophets exist - v. 6
b. The prophet with the unpleasant truth - v. 8
c. The prophecy that is fulfilled - v. 9
2. The Peril of Popular Preachers. 28:1-9
Need: Today we have popular preachers like Hananiah who tell what the people want to hear: well-being, success, peace, and victory. Through TV these preachers speak weekly to millions and receive billions of dollars from the listening audiences. This is not to say that all true prophets are necessarily unpopular, but some popular preachers are not true prophets and our people need to be warned.
Outline: How some popular preachers are perilous -
a. They tell us we are inherently good when we are bad
b. They distort the Scriptures by tearing texts out of context
c. They preach a legalistic morality that enslaves
d. They call upon the State to impose their type of morality
Lesson 1: Isaiah 66:18-23
God's Dream for the World
Need: The Christianization of today's world faces a dual threat. One is the particularity of certain Christian groups who claim that there is salvation in their church only. They are not able to see the universality of God's Kingdom. The other threat is pluralism: one religion is as good as another. Thus, we should not send missionaries to convert non-Christians. We should send only relief workers and teachers. In this text we see the longing of God for all peoples to come to him through Christ, for there is no other way to God. Without this Biblical conviction, world missions have no reason for existence. This sermon is unashamedly interested in winning the world for God by proclaiming Christ to the nations.
Outline: What God dreams for his world.
a. All people to worship him - vv. 18, 23
b. All people to serve him - v. 21
c. All people to be brought to him - v. 20
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:18-29
1. The Population of God's City. 12:22-24
Need: Can we know who is in heaven? Are our loved ones there? Will I be there some day? Will we know each other in heaven? Is there a limit to the number in God's city - say, 144,000? These are questions that say this sermon is needed.
Outline: Our text tells us who is in the city of God.
a. Innumerable angels - v. 22
b. Assembly of true believers - v. 23
c. God the judge - v. 23
d. Jesus the mediator - v. 24
2. How Glorious is This Place! 12:18-24
Need: In recent years we have lost the sense of awe and adoration in our religion and worship. We may have lost it in the craze for informality and in the emphasis upon being human. The immanence of God was emphasized to the point that we lost sight of a transcendent God full of majesty, power, and glory. Out text will help us recover that lost sense of reverence, fear, awe, and adoration.
Outline: In our text we see
a. The glory of the old covenant - vv. 18-21 . God's presence was as fearful as a blazing fire. The voice of God was too loud to bear. Even Moses was terrified in the holy presence of God. To touch the mountain of God was to die.
b. The greater glory of the new covenant - vv. 22-24. Christians now come into the direct presence of God and Christ. They associate with angels and saints. How much more then should Christians fall down in awe as they approach God in prayer and worship?
Lesson 1: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
How Tough is Tough Enough?
Need: We live in an age of "instant everything" and easy answers. Disciples need to toughen themselves for the long haul when the going gets rough and God will need resilient followers.
1. Tough enough to make us tough
a. You can't serve effectively if you have no stamina
b. Stamina comes from endurance
c. God supplies the testing times; we dare not waste them
2. Not too tough to take
a. A loving parent never over-tests; neither does God
b. Jesus' endurance course (his passion) sets the pace for us; we can take comfort and courage
from his example
1. It was tougher than ours ever will be
2. It assures us good things come from tough times
