Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
We learn of the Christian faith and how we are to follow Jesus as his disciples.
Theme For The Day
Our own battle, and equipment for the battle, against evil in our individual lives, life of the congregation, and life of the community.
Old Testament Lesson
Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18
Joshua's People Pledge Loyalty
Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel in Shechem and spoke on God's behalf reminding them of all God had done for them bringing them out of Egypt and into Canaan. It was a recapitulation of Israel's history. The conditions of the covenant are stated in verses 14-15. They now must choose whether to worship the god's of Ur whom their ancestors worshiped, the gods of the Amorites in Canaan, or Yahweh. Whatever their choice would be, for Joshua it would be Yahweh. So he adds an example to his oratory. It's a good example of leadership for us who preach many words.
The people were moved by Joshua's argument and his example (v. 16). Because of all Yahweh had done for them they will follow Yahweh. Yahweh shall be their God. For preaching there is here the proper loyalty to a God who has done much for them. Not bad for an emphasis yet today.
Alternate Old Testament Lesson
1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
Solomon's Prayer
In this passage, Solomon offers an inclusive prayer of dedication of the temple. He would have offered this prayer kneeling on a special bronze platform that was constructed in the courtyard just for this occasion (2 Chronicles 6:13). In verse 23 the word for love is hesed meaning loyal love (1 Kings 10:9). The Bible Knowledge Commentary lists nine requests Solomon made for his people:
1. God's presence and protection.
2. Forgiveness of trespasses.
3. Forgiveness of sins that had caused defeat in battle.
4. Forgiveness of sins that had brought on drought.
5. Forgiveness of sins that had resulted in calamities.
6. Mercy for God fearing foreigners (amazing!).
7. Victory in battle.
8. Restoration after captivity.
9. Attention to every prayer.
Solomon called on God who had been faithful in the past. Confession and petition would result in God hearing the petition. Hearing occurs thirteen times in the prayer and forgiveness occurs six times. Got the focus?
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 6:10-20
The Whole Armor Of God
In the Old Testament, God is portrayed in armor (Isaiah 59:17) but here Paul is portraying the early Christians as through God's strength they might arm themselves for battle against the powers that oppose God. Our confidence to even try to battle against such an enemy is the fact that these forces are all subject to Christ (Ephesians 1:21). We put on God's mighty strength as we put on a whole new nature (4:24). I like the feet. They are to be shod with the gospel of peace.
Worth noting is verse 16, which the footnote indicates might be translated, "In all circumstances"; but Goodspeed translates it "... besides all these." I like the translation, "Above all ..." which gives the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit higher rank than the rest. In order to do battle and remain strong, we must most of all have faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.
In verses 18-20 we have the importance of prayer where we get the strength to do battle against the power of evil. The saints are all other Christians, for whom we ought also pray. In verse 20 we have a great sermon title in "An Ambassador In Chains."
The Gospel
John 6:56-69
The Words Of Eternal Life
We have yet another reading with the bread of heaven! See last week's "Comments on the Scripture" for some introductory information. John doesn't give us an account of communion. He refused to limit Christ's presence to one liturgically correct service. Our practice of the faith would be a lousy one if we just thought of Jesus with us when we took the bread and wine in church.
As Jesus was teaching in the Capernaum synagogue, the disciples found his teaching difficult not so much to understand but as to accept. It's the thought of surrender to Christ and accepting him as our authority for life that is tough to accept. And the demand of moral living is not so easy either!
Jesus claims it is the spirit in which something is done that's important. The life-giving power of the spirit is of supreme importance.
In the remainder of the passage are sad words. One gets the feeling of the approaching end. Judas will betray. Already disciples are defecting (v. 66). When Jesus asked for some assurance of continued loyalty from the twelve, Peter (as usual) utters that statement we often use in our liturgies of worship (v. 68). It must have been discouraging to Jesus as many who had crowded to him were slipping away. It is John's version of Peter's great confession found in Mark 8:27, Matthew 16:13, and Luke 9:18. Barclay's summary comment on this passage is moving: "In the last analysis Christianity is not a philosophy which we accept; it is not a theory to which we give allegiance; it is not something which is thought out; it is not something which is intellectually arrived at. It is a personal response to Jesus Christ. It is an allegiance and a love which a man (person) gives because his heart will not allow him to do anything else."
Preaching Possibilities
A. If you have not yet dealt with the "living bread" of the last many weeks, better do it today. See Proper 15 for suggestions for a sermon on communion. See Proper 14 for suggestions and outline on living bread.
B. There can be the foundation today for a sermon on prayer. In the Old Testament, 1 Kings passage we have Solomon's model prayer, which includes important elements of confession and forgiveness. In Paul's letter we have praying in the spirit (v. 18), pray for others (v. 19), and pray for boldness (v. 20).
C. The Gospel might be approached from the angle of how tough it is to be a faithful disciple even like those early ones. A sermon on discipleship would be well supported here.
1. Real disciples will have real life with Jesus abiding in them.
2. Real disciples will have a difficult code of ethics to follow in this world.
3. Real disciples will have the Spirit's help to live out their discipleship.
4. Real disciples will have eternal life. They know Jesus is the Holy One of God.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: The Battle We Fight
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
A. Begin by describing your own maturing about the idea of evil and the devil. Mine would go: As a little boy I thought of the devil as a man with pitchfork and red underwear; in college I discarded the idea all together and believed humans had to take on full responsibility for any evil; after years in ministry I am convinced there is an organized power that works against God in the world.
B. Now move to Paul's ideas for fighting this power of evil.
1. We must arm ourselves for it is a life-long battle. Our best armor is: truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, acceptance of salvation, God's spirit, and God's word.
2. We must be constantly in prayer in the Spirit. That means we pray for others and we pray for boldness.
3. We are also to proclaim the gospel boldly as a defense of the evil that would overcome us (v. 20).
C. Now return to your own witness and some of the ways you observe evil's presence in the world, your community, your congregation, your own self.
D. Describe how you believe we might keep alert and persevere in our culture and congregation and how we might as disciples and ambassadors continue to be in prayer.
E. Tell a story from below "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
F. Close with a specific prayer.
Prayer For The Day
In our battle against the evil that tempts us, O God, give us your powerful presence. Help us to know evil when it sneaks up on us and teach us the most effective way to expose it and battle it in our own lives and in our congregation and community. Give to us alertness and your power to do the battle. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
On 60 Minutes, March 14, 1982, Theodore Hesburgh, President of Notre Dame University, quoting Dante said, "The worst place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral during a moral crisis."
Saint John talks about neither hot nor cold which he spit out.
Dr. Hellman, a psychiatrist on a television show titled Relentless Mind of a Murderer, said this: "Life is the process of finding out too late what should have been obvious at the time." But the life of faith can help it come out differently.
On Speedway Avenue in Tuscon, Arizona, there is a store with a large sign hanging out front: "Gospel Equipment." I wonder what they sell in there. Could it be helmets, breastplates, sandals, belts, shields, and swords which Paul recommends in Ephesians 6:11-17?
Home Depot's Behr paint now comes with a lifetime guarantee. They claim, "When you are done painting, you are done painting." What are the lifetime guarantees for baptized Christians? Never alone, belonging to a worldwide family which will not desert us, eternal life, inner peace, and a wonderful joy.
In Shakespeare's Othello, the king states, "On horror's head horrors accumulate; Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed."
We learn of the Christian faith and how we are to follow Jesus as his disciples.
Theme For The Day
Our own battle, and equipment for the battle, against evil in our individual lives, life of the congregation, and life of the community.
Old Testament Lesson
Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18
Joshua's People Pledge Loyalty
Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel in Shechem and spoke on God's behalf reminding them of all God had done for them bringing them out of Egypt and into Canaan. It was a recapitulation of Israel's history. The conditions of the covenant are stated in verses 14-15. They now must choose whether to worship the god's of Ur whom their ancestors worshiped, the gods of the Amorites in Canaan, or Yahweh. Whatever their choice would be, for Joshua it would be Yahweh. So he adds an example to his oratory. It's a good example of leadership for us who preach many words.
The people were moved by Joshua's argument and his example (v. 16). Because of all Yahweh had done for them they will follow Yahweh. Yahweh shall be their God. For preaching there is here the proper loyalty to a God who has done much for them. Not bad for an emphasis yet today.
Alternate Old Testament Lesson
1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
Solomon's Prayer
In this passage, Solomon offers an inclusive prayer of dedication of the temple. He would have offered this prayer kneeling on a special bronze platform that was constructed in the courtyard just for this occasion (2 Chronicles 6:13). In verse 23 the word for love is hesed meaning loyal love (1 Kings 10:9). The Bible Knowledge Commentary lists nine requests Solomon made for his people:
1. God's presence and protection.
2. Forgiveness of trespasses.
3. Forgiveness of sins that had caused defeat in battle.
4. Forgiveness of sins that had brought on drought.
5. Forgiveness of sins that had resulted in calamities.
6. Mercy for God fearing foreigners (amazing!).
7. Victory in battle.
8. Restoration after captivity.
9. Attention to every prayer.
Solomon called on God who had been faithful in the past. Confession and petition would result in God hearing the petition. Hearing occurs thirteen times in the prayer and forgiveness occurs six times. Got the focus?
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 6:10-20
The Whole Armor Of God
In the Old Testament, God is portrayed in armor (Isaiah 59:17) but here Paul is portraying the early Christians as through God's strength they might arm themselves for battle against the powers that oppose God. Our confidence to even try to battle against such an enemy is the fact that these forces are all subject to Christ (Ephesians 1:21). We put on God's mighty strength as we put on a whole new nature (4:24). I like the feet. They are to be shod with the gospel of peace.
Worth noting is verse 16, which the footnote indicates might be translated, "In all circumstances"; but Goodspeed translates it "... besides all these." I like the translation, "Above all ..." which gives the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit higher rank than the rest. In order to do battle and remain strong, we must most of all have faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.
In verses 18-20 we have the importance of prayer where we get the strength to do battle against the power of evil. The saints are all other Christians, for whom we ought also pray. In verse 20 we have a great sermon title in "An Ambassador In Chains."
The Gospel
John 6:56-69
The Words Of Eternal Life
We have yet another reading with the bread of heaven! See last week's "Comments on the Scripture" for some introductory information. John doesn't give us an account of communion. He refused to limit Christ's presence to one liturgically correct service. Our practice of the faith would be a lousy one if we just thought of Jesus with us when we took the bread and wine in church.
As Jesus was teaching in the Capernaum synagogue, the disciples found his teaching difficult not so much to understand but as to accept. It's the thought of surrender to Christ and accepting him as our authority for life that is tough to accept. And the demand of moral living is not so easy either!
Jesus claims it is the spirit in which something is done that's important. The life-giving power of the spirit is of supreme importance.
In the remainder of the passage are sad words. One gets the feeling of the approaching end. Judas will betray. Already disciples are defecting (v. 66). When Jesus asked for some assurance of continued loyalty from the twelve, Peter (as usual) utters that statement we often use in our liturgies of worship (v. 68). It must have been discouraging to Jesus as many who had crowded to him were slipping away. It is John's version of Peter's great confession found in Mark 8:27, Matthew 16:13, and Luke 9:18. Barclay's summary comment on this passage is moving: "In the last analysis Christianity is not a philosophy which we accept; it is not a theory to which we give allegiance; it is not something which is thought out; it is not something which is intellectually arrived at. It is a personal response to Jesus Christ. It is an allegiance and a love which a man (person) gives because his heart will not allow him to do anything else."
Preaching Possibilities
A. If you have not yet dealt with the "living bread" of the last many weeks, better do it today. See Proper 15 for suggestions for a sermon on communion. See Proper 14 for suggestions and outline on living bread.
B. There can be the foundation today for a sermon on prayer. In the Old Testament, 1 Kings passage we have Solomon's model prayer, which includes important elements of confession and forgiveness. In Paul's letter we have praying in the spirit (v. 18), pray for others (v. 19), and pray for boldness (v. 20).
C. The Gospel might be approached from the angle of how tough it is to be a faithful disciple even like those early ones. A sermon on discipleship would be well supported here.
1. Real disciples will have real life with Jesus abiding in them.
2. Real disciples will have a difficult code of ethics to follow in this world.
3. Real disciples will have the Spirit's help to live out their discipleship.
4. Real disciples will have eternal life. They know Jesus is the Holy One of God.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: The Battle We Fight
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
A. Begin by describing your own maturing about the idea of evil and the devil. Mine would go: As a little boy I thought of the devil as a man with pitchfork and red underwear; in college I discarded the idea all together and believed humans had to take on full responsibility for any evil; after years in ministry I am convinced there is an organized power that works against God in the world.
B. Now move to Paul's ideas for fighting this power of evil.
1. We must arm ourselves for it is a life-long battle. Our best armor is: truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, acceptance of salvation, God's spirit, and God's word.
2. We must be constantly in prayer in the Spirit. That means we pray for others and we pray for boldness.
3. We are also to proclaim the gospel boldly as a defense of the evil that would overcome us (v. 20).
C. Now return to your own witness and some of the ways you observe evil's presence in the world, your community, your congregation, your own self.
D. Describe how you believe we might keep alert and persevere in our culture and congregation and how we might as disciples and ambassadors continue to be in prayer.
E. Tell a story from below "Possible Metaphors And Stories."
F. Close with a specific prayer.
Prayer For The Day
In our battle against the evil that tempts us, O God, give us your powerful presence. Help us to know evil when it sneaks up on us and teach us the most effective way to expose it and battle it in our own lives and in our congregation and community. Give to us alertness and your power to do the battle. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
On 60 Minutes, March 14, 1982, Theodore Hesburgh, President of Notre Dame University, quoting Dante said, "The worst place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral during a moral crisis."
Saint John talks about neither hot nor cold which he spit out.
Dr. Hellman, a psychiatrist on a television show titled Relentless Mind of a Murderer, said this: "Life is the process of finding out too late what should have been obvious at the time." But the life of faith can help it come out differently.
On Speedway Avenue in Tuscon, Arizona, there is a store with a large sign hanging out front: "Gospel Equipment." I wonder what they sell in there. Could it be helmets, breastplates, sandals, belts, shields, and swords which Paul recommends in Ephesians 6:11-17?
Home Depot's Behr paint now comes with a lifetime guarantee. They claim, "When you are done painting, you are done painting." What are the lifetime guarantees for baptized Christians? Never alone, belonging to a worldwide family which will not desert us, eternal life, inner peace, and a wonderful joy.
In Shakespeare's Othello, the king states, "On horror's head horrors accumulate; Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed."
