Proper 17
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook - SERIES C
The Lessons
Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29 (C)
Each person is responsible for his/her life. Ezekiel here stresses individual responsibility for sin. Heretofore the emphasis was upon community, the nation. Now Judah is in bondage and the community (nation) exists no more. The old proverb said that the children suffer for the sins of their parents. Those now in exile holding to this view could feel no responsibility for their plight and could accept the situation as fate. Ezekiel corrects this one-sided view by preaching that every person is responsible for his/her sin. If the person does right, the person lives; if the person sins, the person dies. The person has the freedom to change: the good person can do evil; the evil person can do right and live. The corporateness of humanity and the passing of suffer-ing to succeeding generations from the sins of the fathers are not denied. The emphasis on individual responsibility is to keep community and individuality in balance.
Proverbs 25:6-7
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
General admonitions for wise behavior.
A call to humility.
The greater our position becomes, the greater becomes the need for humility in our dealings with ourselves, with others, and with God.
Hebrews 13:1-8 (L)
Apply love to the various areas and activities of life. Now comes the putting of faith into action through brotherly love. We have a cloud of witnesses supporting us in our race of faith, received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and we worship with reverence and awe. On the basis of what preceded, we are to apply our religion in specific areas of our lives. In the midst of the manifold changes of life, the one constant factor is Christ!
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 (RC)
See Ordinary Time 21.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
The parable of choosing a place at a banquet. Whom do you think you are? This is the issue of the parable. If you have a high opinion of yourself as to your importance and status in life, you will go for the head table at the banquet. Jesus was invited to dinner at a "ruler's" house. The guests were watching Jesus and he was watching how they chose the places of honor. On the other hand, if you consider yourself an unworthy person to be there, you would take a lower chair. Accordingly, Jesus urged his host in the future to invite people who could not return the dinner invitation because they were poor and outcast. At God's messianic banquet we come as unworthy sinners seeking the lowest place and we cannot return the favor of an invitation to our homes.
Prayer of the Day
"O God, we thank you for your Son who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow his commands."
Hymn of the Day
"O God of Earth and Altar"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 14:1, 7-14
1. Watching (v. 1). The invited guests were watching Jesus. It was the sabbath and there was a man with the dropsy in the gathering. They watched to see if he would break the sabbath by healing the man. At the same time Jesus was watching them to see how they took their places at the dinner table. It was so noticeable and it must have disgusted Jesus to the point that he took the occasion to tell them a parable about humility.
2. Place (vv. 8-10). Apparently there were no place cards as is usually done at a formal dinner. People had to find a place at the tables(s). Where should one sit? It was up to the guests. The place chosen indicated what they thought of themselves, how important they were and what position they thought they deserved. The guests went for the highest and most honorable places probably at the head where the host and hostess as well as Jesus were seated. Their choice of a primary place revealed their pride.
3. Repaid (vv. 12, 14). When one is invited for dinner in a home, it is expected that the guests will shortly return the favor of inviting the host and hostess to their home for dinner. One feels this is a social debt to be repaid. After telling the parable to the guests, Jesus turns to his host with some advice about future dinners. He urged the Pharisee next time to invite people who were too poor to invite him in return. However, though the guests could not repay him by inviting him to dinner, he would be repaid in heaven.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29
1. Soul (v. 4). In Hebrew the word "soul" does not mean a disembodied spirit. It means the whole person, body, mind, and soul. A better word that is more comprehensive is "person" or "life." When one sins, the whole person dies and not only the spiritual area of a person. It is the individual soul that loves or dies according to one's good or bad behavior. A good person is not condemned for a parent's sin.
2. Just (vv. 25, 19). The Israelites in Babylon are angry with Yahweh. They complain to Ezekiel that God is unfair and unjust to make them suffer in exile for the wickedness of their fathers back in the old days of national existence in Palestine. God turns it around and asks if they are not the unjust ones. They have disobeyed and they are receiving their due reward for their sins. However, God is just also by accepting those who turn from their evil ways.
3. Turns (vv. 26, 27). The good news of the pericope is not only that a child is not responsible for the sin of a father but also that a person can change. The wicked can turn to God and begin to live a good life. On the other hand, a good person may turn to wickedness. Life or death depends on which way a person turns. One does not have to be what one is.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 13:1-8
1. Brotherly (v. 1). We are to continue in "brotherly love." Is this word offensive to females? Why not sisterly, motherly, or fatherly love? It is not a sexually oriented word but a theological one. "Brotherly" implies that Christians are members of God's family. As such we love each other in a special way, like children in the family. It is agape love. In the family we are close to one another and in love we care for one another.
2. Undefiled (v. 4). Is it not strange that the author of Hebrews would admonish us to keep the marriage bed "undefiled"? Can there be anything unclean about a marital relationship? If both parties consent, is anything done in the marital bedroom permissible - anything? If there is no love, is sexual indulgence OK? Can a husband rape his wife? Upon reflection we can see that we need this admonition to be pure in the marriage relationship.
3. Same (v. 8). Time after time we hear it said, "Things are not the same anymore." Leave the home town for a decade and there are so many changes one can hardly recognize it any more. Customs are not the same - the old courtesies are outmoded. Children are not respectful as they used to be. All is in flux. The only thing that does not change is change itself. But Jesus is the same for all time. He is our north star, the permanent point for guidance and judgment in all things.
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 14:1, 7-14
1. Be Humble and Humiliated
Need: The key verse is 11: "For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." It is one or the other: be humble or be humiliated. Get down or be put down! This is illustrated often in Archie Bunker in "All in the Family": he is arrogant, bigoted, and dogmatic but in the end he is humiliated. The point is that we are either humble or we will be humbled. The need for humility is universal. We want to avoid false humility as well as the lack of it. The sermon is needed to show what humility is and what it does in relation to one's self and others.
Outline: What humility does
a. In relation to you - vv. 7-11
1. Humility is not putting yourself down to the point of worthlessness nor the denial of value or ability. Humility is an honest knowledge of yourself, an acceptance of your true self: a sinner, servant, subject of the King.
2. Humility is knowing the source of your worth. A Christian recognizes that his strength,
talents, and virtues come from God. He takes no credit for his virtue or accomplishments but gives God the glory and praise. This saves him from pride, boasting, and a sense of superiority.
b. In relation to others - vv. 12-14
1. Humility does not mean putting others down; humiliating, criticizing, disparaging others. Doing so is a form of pride. Others are humiliated to make one's self greater in one's own eyes.
2. Humility lifts others in love. It is going to the lowly, outcast, poor, underprivileged and exalting them by inviting them to dinner. It takes humility to invite the "nobodies," for pride wants only the prominent, wealthy, and eminent people to grace and honor your table. This exalts the ego.
2. Look Who's Coming to Dinner! 7:12-14
Need: Most people invite friends and associates to dinner. They are people we enjoy or people with whom we want to develop closer relations. Often we invite people because they first invited us, and we return the courtesy. The more prominent and more important the guests are the more honor they bring to us. In this parable Jesus teaches we should do the opposite - invite the humble, the unimportant, the poor who cannot return the favor. This calls for a reversal of the usual attitude that we have.
Outline: What it takes to invite the poor and lowly.
a. Humility - to invite those who can bring us no advantage. cf. Romans 12:16
b. Grace - to invite people because they are unworthy and cannot help us. We get nothing out of it. It is pure grace - love to the undeserving. Compare this with our situation and the heavenly dinner. Christ invites us - dirty, poor, naked - without any merit or worthiness to be in his presence at his table in the Kingdom.
3. Know Your Place! 14:7-11
Need: The banquet table is laden with food. The call, "Dinner is served," is heard. Guests go to the table. There are no place cards with the names of the invited guests. Where shall we sit? Rush to the head table to be with the host? Where we choose to sit says something about our pride or humility. If we think we are somebody, we will take an honorable place at the head of the table. If we think we are nobodies, we will find a place at the foot of the table. What place we choose expresses our sense of self-worth.
Outline: Know your place -
a. Take your place at the table according to your self-evaluation - v. 8
b. Give place if pride seated you too high - v. 9
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29
1. Answer for Your Own Life. 18:1-4
Need: When we suffer or experience a crisis or hard times, we tend to blame others, including the past whether it be our parents or a previous administration. Ezekiel faced the problem among the exiles in Babylon who were blaming their misfortune of bondage on their fathers whose sins caused God to send them to captivity. While there is truth in the fact that later generations suffer from the sins of the fathers, it is a fact that each person must be accountable to God for one's own sins.
Outline: Answer for your own life -
a. Don't blame past corporate sin for present misery - v. 2
1. Blaming the past makes God unjust - v. 25
2. Blaming the past leads to fatalism
3. Blaming the past relieves us of personal responsibility
b. Be responsible for your own life - v. 4
1. God looks to the individual - "the soul."
2. Each is responsible for life or death - vv. 4, 9
2. Your Destiny Depends on You. 18:25-29
Need: We do not have to be what we are. We are not locked into our present selfhood. Our destiny is not determined by the stars nor by blind fate. Though God has a plan and purpose for each life, we can fulfill or deviate from it. In this text Ezekiel deals with this eternal human problem. The key word in the text is "turn." By the grace and Spirit of God we can turn from evil to good. On the other hand, through Satan's temptation, we can turn from good to evil. There is hope and liberation in the knowledge that we can turn.
Outline: You can change -
a. Change from good to bad - v. 26
b. Change from bad to good - v. 27
Lesson 1: Proverbs 25:6-22
Know Your Place! 25:6-7
Need: Pride is not knowing your rightful place in the scheme of things. We get "uppity" when we try to be more than we are, when we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. This was the problem with Adam and Eve: out of pride they wanted to be like God, knowing good and evil. Humility is knowing our place, accepting it, and keeping it. Be what you are! Do what you can - no more, no less. In this Lesson a subject is not to stand in the king's place as though he were king. This is pride and arrogance. If one does this, he is humiliated by being put in his proper place - a lower place. One with humility will be content to stay in his place. The need for the sermon is obvious in that many are stepping out of their places because of pride, thinking they belong on a higher place in society.
Outline: A Christian takes second place.
a. Second to God - as a creature before the Creator
b. Second to Christ - as a slave before the Master
c. Second to neighbor - as one who loves others more than self, cf. Romans 12:10
Lesson 1: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Watch Your Step
Need: The perils of pridefulness are obvious. One need not be the chairman of the board of a great corporate conglomerate to slip into the bad habit of pride. Humility is God's call to us all. We need to learn to practice it.
1. It's a great life
a. God has put all things into human hands
b. We exercise great authority, only limited by God's own power
c. We can quickly lose proper perspective
2. Humility guarantees greatness
a. It's difficult to tell the truth about self when position elevates us
1. We are still God's creatures
2. We can lose all we have
b. Humility leads to even greater stature
1. By improving character
2. By giving a good example to others
Lesson 2: Hebrews 13:1-8
1. Love is More than Words. 13:1-5
Need: We keep saying, "Tell your spouse or kid that you love him/her." Or we ask, "When was the last time you said, 'I love you'?" To love in word is delightful and helpful, but it is even better when we go beyond words to practical deeds in the various areas of our lives. The text tells us how "brotherly love" can be applied.
Outline: When "brotherly love" is in action -
a. Hospitality - v. 2
b. Concern for prisoners - v. 3
C. Honor in marriage - v. 4
d. Contentment with possessions - v. 5
2. Always the Same - Good or Bad? 13:8 - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever."
Need: Is never to change a good or bad thing? If one never changes, does it not mean stagnation or status quo? This is certainly true, but in the midst of a fast-changing society, there is need for a constant, someone who will always be the same. By that sameness we have certainty, security, and a standard by which we determine whether our changes are good or bad. Our text gives us good news about a changeless Christ in a changing world.
Outline: Consider the changeless Christ -
a. Why doesn't Christ change?
1. Perfect - he cannot change for the better.
2. Sinless - he cannot change for the worse.
b. What does a changeless Christ mean to us?
1. Truth is changeless - his teachings are applicable in every age.
2. Atonement - his love for us shown on the cross is constant.
3. Promises - always good: gift of the Spirit, his return to judge, his preparation of a place for us in heaven.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 - See Ordinary Time 21
PROPER 18
September 4-10
Common
PENTECOST 16
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 23
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Ezekiel 33:1-11
The watchman saves his life by giving God's warning to the wicked in the hope that the wicked will repent and live. The setting for this pericope is the defense alarm system of Ezekiel's day. A watchman was posted on a hill to warn the city by blowing a trumpet when an enemy approached. This gave the people in the fields an opportunity to come into the walled city for protection. If the watchman failed to warn, he was responsible for the death of those killed by the invaders. On the other hand, if anyone ignored the warning, the watchman was not held responsible. Ezekiel applies this to a prophet who is Yahweh's watchman. If he announces to the sinner that he will die, he has discharged his duty; if the sinner fails to respond, the prophet is not held responsible; but if the prophet neglects to proclaim, he is held responsible for the death of the sinner. The Exiles confess their sins and are in despair, for they are wasting away. Through Ezekiel, Yahweh assures them that he takes no pleasure in the death of a sinner but his pleasure is in their returning to him that he may forgive and grant them life.
Proverbs 9:8-12
The fear of the Lord is the price of wisdom.
Wisdom 9:13-18 (RC)
God's ways are beyond our knowing. In echo of the theme of the book of Job, this text accuses those who would accuse God. Who can know God's wisdom? Better to trust God to know what is best for us - and the universe.
Philemon 1-20 (C)
Philemon 1 (2-9), 10-21 (L)
Philemon 9-10, 12-17 (RC)
Paul writes to Philemon to take back Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
Onesimus, a run-away slave, is caught and put in the same prison with Paul who leads him to Christ. Paul writes to his master, Philemon, to take Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
Luke 14:25-33
Before becoming a disciple, count the high cost. What does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus? Before applying, Jesus says one should first count the cost like the tower builder and the king preparing for war. The cost is terrifyingly high. Jesus demands first and total allegiance. No one, not even family nor self, may come before Christ. One cannot be a disciple of Jesus unless one renounces all one has by placing Christ first in life.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and eternal God, you know our problems and our weaknesses better than we ourselves. In your love and by your power help us in our confusion and, in spite of our weaknesses, make us firm in faith."
Hymn of the Day
"Take my Life, That I May be"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 14:25-33
1. Hate (v. 26). Unless one "hates," one cannot be a disciple of Jesus. Whom do we probably love the most? First is ourselves and second is our families. To be a disciple is to hate them. This is a hyperbole, for Jesus did not mean "hate" in the popular use of the word. For the sake of emphasis, he used "hate" to say that a disciple of his must love him more than self or family. One of the distressing decisions a minister confronts today: who should come first: family or church?
2. Count (v. 28). Before entering a new field, it is always wise to see what will be expected of you, whether you are going to build a house or conduct a war. Jesus here urges us to consider the price to be paid for being a disciple so that there will be no regrets later. When you took a new job, did you know how many nights you would have to work? When you got married, did you realize what you were getting into - financial burden, incompatibility, the responsibility of the children, etc.? When you were ordained, did you bite off more than you can chew?
3. All (v. 33). This is probably the hardest saying of Jesus. To be his disciple is to renounce "all" that one has. To renounce is to give up, to place it at least in secondary place of importance. Everything and everyone is inferior to Christ. He gets top priority in our affection, devotion, work, and time. Whoever said it was easy to be a Christian? If this is the criterion for being a disciple, how many real Christians are in the world today?
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 33:1-11
1. Watchman (v. 7). God refers to Ezekiel as one of his watchmen. A watchman is to warn a town that an enemy is coming to destroy the people. A preacher is to warn people that sin will kill them. Sin does bring death to the sinner. Therefore, sin is no light, casual matter to be dismissed by calling it a sickness, a maladjustment, or ignorance. Sin is a serious offense against God that brings death to the person. This reminds us that God is a just God and violations of his law will bring the wrath of God upon the offender. The "watchman" needs not be limited to the professional preacher, but since we believe in the priesthood of believers, each Christian has the responsibility to warn sinners to cease and desist lest death overtake them.
2. Warn (v. 9). The word is used three times. It is a key word in the passage. A Christian is to be God's person who warns sinners. Many have overlooked this responsibility of a Christian. The common saying is, "It is your life. You must live it as you please. Who am I to say you are wrong?" In this way we excuse ourselves from the responsibility to correct the wayward. Does it make any difference whether we warn or not? According to this pericope, not to warn the wicked means you must answer to God for his/her sins; if you warn him/her, and he/she does not repent, God will hold you responsible. It is not for us to change a person or to use force to effect reforms, but our job is to warn the sinner of the consequences. It is for him to repent. No human can change a person. This is God's job.
3. Pleasure (v. 11). What gives God "pleasure"? It is not in punishing or committing people to death or hell. The truth is that God sends nobody to hell. Unrepentant sinners send themselves to death. It breaks God's heart when we walk away from him and go down the road that leads to death. To prevent this he sent his Son to demonstrate on the cross how much he loves and wants us for himself that we might have life.
Lesson 2: Philemon 1-20
1. Child (v. 10). Paul refers to the run-away slave as his "child." But Onesimus was a grown man. Paul is not speaking of the physical but the spiritual person. Under Paul's influence and instruction, the slave became a Christian. In that sense Paul was the spiritual father in his faith, and therefore he and Onesimus were very close to each other. Paul identified with Onesimus. In sending him home, Paul was "sending my very heart." He asked Philemon to "receive him as you would receive me." Christians have a filial bond between each other.
2. Compulsion (v. 14). As an apostle, Paul could order Philemon to forgive Onesimus and take him back. He could have kept Onesimus with him as a servant and disciple, but he would not do it without Philemon's consent. Paul did not want any favor given by "compulsion." When a favor or gift is given, it is not of any merit unless it is freely and cheerfully given on one's own accord.
3. Brother (v. 16). To Paul Onesimus was his child, but to Philemon he was to be his brother. Note the radical change Christ makes in relationships. Onesimus was a run-away slave that when received was beaten, tortured, blinded, or crippled to prevent another escape. Philemon was the owner and master. Paul has the audacity to ask Philemon to take the newly converted slave back not as a slave but as an equal brother! Imagine the change - Christ turns slaves into brothers!
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 14:25-33
1. What Price Christian?
Need: As Jesus goes to Jerusalem, "multitudes" (v. 25) follow him, but Jesus realizes most of them have simply jumped on the bandwagon of his popularity to see his miracles and hear his teachings. When it comes to paying the price which he is about to pay, most of them will turn away. In this Gospel, Jesus frankly says that not everyone can be his disciple, only those who pay the price. In our evangelistic efforts and appeals, we make acceptance of Christ and joining the church as easy as possible, because we are most anxious to increase the membership. We are more interested in the quantity than the quality of our constituency. This sermon is needed to make both members and prospective Christians aware of the price Christ demands for discipleship.
Outline: What price the prospective Christian pays.
a. Love of Christ above all others - v. 26. A Christian "hates" all others even his own family and himself in the sense of loving Christ more than these.
b. Carrying a cross - v. 27. To carry a cross means to bear the hardships and persecution that come to Christians.
c. Placing of material possessions in second place - v. 33. To renounce the world does not necessarily mean "sell all and give to the poor." It means that material concerns are considered of less worth than Christ. If need be, he would give up all his goods for Christ.
2. Look Before You Leap. 14:28-32
Need: There is a common tendency to enter ventures without considering what is required. When this is done, many are unable to fulfill the conditions and all may be lost. In two parables Jesus urges us to count the cost. You buy a car, but can you make the monthly payments, pay the taxes, insure the car, and pay the gas bills? You jump into marriage, but are you able to pay the bills, make the sacrifices, educate the children, and stay home at night to baby-sit? You matriculate at a college, but are you qualified to write term papers and pass exams? You agree to take a job, but are you willing to get up early each workday, deny yourself leisure, and put out the effort of doing a good job? These we can understand, but have we ever considered the cost of being a Christian?
Outline: A prospective Christian should ask
a. Do I want to be a Christian?
b. Do I know the cost?
c. Am I willing and able to pay the price?
3. People Jesus Excludes. 14:26, 27, 33 "He cannot be my disciple."
Need: Some consider Christianity to be a "free for all." The road to the Kingdom of God is considered a freeway with six lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper. It seems as though Christianity is for all who care to come. Three times in today's Gospel, Jesus frankly says, "He cannot be my disciple." Note the final, definite, categorical "cannot." You cannot be his disciple unless -. It is time the church starts thinking of quality rather than of quantity of members.
Outline: You cannot be Jesus' disciple unless
a. You love him more than your family - v. 26
b. You bear a cross of adversity - v. 27
c. You make him your chief treasure - v. 33
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 33:1-11
1. Watch Out, Watchman! 33:7-9
Need: God has appointed the prophet to be a watchman for his people to warn them of the danger of death from approaching enemy forces. A Christian is called to proclaim God's truth and to serve him, not necessarily as a preacher but as a servant. You, an average Christian, may not be a prophet, but you can be a watchman.
Outline: What a watchman does -
a. Sees the danger coming - v. 7
b. Realizes the consequence is death - v. 8
c. Warns the people - v. 9
2. The Peril of Saying Nothing. 33:8-9
Need: If a hurricane is coming and the weather bureau says nothing, what happens? If you know a bridge is out and you do not stop a car speeding in that direction, what happens? If you know who committed a crime and an innocent party is declared guilty, and you say nothing, what happens? What happens is disaster to the victim and possibly to you who remained silent. The text calls upon us to speak up and warn sinners of upcoming disaster.
Outline: If you -
a. Say nothing, there is death for you and the sinner - v. 8
b. Say something to warn, life is for the sinner and for you - vv. 8, 9
3. Give God Pleasure! 33:11
Need: We usually hear it said, "Give God glory!" Why not also give God pleasure? Like us God has things that cause him sorrow or happiness. What hurts him most is his children's disobedience that leads to death. On the other hand, God rejoices when sinners repent, return to him, and have eternal life. God sends no one to hell. It breaks God's heart to see his people die. To make God happy one can repent and return to him. Since multitudes sin and are on the road to death, this sermon cries out, "Why will you die, O Israel?"
Outline: You can give God pleasure -
a. Your sin can make God sad - "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked."
b. Your return to God can make him glad - "The wicked turn from his way and live."
Lesson 1: Proverbs 9:8-12
1. Wisdom For Sale!
Need: We need to distinguish between knowledge and wisdom, education and common sense. They are not necessarily identical. One does not necessarily gain wisdom from formal education. Educated people can be foolish and immoral. Wisdom is not a natural, native quality of existence. It has its price.
Outline: The price of wisdom is
a. Acceptance of correction - v. 8
b. Teachableness - v. 9
c. Fearing God - v. 10
2. Where Wisdom Begins. 9:10a "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Need: Wisdom is not found in mental reflection. It does not come from intellectual capacity. According to the text, wisdom has its source in God. Our problem today is we have too much book knowledge and too little wisdom. We spend too much time in school and too little time in church.
Outline: Fear of God begets wisdom.
a. Fear as reverence of God - worship
b. Fear of disobeying God - judgment
Lesson 1: Wisdom 9:13-18
What Do You Know For Sure?
Need: That title, often voiced in careless conversation, sounds a note of uncertainly felt by us all. We want to know why things happen - or don't happen - and where an all-powerful God is in all of it. We need to fight the temptation to second-guess God, whose ways always outsmart our limited intelligence.
1. We know God is a faithful God
a. In spite of what we don't know, we know enough
1. God cares for us unfailingly
2. That faithfulness secures us in an uncertain universe
b. We can know more and more by God's grace
1. God's revelation continues day by day
2. The gift of our God-given intelligence opens new knowledge and wisdom to us as we explore
the universe
2. We know we don't need to know everything
a. The ways of God are beyond our ways
b. Sometimes the best surprises are those we would not have guessed
c. God's wisdom will confound all second-guessing on our part
Lesson 2: Philemon 1-20
1. What Can You Expect of a Christian? vv. 8-14
Need: If you claim to be somebody or something, if you are a member or not, society can expect certain things of you. You expect a judge to be just, a policeman to enforce the laws, a citizen to vote. What can you expect of a Christian? Philemon was a Christian and Paul expected him to respond in a certain way regarding a run-away slave, Onesimus.
Outline: What you can expect of a Christian
a. Expect him to do what is required - v. 8. To forgive, to accept the offender, to consider him as a brother in Christ.
b. Expect him to do it with love - v. 9
c. Expect him to do it willingly - v. 14
2. The High cost of Making Friends Out of Enemies. vv. 4-17
Need: Turning enemies into friends does not happen often. Probably the reason is that the cost is more than we want to pay. Onesimus made himself an enemy of Philemon by running away from his master. The slave came under Paul's influence and he became a Christian. Now, Paul must bring these two Christians into a state of friendship and reconciliation. He sends Onesimus back to Philemon and calls on the latter to receive the slave as a Christian. Christians still have a falling out and need to be reconciled. What is the price of restoring relations?
Outline: "Receive him as you would receive me" (v. 17)
a. Receive him as a friend - v. 17
b. Receive him as a Christian - vv. 4-6
c. Receive him as a brother - v. 16
PROPER 19
September 11-17
Common
PENTECOST 17
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 24
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6
Yahweh calls to his wicked people to return to him. Speaking to the northern kingdom in the eighth century B.C., Hosea describes the deplorable moral conditions in Israel. Because of this, Yahweh has "a bone to pick" with his people. Until they have a change of heart, Yahweh will return to heaven. In their distress of being without God, they decide to return to him. But apparently it was superficial. In despair Yahweh asks, "What shall I do with you?" They return by offering sacrifices, but Yahweh wants them to love him and to have a knowledge of him. Verse 6 was quoted by Jesus. (Matthew 9:13)
Exodus 32:7-14 (L)
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 (RC)
Moses succeeds in persuading God not to destroy the Israelites for their sin.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Christ came to save sinners, even the foremost, Paul. Many scholars think that the pastoral letters are the work of a later author who was a member of the Pauline school. However, this pericope is Paul's theology. In spite of his persecuting the church, Paul was shown mercy in that Christ forgave him and called him to be an apostle. Paul's experience illustrates God's way with sinners. As a Jewish fanatic Paul persecuted the church. Yet, Christ turned his life around and he became God's ambassador and Christ's witness.
Luke 15:1-10
In response to criticism that he associates with sinners, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. The Pietists (Pharisees) and the Bible students (scribes) of Jesus' day were upset because Jesus associated with the dregs of their society by eating and fellowshiping with them. To explain his action, Jesus tells three parables, two of which are in our gospel lesson - the lost sheep and coin. Both parables emphasize the prevenient grace of God which seeks the lost until it is found, and when found, God rejoices. Repentance is not mentioned, but is emphasized in the third parable of the lost son.
Prayer of the Day
"O God, you declare your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant us the fulness of your grace, that, pursuing what you have promised, we may share your heavenly glory."
Hymn of the Day
"Jesus Sinners will Receive"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 15:1-10
1. Eats (v. 2). Jesus made friends with the moral outcasts of his day to the point of sharing a meal with them. To the religious leaders this indicated that Jesus approved of their wrongdoing. How could a godly man identify with evil people? Jesus did not approve of their sin but loved the sinners. By fellowshiping with them in a non-judgmental way he was seeking the lost. Only love can win a sinner.
2. Lost (vv. 4, 9). In both cases the sheep and the coin were "lost." What does it mean to be lost? It means being separated from God. The sheep was all alone in the wilderness. The coin was at a place it should not have been. Because the lost do not know they are lost, we must seek and find them to bring them back to God. That return to God is being "saved."
3. One (vv. 7, 10). In these parables the emphasis is upon "one." One sheep is worth leaving ninety-nine to care for themselves while the shepherd looks for the one animal. There is more rejoicing over the one found that the ninety-nine that did not get lost. In a family of children, the favorite one is the one sick or in trouble. The individual is of maximum worth and is worth finding.
Lesson 1: Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6
1. Mourns (4:3). When a people is morally corrupt, not only humanity but all of creation suffers. Hosea reports that in Israel there is much sin: swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery. It sounds like a description of the moral situation in America today. As a result the land "mourns." By our greed we have ravaged the landscape and caused acid rain to ruin lakes and forests. By our sin of covetousness we are causing endangered species to go out of existence. Nature mourns for the crimes of the human race.
2. What God can do for us (vv. 6:1-3). A suggestion is made that God's people should return to God. Can't you hear some say, "Why go back to God? What good will that do? How can things be any better than what we have now?" These verses point to the goodness and mercy of God.
3. A desperate God (v. 6:4). Like a parent at the point of despair, twice God asks about his people, "What shall I do with you?" Here is another insight into the kind of God we have. He longs to have his people with him in covenantal love and loyalty. God has appealed to them through the prophets. He sent judgment to get them to repent. He wants from his people love and a relationship of peace, but they are content to render cheap sacrifices and burnt offerings. Here we find a wooing and pursuing God and a people whose love for God is fickle.
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. Thank (v. 12). Considering Paul to be the writer, we can see Paul's gratitude. He is one of the most thankful men in the Bible. To be grateful is to be aware of what God has done and given us. He thanks God for strength to do his work, thanks for his appointment to God's service (he did not volunteer for the job), and, above all, thanks for the mercy of forgiving him his once hostility to the church.
2. Save (v. 15). One thing is sure. Jesus came to "save" sinners. He did not come primarily to preach good news, nor to teach new truths, nor to perform miracles to demonstrate the power of God. No, he came to save sinners. For this reason, the cross is the central symbol of the church. We may not accept some teachings and we may doubt some miracles, but they do not matter as long as we accept Jesus as our Savior.
3. Example (v. 16). "If he can do it, I can do it, too!" If anyone like Paul who actively sought to destroy the church, cursed Jesus' name, and put to death believers in Christ - if anyone like that can be forgiven, then there is hope for me, says a sinner. Paul is our "example" of what God can do with the worst of people and make the most of a person.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10
Facets of Forgiveness
Need: Mankind's most basic need is forgiveness in order to be reconciled to God. Without being right with God a life cannot have perfect peace and joy. The most important thing God did for the world was to open the way to reconciliation through the cross of Jesus. In the Lessons we have three facets of forgiveness.
Outline: Face the facets of forgiveness -
a. Our need of forgiveness - Lesson 1: Hosea 4:1-3
b. The means of forgiveness - Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:15
c. The joy of forgiveness - Gospel: Luke 15:7-10
Gospel:
Luke 15:1-10
1. What Must I Do to Be Lost?
Need: The question usually asked is, "What must I do to be saved?" Today a church member could ask, "What must I do to be lost?" More people are leaving than entering the church. One denomination reports a loss of one member every five minutes during the past ten years. Another church admits to a loss of a million members in less than ten years. Each member is a potential "lost" member. In the parables of the sheep and coin, both at one time were "saved" and then became "lost." The same can happen today to a member. This sermon is a preventive type to help people from becoming lost.
Outline: What must I do to be lost?
a. Like the sheep, wander off little by little - vv. 4-7.
b. Like the coin, get out of circulation - vv. 8-10.
2. Heaven 's Bells Are Ringing. 15:7, 10
Need: Twice the Gospel for the day tells us of the joy in heaven when a sinner repents. We can see the smile on the Father's face. The choirs of angels are singing. The archangel's trumpets are blaring. How much joy is indicated when sinners repent in the average church? Is there a party spirit of great joy when a person is baptized or confirmed or renews his faith? Evangelism is the happy time of the church because it is an echo of what goes on in heaven. So we ask why God is happy when we repent.
Outline: Why heaven's bells ring when a sinner repents:
a. God's will is fulfilled. God wants everyone to return to him, for he loves each person. Repentance means a wayward child has come back to God. This makes God happy, for his will is done. God's portion is his people.
b. God is happy for the sinner's sake. Prior to repentance, the sinner was going down the road leading to death. Now he has avoided destruction and is coming to life, love, and light. This is God's wish for every person, because he loves each.
3. Forgiven Before You Ask for It. 15:1-10
Need: We usually think of repentance as the condition of forgiveness. We say that God will forgive only when we repent. This pericope turns this around. We are forgiven before we repent, and we repent because we have been forgiven. We are forgiven not because we pay God the price of repentance, but God loves us whether or not we repent. Those who know and accept God's love, respond with repentance. It is a fact that no calamity, natural disaster, or adversity makes people repent. It is the kindness of God that causes us to repent. This sermon then focuses upon the mercy of God which should stir us to repent.
Outline: Evidence of God's forgiveness prior to repentance.
a. Jesus' association with sinners - vv. 1, 2. If repentance were a condition for God's favor, Jesus would not have been friendly with sinners.
b. God seeks the lost - vv. 4, 8. In love God goes after the sinner. By his search God shows his concern and mercy for the lost.
c. Heaven rejoices when the lost one repents - vv. 7, 10. Repentance means the acceptance of God's love.
Lesson 1: Hosea 4:1-3; 5:15--6:6
1. God the Desperate One. 6:4.
Need: Twice in this verse God cries out in desperation, "What shall I do with you?" It is a question asked by a parent of a naughty child, by an employer of a lazy worker, a judge of a criminal. Because of love for his people, God is at his wits' end to know what to do to bring his people back to him and to make them faithful to the covenant.
Outline: God is so desperate that -
a. He goes to any length to win us, even the cross.
b. He accepts the smallest gift offered to him.
c. He uses the most unworthy person for his purposes.
2. Need the Born-Again Be Born Again? 6:1
Need: Hosea is addressing God's people who have become faithless. To be a Christian is to be born again of the Spirit. Though born-again we too have become faithless. Do the born-againers need to be born again to come back to God? Church statistics reveal that many people in the church are only nominal Christians without a real experience with Christ. This is seen by their lack of witnessing, worship, and stewardship.
Outline: How the born-again can be born again -
a. "Come" - an invitation of grace.
b. "Return" - and it indicates we have left God.
c. "Lord" - return not to a principle, not a program, but to a person.
3. A Return to Religion. 6:1-3.
Need: People today, as in each generation, need to return to religion, to the Christian faith. Our wholesale departure from the Christian religion is shown by today's secularism, pluralism, commercialism, hedonism, and narcissism. The text tells us what good would come if we would return.
Outline: If you will return to God -
a. He will restore you - v. 1
b. He will revive you - v. 2
c. He will refresh you - v. 3
Lesson 1: Exodus 32:7-14
1. Someone Put in a Good Word for You
Need: We do not get right with God on our own efforts or prayers. We do not buy God's mercy by repenting and saying we are sorry. In the case of the Israelites there is no indication they repented nor begged for mercy. They did not cry, "O my sin, my sin! " It was Moses' intercession that turned away God's wrath. He was their mediator. Christians see a greater than Moses who intercedes for them. We are forgiven for Jesus' sake. This should lead to a cross-centered sermon resulting in a deeper appreciation of what God did for us in Jesus.
Outline: Someone spoke in our behalf.
a. We deserve God's wrath - vv. 7, 10
b. Someone intercedes for us - vv. 11-13
c. Result of the mediation - v. 14
2. Even GodRepents. 32:14 "And the Lord repented ofthe evil which he thought to do to his people."
Need: If you think man needs to repent, how much more does God need to repent! But who thinks of God's repenting? It gets down to the meaning of the word, repentance. Many think of repentance as being sorry for their sins. The word really means "metanoia," a change of mind. God intended to destroy Israel for the idolatry practiced at the foot of Mt. Sinai. After Moses' intercession, God changed his mind and forgave. That is the very thing we as sinners need - not wrath but mercy.
Outline: God repents.
a. Though we are sinful - vv. 7-10
b. When intercession is made - vv. 11-13
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
Sermon Series on 1 Timothy
Theme:
The Advice of a Spiritual Father
Pentecost 17 - 1:12-17 - One Thing You Can Be Sure Of
Pentecost 18 - 2:1-7 - All You Need to Know About God
Pentecost 19 - 6:6-19 - A Good Confession
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. What Nobody Can Deny. 1:15
Need: Here is a statemeiit that everyone can and should accept. It sums up the whole mission and nature of Christ. We usually avoid general statements because investigation often shows that there are exceptions. Here there are no exceptions. This statement is most certainly true and should be accepted as the truth.
Outline: A saying nobody can deny
a. "Christ came into the world" - Incarnation: God became man.
b. "Sinners" - the truth about every man.
c. "Save" - not to judge, condemn, but to reconcile to God.
2. One Plus One Makes One. 1:12-14
Need: The common view is that a genuine Christian is a saint, a holy one. In this passage, Paul refers to himself as a chief sinner even after his experience of mercy in Christ. "I am the foremost of sinners." Luther explained that a Christian is a sinner and saint at the same time. One sinner plus one saint makes one Christian! A Christian lives in the tension of having one foot in heaven and one on earth. The sermon is needed to help church members understand why they act like devils at times when they are supposed to be in Christ.
Outline: How one and one make one.
a. One sinner - v. 12-13a. Before Christ: "blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him." - v. 13.
b. One saint - vv. 13b-14. "The grace of our Lord overflowed for me ..." v. 14b.
c. One sinner-saint - vv. 15-16. "I am the foremost of sinners, but I received mercy ..." - vv. 15b-16a.
Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29 (C)
Each person is responsible for his/her life. Ezekiel here stresses individual responsibility for sin. Heretofore the emphasis was upon community, the nation. Now Judah is in bondage and the community (nation) exists no more. The old proverb said that the children suffer for the sins of their parents. Those now in exile holding to this view could feel no responsibility for their plight and could accept the situation as fate. Ezekiel corrects this one-sided view by preaching that every person is responsible for his/her sin. If the person does right, the person lives; if the person sins, the person dies. The person has the freedom to change: the good person can do evil; the evil person can do right and live. The corporateness of humanity and the passing of suffer-ing to succeeding generations from the sins of the fathers are not denied. The emphasis on individual responsibility is to keep community and individuality in balance.
Proverbs 25:6-7
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
General admonitions for wise behavior.
A call to humility.
The greater our position becomes, the greater becomes the need for humility in our dealings with ourselves, with others, and with God.
Hebrews 13:1-8 (L)
Apply love to the various areas and activities of life. Now comes the putting of faith into action through brotherly love. We have a cloud of witnesses supporting us in our race of faith, received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and we worship with reverence and awe. On the basis of what preceded, we are to apply our religion in specific areas of our lives. In the midst of the manifold changes of life, the one constant factor is Christ!
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 (RC)
See Ordinary Time 21.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
The parable of choosing a place at a banquet. Whom do you think you are? This is the issue of the parable. If you have a high opinion of yourself as to your importance and status in life, you will go for the head table at the banquet. Jesus was invited to dinner at a "ruler's" house. The guests were watching Jesus and he was watching how they chose the places of honor. On the other hand, if you consider yourself an unworthy person to be there, you would take a lower chair. Accordingly, Jesus urged his host in the future to invite people who could not return the dinner invitation because they were poor and outcast. At God's messianic banquet we come as unworthy sinners seeking the lowest place and we cannot return the favor of an invitation to our homes.
Prayer of the Day
"O God, we thank you for your Son who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow his commands."
Hymn of the Day
"O God of Earth and Altar"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 14:1, 7-14
1. Watching (v. 1). The invited guests were watching Jesus. It was the sabbath and there was a man with the dropsy in the gathering. They watched to see if he would break the sabbath by healing the man. At the same time Jesus was watching them to see how they took their places at the dinner table. It was so noticeable and it must have disgusted Jesus to the point that he took the occasion to tell them a parable about humility.
2. Place (vv. 8-10). Apparently there were no place cards as is usually done at a formal dinner. People had to find a place at the tables(s). Where should one sit? It was up to the guests. The place chosen indicated what they thought of themselves, how important they were and what position they thought they deserved. The guests went for the highest and most honorable places probably at the head where the host and hostess as well as Jesus were seated. Their choice of a primary place revealed their pride.
3. Repaid (vv. 12, 14). When one is invited for dinner in a home, it is expected that the guests will shortly return the favor of inviting the host and hostess to their home for dinner. One feels this is a social debt to be repaid. After telling the parable to the guests, Jesus turns to his host with some advice about future dinners. He urged the Pharisee next time to invite people who were too poor to invite him in return. However, though the guests could not repay him by inviting him to dinner, he would be repaid in heaven.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29
1. Soul (v. 4). In Hebrew the word "soul" does not mean a disembodied spirit. It means the whole person, body, mind, and soul. A better word that is more comprehensive is "person" or "life." When one sins, the whole person dies and not only the spiritual area of a person. It is the individual soul that loves or dies according to one's good or bad behavior. A good person is not condemned for a parent's sin.
2. Just (vv. 25, 19). The Israelites in Babylon are angry with Yahweh. They complain to Ezekiel that God is unfair and unjust to make them suffer in exile for the wickedness of their fathers back in the old days of national existence in Palestine. God turns it around and asks if they are not the unjust ones. They have disobeyed and they are receiving their due reward for their sins. However, God is just also by accepting those who turn from their evil ways.
3. Turns (vv. 26, 27). The good news of the pericope is not only that a child is not responsible for the sin of a father but also that a person can change. The wicked can turn to God and begin to live a good life. On the other hand, a good person may turn to wickedness. Life or death depends on which way a person turns. One does not have to be what one is.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 13:1-8
1. Brotherly (v. 1). We are to continue in "brotherly love." Is this word offensive to females? Why not sisterly, motherly, or fatherly love? It is not a sexually oriented word but a theological one. "Brotherly" implies that Christians are members of God's family. As such we love each other in a special way, like children in the family. It is agape love. In the family we are close to one another and in love we care for one another.
2. Undefiled (v. 4). Is it not strange that the author of Hebrews would admonish us to keep the marriage bed "undefiled"? Can there be anything unclean about a marital relationship? If both parties consent, is anything done in the marital bedroom permissible - anything? If there is no love, is sexual indulgence OK? Can a husband rape his wife? Upon reflection we can see that we need this admonition to be pure in the marriage relationship.
3. Same (v. 8). Time after time we hear it said, "Things are not the same anymore." Leave the home town for a decade and there are so many changes one can hardly recognize it any more. Customs are not the same - the old courtesies are outmoded. Children are not respectful as they used to be. All is in flux. The only thing that does not change is change itself. But Jesus is the same for all time. He is our north star, the permanent point for guidance and judgment in all things.
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 14:1, 7-14
1. Be Humble and Humiliated
Need: The key verse is 11: "For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." It is one or the other: be humble or be humiliated. Get down or be put down! This is illustrated often in Archie Bunker in "All in the Family": he is arrogant, bigoted, and dogmatic but in the end he is humiliated. The point is that we are either humble or we will be humbled. The need for humility is universal. We want to avoid false humility as well as the lack of it. The sermon is needed to show what humility is and what it does in relation to one's self and others.
Outline: What humility does
a. In relation to you - vv. 7-11
1. Humility is not putting yourself down to the point of worthlessness nor the denial of value or ability. Humility is an honest knowledge of yourself, an acceptance of your true self: a sinner, servant, subject of the King.
2. Humility is knowing the source of your worth. A Christian recognizes that his strength,
talents, and virtues come from God. He takes no credit for his virtue or accomplishments but gives God the glory and praise. This saves him from pride, boasting, and a sense of superiority.
b. In relation to others - vv. 12-14
1. Humility does not mean putting others down; humiliating, criticizing, disparaging others. Doing so is a form of pride. Others are humiliated to make one's self greater in one's own eyes.
2. Humility lifts others in love. It is going to the lowly, outcast, poor, underprivileged and exalting them by inviting them to dinner. It takes humility to invite the "nobodies," for pride wants only the prominent, wealthy, and eminent people to grace and honor your table. This exalts the ego.
2. Look Who's Coming to Dinner! 7:12-14
Need: Most people invite friends and associates to dinner. They are people we enjoy or people with whom we want to develop closer relations. Often we invite people because they first invited us, and we return the courtesy. The more prominent and more important the guests are the more honor they bring to us. In this parable Jesus teaches we should do the opposite - invite the humble, the unimportant, the poor who cannot return the favor. This calls for a reversal of the usual attitude that we have.
Outline: What it takes to invite the poor and lowly.
a. Humility - to invite those who can bring us no advantage. cf. Romans 12:16
b. Grace - to invite people because they are unworthy and cannot help us. We get nothing out of it. It is pure grace - love to the undeserving. Compare this with our situation and the heavenly dinner. Christ invites us - dirty, poor, naked - without any merit or worthiness to be in his presence at his table in the Kingdom.
3. Know Your Place! 14:7-11
Need: The banquet table is laden with food. The call, "Dinner is served," is heard. Guests go to the table. There are no place cards with the names of the invited guests. Where shall we sit? Rush to the head table to be with the host? Where we choose to sit says something about our pride or humility. If we think we are somebody, we will take an honorable place at the head of the table. If we think we are nobodies, we will find a place at the foot of the table. What place we choose expresses our sense of self-worth.
Outline: Know your place -
a. Take your place at the table according to your self-evaluation - v. 8
b. Give place if pride seated you too high - v. 9
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29
1. Answer for Your Own Life. 18:1-4
Need: When we suffer or experience a crisis or hard times, we tend to blame others, including the past whether it be our parents or a previous administration. Ezekiel faced the problem among the exiles in Babylon who were blaming their misfortune of bondage on their fathers whose sins caused God to send them to captivity. While there is truth in the fact that later generations suffer from the sins of the fathers, it is a fact that each person must be accountable to God for one's own sins.
Outline: Answer for your own life -
a. Don't blame past corporate sin for present misery - v. 2
1. Blaming the past makes God unjust - v. 25
2. Blaming the past leads to fatalism
3. Blaming the past relieves us of personal responsibility
b. Be responsible for your own life - v. 4
1. God looks to the individual - "the soul."
2. Each is responsible for life or death - vv. 4, 9
2. Your Destiny Depends on You. 18:25-29
Need: We do not have to be what we are. We are not locked into our present selfhood. Our destiny is not determined by the stars nor by blind fate. Though God has a plan and purpose for each life, we can fulfill or deviate from it. In this text Ezekiel deals with this eternal human problem. The key word in the text is "turn." By the grace and Spirit of God we can turn from evil to good. On the other hand, through Satan's temptation, we can turn from good to evil. There is hope and liberation in the knowledge that we can turn.
Outline: You can change -
a. Change from good to bad - v. 26
b. Change from bad to good - v. 27
Lesson 1: Proverbs 25:6-22
Know Your Place! 25:6-7
Need: Pride is not knowing your rightful place in the scheme of things. We get "uppity" when we try to be more than we are, when we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. This was the problem with Adam and Eve: out of pride they wanted to be like God, knowing good and evil. Humility is knowing our place, accepting it, and keeping it. Be what you are! Do what you can - no more, no less. In this Lesson a subject is not to stand in the king's place as though he were king. This is pride and arrogance. If one does this, he is humiliated by being put in his proper place - a lower place. One with humility will be content to stay in his place. The need for the sermon is obvious in that many are stepping out of their places because of pride, thinking they belong on a higher place in society.
Outline: A Christian takes second place.
a. Second to God - as a creature before the Creator
b. Second to Christ - as a slave before the Master
c. Second to neighbor - as one who loves others more than self, cf. Romans 12:10
Lesson 1: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Watch Your Step
Need: The perils of pridefulness are obvious. One need not be the chairman of the board of a great corporate conglomerate to slip into the bad habit of pride. Humility is God's call to us all. We need to learn to practice it.
1. It's a great life
a. God has put all things into human hands
b. We exercise great authority, only limited by God's own power
c. We can quickly lose proper perspective
2. Humility guarantees greatness
a. It's difficult to tell the truth about self when position elevates us
1. We are still God's creatures
2. We can lose all we have
b. Humility leads to even greater stature
1. By improving character
2. By giving a good example to others
Lesson 2: Hebrews 13:1-8
1. Love is More than Words. 13:1-5
Need: We keep saying, "Tell your spouse or kid that you love him/her." Or we ask, "When was the last time you said, 'I love you'?" To love in word is delightful and helpful, but it is even better when we go beyond words to practical deeds in the various areas of our lives. The text tells us how "brotherly love" can be applied.
Outline: When "brotherly love" is in action -
a. Hospitality - v. 2
b. Concern for prisoners - v. 3
C. Honor in marriage - v. 4
d. Contentment with possessions - v. 5
2. Always the Same - Good or Bad? 13:8 - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever."
Need: Is never to change a good or bad thing? If one never changes, does it not mean stagnation or status quo? This is certainly true, but in the midst of a fast-changing society, there is need for a constant, someone who will always be the same. By that sameness we have certainty, security, and a standard by which we determine whether our changes are good or bad. Our text gives us good news about a changeless Christ in a changing world.
Outline: Consider the changeless Christ -
a. Why doesn't Christ change?
1. Perfect - he cannot change for the better.
2. Sinless - he cannot change for the worse.
b. What does a changeless Christ mean to us?
1. Truth is changeless - his teachings are applicable in every age.
2. Atonement - his love for us shown on the cross is constant.
3. Promises - always good: gift of the Spirit, his return to judge, his preparation of a place for us in heaven.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 - See Ordinary Time 21
PROPER 18
September 4-10
Common
PENTECOST 16
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 23
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Ezekiel 33:1-11
The watchman saves his life by giving God's warning to the wicked in the hope that the wicked will repent and live. The setting for this pericope is the defense alarm system of Ezekiel's day. A watchman was posted on a hill to warn the city by blowing a trumpet when an enemy approached. This gave the people in the fields an opportunity to come into the walled city for protection. If the watchman failed to warn, he was responsible for the death of those killed by the invaders. On the other hand, if anyone ignored the warning, the watchman was not held responsible. Ezekiel applies this to a prophet who is Yahweh's watchman. If he announces to the sinner that he will die, he has discharged his duty; if the sinner fails to respond, the prophet is not held responsible; but if the prophet neglects to proclaim, he is held responsible for the death of the sinner. The Exiles confess their sins and are in despair, for they are wasting away. Through Ezekiel, Yahweh assures them that he takes no pleasure in the death of a sinner but his pleasure is in their returning to him that he may forgive and grant them life.
Proverbs 9:8-12
The fear of the Lord is the price of wisdom.
Wisdom 9:13-18 (RC)
God's ways are beyond our knowing. In echo of the theme of the book of Job, this text accuses those who would accuse God. Who can know God's wisdom? Better to trust God to know what is best for us - and the universe.
Philemon 1-20 (C)
Philemon 1 (2-9), 10-21 (L)
Philemon 9-10, 12-17 (RC)
Paul writes to Philemon to take back Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
Onesimus, a run-away slave, is caught and put in the same prison with Paul who leads him to Christ. Paul writes to his master, Philemon, to take Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
Luke 14:25-33
Before becoming a disciple, count the high cost. What does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus? Before applying, Jesus says one should first count the cost like the tower builder and the king preparing for war. The cost is terrifyingly high. Jesus demands first and total allegiance. No one, not even family nor self, may come before Christ. One cannot be a disciple of Jesus unless one renounces all one has by placing Christ first in life.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and eternal God, you know our problems and our weaknesses better than we ourselves. In your love and by your power help us in our confusion and, in spite of our weaknesses, make us firm in faith."
Hymn of the Day
"Take my Life, That I May be"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 14:25-33
1. Hate (v. 26). Unless one "hates," one cannot be a disciple of Jesus. Whom do we probably love the most? First is ourselves and second is our families. To be a disciple is to hate them. This is a hyperbole, for Jesus did not mean "hate" in the popular use of the word. For the sake of emphasis, he used "hate" to say that a disciple of his must love him more than self or family. One of the distressing decisions a minister confronts today: who should come first: family or church?
2. Count (v. 28). Before entering a new field, it is always wise to see what will be expected of you, whether you are going to build a house or conduct a war. Jesus here urges us to consider the price to be paid for being a disciple so that there will be no regrets later. When you took a new job, did you know how many nights you would have to work? When you got married, did you realize what you were getting into - financial burden, incompatibility, the responsibility of the children, etc.? When you were ordained, did you bite off more than you can chew?
3. All (v. 33). This is probably the hardest saying of Jesus. To be his disciple is to renounce "all" that one has. To renounce is to give up, to place it at least in secondary place of importance. Everything and everyone is inferior to Christ. He gets top priority in our affection, devotion, work, and time. Whoever said it was easy to be a Christian? If this is the criterion for being a disciple, how many real Christians are in the world today?
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 33:1-11
1. Watchman (v. 7). God refers to Ezekiel as one of his watchmen. A watchman is to warn a town that an enemy is coming to destroy the people. A preacher is to warn people that sin will kill them. Sin does bring death to the sinner. Therefore, sin is no light, casual matter to be dismissed by calling it a sickness, a maladjustment, or ignorance. Sin is a serious offense against God that brings death to the person. This reminds us that God is a just God and violations of his law will bring the wrath of God upon the offender. The "watchman" needs not be limited to the professional preacher, but since we believe in the priesthood of believers, each Christian has the responsibility to warn sinners to cease and desist lest death overtake them.
2. Warn (v. 9). The word is used three times. It is a key word in the passage. A Christian is to be God's person who warns sinners. Many have overlooked this responsibility of a Christian. The common saying is, "It is your life. You must live it as you please. Who am I to say you are wrong?" In this way we excuse ourselves from the responsibility to correct the wayward. Does it make any difference whether we warn or not? According to this pericope, not to warn the wicked means you must answer to God for his/her sins; if you warn him/her, and he/she does not repent, God will hold you responsible. It is not for us to change a person or to use force to effect reforms, but our job is to warn the sinner of the consequences. It is for him to repent. No human can change a person. This is God's job.
3. Pleasure (v. 11). What gives God "pleasure"? It is not in punishing or committing people to death or hell. The truth is that God sends nobody to hell. Unrepentant sinners send themselves to death. It breaks God's heart when we walk away from him and go down the road that leads to death. To prevent this he sent his Son to demonstrate on the cross how much he loves and wants us for himself that we might have life.
Lesson 2: Philemon 1-20
1. Child (v. 10). Paul refers to the run-away slave as his "child." But Onesimus was a grown man. Paul is not speaking of the physical but the spiritual person. Under Paul's influence and instruction, the slave became a Christian. In that sense Paul was the spiritual father in his faith, and therefore he and Onesimus were very close to each other. Paul identified with Onesimus. In sending him home, Paul was "sending my very heart." He asked Philemon to "receive him as you would receive me." Christians have a filial bond between each other.
2. Compulsion (v. 14). As an apostle, Paul could order Philemon to forgive Onesimus and take him back. He could have kept Onesimus with him as a servant and disciple, but he would not do it without Philemon's consent. Paul did not want any favor given by "compulsion." When a favor or gift is given, it is not of any merit unless it is freely and cheerfully given on one's own accord.
3. Brother (v. 16). To Paul Onesimus was his child, but to Philemon he was to be his brother. Note the radical change Christ makes in relationships. Onesimus was a run-away slave that when received was beaten, tortured, blinded, or crippled to prevent another escape. Philemon was the owner and master. Paul has the audacity to ask Philemon to take the newly converted slave back not as a slave but as an equal brother! Imagine the change - Christ turns slaves into brothers!
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel:
Luke 14:25-33
1. What Price Christian?
Need: As Jesus goes to Jerusalem, "multitudes" (v. 25) follow him, but Jesus realizes most of them have simply jumped on the bandwagon of his popularity to see his miracles and hear his teachings. When it comes to paying the price which he is about to pay, most of them will turn away. In this Gospel, Jesus frankly says that not everyone can be his disciple, only those who pay the price. In our evangelistic efforts and appeals, we make acceptance of Christ and joining the church as easy as possible, because we are most anxious to increase the membership. We are more interested in the quantity than the quality of our constituency. This sermon is needed to make both members and prospective Christians aware of the price Christ demands for discipleship.
Outline: What price the prospective Christian pays.
a. Love of Christ above all others - v. 26. A Christian "hates" all others even his own family and himself in the sense of loving Christ more than these.
b. Carrying a cross - v. 27. To carry a cross means to bear the hardships and persecution that come to Christians.
c. Placing of material possessions in second place - v. 33. To renounce the world does not necessarily mean "sell all and give to the poor." It means that material concerns are considered of less worth than Christ. If need be, he would give up all his goods for Christ.
2. Look Before You Leap. 14:28-32
Need: There is a common tendency to enter ventures without considering what is required. When this is done, many are unable to fulfill the conditions and all may be lost. In two parables Jesus urges us to count the cost. You buy a car, but can you make the monthly payments, pay the taxes, insure the car, and pay the gas bills? You jump into marriage, but are you able to pay the bills, make the sacrifices, educate the children, and stay home at night to baby-sit? You matriculate at a college, but are you qualified to write term papers and pass exams? You agree to take a job, but are you willing to get up early each workday, deny yourself leisure, and put out the effort of doing a good job? These we can understand, but have we ever considered the cost of being a Christian?
Outline: A prospective Christian should ask
a. Do I want to be a Christian?
b. Do I know the cost?
c. Am I willing and able to pay the price?
3. People Jesus Excludes. 14:26, 27, 33 "He cannot be my disciple."
Need: Some consider Christianity to be a "free for all." The road to the Kingdom of God is considered a freeway with six lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper. It seems as though Christianity is for all who care to come. Three times in today's Gospel, Jesus frankly says, "He cannot be my disciple." Note the final, definite, categorical "cannot." You cannot be his disciple unless -. It is time the church starts thinking of quality rather than of quantity of members.
Outline: You cannot be Jesus' disciple unless
a. You love him more than your family - v. 26
b. You bear a cross of adversity - v. 27
c. You make him your chief treasure - v. 33
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 33:1-11
1. Watch Out, Watchman! 33:7-9
Need: God has appointed the prophet to be a watchman for his people to warn them of the danger of death from approaching enemy forces. A Christian is called to proclaim God's truth and to serve him, not necessarily as a preacher but as a servant. You, an average Christian, may not be a prophet, but you can be a watchman.
Outline: What a watchman does -
a. Sees the danger coming - v. 7
b. Realizes the consequence is death - v. 8
c. Warns the people - v. 9
2. The Peril of Saying Nothing. 33:8-9
Need: If a hurricane is coming and the weather bureau says nothing, what happens? If you know a bridge is out and you do not stop a car speeding in that direction, what happens? If you know who committed a crime and an innocent party is declared guilty, and you say nothing, what happens? What happens is disaster to the victim and possibly to you who remained silent. The text calls upon us to speak up and warn sinners of upcoming disaster.
Outline: If you -
a. Say nothing, there is death for you and the sinner - v. 8
b. Say something to warn, life is for the sinner and for you - vv. 8, 9
3. Give God Pleasure! 33:11
Need: We usually hear it said, "Give God glory!" Why not also give God pleasure? Like us God has things that cause him sorrow or happiness. What hurts him most is his children's disobedience that leads to death. On the other hand, God rejoices when sinners repent, return to him, and have eternal life. God sends no one to hell. It breaks God's heart to see his people die. To make God happy one can repent and return to him. Since multitudes sin and are on the road to death, this sermon cries out, "Why will you die, O Israel?"
Outline: You can give God pleasure -
a. Your sin can make God sad - "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked."
b. Your return to God can make him glad - "The wicked turn from his way and live."
Lesson 1: Proverbs 9:8-12
1. Wisdom For Sale!
Need: We need to distinguish between knowledge and wisdom, education and common sense. They are not necessarily identical. One does not necessarily gain wisdom from formal education. Educated people can be foolish and immoral. Wisdom is not a natural, native quality of existence. It has its price.
Outline: The price of wisdom is
a. Acceptance of correction - v. 8
b. Teachableness - v. 9
c. Fearing God - v. 10
2. Where Wisdom Begins. 9:10a "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Need: Wisdom is not found in mental reflection. It does not come from intellectual capacity. According to the text, wisdom has its source in God. Our problem today is we have too much book knowledge and too little wisdom. We spend too much time in school and too little time in church.
Outline: Fear of God begets wisdom.
a. Fear as reverence of God - worship
b. Fear of disobeying God - judgment
Lesson 1: Wisdom 9:13-18
What Do You Know For Sure?
Need: That title, often voiced in careless conversation, sounds a note of uncertainly felt by us all. We want to know why things happen - or don't happen - and where an all-powerful God is in all of it. We need to fight the temptation to second-guess God, whose ways always outsmart our limited intelligence.
1. We know God is a faithful God
a. In spite of what we don't know, we know enough
1. God cares for us unfailingly
2. That faithfulness secures us in an uncertain universe
b. We can know more and more by God's grace
1. God's revelation continues day by day
2. The gift of our God-given intelligence opens new knowledge and wisdom to us as we explore
the universe
2. We know we don't need to know everything
a. The ways of God are beyond our ways
b. Sometimes the best surprises are those we would not have guessed
c. God's wisdom will confound all second-guessing on our part
Lesson 2: Philemon 1-20
1. What Can You Expect of a Christian? vv. 8-14
Need: If you claim to be somebody or something, if you are a member or not, society can expect certain things of you. You expect a judge to be just, a policeman to enforce the laws, a citizen to vote. What can you expect of a Christian? Philemon was a Christian and Paul expected him to respond in a certain way regarding a run-away slave, Onesimus.
Outline: What you can expect of a Christian
a. Expect him to do what is required - v. 8. To forgive, to accept the offender, to consider him as a brother in Christ.
b. Expect him to do it with love - v. 9
c. Expect him to do it willingly - v. 14
2. The High cost of Making Friends Out of Enemies. vv. 4-17
Need: Turning enemies into friends does not happen often. Probably the reason is that the cost is more than we want to pay. Onesimus made himself an enemy of Philemon by running away from his master. The slave came under Paul's influence and he became a Christian. Now, Paul must bring these two Christians into a state of friendship and reconciliation. He sends Onesimus back to Philemon and calls on the latter to receive the slave as a Christian. Christians still have a falling out and need to be reconciled. What is the price of restoring relations?
Outline: "Receive him as you would receive me" (v. 17)
a. Receive him as a friend - v. 17
b. Receive him as a Christian - vv. 4-6
c. Receive him as a brother - v. 16
PROPER 19
September 11-17
Common
PENTECOST 17
Lutheran
ORDINARY TIME 24
Roman Catholic
The Lessons
Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6
Yahweh calls to his wicked people to return to him. Speaking to the northern kingdom in the eighth century B.C., Hosea describes the deplorable moral conditions in Israel. Because of this, Yahweh has "a bone to pick" with his people. Until they have a change of heart, Yahweh will return to heaven. In their distress of being without God, they decide to return to him. But apparently it was superficial. In despair Yahweh asks, "What shall I do with you?" They return by offering sacrifices, but Yahweh wants them to love him and to have a knowledge of him. Verse 6 was quoted by Jesus. (Matthew 9:13)
Exodus 32:7-14 (L)
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 (RC)
Moses succeeds in persuading God not to destroy the Israelites for their sin.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Christ came to save sinners, even the foremost, Paul. Many scholars think that the pastoral letters are the work of a later author who was a member of the Pauline school. However, this pericope is Paul's theology. In spite of his persecuting the church, Paul was shown mercy in that Christ forgave him and called him to be an apostle. Paul's experience illustrates God's way with sinners. As a Jewish fanatic Paul persecuted the church. Yet, Christ turned his life around and he became God's ambassador and Christ's witness.
Luke 15:1-10
In response to criticism that he associates with sinners, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. The Pietists (Pharisees) and the Bible students (scribes) of Jesus' day were upset because Jesus associated with the dregs of their society by eating and fellowshiping with them. To explain his action, Jesus tells three parables, two of which are in our gospel lesson - the lost sheep and coin. Both parables emphasize the prevenient grace of God which seeks the lost until it is found, and when found, God rejoices. Repentance is not mentioned, but is emphasized in the third parable of the lost son.
Prayer of the Day
"O God, you declare your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant us the fulness of your grace, that, pursuing what you have promised, we may share your heavenly glory."
Hymn of the Day
"Jesus Sinners will Receive"
Theological Reflections
Gospel:
Luke 15:1-10
1. Eats (v. 2). Jesus made friends with the moral outcasts of his day to the point of sharing a meal with them. To the religious leaders this indicated that Jesus approved of their wrongdoing. How could a godly man identify with evil people? Jesus did not approve of their sin but loved the sinners. By fellowshiping with them in a non-judgmental way he was seeking the lost. Only love can win a sinner.
2. Lost (vv. 4, 9). In both cases the sheep and the coin were "lost." What does it mean to be lost? It means being separated from God. The sheep was all alone in the wilderness. The coin was at a place it should not have been. Because the lost do not know they are lost, we must seek and find them to bring them back to God. That return to God is being "saved."
3. One (vv. 7, 10). In these parables the emphasis is upon "one." One sheep is worth leaving ninety-nine to care for themselves while the shepherd looks for the one animal. There is more rejoicing over the one found that the ninety-nine that did not get lost. In a family of children, the favorite one is the one sick or in trouble. The individual is of maximum worth and is worth finding.
Lesson 1: Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6
1. Mourns (4:3). When a people is morally corrupt, not only humanity but all of creation suffers. Hosea reports that in Israel there is much sin: swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery. It sounds like a description of the moral situation in America today. As a result the land "mourns." By our greed we have ravaged the landscape and caused acid rain to ruin lakes and forests. By our sin of covetousness we are causing endangered species to go out of existence. Nature mourns for the crimes of the human race.
2. What God can do for us (vv. 6:1-3). A suggestion is made that God's people should return to God. Can't you hear some say, "Why go back to God? What good will that do? How can things be any better than what we have now?" These verses point to the goodness and mercy of God.
3. A desperate God (v. 6:4). Like a parent at the point of despair, twice God asks about his people, "What shall I do with you?" Here is another insight into the kind of God we have. He longs to have his people with him in covenantal love and loyalty. God has appealed to them through the prophets. He sent judgment to get them to repent. He wants from his people love and a relationship of peace, but they are content to render cheap sacrifices and burnt offerings. Here we find a wooing and pursuing God and a people whose love for God is fickle.
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. Thank (v. 12). Considering Paul to be the writer, we can see Paul's gratitude. He is one of the most thankful men in the Bible. To be grateful is to be aware of what God has done and given us. He thanks God for strength to do his work, thanks for his appointment to God's service (he did not volunteer for the job), and, above all, thanks for the mercy of forgiving him his once hostility to the church.
2. Save (v. 15). One thing is sure. Jesus came to "save" sinners. He did not come primarily to preach good news, nor to teach new truths, nor to perform miracles to demonstrate the power of God. No, he came to save sinners. For this reason, the cross is the central symbol of the church. We may not accept some teachings and we may doubt some miracles, but they do not matter as long as we accept Jesus as our Savior.
3. Example (v. 16). "If he can do it, I can do it, too!" If anyone like Paul who actively sought to destroy the church, cursed Jesus' name, and put to death believers in Christ - if anyone like that can be forgiven, then there is hope for me, says a sinner. Paul is our "example" of what God can do with the worst of people and make the most of a person.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10
Facets of Forgiveness
Need: Mankind's most basic need is forgiveness in order to be reconciled to God. Without being right with God a life cannot have perfect peace and joy. The most important thing God did for the world was to open the way to reconciliation through the cross of Jesus. In the Lessons we have three facets of forgiveness.
Outline: Face the facets of forgiveness -
a. Our need of forgiveness - Lesson 1: Hosea 4:1-3
b. The means of forgiveness - Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:15
c. The joy of forgiveness - Gospel: Luke 15:7-10
Gospel:
Luke 15:1-10
1. What Must I Do to Be Lost?
Need: The question usually asked is, "What must I do to be saved?" Today a church member could ask, "What must I do to be lost?" More people are leaving than entering the church. One denomination reports a loss of one member every five minutes during the past ten years. Another church admits to a loss of a million members in less than ten years. Each member is a potential "lost" member. In the parables of the sheep and coin, both at one time were "saved" and then became "lost." The same can happen today to a member. This sermon is a preventive type to help people from becoming lost.
Outline: What must I do to be lost?
a. Like the sheep, wander off little by little - vv. 4-7.
b. Like the coin, get out of circulation - vv. 8-10.
2. Heaven 's Bells Are Ringing. 15:7, 10
Need: Twice the Gospel for the day tells us of the joy in heaven when a sinner repents. We can see the smile on the Father's face. The choirs of angels are singing. The archangel's trumpets are blaring. How much joy is indicated when sinners repent in the average church? Is there a party spirit of great joy when a person is baptized or confirmed or renews his faith? Evangelism is the happy time of the church because it is an echo of what goes on in heaven. So we ask why God is happy when we repent.
Outline: Why heaven's bells ring when a sinner repents:
a. God's will is fulfilled. God wants everyone to return to him, for he loves each person. Repentance means a wayward child has come back to God. This makes God happy, for his will is done. God's portion is his people.
b. God is happy for the sinner's sake. Prior to repentance, the sinner was going down the road leading to death. Now he has avoided destruction and is coming to life, love, and light. This is God's wish for every person, because he loves each.
3. Forgiven Before You Ask for It. 15:1-10
Need: We usually think of repentance as the condition of forgiveness. We say that God will forgive only when we repent. This pericope turns this around. We are forgiven before we repent, and we repent because we have been forgiven. We are forgiven not because we pay God the price of repentance, but God loves us whether or not we repent. Those who know and accept God's love, respond with repentance. It is a fact that no calamity, natural disaster, or adversity makes people repent. It is the kindness of God that causes us to repent. This sermon then focuses upon the mercy of God which should stir us to repent.
Outline: Evidence of God's forgiveness prior to repentance.
a. Jesus' association with sinners - vv. 1, 2. If repentance were a condition for God's favor, Jesus would not have been friendly with sinners.
b. God seeks the lost - vv. 4, 8. In love God goes after the sinner. By his search God shows his concern and mercy for the lost.
c. Heaven rejoices when the lost one repents - vv. 7, 10. Repentance means the acceptance of God's love.
Lesson 1: Hosea 4:1-3; 5:15--6:6
1. God the Desperate One. 6:4.
Need: Twice in this verse God cries out in desperation, "What shall I do with you?" It is a question asked by a parent of a naughty child, by an employer of a lazy worker, a judge of a criminal. Because of love for his people, God is at his wits' end to know what to do to bring his people back to him and to make them faithful to the covenant.
Outline: God is so desperate that -
a. He goes to any length to win us, even the cross.
b. He accepts the smallest gift offered to him.
c. He uses the most unworthy person for his purposes.
2. Need the Born-Again Be Born Again? 6:1
Need: Hosea is addressing God's people who have become faithless. To be a Christian is to be born again of the Spirit. Though born-again we too have become faithless. Do the born-againers need to be born again to come back to God? Church statistics reveal that many people in the church are only nominal Christians without a real experience with Christ. This is seen by their lack of witnessing, worship, and stewardship.
Outline: How the born-again can be born again -
a. "Come" - an invitation of grace.
b. "Return" - and it indicates we have left God.
c. "Lord" - return not to a principle, not a program, but to a person.
3. A Return to Religion. 6:1-3.
Need: People today, as in each generation, need to return to religion, to the Christian faith. Our wholesale departure from the Christian religion is shown by today's secularism, pluralism, commercialism, hedonism, and narcissism. The text tells us what good would come if we would return.
Outline: If you will return to God -
a. He will restore you - v. 1
b. He will revive you - v. 2
c. He will refresh you - v. 3
Lesson 1: Exodus 32:7-14
1. Someone Put in a Good Word for You
Need: We do not get right with God on our own efforts or prayers. We do not buy God's mercy by repenting and saying we are sorry. In the case of the Israelites there is no indication they repented nor begged for mercy. They did not cry, "O my sin, my sin! " It was Moses' intercession that turned away God's wrath. He was their mediator. Christians see a greater than Moses who intercedes for them. We are forgiven for Jesus' sake. This should lead to a cross-centered sermon resulting in a deeper appreciation of what God did for us in Jesus.
Outline: Someone spoke in our behalf.
a. We deserve God's wrath - vv. 7, 10
b. Someone intercedes for us - vv. 11-13
c. Result of the mediation - v. 14
2. Even GodRepents. 32:14 "And the Lord repented ofthe evil which he thought to do to his people."
Need: If you think man needs to repent, how much more does God need to repent! But who thinks of God's repenting? It gets down to the meaning of the word, repentance. Many think of repentance as being sorry for their sins. The word really means "metanoia," a change of mind. God intended to destroy Israel for the idolatry practiced at the foot of Mt. Sinai. After Moses' intercession, God changed his mind and forgave. That is the very thing we as sinners need - not wrath but mercy.
Outline: God repents.
a. Though we are sinful - vv. 7-10
b. When intercession is made - vv. 11-13
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
Sermon Series on 1 Timothy
Theme:
The Advice of a Spiritual Father
Pentecost 17 - 1:12-17 - One Thing You Can Be Sure Of
Pentecost 18 - 2:1-7 - All You Need to Know About God
Pentecost 19 - 6:6-19 - A Good Confession
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. What Nobody Can Deny. 1:15
Need: Here is a statemeiit that everyone can and should accept. It sums up the whole mission and nature of Christ. We usually avoid general statements because investigation often shows that there are exceptions. Here there are no exceptions. This statement is most certainly true and should be accepted as the truth.
Outline: A saying nobody can deny
a. "Christ came into the world" - Incarnation: God became man.
b. "Sinners" - the truth about every man.
c. "Save" - not to judge, condemn, but to reconcile to God.
2. One Plus One Makes One. 1:12-14
Need: The common view is that a genuine Christian is a saint, a holy one. In this passage, Paul refers to himself as a chief sinner even after his experience of mercy in Christ. "I am the foremost of sinners." Luther explained that a Christian is a sinner and saint at the same time. One sinner plus one saint makes one Christian! A Christian lives in the tension of having one foot in heaven and one on earth. The sermon is needed to help church members understand why they act like devils at times when they are supposed to be in Christ.
Outline: How one and one make one.
a. One sinner - v. 12-13a. Before Christ: "blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him." - v. 13.
b. One saint - vv. 13b-14. "The grace of our Lord overflowed for me ..." v. 14b.
c. One sinner-saint - vv. 15-16. "I am the foremost of sinners, but I received mercy ..." - vv. 15b-16a.
