Proper 17
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
Christian disciple way of life which includes humility, hospitality, and charity.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 2:4-13
For No Reason Yahweh Deserted
Verse 2:4 is an introduction to the coming section. The question is asked: What did God do to deserve abandonment by the people to pursue worthless things?
Then in 5-13 Jeremiah makes his point like one would in a law court. The defendant is challenged to explain why he deserted Yahweh for other gods -- in certainty that there is no good reason. See Psalm 115:8. The priest and people are oblivious to their history. The rulers here rebelled against Yahweh's guidance. And worst of all, Baal is used to prophesy instead of Yahweh. The heavens should be shocked about the people changing their loyalty from Yahweh to other gods and forsaking Yahweh. Verse 13 is really powerful because this is a city where water is at a premium and cisterns are by far the major water source.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Living The Christian Life
After a strong warning, now the author gives some general advice for Christian living:
1. Let brotherly love continue.
2. Show hospitality (see Philemon 22).
3. Entertain angels (Genesis 18 as Sarah and Abraham did).
4. Remember those in prison and those being tortured.
5. Hold marriage in honor.
6. Keep free from love of money (see Psalm 118:6).
7. Remember their leaders of the past who brought them the Gospel.
8. Jesus remains the same today as he was yesterday.
Verses 15 and 16 continue the list:
1. Continue to offer praise of God (see Leviticus 7:12).
2. Do good and share what you have -- expressions of Christian love.
3. Sacrifices are pleasing to God.
It is a great list for Christian living; but it will need distillation to preach well. Perhaps we could say: Love each other, have sympathy for those in trouble, be content with what you have and be willing to share it, and continue to worship God with praise.
The Gospel
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Humility And Hospitality
Jesus, the law breaker who often healed on the sabbath, was being watched closely because this meant he worked on the sabbath, which was against the Jewish law. Verses 7 to 11 really are talking about humility, an important characteristic of the Christian life, and, I would say, of truly great people. There is a promise of practical life here: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Try that idea on with our current pop culture advice to promote one's self, get what's coming to you, and demand your rights.
The second position is as simple: Do charity not for what you will get out of it or what we would call the pay back. Just do it. This asks us to examine the motives behind our good works. It also claims we will be rewarded for this kind of giving that does not plan for any return. Barclay says that there are many reasons one gives:
1. Out of a sense of duty;
2. Out of self-interests;
3. In order to feel superior;
4. Because we cannot help but give;
5. and I would add, in order to be loved.
The only real Christian giving is uncontrollable love. However, for whatever reason, poor or honorable, that which is given can be used by God and God's disciples to great good!
Preaching Possibilities
A. I think there is not a common theme connecting the three readings together; but I believe we can put the New Testament Reading and the Gospel together to gain some practical guidance for Christian living. The list above under New Testament Lesson can be further distilled to make our outline using both New Testament and Gospel.
B. If we want to use the Old Testament Jeremiah lesson, while not so obvious, it can stand alone.
1. God has cared for us over the years as well.
2. We also can drift away and seek after other gods.
3. Our nation has also drifted away and deserted the God who has blessed us with so much.
The "other gods" might be sexual excitement, wealth addiction, hedonistic pleasure, power over others, love of things, and so on.
C. Then, do you think we could use verse 13 and talk about the stewardship of natural resources?
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Humility, Hospitality, and Charity: it's a Christian lifestyle
A. Begin by putting Luke 14:8-10 into a contemporary setting. "It was a large banquet with the governor as speaker. Everyone tried to get the seats close to the speaker's podium...."
B. Read verses 8-10.
C. Tell what truths you think Jesus was trying to communicate:
1. True greatness is in being humble. We need not be the best or have the biggest, and so on.
2. The Christian disciple does not seek honor or reward or greatness.
3. Often when we aren't expecting it or trying for it we are rewarded anyway (read v. 11).
D. Move to verses 12-13 and put them in contemporary context. "A couple decided to give a dinner party at their local restaurant...."
E. Read verses 12-13, holding the Bible in your hands.
F. Tell what truths Jesus was teaching here:
1. Don't do kindnesses in order to be repaid for it.
2. Do loving acts not for those who will repay you but for people who probably never will appreciate it.
G. Move to read verse 14. Tell how verses 11 and 14 connect together and recommend a lifestyle of humility, hospitality, and charity.
H. Tell a story to illustrate this teaching.
I. Plan out loud where you will sit and who you will invite to your next banquet.
Prayer For The Day
Help us, O God, to be your humble servants who are always hospitable and full of charity for others. Teach us to love the unlovely whom you love and to give generously without thought of credit or being rewarded for it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet says to Romeo, "The more love I give to thee, the more I have." There it is again -- we give it away and it most affects us.
It was a long breakfast line at the pastors' retreat. Some came to the "traveler" toaster and took their slices of toast without putting in new bread. Soon there were no slices and all had to wait.
Stewardship is providing for those who will come after you. Upon taking your toast, you place new slices in the toaster for those farther back in line.
There is an unwritten code of the Bataks of Sumatra that dictates right and wrong behavior. It's called the adat. It governs their ethics, morals, and social protocol. It is a very strong force in the life of Batak Christians as well. Often the bius will interpret just what the adat is in a particular situation and will mete out the proper punishment if the rules are not obeyed. The young often learn the adat not by reading it in a book, but rather, seeing it practiced by others who follow it.
We Christians have an adat also. It is learned by how we live out our lives of discipleship consistent with Christ's interpretation of God's commands. We must always ask how well we are passing on our adat to the next generation and to new Christians of any age.
I now have a pill box with compartments for each day of the week to make sure I get the correct medications and remember to take them each day.
In our religious lives we need to have certain things regularly in order to stay spiritually healthy: prayer, forgiveness of others, thankfulness to God, witness to others, humility, hospitality, and charity.
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
Christian disciple way of life which includes humility, hospitality, and charity.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 2:4-13
For No Reason Yahweh Deserted
Verse 2:4 is an introduction to the coming section. The question is asked: What did God do to deserve abandonment by the people to pursue worthless things?
Then in 5-13 Jeremiah makes his point like one would in a law court. The defendant is challenged to explain why he deserted Yahweh for other gods -- in certainty that there is no good reason. See Psalm 115:8. The priest and people are oblivious to their history. The rulers here rebelled against Yahweh's guidance. And worst of all, Baal is used to prophesy instead of Yahweh. The heavens should be shocked about the people changing their loyalty from Yahweh to other gods and forsaking Yahweh. Verse 13 is really powerful because this is a city where water is at a premium and cisterns are by far the major water source.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Living The Christian Life
After a strong warning, now the author gives some general advice for Christian living:
1. Let brotherly love continue.
2. Show hospitality (see Philemon 22).
3. Entertain angels (Genesis 18 as Sarah and Abraham did).
4. Remember those in prison and those being tortured.
5. Hold marriage in honor.
6. Keep free from love of money (see Psalm 118:6).
7. Remember their leaders of the past who brought them the Gospel.
8. Jesus remains the same today as he was yesterday.
Verses 15 and 16 continue the list:
1. Continue to offer praise of God (see Leviticus 7:12).
2. Do good and share what you have -- expressions of Christian love.
3. Sacrifices are pleasing to God.
It is a great list for Christian living; but it will need distillation to preach well. Perhaps we could say: Love each other, have sympathy for those in trouble, be content with what you have and be willing to share it, and continue to worship God with praise.
The Gospel
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Humility And Hospitality
Jesus, the law breaker who often healed on the sabbath, was being watched closely because this meant he worked on the sabbath, which was against the Jewish law. Verses 7 to 11 really are talking about humility, an important characteristic of the Christian life, and, I would say, of truly great people. There is a promise of practical life here: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Try that idea on with our current pop culture advice to promote one's self, get what's coming to you, and demand your rights.
The second position is as simple: Do charity not for what you will get out of it or what we would call the pay back. Just do it. This asks us to examine the motives behind our good works. It also claims we will be rewarded for this kind of giving that does not plan for any return. Barclay says that there are many reasons one gives:
1. Out of a sense of duty;
2. Out of self-interests;
3. In order to feel superior;
4. Because we cannot help but give;
5. and I would add, in order to be loved.
The only real Christian giving is uncontrollable love. However, for whatever reason, poor or honorable, that which is given can be used by God and God's disciples to great good!
Preaching Possibilities
A. I think there is not a common theme connecting the three readings together; but I believe we can put the New Testament Reading and the Gospel together to gain some practical guidance for Christian living. The list above under New Testament Lesson can be further distilled to make our outline using both New Testament and Gospel.
B. If we want to use the Old Testament Jeremiah lesson, while not so obvious, it can stand alone.
1. God has cared for us over the years as well.
2. We also can drift away and seek after other gods.
3. Our nation has also drifted away and deserted the God who has blessed us with so much.
The "other gods" might be sexual excitement, wealth addiction, hedonistic pleasure, power over others, love of things, and so on.
C. Then, do you think we could use verse 13 and talk about the stewardship of natural resources?
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Humility, Hospitality, and Charity: it's a Christian lifestyle
A. Begin by putting Luke 14:8-10 into a contemporary setting. "It was a large banquet with the governor as speaker. Everyone tried to get the seats close to the speaker's podium...."
B. Read verses 8-10.
C. Tell what truths you think Jesus was trying to communicate:
1. True greatness is in being humble. We need not be the best or have the biggest, and so on.
2. The Christian disciple does not seek honor or reward or greatness.
3. Often when we aren't expecting it or trying for it we are rewarded anyway (read v. 11).
D. Move to verses 12-13 and put them in contemporary context. "A couple decided to give a dinner party at their local restaurant...."
E. Read verses 12-13, holding the Bible in your hands.
F. Tell what truths Jesus was teaching here:
1. Don't do kindnesses in order to be repaid for it.
2. Do loving acts not for those who will repay you but for people who probably never will appreciate it.
G. Move to read verse 14. Tell how verses 11 and 14 connect together and recommend a lifestyle of humility, hospitality, and charity.
H. Tell a story to illustrate this teaching.
I. Plan out loud where you will sit and who you will invite to your next banquet.
Prayer For The Day
Help us, O God, to be your humble servants who are always hospitable and full of charity for others. Teach us to love the unlovely whom you love and to give generously without thought of credit or being rewarded for it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet says to Romeo, "The more love I give to thee, the more I have." There it is again -- we give it away and it most affects us.
It was a long breakfast line at the pastors' retreat. Some came to the "traveler" toaster and took their slices of toast without putting in new bread. Soon there were no slices and all had to wait.
Stewardship is providing for those who will come after you. Upon taking your toast, you place new slices in the toaster for those farther back in line.
There is an unwritten code of the Bataks of Sumatra that dictates right and wrong behavior. It's called the adat. It governs their ethics, morals, and social protocol. It is a very strong force in the life of Batak Christians as well. Often the bius will interpret just what the adat is in a particular situation and will mete out the proper punishment if the rules are not obeyed. The young often learn the adat not by reading it in a book, but rather, seeing it practiced by others who follow it.
We Christians have an adat also. It is learned by how we live out our lives of discipleship consistent with Christ's interpretation of God's commands. We must always ask how well we are passing on our adat to the next generation and to new Christians of any age.
I now have a pill box with compartments for each day of the week to make sure I get the correct medications and remember to take them each day.
In our religious lives we need to have certain things regularly in order to stay spiritually healthy: prayer, forgiveness of others, thankfulness to God, witness to others, humility, hospitality, and charity.
