Proper 18
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
The radical nature of following Jesus as disciples and our ever-present help along the way.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 18:1-11
The Potter And The Clay
Jeremiah gives us another metaphor for God and Israel. After seeing the local potter making a pot out of a spoiled one, he says God can do the same to Israel. God has the power to smash it on the potter's wheel and start over or to keep it if it amends its ways. If Israel will not remain faithful, God will bring about the collapse of the nation. One wishes Jeremiah would have added the words, "In order to reshape her," but he does not. It's a rich metaphor but a rather unforgiving message typical of those Jeremiah can utter. Better watch out, Jeremiah; Israel is bound to get resentful and hateful toward any prophet who sounds such an unpleasant message.
New Testament Lesson
Philemon 1-21
A Slave Now Brother
The brief letter of Philemon is a letter of Paul's to an owner of a slave, Onesimus, who had taken from him and then run away. Paul wrote this letter pleading for Philemon to welcome his runaway slave back as a Christian brother. Paul appeals on several levels:
1. Onesimus is his son (v. 10).
2. He will be useful to Philemon again if he returns (v. 11).
3. He has served Paul in Philemon's place (v. 13).
4. If he returns he will remain forever (v. 15).
5. He is now a brother in Christ (v. 16).
6. If Paul is his partner he should receive Onesimus back (v. 17).
7. Paul will pay anything Onesimus owes Philemon (v. 18).
8. Paul is confident Philemon will do even more than what he asks of him (v. 21).
Paul knew well the art of persuasion! In addition to all the above logic, he begins with abundant flattery (vv. 4-17).
The Gospel
Luke 14:25-33
The Cost Of Discipleship
Jesus was now heading toward Jerusalem and the cross. Those who followed thought they were headed toward an empire and ruling power. So he was quite frank to say that following him means giving up all and having to love the Christ above all else. This calls for a love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the Christ we follow.
This passage helps us understand the problem Jesus faced and we face as well. We have many who follow Jesus but only a few disciples. And then there are those who are loyal to the church as an organization, but not loyal to the Christ as our Savior.
The tower was one of those stone structures along the edge of a vineyard from which they watched for thieves or birds, and so on.
So this passage says we are not to take discipleship lightly but count the cost like one does before starting to build a structure or the military does before they enter upon a battle.
Then comes the big one! Verse 33 tells us being a disciple means traveling light and giving up our passion to acquire and then protect possessions. It sounds impossible! But Jesus also promises he will help us carry out these costly requirements of discipleship.
Preaching Possibilities
A. It's a stretch but we could put the three readings together under the theme of Discipleship.
1. Jeremiah tells us God can so mold us into new shapes and beings.
2. Paul tells us a disciple is a radically new person who can even receive back a runaway slave who has stolen from him.
3. Jesus teaches that to be his follower and disciple means a radical new way of life with a new set of priorities:
a. We love him more than anyone else.
b. We give up our passion for possessions.
c. We carry a cross like Jesus did.
It will preach and we can add some good illustrations to the above as windows to the truths we are proclaiming.
B. The three readings will also stand on their own today.
1. Jeremiah teaches about reshaping us and the creator's power and willingness to start over with us.
2. Philemon teaches us a beautiful lesson about the radical nature of disciple love.
3. Luke records Jesus' own words about how radical and costly discipleship really is. I'll go with the latter since it is called for in all three categories of lessons for today.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by telling the entrance and membership requirements you must meet in order to belong to a couple of organizations you belong to. Perhaps Kiwanis or Rotary or Soroptimist or ...
B. Move to the requirements to belong to your congregation.
C. Tell your hearers what Jesus told them was required to be one of his disciples.
1. Love him more than family or anyone else
2. Carry a cross like he will do
3. Carefully count the cost before joining
4. Give up all our possessions
D. Explain that there is a difference between being a church member and being a disciple of Christ. Use several of the examples below which illustrate the high cost some are paying now for their discipleship.
E. Move to the so what? What are the possible steps the hearers can take because of these things we learned today?
1. Reformat the "Inquirers class" for new members.
2. Examine what kind of, how many, and how essential are the possessions we have and the ones we want.
3. Begin to tithe our income and time for our discipleship.
4. Consider more information to our young confirmands about what it really means to be a disciple.
F. Frame by reviewing your moves in reverse order and close with another story.
Prayer For The Day
We want to follow you, Jesus. Help us to practice radical discipleship in our lives. Show us the way to teach each other and invite others into your discipleship. Give us a sanity in the way we deal with our addiction to wealth and things. We know we can't do it alone -- be our help along the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
I was in Kathmandu recently and learned of the bombing of our little Lutheran flat church by the Maoists. It's not easy being a disciple in Nepal!
After Easter when the Christians wanted a large sign in front of their worship space to say: "Hallelujah Christ is risen," each one of the worshipers brought one letter to the service so no one would be caught with the entire sign. When they all got there and the sign was in place, it spelled out: "He Is Risen, Hallelujah." He was risen indeed!
In interviewing Hong Kong Christians about how they were preparing for the Chinese takeover in July 1997, I heard some inspirational answers. Their solution was to learn all the Bible they can in case they don't have access any longer, to learn how to minister to each other in case there are no pastors, and to learn how to witness to the gospel so that the faith might live on. Oh, that we in the United States might sense that same urgency in the practice of our faith.
Our granddaughter, Hannah Marie, came for a visit. When I got into the hot tub after her and commented, "Ouch, Hannah, this is really hot," she replied, "It's all right, Grandpa; it gets used to you." Perhaps we try to adjust too much to the world rather than live out our discipleship and let the world adjust to us (or not).
Heads Up Notice
For the next seven Sundays our Second Lesson will come from Paul's letter to Timothy. The letters were written by Timothy's spiritual father, Paul, when he was on his fourth missionary journey and had left young Timothy to care for the congregation at Ephesus. The letters are ones of instruction and encouragement for ministry. Second Timothy was written when Paul was again in prison and Paul was asking for Timothy to join him. He also was concerned about the churches and wanted Timothy to champion the gospel even if it meant he would have to suffer for it. Also through Timothy, Paul wanted to write to the Ephesian congregations.
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
The radical nature of following Jesus as disciples and our ever-present help along the way.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 18:1-11
The Potter And The Clay
Jeremiah gives us another metaphor for God and Israel. After seeing the local potter making a pot out of a spoiled one, he says God can do the same to Israel. God has the power to smash it on the potter's wheel and start over or to keep it if it amends its ways. If Israel will not remain faithful, God will bring about the collapse of the nation. One wishes Jeremiah would have added the words, "In order to reshape her," but he does not. It's a rich metaphor but a rather unforgiving message typical of those Jeremiah can utter. Better watch out, Jeremiah; Israel is bound to get resentful and hateful toward any prophet who sounds such an unpleasant message.
New Testament Lesson
Philemon 1-21
A Slave Now Brother
The brief letter of Philemon is a letter of Paul's to an owner of a slave, Onesimus, who had taken from him and then run away. Paul wrote this letter pleading for Philemon to welcome his runaway slave back as a Christian brother. Paul appeals on several levels:
1. Onesimus is his son (v. 10).
2. He will be useful to Philemon again if he returns (v. 11).
3. He has served Paul in Philemon's place (v. 13).
4. If he returns he will remain forever (v. 15).
5. He is now a brother in Christ (v. 16).
6. If Paul is his partner he should receive Onesimus back (v. 17).
7. Paul will pay anything Onesimus owes Philemon (v. 18).
8. Paul is confident Philemon will do even more than what he asks of him (v. 21).
Paul knew well the art of persuasion! In addition to all the above logic, he begins with abundant flattery (vv. 4-17).
The Gospel
Luke 14:25-33
The Cost Of Discipleship
Jesus was now heading toward Jerusalem and the cross. Those who followed thought they were headed toward an empire and ruling power. So he was quite frank to say that following him means giving up all and having to love the Christ above all else. This calls for a love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the Christ we follow.
This passage helps us understand the problem Jesus faced and we face as well. We have many who follow Jesus but only a few disciples. And then there are those who are loyal to the church as an organization, but not loyal to the Christ as our Savior.
The tower was one of those stone structures along the edge of a vineyard from which they watched for thieves or birds, and so on.
So this passage says we are not to take discipleship lightly but count the cost like one does before starting to build a structure or the military does before they enter upon a battle.
Then comes the big one! Verse 33 tells us being a disciple means traveling light and giving up our passion to acquire and then protect possessions. It sounds impossible! But Jesus also promises he will help us carry out these costly requirements of discipleship.
Preaching Possibilities
A. It's a stretch but we could put the three readings together under the theme of Discipleship.
1. Jeremiah tells us God can so mold us into new shapes and beings.
2. Paul tells us a disciple is a radically new person who can even receive back a runaway slave who has stolen from him.
3. Jesus teaches that to be his follower and disciple means a radical new way of life with a new set of priorities:
a. We love him more than anyone else.
b. We give up our passion for possessions.
c. We carry a cross like Jesus did.
It will preach and we can add some good illustrations to the above as windows to the truths we are proclaiming.
B. The three readings will also stand on their own today.
1. Jeremiah teaches about reshaping us and the creator's power and willingness to start over with us.
2. Philemon teaches us a beautiful lesson about the radical nature of disciple love.
3. Luke records Jesus' own words about how radical and costly discipleship really is. I'll go with the latter since it is called for in all three categories of lessons for today.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by telling the entrance and membership requirements you must meet in order to belong to a couple of organizations you belong to. Perhaps Kiwanis or Rotary or Soroptimist or ...
B. Move to the requirements to belong to your congregation.
C. Tell your hearers what Jesus told them was required to be one of his disciples.
1. Love him more than family or anyone else
2. Carry a cross like he will do
3. Carefully count the cost before joining
4. Give up all our possessions
D. Explain that there is a difference between being a church member and being a disciple of Christ. Use several of the examples below which illustrate the high cost some are paying now for their discipleship.
E. Move to the so what? What are the possible steps the hearers can take because of these things we learned today?
1. Reformat the "Inquirers class" for new members.
2. Examine what kind of, how many, and how essential are the possessions we have and the ones we want.
3. Begin to tithe our income and time for our discipleship.
4. Consider more information to our young confirmands about what it really means to be a disciple.
F. Frame by reviewing your moves in reverse order and close with another story.
Prayer For The Day
We want to follow you, Jesus. Help us to practice radical discipleship in our lives. Show us the way to teach each other and invite others into your discipleship. Give us a sanity in the way we deal with our addiction to wealth and things. We know we can't do it alone -- be our help along the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
I was in Kathmandu recently and learned of the bombing of our little Lutheran flat church by the Maoists. It's not easy being a disciple in Nepal!
After Easter when the Christians wanted a large sign in front of their worship space to say: "Hallelujah Christ is risen," each one of the worshipers brought one letter to the service so no one would be caught with the entire sign. When they all got there and the sign was in place, it spelled out: "He Is Risen, Hallelujah." He was risen indeed!
In interviewing Hong Kong Christians about how they were preparing for the Chinese takeover in July 1997, I heard some inspirational answers. Their solution was to learn all the Bible they can in case they don't have access any longer, to learn how to minister to each other in case there are no pastors, and to learn how to witness to the gospel so that the faith might live on. Oh, that we in the United States might sense that same urgency in the practice of our faith.
Our granddaughter, Hannah Marie, came for a visit. When I got into the hot tub after her and commented, "Ouch, Hannah, this is really hot," she replied, "It's all right, Grandpa; it gets used to you." Perhaps we try to adjust too much to the world rather than live out our discipleship and let the world adjust to us (or not).
Heads Up Notice
For the next seven Sundays our Second Lesson will come from Paul's letter to Timothy. The letters were written by Timothy's spiritual father, Paul, when he was on his fourth missionary journey and had left young Timothy to care for the congregation at Ephesus. The letters are ones of instruction and encouragement for ministry. Second Timothy was written when Paul was again in prison and Paul was asking for Timothy to join him. He also was concerned about the churches and wanted Timothy to champion the gospel even if it meant he would have to suffer for it. Also through Timothy, Paul wanted to write to the Ephesian congregations.
