Proper 22
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
The 10 commandments. While assembled at Mount Sinai, the Israelites are given the Decalogue by Yahweh through Moses. These 10 absolutes are not independent. They are related to the Mosaic covenant. First came grace in terms of God's deliverance from Egypt and by his promise to take them to a Promised Land. The laws are given for the people's part or response to the covenant.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (E, L, RC)
God's judgment upon his people for their failure to produce proper fruit.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b-14 (C); Philippians 3:14-21 (E); Philippians 3:12-21 (L)
Forgetting the past, Paul pressed on toward the goal of Christ and lives an example to be followed. Prior to this pericope, Paul defends himself as a Christian of the first order through the mercies of God. Yet, he does not think he has it "made," but keeps striving for complete devotion to Christ by becoming one in the sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ. Because he imitates Christ, he is able to ask his people to imitate him in both faith and life. Though we are in the world, we belong to the kingdom of heaven. When Christ returns, he will transform our earthly to spiritual bodies.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:6-9 (RC)
See Pentecost 21, Lutheran.
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43 (C, E, L, RC)
The parable of the vineyard and the wicked servants. This is another parable of the kingdom. It is an allegorized parable. The vineyard is Israel. The tenants are the religious leaders. The servants are the prophets. The son is Jesus. The murder was the cross. Jesus is saying that time after time God has sought to redeem his people through the prophets, but each effort was in vain. In desperation he sent his Son whom they crucified. This is in accord with the psalmist who says the rejected stone became the cornerstone. The outcome of it is that the religious leaders of Israel will lose the kingdom which will be given to those who produce the fruit of righteousness. Because of their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost but the Gentiles gained the kingdom.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 19 (C) - "The law of the Lord is perfect (v. 7)."
Psalm 80:7-14 (E, L, RC) - "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant he cherished (Isaiah 5:7)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Our Lord Jesus, you have endured the doubts and foolish questions of every generation. Forgive us for trying to be judge over you, and grant us the confident faith to acknowledge you as Lord."
Hymn Of The Day
"The Church Of Christ, In Every Age"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
1. Householder (v. 33). In this parable God is the householder (owner). It is his vineyard. His care and concern are shown by this planting the vineyard, setting a hedge around it, digging a wine press and erecting a tower. Then he turns the vineyard over to his people. The vineyard is God's people. He has planted and equipped it. Then he leaves us on our own and we are responsible to respond.
2. Tenants (v. 33). Who are we? We act as though we are the owners of our world and the masters of our lives. We are "tenants." We do not own the place. We are not permanent residents. We are renters who are obliged to pay rent for the privilege of being on this earth. We are tenants who are expected to share the harvest with the owner. As humans we have a responsibility to return to God his just desserts as owner of the vineyard.
3. Fruit (v. 34). The owner has a right to receive fruit from the tenants. People owe something to God. Time after time God comes for his due until finally he makes the ultimate appeal in his Son, Jesus. Rebellious tenants kill the Son in hope of taking over the vineyard. Here can be seen the patience of God, trying over and over to get the tenants to respond; here can also be seen the greed of people.
4. Death (v. 41). Because man refuses to respond, he suffers death. The vineyard is given to others. God's judgment comes to the disobedient and unfruitful. If the chosen are not responsive, God will find replacements.
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
1. God spoke (v. 1). The origin of the Decalogue is God. This was symbolized in the account that the commandments were written in stone by the finger of God. The laws are not of human origin nor the result of social and cultural development or needs. Since God gave the laws, they are universal, eternal and absolute.
2. I am (v. 2). The basis for the commandments is "I am." From this the commandments flow as water from a fountain. The laws reflect the person who gave them. Morality is the result of religion. "Be holy as I am holy." How we live indicates the kind of God we have. It also means that when we break a law, we do it not only against society but against God. Stealing adversely affects human victims, but at the same time stealing is a sin against God.
3. Shall (v.3). Each law in the Decalogue uses the word "shall," not "will," which refers to the future. "Shall" indicates an imperative. This is a "must," an absolute. It is not up to us to do it. This is God's will and we as his servants and covenant people are expected and required to obey.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (E, L, RC)
1. Love (v. 1). The prophet sings a love song to God regarding God's vineyard, his people. God is his "beloved." God loves his people. Proof of his love is that God's vineyard, his possession is his people. Out of love God accepts and owns his people. And look what God has done for his people! He placed a vineyard on a fertile hill. He dug the ground, cleared away the stones and planted it with the best vines. Then he built a watchtower and a wine vat. God is love and he deals lovingly with his people: claiming them as his own, and providing for them by giving them the best of everything to be fruitful.
2. Wild (v. 2). What does God's people return for all of God's goodness? He planted good vines but he received wild grapes. God expects justice and he gets violence. He looks for the fruit of righteousness and he receives wickedness. God gets the opposite of what he gave to his people.
3. Judge (v. 3). God calls upon his people to determine whether this kind of return is just. Could God have done more for his people than he did? Is it not logical to expect good fruit from good plants? Shouldn't we return in kind what we received? Should we not love God in response to God's prior love? God wants us to use our hands, common sense and a sense of fairness. To return evil for good is not responsible, is not good sense. Can anyone blame God for his displeasure over his people's evil doings?
4. Waste (v. 6). How does God handle our disobedience and wickedness? God is a God of wrath. He cannot tolerate wickedness. Judgment comes to the rebellious ones. The vineyard shall be destroyed. It will become a wasteland. The wicked shall perish. Hell is reserved for the disobedient.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:12-21
1. Press on (vv. 12, 14). Paul uses this phrase twice in this passage. It must have been important to him in getting across his idea. He is not idly waiting for perfection to come to him. He is not neutral. He is urgent, pursuing, energetic in getting to his goal. To become like Christ is a process over a lifetime - ever striving to be like Christ in every area of life.
At the same time, Paul would say that God was in him pressing on, working in him. A Christian
dare not be content with his life. He is ever seeking to improve it.
2. One thing (v. 13). Paul was a single-minded and single-purpose man. He had only one thing on his mind: Christ. He was a Christ-saturated man. He had one goal: to match Christ. There is a simplicity here that is to be admired. It leads to a unified life with Christ as the hub.
3. Example (v. 17). The best thing one can give to another is a good example. Paul imitates Christ and offers himself as an example of the Christian life. What a daring thing to do! Who would dare to set up his life as an example to be followed? It indicates that Paul had an exemplary life, not perfect, but a life dedicated to becoming like Christ in all things. It is not a "do your own thing" but "Do as I do."
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
1. Whose World is This? 21:33-41
Need: The modern person has lost sight of whose world this is and who she is in relation to the world. The popular opinion is that the world belongs to humanity who is in control of it. Scientific knowledge and technology have put the world at our command. In the light of this, we have forgotten our place in relation to the world. If this is God's world, we are responsible to God for what we do to and with the world. The practical implications deal with ecology, energy, conservation.
Outline: God, the world, and us -
a. The world is God's - v. 33. God is the "householder" who owns the vineyard, planted the vines, built a hedge around it, prepared a wine press and erected a tower.
b. We are the tenant - vv. 33-41 . As the tenant, we are responsible to God, obligated to return "rent" to God. Owners do not pay rent.
2. Produce - or Else! 21:33-43
Need: In today's universities the rule often followed is, "Produce - or else!" Professors are expected to publish and are judged according to the quantity and quality of their publications. Jesus compares God's people to a vineyard. It is natural for a vineyard to produce grapes. If not, the vines are destroyed or replaced. In this parable Jesus teaches that God's peoples are expected to produce good fruit. If they do not, they are subject to being discarded in favor of a people who will produce. This sermon is urgently needed because of the little or no yield by many church members. Because Israel did not produce fruit, God gave his vineyard to the church (v. 43). Will the same happen to the church today?
Outline: Jesus teaches: Produce - or else!
a. Produce because it is natural - a vine yields grapes.
b. Produce because it is an obligation - tenant pays rent, shares the fruit.
c. Produce because of possible judgment - v. 41.
3. When God Could Do No More. 21:33-39
Need: Through history God makes repeated attempts to get his people to submit to him his portion of the vineyard's harvest. Time after time he fails until he plays his trump card: he sends his Son whom the people kill in hope of taking over the vineyard for their own. God is desperate to gain his people's love, loyalty and fruits of repentance. When he sends his Son, he can do no more to win a person. When the Son is killed, God turns his vineyard over to a new people. This applies to us today - how do we react to God's Son? Shall we kill him anew? If we do, we face the wrath of God in terms of replacement.
Outline: God's efforts to get our obedience.
a. The repeated coming of God's servants, the prophets - vv. 34-36.
b. The final effort - God's Son - vv. 37-39.
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
1. This is God Speaking! 20:1
Need: This lection covers the 10 commandments. This would be far too much ground to cover in one sermon. Often the passage is the basis of a series of sermons, one for each law. If one law is chosen for a sermon, the message would not harmonize with the Theme of the Day. It would be better to consider the passage as a whole. In this sermon we see that the source of the law is God. He gave the commandments, written by his finger on two tablets of stone. To break these laws is not merely a crime against society but is a grievous sin offending and disobeying God. It is this dimension of the law that many in our time have forgotten.
Outline: Because God spoke the laws -
a. They are absolute - nothing relative about them.
b. They are universal - laws apply to all people of all classes.
c. They are eternal - the laws are good for every generation.
2. A Law is a Law! 20:3
Need: The sermon centers in the "shall" which is repeated with each commandment.It is not "you may ...," for this refers to the future. "Shall" indicates that this is a must. There is no choice in the matter. It is an absolute. To disobey it brings judgment. To obey it pleases God.
Outline: You shall obey God's commands -
a. Not to obey is the sin of omission.
b. To do other than what is commanded is the sin of commission.
c. To obey is to keep in covenant with God.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (E, L, RC)
A Sad Love Song.
Need: Isaiah sings a love song to God. It is about God's love for his people, the vineyard. It is a song about God's love for his people, about what good God has done for his people. But, it has a sad ending. The vineyard becomes a wasteland because the people disappointed God by producing evil fruit. The happy story ends with a cross. This Lesson meets our need to understand that God expects us to produce fruit worthy of him.
Outline: A song of God's dealings with his people -
a. What good God did for his people - vv. 1-4.
b. What God expected of his people in return - vv. 4-7.
c. What God did about his people's failure - vv. 5-6.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:12-21
1. Taking Inventory of Your Life. 3:12-14
Need: There comes a time when it is necessary to take an inventory of your life in order to know where you are, where you have been, and where you are headed. Few people bother to make this analysis of their lives. It is easier to live day after day without giving thought about tomorrow. Paul gives us an example in sizing up one's life.
Outline: The time has come to determine -
a. Where you are now: imperfect - v. 12.
b. Where you have been: forget the past - v. 13.
c. Where you want to be: goal of Christ - v. 14.
2. Who Goes There: Friend or Enemy? 3:17-21
Need: The issue is clear-cut. We are either enemies or friends of Christ and his cross. In both Gospel and Lesson 1, God's people proved to be enemies. In this Lesson, Paul describes them as "enemies of the cross." The friends of God obey his commands and bring forth the fruits of repentance. The basic issue is whether we are for or against Christ. This is not an issue between Christians and non-Christians. It is a problem for God's vineyard, the people of God.
Outline: Who goes there?
a. Enemy of God? - vv. 18, 19. Hedonists - wicked - materialists.
b. Friend of God? - v. 20. Friends live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:6-9 (RC) (See Pentecost 2, Lutheran)
The 10 commandments. While assembled at Mount Sinai, the Israelites are given the Decalogue by Yahweh through Moses. These 10 absolutes are not independent. They are related to the Mosaic covenant. First came grace in terms of God's deliverance from Egypt and by his promise to take them to a Promised Land. The laws are given for the people's part or response to the covenant.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (E, L, RC)
God's judgment upon his people for their failure to produce proper fruit.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b-14 (C); Philippians 3:14-21 (E); Philippians 3:12-21 (L)
Forgetting the past, Paul pressed on toward the goal of Christ and lives an example to be followed. Prior to this pericope, Paul defends himself as a Christian of the first order through the mercies of God. Yet, he does not think he has it "made," but keeps striving for complete devotion to Christ by becoming one in the sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ. Because he imitates Christ, he is able to ask his people to imitate him in both faith and life. Though we are in the world, we belong to the kingdom of heaven. When Christ returns, he will transform our earthly to spiritual bodies.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:6-9 (RC)
See Pentecost 21, Lutheran.
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43 (C, E, L, RC)
The parable of the vineyard and the wicked servants. This is another parable of the kingdom. It is an allegorized parable. The vineyard is Israel. The tenants are the religious leaders. The servants are the prophets. The son is Jesus. The murder was the cross. Jesus is saying that time after time God has sought to redeem his people through the prophets, but each effort was in vain. In desperation he sent his Son whom they crucified. This is in accord with the psalmist who says the rejected stone became the cornerstone. The outcome of it is that the religious leaders of Israel will lose the kingdom which will be given to those who produce the fruit of righteousness. Because of their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost but the Gentiles gained the kingdom.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 19 (C) - "The law of the Lord is perfect (v. 7)."
Psalm 80:7-14 (E, L, RC) - "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant he cherished (Isaiah 5:7)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Our Lord Jesus, you have endured the doubts and foolish questions of every generation. Forgive us for trying to be judge over you, and grant us the confident faith to acknowledge you as Lord."
Hymn Of The Day
"The Church Of Christ, In Every Age"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
1. Householder (v. 33). In this parable God is the householder (owner). It is his vineyard. His care and concern are shown by this planting the vineyard, setting a hedge around it, digging a wine press and erecting a tower. Then he turns the vineyard over to his people. The vineyard is God's people. He has planted and equipped it. Then he leaves us on our own and we are responsible to respond.
2. Tenants (v. 33). Who are we? We act as though we are the owners of our world and the masters of our lives. We are "tenants." We do not own the place. We are not permanent residents. We are renters who are obliged to pay rent for the privilege of being on this earth. We are tenants who are expected to share the harvest with the owner. As humans we have a responsibility to return to God his just desserts as owner of the vineyard.
3. Fruit (v. 34). The owner has a right to receive fruit from the tenants. People owe something to God. Time after time God comes for his due until finally he makes the ultimate appeal in his Son, Jesus. Rebellious tenants kill the Son in hope of taking over the vineyard. Here can be seen the patience of God, trying over and over to get the tenants to respond; here can also be seen the greed of people.
4. Death (v. 41). Because man refuses to respond, he suffers death. The vineyard is given to others. God's judgment comes to the disobedient and unfruitful. If the chosen are not responsive, God will find replacements.
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
1. God spoke (v. 1). The origin of the Decalogue is God. This was symbolized in the account that the commandments were written in stone by the finger of God. The laws are not of human origin nor the result of social and cultural development or needs. Since God gave the laws, they are universal, eternal and absolute.
2. I am (v. 2). The basis for the commandments is "I am." From this the commandments flow as water from a fountain. The laws reflect the person who gave them. Morality is the result of religion. "Be holy as I am holy." How we live indicates the kind of God we have. It also means that when we break a law, we do it not only against society but against God. Stealing adversely affects human victims, but at the same time stealing is a sin against God.
3. Shall (v.3). Each law in the Decalogue uses the word "shall," not "will," which refers to the future. "Shall" indicates an imperative. This is a "must," an absolute. It is not up to us to do it. This is God's will and we as his servants and covenant people are expected and required to obey.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (E, L, RC)
1. Love (v. 1). The prophet sings a love song to God regarding God's vineyard, his people. God is his "beloved." God loves his people. Proof of his love is that God's vineyard, his possession is his people. Out of love God accepts and owns his people. And look what God has done for his people! He placed a vineyard on a fertile hill. He dug the ground, cleared away the stones and planted it with the best vines. Then he built a watchtower and a wine vat. God is love and he deals lovingly with his people: claiming them as his own, and providing for them by giving them the best of everything to be fruitful.
2. Wild (v. 2). What does God's people return for all of God's goodness? He planted good vines but he received wild grapes. God expects justice and he gets violence. He looks for the fruit of righteousness and he receives wickedness. God gets the opposite of what he gave to his people.
3. Judge (v. 3). God calls upon his people to determine whether this kind of return is just. Could God have done more for his people than he did? Is it not logical to expect good fruit from good plants? Shouldn't we return in kind what we received? Should we not love God in response to God's prior love? God wants us to use our hands, common sense and a sense of fairness. To return evil for good is not responsible, is not good sense. Can anyone blame God for his displeasure over his people's evil doings?
4. Waste (v. 6). How does God handle our disobedience and wickedness? God is a God of wrath. He cannot tolerate wickedness. Judgment comes to the rebellious ones. The vineyard shall be destroyed. It will become a wasteland. The wicked shall perish. Hell is reserved for the disobedient.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:12-21
1. Press on (vv. 12, 14). Paul uses this phrase twice in this passage. It must have been important to him in getting across his idea. He is not idly waiting for perfection to come to him. He is not neutral. He is urgent, pursuing, energetic in getting to his goal. To become like Christ is a process over a lifetime - ever striving to be like Christ in every area of life.
At the same time, Paul would say that God was in him pressing on, working in him. A Christian
dare not be content with his life. He is ever seeking to improve it.
2. One thing (v. 13). Paul was a single-minded and single-purpose man. He had only one thing on his mind: Christ. He was a Christ-saturated man. He had one goal: to match Christ. There is a simplicity here that is to be admired. It leads to a unified life with Christ as the hub.
3. Example (v. 17). The best thing one can give to another is a good example. Paul imitates Christ and offers himself as an example of the Christian life. What a daring thing to do! Who would dare to set up his life as an example to be followed? It indicates that Paul had an exemplary life, not perfect, but a life dedicated to becoming like Christ in all things. It is not a "do your own thing" but "Do as I do."
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
1. Whose World is This? 21:33-41
Need: The modern person has lost sight of whose world this is and who she is in relation to the world. The popular opinion is that the world belongs to humanity who is in control of it. Scientific knowledge and technology have put the world at our command. In the light of this, we have forgotten our place in relation to the world. If this is God's world, we are responsible to God for what we do to and with the world. The practical implications deal with ecology, energy, conservation.
Outline: God, the world, and us -
a. The world is God's - v. 33. God is the "householder" who owns the vineyard, planted the vines, built a hedge around it, prepared a wine press and erected a tower.
b. We are the tenant - vv. 33-41 . As the tenant, we are responsible to God, obligated to return "rent" to God. Owners do not pay rent.
2. Produce - or Else! 21:33-43
Need: In today's universities the rule often followed is, "Produce - or else!" Professors are expected to publish and are judged according to the quantity and quality of their publications. Jesus compares God's people to a vineyard. It is natural for a vineyard to produce grapes. If not, the vines are destroyed or replaced. In this parable Jesus teaches that God's peoples are expected to produce good fruit. If they do not, they are subject to being discarded in favor of a people who will produce. This sermon is urgently needed because of the little or no yield by many church members. Because Israel did not produce fruit, God gave his vineyard to the church (v. 43). Will the same happen to the church today?
Outline: Jesus teaches: Produce - or else!
a. Produce because it is natural - a vine yields grapes.
b. Produce because it is an obligation - tenant pays rent, shares the fruit.
c. Produce because of possible judgment - v. 41.
3. When God Could Do No More. 21:33-39
Need: Through history God makes repeated attempts to get his people to submit to him his portion of the vineyard's harvest. Time after time he fails until he plays his trump card: he sends his Son whom the people kill in hope of taking over the vineyard for their own. God is desperate to gain his people's love, loyalty and fruits of repentance. When he sends his Son, he can do no more to win a person. When the Son is killed, God turns his vineyard over to a new people. This applies to us today - how do we react to God's Son? Shall we kill him anew? If we do, we face the wrath of God in terms of replacement.
Outline: God's efforts to get our obedience.
a. The repeated coming of God's servants, the prophets - vv. 34-36.
b. The final effort - God's Son - vv. 37-39.
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
1. This is God Speaking! 20:1
Need: This lection covers the 10 commandments. This would be far too much ground to cover in one sermon. Often the passage is the basis of a series of sermons, one for each law. If one law is chosen for a sermon, the message would not harmonize with the Theme of the Day. It would be better to consider the passage as a whole. In this sermon we see that the source of the law is God. He gave the commandments, written by his finger on two tablets of stone. To break these laws is not merely a crime against society but is a grievous sin offending and disobeying God. It is this dimension of the law that many in our time have forgotten.
Outline: Because God spoke the laws -
a. They are absolute - nothing relative about them.
b. They are universal - laws apply to all people of all classes.
c. They are eternal - the laws are good for every generation.
2. A Law is a Law! 20:3
Need: The sermon centers in the "shall" which is repeated with each commandment.It is not "you may ...," for this refers to the future. "Shall" indicates that this is a must. There is no choice in the matter. It is an absolute. To disobey it brings judgment. To obey it pleases God.
Outline: You shall obey God's commands -
a. Not to obey is the sin of omission.
b. To do other than what is commanded is the sin of commission.
c. To obey is to keep in covenant with God.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (E, L, RC)
A Sad Love Song.
Need: Isaiah sings a love song to God. It is about God's love for his people, the vineyard. It is a song about God's love for his people, about what good God has done for his people. But, it has a sad ending. The vineyard becomes a wasteland because the people disappointed God by producing evil fruit. The happy story ends with a cross. This Lesson meets our need to understand that God expects us to produce fruit worthy of him.
Outline: A song of God's dealings with his people -
a. What good God did for his people - vv. 1-4.
b. What God expected of his people in return - vv. 4-7.
c. What God did about his people's failure - vv. 5-6.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:12-21
1. Taking Inventory of Your Life. 3:12-14
Need: There comes a time when it is necessary to take an inventory of your life in order to know where you are, where you have been, and where you are headed. Few people bother to make this analysis of their lives. It is easier to live day after day without giving thought about tomorrow. Paul gives us an example in sizing up one's life.
Outline: The time has come to determine -
a. Where you are now: imperfect - v. 12.
b. Where you have been: forget the past - v. 13.
c. Where you want to be: goal of Christ - v. 14.
2. Who Goes There: Friend or Enemy? 3:17-21
Need: The issue is clear-cut. We are either enemies or friends of Christ and his cross. In both Gospel and Lesson 1, God's people proved to be enemies. In this Lesson, Paul describes them as "enemies of the cross." The friends of God obey his commands and bring forth the fruits of repentance. The basic issue is whether we are for or against Christ. This is not an issue between Christians and non-Christians. It is a problem for God's vineyard, the people of God.
Outline: Who goes there?
a. Enemy of God? - vv. 18, 19. Hedonists - wicked - materialists.
b. Friend of God? - v. 20. Friends live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:6-9 (RC) (See Pentecost 2, Lutheran)
