Proper 26, Pentecost 24, Ordinary Time 31
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Theme For The Day
Lifting others up and serving in humility those weighted down.
Old Testament Lesson
Joshua 3:7-17
Israel Crosses The Jordan
Now Joshua has replaced Moses as leader of the people and they are about to go over into the Promised Land. Picture it for your people: the Jordan usually flooded at this time of year from the melted snows of Mount Herman. It was just what Joshua needed to affirm his leadership of the people. Those carrying the Ark of the Covenant waded in as the water piled up behind them. They stood on dry ground in the middle of the river until all the people had crossed over (v. 17).
The Ark (4 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft.) was a gold-plated chest which symbolized Israel's covenantal relationship with their God. There were four speeches preparing the people to cross over: the officers to the people (vv. 2-4), Joshua to the people and priest (vv. 5-6), the Lord to Joshua (vv. 7-8), and one by Joshua to the entire nation (vv. 9-13).
The story is told and the emphasis is to say it was in April at first harvest when the Jordan is at its highest. This was at the same season as Moses led them across the Sea of Reeds. A landslide dammed up the river in 1267 and in 1906. An earthquake in July 1927 stopped the stream for two and one-half hours. But Joshua knew when it would happen! This is a great suspense-filled narrative which begs to be re-told again and again.
New Testament Lesson
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Model Christian Life
We have in this passage a model of pastoral ministry and a mandate to develop a life that is consistent with the gospel (Philippians 2:1-13). I'm not sure about verse 9 where Paul seems to say he earned his own support. It's true he was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Actually, while he was in Thessalonica he received financial help from Philippi more than once (Philippians 4:16) and Jason evidently cared for him (Acts 17:7).
His analogy of dealing with them as a father his children is a bit stronger than the nurse in verse 7. And when Paul taught them the word he celebrated the fact they received it as God's word. And it is still working in them.
The Gospel
Matthew 23:1-12
The Scribes And Pharisees
The scribes were those Jewish scholars who studied the little regulations numbering in the thousands. This was a great and respected profession. The Pharisees were that group of super Jews who emerged when Antiochus Ephanes tried to force Greek customs and practices in place of the Jewish religion. Their aim was to follow every detail of the law. Thus their name which means "separated ones."
Now let's look at what Jesus found wrong about these pillars of faith:
1. They don't practice what they teach.
2. They make religion a burden for others.
3. They don't try to help heavily weighted down people.
4. What they do is done so others can see it.
5. They want the best places in public events.
6. They insist on being called rabbi.
Jesus then gives some advice to his disciples that seems surprising to us today:
1. Call no one father.
2. Don't be called instructors.
3. The greatest among them will be servants.
4. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and vice versa.
In general the passage is advice against pride and making religion more burdensome and a plea for humility. Right?
Preaching Possibilities
Each of the three readings is best preached on its own.
A. The Old Testament Reading is such a strong narrative that it would make a wonderful narrative sermon.
1. In the telling we can remind our people: when obstacles before us seem insurmountable, God will lead us through and part the waters. He did it for Moses at the Sea of Reeds, and for Joshua at the Jordan in flood time, and he will do it for us.
2. We also have an ark -- still the ten rules which help us live our lives abundantly. In our ark has been added the bread and wine of the real presence which will work the miraclulous in our lives.
3. Let us dip our feet in the Jordan water of our Baptism as a reminder that God will escort us over to the Promised Land.
4. Then end with a reminder that Miriam danced in celebration of Moses' leading the people through the Sea of Reeds. Now who and how shall we dance in celebration of our crossing the Jordan?
B. The Second Reading from 1 Thessalonians 2:9-132. We might approach this not as a model for how pastors ought carry out their ministries, but rather about how all God's people ought carry out their ministry in daily life. It calls for lay people and clergy to be witnesses (v. 10) of good conduct (v. 10) dealing with each other with parental love (v. 11), leading a life worthy of being one of God's children (v. 12) and deeply versed in and respectful of God's world (v. 13).
C. If you want to go more topical, William Barclay's Daily Study Bible has a great outline of the Talmud's classification of Pharisees in that day. (See Barclay's Gospel of Matthew, pp. 313-314.) Since we are preaching to the religious and best church members, perhaps we are also tempted to be:
1. Shoulder Pharisee -- wore good deeds on shoulder,
2. Wait a little Pharisee -- always put off doing the good thing,
3. Bleeding Pharisee -- bruised and wounded themselves for exceeding piety,
4. Hump-backed Pharisee -- bent over in humility where ever they walked,
5. Compounding Pharisee -- always adding up their deeds,
6. Fearing Pharisee -- always in fear of divine punishment,
7. God-fearing Pharisee -- truly love God.
Six of the above are not desirable but the final one in this classification by the Jews themselves is.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Let us go this way today. Begin with a story of lifting up rather than adding extra burden. I'll use what I heard on CNN in an interview of gospel singer Amy Grant by Charles Bierbauer. He asked her, "Why do you sing just gospel, Amy?" She replied, "I sing gospel to lift people up!"
2. Then move to the story today of Jesus talking to his disciples and an assembled crowd. He gave good advice. He told them they should not put more weight on the people like the religious of the day were doing; but rather, they should lighten the load.
3. Read Matthew 23:1-4. Now list ways we might do the same thing by making religion a set of rules to keep and laying more guilt on people.
4. Then transition to say Jesus had additional criticisms of the Pharisee which we might need to hear as well.
5. Read Matthew 23:4-7. Then talk about how easy it is to parade our religion in a way which makes us look better than others.
6. Now move to what is really called for in the practice of our faith -- servanthood. Read Matthew 23:11-12.
7. Talk about how serving not only benefits the one served and pictures Christianity correctly, but it also benefits even more the one who does the serving as it helps us know inner joy in the doing of it.
8. Close with the first metaphor and story listed below.
Prayer Of The Day
Help us to be humble and serve others as Paul taught and you modeled, Jesus. And remove from us the pride which is so ugly to others and which causes us to add more of a burden to lives already heavy with troubles. Accept our thanksgiving also for the way you promise to lead us across the Jordan to the Promised Land. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
Lee Kalmer, Dean of ISU College of Agriculture, told of a farmer buying a new tractor. He had it delivered at night so he could put on it the old decals so it wouldn't look new. He didn't want to "lord it over his neighbors." What an example of humility.
Oral Roberts, Robert Schuller, and Billy Graham all died at the same time and went to heaven. There was not room for them for a few days, so they temporarily had to go to hell and wait until their place was ready. The Devil soon called and asked Saint Peter to get them out of there. Roberts had healed everyone, Graham had saved everyone, and Schuller had raised enough money to air condition the place! Fun humor, but is it not so that our task as God's disciples is to do just that: to heal, to save, and to make conditions better for the less fortunate?
I recently saw a hit-and-run accident. An antique truck hit and knocked down a traffic light and drove on. Our lives are often strewn with the results of hit and run. Often we don't even know we have done the damage and caused the hurt as we go right on.
The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Theme For The Day
Lifting others up and serving in humility those weighted down.
Old Testament Lesson
Joshua 3:7-17
Israel Crosses The Jordan
Now Joshua has replaced Moses as leader of the people and they are about to go over into the Promised Land. Picture it for your people: the Jordan usually flooded at this time of year from the melted snows of Mount Herman. It was just what Joshua needed to affirm his leadership of the people. Those carrying the Ark of the Covenant waded in as the water piled up behind them. They stood on dry ground in the middle of the river until all the people had crossed over (v. 17).
The Ark (4 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft.) was a gold-plated chest which symbolized Israel's covenantal relationship with their God. There were four speeches preparing the people to cross over: the officers to the people (vv. 2-4), Joshua to the people and priest (vv. 5-6), the Lord to Joshua (vv. 7-8), and one by Joshua to the entire nation (vv. 9-13).
The story is told and the emphasis is to say it was in April at first harvest when the Jordan is at its highest. This was at the same season as Moses led them across the Sea of Reeds. A landslide dammed up the river in 1267 and in 1906. An earthquake in July 1927 stopped the stream for two and one-half hours. But Joshua knew when it would happen! This is a great suspense-filled narrative which begs to be re-told again and again.
New Testament Lesson
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Model Christian Life
We have in this passage a model of pastoral ministry and a mandate to develop a life that is consistent with the gospel (Philippians 2:1-13). I'm not sure about verse 9 where Paul seems to say he earned his own support. It's true he was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Actually, while he was in Thessalonica he received financial help from Philippi more than once (Philippians 4:16) and Jason evidently cared for him (Acts 17:7).
His analogy of dealing with them as a father his children is a bit stronger than the nurse in verse 7. And when Paul taught them the word he celebrated the fact they received it as God's word. And it is still working in them.
The Gospel
Matthew 23:1-12
The Scribes And Pharisees
The scribes were those Jewish scholars who studied the little regulations numbering in the thousands. This was a great and respected profession. The Pharisees were that group of super Jews who emerged when Antiochus Ephanes tried to force Greek customs and practices in place of the Jewish religion. Their aim was to follow every detail of the law. Thus their name which means "separated ones."
Now let's look at what Jesus found wrong about these pillars of faith:
1. They don't practice what they teach.
2. They make religion a burden for others.
3. They don't try to help heavily weighted down people.
4. What they do is done so others can see it.
5. They want the best places in public events.
6. They insist on being called rabbi.
Jesus then gives some advice to his disciples that seems surprising to us today:
1. Call no one father.
2. Don't be called instructors.
3. The greatest among them will be servants.
4. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and vice versa.
In general the passage is advice against pride and making religion more burdensome and a plea for humility. Right?
Preaching Possibilities
Each of the three readings is best preached on its own.
A. The Old Testament Reading is such a strong narrative that it would make a wonderful narrative sermon.
1. In the telling we can remind our people: when obstacles before us seem insurmountable, God will lead us through and part the waters. He did it for Moses at the Sea of Reeds, and for Joshua at the Jordan in flood time, and he will do it for us.
2. We also have an ark -- still the ten rules which help us live our lives abundantly. In our ark has been added the bread and wine of the real presence which will work the miraclulous in our lives.
3. Let us dip our feet in the Jordan water of our Baptism as a reminder that God will escort us over to the Promised Land.
4. Then end with a reminder that Miriam danced in celebration of Moses' leading the people through the Sea of Reeds. Now who and how shall we dance in celebration of our crossing the Jordan?
B. The Second Reading from 1 Thessalonians 2:9-132. We might approach this not as a model for how pastors ought carry out their ministries, but rather about how all God's people ought carry out their ministry in daily life. It calls for lay people and clergy to be witnesses (v. 10) of good conduct (v. 10) dealing with each other with parental love (v. 11), leading a life worthy of being one of God's children (v. 12) and deeply versed in and respectful of God's world (v. 13).
C. If you want to go more topical, William Barclay's Daily Study Bible has a great outline of the Talmud's classification of Pharisees in that day. (See Barclay's Gospel of Matthew, pp. 313-314.) Since we are preaching to the religious and best church members, perhaps we are also tempted to be:
1. Shoulder Pharisee -- wore good deeds on shoulder,
2. Wait a little Pharisee -- always put off doing the good thing,
3. Bleeding Pharisee -- bruised and wounded themselves for exceeding piety,
4. Hump-backed Pharisee -- bent over in humility where ever they walked,
5. Compounding Pharisee -- always adding up their deeds,
6. Fearing Pharisee -- always in fear of divine punishment,
7. God-fearing Pharisee -- truly love God.
Six of the above are not desirable but the final one in this classification by the Jews themselves is.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Let us go this way today. Begin with a story of lifting up rather than adding extra burden. I'll use what I heard on CNN in an interview of gospel singer Amy Grant by Charles Bierbauer. He asked her, "Why do you sing just gospel, Amy?" She replied, "I sing gospel to lift people up!"
2. Then move to the story today of Jesus talking to his disciples and an assembled crowd. He gave good advice. He told them they should not put more weight on the people like the religious of the day were doing; but rather, they should lighten the load.
3. Read Matthew 23:1-4. Now list ways we might do the same thing by making religion a set of rules to keep and laying more guilt on people.
4. Then transition to say Jesus had additional criticisms of the Pharisee which we might need to hear as well.
5. Read Matthew 23:4-7. Then talk about how easy it is to parade our religion in a way which makes us look better than others.
6. Now move to what is really called for in the practice of our faith -- servanthood. Read Matthew 23:11-12.
7. Talk about how serving not only benefits the one served and pictures Christianity correctly, but it also benefits even more the one who does the serving as it helps us know inner joy in the doing of it.
8. Close with the first metaphor and story listed below.
Prayer Of The Day
Help us to be humble and serve others as Paul taught and you modeled, Jesus. And remove from us the pride which is so ugly to others and which causes us to add more of a burden to lives already heavy with troubles. Accept our thanksgiving also for the way you promise to lead us across the Jordan to the Promised Land. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
Lee Kalmer, Dean of ISU College of Agriculture, told of a farmer buying a new tractor. He had it delivered at night so he could put on it the old decals so it wouldn't look new. He didn't want to "lord it over his neighbors." What an example of humility.
Oral Roberts, Robert Schuller, and Billy Graham all died at the same time and went to heaven. There was not room for them for a few days, so they temporarily had to go to hell and wait until their place was ready. The Devil soon called and asked Saint Peter to get them out of there. Roberts had healed everyone, Graham had saved everyone, and Schuller had raised enough money to air condition the place! Fun humor, but is it not so that our task as God's disciples is to do just that: to heal, to save, and to make conditions better for the less fortunate?
I recently saw a hit-and-run accident. An antique truck hit and knocked down a traffic light and drove on. Our lives are often strewn with the results of hit and run. Often we don't even know we have done the damage and caused the hurt as we go right on.
