Proper 6
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
God's grace and forgiveness in the story of Mary Magdalene.
Old Testament Lesson
1 Kings 21:1-21a
Naboth's Vineyard
What a problem King Ahab had! His wife was none other than the infamous Jezebel who was the daughter of a Phoenician monarch. Ahab understood and obeyed the laws of Yahweh and, while unhappy about it, did not take by force the vineyard he and Jezebel so much wanted for Jezebel. It was strange to her that her husband's desires were not satisfied because of the ancient laws of a God. So she worked it out in a more devious way, seeing that the vineyard's owner was falsely accused and then executed so Ahab could confiscate his vineyard. The charge pertaining to the owner comes from Exodus 22:28. However, Jezebel and Ahab also broke the laws listed for them in Exodus 20:13, 15-17.
Elijah jumped on this behavior by predicting the disaster of Ahab's house. Ahab is a pitiful sight. He let his wife muscle a man and he had already caused Israel to sin (v. 22) by going after idols (v. 26). Ahab really did have a problem.
New Testament Lesson
Galatians 2:15-21
Troublesome Laws And Grace
Paul is making his case over the conflict in Antioch. His reputation was under attack for rebuking Peter. So Paul describes the incident with his take on it in verses 11-14. His argument is:
1. By placing their faith in Jesus they acknowledged that the law could not make them right with God.
2. Paul claims the giving up on the Jewish ceremonial observance does not make the gospel an instrument of sin.
3. Paul says it's the law which led him to this radical action (v. 19). Perhaps he is getting ready to make his point in 3:17-25.
4. Paul answers why he speaks so strongly (vv. 20-21). It's about grace and the worth of what Jesus did on the cross. And if we get righteousness by keeping the law, we have no need for Christ's death on the cross.
The Gospel
Luke 7:36--8:3
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
This is a story about the religious of the day being very upset by Jesus' acceptance of a prostitute in a rather embarrassing fashion. Jesus' response to Simon's criticism was clear in the parable he told him. The more we are forgiven the more we ought to be able to love on God's behalf. This woman had gone out of her way to welcome Jesus; Simon had been hospitable but had not gone out of his way to do so. For Jesus, this proved she had been forgiven for lots of sins. Notice that in the parable the love follows the forgiveness.
In verses 8:1-3 we have listed a number of disciples who were women and traveled with Jesus. Mary of Magdala (a village on the sea of Galilee) is mentioned and appears to be the one mentioned in 7:36-50. Women disciples are mentioned so rarely in our readings. I do hope today you will call attention to Herod's steward Chuza's wife, Joanna, and Susanna. A wife of a steward to the king just must be addressed.
Preaching Possibilities
A. This is the perfect Sunday to talk about Mary Magdalene as a disciple. We shall return to that later in the Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves. The connection of the Gospel and the Old Testament Lesson is obvious: A woman, Jezebel, and her relationship to her husband, King Ahab, and Mary Magdalene and her loving relationship to Jesus. One haughty, arrogant, and conniving; the other humble, penitent, and receiving forgiveness. The former's outcome is disaster and the latter's is loving discipleship.
B. Then there is the big idea of stewardship and a woman who is the wife of Herod's steward. It's a little stretch but one could imagine what it is like being married to one who takes Christian stewardship seriously today.
C. In Paul's letter we have a key text which could be used as an exegetical sermon based on Galatians 2:16, 17, and 20. Then this grace is illustrated in the Gospel in the forgiveness of the prostitute.
1. Jezebel and Ahab illustrate how sinful we are.
2. Paul witnesses to justification through Christ by grace.
3. Mary Magdalene is a great example of this grace acted out by Jesus the Christ.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Mary Magdalene Lives At (your church)
A. Technique: Have a woman (if you are male) come into the pulpit and read your sermon manuscript for you. You might even want to have her dressed in appropriate dress of women in Bible times. Even a scarf over her head will help.
B. Write a manuscript in first person using the following information:
1. Born in Magdala on the shore of Galilee
2. Became a "woman of the night"
3. Was healed of demon possession by Jesus
4. Came to Jesus for forgiveness for her past
5. Story in today's Gospel of anointing retold
6. Is at the cross at crucifixion
7. Jesus appears to her in the Garden
8. Tells the disciples of the resurrection
9. Life changed because of knowing the Christ
10. An invitation for those hearing the sermon to know Jesus and change their lives also
Note: Any Bible dictionary will be helpful in writing such a first person sermon. I like Harper's.
Prayer For The Day
In many ways, dear Jesus, we have not lived as we should have, and we ask for your graceful forgiveness, just like you forgave Mary Magdalene. Help us to demonstrate our love for you like she did and to have a thankful heart like she had as well. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In 1719 the king offered what was called an "Act of Grace" to all pirates in the Caribbean. If they would give up their pirate's life, the king would give them amnesty and some land to settle on. Calico Jack, one of the most notorious, took the offer. It is an offer Jesus works on God's behalf from the cross.
In an HBO movie Tell Me What You Want, Max Herschel's daughter tells him, as he tries to keep track of what his lover had done and was doing, "Don't keep books on people you love."
I recall the first time I got a glimpse of the pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. I made the van driver stop so I could take a picture, but after a while as we got closer, I asked that he stop again for another shot. Several times we went through the same process as the three grand pyramids opened up before us.
Grace is like that. It opens up wider and wider, more and more grand. Our first glimpse seems so small compared with now.
Barbara Walters of 20/20 interviewed Mr. and Mrs. John Hinckley, Sr., parents of John Hinckley, Jr., who shot Press Secretary James Brady, two secret service agents, and President Ronald Reagan.
When asked if they had any words to James Brady and the secret service agents shot in the assassination attempt, his parents replied, "Yes, we are very sorry." Then asked if they had any words to their son who shot the men, "Yes, we love him very much."
Love the sinner; hate only the sin.
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
God's grace and forgiveness in the story of Mary Magdalene.
Old Testament Lesson
1 Kings 21:1-21a
Naboth's Vineyard
What a problem King Ahab had! His wife was none other than the infamous Jezebel who was the daughter of a Phoenician monarch. Ahab understood and obeyed the laws of Yahweh and, while unhappy about it, did not take by force the vineyard he and Jezebel so much wanted for Jezebel. It was strange to her that her husband's desires were not satisfied because of the ancient laws of a God. So she worked it out in a more devious way, seeing that the vineyard's owner was falsely accused and then executed so Ahab could confiscate his vineyard. The charge pertaining to the owner comes from Exodus 22:28. However, Jezebel and Ahab also broke the laws listed for them in Exodus 20:13, 15-17.
Elijah jumped on this behavior by predicting the disaster of Ahab's house. Ahab is a pitiful sight. He let his wife muscle a man and he had already caused Israel to sin (v. 22) by going after idols (v. 26). Ahab really did have a problem.
New Testament Lesson
Galatians 2:15-21
Troublesome Laws And Grace
Paul is making his case over the conflict in Antioch. His reputation was under attack for rebuking Peter. So Paul describes the incident with his take on it in verses 11-14. His argument is:
1. By placing their faith in Jesus they acknowledged that the law could not make them right with God.
2. Paul claims the giving up on the Jewish ceremonial observance does not make the gospel an instrument of sin.
3. Paul says it's the law which led him to this radical action (v. 19). Perhaps he is getting ready to make his point in 3:17-25.
4. Paul answers why he speaks so strongly (vv. 20-21). It's about grace and the worth of what Jesus did on the cross. And if we get righteousness by keeping the law, we have no need for Christ's death on the cross.
The Gospel
Luke 7:36--8:3
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
This is a story about the religious of the day being very upset by Jesus' acceptance of a prostitute in a rather embarrassing fashion. Jesus' response to Simon's criticism was clear in the parable he told him. The more we are forgiven the more we ought to be able to love on God's behalf. This woman had gone out of her way to welcome Jesus; Simon had been hospitable but had not gone out of his way to do so. For Jesus, this proved she had been forgiven for lots of sins. Notice that in the parable the love follows the forgiveness.
In verses 8:1-3 we have listed a number of disciples who were women and traveled with Jesus. Mary of Magdala (a village on the sea of Galilee) is mentioned and appears to be the one mentioned in 7:36-50. Women disciples are mentioned so rarely in our readings. I do hope today you will call attention to Herod's steward Chuza's wife, Joanna, and Susanna. A wife of a steward to the king just must be addressed.
Preaching Possibilities
A. This is the perfect Sunday to talk about Mary Magdalene as a disciple. We shall return to that later in the Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves. The connection of the Gospel and the Old Testament Lesson is obvious: A woman, Jezebel, and her relationship to her husband, King Ahab, and Mary Magdalene and her loving relationship to Jesus. One haughty, arrogant, and conniving; the other humble, penitent, and receiving forgiveness. The former's outcome is disaster and the latter's is loving discipleship.
B. Then there is the big idea of stewardship and a woman who is the wife of Herod's steward. It's a little stretch but one could imagine what it is like being married to one who takes Christian stewardship seriously today.
C. In Paul's letter we have a key text which could be used as an exegetical sermon based on Galatians 2:16, 17, and 20. Then this grace is illustrated in the Gospel in the forgiveness of the prostitute.
1. Jezebel and Ahab illustrate how sinful we are.
2. Paul witnesses to justification through Christ by grace.
3. Mary Magdalene is a great example of this grace acted out by Jesus the Christ.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Mary Magdalene Lives At (your church)
A. Technique: Have a woman (if you are male) come into the pulpit and read your sermon manuscript for you. You might even want to have her dressed in appropriate dress of women in Bible times. Even a scarf over her head will help.
B. Write a manuscript in first person using the following information:
1. Born in Magdala on the shore of Galilee
2. Became a "woman of the night"
3. Was healed of demon possession by Jesus
4. Came to Jesus for forgiveness for her past
5. Story in today's Gospel of anointing retold
6. Is at the cross at crucifixion
7. Jesus appears to her in the Garden
8. Tells the disciples of the resurrection
9. Life changed because of knowing the Christ
10. An invitation for those hearing the sermon to know Jesus and change their lives also
Note: Any Bible dictionary will be helpful in writing such a first person sermon. I like Harper's.
Prayer For The Day
In many ways, dear Jesus, we have not lived as we should have, and we ask for your graceful forgiveness, just like you forgave Mary Magdalene. Help us to demonstrate our love for you like she did and to have a thankful heart like she had as well. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In 1719 the king offered what was called an "Act of Grace" to all pirates in the Caribbean. If they would give up their pirate's life, the king would give them amnesty and some land to settle on. Calico Jack, one of the most notorious, took the offer. It is an offer Jesus works on God's behalf from the cross.
In an HBO movie Tell Me What You Want, Max Herschel's daughter tells him, as he tries to keep track of what his lover had done and was doing, "Don't keep books on people you love."
I recall the first time I got a glimpse of the pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. I made the van driver stop so I could take a picture, but after a while as we got closer, I asked that he stop again for another shot. Several times we went through the same process as the three grand pyramids opened up before us.
Grace is like that. It opens up wider and wider, more and more grand. Our first glimpse seems so small compared with now.
Barbara Walters of 20/20 interviewed Mr. and Mrs. John Hinckley, Sr., parents of John Hinckley, Jr., who shot Press Secretary James Brady, two secret service agents, and President Ronald Reagan.
When asked if they had any words to James Brady and the secret service agents shot in the assassination attempt, his parents replied, "Yes, we are very sorry." Then asked if they had any words to their son who shot the men, "Yes, we love him very much."
Love the sinner; hate only the sin.
