Proper 8
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
Handing on the discipleship of kingdom work. We love self, each other, and neighbors.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Elijah Ascends
Elijah is making his last visit to the prophetic colleagues. Elijah and Elisha returned to the Jordan River above Jericho where there was no food. This parting of the water is a great story for the telling (Exodus 14:21 and Joshua 3:13). Others were not able to follow them across. The mantel is similar to Moses' rod.
In verse 9, the "double share" was the portion of the oldest son (Deuteronomy 21:17). Elisha wanted to be given along with his position the miraculous power which Elijah possessed.
Elijah ascended in a storm, like Yahweh had descended. See Exodus 1:4 and Job 38:1. This event probably took place about B.C. 851 after the death of King Ahaziah.
This is a story primarily about prophetic succession. The ministry of God will continue through one prophet passing on and another immediately coming on the scene.
Notice, like in the transfiguration, the one who witnesses such an event is changed by the vision of heavenly power (Matthew 17:1-9).
I believe we have just four such going into heaven in our Bible: Moses, Elijah, Enoch, and Jesus.
New Testament Lesson
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Christian Freedom
The freedom mentioned in verse 1 could be the freedom from having to please everyone else, or from doing what others impose on us that we should be or do. Freedom is a gift for being in community and for serving others in love (vv. 13, 14). So Paul is really saying that we should just live by the Spirit and this will guide us as we live together in a community of faith.
The New Interpreter's Bible puts it this way: "A Church guided by Paul's hopeful word would cultivate a community of flexibility and freedom, living with openness toward the unpredictable liberating movement of God's spirit. It is a radical and inspiring vision."
Then these seem to be an implied contract between works of the flesh (which is much more than sexual misconduct) and the fruit of the Spirit.
Works of the Flesh
Fruit of the Spirit
fornication
love
impurity
joy
licentiousness
peace
idolatry
patience
sorcery
kindness
enmities
generosity
strife
faithfulness
jealousy
gentleness
anger
self-control
quarrels
(see v. 25)
dissensions
factions
envy
drunkenness, carousing
(see v. 24)
So, Paul, if we practice these fruits of and live in the Spirit, are you saying we don't need any rules and regulations against the working of the flesh? I think so.
The Gospel
Luke 9:51-62
Spurned In Samaria
Jesus and his disciples here began their journey to Jerusalem. Discipleship and opposition seem to be the general themes of this portion of Luke. He holds it together with the story of Jesus and his disciples on a journey toward Jerusalem and the cross. Verses 51 and 56 show the enmity between Samaritans and Jews. The text also shows how Jesus taught (modeled) the way disciples should deal with human opposition. He took the opposition without trying to get even. James and John just weren't there yet! Jesus had a bigger mission on his agenda -- to go to the cross and work forgiveness for sins and salvation.
Verses 57 to 62 are examples for us of providing excuses for not going all the way in our discipleship. Perhaps he meant that the spiritually dead can bury the dead -- the proclaiming of the kingdom to the living is more important.
For this preacher there is a strong condemnation of halfway discipleship. And even more so a sad description of missed opportunities. Here Jesus says is a call to complete full commitment. In any cause that's when it's fun to belong, when we become fully committed without any feeble reservations. Those who had reservations and excuses are never heard of again. Those who committed and followed will be remembered for ever in human history.
Preaching Possibilities
A. I believe that the Old Testament passage (2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14) and the Gospel from Luke will go together nicely as we talk about discipleship and commitment to a cause and leader: Elisha to Elijah and James and John to Jesus as they go to Jerusalem. There is also a common thread of a journey: Elisha and Elijah going to Bethel and Jesus and disciples going to Jerusalem.
There is another element here. In both stories we have the element of the leader, i.e., Elijah and Jesus, passing on the kingdom work to their disciples. Oh, one more thing, a little later both will ascend and return to God.
B. The New Testament Lesson can stand on its own or support the Old Testament and Gospel texts. It is rich and full of what it means to love Christian freedom. The outline of moves is obvious:
1. Christ sets us free -- no slavery (v. 1).
2. We are free to love one another and neighbor and self (vv. 8, 9) -- no hate.
3. When we live by the Spirit, we need not give in to flesh, but we ought to know fruits of the Spirit (vv. 16, 22) -- no flesh.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
We'll use the Old Testament and Gospel stories.
Title: A Discipleship Journey
A. Begin by telling in your own words the story of Elijah and Elisha going across the Jordan to Bethel.
B. Continue by telling a similar story in your own words -- of Jesus and the disciples going toward Jerusalem.
C. Move to what these two discipleship journeys have to teach us today:
1. God hands the task of kingdom work on from one disciple to another:
a. Elijah to Elisha
b. Jesus to James and John
2. Kingdom work is not revenge but love of self, each other, and neighbor. Paul adds some additional advice in the Galatians account.
3. Our discipleship is not based on the law but on the good news of freedom. We are free from the flesh and for works of the Spirit.
D. Move to sharing about your congregation and how the above ought to shape its ministry.
1. In Christian education we hand the ministry on to the next generation.
2. In our social ministry we love our neighbor, even those who reject us.
3. We must present our faith as freeing up people to reach their created potential rather than adding even more burden to their lives.
E. Frame by returning to the two stories you began with.
F. Conclude by telling in your own words the ascensions of both Elijah and Jesus.
Prayer For The Day
Dear God, help us to receive the kingdom work you would give us from those who have gone before us, and show us the way to prepare the next generation to continue the discipleship entrusted to us. When we are tempted to get revenge, teach us to love and to celebrate our freedom in the Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Aung San Sun Kyi, elected president of Myanmar (Burma) who was under house arrest for many months and is winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, writes in her book, Letters from Burma, that "metta means loving kindness and thissa means the truth ... and what we have seen ... proved that love and truth can move people more strongly than any form of coercion." And she is a devout Buddhist!
On the freeways of California they speak of the "rubberneck effect." It means the slowdown of traffic because of drivers gawking at an accident or a car pulled over by the state patrol.
Could we live out our discipleship in a way which would slow down the world as they observed our priorities and deeds?
I wonder if there was a rubberneck effect when the Good Samaritan helped the man in the roadside ditch?
There is a light on each table at Bishop's Cafeteria in Des Moines. A sign says, "For further service push button." When the waiters see the light on, they come to help. Would that we could see the lights burning for those in our community who need service. It's a light calling for our practice of discipleship.
We had three beautiful oak trees in our backyard. But when the house was built, the contractor put fill dirt around them and ran a heavy bulldozer over the ground over them. They began to die. We had to trim out the dead wood, drill holes toward the roots, insert fertilizers, and dig out the fill dirt around them to allow them to breathe. God furnished the rain that summer -- beautiful leaves and health returned.
Christian education calls for the same drastic action with the roots of our members. Disciples need to be fed and trimmed and nurtured like those trees. And some had their lives packed down hard from being run over and over.
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
Handing on the discipleship of kingdom work. We love self, each other, and neighbors.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Elijah Ascends
Elijah is making his last visit to the prophetic colleagues. Elijah and Elisha returned to the Jordan River above Jericho where there was no food. This parting of the water is a great story for the telling (Exodus 14:21 and Joshua 3:13). Others were not able to follow them across. The mantel is similar to Moses' rod.
In verse 9, the "double share" was the portion of the oldest son (Deuteronomy 21:17). Elisha wanted to be given along with his position the miraculous power which Elijah possessed.
Elijah ascended in a storm, like Yahweh had descended. See Exodus 1:4 and Job 38:1. This event probably took place about B.C. 851 after the death of King Ahaziah.
This is a story primarily about prophetic succession. The ministry of God will continue through one prophet passing on and another immediately coming on the scene.
Notice, like in the transfiguration, the one who witnesses such an event is changed by the vision of heavenly power (Matthew 17:1-9).
I believe we have just four such going into heaven in our Bible: Moses, Elijah, Enoch, and Jesus.
New Testament Lesson
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Christian Freedom
The freedom mentioned in verse 1 could be the freedom from having to please everyone else, or from doing what others impose on us that we should be or do. Freedom is a gift for being in community and for serving others in love (vv. 13, 14). So Paul is really saying that we should just live by the Spirit and this will guide us as we live together in a community of faith.
The New Interpreter's Bible puts it this way: "A Church guided by Paul's hopeful word would cultivate a community of flexibility and freedom, living with openness toward the unpredictable liberating movement of God's spirit. It is a radical and inspiring vision."
Then these seem to be an implied contract between works of the flesh (which is much more than sexual misconduct) and the fruit of the Spirit.
Works of the Flesh
Fruit of the Spirit
fornication
love
impurity
joy
licentiousness
peace
idolatry
patience
sorcery
kindness
enmities
generosity
strife
faithfulness
jealousy
gentleness
anger
self-control
quarrels
(see v. 25)
dissensions
factions
envy
drunkenness, carousing
(see v. 24)
So, Paul, if we practice these fruits of and live in the Spirit, are you saying we don't need any rules and regulations against the working of the flesh? I think so.
The Gospel
Luke 9:51-62
Spurned In Samaria
Jesus and his disciples here began their journey to Jerusalem. Discipleship and opposition seem to be the general themes of this portion of Luke. He holds it together with the story of Jesus and his disciples on a journey toward Jerusalem and the cross. Verses 51 and 56 show the enmity between Samaritans and Jews. The text also shows how Jesus taught (modeled) the way disciples should deal with human opposition. He took the opposition without trying to get even. James and John just weren't there yet! Jesus had a bigger mission on his agenda -- to go to the cross and work forgiveness for sins and salvation.
Verses 57 to 62 are examples for us of providing excuses for not going all the way in our discipleship. Perhaps he meant that the spiritually dead can bury the dead -- the proclaiming of the kingdom to the living is more important.
For this preacher there is a strong condemnation of halfway discipleship. And even more so a sad description of missed opportunities. Here Jesus says is a call to complete full commitment. In any cause that's when it's fun to belong, when we become fully committed without any feeble reservations. Those who had reservations and excuses are never heard of again. Those who committed and followed will be remembered for ever in human history.
Preaching Possibilities
A. I believe that the Old Testament passage (2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14) and the Gospel from Luke will go together nicely as we talk about discipleship and commitment to a cause and leader: Elisha to Elijah and James and John to Jesus as they go to Jerusalem. There is also a common thread of a journey: Elisha and Elijah going to Bethel and Jesus and disciples going to Jerusalem.
There is another element here. In both stories we have the element of the leader, i.e., Elijah and Jesus, passing on the kingdom work to their disciples. Oh, one more thing, a little later both will ascend and return to God.
B. The New Testament Lesson can stand on its own or support the Old Testament and Gospel texts. It is rich and full of what it means to love Christian freedom. The outline of moves is obvious:
1. Christ sets us free -- no slavery (v. 1).
2. We are free to love one another and neighbor and self (vv. 8, 9) -- no hate.
3. When we live by the Spirit, we need not give in to flesh, but we ought to know fruits of the Spirit (vv. 16, 22) -- no flesh.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
We'll use the Old Testament and Gospel stories.
Title: A Discipleship Journey
A. Begin by telling in your own words the story of Elijah and Elisha going across the Jordan to Bethel.
B. Continue by telling a similar story in your own words -- of Jesus and the disciples going toward Jerusalem.
C. Move to what these two discipleship journeys have to teach us today:
1. God hands the task of kingdom work on from one disciple to another:
a. Elijah to Elisha
b. Jesus to James and John
2. Kingdom work is not revenge but love of self, each other, and neighbor. Paul adds some additional advice in the Galatians account.
3. Our discipleship is not based on the law but on the good news of freedom. We are free from the flesh and for works of the Spirit.
D. Move to sharing about your congregation and how the above ought to shape its ministry.
1. In Christian education we hand the ministry on to the next generation.
2. In our social ministry we love our neighbor, even those who reject us.
3. We must present our faith as freeing up people to reach their created potential rather than adding even more burden to their lives.
E. Frame by returning to the two stories you began with.
F. Conclude by telling in your own words the ascensions of both Elijah and Jesus.
Prayer For The Day
Dear God, help us to receive the kingdom work you would give us from those who have gone before us, and show us the way to prepare the next generation to continue the discipleship entrusted to us. When we are tempted to get revenge, teach us to love and to celebrate our freedom in the Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Aung San Sun Kyi, elected president of Myanmar (Burma) who was under house arrest for many months and is winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, writes in her book, Letters from Burma, that "metta means loving kindness and thissa means the truth ... and what we have seen ... proved that love and truth can move people more strongly than any form of coercion." And she is a devout Buddhist!
On the freeways of California they speak of the "rubberneck effect." It means the slowdown of traffic because of drivers gawking at an accident or a car pulled over by the state patrol.
Could we live out our discipleship in a way which would slow down the world as they observed our priorities and deeds?
I wonder if there was a rubberneck effect when the Good Samaritan helped the man in the roadside ditch?
There is a light on each table at Bishop's Cafeteria in Des Moines. A sign says, "For further service push button." When the waiters see the light on, they come to help. Would that we could see the lights burning for those in our community who need service. It's a light calling for our practice of discipleship.
We had three beautiful oak trees in our backyard. But when the house was built, the contractor put fill dirt around them and ran a heavy bulldozer over the ground over them. They began to die. We had to trim out the dead wood, drill holes toward the roots, insert fertilizers, and dig out the fill dirt around them to allow them to breathe. God furnished the rain that summer -- beautiful leaves and health returned.
Christian education calls for the same drastic action with the roots of our members. Disciples need to be fed and trimmed and nurtured like those trees. And some had their lives packed down hard from being run over and over.
