Proper 8, Pentecost 6, Ordinary Time 13
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Theme For The Day
The rewards of being a Christian disciple.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 22:1-14
Abraham And Isaac
It was the supreme test of Abraham's life. Could he really sacrifice his only son born very late in his and Sarah's life? Perhaps this account was repeated over and over to persuade the Hebrews to give up their practice of human sacrifice. And they did practice it. See the following:
Mesha of Moab -- 2 Kings 3:27
Ahaz and his son -- 2 Kings 16:13
Jephthah's daughter -- Judges 11:29-40
Hiel's sons -- 1 Kings 16:34
No one is sure of the location of the land of Moriah where this took place. Many tourists are taken to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and it is pointed out as the place of sacrifice. While the Temple was later built there, it probably is not the site, as it was already inhabited by this time (Chronicles 14:18).
I have a real problem giving God the disposition to want to test anyone including Abraham, and especially with the murder of his son. But it does seem right to see this story as one which demonstrated against human sacrifice.
New Testament Lesson
Romans 6:12-23
Paul's Advice
We continue in Paul's letter to the Romans where we left off last week. Last week's verses were mystical and now we read Paul's advice to live it out. Last week's indicative must be followed by this week's imperative. So we have the religious experience described almost mystically and now we get the directions of how one lives out this life. Since we are no longer under sin's control, it shall not rule us. We live under grace and that sets us free from sin's slavery. It's a new service we are bound to: that of righteousness (v. 18) and our motivation comes not from a fear of what God will do to us but from the knowledge of what God has done for us. No longer our judge, God now is seen as one who most of all loves us.
This whole discussion began with baptism (v. 3). In verse 17 we have an indication that this baptism was one which included instruction, "to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted." The early Christians came into the church not in an emotional whim but after instruction in the faith. Paul would have people count the cost of Christianity before becoming one.
The word "righteousness" is used in this passage. Greeks thought of it as presenting to others and to God what they have coming to them. The other word used is "sanctification" (hagiasmos). This may be seen as a process of becoming (not arrived) holy. In verse 23 which is often quoted, the words used for wages were military terms for pay! One is what you earned and thus you got your deserved wage. The other (charisma) was a completely free and unearned gift which sometimes was given to soldiers like on a special anniversary of the emperor.
The Gospel
Matthew 10:40-42
The Little Ones
It is short and to the point: how we treat Jesus' disciples will be regarded the same as if we treated Jesus that way. So this is about hospitality and welcoming as God's business being done. There is a list of how the message goes: God, Jesus, prophet, righteous person and disciple. Some scholars interpret the "little ones" as new Christians of any age. John often uses it that way in his Gospel. So even the smallest kindness done to (for) a new Christian will be noticed and rewarded.
Preaching Possibilities
A. I don't like the way God is portrayed in the Old Testament Lesson and so will stay away from it today. If I had to use it as my text, I would emphasize the idea that God doesn't want sacrifice, but acceptance as our worship.
B. Or I might base a topical homily on "God provides" and how we can trust God to provide for us through others and through ourselves. We are often the way God does it. We could carefully stress that there are times when it seems God is testing us also and link that to the petition of the Lord's Prayer. "Save us from the time of trial..." or "lead us not into temptation...." However, our hearers might go away thinking of God as one who tests us to see how much we will take.
C. If we are doing a series on Paul's theology explained to the Romans, we can add to our list of words today (vv. 17, 18, 22):
1. sanctification,
2. slaves, and
3. eternal life.
D. If you have not used Romans yet, you could focus on the Christian being called "a slave of righteousness." We could announce boldly that we are not under law but under grace. Perhaps a comparison will be helpful:
Law
Judged by how well we keep the rules
The Ten Commandments
A slave to sin and temptation
Circumcision as sign
Live under threat
Must deserve eternal life
Grace
Judged by what Jesus did for us
The Beatitudes
A slave to righteousness
Baptism as sign
Live under divine promise
Eternal life as undeserved gift
E. From Harper's Bible Dictionary we get a possible outline based on Paul's use of the word "sanctification."
1. It is increased participation in Christ.
2. It is the growing realization we are justified.
3. The degree of Christian sanctity is in the degree of Christian love.
F. The Gospel of the day lends itself to a topical sermon on the "Rewards of Being Christian." And that's the direction I'll go today. Because Protestants are loathe to mention rewards of any kind in the practice of the faith, I'll talk about it today.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Begin by explaining Paul's words about wages in Romans 6:23, wages which are earned and wages which are a gift as in the military back then.
2. Tell the story of missionary Jane Leidenfrost giving a cup of cold water to thirsty Liberians. (See p. 152.)
3. Talk about who the "little ones" might be. The traditional use as children. Then our ministry to children. The idea that it might mean beginners in the faith. Then talk about how we encourage and empower new members in our congregation.
4. Now move to what our rewards are as we practice our discipleship:
a. A closeness with the other contemporary disciples,
b. A sense of living the way we ought,
c. Others we love receiving God's love through us,
d. The joy of doing that which is right and godly,
e. Sanctification and eternal life.
Prayer Of The Day
Sanctify us, Holy Parent, that we might be better and do better and love better than we do now. We are grateful for all the marvelous ways you reward us for our feeble attempts at your discipleship. For the precious fellowship and love shared here we give you thanks. Bless our hospitality as well. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
In the movie The Crying Game, the captive says to the captor of the Irish Republican Army, "There is a story of a frog and a scorpion. The frog carries the scorpion across a river on its back. Halfway across the scorpion stings the frog, and the frog asks why. The scorpion replies, 'Because it's my nature.' " Our nature is to sting rather than to love. Only with God's help can we change.
I saw missionary Jane Leidenfrost giving a cup of cold water at her door to several who came and asked for it. It was at her home of thirty years in Totota, Liberia, West Africa. The words "cold water" are the name for a gift one gives to another after a service has been rendered. "... you have done unto me."
At a wedding reception at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines, still dressed in clerical black, I stepped up to the free bar and ordered a glass of beer. The bartender, making a sign across his neck like a clerical collar, asked me, "Can you do that?" Interesting how many have reduced religion to what we are not allowed to do: a set of rules.
Sometimes when there is a typhoon in the Philippines some trees survive and are still standing, even with green leaves. But those who know will say, "That tree is already timber," meaning even though it doesn't look like it, it is dead (an old man interviewed on CBS news). We also can look like we are living but already dead. In the Christ there is new life.
The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Theme For The Day
The rewards of being a Christian disciple.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 22:1-14
Abraham And Isaac
It was the supreme test of Abraham's life. Could he really sacrifice his only son born very late in his and Sarah's life? Perhaps this account was repeated over and over to persuade the Hebrews to give up their practice of human sacrifice. And they did practice it. See the following:
Mesha of Moab -- 2 Kings 3:27
Ahaz and his son -- 2 Kings 16:13
Jephthah's daughter -- Judges 11:29-40
Hiel's sons -- 1 Kings 16:34
No one is sure of the location of the land of Moriah where this took place. Many tourists are taken to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and it is pointed out as the place of sacrifice. While the Temple was later built there, it probably is not the site, as it was already inhabited by this time (Chronicles 14:18).
I have a real problem giving God the disposition to want to test anyone including Abraham, and especially with the murder of his son. But it does seem right to see this story as one which demonstrated against human sacrifice.
New Testament Lesson
Romans 6:12-23
Paul's Advice
We continue in Paul's letter to the Romans where we left off last week. Last week's verses were mystical and now we read Paul's advice to live it out. Last week's indicative must be followed by this week's imperative. So we have the religious experience described almost mystically and now we get the directions of how one lives out this life. Since we are no longer under sin's control, it shall not rule us. We live under grace and that sets us free from sin's slavery. It's a new service we are bound to: that of righteousness (v. 18) and our motivation comes not from a fear of what God will do to us but from the knowledge of what God has done for us. No longer our judge, God now is seen as one who most of all loves us.
This whole discussion began with baptism (v. 3). In verse 17 we have an indication that this baptism was one which included instruction, "to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted." The early Christians came into the church not in an emotional whim but after instruction in the faith. Paul would have people count the cost of Christianity before becoming one.
The word "righteousness" is used in this passage. Greeks thought of it as presenting to others and to God what they have coming to them. The other word used is "sanctification" (hagiasmos). This may be seen as a process of becoming (not arrived) holy. In verse 23 which is often quoted, the words used for wages were military terms for pay! One is what you earned and thus you got your deserved wage. The other (charisma) was a completely free and unearned gift which sometimes was given to soldiers like on a special anniversary of the emperor.
The Gospel
Matthew 10:40-42
The Little Ones
It is short and to the point: how we treat Jesus' disciples will be regarded the same as if we treated Jesus that way. So this is about hospitality and welcoming as God's business being done. There is a list of how the message goes: God, Jesus, prophet, righteous person and disciple. Some scholars interpret the "little ones" as new Christians of any age. John often uses it that way in his Gospel. So even the smallest kindness done to (for) a new Christian will be noticed and rewarded.
Preaching Possibilities
A. I don't like the way God is portrayed in the Old Testament Lesson and so will stay away from it today. If I had to use it as my text, I would emphasize the idea that God doesn't want sacrifice, but acceptance as our worship.
B. Or I might base a topical homily on "God provides" and how we can trust God to provide for us through others and through ourselves. We are often the way God does it. We could carefully stress that there are times when it seems God is testing us also and link that to the petition of the Lord's Prayer. "Save us from the time of trial..." or "lead us not into temptation...." However, our hearers might go away thinking of God as one who tests us to see how much we will take.
C. If we are doing a series on Paul's theology explained to the Romans, we can add to our list of words today (vv. 17, 18, 22):
1. sanctification,
2. slaves, and
3. eternal life.
D. If you have not used Romans yet, you could focus on the Christian being called "a slave of righteousness." We could announce boldly that we are not under law but under grace. Perhaps a comparison will be helpful:
Law
Judged by how well we keep the rules
The Ten Commandments
A slave to sin and temptation
Circumcision as sign
Live under threat
Must deserve eternal life
Grace
Judged by what Jesus did for us
The Beatitudes
A slave to righteousness
Baptism as sign
Live under divine promise
Eternal life as undeserved gift
E. From Harper's Bible Dictionary we get a possible outline based on Paul's use of the word "sanctification."
1. It is increased participation in Christ.
2. It is the growing realization we are justified.
3. The degree of Christian sanctity is in the degree of Christian love.
F. The Gospel of the day lends itself to a topical sermon on the "Rewards of Being Christian." And that's the direction I'll go today. Because Protestants are loathe to mention rewards of any kind in the practice of the faith, I'll talk about it today.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Begin by explaining Paul's words about wages in Romans 6:23, wages which are earned and wages which are a gift as in the military back then.
2. Tell the story of missionary Jane Leidenfrost giving a cup of cold water to thirsty Liberians. (See p. 152.)
3. Talk about who the "little ones" might be. The traditional use as children. Then our ministry to children. The idea that it might mean beginners in the faith. Then talk about how we encourage and empower new members in our congregation.
4. Now move to what our rewards are as we practice our discipleship:
a. A closeness with the other contemporary disciples,
b. A sense of living the way we ought,
c. Others we love receiving God's love through us,
d. The joy of doing that which is right and godly,
e. Sanctification and eternal life.
Prayer Of The Day
Sanctify us, Holy Parent, that we might be better and do better and love better than we do now. We are grateful for all the marvelous ways you reward us for our feeble attempts at your discipleship. For the precious fellowship and love shared here we give you thanks. Bless our hospitality as well. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
In the movie The Crying Game, the captive says to the captor of the Irish Republican Army, "There is a story of a frog and a scorpion. The frog carries the scorpion across a river on its back. Halfway across the scorpion stings the frog, and the frog asks why. The scorpion replies, 'Because it's my nature.' " Our nature is to sting rather than to love. Only with God's help can we change.
I saw missionary Jane Leidenfrost giving a cup of cold water at her door to several who came and asked for it. It was at her home of thirty years in Totota, Liberia, West Africa. The words "cold water" are the name for a gift one gives to another after a service has been rendered. "... you have done unto me."
At a wedding reception at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines, still dressed in clerical black, I stepped up to the free bar and ordered a glass of beer. The bartender, making a sign across his neck like a clerical collar, asked me, "Can you do that?" Interesting how many have reduced religion to what we are not allowed to do: a set of rules.
Sometimes when there is a typhoon in the Philippines some trees survive and are still standing, even with green leaves. But those who know will say, "That tree is already timber," meaning even though it doesn't look like it, it is dead (an old man interviewed on CBS news). We also can look like we are living but already dead. In the Christ there is new life.
