Proper 9
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
The sending out of the seventy as witnesses to the Gospel, and our being sent as well.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman Cured In The Jordan
Naaman is a soldier in Damascus and well connected with an unnamed king of Syria. Naaman was a leper, which means he had some sort of skin disease. A slave girl tells Naaman's wife that the prophet Elisha can cure him. So Naaman traveled to Samaria with many gifts. He brought with him an order from his master to heal him. Elisha heard of the impossible demand and sent a note saying to come to him. But when the powerful Naaman arrived, Elisha simply told him by a message to go bathe seven times in the Jordan (v. 10). Naaman was upset, for his rivers (Abanan and Pharpar) are finer than the muddy Jordan. However, he did it and he was cured! Perhaps Elisha's written message for Naaman to go wash in the Jordan was the first written prescription for the treatment of a disciple! I wonder if his trip was covered by his health insurance!
New Testament Lesson
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
Practical Advice
Paul is giving these Christians some very practical advice.
1. If we allow our lower nature to rule us, there will be consequences in the end (I'm not sure I agree!). This must be proclaimed in tandem with the fact that God can and does forgive our sins. Still the consequences of our sins remain with us. We must remember we ought not to trade on the forgiveness of God.
2. Then comes the admonition not to get tired of doing good (v. 9). We should continue to work for the good of all, especially those within the family of faith (v. 10b).
In verse 11 we have the large letters. This might mean it's most important, Paul is suffering from poor eyesight, or he just had trouble using a pen. Verse 15 is a great text to proclaim that nothing we can do wins our salvation. In verse 14 he points them to the cross where God's love is best given. Just trust in that and don't get so concerned about things like circumcision.
The Gospel
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The Mission Of The Seventy
The number 70 here simply is a symbolic number representing the helpers of Jesus (see Numbers 11:16, 17, 24, and 25). The passage tells us that it is very risky to reject God's invitation; to hear God's invitation is a big responsibility; we disciples who are also sent out ought to concentrate on our mission; we must not do our ministry for what we can get out of it; there is plenty to do; and, the one I find most difficult to follow in my culture, we are to travel light (vv. 4-8).
Then comes the admonition we preachers often skip over or rationalize away: "... cure the sick" (v. 9). Verses 17 and 20 describe the return of these helpers of Jesus. They returned with joy. Why? Because witnessing to the gospel most affects the ones who do the witnessing. They had gone out, hearts in their throats, afraid, but they still tried. And in the doing of the witnessing there was great unexpected joy. In response to verse 20, William Barclay writes: "It will always remain true that a person's greatest glory is not what he has done but what God has done for him ... It is pride which bars from heaven; it is humility which is the passport to the presence of God."
Preaching Possibilities
A. The three readings for today do have at least one connection: healings. The 2 Kings account tells of Naaman being healed by Elisha's prescription; the Galatians reading mentions " ... a new creation ..." in verse 15; and the Gospel tells us disciples to go out and "... cure the sick who are there" (Luke 10:9).
B. We might also name this Sunday "The Sunday of Holy Advice" and proclaim the following:
1. From 2 Kings: An immersion in humility could cure a lot of us.
2. From Galatians: Don't give in to compassion fatigue. Don't boast of anything but the cross of Christ.
3. From Luke: Travel light, cure the sick, witness to the Gospel, and return in joy.
If you want, each of the three readings will also stand alone.
C. There is Naaman's dunk in the Jordan, which lends itself to a narrative sermon.
D. There is Paul's large letters, which can be a strong extended metaphor sermon on "Doing what is right."
1. We will reap what we sow.
2. We must not get tired in doing good.
3. We must work for all, especially the family of faith.
4. We must refrain from boasting except for the cross.
5. We must become a new creation.
6. Peace and mercy are ours.
E. I'll go with the Gospel again today. The sending out of the seventy is so powerful if we can convince our hearers that we are also sent out with similar instructions and similar equipment.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Our Mission, Too
A. Begin by setting the stage for this sending out by telling what the "After this ..." was in verse 1. Jesus was transfigured, healed some folks, and foretold his death. The disciples had an argument about who was the greatest, and a village refused to accept him.
B. Move to telling who the seventy were then -- and that they are us now.
C. Move to the instructions Jesus gave them and gives us:
1. Get going on your way (v. 3)
2. Travel light (v. 4)
3. Bring peace (v. 5)
4. Refrain from trying to better your situation (v. 7)
5. Cure the sick (v. 9)
6. Keep focused on your task and proclaim the nearness of the kingdom (v. 1)
7. Return in joy (v. 17)
8. Your names are known in heaven (v. 20)
D. Move to how you believe this could be carried out in your congregation if everyone did their best. Issue the challenge to do it and promise you will, too.
E. Close with a story from Possible Metaphors And Stories below.
Prayer For The Day
God of the fruitful harvest, send us out, too, that others might share with us the joy of being your workers and disciples. Help us to practice your advice of traveling light, bringing peace, refraining from bettering our positions, curing the sick, keeping focused, and returning with great joy next worship day, when we come together again in this holy house as your faithful disciples you have sent out. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
William Barclay tells of Sir James Simpson, who discovered chloroform. When asked, "What do you regard as your greatest discovery?" He replied, "My greatest discovery was when I discovered Jesus Christ as my Savior." Even the greatest person, in the presence of God, can only say:
"Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, came to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die."
In the musical Evita, Eva Peron said of herself: "I am content to be the woman who brought the people to Juan Peron."
I am content to be known as one who brought the people to Jesus.
In Shakespeare's play Antony and Cleopatra, the messenger tells Antony, "The nature of bad news infects the teller."
And so, too, of the Good News. Reason enough to preach! In order that the preacher might more strongly believe and the witness be effective.
Dick at Our Primary Purpose, an AA treatment center: "I don't lecture; I just tell them how it was with me being drug-dependent." They understood and wanted that same help. Dick said to them, "I don't have to be alone anymore."
So it is with Christians' interpersonal witness: we don't lecture. We just tell them about our relationship with God. And the more we witness, the more we own the gospel, and we don't have to be alone anymore either.
Heads Up Note
The next four Sundays the Second Lesson is from the book of Colossians, one taking up where the last part left off, or continues. If you like to do sermon series, here is an excellent opportunity. Consider the following:
About 60 A. D. Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossia from his prison in Rome a very special letter to tell them that in Jesus we have a wonderful fullness and completeness for our lives here. He also gave them some very practical rules for holy living that we can take to heart as well. We'll be looking at this short letter of Paul's the next four Sundays.
Living A Life In The Christ
A four-part sermon series based on Saint Paul's letter to the Colossians.
A. Proper 10, Pentecost 8, Ordinary Time 15, Colossians 1:1-14
Lives Worthy Of The Lord
1. Life in the Spirit (v. 8).
2. Filled with the knowledge of God's will (v. 9).
3. Spiritual wisdom and understanding (v. 9b).
4. Bearing fruit in every good work (v. 10).
5. Enduring with patience (v. 11b).
6. Giving thanks to God (v. 12).
B. Proper 11, Pentecost 9, Ordinary Time 16, Colossians 1:15-28
The Supremacy Of Christ
1. He is the image of God (v. 15).
2. He is the head of the church (v. 18).
3. He has reconciled us to God (v. 22).
4. He is the hope we have (v. 25b).
5. He gives us the richness of his glory (v. 27b).
6. It is this Christ we proclaim to others (v. 28).
C. Proper 12, Pentecost 10, Ordinary Time 17, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19)
The Fullness Of Life In Christ
1. We are rooted and built up in him (v. 7).
2. In him the fullness of deity lives (v. 9).
3. We are buried and raised in him in baptism (v. 12).
4. When we were dead in sin, God made us alive with forgiveness (v. 13b).
5. He triumphed over sin and evil (v. 15).
6. (Optional) The whole body grows with nourishment from God (v. 19).
D. Proper 13, Pentecost 11, Ordinary Time 18, Colossians 3:1-11
The New Life Lived Out In The Word In The Christ
1. Set your minds on things spiritual (v. 2).
2. Get rid of earthly stuff (vv. 5, 8).
3. Clothe yourself with a new self (vv. 9, 10).
4. In Christ all are equal and without prejudice (v. 11).
5. Review the series over the last four weeks.
We live lives worthy of the Lord, giving supremacy to the Christ, experiencing a fullness of life and living it out in the world.
Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Theme For The Day
The sending out of the seventy as witnesses to the Gospel, and our being sent as well.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman Cured In The Jordan
Naaman is a soldier in Damascus and well connected with an unnamed king of Syria. Naaman was a leper, which means he had some sort of skin disease. A slave girl tells Naaman's wife that the prophet Elisha can cure him. So Naaman traveled to Samaria with many gifts. He brought with him an order from his master to heal him. Elisha heard of the impossible demand and sent a note saying to come to him. But when the powerful Naaman arrived, Elisha simply told him by a message to go bathe seven times in the Jordan (v. 10). Naaman was upset, for his rivers (Abanan and Pharpar) are finer than the muddy Jordan. However, he did it and he was cured! Perhaps Elisha's written message for Naaman to go wash in the Jordan was the first written prescription for the treatment of a disciple! I wonder if his trip was covered by his health insurance!
New Testament Lesson
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
Practical Advice
Paul is giving these Christians some very practical advice.
1. If we allow our lower nature to rule us, there will be consequences in the end (I'm not sure I agree!). This must be proclaimed in tandem with the fact that God can and does forgive our sins. Still the consequences of our sins remain with us. We must remember we ought not to trade on the forgiveness of God.
2. Then comes the admonition not to get tired of doing good (v. 9). We should continue to work for the good of all, especially those within the family of faith (v. 10b).
In verse 11 we have the large letters. This might mean it's most important, Paul is suffering from poor eyesight, or he just had trouble using a pen. Verse 15 is a great text to proclaim that nothing we can do wins our salvation. In verse 14 he points them to the cross where God's love is best given. Just trust in that and don't get so concerned about things like circumcision.
The Gospel
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The Mission Of The Seventy
The number 70 here simply is a symbolic number representing the helpers of Jesus (see Numbers 11:16, 17, 24, and 25). The passage tells us that it is very risky to reject God's invitation; to hear God's invitation is a big responsibility; we disciples who are also sent out ought to concentrate on our mission; we must not do our ministry for what we can get out of it; there is plenty to do; and, the one I find most difficult to follow in my culture, we are to travel light (vv. 4-8).
Then comes the admonition we preachers often skip over or rationalize away: "... cure the sick" (v. 9). Verses 17 and 20 describe the return of these helpers of Jesus. They returned with joy. Why? Because witnessing to the gospel most affects the ones who do the witnessing. They had gone out, hearts in their throats, afraid, but they still tried. And in the doing of the witnessing there was great unexpected joy. In response to verse 20, William Barclay writes: "It will always remain true that a person's greatest glory is not what he has done but what God has done for him ... It is pride which bars from heaven; it is humility which is the passport to the presence of God."
Preaching Possibilities
A. The three readings for today do have at least one connection: healings. The 2 Kings account tells of Naaman being healed by Elisha's prescription; the Galatians reading mentions " ... a new creation ..." in verse 15; and the Gospel tells us disciples to go out and "... cure the sick who are there" (Luke 10:9).
B. We might also name this Sunday "The Sunday of Holy Advice" and proclaim the following:
1. From 2 Kings: An immersion in humility could cure a lot of us.
2. From Galatians: Don't give in to compassion fatigue. Don't boast of anything but the cross of Christ.
3. From Luke: Travel light, cure the sick, witness to the Gospel, and return in joy.
If you want, each of the three readings will also stand alone.
C. There is Naaman's dunk in the Jordan, which lends itself to a narrative sermon.
D. There is Paul's large letters, which can be a strong extended metaphor sermon on "Doing what is right."
1. We will reap what we sow.
2. We must not get tired in doing good.
3. We must work for all, especially the family of faith.
4. We must refrain from boasting except for the cross.
5. We must become a new creation.
6. Peace and mercy are ours.
E. I'll go with the Gospel again today. The sending out of the seventy is so powerful if we can convince our hearers that we are also sent out with similar instructions and similar equipment.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Our Mission, Too
A. Begin by setting the stage for this sending out by telling what the "After this ..." was in verse 1. Jesus was transfigured, healed some folks, and foretold his death. The disciples had an argument about who was the greatest, and a village refused to accept him.
B. Move to telling who the seventy were then -- and that they are us now.
C. Move to the instructions Jesus gave them and gives us:
1. Get going on your way (v. 3)
2. Travel light (v. 4)
3. Bring peace (v. 5)
4. Refrain from trying to better your situation (v. 7)
5. Cure the sick (v. 9)
6. Keep focused on your task and proclaim the nearness of the kingdom (v. 1)
7. Return in joy (v. 17)
8. Your names are known in heaven (v. 20)
D. Move to how you believe this could be carried out in your congregation if everyone did their best. Issue the challenge to do it and promise you will, too.
E. Close with a story from Possible Metaphors And Stories below.
Prayer For The Day
God of the fruitful harvest, send us out, too, that others might share with us the joy of being your workers and disciples. Help us to practice your advice of traveling light, bringing peace, refraining from bettering our positions, curing the sick, keeping focused, and returning with great joy next worship day, when we come together again in this holy house as your faithful disciples you have sent out. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
William Barclay tells of Sir James Simpson, who discovered chloroform. When asked, "What do you regard as your greatest discovery?" He replied, "My greatest discovery was when I discovered Jesus Christ as my Savior." Even the greatest person, in the presence of God, can only say:
"Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, came to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die."
In the musical Evita, Eva Peron said of herself: "I am content to be the woman who brought the people to Juan Peron."
I am content to be known as one who brought the people to Jesus.
In Shakespeare's play Antony and Cleopatra, the messenger tells Antony, "The nature of bad news infects the teller."
And so, too, of the Good News. Reason enough to preach! In order that the preacher might more strongly believe and the witness be effective.
Dick at Our Primary Purpose, an AA treatment center: "I don't lecture; I just tell them how it was with me being drug-dependent." They understood and wanted that same help. Dick said to them, "I don't have to be alone anymore."
So it is with Christians' interpersonal witness: we don't lecture. We just tell them about our relationship with God. And the more we witness, the more we own the gospel, and we don't have to be alone anymore either.
Heads Up Note
The next four Sundays the Second Lesson is from the book of Colossians, one taking up where the last part left off, or continues. If you like to do sermon series, here is an excellent opportunity. Consider the following:
About 60 A. D. Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossia from his prison in Rome a very special letter to tell them that in Jesus we have a wonderful fullness and completeness for our lives here. He also gave them some very practical rules for holy living that we can take to heart as well. We'll be looking at this short letter of Paul's the next four Sundays.
Living A Life In The Christ
A four-part sermon series based on Saint Paul's letter to the Colossians.
A. Proper 10, Pentecost 8, Ordinary Time 15, Colossians 1:1-14
Lives Worthy Of The Lord
1. Life in the Spirit (v. 8).
2. Filled with the knowledge of God's will (v. 9).
3. Spiritual wisdom and understanding (v. 9b).
4. Bearing fruit in every good work (v. 10).
5. Enduring with patience (v. 11b).
6. Giving thanks to God (v. 12).
B. Proper 11, Pentecost 9, Ordinary Time 16, Colossians 1:15-28
The Supremacy Of Christ
1. He is the image of God (v. 15).
2. He is the head of the church (v. 18).
3. He has reconciled us to God (v. 22).
4. He is the hope we have (v. 25b).
5. He gives us the richness of his glory (v. 27b).
6. It is this Christ we proclaim to others (v. 28).
C. Proper 12, Pentecost 10, Ordinary Time 17, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19)
The Fullness Of Life In Christ
1. We are rooted and built up in him (v. 7).
2. In him the fullness of deity lives (v. 9).
3. We are buried and raised in him in baptism (v. 12).
4. When we were dead in sin, God made us alive with forgiveness (v. 13b).
5. He triumphed over sin and evil (v. 15).
6. (Optional) The whole body grows with nourishment from God (v. 19).
D. Proper 13, Pentecost 11, Ordinary Time 18, Colossians 3:1-11
The New Life Lived Out In The Word In The Christ
1. Set your minds on things spiritual (v. 2).
2. Get rid of earthly stuff (vv. 5, 8).
3. Clothe yourself with a new self (vv. 9, 10).
4. In Christ all are equal and without prejudice (v. 11).
5. Review the series over the last four weeks.
We live lives worthy of the Lord, giving supremacy to the Christ, experiencing a fullness of life and living it out in the world.
