Second Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
Alive and out of the grave, the risen Christ is witnessed in the real world.
Theme For The Day
Because of Easter we are changed people just like those first Easter disciples were.
First Lesson
Acts 4:32-35
Charity
Luke gives us a description of life in the early church. It is similar to Acts 2:42-47. The "heart and soul" in verse 32 describes a faithfulness (see Deuteronomy 6:5). The sharing of goods described here was required at Qumran but here it seemed to be only if wanted. Notice that the main function of the apostles was to give testimony to Jesus' resurrection. Laying things at the apostles' feet is like the ancient custom of laying offerings to the gods.
These early members of the church had a deep feeling of stewardship for each other and they wanted to share with others what they had. So we have an early example of charity and loving concern for each other.
Second Lesson
1 John 1:1--2:2
Jesus And Real Being
During these weeks of Easter the New Testament Reading will be from 1 John. A brief introduction in your comments or printed in the worship bulletin will enrich the use of this little letter. From the introduction to the letter in the New Revised Standard Version (Reference Edition) of the Bible we learn that "false teachers were trying to mislead first-century Christians by denying, among other things, the true humanity of Christ. This view ... is the background of much of 1 John. The author had two basic purposes in mind in this letter: 1) to expose false teachers, and 2) to give believers assurances of salvation. The author is John, son of Zebedee -- the apostle and the author of the Gospel of John. He was a first cousin to Jesus."
The message is quite clear in this first part of the letter. John says Jesus was a real human and he knows because Jesus lived with him. He saw him, heard him, and touched him. Then in verse 3 he claims he tells them this so that they might join their fellowship. Verse 4 can be translated either way: they make this witness about Jesus so their joy will be complete or they make it so that the ones hearing it might have their joy complete.
Verses 8 and 9 have been used for centuries in the liturgy of the confession. One might translate "my little children" in 2:1 as children or beginners in the faith or literally a term of endearment. Verses 2:1b-2 describe what the work of Christ was in Holy Week and Easter: he becomes our advocate and he atones for our sins and all people's sins.
The Gospel
John 20:19-31
Doubting Thomas
Jesus' first appearance to the disciples is recorded. The disciples are hiding in a locked room. He offers the grace of his after-Easter life which brings a sense of safety and, above all else, peace. In verse 21 he tells them to take up his work with a new power he is giving them. Now they can forgive sins (vv. 22-23).
Thomas wasn't there but returned the next week. This time he no longer doubted Jesus' resurrection. Thomas thus becomes the representative of all who followed Jesus and had doubts, like us. The Thomist Church of south India, where, legend has it, Thomas went to be a witness to the resurrection, does trace its origin to Thomas.
Verses 30-31 seem to read like the natural end of this Gospel. Perhaps chapter 21 is a postscript. Verses 30 and 31 serve to remind us that the Gospels only give us a brief sample of what Jesus taught and what he did. And we discover in these verses that the Gospels are to give us life rather than provide a biography or history of the time of Jesus.
Preaching Possibilities
All three readings provide a solid foundation for preaching again the Easter message.
A. The First Lesson. To be Easter people is to be deeply faithful and to have love and concern for others. And a desire to share.
B. The Second Lesson from 1 John tells us that Jesus was a real person and we share the good news about what he did for us that we might have joy and those we tell might also have joy.
C. The Gospel lets us know that the gift that the resurrected Jesus has to give us is grace and peace. He unlocks the doors of fear in our lives by his presence with us and out presence with each other. If we did a "Doubting Thomas" sermon last year, perhaps we could consider a more topical sermon today by looking at what it means to be an Easter people.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Easter People After the Resurrection
A. Text: Use all three readings for Easter 2.
B. Tell the story of the disciples in the locked upper room and how they were afraid.
C. Move to asking your hearers if they ever wondered how different those disciples were after Easter from before Easter. For example:
1. Impulsive Peter who denied Jesus.
2. James and John worried about their place in the Kingdom.
3. Judas who cheated as treasurer of the group.
4. Timid Andrew, afraid to witness to the gospel and who lived in the shadow of his brother Peter.
5. Above all, Thomas who had to be convinced.
D. Move to talking about how we are after Easter people and we, too, can be changed because of that empty tomb and risen Christ with us. We can be changed:
1. From people who used to be shallow in our faith to people who believe deeply (Acts 4:32).
2. From selfish people all wrapped up in getting and keeping our possessions to folk who practice charity and sharing (Acts 4:34-35).
3. From people who never really felt the real presence of Jesus with us nor ever shared him with others to folks who sensed a closeness and shared the joy with others (1 John 1:2-4).
4. From people who are afraid and not sure to people who believe and experience through God's Holy Spirit God's grace and peace (John 20:21-22).
E. Move to what are the implications for our congregation.
1. We ought to be sure our services are spirit-filled.
2. We ought to be certain we are bringers of peace on God's behalf in our marriages, homes, congregations, and communities.
3. We ought to learn how, and actually find places and ways, to share the Easter news. We will be changed by sharing this good news as well as those who hear it.
F. Conclude by telling your people how you are changed because of Easter this year.
G. Frame the sermon by returning to the Easter Gospel for today and the locked doors now standing open with a welcome sign reading: "Welcome to our fellowship, come on in and celebrate with us, the Easter people."
Prayer For The Day
Help us to be changed because of Easter again this year. And give us the courage to live out our Easter faith where we live and work and play. Make us giving people who want to share rather than hoard. You came out of the grave; now enter our church that we might know your grace and peace. In your risen name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
From Harper's Bible Dictionary about Thomas: "... he is further identified as Didymus (twin). No incident is recorded about him in the Synoptics or in Acts, but in the Fourth Gospel he becomes prominent in the closing scenes. Thomas displayed courage and loyalty when Jesus proposed to return to Judea in spite of Jewish hostility (John 11:8, 16) ... Thomas made the most forthright and all-inclusive confession of faith to be found in the Gospels (John 20:26-29). Tradition declares that he was a missionary to Parthia or to India."
Stella Min, a member of the Karen tribe in Myanmar (Burma) whom I was advising on her Master's thesis, writes that the word "steward" in her language is now used for people who are responsible for hosting and the safety of the people of a gathering of any kind. They serve as host, helpers of people in distress, and crowd control. They represent the institution. Easter people are stewards of God's peace and of God's kingdom and even stewards of God's worship service. God grant us the need for crowd control there, too!
On the television program 60 Minutes: Laurence Olivier at the age of 59 said that he still got stage fright and always had someone stand in a certain place in the wings so he could see the person. He told him, "If you are not there, I shall run."
We have the Christ and his people always standing in the wings for us. We never need to run.
At a Bishop's conference at Livermore Laboratory with theologians and scientists, the Bishop said, "After all, the fact is we are all determined to protect our things and hang on to them with our nuclear weapons, even if we destroy ourselves in the meantime."
"Blessed are the peacemakers," said Jesus.
Alive and out of the grave, the risen Christ is witnessed in the real world.
Theme For The Day
Because of Easter we are changed people just like those first Easter disciples were.
First Lesson
Acts 4:32-35
Charity
Luke gives us a description of life in the early church. It is similar to Acts 2:42-47. The "heart and soul" in verse 32 describes a faithfulness (see Deuteronomy 6:5). The sharing of goods described here was required at Qumran but here it seemed to be only if wanted. Notice that the main function of the apostles was to give testimony to Jesus' resurrection. Laying things at the apostles' feet is like the ancient custom of laying offerings to the gods.
These early members of the church had a deep feeling of stewardship for each other and they wanted to share with others what they had. So we have an early example of charity and loving concern for each other.
Second Lesson
1 John 1:1--2:2
Jesus And Real Being
During these weeks of Easter the New Testament Reading will be from 1 John. A brief introduction in your comments or printed in the worship bulletin will enrich the use of this little letter. From the introduction to the letter in the New Revised Standard Version (Reference Edition) of the Bible we learn that "false teachers were trying to mislead first-century Christians by denying, among other things, the true humanity of Christ. This view ... is the background of much of 1 John. The author had two basic purposes in mind in this letter: 1) to expose false teachers, and 2) to give believers assurances of salvation. The author is John, son of Zebedee -- the apostle and the author of the Gospel of John. He was a first cousin to Jesus."
The message is quite clear in this first part of the letter. John says Jesus was a real human and he knows because Jesus lived with him. He saw him, heard him, and touched him. Then in verse 3 he claims he tells them this so that they might join their fellowship. Verse 4 can be translated either way: they make this witness about Jesus so their joy will be complete or they make it so that the ones hearing it might have their joy complete.
Verses 8 and 9 have been used for centuries in the liturgy of the confession. One might translate "my little children" in 2:1 as children or beginners in the faith or literally a term of endearment. Verses 2:1b-2 describe what the work of Christ was in Holy Week and Easter: he becomes our advocate and he atones for our sins and all people's sins.
The Gospel
John 20:19-31
Doubting Thomas
Jesus' first appearance to the disciples is recorded. The disciples are hiding in a locked room. He offers the grace of his after-Easter life which brings a sense of safety and, above all else, peace. In verse 21 he tells them to take up his work with a new power he is giving them. Now they can forgive sins (vv. 22-23).
Thomas wasn't there but returned the next week. This time he no longer doubted Jesus' resurrection. Thomas thus becomes the representative of all who followed Jesus and had doubts, like us. The Thomist Church of south India, where, legend has it, Thomas went to be a witness to the resurrection, does trace its origin to Thomas.
Verses 30-31 seem to read like the natural end of this Gospel. Perhaps chapter 21 is a postscript. Verses 30 and 31 serve to remind us that the Gospels only give us a brief sample of what Jesus taught and what he did. And we discover in these verses that the Gospels are to give us life rather than provide a biography or history of the time of Jesus.
Preaching Possibilities
All three readings provide a solid foundation for preaching again the Easter message.
A. The First Lesson. To be Easter people is to be deeply faithful and to have love and concern for others. And a desire to share.
B. The Second Lesson from 1 John tells us that Jesus was a real person and we share the good news about what he did for us that we might have joy and those we tell might also have joy.
C. The Gospel lets us know that the gift that the resurrected Jesus has to give us is grace and peace. He unlocks the doors of fear in our lives by his presence with us and out presence with each other. If we did a "Doubting Thomas" sermon last year, perhaps we could consider a more topical sermon today by looking at what it means to be an Easter people.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Easter People After the Resurrection
A. Text: Use all three readings for Easter 2.
B. Tell the story of the disciples in the locked upper room and how they were afraid.
C. Move to asking your hearers if they ever wondered how different those disciples were after Easter from before Easter. For example:
1. Impulsive Peter who denied Jesus.
2. James and John worried about their place in the Kingdom.
3. Judas who cheated as treasurer of the group.
4. Timid Andrew, afraid to witness to the gospel and who lived in the shadow of his brother Peter.
5. Above all, Thomas who had to be convinced.
D. Move to talking about how we are after Easter people and we, too, can be changed because of that empty tomb and risen Christ with us. We can be changed:
1. From people who used to be shallow in our faith to people who believe deeply (Acts 4:32).
2. From selfish people all wrapped up in getting and keeping our possessions to folk who practice charity and sharing (Acts 4:34-35).
3. From people who never really felt the real presence of Jesus with us nor ever shared him with others to folks who sensed a closeness and shared the joy with others (1 John 1:2-4).
4. From people who are afraid and not sure to people who believe and experience through God's Holy Spirit God's grace and peace (John 20:21-22).
E. Move to what are the implications for our congregation.
1. We ought to be sure our services are spirit-filled.
2. We ought to be certain we are bringers of peace on God's behalf in our marriages, homes, congregations, and communities.
3. We ought to learn how, and actually find places and ways, to share the Easter news. We will be changed by sharing this good news as well as those who hear it.
F. Conclude by telling your people how you are changed because of Easter this year.
G. Frame the sermon by returning to the Easter Gospel for today and the locked doors now standing open with a welcome sign reading: "Welcome to our fellowship, come on in and celebrate with us, the Easter people."
Prayer For The Day
Help us to be changed because of Easter again this year. And give us the courage to live out our Easter faith where we live and work and play. Make us giving people who want to share rather than hoard. You came out of the grave; now enter our church that we might know your grace and peace. In your risen name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
From Harper's Bible Dictionary about Thomas: "... he is further identified as Didymus (twin). No incident is recorded about him in the Synoptics or in Acts, but in the Fourth Gospel he becomes prominent in the closing scenes. Thomas displayed courage and loyalty when Jesus proposed to return to Judea in spite of Jewish hostility (John 11:8, 16) ... Thomas made the most forthright and all-inclusive confession of faith to be found in the Gospels (John 20:26-29). Tradition declares that he was a missionary to Parthia or to India."
Stella Min, a member of the Karen tribe in Myanmar (Burma) whom I was advising on her Master's thesis, writes that the word "steward" in her language is now used for people who are responsible for hosting and the safety of the people of a gathering of any kind. They serve as host, helpers of people in distress, and crowd control. They represent the institution. Easter people are stewards of God's peace and of God's kingdom and even stewards of God's worship service. God grant us the need for crowd control there, too!
On the television program 60 Minutes: Laurence Olivier at the age of 59 said that he still got stage fright and always had someone stand in a certain place in the wings so he could see the person. He told him, "If you are not there, I shall run."
We have the Christ and his people always standing in the wings for us. We never need to run.
At a Bishop's conference at Livermore Laboratory with theologians and scientists, the Bishop said, "After all, the fact is we are all determined to protect our things and hang on to them with our nuclear weapons, even if we destroy ourselves in the meantime."
"Blessed are the peacemakers," said Jesus.
