Seek true wisdom; follow Christ
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: Seek true wisdom; follow Christ.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20--33 (C)
Wisdom personified warns the fool to heed its words of wisdom and instruction or face dire consequences. The foolish will be destroyed by their own devices; when they call for help on the day of trouble, it will not be granted to them. However, those who listen to the voice of wisdom will dwell secure.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:5--9a (RC); Isaiah 50:4--9 (E)
(See Sunday Of The Passion)
Lesson 2: James 3:1--12 (C)
Chapter 3 revolves around the subject of true wisdom. James warns that not many should seek to become teachers, because they will be judged by a stricter standard than others. Perhaps as an act of self--confession James confesses that "we" all make mistakes. The person who makes no mistakes is like an exquisitely trained horse, completely under the control of its master. This leads the writer to warn against an unbridled tongue. He compares the unleashed tongue to a raging fire (v. 6). Undisciplined speech is one of the dangers of being a teacher. Again, the tongue is like a serpent, full of deadly venom (v. 8). Employing yet another image, the tongue is like a polluted well (v. 11). How can it spew forth both blessings and curses?
Lesson 2: James 2:14--18 (RC); James 2:1--5, 8--10, 14--18 (E)
(See Proper 18)
Gospel: Mark 8:27--38 (C, E); Mark 8:27--35 (RC)
Jesus and his disciples enter Caesarea Philippi, the source of the Jordan River and a center of pagan worship going back to the dawn of history. On the way, Jesus asks his disciples: "Who do people say that I am?" They reply John the Baptist or one of the prophets. Then the really big question! "But who do YOU say that I am?" Peter confesses Jesus to be the Messiah, the Christ. Again Jesus requests that they keep his messiahship a secret. Straight away the Lord instructs his disciples concerning the true meaning of his messiahship. He will suffer, die and on the third day rise again. Peter rebukes him for interjecting the idea of suffering and death, which was contrary to common expectation. Jesus sees in Peter's protest the work of Satan and replies: "Get behind me, Satan!" Jesus then directs himself to other followers. "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 19 (C) - "The heavens are telling the glory of God" (v. 1).
Psalm 116 (E)
Psalm 114 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
O Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive you, unleash our tongue to confess you as Lord and Savior; then, by your Spirit, empower us to follow wherever you lead. In your name we pray. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20--33
The silly life and the simple life. Wisdom personified as a prophetess cries out in the streets for the citizens to turn away from the simple life. This is not the kind of simple life that the Shakers sought to live out, meaning plain or unadorned. Simpleness in this passage might better be interpreted as foolish or stupid. Wisdom was really calling its hearers to leave silliness rather than simpleness. In fact, the simple life might prove to be very wise.
The fool refuses to listen (v. 24). Why does the fool refuse to listen? He thinks that he knows better than anyone else what is good. The fool turns his back on the voice of experience and knowledge because it goes against his desires.
Eating spoiled fruit (v. 31). Wisdom teaches that the foolish will eat the fruit of their folly, rotten fruit that will poison the whole body. "Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way."
Lesson 2: James 3:1--12
We all make mistakes (v. 2). How true! Yet the meaning of that phrase often changes, depending on whether we are talking about ourselves or somebody else. We sometimes apply this aphorism to ourselves when we are attempting to excuse ourselves for carelessness and stupidity. Or it can be a healthy confession of our human weakness. "I made a mistake but I can't dwell on it. Let's go on." In reference to other people's mistakes, this saying can serve as a humble admission of our common humanity.
The power of little things (vv. 4--5). James compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship. The rudder is a small device but has the power to control the movement of the entire craft. The tongue is also small but has great power to move people and events. James keys in on the destructive power of the tongue but it also has great power to influence people for good. There is indeed great power in little things.
The taming of the tongue (vv. 7--8). James feels that no person can tame the human tongue. Yet God can and does tame the human tongue. He turns it from an instrument of hate and cursing to an implement that brings grace, truth and love.
Gospel: Mark 8:27--38
Identity crisis (vv. 27--29). We hear a great deal about those caught in the clutch of an identity crisis. We see this especially in the confusion over the issues of gender in our society. During Jesus' earthly ministry there was something of an identity crisis pertaining to Jesus. Not that Jesus was having an identity crisis but those around him were certainly having trouble nailing down the Lord's identity. Most thought he was some prophet or another. Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah but he didn't know what that meant. Those who call themselves Christians and those who don't are still having an identity crisis concerning Jesus. He is identified as a teacher, prophet, phoney, idealist, superhuman, revolutionary and guru. Those who really know him confess that Jesus is Son of God, Lord and Savior.
The true meaning of confessing Christ. Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah but he did not deeply know who he was or what this identity entailed. When Jesus told his disciples that he was going to suffer, die and rise, Peter didn't understand what Jesus was saying and couldn't accept it. There is more to confessing Christ than merely knowing his name. We must also know his nature and follow him.
Where did you lose your life?(v. 35). We're all going to lose our lives; the question is: How and why will we lose our lives? I suspect that the question that Christ is going to raise at the judgment is: "Where did you lose your life?" Did you lose your life by default, through carelessness? Or did you lose your life intentionally? Jesus calls on all who follow him to lose their life for his sake and that of the kingdom. He promises that those who lose their life will find eternal life.
The bottom line (vv. 36--37). In the corporate world, all eyes are fixed on the bottom line. That is, all decisions seem to be based on whether a particular action will be profitable or not. Jesus has a different way of looking at profits, a divergent way of figuring the bottom line. He maintains that we win eternal profits if we lose our lives for the sake of the kingdom of God. Life, eternal life, is the ultimate profit, everything else is loss.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20--33
Sermon Title: Fatal Choice
Sermon Angle: The fool does not become a fool by default; he or she chooses to become one. Wisdom personified teaches: "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord...therefore they shall eat the fruit of their labor." This passage counsels that the fool makes stupid, even fatal, choices which will have dire consequences (v. 32). Have you noticed how some people make the same foolish choices over and over again because they are not able to discern the true cause of their failure? For instance, they blame their mistakes on others rather than looking squarely at themselves. The wise person learns from the poor decisions he makes and corrects them; the fool never learns from experience. The wise person chooses to listen to the word of the Lord, which the fool has discounted.
Outline:
1. The wise person and the fool are separated by the quality of their choices.
2. The unwise decisions of the fool come back to slay him (v. 32).
3. The wise person is kept secure by listening to the wisdom of the Lord (v. 33).
Sermon Title: Knowledge Without Wisdom Is Foolish
Sermon Angle: We live in a society where the level of knowledge concerning our world has never been greater, and the pace at which further knowledge is added ever quickens. At the same time, we have spurned wisdom, which would allow us to employ this knowledge in a manner that would benefit all. We have tons of information at our fingertips, yet we're still in kindergarten when it comes to the issues of justice, love and just getting along with our neighbors. With the torrent of new knowledge we have rejected the voice of wisdom, distilled in the hearts and minds of our elders through time and experience. We foolishly discard wisdom in favor of new knowledge but in so doing, we also cut ourselves off from the mind of God.
Outline:
1. We live in a world of exploding knowledge.
2. Wisdom (understanding the purpose of life) cries out to be heard in the marketplace (v. 20) but is spurned.
3. The world seeks knowledge and facts, so as to control the world.
- God considers such people fools.
4. Those who heed wisdom will live securely and confidently (v. 33).
Lesson 2: James 3:1--12
Sermon Title: We All Make Mistakes
Sermon Angle: To say that "we all make mistakes" can drive us in two directions. On the one hand, we can seek to excuse ourselves with this somewhat trite expression, and so we learn nothing and we do not grow. On the other hand, we can also use this phrase to mean "Yes, it is human to make mistakes and I've made plenty of them but I'm going to learn from them and grow." The child of God confesses his sins and his mistakes to the Lord, asking the Lord to perfect him.
Outline:
1. Yes, we all make mistakes.
2. Is this confession an excuse or a challenge?
3. God not only forgives our mistakes, he wants to perfect us.
Sermon Title: The Danger Of Speaking Out Of Both Sides Of The Mouth
Sermon Angle: One of the problems that has plagued Bill Clinton's presidency is that he says one thing and then, at a later time, takes a position at odds with what he spoke earlier. His critics accuse the President of speaking out of both sides of the mouth. James speaks to that danger. He laments that we bless God with our tongues but also curse our neighbor with that same tongue (vv. 9--10). We might say that he is accusing them of speaking out of both sides of their mouths. James reasons that it is not possible for pure and polluted water to come from the same well. The danger of speaking out of both sides of our mouth is that we lose all credibility as God's people.
Outline:
1. James accused some Christians of speaking out of both sides of their mouth (vv. 9--10).
2. Do we speak out of both sides of our mouths?
3. The danger of so speaking is that we lose credibility with God and our neighbors.
4. Let God control both sides of your mouth.
Gospel: Mark 8:27--38
Sermon Title: Your Opinion Counts
Sermon Angle: Jesus took something of an opinion poll with his disciples. "Who do people say that I am?" They reported what they had heard. Then he sought their personal opinion concerning his identity, to which Peter uttered his historic confession. "You are the Christ!" Your opinion counts with Christ Jesus. Who do you say that he is, with your lips and with your life?
Outline:
1. Jesus wanted to know what the public thought of him (v. 27).
2. More important, Jesus wanted people to truly know him.
3. Your opinion counts with Christ.
4. So make your decision concerning discipleship count for eternity.
Sermon Title: A Painful Lesson
Sermon Angle: Jesus endeavored to teach his disciples the true meaning of his messiahship. It meant rejection, suffering and death (vv. 31--33). It was a hard and painful lesson for the disciples. Peter chastised Jesus for ever broaching the subject; the lesson was completely contrary to his expectations. Some of life's most valuable lessons are painful ones. Eternal life does not entail evading pain and suffering but facing them in the name of Jesus Christ. Those who rise must first die.
Outline:
1. Life teaches some hard lessons. (Give examples.)
2. When Jesus informed his disciples of his passion, Peter objected (v. 31).
3. He thought that following Jesus would be sweetness and glory.
4. Do we, like Peter, reject the cross?
5. Those who reject the cross are servants of Satan (v. 33).
6. Following Christ means taking up our cross (v. 34).
__________
Jesus saw Peter's response to the cross as the embodiment of Satan (v. 33). Such attitudes are humanistic rather than theocentric. These attitudes are embodied in a Satanic movement in America, as the following quote reveals:
The most infamous public Satanist organization is Anton LaVey's Satanic Church in America, founded in 1966. The Satanic Church's creed is based upon a denial and reversal of orthodox Christianity. What LaVey terms the Christian Church's seven deadly sins: greed, pride, envy, anger, gluttony, lust and sloth, are to be fully indulged, as they lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification. LaVey's beliefs are a combination of Machiavellian social ethics, hedonism, and simple narcissism as the highest good. He states:
Hate your enemies with a whole heart, and if a man smite
you on the cheek, SMASH him on the other!...Life is the
great indulgence - death, the great abstinence.
Therefore, make the most of life - HERE AND NOW!
Who or what does LaVey's brand of Satanism believe in or worship? The answer is Satan, but as defined by LaVey - the material world, man, and his carnal nature or appetites. Satanism for LaVey is the worship of man, just the way he is, with all of his fleshly desires and appetites. It is a religion of indulgence of man's carnal passions as symbolized by the term "Satan,"codified and practiced by the inversion of Christian ethics. LaVey's "god" is himself, and the gods of his followers are themselves.
(Used by permission of the Christian Research Institute.)
Sermon Title: Life Saving Tips
Sermon Angle: The media is full of articles on how you can save your own life. The topics range from how to eat healthfully, to learning to relax, to controlling anger, to defensive driving, and it doesn't end there. Jesus offers a much more important course titled: "How To Save Your Life By Losing It." We save our lives by losing them in the service of Christ, who teaches us to lose ourselves in serving and loving our neighbor. "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it" (v. 35).
Outline:
1. The world offers advice on how to save (extend) and enrich your life.
2. Christ offers his life saving strategy involving: denying self, taking up our cross, following him, and losing our life (vv. 34--37).
3. In seeking to serve Christ and others, you save your own life.
__________
The book One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest features a battle between men on a psychiatric ward and the evil nurse, Ratched, who delights in punishing the men for infractions by administering electroshock treatments. McMurphy is a ringleader who refuses to comply with the rules. He seeks to liberate the patients from their bondage, even at the risk of his own life.
Throughout the book, electroshock therapy has been used as a symbol of Christ's crucifixion. One victim of the treatment stands unceasingly crucified against the ward's walls; the author's narration of the procedure mentioned its cross--shaped table and electric crown of thorns. As McMurphy approached this punishment, we hear of Pontius Pilate and a hymn: "It's my cross, thank you, Lord, it's all I got, thank you, Lord." Strapped to the table, McMurphy speaks biblically to the attendant, "Anointest my head with conductant. Do I get a crown of thorns?" Many have asked in what way he is supposed to resemble Christ. After all, McMurphy is a drinker, a brawler, a gambler, a womanizer - not a saint. Even so, he is affixed to a cross--shaped table, with an electric crown of thorns about his head. Like Christ, he has spread a gospel of light and life in a world of darkness and death, and is about to be sacrificed.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20--33 (C)
Wisdom personified warns the fool to heed its words of wisdom and instruction or face dire consequences. The foolish will be destroyed by their own devices; when they call for help on the day of trouble, it will not be granted to them. However, those who listen to the voice of wisdom will dwell secure.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:5--9a (RC); Isaiah 50:4--9 (E)
(See Sunday Of The Passion)
Lesson 2: James 3:1--12 (C)
Chapter 3 revolves around the subject of true wisdom. James warns that not many should seek to become teachers, because they will be judged by a stricter standard than others. Perhaps as an act of self--confession James confesses that "we" all make mistakes. The person who makes no mistakes is like an exquisitely trained horse, completely under the control of its master. This leads the writer to warn against an unbridled tongue. He compares the unleashed tongue to a raging fire (v. 6). Undisciplined speech is one of the dangers of being a teacher. Again, the tongue is like a serpent, full of deadly venom (v. 8). Employing yet another image, the tongue is like a polluted well (v. 11). How can it spew forth both blessings and curses?
Lesson 2: James 2:14--18 (RC); James 2:1--5, 8--10, 14--18 (E)
(See Proper 18)
Gospel: Mark 8:27--38 (C, E); Mark 8:27--35 (RC)
Jesus and his disciples enter Caesarea Philippi, the source of the Jordan River and a center of pagan worship going back to the dawn of history. On the way, Jesus asks his disciples: "Who do people say that I am?" They reply John the Baptist or one of the prophets. Then the really big question! "But who do YOU say that I am?" Peter confesses Jesus to be the Messiah, the Christ. Again Jesus requests that they keep his messiahship a secret. Straight away the Lord instructs his disciples concerning the true meaning of his messiahship. He will suffer, die and on the third day rise again. Peter rebukes him for interjecting the idea of suffering and death, which was contrary to common expectation. Jesus sees in Peter's protest the work of Satan and replies: "Get behind me, Satan!" Jesus then directs himself to other followers. "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 19 (C) - "The heavens are telling the glory of God" (v. 1).
Psalm 116 (E)
Psalm 114 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
O Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive you, unleash our tongue to confess you as Lord and Savior; then, by your Spirit, empower us to follow wherever you lead. In your name we pray. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20--33
The silly life and the simple life. Wisdom personified as a prophetess cries out in the streets for the citizens to turn away from the simple life. This is not the kind of simple life that the Shakers sought to live out, meaning plain or unadorned. Simpleness in this passage might better be interpreted as foolish or stupid. Wisdom was really calling its hearers to leave silliness rather than simpleness. In fact, the simple life might prove to be very wise.
The fool refuses to listen (v. 24). Why does the fool refuse to listen? He thinks that he knows better than anyone else what is good. The fool turns his back on the voice of experience and knowledge because it goes against his desires.
Eating spoiled fruit (v. 31). Wisdom teaches that the foolish will eat the fruit of their folly, rotten fruit that will poison the whole body. "Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way."
Lesson 2: James 3:1--12
We all make mistakes (v. 2). How true! Yet the meaning of that phrase often changes, depending on whether we are talking about ourselves or somebody else. We sometimes apply this aphorism to ourselves when we are attempting to excuse ourselves for carelessness and stupidity. Or it can be a healthy confession of our human weakness. "I made a mistake but I can't dwell on it. Let's go on." In reference to other people's mistakes, this saying can serve as a humble admission of our common humanity.
The power of little things (vv. 4--5). James compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship. The rudder is a small device but has the power to control the movement of the entire craft. The tongue is also small but has great power to move people and events. James keys in on the destructive power of the tongue but it also has great power to influence people for good. There is indeed great power in little things.
The taming of the tongue (vv. 7--8). James feels that no person can tame the human tongue. Yet God can and does tame the human tongue. He turns it from an instrument of hate and cursing to an implement that brings grace, truth and love.
Gospel: Mark 8:27--38
Identity crisis (vv. 27--29). We hear a great deal about those caught in the clutch of an identity crisis. We see this especially in the confusion over the issues of gender in our society. During Jesus' earthly ministry there was something of an identity crisis pertaining to Jesus. Not that Jesus was having an identity crisis but those around him were certainly having trouble nailing down the Lord's identity. Most thought he was some prophet or another. Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah but he didn't know what that meant. Those who call themselves Christians and those who don't are still having an identity crisis concerning Jesus. He is identified as a teacher, prophet, phoney, idealist, superhuman, revolutionary and guru. Those who really know him confess that Jesus is Son of God, Lord and Savior.
The true meaning of confessing Christ. Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah but he did not deeply know who he was or what this identity entailed. When Jesus told his disciples that he was going to suffer, die and rise, Peter didn't understand what Jesus was saying and couldn't accept it. There is more to confessing Christ than merely knowing his name. We must also know his nature and follow him.
Where did you lose your life?(v. 35). We're all going to lose our lives; the question is: How and why will we lose our lives? I suspect that the question that Christ is going to raise at the judgment is: "Where did you lose your life?" Did you lose your life by default, through carelessness? Or did you lose your life intentionally? Jesus calls on all who follow him to lose their life for his sake and that of the kingdom. He promises that those who lose their life will find eternal life.
The bottom line (vv. 36--37). In the corporate world, all eyes are fixed on the bottom line. That is, all decisions seem to be based on whether a particular action will be profitable or not. Jesus has a different way of looking at profits, a divergent way of figuring the bottom line. He maintains that we win eternal profits if we lose our lives for the sake of the kingdom of God. Life, eternal life, is the ultimate profit, everything else is loss.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20--33
Sermon Title: Fatal Choice
Sermon Angle: The fool does not become a fool by default; he or she chooses to become one. Wisdom personified teaches: "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord...therefore they shall eat the fruit of their labor." This passage counsels that the fool makes stupid, even fatal, choices which will have dire consequences (v. 32). Have you noticed how some people make the same foolish choices over and over again because they are not able to discern the true cause of their failure? For instance, they blame their mistakes on others rather than looking squarely at themselves. The wise person learns from the poor decisions he makes and corrects them; the fool never learns from experience. The wise person chooses to listen to the word of the Lord, which the fool has discounted.
Outline:
1. The wise person and the fool are separated by the quality of their choices.
2. The unwise decisions of the fool come back to slay him (v. 32).
3. The wise person is kept secure by listening to the wisdom of the Lord (v. 33).
Sermon Title: Knowledge Without Wisdom Is Foolish
Sermon Angle: We live in a society where the level of knowledge concerning our world has never been greater, and the pace at which further knowledge is added ever quickens. At the same time, we have spurned wisdom, which would allow us to employ this knowledge in a manner that would benefit all. We have tons of information at our fingertips, yet we're still in kindergarten when it comes to the issues of justice, love and just getting along with our neighbors. With the torrent of new knowledge we have rejected the voice of wisdom, distilled in the hearts and minds of our elders through time and experience. We foolishly discard wisdom in favor of new knowledge but in so doing, we also cut ourselves off from the mind of God.
Outline:
1. We live in a world of exploding knowledge.
2. Wisdom (understanding the purpose of life) cries out to be heard in the marketplace (v. 20) but is spurned.
3. The world seeks knowledge and facts, so as to control the world.
- God considers such people fools.
4. Those who heed wisdom will live securely and confidently (v. 33).
Lesson 2: James 3:1--12
Sermon Title: We All Make Mistakes
Sermon Angle: To say that "we all make mistakes" can drive us in two directions. On the one hand, we can seek to excuse ourselves with this somewhat trite expression, and so we learn nothing and we do not grow. On the other hand, we can also use this phrase to mean "Yes, it is human to make mistakes and I've made plenty of them but I'm going to learn from them and grow." The child of God confesses his sins and his mistakes to the Lord, asking the Lord to perfect him.
Outline:
1. Yes, we all make mistakes.
2. Is this confession an excuse or a challenge?
3. God not only forgives our mistakes, he wants to perfect us.
Sermon Title: The Danger Of Speaking Out Of Both Sides Of The Mouth
Sermon Angle: One of the problems that has plagued Bill Clinton's presidency is that he says one thing and then, at a later time, takes a position at odds with what he spoke earlier. His critics accuse the President of speaking out of both sides of the mouth. James speaks to that danger. He laments that we bless God with our tongues but also curse our neighbor with that same tongue (vv. 9--10). We might say that he is accusing them of speaking out of both sides of their mouths. James reasons that it is not possible for pure and polluted water to come from the same well. The danger of speaking out of both sides of our mouth is that we lose all credibility as God's people.
Outline:
1. James accused some Christians of speaking out of both sides of their mouth (vv. 9--10).
2. Do we speak out of both sides of our mouths?
3. The danger of so speaking is that we lose credibility with God and our neighbors.
4. Let God control both sides of your mouth.
Gospel: Mark 8:27--38
Sermon Title: Your Opinion Counts
Sermon Angle: Jesus took something of an opinion poll with his disciples. "Who do people say that I am?" They reported what they had heard. Then he sought their personal opinion concerning his identity, to which Peter uttered his historic confession. "You are the Christ!" Your opinion counts with Christ Jesus. Who do you say that he is, with your lips and with your life?
Outline:
1. Jesus wanted to know what the public thought of him (v. 27).
2. More important, Jesus wanted people to truly know him.
3. Your opinion counts with Christ.
4. So make your decision concerning discipleship count for eternity.
Sermon Title: A Painful Lesson
Sermon Angle: Jesus endeavored to teach his disciples the true meaning of his messiahship. It meant rejection, suffering and death (vv. 31--33). It was a hard and painful lesson for the disciples. Peter chastised Jesus for ever broaching the subject; the lesson was completely contrary to his expectations. Some of life's most valuable lessons are painful ones. Eternal life does not entail evading pain and suffering but facing them in the name of Jesus Christ. Those who rise must first die.
Outline:
1. Life teaches some hard lessons. (Give examples.)
2. When Jesus informed his disciples of his passion, Peter objected (v. 31).
3. He thought that following Jesus would be sweetness and glory.
4. Do we, like Peter, reject the cross?
5. Those who reject the cross are servants of Satan (v. 33).
6. Following Christ means taking up our cross (v. 34).
__________
Jesus saw Peter's response to the cross as the embodiment of Satan (v. 33). Such attitudes are humanistic rather than theocentric. These attitudes are embodied in a Satanic movement in America, as the following quote reveals:
The most infamous public Satanist organization is Anton LaVey's Satanic Church in America, founded in 1966. The Satanic Church's creed is based upon a denial and reversal of orthodox Christianity. What LaVey terms the Christian Church's seven deadly sins: greed, pride, envy, anger, gluttony, lust and sloth, are to be fully indulged, as they lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification. LaVey's beliefs are a combination of Machiavellian social ethics, hedonism, and simple narcissism as the highest good. He states:
Hate your enemies with a whole heart, and if a man smite
you on the cheek, SMASH him on the other!...Life is the
great indulgence - death, the great abstinence.
Therefore, make the most of life - HERE AND NOW!
Who or what does LaVey's brand of Satanism believe in or worship? The answer is Satan, but as defined by LaVey - the material world, man, and his carnal nature or appetites. Satanism for LaVey is the worship of man, just the way he is, with all of his fleshly desires and appetites. It is a religion of indulgence of man's carnal passions as symbolized by the term "Satan,"codified and practiced by the inversion of Christian ethics. LaVey's "god" is himself, and the gods of his followers are themselves.
(Used by permission of the Christian Research Institute.)
Sermon Title: Life Saving Tips
Sermon Angle: The media is full of articles on how you can save your own life. The topics range from how to eat healthfully, to learning to relax, to controlling anger, to defensive driving, and it doesn't end there. Jesus offers a much more important course titled: "How To Save Your Life By Losing It." We save our lives by losing them in the service of Christ, who teaches us to lose ourselves in serving and loving our neighbor. "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it" (v. 35).
Outline:
1. The world offers advice on how to save (extend) and enrich your life.
2. Christ offers his life saving strategy involving: denying self, taking up our cross, following him, and losing our life (vv. 34--37).
3. In seeking to serve Christ and others, you save your own life.
__________
The book One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest features a battle between men on a psychiatric ward and the evil nurse, Ratched, who delights in punishing the men for infractions by administering electroshock treatments. McMurphy is a ringleader who refuses to comply with the rules. He seeks to liberate the patients from their bondage, even at the risk of his own life.
Throughout the book, electroshock therapy has been used as a symbol of Christ's crucifixion. One victim of the treatment stands unceasingly crucified against the ward's walls; the author's narration of the procedure mentioned its cross--shaped table and electric crown of thorns. As McMurphy approached this punishment, we hear of Pontius Pilate and a hymn: "It's my cross, thank you, Lord, it's all I got, thank you, Lord." Strapped to the table, McMurphy speaks biblically to the attendant, "Anointest my head with conductant. Do I get a crown of thorns?" Many have asked in what way he is supposed to resemble Christ. After all, McMurphy is a drinker, a brawler, a gambler, a womanizer - not a saint. Even so, he is affixed to a cross--shaped table, with an electric crown of thorns about his head. Like Christ, he has spread a gospel of light and life in a world of darkness and death, and is about to be sacrificed.
