Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus calling his disciples and it dawning on them who this person is they are following. Light for a dark world.
Theme For The Day
The radical nature of following Jesus as his kingdom disciples.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Choose Evil Or Righteousness
Jeremiah includes a short poem comparing the way of evil people (vv. 5-6) and the righteous way (vv. 7-8). The persons who trust in people instead of God will be as unproductive as the salt land near the Dead Sea -- it just can't support life. The righteous person, on the other hand, is blessed because his or her trust is in God. He/she will flourish like a tree close to water.
And when tough times come, as they will, that person will prosper like trees which produce and stay green. It is the heart, says Jeremiah, which is so deceitful and causes a person to choose the way of evil and sin. God knows those thoughts we can hide from others. So God can judge us according to what our deeds are.
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Resurrection Of The Dead
Paul's argument begins with verse 19: our hope is more than Christ with us here. Pity us if that's all we have. He starts this passage by confronting those in the Corinthian congregation who claimed there was no resurrection from the dead. He says if they are right, Paul's whole ministry has been in vain and that he has been un-representing God. And, he argues, if the dead are not raised, then Christ was not either. And their faith is useless -- and those who died in Christ have perished.
In understanding this complicated but important passage, we must remember that the Corinthians were not denying the Resurrection of Jesus; they were denying the resurrection of the body. In the Jewish world, those of Sadducee background denied that there was anything after death (Acts 23:8). These probably had their influence in Corinth. But there were also Greeks in the congregation, and they see things quite differently.
Paul presents his argument in difficult to understand logic and we could wish he had written it more simply. These words are often spoken grave side and are rarely, I think, understood.
The Gospel
Luke 6:17-26
Jesus Teaches And Heals
This is Luke's Sermon on the Plain, similar to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6). It is a collection of radical sayings which certainly are revolutionary. They turn the world's values upside down! Verse 24 seems to be the key. The words "already received" actually mean the final payment on a debt. That's all the rich will receive -- just what the world values. However those who put their energies on loyalty to God and the Christ will have much more, if not here -- then at least in eternity.
F. R. Maltby said, "Jesus promised his disciples these things -- that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble." Jesus teaches here that the joy of heaven will amply compensate for all the heartache we experience here on earth.
So, I guess we can be happy in the world's way for a brief time or happy in Christ's way right on into eternity.
Preaching Possibilities
Each of the three readings have individual possibilities. The only way I know to use all three would be to preach on something like: "Life's lessons for this week."
A. Jeremiah
1. We can choose for the world or for God.
2. Our natural inclination is to choose for the world.
3. We have a promised life beyond the grave, says Saint Paul.
Jesus taught the disciples life here would not be easy and it would not at all mesh with the world's values. But there would be joy.
B. Another possibility would be to ask the question, "Can we trust our heart for our choices?" Then use the Old Testament Jeremiah passage verses 9 and 10. We could confront the sentimental ideas we find in our culture, especially in our music, just to follow one's heart.
1. Our very nature is to trust the world instead of God.
2. Our heart's desires are often not what we really need as Christian disciples.
3. Only God knows all our secret thoughts, and on that our judgment is based.
C. Alone, the passage by Saint Paul is an opportunity to preach about life after death and what we Christians believe.
1. Our hope is not immortality but rather it is resurrection of the body.
2. Our rewards may not be here on earth, but rather, in eternal life.
3. Our hope is bigger than a good life here on earth -- we have rather, a hope for eternity.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: "Discipleship as Radical Revolution"
A. Begin by explaining how both Matthew and Luke include a revolutionary sermon of Jesus to his disciples right after he has enlisted them in his ministry.
B. List what is so radical that Jesus tells them on the plain in Luke's account.
1. The poor, not the wealthy, are blessed with the kingdom.
2. Those who are ridiculed for their faith in Jesus will be rewarded in heaven.
3. Those sad will receive joy.
4. Those hungry will have plenty to eat.
5. And the rich, full and happy, will be poor, empty, and mourning in the kingdom.
The kingdom Jesus came to usher in radically changes the fate of all. It's revolutionary and astounding.
C. Move to a story from those in Possible Metaphors And Stories below.
D. Move to your witness as to how these radical ideas about God's kingdom affect your own discipleship.
E. List what you believe your congregation ought be doing to help Jesus usher in the kingdom.
1. Develop a ministry to the poor in our community.
2. Develop concern for the hungry in our community.
3. Do much more teaching in the congregation about how radical discipleship really is.
4. Be sure we have a solid intentional ministry of comfort for people who hurt -- in the congregation and also in the community.
5. Talk much more often and frankly about our financial stewardship.
F. Frame your sermon by returning to your opening comments about sermons of Jesus right after recruiting his disciples.
Prayer For The Day
Help us too, O God, who have been called to be your disciples here in (name community) to understand and carry out the radical nature of our discipleship. And bless us with the desire and wisdom to carry out a compassionate ministry to the poor, the hungry, and those who are hurting. They seem to be so special to you. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Mother Teresa of India said, "Unless life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile." That is the call of Jesus to live as his disciples and give our lives away for others.
Seminary Chaplain Ben Borson said: "When you invite Jesus into your heart, he does not come in alone." Put that with Marriott Hotel's claim, "Service, the ultimate luxury," and you have the life of a disciple.
I saw an ad for a brake and muffler shop that read: "We stand behind our exhaust systems and in front of our brake systems." Just like that, people must read our lives of discipleship as having integrity. The Native American calls it "walking the walk and talking the talk."
Alan Alda, in an interview about making movies, said that those now ages thirteen to 21 want three things: "Defy authority, destroy property, and take off clothes." How can God's people reach such an audience and how might we change their orientation toward a constructive lifestyle?
Jesus calling his disciples and it dawning on them who this person is they are following. Light for a dark world.
Theme For The Day
The radical nature of following Jesus as his kingdom disciples.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Choose Evil Or Righteousness
Jeremiah includes a short poem comparing the way of evil people (vv. 5-6) and the righteous way (vv. 7-8). The persons who trust in people instead of God will be as unproductive as the salt land near the Dead Sea -- it just can't support life. The righteous person, on the other hand, is blessed because his or her trust is in God. He/she will flourish like a tree close to water.
And when tough times come, as they will, that person will prosper like trees which produce and stay green. It is the heart, says Jeremiah, which is so deceitful and causes a person to choose the way of evil and sin. God knows those thoughts we can hide from others. So God can judge us according to what our deeds are.
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Resurrection Of The Dead
Paul's argument begins with verse 19: our hope is more than Christ with us here. Pity us if that's all we have. He starts this passage by confronting those in the Corinthian congregation who claimed there was no resurrection from the dead. He says if they are right, Paul's whole ministry has been in vain and that he has been un-representing God. And, he argues, if the dead are not raised, then Christ was not either. And their faith is useless -- and those who died in Christ have perished.
In understanding this complicated but important passage, we must remember that the Corinthians were not denying the Resurrection of Jesus; they were denying the resurrection of the body. In the Jewish world, those of Sadducee background denied that there was anything after death (Acts 23:8). These probably had their influence in Corinth. But there were also Greeks in the congregation, and they see things quite differently.
Paul presents his argument in difficult to understand logic and we could wish he had written it more simply. These words are often spoken grave side and are rarely, I think, understood.
The Gospel
Luke 6:17-26
Jesus Teaches And Heals
This is Luke's Sermon on the Plain, similar to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6). It is a collection of radical sayings which certainly are revolutionary. They turn the world's values upside down! Verse 24 seems to be the key. The words "already received" actually mean the final payment on a debt. That's all the rich will receive -- just what the world values. However those who put their energies on loyalty to God and the Christ will have much more, if not here -- then at least in eternity.
F. R. Maltby said, "Jesus promised his disciples these things -- that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble." Jesus teaches here that the joy of heaven will amply compensate for all the heartache we experience here on earth.
So, I guess we can be happy in the world's way for a brief time or happy in Christ's way right on into eternity.
Preaching Possibilities
Each of the three readings have individual possibilities. The only way I know to use all three would be to preach on something like: "Life's lessons for this week."
A. Jeremiah
1. We can choose for the world or for God.
2. Our natural inclination is to choose for the world.
3. We have a promised life beyond the grave, says Saint Paul.
Jesus taught the disciples life here would not be easy and it would not at all mesh with the world's values. But there would be joy.
B. Another possibility would be to ask the question, "Can we trust our heart for our choices?" Then use the Old Testament Jeremiah passage verses 9 and 10. We could confront the sentimental ideas we find in our culture, especially in our music, just to follow one's heart.
1. Our very nature is to trust the world instead of God.
2. Our heart's desires are often not what we really need as Christian disciples.
3. Only God knows all our secret thoughts, and on that our judgment is based.
C. Alone, the passage by Saint Paul is an opportunity to preach about life after death and what we Christians believe.
1. Our hope is not immortality but rather it is resurrection of the body.
2. Our rewards may not be here on earth, but rather, in eternal life.
3. Our hope is bigger than a good life here on earth -- we have rather, a hope for eternity.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: "Discipleship as Radical Revolution"
A. Begin by explaining how both Matthew and Luke include a revolutionary sermon of Jesus to his disciples right after he has enlisted them in his ministry.
B. List what is so radical that Jesus tells them on the plain in Luke's account.
1. The poor, not the wealthy, are blessed with the kingdom.
2. Those who are ridiculed for their faith in Jesus will be rewarded in heaven.
3. Those sad will receive joy.
4. Those hungry will have plenty to eat.
5. And the rich, full and happy, will be poor, empty, and mourning in the kingdom.
The kingdom Jesus came to usher in radically changes the fate of all. It's revolutionary and astounding.
C. Move to a story from those in Possible Metaphors And Stories below.
D. Move to your witness as to how these radical ideas about God's kingdom affect your own discipleship.
E. List what you believe your congregation ought be doing to help Jesus usher in the kingdom.
1. Develop a ministry to the poor in our community.
2. Develop concern for the hungry in our community.
3. Do much more teaching in the congregation about how radical discipleship really is.
4. Be sure we have a solid intentional ministry of comfort for people who hurt -- in the congregation and also in the community.
5. Talk much more often and frankly about our financial stewardship.
F. Frame your sermon by returning to your opening comments about sermons of Jesus right after recruiting his disciples.
Prayer For The Day
Help us too, O God, who have been called to be your disciples here in (name community) to understand and carry out the radical nature of our discipleship. And bless us with the desire and wisdom to carry out a compassionate ministry to the poor, the hungry, and those who are hurting. They seem to be so special to you. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Mother Teresa of India said, "Unless life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile." That is the call of Jesus to live as his disciples and give our lives away for others.
Seminary Chaplain Ben Borson said: "When you invite Jesus into your heart, he does not come in alone." Put that with Marriott Hotel's claim, "Service, the ultimate luxury," and you have the life of a disciple.
I saw an ad for a brake and muffler shop that read: "We stand behind our exhaust systems and in front of our brake systems." Just like that, people must read our lives of discipleship as having integrity. The Native American calls it "walking the walk and talking the talk."
Alan Alda, in an interview about making movies, said that those now ages thirteen to 21 want three things: "Defy authority, destroy property, and take off clothes." How can God's people reach such an audience and how might we change their orientation toward a constructive lifestyle?
