Sixth Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.
Theme For The Day
We have the resurrected Jesus with us as the parakletos, or Holy Spirit, to cheer us on and see us through.
First Lesson
Acts 17:22-31
Paul Preaches On Mars Hill
This is Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. There are many strange elements about this sermon. Pauline theology is not there. Perhaps Luke put together what he thought Christian preaching to pagans was like. The sermon seems to be a typical missionary sermon of the Hellenistic Jews. There has never been found an inscription reading "To an unknown god." The content of the message of Paul is this: when we know God who is creator of all, it demands the Christian faith. Perhaps verse 28, "in him we live and move and have our being," is a Hellenistic poem, but its idea is to be found in Romans 11:36 also.
The sermon challenges pagan religion and its idolatry. See verse 29. It is often the case we worship what we have made with our own hands. Paul here tries to fit his message to the context of Athens. In verses 30 and 31 the Christian material is given. The call to repent, typical of early Christian preaching, is here. And the judging by a man of verse 31 is the Christology of the Gospels (Luke 22:69). Reading a little further we find converts were produced by this unusual sermon about the unknown God: Damaris and others with them (v. 34).
New Testament Lesson
1 Peter 3:13-22
Suffering And Hope
Following the outline of C. H. Thompson in the Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary on the Bible, we take up this passage in small sections. It is packed with theological implications and reads like what a systematic theology professor would write:
1. 3:13-17 -- We are to sanctify Christ through our suffering and always be prepared to explain gently why we still have hope. See Jesus' words on this in Matthew 5:10. In may instances suffering and our effective witness go together.
2. 3:18-20 -- Jesus as a suffering savior is presented. His death had important significance for us and need not ever be done again.
3. Romans 6:10 and Hebrews 7:27; 9:28 and 10:10 -- It was a death to atone for our sins so that which separates us from God is removed. We then have the seat of the doctrine "... he descended into hell" found in the Apostles' Creed. Similar thoughts are in 4:6 and Jude 6. In the waiting place between our death and final judgment souls are still given an announcement of Jesus' victory.
4. 3:20-22 -- Now we have Christ's role in heaven. Thus we have altogether in this Second Reading these aspects of Christ's ministry:
to us when we suffer
to us giving hope
to us working forgiveness and atonement
to us even after death
to us in eternal life and heaven.
The Gospel
John 14:15-21
Promise Of The Advocate
We return to John 14 and continue where we left off last Sunday. Last week the first fourteen verses portrayed Jesus as one who leads the way to and prepares a place for us in heaven. Today, the next seven verses promise us the Holy Spirit. Not only is Jesus leaving them soon, but he promises to return and be their advocate. First he tells them real life is obedience (v. 15). Then comes the promise of an advocate (v. 16). The Greek word is parakletos. Translations of this word are many: helper, advocate, comforter. It is a characteristic word of John's writings and used as a word for the Holy Spirit. According to William Barclay's New Testament Words (p. 215 ff) it may also be translated as: "the one who pleads our cause." The RSV calls it counselor. I like J. B. Phillips' version: "someone to stand by you." Others are more simple saying, "helper." Literally it is "one who is called in." Called in to help, comfort, represent, defend us, and stand by us. This is the Holy Spirit's work. Easily, here is plenty for our preaching.
Preaching Possibilities
The readings seem to stand alone today. All will preach but probably do not connect very well.
A. Paul's sermon to the unknown god on Mars Hill is an opportunity to speak about witnessing in an indifferent world. Or to talk about our overseas mission. An outline might be formed by asking a group of six or seven members to meet with you, study the scripture and come up with the traits of our culture and how the gospel might be preached to them.1
Some questions to address in this kind of sermon would be:
1. How is our culture similar to that of Athens back then?
2. How much should we try to tailor the gospel to suit the people?
3. What is it in the gospel that is most needed in our community?
4. Who are the gods and unknown gods we worship?
5. What does it mean to "live and move and have our being"?
6. Where do we live, work, and play?
B. The portion of 1 Peter we read today gives us theological doctrine we might use if we want to do a teaching sermon. The following outline might be printed in the order of worship:
Sermon Title: These Things We Christians Believe.
1. Suffering can be a blessing (v. 14-15).
2. We always have hope which we can defend (v. 15-16).
3. Jesus Christ suffered for us (v. 18).
4. Jesus' victory was proclaimed to those waiting judgment (v. 19).
5. Holy Baptism is our celebration of our own salvation (vv. 20-21).
6. Jesus continues his rule even in heaven (v. 22).
C. But it is the Gospel, John 14, which is so rich for preaching today. If you have called last week's sermon on the first part of this chapter Part 1, now Part 2 and the whole thing might be based on the word parakletos (v. 16).
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. The introduction might quickly review last Sunday's message based on verses 1-14.
a. Introduction: As a pilot boat leads a ship to safe harbor, so Jesus leads us into eternal life where he has prepared the way. (See last week's suggested outline.)
b. Today we discover that in this farewell address to his disciples, Jesus not only promised to lead the way but also gives us special equipment for the trip in the meantime. In verse 15, there have been many translations: comforter, advocate, helper, represent us, defend us, stand by us, counselor, all words for the Holy Spirit and what she does for us.
2. Here then is a possible use of the world-wide scope of meaning which may be used in four sermon moves:
a. Parakletos always means someone called in; so the Holy Spirit is essentially God's way of coming to our aid and helping.
b. Parakletos in the Old Testament meant a comfort and consolation in times of pain which keeps us going rather than giving up. We are helped to continue when others would give up.
c. In Greek law, parakletos was the friend and advocate of the prisoner. In our culture we would call it "counsel for the defense." So, Jesus speaks for us to God in our defense.
d. In the military, a parakletos, without a weapon, would go with the soldiers and cheer them on to bravery. So here the function is to help us in times of life's battle and somehow cope and conquer life.
So we have the risen Christ as our parakletos, God's spirit to accompany us here and to lead us on into eternal life where he will represent us.
Prayer Of The Day
We rejoice today, dear God, that you have not left us alone here until you lead us on into heaven where you have prepared a place for us. We thank you for the Holy Spirit which is our comforter and advocate to get through the struggles of this life. Show us the ways to share this spirit with the many in our lives who so need her help. In the risen Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
Two television ads seem to illustrate a life lived here with the help of the Holy Spirit, parakletos: The Hartford Insurance Company says, "Whatever life brings, bring it on." Chevy Blazer trucks says, "A little security in an insecure world... like a rock." With the parakletos we can say both as well.
In the city of Nazareth I saw a young lad lose a load of clover tied on the back of a donkey. His father was scolding him severely for allowing it to happen, and in his anger struck him with a stick. I tried to help the boy reload the clover and he grinned appreciatively -- but the father seemed all the more angry. In that same town one matured who assured us that he would help make the load lighter. His father sent him to us not to punish but to help.
In Tampa harbor one of the ships began to "list" badly. Three tugs were enlisted to push against the side in order to shift the water ballast. It was safe in the harbor but started to list and would have sunk. It's probable when we feel safe in the harbor that we are most likely to be in the worst danger. One tug could not have done it by itself, but three together could and did.
____________
1. For more on "people sermons," see The Preacher's Edge, by J. Schmalenberger, CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, 1996, pp. 110-112.
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.
Theme For The Day
We have the resurrected Jesus with us as the parakletos, or Holy Spirit, to cheer us on and see us through.
First Lesson
Acts 17:22-31
Paul Preaches On Mars Hill
This is Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. There are many strange elements about this sermon. Pauline theology is not there. Perhaps Luke put together what he thought Christian preaching to pagans was like. The sermon seems to be a typical missionary sermon of the Hellenistic Jews. There has never been found an inscription reading "To an unknown god." The content of the message of Paul is this: when we know God who is creator of all, it demands the Christian faith. Perhaps verse 28, "in him we live and move and have our being," is a Hellenistic poem, but its idea is to be found in Romans 11:36 also.
The sermon challenges pagan religion and its idolatry. See verse 29. It is often the case we worship what we have made with our own hands. Paul here tries to fit his message to the context of Athens. In verses 30 and 31 the Christian material is given. The call to repent, typical of early Christian preaching, is here. And the judging by a man of verse 31 is the Christology of the Gospels (Luke 22:69). Reading a little further we find converts were produced by this unusual sermon about the unknown God: Damaris and others with them (v. 34).
New Testament Lesson
1 Peter 3:13-22
Suffering And Hope
Following the outline of C. H. Thompson in the Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary on the Bible, we take up this passage in small sections. It is packed with theological implications and reads like what a systematic theology professor would write:
1. 3:13-17 -- We are to sanctify Christ through our suffering and always be prepared to explain gently why we still have hope. See Jesus' words on this in Matthew 5:10. In may instances suffering and our effective witness go together.
2. 3:18-20 -- Jesus as a suffering savior is presented. His death had important significance for us and need not ever be done again.
3. Romans 6:10 and Hebrews 7:27; 9:28 and 10:10 -- It was a death to atone for our sins so that which separates us from God is removed. We then have the seat of the doctrine "... he descended into hell" found in the Apostles' Creed. Similar thoughts are in 4:6 and Jude 6. In the waiting place between our death and final judgment souls are still given an announcement of Jesus' victory.
4. 3:20-22 -- Now we have Christ's role in heaven. Thus we have altogether in this Second Reading these aspects of Christ's ministry:
to us when we suffer
to us giving hope
to us working forgiveness and atonement
to us even after death
to us in eternal life and heaven.
The Gospel
John 14:15-21
Promise Of The Advocate
We return to John 14 and continue where we left off last Sunday. Last week the first fourteen verses portrayed Jesus as one who leads the way to and prepares a place for us in heaven. Today, the next seven verses promise us the Holy Spirit. Not only is Jesus leaving them soon, but he promises to return and be their advocate. First he tells them real life is obedience (v. 15). Then comes the promise of an advocate (v. 16). The Greek word is parakletos. Translations of this word are many: helper, advocate, comforter. It is a characteristic word of John's writings and used as a word for the Holy Spirit. According to William Barclay's New Testament Words (p. 215 ff) it may also be translated as: "the one who pleads our cause." The RSV calls it counselor. I like J. B. Phillips' version: "someone to stand by you." Others are more simple saying, "helper." Literally it is "one who is called in." Called in to help, comfort, represent, defend us, and stand by us. This is the Holy Spirit's work. Easily, here is plenty for our preaching.
Preaching Possibilities
The readings seem to stand alone today. All will preach but probably do not connect very well.
A. Paul's sermon to the unknown god on Mars Hill is an opportunity to speak about witnessing in an indifferent world. Or to talk about our overseas mission. An outline might be formed by asking a group of six or seven members to meet with you, study the scripture and come up with the traits of our culture and how the gospel might be preached to them.1
Some questions to address in this kind of sermon would be:
1. How is our culture similar to that of Athens back then?
2. How much should we try to tailor the gospel to suit the people?
3. What is it in the gospel that is most needed in our community?
4. Who are the gods and unknown gods we worship?
5. What does it mean to "live and move and have our being"?
6. Where do we live, work, and play?
B. The portion of 1 Peter we read today gives us theological doctrine we might use if we want to do a teaching sermon. The following outline might be printed in the order of worship:
Sermon Title: These Things We Christians Believe.
1. Suffering can be a blessing (v. 14-15).
2. We always have hope which we can defend (v. 15-16).
3. Jesus Christ suffered for us (v. 18).
4. Jesus' victory was proclaimed to those waiting judgment (v. 19).
5. Holy Baptism is our celebration of our own salvation (vv. 20-21).
6. Jesus continues his rule even in heaven (v. 22).
C. But it is the Gospel, John 14, which is so rich for preaching today. If you have called last week's sermon on the first part of this chapter Part 1, now Part 2 and the whole thing might be based on the word parakletos (v. 16).
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. The introduction might quickly review last Sunday's message based on verses 1-14.
a. Introduction: As a pilot boat leads a ship to safe harbor, so Jesus leads us into eternal life where he has prepared the way. (See last week's suggested outline.)
b. Today we discover that in this farewell address to his disciples, Jesus not only promised to lead the way but also gives us special equipment for the trip in the meantime. In verse 15, there have been many translations: comforter, advocate, helper, represent us, defend us, stand by us, counselor, all words for the Holy Spirit and what she does for us.
2. Here then is a possible use of the world-wide scope of meaning which may be used in four sermon moves:
a. Parakletos always means someone called in; so the Holy Spirit is essentially God's way of coming to our aid and helping.
b. Parakletos in the Old Testament meant a comfort and consolation in times of pain which keeps us going rather than giving up. We are helped to continue when others would give up.
c. In Greek law, parakletos was the friend and advocate of the prisoner. In our culture we would call it "counsel for the defense." So, Jesus speaks for us to God in our defense.
d. In the military, a parakletos, without a weapon, would go with the soldiers and cheer them on to bravery. So here the function is to help us in times of life's battle and somehow cope and conquer life.
So we have the risen Christ as our parakletos, God's spirit to accompany us here and to lead us on into eternal life where he will represent us.
Prayer Of The Day
We rejoice today, dear God, that you have not left us alone here until you lead us on into heaven where you have prepared a place for us. We thank you for the Holy Spirit which is our comforter and advocate to get through the struggles of this life. Show us the ways to share this spirit with the many in our lives who so need her help. In the risen Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
Two television ads seem to illustrate a life lived here with the help of the Holy Spirit, parakletos: The Hartford Insurance Company says, "Whatever life brings, bring it on." Chevy Blazer trucks says, "A little security in an insecure world... like a rock." With the parakletos we can say both as well.
In the city of Nazareth I saw a young lad lose a load of clover tied on the back of a donkey. His father was scolding him severely for allowing it to happen, and in his anger struck him with a stick. I tried to help the boy reload the clover and he grinned appreciatively -- but the father seemed all the more angry. In that same town one matured who assured us that he would help make the load lighter. His father sent him to us not to punish but to help.
In Tampa harbor one of the ships began to "list" badly. Three tugs were enlisted to push against the side in order to shift the water ballast. It was safe in the harbor but started to list and would have sunk. It's probable when we feel safe in the harbor that we are most likely to be in the worst danger. One tug could not have done it by itself, but three together could and did.
____________
1. For more on "people sermons," see The Preacher's Edge, by J. Schmalenberger, CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, 1996, pp. 110-112.
