Third Sunday Of Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
The hope for, and anticipation of, the coming of Jesus into the world and into our hearts again.
Theme For The Day
Hope and a way home for those who feel far away in exile. The privilege of celebrating our rescue.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 35:1-10
God's Sacred Highway
There is quite a contrast here. Earlier readings in Isaiah were more about gloom. Here we have a vision of the writer, of renewed people and better land. Those who had to go as refugees can go home on a road called "God's sacred highway" (35:8). There is great reassurance that God will step into history. This we will see again and again in the next fifteen chapters. And to those who aren't sure and are afraid, we have verse 4, the same words the angels said to the shepherds on the Bethlehem hillside. There is great comfort here. The author gives encouragement and invitation to come home again. And the homecoming is a marvelous celebration. What rich words of promise to those who had gone into exile from their homeland.
New Testament Lesson
James 5:7-10
A Call For Patience
For people who had to suffer, James gives more hope. He advises to be patient (v. 8) as the prophets were patient even under suffering (v. 10). So this passage can continue the theme of Isaiah which says in time we will have our way if we just are patient. The illustration works: A farmer patiently waits for his/her crops and eventually they do grow.
The Gospel
Matthew 11:2-11
A Signpost For God
John had been thrown in prison for scolding Herod Antipas for his adultery. His disciples began to doubt if they were on the right track. So they went to Jesus and asked for some reassurance and asked the question framed in verse 3.
There could be several reasons behind the question: 1) John wanted to be sure of his cousin before he died. 2) John wanted the disciples to get the affirmation of the Christ. 3) John wanted to goad Jesus into action to save him.
When Jesus used the metaphor described in verses 7b to 9, he must have known we would need them for preaching 2000 years later:
"... tall grass blown about" -- a common sight. Was it such a common sight they went out in the desert to see? Or was it someone who vacillated like grass in the wind?
"... someone dressed in fine clothes" -- the clothing of a courtier who flattered and did not tell the truth.
"... a prophet?" -- a person with a message from God and the courage to speak that message.
Then Jesus gives a great compliment to John (v. 11) as the advance man for Christ's arrival into the world. Here, then, is a signpost for God. It's another reading of encouragement, this time to a prophet in prison for telling the truth.
Preaching Possibilities
A. The three lessons complement each other this Sunday and unlike on many other occasions they can be used effectively together.
1. Old Testament Lesson -- encouragement to those living in exile and anticipation of how it will be when returning home.
2. New Testament Lesson -- with patience, those who suffer will have their way again.
3. Gospel -- for those discouraged and beginning to doubt, there is reassurance that Christ is the one.
B. The Old Testament Lesson is so rich that we dare not just read it and let it drop between the lectern and the front pew. We can preach about encouragement and hope for times of felt exile and discouragement. There is in this passage all the heartache and joy of the Christian's life. As a preview of Christmas coming soon, we even have the words of the angels to the shepherds upon the birth of the baby Jesus (v. 35:4). Then there is the possibility of using the metaphor of God's sacred highway (v. 8b).
C. If you are not into hope for the exiles, the road of return or joy in getting there in Isaiah 35, you might want to use the Gospel reading. This could be about signs that Christ is the one even today (Matthew 11:5). The blind can see, the lame walk, leprosy healed, deaf can hear, dead raised, and the poor are addressed with the Gospel. How do we carry out ministry and see the above happen in our congregation and elsewhere in our day? Specific examples of each of the above will drive home the focus that Christ is the one and he is with us alive even now. A sermon on discouragement and hope can be supported with the use of all three readings.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Introduction: There are days when we worry too much and days when we are afraid and days when we aren't as strong as we should be. Isaiah has a message for us on days like that.
2. Describe your own experience of fear, weakness, and worry -- tell how it was for Israel in exile.
3. In verses 3 and 4, Isaiah assures us we have reason to cheer up and not be afraid. John the Baptizer's disciples add that we can cheer up because the one promised has arrived and is with us now. And they have the proof of it by what they saw with their own eyes.
4. For those far off in their faith, there is a way home: God's sacred highway (v. 8b). It leads to the cross, then the empty tomb, and then, perhaps, best of all, the Pentecost equipping us with God's spirit to get us through.
5. So we have a right to celebrate: There is strength for us when we are weak, cheer when we are depressed, and assurance when we are worried (vv. 3 and 4). God has provided us a way to return on God's sacred highway. We can sing because we are rescued and our sorrow and worries are far away (v. 10).
6. Now frame your sermon by returning to your own account of being worried, weak, and afraid and tell how you got through with God's help.
Prayer Of The Day
O God of Advent, prepare our hearts for your coming again this year. And when we are discouraged and hopeless, fill us with your mighty presence that we would be lifted up and return to you once more. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
After riding a public bus for four hours, then walking about three miles back into the Sumatran jungle, we arrived at the Bona ne Pinesa (village of origin) of one of my Batak Christian Seminary students. After catechizing approximately 150 on Saturday evening, we drank coffee they had picked and roasted, and then we sang. A beautiful kebaya-clad girl named Omega stood and lined out hymn after hymn to familiar tunes. The next morning I preached a naked, simple gospel -- of Jesus born in Bethlehem, a ministry in Galilee, on the cross for our forgiveness, Easter resurrection that we too might come out of the grave, and return in spirit to be with us here and now. And then while the old women chewed napuran, we sang and sang and celebrated the presence of that same spirit with us still. A pig was killed and a hula hula (celebration) was held. We ate sac-sang and they presented me an ulas (cloth of deep friendship). That simple, without-frills Christianity touched me deeply as we sang hymns of joy in God's presence. It was the basics at Tapiannauli bush village and it was full of joy.
At the La Quinta Inn in Arvada, Colorado, two mallard ducks were sitting on the blue canvas covering the swimming pool. Their landing must have been a riot! Things are not always as promising as they appear.
In the radio and television ads in Des Moines for Reichardt's clothing store, owner Bill says: "No sale is ever final here. We'll see you are completely satisfied here. I will see to it myself, because I'm here -- I'm Bill Reichardt and I own the store." In the incarnation, the creator of all promises us that our lives are secure. God never throws us out or away. The owner of the store is here with us and we have God's promise.
The hope for, and anticipation of, the coming of Jesus into the world and into our hearts again.
Theme For The Day
Hope and a way home for those who feel far away in exile. The privilege of celebrating our rescue.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 35:1-10
God's Sacred Highway
There is quite a contrast here. Earlier readings in Isaiah were more about gloom. Here we have a vision of the writer, of renewed people and better land. Those who had to go as refugees can go home on a road called "God's sacred highway" (35:8). There is great reassurance that God will step into history. This we will see again and again in the next fifteen chapters. And to those who aren't sure and are afraid, we have verse 4, the same words the angels said to the shepherds on the Bethlehem hillside. There is great comfort here. The author gives encouragement and invitation to come home again. And the homecoming is a marvelous celebration. What rich words of promise to those who had gone into exile from their homeland.
New Testament Lesson
James 5:7-10
A Call For Patience
For people who had to suffer, James gives more hope. He advises to be patient (v. 8) as the prophets were patient even under suffering (v. 10). So this passage can continue the theme of Isaiah which says in time we will have our way if we just are patient. The illustration works: A farmer patiently waits for his/her crops and eventually they do grow.
The Gospel
Matthew 11:2-11
A Signpost For God
John had been thrown in prison for scolding Herod Antipas for his adultery. His disciples began to doubt if they were on the right track. So they went to Jesus and asked for some reassurance and asked the question framed in verse 3.
There could be several reasons behind the question: 1) John wanted to be sure of his cousin before he died. 2) John wanted the disciples to get the affirmation of the Christ. 3) John wanted to goad Jesus into action to save him.
When Jesus used the metaphor described in verses 7b to 9, he must have known we would need them for preaching 2000 years later:
"... tall grass blown about" -- a common sight. Was it such a common sight they went out in the desert to see? Or was it someone who vacillated like grass in the wind?
"... someone dressed in fine clothes" -- the clothing of a courtier who flattered and did not tell the truth.
"... a prophet?" -- a person with a message from God and the courage to speak that message.
Then Jesus gives a great compliment to John (v. 11) as the advance man for Christ's arrival into the world. Here, then, is a signpost for God. It's another reading of encouragement, this time to a prophet in prison for telling the truth.
Preaching Possibilities
A. The three lessons complement each other this Sunday and unlike on many other occasions they can be used effectively together.
1. Old Testament Lesson -- encouragement to those living in exile and anticipation of how it will be when returning home.
2. New Testament Lesson -- with patience, those who suffer will have their way again.
3. Gospel -- for those discouraged and beginning to doubt, there is reassurance that Christ is the one.
B. The Old Testament Lesson is so rich that we dare not just read it and let it drop between the lectern and the front pew. We can preach about encouragement and hope for times of felt exile and discouragement. There is in this passage all the heartache and joy of the Christian's life. As a preview of Christmas coming soon, we even have the words of the angels to the shepherds upon the birth of the baby Jesus (v. 35:4). Then there is the possibility of using the metaphor of God's sacred highway (v. 8b).
C. If you are not into hope for the exiles, the road of return or joy in getting there in Isaiah 35, you might want to use the Gospel reading. This could be about signs that Christ is the one even today (Matthew 11:5). The blind can see, the lame walk, leprosy healed, deaf can hear, dead raised, and the poor are addressed with the Gospel. How do we carry out ministry and see the above happen in our congregation and elsewhere in our day? Specific examples of each of the above will drive home the focus that Christ is the one and he is with us alive even now. A sermon on discouragement and hope can be supported with the use of all three readings.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
1. Introduction: There are days when we worry too much and days when we are afraid and days when we aren't as strong as we should be. Isaiah has a message for us on days like that.
2. Describe your own experience of fear, weakness, and worry -- tell how it was for Israel in exile.
3. In verses 3 and 4, Isaiah assures us we have reason to cheer up and not be afraid. John the Baptizer's disciples add that we can cheer up because the one promised has arrived and is with us now. And they have the proof of it by what they saw with their own eyes.
4. For those far off in their faith, there is a way home: God's sacred highway (v. 8b). It leads to the cross, then the empty tomb, and then, perhaps, best of all, the Pentecost equipping us with God's spirit to get us through.
5. So we have a right to celebrate: There is strength for us when we are weak, cheer when we are depressed, and assurance when we are worried (vv. 3 and 4). God has provided us a way to return on God's sacred highway. We can sing because we are rescued and our sorrow and worries are far away (v. 10).
6. Now frame your sermon by returning to your own account of being worried, weak, and afraid and tell how you got through with God's help.
Prayer Of The Day
O God of Advent, prepare our hearts for your coming again this year. And when we are discouraged and hopeless, fill us with your mighty presence that we would be lifted up and return to you once more. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Stories
After riding a public bus for four hours, then walking about three miles back into the Sumatran jungle, we arrived at the Bona ne Pinesa (village of origin) of one of my Batak Christian Seminary students. After catechizing approximately 150 on Saturday evening, we drank coffee they had picked and roasted, and then we sang. A beautiful kebaya-clad girl named Omega stood and lined out hymn after hymn to familiar tunes. The next morning I preached a naked, simple gospel -- of Jesus born in Bethlehem, a ministry in Galilee, on the cross for our forgiveness, Easter resurrection that we too might come out of the grave, and return in spirit to be with us here and now. And then while the old women chewed napuran, we sang and sang and celebrated the presence of that same spirit with us still. A pig was killed and a hula hula (celebration) was held. We ate sac-sang and they presented me an ulas (cloth of deep friendship). That simple, without-frills Christianity touched me deeply as we sang hymns of joy in God's presence. It was the basics at Tapiannauli bush village and it was full of joy.
At the La Quinta Inn in Arvada, Colorado, two mallard ducks were sitting on the blue canvas covering the swimming pool. Their landing must have been a riot! Things are not always as promising as they appear.
In the radio and television ads in Des Moines for Reichardt's clothing store, owner Bill says: "No sale is ever final here. We'll see you are completely satisfied here. I will see to it myself, because I'm here -- I'm Bill Reichardt and I own the store." In the incarnation, the creator of all promises us that our lives are secure. God never throws us out or away. The owner of the store is here with us and we have God's promise.
