The God of Initiative
Commentary
The God portrayed in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the life of Jesus is not only extraordinarily different, but diametrically opposed to other visions. This is not to say that there are no truths in other religions, or that they bring no insight to life; but, in them, one does not discover the fullest self-revelation by God. After all, if this is truly God we are talking about, then it seems to me that we are fully dependent upon what he lets us know about him, and all of our other speculations are likely to be wide of the mark, if they are not grounded in what he has given us.
It may seem that we sometimes harp on this theme in Christianity, and perhaps we do. We need to. All of us are aware that in our own scriptures there are contending voices. Neither the Old nor the New Testaments are simply distilled summaries of the truth we need to know. They are records of a people struggling to understand how God deals with them and what he requires of them. The scriptures are valuable and viable for us, because they find us where we live and mirror us in the midst of our search for the same things.
Many of us imagine that we must get it all together -- have all our questions answered and our doubts put to sleep -- so that we can then measure up to what is expected of us and be counted Christian. It seems to me that we are trying not so much to demonstrate our faithfulness as to overcome our anxiety.
Keep on pushing the truth about our faith. True freedom comes when one finally escapes the bondage of rules and rituals and other matters designed to help us get a good night's sleep, rather than come into fellowship with God.
Somewhere in one of your old hymnals you will find a hymn that may prove helpful. It is titled, “Only Trust Him.”
OUTLINE I
An Altar Call from the Past
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Introduction: Keep in mind the fact that Deuteronomy is cast in the form of a sermon by Moses. It is a sermonic recollection of God's dealing with the people of Israel. One should not come to Deuteronomy for history and timelines. This is preaching. Look for the texts and the outlines and the points the editor seeks to make. Here, in the lines set aside for today, the outline is clear.
A. Give Heed. The call is clear. Recounting the history of the people reveals a gracious God who has kept their lives and has laid his claim on them. There is always a “therefore” in God's dealing with his people. This initiative comes first; then their response is expected. You can extrapolate from that to describe the blessings that have been a part of the life of your congregation, and call for their faithful response to such grace.
B. The Privileged. Look at the writings of Israel and you will always find a sense of awe that they were chosen by God for his great deeds among the peoples. Read Isaiah 53 again, for instance. Look at the description of the Suffering Servant. Awe and joy color all thought. One is overwhelmed that he is chosen. That is part of the motivation for response. A good poem for use at this point may be the words from Charles Wesley's great hymn, “O For A Thousand Tongues.”
Conclusion: This great piece of Old Testament material may well become part of a sermon that could come at the end of a series.
OUTLINE II
A Military Model for a Spiritual Task
Ephesians 6:10-20
Introduction: One must always keep in mind that if Ephesians is one of Paul's letters, it is a letter from prison. This is not the place to investigate whether it belongs to him or to some student; you can do that work for yourself. For those who prefer it to be Pauline, these lines surely add credibility. One can envision the writer sitting there in the Mamertine prison, watched over by a fully dressed guard who is ready for any enemy. Christians will have enemies, too, and they had better be just as vigilant, just as ready as the Roman Soldier.
A. The Enemy. Take time to go to the commentaries. Barclay is especially helpful here. Don't get fooled into some psychological sidetrack. Here the writer is dealing with the fact that there are hostile and demonic forces that seek to threaten us or win our allegiance. We will need all the help and protection we can muster.
B. The Armor. Here is a wonderfully complete description of what is needed. From head to foot, nothing is left out. You can have fun with it and make it interesting. Then set out the sentry of prayer. Being armed is not enough. If there is no guard, no sentry, no warning system, and the enemy comes when you are not prepared, even the best armor may not be enough.
Conclusion: Since we are a scientifically oriented people, we are most likely to think about physical or psychological dimensions of our existence. This selection offers a wonderful opportunity to alert your hearers, once again, to the spiritual dimension of their daily lives.
OUTLINE III
Cups, Pots, Lips, and Hearts
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Introduction: Remember at the outset that you are dealing with the Gospel of Mark, and that this Gospel lies closest to the events it presents. It is clear that, from the beginning, Jesus had his problems with those who were far more interested in the form of religion than with its essence. There are two kinds of religion: those which envision a God to be placated for his blessings; and those which envision a God who daily pours out his gracious gifts and awaits a response of faithfulness. Nowhere in the Gospels is this dichotomy presented with more clarity.
A. Getting It Right. There are those who are convinced that, if they have the right words, make the right moves, dress in proper ways, and worship in prescribed forms, God will be obligated to respond. Take time to reread the book of Amos. This issue did not rear its head in Jesus' day; it had just moved further along toward perfection. Just let Jesus' words speak for themselves. You surely can think of things we are hung up on -- in our religious lives and in the church in our own day. We worry about liturgies, Bible translations, building forms, how to dress for worship. Take a lick at some of our foolishness.
B. The Heart. Whether one turns to the Old Testament or to Paul or to the Gospels, one discovers that the basic concern is to change people from the inside out, not the reverse. Anything less is an attempt to deserve or earn God's merit and grace. It is to be faithless to his promise of grace and acceptance, and to assume that he is kidding us and really does want us to measure up first. To not take God at his word is to practice non-faith. Those who seek to bring heart and faith into line with his will are those who are faithful.
Conclusion: Continue to try to differentiate between faith and unfaith for your people. Of course it is hard to accept and to believe. Many would prefer to earn or to deserve. Turn to Romans and help them understand how that is impossible. Then offer them the Good News, the Gospel of grace.
It may seem that we sometimes harp on this theme in Christianity, and perhaps we do. We need to. All of us are aware that in our own scriptures there are contending voices. Neither the Old nor the New Testaments are simply distilled summaries of the truth we need to know. They are records of a people struggling to understand how God deals with them and what he requires of them. The scriptures are valuable and viable for us, because they find us where we live and mirror us in the midst of our search for the same things.
Many of us imagine that we must get it all together -- have all our questions answered and our doubts put to sleep -- so that we can then measure up to what is expected of us and be counted Christian. It seems to me that we are trying not so much to demonstrate our faithfulness as to overcome our anxiety.
Keep on pushing the truth about our faith. True freedom comes when one finally escapes the bondage of rules and rituals and other matters designed to help us get a good night's sleep, rather than come into fellowship with God.
Somewhere in one of your old hymnals you will find a hymn that may prove helpful. It is titled, “Only Trust Him.”
OUTLINE I
An Altar Call from the Past
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Introduction: Keep in mind the fact that Deuteronomy is cast in the form of a sermon by Moses. It is a sermonic recollection of God's dealing with the people of Israel. One should not come to Deuteronomy for history and timelines. This is preaching. Look for the texts and the outlines and the points the editor seeks to make. Here, in the lines set aside for today, the outline is clear.
A. Give Heed. The call is clear. Recounting the history of the people reveals a gracious God who has kept their lives and has laid his claim on them. There is always a “therefore” in God's dealing with his people. This initiative comes first; then their response is expected. You can extrapolate from that to describe the blessings that have been a part of the life of your congregation, and call for their faithful response to such grace.
B. The Privileged. Look at the writings of Israel and you will always find a sense of awe that they were chosen by God for his great deeds among the peoples. Read Isaiah 53 again, for instance. Look at the description of the Suffering Servant. Awe and joy color all thought. One is overwhelmed that he is chosen. That is part of the motivation for response. A good poem for use at this point may be the words from Charles Wesley's great hymn, “O For A Thousand Tongues.”
Conclusion: This great piece of Old Testament material may well become part of a sermon that could come at the end of a series.
OUTLINE II
A Military Model for a Spiritual Task
Ephesians 6:10-20
Introduction: One must always keep in mind that if Ephesians is one of Paul's letters, it is a letter from prison. This is not the place to investigate whether it belongs to him or to some student; you can do that work for yourself. For those who prefer it to be Pauline, these lines surely add credibility. One can envision the writer sitting there in the Mamertine prison, watched over by a fully dressed guard who is ready for any enemy. Christians will have enemies, too, and they had better be just as vigilant, just as ready as the Roman Soldier.
A. The Enemy. Take time to go to the commentaries. Barclay is especially helpful here. Don't get fooled into some psychological sidetrack. Here the writer is dealing with the fact that there are hostile and demonic forces that seek to threaten us or win our allegiance. We will need all the help and protection we can muster.
B. The Armor. Here is a wonderfully complete description of what is needed. From head to foot, nothing is left out. You can have fun with it and make it interesting. Then set out the sentry of prayer. Being armed is not enough. If there is no guard, no sentry, no warning system, and the enemy comes when you are not prepared, even the best armor may not be enough.
Conclusion: Since we are a scientifically oriented people, we are most likely to think about physical or psychological dimensions of our existence. This selection offers a wonderful opportunity to alert your hearers, once again, to the spiritual dimension of their daily lives.
OUTLINE III
Cups, Pots, Lips, and Hearts
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Introduction: Remember at the outset that you are dealing with the Gospel of Mark, and that this Gospel lies closest to the events it presents. It is clear that, from the beginning, Jesus had his problems with those who were far more interested in the form of religion than with its essence. There are two kinds of religion: those which envision a God to be placated for his blessings; and those which envision a God who daily pours out his gracious gifts and awaits a response of faithfulness. Nowhere in the Gospels is this dichotomy presented with more clarity.
A. Getting It Right. There are those who are convinced that, if they have the right words, make the right moves, dress in proper ways, and worship in prescribed forms, God will be obligated to respond. Take time to reread the book of Amos. This issue did not rear its head in Jesus' day; it had just moved further along toward perfection. Just let Jesus' words speak for themselves. You surely can think of things we are hung up on -- in our religious lives and in the church in our own day. We worry about liturgies, Bible translations, building forms, how to dress for worship. Take a lick at some of our foolishness.
B. The Heart. Whether one turns to the Old Testament or to Paul or to the Gospels, one discovers that the basic concern is to change people from the inside out, not the reverse. Anything less is an attempt to deserve or earn God's merit and grace. It is to be faithless to his promise of grace and acceptance, and to assume that he is kidding us and really does want us to measure up first. To not take God at his word is to practice non-faith. Those who seek to bring heart and faith into line with his will are those who are faithful.
Conclusion: Continue to try to differentiate between faith and unfaith for your people. Of course it is hard to accept and to believe. Many would prefer to earn or to deserve. Turn to Romans and help them understand how that is impossible. Then offer them the Good News, the Gospel of grace.
