Unity
Commentary
Surely one of the constant themes of the New Testament is a call to unity. Sometimes we are prone to limit this call to the concerns within the congregation. But let us hear it on a wider scope.
1. Psalm 19. Read this Psalm carefully and you will discover a call and a desire for personal unity, wholeness, oneness of personhood. When the heart and eye are single in their devotion to the law and grace of God and person so conducting himself gains a sense of personal wholeness and unity.
2. 1 Corinthians 12. Of course we yearn for unity in the fellowship we call the church. Paul focuses our attention on who we are as the Body of Christ. He gives us more stature than we give ourselves. So long as the church is perceived to be the creation of men and women, so long as it is the way in which we impress God with our faithfulness then it is destined to be fragments and divided. Only when we remember that it is the Body of Christ, that we are his presence in the world are we likely to act in such a manner as to ensure unity.
3. Luke 4. Ecumenical. One has to read on beyond today's lesson to be aware that those who heard Jesus' first sermon did not appreciate this insistence that God's grace is for all. They were convinced that the gifts and the promises were theirs alone. Jesus makes it clear that wherever God's spirit chooses to dwell there is unity because of his love for all and his insistence at offering his gifts and graces to all.
OUTLINE I
A Loving Law
Psalm 19:7-14
Introduction: Psalm 19 is extraordinary in the way it gathers all things, nature, law, and faith as witnesses to the glory of God. It seems to me that taking the simplest approach to this selection for today is the best.
A. Verses 7-10. The focus is on the Law. One need not get complicated. Just walk the congregation through the accolades offered. Here is an affirmation of the value of the Law. Of course one can discuss whether this psalm refers to the legal law or the implicit Law of God. There were those in Israel who laid everything at the altar of the written law. Rigid, uncompromising, they wrung the joy out of the faith. But those who saw things on a broader scale knew that to speak of the Law of God was to speak of his will and heart which involved a large witness to grace and love.
B. Prayer for Guidance. Any proper response to the realization of the blessings of God's Law and grace includes a prayer to be kept faithful. It is always interesting to see how the psalmists keep things in their right order, God and his will first, humility and prayer following.
Conclusion: Offer this selection to your hearers as a model and as a guide for keeping life oriented toward the will of God. Be sure to note the difference between legalistic salvation by works and that salvation that is the gift to which we respond.
OUTLINE II
A Cure for Divisiveness
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Introduction: When one remembers that Paul's letters are just that, letters usually addressed to problems or enquiries from his churches you can readily understand that these are not systematic theological treatises so much as they are words of advice and direction aimed at needs in the congregation addressed. Review the situation.
A. From information here and elsewhere in the Corinthian correspondence it is clear that there is strife and competition in the congregation at Corinth. Some are lording their abilities and blessings over others, setting up hierarchies of power and position, causing rifts in the fellowship which Paul calls the Body of Christ.
B. A Cure. Which of us is not familiar with this wonderful call to unity? Every part of the body has a role, is meant to take its right place, perform its function and not strive against others. No doubt this example made a great impression on the Greek influenced congregation which was fascinated with matters of the body.
C. Be sure not to miss the last line in chapter 12 which is an introduction to chapter 13. To be able to be the Body of Christ and attain the unity means that the gift of Christian love will need be present. Don't leave this line out.
Conclusion: You know your congregation and should be able to apply the lessons of this chapter directly and with clarity. Let Paul do the talking and let the lessons bring their healing to whatever rifts may be present.
OUTLINE III
Homecoming
Luke 4:14-21
Introduction: There are several choices for shaping a sermon on the material for this day.
1. Focus attention on a young minister coming home to preach for the first time. I remember. Sweaty palms, shortness of breath, nervousness and all else that goes with such a day. Have some fun with it and share something of your life with your people.
2. Focus on a phrase in verse 16, "as his custom was." Here is a good opportunity to focus on Jesus' life of worship and attendance at the synagogue as a model and challenge for your people.
3. Take the selection Jesus chooses from Isaiah 61 and comment on it line by line. And, do be careful to note the line he leaves out, that one about the vengeance of the Lord.
4. You can take verses 20 and 21 and preach a sermon titled "How to Start Trouble in your Home Church." More about this later.
Conclusion: Sometimes it is best to treat a selection in its entirety and sometimes the text lends itself to being broken into parts for interesting insight and a bit more in depth consideration. You have to make the judgment and come to a decision. In any case do not separate the part you choose from the total context for then it will sound as if you wrote a sermon and then went looking for a text.
1. Psalm 19. Read this Psalm carefully and you will discover a call and a desire for personal unity, wholeness, oneness of personhood. When the heart and eye are single in their devotion to the law and grace of God and person so conducting himself gains a sense of personal wholeness and unity.
2. 1 Corinthians 12. Of course we yearn for unity in the fellowship we call the church. Paul focuses our attention on who we are as the Body of Christ. He gives us more stature than we give ourselves. So long as the church is perceived to be the creation of men and women, so long as it is the way in which we impress God with our faithfulness then it is destined to be fragments and divided. Only when we remember that it is the Body of Christ, that we are his presence in the world are we likely to act in such a manner as to ensure unity.
3. Luke 4. Ecumenical. One has to read on beyond today's lesson to be aware that those who heard Jesus' first sermon did not appreciate this insistence that God's grace is for all. They were convinced that the gifts and the promises were theirs alone. Jesus makes it clear that wherever God's spirit chooses to dwell there is unity because of his love for all and his insistence at offering his gifts and graces to all.
OUTLINE I
A Loving Law
Psalm 19:7-14
Introduction: Psalm 19 is extraordinary in the way it gathers all things, nature, law, and faith as witnesses to the glory of God. It seems to me that taking the simplest approach to this selection for today is the best.
A. Verses 7-10. The focus is on the Law. One need not get complicated. Just walk the congregation through the accolades offered. Here is an affirmation of the value of the Law. Of course one can discuss whether this psalm refers to the legal law or the implicit Law of God. There were those in Israel who laid everything at the altar of the written law. Rigid, uncompromising, they wrung the joy out of the faith. But those who saw things on a broader scale knew that to speak of the Law of God was to speak of his will and heart which involved a large witness to grace and love.
B. Prayer for Guidance. Any proper response to the realization of the blessings of God's Law and grace includes a prayer to be kept faithful. It is always interesting to see how the psalmists keep things in their right order, God and his will first, humility and prayer following.
Conclusion: Offer this selection to your hearers as a model and as a guide for keeping life oriented toward the will of God. Be sure to note the difference between legalistic salvation by works and that salvation that is the gift to which we respond.
OUTLINE II
A Cure for Divisiveness
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Introduction: When one remembers that Paul's letters are just that, letters usually addressed to problems or enquiries from his churches you can readily understand that these are not systematic theological treatises so much as they are words of advice and direction aimed at needs in the congregation addressed. Review the situation.
A. From information here and elsewhere in the Corinthian correspondence it is clear that there is strife and competition in the congregation at Corinth. Some are lording their abilities and blessings over others, setting up hierarchies of power and position, causing rifts in the fellowship which Paul calls the Body of Christ.
B. A Cure. Which of us is not familiar with this wonderful call to unity? Every part of the body has a role, is meant to take its right place, perform its function and not strive against others. No doubt this example made a great impression on the Greek influenced congregation which was fascinated with matters of the body.
C. Be sure not to miss the last line in chapter 12 which is an introduction to chapter 13. To be able to be the Body of Christ and attain the unity means that the gift of Christian love will need be present. Don't leave this line out.
Conclusion: You know your congregation and should be able to apply the lessons of this chapter directly and with clarity. Let Paul do the talking and let the lessons bring their healing to whatever rifts may be present.
OUTLINE III
Homecoming
Luke 4:14-21
Introduction: There are several choices for shaping a sermon on the material for this day.
1. Focus attention on a young minister coming home to preach for the first time. I remember. Sweaty palms, shortness of breath, nervousness and all else that goes with such a day. Have some fun with it and share something of your life with your people.
2. Focus on a phrase in verse 16, "as his custom was." Here is a good opportunity to focus on Jesus' life of worship and attendance at the synagogue as a model and challenge for your people.
3. Take the selection Jesus chooses from Isaiah 61 and comment on it line by line. And, do be careful to note the line he leaves out, that one about the vengeance of the Lord.
4. You can take verses 20 and 21 and preach a sermon titled "How to Start Trouble in your Home Church." More about this later.
Conclusion: Sometimes it is best to treat a selection in its entirety and sometimes the text lends itself to being broken into parts for interesting insight and a bit more in depth consideration. You have to make the judgment and come to a decision. In any case do not separate the part you choose from the total context for then it will sound as if you wrote a sermon and then went looking for a text.
