The Lord sends his spokesmen to speak words of judgment against religious authorities
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: The Lord sends his spokesmen to speak words of judgment against religious authorities. In the 1 Samuel text from the Revised Common Lectionary God speaks out against the corruption under Eli. In the Gospel Jesus challenges the common understanding of the Sabbath, which leads to Jesus' condemnation of the powers that be.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1--20 (C)
This pericope continues the story of Samuel from 2:26. The text begins with a statement about the spiritual poverty of Israelites under the priest Eli, who is old and has lost control of his sons. "The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread" (v. 1). The word for word and vision is essentially the same word. According to tradition, Samuel was 12 years of age. Similarities are apparent between this account and the story of our Lord in the temple at 12 years of age (Luke 2:40--52). Verse 3, "Eli's eyesight had begun to grow dim," speaks not only of his physical but also his spiritual state. The boy Samuel was sleeping in the sanctuary. "The lamp, near the Ark Of The Covenant, was growing dim" indicates that it was near dawn. Samuel three times mistakes the call of Eli for the voice of the Lord. Finally Eli perceives that God is calling Samuel and instructs the lad to reply: "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." The word of the Lord that came to Samuel turned out to be a message of judgment against Eli and his sons.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 5:6--21 (E); Deuteronomy 5:12--15 (RC)
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5--12 (C, E); 2 Corinthians 4:6--11 (RC)
Paul responds to some criticisms that his gospel is unclear. He responds that if it is veiled, it is hidden only to those who have had their eyes blinded by Satan. The treasure of the gospel is contained in earthen vessels (a symbol of our human mortality). The glory does not belong to the vessels but to the treasure they contain. The apostle refuses to be defeated by his afflictions and suffering and views them as a participation in the suffering and death of Christ. The carriers of the gospel take part in the death of Jesus but also the life of Jesus.
Gospel: Mark 2:23-3:6 (C, RC); Mark 2:23--28 (E)
The Pharisees attack the disciples of Jesus for plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath, breaking their Sabbath laws. Jesus defends their actions, citing the instance where King David and his men ate the holy bread, which was lawful only for the priests to eat (1 Samuel 21:1--6). The point that Jesus makes has it that human need takes precedence over ceremonial laws. Then Jesus enters a synagogue where there is a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees are watching Jesus to see if he heals the man, which he does, angered at their hardness of heart. The Pharisees immediately counsel with the Herodians, probably a secular political group.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 139:1--6 (C) - "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (v. 14).
Psalm 81:1--10 (E)
Psalm 80 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
Lord Christ, free us from narrowness of mind and smallness of spirit, that we might see the needs all about us and respond with your great compassion and love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1--20
Lack of vision (v. 1). The Bible relates how God spoke to his prophets through visions. Those visions were lacking during Eli's priesthood, because he did not reign in his rebellious sons for their sinful ways. God does not communicate to those who openly disregard his will. It seems that a lack of vision exists in our day as well, because we have turned our back to the Lord.
God keeps the light on. The spokesman for Motel 6 ends his homey commercials with the phrase, "We'll keep the light on for you." This passage portrays a time when the light of faith was flickering but still burning. The dim--sighted Eli symbolizes the diminution of the light of faith (v. 2). The nearly burned--out sanctuary light conveys the same thought (v. 3). Nevertheless, God was going to reignite the lamp of God's presence through the young boy, Samuel, who grew to become one of the Lord's great prophets.
Know the Lord, that you might hear his voice (v. 7). This verse states that Samuel did not, at this time, know the Lord. How could he recognize his voice? Samuel had lived and labored in the house of God, yet had never been personally introduced to the Lord. This tells us that we can be religious without knowing God or being able to recognize his voice.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5--12
What we preach (v. 5). Paul defended himself against criticism by saying that what he preached was not himself but Jesus Christ as Lord. Some people are tempted to use the gospel and their Christian faith for their own ends, to draw attention to themselves. Whom does our life proclaim?
Earthen vessels (v. 7). When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, many of them were stored in clay pots. This great treasure, the oldest extant manuscripts of the Old Testament, was found in earthen vessels. We are earthen vessels, frail and feeble, yet God has placed in our hearts the treasure of the gospel; it is our treasure because it opens to us the door to eternal life. Why do we spend more time caring for the pot than we do the treasure?
Down but not out (vv. 8--9). Paul was like a prize fighter. The foe might knock him down with a stinging blow, but he was not knocked out. Before the count was up, he was back on his feet. He could take all that the opponent had to offer because of the strength which Christ supplied. "We are afflicted in every way, but not rushed...struck down but not destroyed." Few of us suffer for our faithfulness to Christ as Paul did, but life does deal us some terrible blows. Only Christ can give us the strength like that of a Timex watch, which "takes a licking but keeps on ticking."
Gospel: Mark 2:23-3:6
Sabbath sabotage. The Sabbath was and is central to the exercise of the Jewish faith. It's easy to see why religious leaders got upset when Jesus appeared to disregard the Sabbath laws. Therefore, they were watching him (v. 2). You might call this a sabbath sabotage. The religious leaders might even have planted the man with the withered hand for this express purpose. Keep in mind that Jesus did not break the commandment: "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy." He merely disregarded the multitude of legalistic interpretations of that commandment.
Confusing the means with the end. Jesus maintained that we must consider the intent of God's commands rather than the letter of the law. The purpose of the Sabbath is to restore and renew our bodies and our spirits. That's why Jesus cites the account of King David and his men eating the bread of the presence (v. 26). God gave his laws to preserve and protect humankind. Jesus is telling the Pharisees and scribes that they have it all turned around. "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath."
The reasons for the sabbath. The Bible states two reasons to keep the sabbath. The first reason is taken from creation. Exodus 28 states that God rested from his labors of creation on the sabbath. Therefore, humans should also rest from their labor. The second reason stems from redemption. God redeemed the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. Therefore, according to Deuteronomy 5, God's people should worship God for his acts of redemption. Jesus maintains that God's intent for the sabbath is goodness (v. 4). The Genesis 1 creation account repeats the phrase: "And behold, it was very good." God's intent is that we restore goodness to creation. The second reason to observe the sabbath - God's redemptive activity - informs us that it is proper to restore God's creation on the sabbath day. That's why Jesus healed the man with the withered hand.
Christians do not observe the sabbath. Almost all Christians do not observe the commandment to keep the sabbath. As you know, the sabbath is the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Only a few groups, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, keep the sabbath day. The early Christians, who were Jews, observed the sabbath in the synagogue until they were thrown out, when Christianity ceased being a sect within Judaism. Christians do observe Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection, as a time of worship and rest.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1--20
Sermon Title: Who's Calling?
Sermon Angle: There's a man that I know who calls me every three to six months. When I pick up the phone with my usual greeting, he never identifies himself, he just starts talking. For a few seconds I have to think to myself: "Who is this calling?" It doesn't take long for me to solve the mystery because I know his voice, even though I haven't heard it for some time. That's essentially what happened to the boy Samuel. God called and Samuel didn't know who it was because he had never conversed with the Lord before. Samuel thought that Eli had called him, as he probably had done many times before. The old man eventually suspected that the Lord was calling to the boy and informed him how to respond to the Lord's call. God doesn't always identify himself; he just starts talking, through other people, through events, and we need to learn how to recognize the Lord's voice.
Outline:
1. Wouldn't it be nice to receive a call from God when he clearly identifies himself and then gives us a message?
2. God doesn't normally identify himself when he speaks to us.
3. We need to learn to know the Lord's voice (scripture, worship, prayer or silence).
Sermon Title: Dare To Discipline
Sermon Angle: The message that God eventually shared with Samuel was a word of judgment on Eli and his house. Eli was apparently a good man but weak. He had some sons that were real rebels, corrupt, immoral and greedy. Yet this father would not punish his sons for their sins, nor contain their lawlessness. He failed the primary responsibility of any parent, to discipline. His failure to reign in his sons led to the destruction of the house of Eli (vv. 12--14). Dr. James Dobson wrote a book titled Dare To Discipline. If we do not dare to discipline many people will reap the whirlwind.
Sermon Title: True Sons And Daughters
Sermon Angle: Eli's sons were his by heredity and birth but not in spirit. They rejected everything that their father stood for and in doing so they despised their father. Samuel was not Eli's birth son but his adopted son. He identified with Eli spiritually and was a respectful and obedient son. This text shows that Samuel was quick to answer to Eli's call, caring for the needs of the older man. Eli addressed him as "my son" (v. 6), which shows the love he felt for Samuel. Sons and daughters are spiritually conceived. So it is in our relationship with the Lord. We show that we are God's true sons and daughters by a life of obedience and love.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5--12
Sermon Title: Remember Your Mission
Sermon Angle: Paul defends his mission to the Corinthians by asserting that he and his party do not proclaim themselves but Jesus Christ (v. 5); they only make themselves known as their slaves, for Jesus' sake. We are like the warm--up group for a singing star; our job is to make Jesus look good and to get the crowd ready to receive him. Some Christians forget, thinking they are the stars, trying to get people to notice them and sing their praises. Remember that your mission is to proclaim Jesus as Lord; we are only Christ's servants.
Outline:
1. Paul was very clear about his mission - to proclaim Jesus as Lord, himself as servant (v. 5).
2. An organization will fall apart if it forgets its mission.
3. Is our church seeking to glorify Christ as Lord, or ourselves?
4. Remember that we are servants for the sake of Christ and his church.
Sermon Title: We're Cracked Pots
Sermon Angle: Paul reminds us of our human frailty, comparing us to earthen jars or pots (v. 7). Such jars were the main means for storage in Jesus' day. If there would be some flaw in the clay or if it weren't fired correctly, the jar would crack and the contents might spill out. As the years roll by we are more and more aware of our weaknesses and we observe a proliferation of cracks in our outward physical nature. What a wonder that God has chosen to house the treasure of the gospel in such fragile containers! That's a little bit like storing gold coins in ice cream cones. If we stay close to Christ he will use the fire of adversity to keep us from breaking and spilling the contents (vv. 8--11).
__________
Ronald Hutchcraft in Peaceful Living In A Stressful World tells of taking his two sons to a restoration of an old American village, where they visited the potter's shop.
"Careful!" the craftsman exclaimed. "Please don't touch the pottery on that shelf. You'll ruin it." Then he surprised us when he said, "Why don't you touch the ones on the other shelf?" Needless to say, the Hutchcrafts were curious as to why some vases could be touched and not others.
Glancing at the "do not touch" shelf, the potter explained, "These haven't been fired yet." The potter explained that there was more to creating masterpieces than just making globs of clay into beautiful shapes. If he stopped at that point, the objects would quickly become marred and misshapen. Without the fire the objects would soon deteriorate and be of no use to anyone. Fire makes the objects firm and strong and enables the beauty to endure.
Suffering, pain, loss, failure, and the like, are like a fire - not a consuming fire but a refining fire - which not only increases the value of that which passes through her purifying flames but also makes it more durable, beautiful, and useful. The Lord allows us, his earthen vessels, to pass through the fire not because he is punishing us but because he loves us and wants to prepare us for time and eternity.
Gospel: Mark 2:23-3:6
Sermon Title: Sabbath Sabotage
Sermon Angle: The religious officials wanted to sabotage Jesus on the sabbath; they yearned to point the accusing finger at him for being a lawbreaker. What they didn't realize, and what Jesus was not able to put across, was God's intent for the sabbath. "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath" (v. 27). The sabbath was not a prison but a brief vacation from work and the cares of ordinary living, so that the people could focus on eternal things. Jesus' accusers, not Jesus, had sabotaged the sabbath with their narrow, judgmental viewpoints. Christians do not observe the sabbath but we do observe the Lord's day. Some Christian groups have been narrow in their understanding of our Sunday observance. However, the opposite danger seems to be prevalent in our day. Sunday is no longer the Lord's Day, it is just another day for business, sports or selfish pleasures. We have permitted the world to sabotage our sabbath!
Sermon Title: Losing Sight Of The End
Sermon Angle: Jesus' criticism of his critics in today's Gospel makes it plain that he believed that they had lost sight of the end or object of the sabbath observance. The means became an end. The purpose of the sabbath and of our Sunday observance is that we might not lose sight of the end (object) of living and of that End above all ends, which we call God.
Sermon Title: Inter--mission
Sermon Angle: The Hebrew word shabbat means sabbath. The first definition of the word on my computer concordance comes up intermission. The first part of that word means "between." The last part of that word (mission) means "to send." The sabbath and Sunday observance is an interlude interspersed in our worldly mission, so that we might judge our course against the map of eternity. This makes it possible to correct our course if necessary.
__________
We must be quick to point out that though Jesus criticized the attitudes that certain religious leaders displayed toward the sabbath, he was not condemning the proper observance of the sabbath. The proper observance of the day is meant to pull us out of the rapid stream of doing into the gentle pool of being, so that we might not be swept away by the torrents of life.
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, my wife and I flew to Hawaii. One afternoon we drove the notorious "Road To Hanna," a narrow, serpentine route overlooking the ocean. Toward the end of the road is the Garden of the Seven Pools. In this park a stream quickened down the hillside, transforming into a waterfall which emptied into a series of pools at various levels on its plunge to the ocean. In my haste to capture some scenes on my camera, I hurried ahead of my wife Fran. When I finally circled back, I found her sitting soaking wet by the edge of one of the pools. It turns out that she had slipped on a wet rock and slid into the pool. She pictured herself going over the waterfall into the next pool and then the next, on down to the ocean. Fortunately, a man had the presence of mind to throw Fran the end of his beach towel, by which he pulled her to solid ground. Our lives are sometimes like that; we get swept away by the rapids of the stream of doing, so that our very life is at peril. If we observe Sunday as a day of rest, recreation and worship, the Holy Spirit throws us a lifeline to lift us out of the rapids and into the garden of being in Christ.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1--20 (C)
This pericope continues the story of Samuel from 2:26. The text begins with a statement about the spiritual poverty of Israelites under the priest Eli, who is old and has lost control of his sons. "The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread" (v. 1). The word for word and vision is essentially the same word. According to tradition, Samuel was 12 years of age. Similarities are apparent between this account and the story of our Lord in the temple at 12 years of age (Luke 2:40--52). Verse 3, "Eli's eyesight had begun to grow dim," speaks not only of his physical but also his spiritual state. The boy Samuel was sleeping in the sanctuary. "The lamp, near the Ark Of The Covenant, was growing dim" indicates that it was near dawn. Samuel three times mistakes the call of Eli for the voice of the Lord. Finally Eli perceives that God is calling Samuel and instructs the lad to reply: "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." The word of the Lord that came to Samuel turned out to be a message of judgment against Eli and his sons.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 5:6--21 (E); Deuteronomy 5:12--15 (RC)
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5--12 (C, E); 2 Corinthians 4:6--11 (RC)
Paul responds to some criticisms that his gospel is unclear. He responds that if it is veiled, it is hidden only to those who have had their eyes blinded by Satan. The treasure of the gospel is contained in earthen vessels (a symbol of our human mortality). The glory does not belong to the vessels but to the treasure they contain. The apostle refuses to be defeated by his afflictions and suffering and views them as a participation in the suffering and death of Christ. The carriers of the gospel take part in the death of Jesus but also the life of Jesus.
Gospel: Mark 2:23-3:6 (C, RC); Mark 2:23--28 (E)
The Pharisees attack the disciples of Jesus for plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath, breaking their Sabbath laws. Jesus defends their actions, citing the instance where King David and his men ate the holy bread, which was lawful only for the priests to eat (1 Samuel 21:1--6). The point that Jesus makes has it that human need takes precedence over ceremonial laws. Then Jesus enters a synagogue where there is a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees are watching Jesus to see if he heals the man, which he does, angered at their hardness of heart. The Pharisees immediately counsel with the Herodians, probably a secular political group.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 139:1--6 (C) - "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (v. 14).
Psalm 81:1--10 (E)
Psalm 80 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
Lord Christ, free us from narrowness of mind and smallness of spirit, that we might see the needs all about us and respond with your great compassion and love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1--20
Lack of vision (v. 1). The Bible relates how God spoke to his prophets through visions. Those visions were lacking during Eli's priesthood, because he did not reign in his rebellious sons for their sinful ways. God does not communicate to those who openly disregard his will. It seems that a lack of vision exists in our day as well, because we have turned our back to the Lord.
God keeps the light on. The spokesman for Motel 6 ends his homey commercials with the phrase, "We'll keep the light on for you." This passage portrays a time when the light of faith was flickering but still burning. The dim--sighted Eli symbolizes the diminution of the light of faith (v. 2). The nearly burned--out sanctuary light conveys the same thought (v. 3). Nevertheless, God was going to reignite the lamp of God's presence through the young boy, Samuel, who grew to become one of the Lord's great prophets.
Know the Lord, that you might hear his voice (v. 7). This verse states that Samuel did not, at this time, know the Lord. How could he recognize his voice? Samuel had lived and labored in the house of God, yet had never been personally introduced to the Lord. This tells us that we can be religious without knowing God or being able to recognize his voice.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5--12
What we preach (v. 5). Paul defended himself against criticism by saying that what he preached was not himself but Jesus Christ as Lord. Some people are tempted to use the gospel and their Christian faith for their own ends, to draw attention to themselves. Whom does our life proclaim?
Earthen vessels (v. 7). When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, many of them were stored in clay pots. This great treasure, the oldest extant manuscripts of the Old Testament, was found in earthen vessels. We are earthen vessels, frail and feeble, yet God has placed in our hearts the treasure of the gospel; it is our treasure because it opens to us the door to eternal life. Why do we spend more time caring for the pot than we do the treasure?
Down but not out (vv. 8--9). Paul was like a prize fighter. The foe might knock him down with a stinging blow, but he was not knocked out. Before the count was up, he was back on his feet. He could take all that the opponent had to offer because of the strength which Christ supplied. "We are afflicted in every way, but not rushed...struck down but not destroyed." Few of us suffer for our faithfulness to Christ as Paul did, but life does deal us some terrible blows. Only Christ can give us the strength like that of a Timex watch, which "takes a licking but keeps on ticking."
Gospel: Mark 2:23-3:6
Sabbath sabotage. The Sabbath was and is central to the exercise of the Jewish faith. It's easy to see why religious leaders got upset when Jesus appeared to disregard the Sabbath laws. Therefore, they were watching him (v. 2). You might call this a sabbath sabotage. The religious leaders might even have planted the man with the withered hand for this express purpose. Keep in mind that Jesus did not break the commandment: "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy." He merely disregarded the multitude of legalistic interpretations of that commandment.
Confusing the means with the end. Jesus maintained that we must consider the intent of God's commands rather than the letter of the law. The purpose of the Sabbath is to restore and renew our bodies and our spirits. That's why Jesus cites the account of King David and his men eating the bread of the presence (v. 26). God gave his laws to preserve and protect humankind. Jesus is telling the Pharisees and scribes that they have it all turned around. "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath."
The reasons for the sabbath. The Bible states two reasons to keep the sabbath. The first reason is taken from creation. Exodus 28 states that God rested from his labors of creation on the sabbath. Therefore, humans should also rest from their labor. The second reason stems from redemption. God redeemed the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. Therefore, according to Deuteronomy 5, God's people should worship God for his acts of redemption. Jesus maintains that God's intent for the sabbath is goodness (v. 4). The Genesis 1 creation account repeats the phrase: "And behold, it was very good." God's intent is that we restore goodness to creation. The second reason to observe the sabbath - God's redemptive activity - informs us that it is proper to restore God's creation on the sabbath day. That's why Jesus healed the man with the withered hand.
Christians do not observe the sabbath. Almost all Christians do not observe the commandment to keep the sabbath. As you know, the sabbath is the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Only a few groups, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, keep the sabbath day. The early Christians, who were Jews, observed the sabbath in the synagogue until they were thrown out, when Christianity ceased being a sect within Judaism. Christians do observe Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection, as a time of worship and rest.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1--20
Sermon Title: Who's Calling?
Sermon Angle: There's a man that I know who calls me every three to six months. When I pick up the phone with my usual greeting, he never identifies himself, he just starts talking. For a few seconds I have to think to myself: "Who is this calling?" It doesn't take long for me to solve the mystery because I know his voice, even though I haven't heard it for some time. That's essentially what happened to the boy Samuel. God called and Samuel didn't know who it was because he had never conversed with the Lord before. Samuel thought that Eli had called him, as he probably had done many times before. The old man eventually suspected that the Lord was calling to the boy and informed him how to respond to the Lord's call. God doesn't always identify himself; he just starts talking, through other people, through events, and we need to learn how to recognize the Lord's voice.
Outline:
1. Wouldn't it be nice to receive a call from God when he clearly identifies himself and then gives us a message?
2. God doesn't normally identify himself when he speaks to us.
3. We need to learn to know the Lord's voice (scripture, worship, prayer or silence).
Sermon Title: Dare To Discipline
Sermon Angle: The message that God eventually shared with Samuel was a word of judgment on Eli and his house. Eli was apparently a good man but weak. He had some sons that were real rebels, corrupt, immoral and greedy. Yet this father would not punish his sons for their sins, nor contain their lawlessness. He failed the primary responsibility of any parent, to discipline. His failure to reign in his sons led to the destruction of the house of Eli (vv. 12--14). Dr. James Dobson wrote a book titled Dare To Discipline. If we do not dare to discipline many people will reap the whirlwind.
Sermon Title: True Sons And Daughters
Sermon Angle: Eli's sons were his by heredity and birth but not in spirit. They rejected everything that their father stood for and in doing so they despised their father. Samuel was not Eli's birth son but his adopted son. He identified with Eli spiritually and was a respectful and obedient son. This text shows that Samuel was quick to answer to Eli's call, caring for the needs of the older man. Eli addressed him as "my son" (v. 6), which shows the love he felt for Samuel. Sons and daughters are spiritually conceived. So it is in our relationship with the Lord. We show that we are God's true sons and daughters by a life of obedience and love.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5--12
Sermon Title: Remember Your Mission
Sermon Angle: Paul defends his mission to the Corinthians by asserting that he and his party do not proclaim themselves but Jesus Christ (v. 5); they only make themselves known as their slaves, for Jesus' sake. We are like the warm--up group for a singing star; our job is to make Jesus look good and to get the crowd ready to receive him. Some Christians forget, thinking they are the stars, trying to get people to notice them and sing their praises. Remember that your mission is to proclaim Jesus as Lord; we are only Christ's servants.
Outline:
1. Paul was very clear about his mission - to proclaim Jesus as Lord, himself as servant (v. 5).
2. An organization will fall apart if it forgets its mission.
3. Is our church seeking to glorify Christ as Lord, or ourselves?
4. Remember that we are servants for the sake of Christ and his church.
Sermon Title: We're Cracked Pots
Sermon Angle: Paul reminds us of our human frailty, comparing us to earthen jars or pots (v. 7). Such jars were the main means for storage in Jesus' day. If there would be some flaw in the clay or if it weren't fired correctly, the jar would crack and the contents might spill out. As the years roll by we are more and more aware of our weaknesses and we observe a proliferation of cracks in our outward physical nature. What a wonder that God has chosen to house the treasure of the gospel in such fragile containers! That's a little bit like storing gold coins in ice cream cones. If we stay close to Christ he will use the fire of adversity to keep us from breaking and spilling the contents (vv. 8--11).
__________
Ronald Hutchcraft in Peaceful Living In A Stressful World tells of taking his two sons to a restoration of an old American village, where they visited the potter's shop.
"Careful!" the craftsman exclaimed. "Please don't touch the pottery on that shelf. You'll ruin it." Then he surprised us when he said, "Why don't you touch the ones on the other shelf?" Needless to say, the Hutchcrafts were curious as to why some vases could be touched and not others.
Glancing at the "do not touch" shelf, the potter explained, "These haven't been fired yet." The potter explained that there was more to creating masterpieces than just making globs of clay into beautiful shapes. If he stopped at that point, the objects would quickly become marred and misshapen. Without the fire the objects would soon deteriorate and be of no use to anyone. Fire makes the objects firm and strong and enables the beauty to endure.
Suffering, pain, loss, failure, and the like, are like a fire - not a consuming fire but a refining fire - which not only increases the value of that which passes through her purifying flames but also makes it more durable, beautiful, and useful. The Lord allows us, his earthen vessels, to pass through the fire not because he is punishing us but because he loves us and wants to prepare us for time and eternity.
Gospel: Mark 2:23-3:6
Sermon Title: Sabbath Sabotage
Sermon Angle: The religious officials wanted to sabotage Jesus on the sabbath; they yearned to point the accusing finger at him for being a lawbreaker. What they didn't realize, and what Jesus was not able to put across, was God's intent for the sabbath. "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath" (v. 27). The sabbath was not a prison but a brief vacation from work and the cares of ordinary living, so that the people could focus on eternal things. Jesus' accusers, not Jesus, had sabotaged the sabbath with their narrow, judgmental viewpoints. Christians do not observe the sabbath but we do observe the Lord's day. Some Christian groups have been narrow in their understanding of our Sunday observance. However, the opposite danger seems to be prevalent in our day. Sunday is no longer the Lord's Day, it is just another day for business, sports or selfish pleasures. We have permitted the world to sabotage our sabbath!
Sermon Title: Losing Sight Of The End
Sermon Angle: Jesus' criticism of his critics in today's Gospel makes it plain that he believed that they had lost sight of the end or object of the sabbath observance. The means became an end. The purpose of the sabbath and of our Sunday observance is that we might not lose sight of the end (object) of living and of that End above all ends, which we call God.
Sermon Title: Inter--mission
Sermon Angle: The Hebrew word shabbat means sabbath. The first definition of the word on my computer concordance comes up intermission. The first part of that word means "between." The last part of that word (mission) means "to send." The sabbath and Sunday observance is an interlude interspersed in our worldly mission, so that we might judge our course against the map of eternity. This makes it possible to correct our course if necessary.
__________
We must be quick to point out that though Jesus criticized the attitudes that certain religious leaders displayed toward the sabbath, he was not condemning the proper observance of the sabbath. The proper observance of the day is meant to pull us out of the rapid stream of doing into the gentle pool of being, so that we might not be swept away by the torrents of life.
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, my wife and I flew to Hawaii. One afternoon we drove the notorious "Road To Hanna," a narrow, serpentine route overlooking the ocean. Toward the end of the road is the Garden of the Seven Pools. In this park a stream quickened down the hillside, transforming into a waterfall which emptied into a series of pools at various levels on its plunge to the ocean. In my haste to capture some scenes on my camera, I hurried ahead of my wife Fran. When I finally circled back, I found her sitting soaking wet by the edge of one of the pools. It turns out that she had slipped on a wet rock and slid into the pool. She pictured herself going over the waterfall into the next pool and then the next, on down to the ocean. Fortunately, a man had the presence of mind to throw Fran the end of his beach towel, by which he pulled her to solid ground. Our lives are sometimes like that; we get swept away by the rapids of the stream of doing, so that our very life is at peril. If we observe Sunday as a day of rest, recreation and worship, the Holy Spirit throws us a lifeline to lift us out of the rapids and into the garden of being in Christ.
