Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
The Jews are in exile in Babylon. Deutero-Isaiah sees hope in
the future. God will use Cyrus, the Persian, to defeat the
Babylonians. Then the Jews will be free to return to Jerusalem
and set up an ideal nation. This is a new thing God is about to
do, a new exodus greater than the old exodus from Egypt. But
Yahweh has something against his people who came into captivity
because of their unworthy worship. Nevertheless, Yahweh will
forgive his people and restore them to Jerusalem.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (C, E, L, RC)
In this passage Paul is dealing with the Corinthians' charge
against him that he was inconsistent and thus he was not a true
apostle. Paul explains that he had a change in travel plans that
excluded Corinth, even though he had planned and promised to
come. However, this has nothing to do with the truth of the
gospel he preached nor the truthfulness and faithfulness of God.
He defends his position by affirming that God is faithful. Jesus
is the yes to God's promises, and the Spirit confirms their
ultimate acceptance by God.
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 (C, E, L, RC)
This Gospel combines a healing miracle and a controversy with
religious leaders. Jesus demonstrates that he has the authority
and power to forgive sins and to heal a physical ailment, in this
case, paralysis. The man was carried to Jesus for physical
healing, but Jesus sees his need is spiritual healing. There is a
connection between sin and sickness. Only God can heal physical
and spiritual diseases. Jesus, as Son of Man, forgives the man's
sins and is charged with blasphemy which is punishable by death.
This same authority is exercised by ordering the paralytic to get
up and go home.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 41 (C, L) -- "Heal me, for I have sinned." (v. 4)
Psalm 32 (E)
Hymn Of The Day
"O God, O Lord Of Heaven And Earth"
Theme Of The Day: God's Healing Mercy
Gospel -- Mercy in Jesus' forgiveness and healing.
Lesson 1 -- Mercy in God's forgiving and forgetting.
Lesson 2 -- Mercy of God affirmed in Jesus.
Today's theme centers in God's mercy which is demonstrated in
forgiveness, healing and Christ. In forgiving and healing a
paralytic, Jesus shows he has the authority to forgive and to
heal. Second Isaiah assured the captives in Babylon that God will
do a new thing by showing mercy in forgiving them. Although Paul
does not mention forgiveness nor healing, he refers to our
oneness in God fulfilled and confirmed in Christ who is the yes
to God's promises. The relation of sin and sickness is given in
the theme of this Psalm which is a poor, sick sinner's cry for
mercy and for healing. The Hymn of the Day deals with God's
intention for his children to have the best in life.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
1. Carried (v. 3). Four men literally carried a man who was
paralyzed. They did not hire a taxi to take him. They did not ask
Jesus to come to him. They picked him up bodily and walked to
Jesus' home. How lucky the paralytic was to have these good
friends who cared enough about him to go to such trouble. In our
day there are people who cannot come to church because of
physical, emotional or mental disability. Parents should carry
their infants to Jesus for baptism. Little children need to be
carried to church school. The aged, shut-ins and the handicapped
would appreciate someone carrying them to Jesus in the church.
2. Faith (v. 5). On the basis of the four men's faith, Jesus
gave absolution to the paralytic. Their faith was evident. They
would not have carried the man to Jesus if they did not believe
he could and would heal him. They were so concerned and
determined to get him to Jesus that they tore open a roof and
carefully, with great effort, lowered him into the crowded room.
Does this answer whether others have faith for us? Is there a
vicarious faith? Sponsors in infant baptism express faith for the
child. Prayers of the faithful on our behalf are answered because
they pray in faith.
3. Questioning (vv. 6, 8). Religious leaders sit in the
scoffer's seat and question Jesus' right to forgive. They did not
speak their questions but they asked them in their minds. Jesus
knew this and exposed their thoughts to answer their questions.
Certainly the scribes were right in holding that only God can
forgive. If Jesus forgives, could he not be God's Son?
Questioning with malice results in no good, but honest and open
questioning leads to truth.
4. Authority (v. 10). Jesus performs a miracle to demonstrate
his authority to forgive. In the minds of the scribes, it was
easy to forgive but impossible to make a paralytic walk. If Jesus
has the authority to heal, he has the authority to forgive
because the power and authority have but one source -- God. This
claim to be Son of Man with divine authority to forgive was
blasphemy to the scribes which was the final reason for the
cross.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:18-25
1. New (v. 19). God the Creator is continually creating,
making and doing something new. His creation was not finished
after six days. He is making a new creation for his people in
terms of a new exodus. He is ever making things and people new --
a new covenant, a new creation in Christ, a new chance and a new
day for his people.
2. Weary (vv. 22, 24). Both God and man get tired of each
other, according to this passage. God gets tired of our sinning.
We get tired of God -- tired of praising, obeying, giving and
serving him. What is God's solution to his weariness from our
sins? He gives us a new chance and a new day by forgiving and
forgetting our sins.
3. Blots (v. 25). This is a descriptive term for forgiveness.
A blotter absorbs ink until it can be seen no more. God uses his
cosmic blotter which he sends to earth to absorb the sins of the
world. God takes the sin to himself, for Jesus bore our sins on
the tree. He was made sin for us.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
1. Always (v. 19). Another way of saying that God is faithful
is to say "always." There is never an exception. The Father is
always steadfast, reliable and true. Christ is always yes to
fulfilling God's promises. You can always find God to be
dependable and supportive. He is the same person forever, the
same God of grace and glory for each generation. He is the one
immovable anchor of life.
2. Yes (v. 20). Jesus is God's yes. He is positive, assuring
and supportive. Does God save? Jesus is the yes. Does God care?
Jesus is proof of yes. Does God keep his promises? Jesus is the
yes.
3. Guarantee (v. 22). What guarantee do we have that God has
accepted us, that we are his children, that we are going to
heaven, that our sins have been forgiven? Paul says that the
guarantee is the gift of the Spirit. It is earnest money that the
deal will go through. The Spirit is the Christian's blessed
assurance that he is a child of God destined for life with Christ
through eternity.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
How Good Of God
Need: We tend to forget how good God is to us. We need to
refresh our understanding of God's greatness because we reflect
in our daily lives the kind of God we believe in and worship. In
the three lessons we learn anew that God is better to us than we
deserve.
Outline: Consider how good God is.
a. God in Christ cures what ails us -- physical and
spiritual -- Gospel.
b. God restores our relationship to him -- Lesson 1.
c. God's word is trustworthy -- Lesson 2.
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
1. Can you have faith for another? 2:1-5
Need: The common saying is, "As no one can die for you, no one
can believe for you." This is true as far as it goes. There is
also vicarious faith which brings blessings to those without
faith. Jesus forgave the paralytic on the basis of the faith of
others -- "when Jesus saw their faith." Being paralyzed, the sick
man had no way to express his faith even if he had it. This
sermon is to show how the faith of others can bring blessings to
us.
Outline: What your faith can do for others --
a. Faith brings others to Christ -- v. 3.
b. Faith causes us to pray for others -- v. 4.
2. The high cost of forgiveness. 2:9
Need: In this episode Jesus expresses the common feeling that
it is easy to say, "I forgive you." All it takes is a little
breath and a few spoken words. But to cure paralysis is most
difficult. No one but God could perform the miracle. So, Jesus
heals the man to show he has the power and authority of God. If
he has this authority, then, being God, he can forgive. For God
to forgive cost the cross, the sacrifice of his only Son. There
is no cheap forgiveness for humans. To truly forgive demands a
price.
Outline: This is what forgiveness costs.
a. Forego getting even.
b. Absorb the hurt and damage done.
c. Restore the offender in love.
3. If only God can forgive. 2:7
Need: The scribes in this instance were right: only God can
forgive sins. When a minister pronounces absolution, we know he
is not forgiving us, but he is speaking in behalf of God. God is
forgiving us through the minister's words. When we admit that
only God can forgive, we must face up to certain implications of
that fact.
Outline: If only God can forgive --
a. All sins are committed against God.
b. When we forgive, the Spirit of God in us does it.
c. Jesus is the Son of God with the authority of God to
forgive.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:18-25
1. Any word from God? 43:18-25
Need: Our generation is lambasted with words -- the printed
word (books without end), the oral word (radio) and the visible
word (television). But in our time there is a famine of the Word
of God. Is there any word from God? This is especially important
when we are in a situation like the Jews in Babylon -- captives.
Personally and nationally we are prisoners of ourselves,
materialism and secularism. The Word of the Lord came through
Isaiah then and comes now to us through the text.
Outline: What is the Word from God?
a. A Word of accusation -- vv. 22-24.
b. A Word of forgiveness -- v. 25.
c. A Word of hope -- vv. 18-21.
2. When God gets tired of us. 43:18-25
Need: Man gets tired of God -- "You have been weary of me."
(v. 22) But God also gets tired of man -- "You have wearied me
with your iniquities." (v. 24) What does God do to us when he
gets tired of us and our sinning? The passage tells us.
Outline: When God gets weary of us --
a. He sends judgment -- vv. 22-24.
b. He forgives and forgets -- v. 25.
c. He gives us another chance -- vv. 18-21.
3. When life gets impossible. 43:18-25
Need: What do you do when the bottom of life drops out?
Collapse? Turn bitter? Commit suicide? In this Lesson God tells
us what to do when we are in the depths of defeat and despair.
Outline: When life gets impossible --
a. Forget the past -- v. 18.
b. Forgive the present -- v. 25.
c. Face the future with God -- v. 19.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
1. Jesus: God's yes-man. 1:19
Need: We do not usually have much respect for yes-men who
constantly agree with their superiors. We think persons ought to
stand up for their convictions and be persons in their own right.
Paul would agree with this, but he has something else in mind
when he wrote, "in him it is always yes." He means to say that
God's promises are always fulfilled in Jesus.
Outline: Jesus is God's yes-man.
a. Is there forgiveness with God? Jesus says yes.
b. Can one have peace? Jesus says yes.
c. If a man dies, will he live again? Jesus says yes.
2. The answer is yes! 1:18-22
Need: We are always in need of affirmation. We need to be sure
of our salvation. We need to be told over and over that God loves
us, that he forgives the penitent and that there is security for
the future when earthly life is over. This passage gives a yes
answer.
Outline: Yes, God is faithful -- v. 18.
a. Yes, God's promises are fulfilled -- v. 20.
b. Yes, God's Spirit is a guarantee of your salvation -- v.
22.
the future. God will use Cyrus, the Persian, to defeat the
Babylonians. Then the Jews will be free to return to Jerusalem
and set up an ideal nation. This is a new thing God is about to
do, a new exodus greater than the old exodus from Egypt. But
Yahweh has something against his people who came into captivity
because of their unworthy worship. Nevertheless, Yahweh will
forgive his people and restore them to Jerusalem.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (C, E, L, RC)
In this passage Paul is dealing with the Corinthians' charge
against him that he was inconsistent and thus he was not a true
apostle. Paul explains that he had a change in travel plans that
excluded Corinth, even though he had planned and promised to
come. However, this has nothing to do with the truth of the
gospel he preached nor the truthfulness and faithfulness of God.
He defends his position by affirming that God is faithful. Jesus
is the yes to God's promises, and the Spirit confirms their
ultimate acceptance by God.
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 (C, E, L, RC)
This Gospel combines a healing miracle and a controversy with
religious leaders. Jesus demonstrates that he has the authority
and power to forgive sins and to heal a physical ailment, in this
case, paralysis. The man was carried to Jesus for physical
healing, but Jesus sees his need is spiritual healing. There is a
connection between sin and sickness. Only God can heal physical
and spiritual diseases. Jesus, as Son of Man, forgives the man's
sins and is charged with blasphemy which is punishable by death.
This same authority is exercised by ordering the paralytic to get
up and go home.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 41 (C, L) -- "Heal me, for I have sinned." (v. 4)
Psalm 32 (E)
Hymn Of The Day
"O God, O Lord Of Heaven And Earth"
Theme Of The Day: God's Healing Mercy
Gospel -- Mercy in Jesus' forgiveness and healing.
Lesson 1 -- Mercy in God's forgiving and forgetting.
Lesson 2 -- Mercy of God affirmed in Jesus.
Today's theme centers in God's mercy which is demonstrated in
forgiveness, healing and Christ. In forgiving and healing a
paralytic, Jesus shows he has the authority to forgive and to
heal. Second Isaiah assured the captives in Babylon that God will
do a new thing by showing mercy in forgiving them. Although Paul
does not mention forgiveness nor healing, he refers to our
oneness in God fulfilled and confirmed in Christ who is the yes
to God's promises. The relation of sin and sickness is given in
the theme of this Psalm which is a poor, sick sinner's cry for
mercy and for healing. The Hymn of the Day deals with God's
intention for his children to have the best in life.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
1. Carried (v. 3). Four men literally carried a man who was
paralyzed. They did not hire a taxi to take him. They did not ask
Jesus to come to him. They picked him up bodily and walked to
Jesus' home. How lucky the paralytic was to have these good
friends who cared enough about him to go to such trouble. In our
day there are people who cannot come to church because of
physical, emotional or mental disability. Parents should carry
their infants to Jesus for baptism. Little children need to be
carried to church school. The aged, shut-ins and the handicapped
would appreciate someone carrying them to Jesus in the church.
2. Faith (v. 5). On the basis of the four men's faith, Jesus
gave absolution to the paralytic. Their faith was evident. They
would not have carried the man to Jesus if they did not believe
he could and would heal him. They were so concerned and
determined to get him to Jesus that they tore open a roof and
carefully, with great effort, lowered him into the crowded room.
Does this answer whether others have faith for us? Is there a
vicarious faith? Sponsors in infant baptism express faith for the
child. Prayers of the faithful on our behalf are answered because
they pray in faith.
3. Questioning (vv. 6, 8). Religious leaders sit in the
scoffer's seat and question Jesus' right to forgive. They did not
speak their questions but they asked them in their minds. Jesus
knew this and exposed their thoughts to answer their questions.
Certainly the scribes were right in holding that only God can
forgive. If Jesus forgives, could he not be God's Son?
Questioning with malice results in no good, but honest and open
questioning leads to truth.
4. Authority (v. 10). Jesus performs a miracle to demonstrate
his authority to forgive. In the minds of the scribes, it was
easy to forgive but impossible to make a paralytic walk. If Jesus
has the authority to heal, he has the authority to forgive
because the power and authority have but one source -- God. This
claim to be Son of Man with divine authority to forgive was
blasphemy to the scribes which was the final reason for the
cross.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:18-25
1. New (v. 19). God the Creator is continually creating,
making and doing something new. His creation was not finished
after six days. He is making a new creation for his people in
terms of a new exodus. He is ever making things and people new --
a new covenant, a new creation in Christ, a new chance and a new
day for his people.
2. Weary (vv. 22, 24). Both God and man get tired of each
other, according to this passage. God gets tired of our sinning.
We get tired of God -- tired of praising, obeying, giving and
serving him. What is God's solution to his weariness from our
sins? He gives us a new chance and a new day by forgiving and
forgetting our sins.
3. Blots (v. 25). This is a descriptive term for forgiveness.
A blotter absorbs ink until it can be seen no more. God uses his
cosmic blotter which he sends to earth to absorb the sins of the
world. God takes the sin to himself, for Jesus bore our sins on
the tree. He was made sin for us.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
1. Always (v. 19). Another way of saying that God is faithful
is to say "always." There is never an exception. The Father is
always steadfast, reliable and true. Christ is always yes to
fulfilling God's promises. You can always find God to be
dependable and supportive. He is the same person forever, the
same God of grace and glory for each generation. He is the one
immovable anchor of life.
2. Yes (v. 20). Jesus is God's yes. He is positive, assuring
and supportive. Does God save? Jesus is the yes. Does God care?
Jesus is proof of yes. Does God keep his promises? Jesus is the
yes.
3. Guarantee (v. 22). What guarantee do we have that God has
accepted us, that we are his children, that we are going to
heaven, that our sins have been forgiven? Paul says that the
guarantee is the gift of the Spirit. It is earnest money that the
deal will go through. The Spirit is the Christian's blessed
assurance that he is a child of God destined for life with Christ
through eternity.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
How Good Of God
Need: We tend to forget how good God is to us. We need to
refresh our understanding of God's greatness because we reflect
in our daily lives the kind of God we believe in and worship. In
the three lessons we learn anew that God is better to us than we
deserve.
Outline: Consider how good God is.
a. God in Christ cures what ails us -- physical and
spiritual -- Gospel.
b. God restores our relationship to him -- Lesson 1.
c. God's word is trustworthy -- Lesson 2.
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
1. Can you have faith for another? 2:1-5
Need: The common saying is, "As no one can die for you, no one
can believe for you." This is true as far as it goes. There is
also vicarious faith which brings blessings to those without
faith. Jesus forgave the paralytic on the basis of the faith of
others -- "when Jesus saw their faith." Being paralyzed, the sick
man had no way to express his faith even if he had it. This
sermon is to show how the faith of others can bring blessings to
us.
Outline: What your faith can do for others --
a. Faith brings others to Christ -- v. 3.
b. Faith causes us to pray for others -- v. 4.
2. The high cost of forgiveness. 2:9
Need: In this episode Jesus expresses the common feeling that
it is easy to say, "I forgive you." All it takes is a little
breath and a few spoken words. But to cure paralysis is most
difficult. No one but God could perform the miracle. So, Jesus
heals the man to show he has the power and authority of God. If
he has this authority, then, being God, he can forgive. For God
to forgive cost the cross, the sacrifice of his only Son. There
is no cheap forgiveness for humans. To truly forgive demands a
price.
Outline: This is what forgiveness costs.
a. Forego getting even.
b. Absorb the hurt and damage done.
c. Restore the offender in love.
3. If only God can forgive. 2:7
Need: The scribes in this instance were right: only God can
forgive sins. When a minister pronounces absolution, we know he
is not forgiving us, but he is speaking in behalf of God. God is
forgiving us through the minister's words. When we admit that
only God can forgive, we must face up to certain implications of
that fact.
Outline: If only God can forgive --
a. All sins are committed against God.
b. When we forgive, the Spirit of God in us does it.
c. Jesus is the Son of God with the authority of God to
forgive.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:18-25
1. Any word from God? 43:18-25
Need: Our generation is lambasted with words -- the printed
word (books without end), the oral word (radio) and the visible
word (television). But in our time there is a famine of the Word
of God. Is there any word from God? This is especially important
when we are in a situation like the Jews in Babylon -- captives.
Personally and nationally we are prisoners of ourselves,
materialism and secularism. The Word of the Lord came through
Isaiah then and comes now to us through the text.
Outline: What is the Word from God?
a. A Word of accusation -- vv. 22-24.
b. A Word of forgiveness -- v. 25.
c. A Word of hope -- vv. 18-21.
2. When God gets tired of us. 43:18-25
Need: Man gets tired of God -- "You have been weary of me."
(v. 22) But God also gets tired of man -- "You have wearied me
with your iniquities." (v. 24) What does God do to us when he
gets tired of us and our sinning? The passage tells us.
Outline: When God gets weary of us --
a. He sends judgment -- vv. 22-24.
b. He forgives and forgets -- v. 25.
c. He gives us another chance -- vv. 18-21.
3. When life gets impossible. 43:18-25
Need: What do you do when the bottom of life drops out?
Collapse? Turn bitter? Commit suicide? In this Lesson God tells
us what to do when we are in the depths of defeat and despair.
Outline: When life gets impossible --
a. Forget the past -- v. 18.
b. Forgive the present -- v. 25.
c. Face the future with God -- v. 19.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
1. Jesus: God's yes-man. 1:19
Need: We do not usually have much respect for yes-men who
constantly agree with their superiors. We think persons ought to
stand up for their convictions and be persons in their own right.
Paul would agree with this, but he has something else in mind
when he wrote, "in him it is always yes." He means to say that
God's promises are always fulfilled in Jesus.
Outline: Jesus is God's yes-man.
a. Is there forgiveness with God? Jesus says yes.
b. Can one have peace? Jesus says yes.
c. If a man dies, will he live again? Jesus says yes.
2. The answer is yes! 1:18-22
Need: We are always in need of affirmation. We need to be sure
of our salvation. We need to be told over and over that God loves
us, that he forgives the penitent and that there is security for
the future when earthly life is over. This passage gives a yes
answer.
Outline: Yes, God is faithful -- v. 18.
a. Yes, God's promises are fulfilled -- v. 20.
b. Yes, God's Spirit is a guarantee of your salvation -- v.
22.
