Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle A
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 49:8-16a (C); Isaiah 49:14-15 (RC); Isaiah 49:8-18 (E)
Babylon had fallen to the Persians. The people, former prisoners and slaves in Babylon, could now return to their native Israel. Undoubtedly, these words of Second Isaiah were of profound importance in giving courage and hope to the people as they returned. Others, too, from other parts of the world, hearing of the return would come back as well. From many places, the people came in response to the words, "Thus says the Lord ... saying to the prisoners, 'come out,' to those who are in darkness, 'show yourselves.' " If they were willing to trust the promise of God, they could safely return to the work of rebuilding their nation.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (C, RC); 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (6-7) 8-13 (E)
Judgment rendered by other than God is of small consequence to Paul. Perhaps he has gotten word of criticism directed at him. No matter, he has done his best and is untroubled by any feelings of guilt. Withhold judgment, he counsels, until such time as judgment is rendered by God.
Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34 (C, RC, E)
Nearly every Christian has found or will find hope in this passage. Jesus assures us that God not only understands full well about our basic needs, but wants us to be cared for. If, after all, God cares for the grass in the fields and the birds of the air, how much more will God care for us? If one is willing to focus one's efforts and concerns on the Kingdom of God, on the righteous life, God will guide us in securing for ourselves the basic needs of life. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "A Life That Can't Fail"
Text: Isaiah 49:8-16a
Theme: The thought is raised here that God may, at times, send hardship as a way of testing. The New Testament never suggests this and the preacher should clarify the point. The ancients among the mystics thought perhaps God went halfway in that direction by withdrawing his presence for a season, leaving the individual to learn what a life without God would be like or, perhaps, to appreciate more fully God when present. These are all heady philosophical ideas with which the writers of the New Testament seemed unfamiliar. There we are promised a constantly present, never unavailable God. A possible outline could be:
1. God has promised to be with us always, the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit promises to help us when our needs are great.
3. The Holy Spirit's help will not excuse us from doing our very best.
4. Growth of character occurs through hardship. God doesn't send specific hardships, but has created a world in which they are inevitable.
5. If we persist in living the life of love, and if we are willing to endure the "heat of the day," as it were, we will not be overcome.
Title: "Be Who You Are"
Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Theme: An interesting insight here is Paul's remark that "I do not even judge myself." Clearly, Jesus taught that the judging of others is wrong. If we know anything at all about Jesus' teachings, we know that. But we sometimes forget that self-judgment can be destructive as well. Paul reveals a healthy mind in his remark. The preacher could very well remind the rest of us to be charitable in our own self-evaluations.
1. Judge not thyself. Paul, in another context, referred to himself as "chief of sinners." That would be harsh. We are, after all, human with the limitations of the flesh. Every one of us from time to time says or does something we're not very proud about. The very concept of grace is a promise that God understands our human nature, which sometimes includes selfish statements and acts, yet God loves and forgives. A careful reading of the New Testament shows that God was less distressed by our mistakes than by the idea that we don't make mistakes: self-righteousness. That's why Jesus had so much trouble with the Pharisees. They were what Mark Twain called "good in the worst sense of the word."
2. Everyone must strike a healthy balance between, on the one hand, failing to be self-critical and, on the other hand, being hard on oneself to the point of being unreasonable. Popeye has long been not only a cartoon character but a healthy-minded mythical American character when he said, "I yam what I yam and thass all I yam." Of course Popeye fought for justice. A healthy level of self-acceptance is important.
3. Jesus seemed easily able to relate to prostitutes, excessive drinkers, brawlers, even petty criminals like the tax collectors who were really collaborationists with the occupation troops. What he simply could not abide was people who were self-righteous. He told about the two men who went into the temple to pray (see below).
4. Paul's attitude here was healthy. He had done the best he could, understood that people who do anything worth doing will have critics to face, gently brushed aside his critics, and continued doing what he had to do.
Title: "Stop Worrying, Start Living"
Text: Matthew 6:24-34
Theme: What a prescription for mental health. A preacher of yesteryear told of his acquaintance with a psychiatrist who retired with the intention of writing a book, using all he had learned through his distinguished career, telling people how to find a happy, healthy-minded outlook on life. He said he did a lot of reading in his research and finally got around to reading the Sermon on the Mount. Then he said he realized the book had already been written. There was nothing, he said, to add to the wisdom to be found there.
1. Jesus promised that God will help us care for our basic needs: food, clothing, a place to live. He didn't promise luxuries, nor did he promise an easy way to achieve these things. But he did promise that if we make every effort to live by the rules of life set down in the teachings of Jesus, we will each be enabled to care for our needs to such an extent that we should not worry about them.
2. Jesus did say, "Tomorrow will bring worries of its own." This is not a guarantee of freedom from worldly troubles. But I, for one, can say that practically none of the things I have worried about in life ever came to pass. Whatever problems I may have faced were almost always unexpected. Most people will say the same. It's pointless to worry when we don't know what to worry about.
3. Worries are often self-fulfilling. I knew one man who was pretty good at his job. Unfortunately, he felt so insecure he was constantly approaching his boss to be sure he was noticed, so that he could be reassured he was doing all right. He was finally fired, almost surely because his boss found him to be a pain in the neck. Many a night's sleep is lost from worry over problems which never arise.
4. Jesus said, "Today's trouble is enough for today." I think he meant by this that we will be able to handle things when the time comes. Yes, there will be problems. Yes, on a very few occasions, major difficulties will beset us. God will enable us when the time comes, so quit worrying. You'll be all right. Just try to live your life by the principles of love and justice.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Jesus told of two men who went into a temple to pray. One rather ostentatiously thanked God that he had been able to live a righteous life. Seeing what he considered to be a wretched tax collector, an undesirable if he ever saw one, he used him as an example, thanking God that he, a Pharisee (you can just imagine him standing a little taller with that proud thought), was not guilty of any of the many wrongs he felt sure that other fellow had done. "I'm not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer like everybody else," he prayed. He may very well have spoken these words aloud so the other man might hear and be properly scolded.
The other man? Yes, he'd done a few things in his time. He did, indeed, work for the hated Roman occupation forces. It was wrong. He knew that. Yes, that Pharisee gentleman probably did obey the hundreds of little laws which he had no doubt memorized. But that was no affair of the tax collector's. He knew he had done wrong. He confessed, openly, to his God, then prayed, "God, have pity on me, a sinner."
Jesus, having in the first place addressed this story to "people who were sure of their own goodness," concluded, "I tell you the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God."
So much for self-righteous critics. The story is in Luke 18:9-14.
____________
Harry Emerson Fosdick, considered by some the twentieth century's greatest preacher, once wrote this: "No well-integrated life is possible without an initial act of self-acceptance, as though to say: 'I, John Smith, hereby accept myself, with my inherited endowments and handicaps and with the elements in my environment which I cannot alter or control, and, so accepting myself as my stint, I will now see what I can do with this John Smith.' When Margaret Fuller said, 'I accept the universe,' Carlyle's retort was 'Gad! she'd better!' Accepting the universe, however, is for many people a simple matter compared with the far more intimate act of accepting themselves."
____________
Abraham Lincoln once polled his Cabinet on a very crucial national issue. They were unanimous, all of them voting "nay." Abe, however, voted "aye" and then announced, "Seven nays, one aye. The ayes have it," and followed his own counsel. Not an especially good example of democracy in action but, like Saint Paul, a good example of someone who believes in himself and what he's doing.
____________
Bishop Richard Raines used to tell about a mouse and an elephant who were walking through the jungle one day, talking together. They came to a rickety bridge across a chasm. Continuing on, the two friends walked across side by side, and when they reached the other side, the mouse drew himself up to his full height and said to the elephant, "Boy, we sure did shake that bridge." That's how it is with us if we walk with the Holy Spirit in times of trouble.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 131 (C) -- I have composed and quieted my soul.
Psalm 62 (RC, E) -- For God alone my soul waits in silence.
Prayer Of The Day
Eternal God: I may not be all that others think I should be; I may not be all that I wish I could be; I may not be all that you created me to be. But I pray that I might find within myself those qualities which will enable me to become the best that I can be. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 49:8-16a (C); Isaiah 49:14-15 (RC); Isaiah 49:8-18 (E)
Babylon had fallen to the Persians. The people, former prisoners and slaves in Babylon, could now return to their native Israel. Undoubtedly, these words of Second Isaiah were of profound importance in giving courage and hope to the people as they returned. Others, too, from other parts of the world, hearing of the return would come back as well. From many places, the people came in response to the words, "Thus says the Lord ... saying to the prisoners, 'come out,' to those who are in darkness, 'show yourselves.' " If they were willing to trust the promise of God, they could safely return to the work of rebuilding their nation.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (C, RC); 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (6-7) 8-13 (E)
Judgment rendered by other than God is of small consequence to Paul. Perhaps he has gotten word of criticism directed at him. No matter, he has done his best and is untroubled by any feelings of guilt. Withhold judgment, he counsels, until such time as judgment is rendered by God.
Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34 (C, RC, E)
Nearly every Christian has found or will find hope in this passage. Jesus assures us that God not only understands full well about our basic needs, but wants us to be cared for. If, after all, God cares for the grass in the fields and the birds of the air, how much more will God care for us? If one is willing to focus one's efforts and concerns on the Kingdom of God, on the righteous life, God will guide us in securing for ourselves the basic needs of life. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "A Life That Can't Fail"
Text: Isaiah 49:8-16a
Theme: The thought is raised here that God may, at times, send hardship as a way of testing. The New Testament never suggests this and the preacher should clarify the point. The ancients among the mystics thought perhaps God went halfway in that direction by withdrawing his presence for a season, leaving the individual to learn what a life without God would be like or, perhaps, to appreciate more fully God when present. These are all heady philosophical ideas with which the writers of the New Testament seemed unfamiliar. There we are promised a constantly present, never unavailable God. A possible outline could be:
1. God has promised to be with us always, the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit promises to help us when our needs are great.
3. The Holy Spirit's help will not excuse us from doing our very best.
4. Growth of character occurs through hardship. God doesn't send specific hardships, but has created a world in which they are inevitable.
5. If we persist in living the life of love, and if we are willing to endure the "heat of the day," as it were, we will not be overcome.
Title: "Be Who You Are"
Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Theme: An interesting insight here is Paul's remark that "I do not even judge myself." Clearly, Jesus taught that the judging of others is wrong. If we know anything at all about Jesus' teachings, we know that. But we sometimes forget that self-judgment can be destructive as well. Paul reveals a healthy mind in his remark. The preacher could very well remind the rest of us to be charitable in our own self-evaluations.
1. Judge not thyself. Paul, in another context, referred to himself as "chief of sinners." That would be harsh. We are, after all, human with the limitations of the flesh. Every one of us from time to time says or does something we're not very proud about. The very concept of grace is a promise that God understands our human nature, which sometimes includes selfish statements and acts, yet God loves and forgives. A careful reading of the New Testament shows that God was less distressed by our mistakes than by the idea that we don't make mistakes: self-righteousness. That's why Jesus had so much trouble with the Pharisees. They were what Mark Twain called "good in the worst sense of the word."
2. Everyone must strike a healthy balance between, on the one hand, failing to be self-critical and, on the other hand, being hard on oneself to the point of being unreasonable. Popeye has long been not only a cartoon character but a healthy-minded mythical American character when he said, "I yam what I yam and thass all I yam." Of course Popeye fought for justice. A healthy level of self-acceptance is important.
3. Jesus seemed easily able to relate to prostitutes, excessive drinkers, brawlers, even petty criminals like the tax collectors who were really collaborationists with the occupation troops. What he simply could not abide was people who were self-righteous. He told about the two men who went into the temple to pray (see below).
4. Paul's attitude here was healthy. He had done the best he could, understood that people who do anything worth doing will have critics to face, gently brushed aside his critics, and continued doing what he had to do.
Title: "Stop Worrying, Start Living"
Text: Matthew 6:24-34
Theme: What a prescription for mental health. A preacher of yesteryear told of his acquaintance with a psychiatrist who retired with the intention of writing a book, using all he had learned through his distinguished career, telling people how to find a happy, healthy-minded outlook on life. He said he did a lot of reading in his research and finally got around to reading the Sermon on the Mount. Then he said he realized the book had already been written. There was nothing, he said, to add to the wisdom to be found there.
1. Jesus promised that God will help us care for our basic needs: food, clothing, a place to live. He didn't promise luxuries, nor did he promise an easy way to achieve these things. But he did promise that if we make every effort to live by the rules of life set down in the teachings of Jesus, we will each be enabled to care for our needs to such an extent that we should not worry about them.
2. Jesus did say, "Tomorrow will bring worries of its own." This is not a guarantee of freedom from worldly troubles. But I, for one, can say that practically none of the things I have worried about in life ever came to pass. Whatever problems I may have faced were almost always unexpected. Most people will say the same. It's pointless to worry when we don't know what to worry about.
3. Worries are often self-fulfilling. I knew one man who was pretty good at his job. Unfortunately, he felt so insecure he was constantly approaching his boss to be sure he was noticed, so that he could be reassured he was doing all right. He was finally fired, almost surely because his boss found him to be a pain in the neck. Many a night's sleep is lost from worry over problems which never arise.
4. Jesus said, "Today's trouble is enough for today." I think he meant by this that we will be able to handle things when the time comes. Yes, there will be problems. Yes, on a very few occasions, major difficulties will beset us. God will enable us when the time comes, so quit worrying. You'll be all right. Just try to live your life by the principles of love and justice.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Jesus told of two men who went into a temple to pray. One rather ostentatiously thanked God that he had been able to live a righteous life. Seeing what he considered to be a wretched tax collector, an undesirable if he ever saw one, he used him as an example, thanking God that he, a Pharisee (you can just imagine him standing a little taller with that proud thought), was not guilty of any of the many wrongs he felt sure that other fellow had done. "I'm not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer like everybody else," he prayed. He may very well have spoken these words aloud so the other man might hear and be properly scolded.
The other man? Yes, he'd done a few things in his time. He did, indeed, work for the hated Roman occupation forces. It was wrong. He knew that. Yes, that Pharisee gentleman probably did obey the hundreds of little laws which he had no doubt memorized. But that was no affair of the tax collector's. He knew he had done wrong. He confessed, openly, to his God, then prayed, "God, have pity on me, a sinner."
Jesus, having in the first place addressed this story to "people who were sure of their own goodness," concluded, "I tell you the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God."
So much for self-righteous critics. The story is in Luke 18:9-14.
____________
Harry Emerson Fosdick, considered by some the twentieth century's greatest preacher, once wrote this: "No well-integrated life is possible without an initial act of self-acceptance, as though to say: 'I, John Smith, hereby accept myself, with my inherited endowments and handicaps and with the elements in my environment which I cannot alter or control, and, so accepting myself as my stint, I will now see what I can do with this John Smith.' When Margaret Fuller said, 'I accept the universe,' Carlyle's retort was 'Gad! she'd better!' Accepting the universe, however, is for many people a simple matter compared with the far more intimate act of accepting themselves."
____________
Abraham Lincoln once polled his Cabinet on a very crucial national issue. They were unanimous, all of them voting "nay." Abe, however, voted "aye" and then announced, "Seven nays, one aye. The ayes have it," and followed his own counsel. Not an especially good example of democracy in action but, like Saint Paul, a good example of someone who believes in himself and what he's doing.
____________
Bishop Richard Raines used to tell about a mouse and an elephant who were walking through the jungle one day, talking together. They came to a rickety bridge across a chasm. Continuing on, the two friends walked across side by side, and when they reached the other side, the mouse drew himself up to his full height and said to the elephant, "Boy, we sure did shake that bridge." That's how it is with us if we walk with the Holy Spirit in times of trouble.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 131 (C) -- I have composed and quieted my soul.
Psalm 62 (RC, E) -- For God alone my soul waits in silence.
Prayer Of The Day
Eternal God: I may not be all that others think I should be; I may not be all that I wish I could be; I may not be all that you created me to be. But I pray that I might find within myself those qualities which will enable me to become the best that I can be. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
