27th Sunday After Pentecost
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1-6
Unless the people repent, God's judgment will come to the nation.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Paul is grateful for the faith of the Thessalonians and prays for an increase in their love.
Gospel:
Matthew 24:1-14
Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and describes the signs of the end of the world.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 105:1-7 - "He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth (v. 7)."
Hymn Of The Day
"Rise, O Children Of Salvation"
Theme Of The Day: The End Of The World
Gospel - Signs of the coming end of the world.
Lesson 1 - At the end judgment comes to an unrepentant nation.
Lesson 2 - At the end when Christ returns, Christians are to be blameless in holiness.
Today our Lessons deal with the end of the world. In the Gospel, Jesus foretells the end of Jerusalem and gives the signs of the approaching end of the world. Jeremiah is ordered to tell the people of his day that their lack of repentance will result in the death of their nation. In Lesson 2 we have a positive dimension. Christians by their faith and love will be blameless when Jesus returns. The Prayer reflects this theme, for references are made to the end of the world ("it ceases to be"), the "short span of live," and "the signs." The Psalm's refrain deals directly with "judgments." The Hymn assures us of the church's victory over the evil forces of the world - "Victory our song shall be." As the church year comes to an end, our minds turn to eschatology, the end of the earth and Christ's coming to judge the nations. Next Sunday the Gospel deals with Jesus' judging the nations upon his return.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 24:1-14
1. Privately (v. 3). The disciples came to Jesus privately. They wanted some secret information concerning the end of the world and his return as judge of the nations. They thought that they had an "in" with him and they wanted to learn something nobody else would know. This would be one of the advantages of being a disciple. They did not get an answer to "when" because he himself did not know, but he could tell them about the signs. The end will come when things get so bad that conditions on earth are intolerable. Christ will return at the time when people have hit the bottom on deterioration.
2. Birth-pangs (v. 8). This is a new way of looking at the horrible conditions of the world -
war, false messiahs, famine and earthquakes. These are birth-pangs of a new era. Christ will return and a new earth and heaven begin. For a Christian the end of the world with its horrors is the beginning of a golden age in which Christ prevails. This is the basis for Christian hope and reason to pray, "Come quickly, Lord."
3. Endures (v. 13). In the last days Christians will be severely persecuted by the corrupt world. This calls for endurance through the sufferings. The Christian will be saved if he endures to the end, not three-fourths or nine-tenths of the way. According to this passage, there is much to endure: hatred, betrayal, wickedness. It will be an endurance contest, and only those who last will have the victory of new life in the Kingdom.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1-6
1. Beginning (v. 1). At the time of a new administration, the people's hope rises for a new deal, for better days, for a change for the better. It happens when a new president is elected, a new Pope is chosen or a new king is crowned. Jeremiah tells of a new king of Judah coming to the throne and it is the occasion for God to call upon the people to repent, to change their ways and to obey the law of God. The truth is that a change of administration will prove to be no better than the last one unless there is a change in the hearts of the people.
2. Lord's House (v. 2). God orders Jeremiah to preach to the people in the court of the temple. It is the religious people who need to repent, to turn from wickedness and to obey God. These people come to the temple to worship God, but what kind of worship is it? One ought to be able to expect worshipers to obey the God they worship. Sinners, not those in church, need to be called to repentance. What goes here? Is the message to us that our nation's welfare depends upon the church people's repentance?
3. Curse (v. 6). Disobedience brings God's wrath upon a people who become a curse to the world. Wicked people are cursed and are a curse to the well-being of the world. God is holy and just. He cannot tolerate disobedience. Sin has its pay-day. It is not God's will to bring evil upon his people: his will is for all to return and live. If a people reject God and disobey, they bring judgment upon themselves. Let this be a warning to any people who have forgotten God and turned to a godless way of life. The ultimate end is a curse.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
1. Standfast (v. 8). A Christian takes a stand, but in times of affliction and distress, he needs to "stand fast." Where does he stand? Paul answers, "in the Lord." Before we can stand fast, we need to know the Lord and believe in him with full conviction. A Christian stands against the world; he stands for Christ and his cause in the world. This obviates all compromise and carrying water on both shoulders. Whoever is on the Lord's side must stand with him in opposition to his enemies.
2. Lacking (v. 10). Apparently, the church in Thessalonica was lacking in faith. Earnestly, night and day, Paul prayed that he might supply what was lacking. Does any Christian have perfect faith? The disciples once appealed to Jesus, "Increase our faith." Most of us are "men of little faith." Our faith may be lacking in trust and/or obedience. We may have faith for good times, but where is our faith when hardships come?
3. Abound (v. 12). Paul prays that his people may increase and abound in love. Can one love too much? Is there any limit to love? Can one ever get enough love or give enough? When we live in a world of animosity and strife, it takes a leap of love to overcome the opposition. We need to abound in love if we are going to love the unlovely and to love all persons - atheists, terrorists, murderers, rapists and bitter enemies.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Matthew 24:1-14; Jeremiah 26:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
When the World Takes Its Last Breath
Need: Our people need to know that the world is coming to an end. The end will not be in our hands. God will bring it to an end in his own good time, according to his wisdom and will. Although each generation may think it is the last one, it may be the case with ours. We have pollution and thermo-nuclear power to threaten our existence. It is not the purpose of the sermon to scare people, but to make them aware of the coming end as God brings the age to a close.
Outline: The certainty of the end of the world.
a. Signs of the approaching end - Gospel.
b. The end means destruction of evil - Lesson 1.
c. The end finds Christians in blameless holiness - Lesson 2.
Gospel:
Matthew 24:1-14
1. Birth-Pangs of a New World. 24:1-8
Need: We usually think of the end of the world in terms of horror and terror. We think of the end as a terrible time of suffering, destruction and death. In this text, Jesus would have us see the catastrophic conditions as birth-pangs of a new world. The birth pains can be horrible, but they are a part of the process in bringing new life to the world. Out of the destruction of the old order will come a new and better age. This is reason to hope in the midst of the worst times.
Outline: The end is the beginning.
a. The old world is passing away, the end - vv. 1-2.
b. The pains of a world a-borning: false leaders, war, natural disasters - vv. 3-8.
2. Doing Your Best in the Worst Times. 24:1-14
Need: Things in the world are bad, and they may get worse before they get better. What shall Christians do in these horrible times? We can join the forces of decay or we can surrender to despair, fear and worry. In this passage Jesus tells us what we should not do and what we can do.
Outline: Doing what you can in terrible times.
a. What not to do.
1. Don't be misled - v. 4.
2. Don't be alarmed - v. 6.
b. What to do.
1. Endure hardship - v . 13.
2. Spread the gospel - v. 14.
3. How Much Can You Take? 24:13
Need: Christians live in a trying world. They are subject to the evil world and often they are the victims of it. During the period before the end of the world, Jesus says that Christians will experience tribulations, death and hatred simply because they are Christians. Life then becomes an endurance contest: how much and how long can you take the world's worst? This may be a strange message for Christians today who are enjoying peace, prosperity, luxury and acclaim. But the end is coming, things will get worse, and Christians are going to have a bad time. This sermon should prepare us for what is coming.
Outline: How much can you take?
a. How much and how long - "He who endures to the end (v. 13)."
1. "Endures" - hatred, false prophets, wickedness.
2. "End" - how long can you take it?
b. Reward of taking it - "will be saved (v. 13)."
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1-6
1. When God and Man Repent. 26:3
Need: Does God ever repent? Does God need to repent? If you think of repenting for wrong doing, a holy God surely needs no repentance. It is in the meaning of the word, "repent." It means to change one's mind. In this sense, God can repent. As Jeremiah says, if the people turn from their evil ways, God will change his mind about destroying them. This calls for a dual repentance. We need to change our mind about rebelling against God, and God will then change his mind about destroying sinners. In the face of the end, we need to be aroused to repent, lest God does not repent.
Outline: Consider a dual repentance.
a. Our repentance - "turn from his evil way (v. 3)."
b. God's repentance - "I may repent of the evil which I intend (v. 3)."
2. The End Before the End. 26:1-6
Need: An end can come before the end of the world. It can be an end for a person, a family, an organization, or a nation. When destruction and death come, it is the end for that person or people. The end of the world may be millenia away. Thus, we need to be concerned about meeting our end before the end of time.
Outline: Consider this.
a. Your end may come before the end - vv. 4-6.
b. You may avoid the end - v. 3.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
1. No End to Growing. 3:10-13
Need: Nature has a growing season. It does not continue for 12 months of each year. Does a Christian have a growing season? Is there ever a time when he stops growing? Does he ever reach full growth and potential? Human beings differ from the rest of creation in that they never cease to grow morally and spiritually. It is true that some stop growing and then death sets in. In this pericope, Paul indicates the areas in which the church people need to continue to grow until Jesus returns. Then we will find them blameless in holiness.
Outline: Where there is no end of growing.
a. Area of faith - "what is lacking in your faith (v. 10)."
b. Area of love - "increase and abound in love (v. 12)."
2. What Your Faith Means to Others. 3:7-9
Need: We usually think of what faith means to us. It does mean "everything." On the other hand, faith means much to others. Paul tells his church in this Lesson what their faith means to him. This is an added reason for our having faith - for others.
Outline: What your faith can do for others.
a. Comfort - we are comforted because you have faith - v. 7.
b. Life - we live because you stand firm in faith - v. 8.
c. Gratitude - we give thanks for your faith - v. 9.
Unless the people repent, God's judgment will come to the nation.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Paul is grateful for the faith of the Thessalonians and prays for an increase in their love.
Gospel:
Matthew 24:1-14
Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and describes the signs of the end of the world.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 105:1-7 - "He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth (v. 7)."
Hymn Of The Day
"Rise, O Children Of Salvation"
Theme Of The Day: The End Of The World
Gospel - Signs of the coming end of the world.
Lesson 1 - At the end judgment comes to an unrepentant nation.
Lesson 2 - At the end when Christ returns, Christians are to be blameless in holiness.
Today our Lessons deal with the end of the world. In the Gospel, Jesus foretells the end of Jerusalem and gives the signs of the approaching end of the world. Jeremiah is ordered to tell the people of his day that their lack of repentance will result in the death of their nation. In Lesson 2 we have a positive dimension. Christians by their faith and love will be blameless when Jesus returns. The Prayer reflects this theme, for references are made to the end of the world ("it ceases to be"), the "short span of live," and "the signs." The Psalm's refrain deals directly with "judgments." The Hymn assures us of the church's victory over the evil forces of the world - "Victory our song shall be." As the church year comes to an end, our minds turn to eschatology, the end of the earth and Christ's coming to judge the nations. Next Sunday the Gospel deals with Jesus' judging the nations upon his return.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 24:1-14
1. Privately (v. 3). The disciples came to Jesus privately. They wanted some secret information concerning the end of the world and his return as judge of the nations. They thought that they had an "in" with him and they wanted to learn something nobody else would know. This would be one of the advantages of being a disciple. They did not get an answer to "when" because he himself did not know, but he could tell them about the signs. The end will come when things get so bad that conditions on earth are intolerable. Christ will return at the time when people have hit the bottom on deterioration.
2. Birth-pangs (v. 8). This is a new way of looking at the horrible conditions of the world -
war, false messiahs, famine and earthquakes. These are birth-pangs of a new era. Christ will return and a new earth and heaven begin. For a Christian the end of the world with its horrors is the beginning of a golden age in which Christ prevails. This is the basis for Christian hope and reason to pray, "Come quickly, Lord."
3. Endures (v. 13). In the last days Christians will be severely persecuted by the corrupt world. This calls for endurance through the sufferings. The Christian will be saved if he endures to the end, not three-fourths or nine-tenths of the way. According to this passage, there is much to endure: hatred, betrayal, wickedness. It will be an endurance contest, and only those who last will have the victory of new life in the Kingdom.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1-6
1. Beginning (v. 1). At the time of a new administration, the people's hope rises for a new deal, for better days, for a change for the better. It happens when a new president is elected, a new Pope is chosen or a new king is crowned. Jeremiah tells of a new king of Judah coming to the throne and it is the occasion for God to call upon the people to repent, to change their ways and to obey the law of God. The truth is that a change of administration will prove to be no better than the last one unless there is a change in the hearts of the people.
2. Lord's House (v. 2). God orders Jeremiah to preach to the people in the court of the temple. It is the religious people who need to repent, to turn from wickedness and to obey God. These people come to the temple to worship God, but what kind of worship is it? One ought to be able to expect worshipers to obey the God they worship. Sinners, not those in church, need to be called to repentance. What goes here? Is the message to us that our nation's welfare depends upon the church people's repentance?
3. Curse (v. 6). Disobedience brings God's wrath upon a people who become a curse to the world. Wicked people are cursed and are a curse to the well-being of the world. God is holy and just. He cannot tolerate disobedience. Sin has its pay-day. It is not God's will to bring evil upon his people: his will is for all to return and live. If a people reject God and disobey, they bring judgment upon themselves. Let this be a warning to any people who have forgotten God and turned to a godless way of life. The ultimate end is a curse.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
1. Standfast (v. 8). A Christian takes a stand, but in times of affliction and distress, he needs to "stand fast." Where does he stand? Paul answers, "in the Lord." Before we can stand fast, we need to know the Lord and believe in him with full conviction. A Christian stands against the world; he stands for Christ and his cause in the world. This obviates all compromise and carrying water on both shoulders. Whoever is on the Lord's side must stand with him in opposition to his enemies.
2. Lacking (v. 10). Apparently, the church in Thessalonica was lacking in faith. Earnestly, night and day, Paul prayed that he might supply what was lacking. Does any Christian have perfect faith? The disciples once appealed to Jesus, "Increase our faith." Most of us are "men of little faith." Our faith may be lacking in trust and/or obedience. We may have faith for good times, but where is our faith when hardships come?
3. Abound (v. 12). Paul prays that his people may increase and abound in love. Can one love too much? Is there any limit to love? Can one ever get enough love or give enough? When we live in a world of animosity and strife, it takes a leap of love to overcome the opposition. We need to abound in love if we are going to love the unlovely and to love all persons - atheists, terrorists, murderers, rapists and bitter enemies.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Matthew 24:1-14; Jeremiah 26:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
When the World Takes Its Last Breath
Need: Our people need to know that the world is coming to an end. The end will not be in our hands. God will bring it to an end in his own good time, according to his wisdom and will. Although each generation may think it is the last one, it may be the case with ours. We have pollution and thermo-nuclear power to threaten our existence. It is not the purpose of the sermon to scare people, but to make them aware of the coming end as God brings the age to a close.
Outline: The certainty of the end of the world.
a. Signs of the approaching end - Gospel.
b. The end means destruction of evil - Lesson 1.
c. The end finds Christians in blameless holiness - Lesson 2.
Gospel:
Matthew 24:1-14
1. Birth-Pangs of a New World. 24:1-8
Need: We usually think of the end of the world in terms of horror and terror. We think of the end as a terrible time of suffering, destruction and death. In this text, Jesus would have us see the catastrophic conditions as birth-pangs of a new world. The birth pains can be horrible, but they are a part of the process in bringing new life to the world. Out of the destruction of the old order will come a new and better age. This is reason to hope in the midst of the worst times.
Outline: The end is the beginning.
a. The old world is passing away, the end - vv. 1-2.
b. The pains of a world a-borning: false leaders, war, natural disasters - vv. 3-8.
2. Doing Your Best in the Worst Times. 24:1-14
Need: Things in the world are bad, and they may get worse before they get better. What shall Christians do in these horrible times? We can join the forces of decay or we can surrender to despair, fear and worry. In this passage Jesus tells us what we should not do and what we can do.
Outline: Doing what you can in terrible times.
a. What not to do.
1. Don't be misled - v. 4.
2. Don't be alarmed - v. 6.
b. What to do.
1. Endure hardship - v . 13.
2. Spread the gospel - v. 14.
3. How Much Can You Take? 24:13
Need: Christians live in a trying world. They are subject to the evil world and often they are the victims of it. During the period before the end of the world, Jesus says that Christians will experience tribulations, death and hatred simply because they are Christians. Life then becomes an endurance contest: how much and how long can you take the world's worst? This may be a strange message for Christians today who are enjoying peace, prosperity, luxury and acclaim. But the end is coming, things will get worse, and Christians are going to have a bad time. This sermon should prepare us for what is coming.
Outline: How much can you take?
a. How much and how long - "He who endures to the end (v. 13)."
1. "Endures" - hatred, false prophets, wickedness.
2. "End" - how long can you take it?
b. Reward of taking it - "will be saved (v. 13)."
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1-6
1. When God and Man Repent. 26:3
Need: Does God ever repent? Does God need to repent? If you think of repenting for wrong doing, a holy God surely needs no repentance. It is in the meaning of the word, "repent." It means to change one's mind. In this sense, God can repent. As Jeremiah says, if the people turn from their evil ways, God will change his mind about destroying them. This calls for a dual repentance. We need to change our mind about rebelling against God, and God will then change his mind about destroying sinners. In the face of the end, we need to be aroused to repent, lest God does not repent.
Outline: Consider a dual repentance.
a. Our repentance - "turn from his evil way (v. 3)."
b. God's repentance - "I may repent of the evil which I intend (v. 3)."
2. The End Before the End. 26:1-6
Need: An end can come before the end of the world. It can be an end for a person, a family, an organization, or a nation. When destruction and death come, it is the end for that person or people. The end of the world may be millenia away. Thus, we need to be concerned about meeting our end before the end of time.
Outline: Consider this.
a. Your end may come before the end - vv. 4-6.
b. You may avoid the end - v. 3.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
1. No End to Growing. 3:10-13
Need: Nature has a growing season. It does not continue for 12 months of each year. Does a Christian have a growing season? Is there ever a time when he stops growing? Does he ever reach full growth and potential? Human beings differ from the rest of creation in that they never cease to grow morally and spiritually. It is true that some stop growing and then death sets in. In this pericope, Paul indicates the areas in which the church people need to continue to grow until Jesus returns. Then we will find them blameless in holiness.
Outline: Where there is no end of growing.
a. Area of faith - "what is lacking in your faith (v. 10)."
b. Area of love - "increase and abound in love (v. 12)."
2. What Your Faith Means to Others. 3:7-9
Need: We usually think of what faith means to us. It does mean "everything." On the other hand, faith means much to others. Paul tells his church in this Lesson what their faith means to him. This is an added reason for our having faith - for others.
Outline: What your faith can do for others.
a. Comfort - we are comforted because you have faith - v. 7.
b. Life - we live because you stand firm in faith - v. 8.
c. Gratitude - we give thanks for your faith - v. 9.
