All Saints' Sunday
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Theme For The Day
Remembering all the saints of God and the lifestyle Jesus asks us to live in order to be one of his saints and disciples.
Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Ultimate Victory
Daniel writes down those things which happened while Israel was held captive in Babylon. Here we have Daniel's dream of "... four great hearts" representing four empires which tried to rule the world without giving homage to the living God. Verses 15-17 are an interpretation of the dream. Four Kings will attempt this rule but eventually Israel will rule the kingdom. Daniel always ends his prophecies with God triumphing. If the people will just trust in God, in the end they will experience victory. Is Daniel right in this message?
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 1:11-23
Sealed With The Holy Spirit
Verse 11 is a homiletical gold mine! What have we inherited because of and through Christ? The Jews inherited the privilege of being the first to expect the coming of the Anointed One of God. The Gentiles were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Like a package was sealed in the early days to show from whom it came and that it was intact, the Holy Spirit shows we belong to God. This same spirit shows us God's will and helps us do it. In verse 14 we have the use of the Greek word arrabon, which means a down payment to pledge the rest will be paid. So the Holy Spirit is a taste of the joys of heaven. It also guarantees that one day we will have eternal blessedness with God.
In most of our denominational baptismal liturgies we have the words which are similar to, "Child of God, you have been sealed with the holy spirit...."
The Gospel
Luke 6:20-31
Beatitudes And Woes
These passages are Luke's version of the Beatitudes even though they do differ a good bit from Matthew's version in Matthew 5:3-10. The term "the poor" has an interesting history. Those who were left behind in Jerusalem after its capture in 586 B.C. were referred to as "the poor" because they were destitute and represented defenseless and poor people who remain loyal to God. See Psalm 72:2. The weeping in verse 21 was a lamenting before God over sins. Jesus had a sense from the prophet's fate that his disciples would suffer. He also promised a reward for their faithfulness to those who did not expect a reward. In verse 24 riches are condemned outright. Jesus always advised that wealth would make his discipleship difficult and next to impossible. Luke tells of this teaching in 12:13-21 and 16:29-31 as well.
The "woes" are doubtful as words of Jesus. They do not agree with the next passage to love one's enemies. But there are valuable warnings here. Complacency and not caring are condemned and we must speak boldly about the dangers of wealth, comfort, good fortune, and fame.
Then comes this passage on radical love. Jesus is the best model. Another example is Stephen (see Acts 7:60). Plato insists that it is better to suffer an injustice than to do one -- this remains the goal of the Christian ethic. Verse 30 is also difficult -- in spite of the risk, it is better to err on the side of generosity. Verse 31 is understandable and perhaps the best of the radical Christian love called for in this passage.
Preaching Possibilities
A. No doubt for All Saints' Sunday those who selected these readings for the Sunday we remember those saints of our congregation who have died over the last year and sing that glorious, "For all the saints ..." wanted us to see the fate of the saints in the Daniel passage. We are to remain faithful to God and the victory will eventually be ours. In the New Testament Reading they wanted us to see what is the inheritance of the saints and the blessedness of being sealed by the Holy Spirit. This is the down payment of God's eternal care. Then in the Gospel we have listed the blessedness of being a Christian disciple -- that which our deceased congregational saints knew well. The three will work well together today.
B. I think the Ephesians reading is so rich and can easily stand alone as we address "Our Inheritance" or "The Inheritance of the Saints." We do have to remember that many still think of saints as those special people beatified rather than all the baptized for whom Jesus died on the cross (and made a down payment for our eternal life). As those who are God's people, disciples, we have an inheritance.
1. Live in praise and glory (v. 12);
2. Sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit (v. 13);
3. Have a guarantee of redemption (v. 14);
4. Loved by God (v. 15);
5. Be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation (v. 17);
6. Know the hope to which we are called (v. 18);
7. Know the riches of our inheritance of the Saints (v. 18);
8. Know the greatness of his power (v. 19); and
9. Be a part of Christ's body which is the church (23).
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: The Saints Of God And Their Discipleship
A. Begin by asking the congregation to define in their mind just exactly what a saint is. Then give your definition.
B. Move to naming two or three who are being remembered today in the service and ask what the congregation believes makes them saints. Answer that the price Jesus paid on the cross, and so on.
C. Move to the Luke or Matthew account for today and the Beatitudes by Jesus to the disciples.
D. Explain these are not predictions of how it will be one day but are congratulations on how it is now for the saints of God.
E. Call attention to additions Luke gives:
1. The rich already have received their comfort (v. 24).
2. Those who have plenty may not later (v. 25).
3. The laughing now will cry later (v. 25).
4. Those who try to please everyone will be in trouble (v. 26).
F. Call attention to the radical love we disciples are to have:
1. We are to love our enemies and do good to them (v. 27).
2. We are to bless those who abuse and curse us (v. 28).
3. We are to turn the other cheek and give to people who have any need (vv. 29, 30).
4. And we must love as we would like to be loved (v. 31).
G. Sum it up by giving the do's and don'ts in your own words and shorter verbiage than this passage.
H. Use one of the Possible Metaphors And Stories below.
Prayer For The Day
Dear God, we do rejoice and give thanks today for all the saints living now and those who have gone before us which make up such a glorious company of the baptized. As we contemplate those lives lived in our midst today, we pray we might learn from them the do's and don'ts of sainthood and rejoice for your death on the cross for us all. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In September of 1997 the world lost one of its living saints. The prayer written by Mother Teresa that every Missionary of Charity says before leaving for his or her apostate and also used as the Physician's Prayer in Shishu Bhavan, the children's home that Mother Teresa oversaw in Calcutta, follows:
"Dear Lord, the Great Healer, I kneel before you, since every perfect gift must come from you. I pray give skill to my hands, clear vision to my mind, kindness and meekness to my heart. Give me singleness of purpose, strength to lift up a part of the burden of my suffering fellow men, and a true realization of the suffering that is mine. Take from my heart all guile and worldliness that with the simple faith of a child, I may rely on you" (From A Simple Heart, by Mother Teresa, published by Ballentine Books, 1995).
Pastor Carlos Schneider told of Ted and Tom, who sat in the balcony at St. John's, Sacramento. Ted has died. Tom sits in the same place and keeps a place open for his deceased brother even when the balcony is crowded ... "the communion of the Saints" lived out by Tom of St. John's, Sacramento.
Some boys in a ski boat needed a tow. I went over and towed them into a nearby marina. They offered to pay. I told them just to purchase a tow rope and carry it in their boat to help others.
We who have been forgiven from the cross ought to forgive others; we who have been so richly blessed ought to bless; we who are so loved, to love ... and so forth.
At the Indonesian Batak celebration, called a "Hula Hula," of pregnancy, birth, marriage, ordinations, or a very special visit, all sit on straw mats on the floor and eat with their fingers and drink. Speeches are made and when the speaker says something especially wise and worthwhile all assembled say in unison, "Ima tutu," which means, "May it be so!"
The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are the Ima tutus of Jesus. Blessed are the poor, those who mourn, who grieve, and so forth. Ima tutu. May our ministries make it be so.
Remembering all the saints of God and the lifestyle Jesus asks us to live in order to be one of his saints and disciples.
Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Ultimate Victory
Daniel writes down those things which happened while Israel was held captive in Babylon. Here we have Daniel's dream of "... four great hearts" representing four empires which tried to rule the world without giving homage to the living God. Verses 15-17 are an interpretation of the dream. Four Kings will attempt this rule but eventually Israel will rule the kingdom. Daniel always ends his prophecies with God triumphing. If the people will just trust in God, in the end they will experience victory. Is Daniel right in this message?
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 1:11-23
Sealed With The Holy Spirit
Verse 11 is a homiletical gold mine! What have we inherited because of and through Christ? The Jews inherited the privilege of being the first to expect the coming of the Anointed One of God. The Gentiles were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Like a package was sealed in the early days to show from whom it came and that it was intact, the Holy Spirit shows we belong to God. This same spirit shows us God's will and helps us do it. In verse 14 we have the use of the Greek word arrabon, which means a down payment to pledge the rest will be paid. So the Holy Spirit is a taste of the joys of heaven. It also guarantees that one day we will have eternal blessedness with God.
In most of our denominational baptismal liturgies we have the words which are similar to, "Child of God, you have been sealed with the holy spirit...."
The Gospel
Luke 6:20-31
Beatitudes And Woes
These passages are Luke's version of the Beatitudes even though they do differ a good bit from Matthew's version in Matthew 5:3-10. The term "the poor" has an interesting history. Those who were left behind in Jerusalem after its capture in 586 B.C. were referred to as "the poor" because they were destitute and represented defenseless and poor people who remain loyal to God. See Psalm 72:2. The weeping in verse 21 was a lamenting before God over sins. Jesus had a sense from the prophet's fate that his disciples would suffer. He also promised a reward for their faithfulness to those who did not expect a reward. In verse 24 riches are condemned outright. Jesus always advised that wealth would make his discipleship difficult and next to impossible. Luke tells of this teaching in 12:13-21 and 16:29-31 as well.
The "woes" are doubtful as words of Jesus. They do not agree with the next passage to love one's enemies. But there are valuable warnings here. Complacency and not caring are condemned and we must speak boldly about the dangers of wealth, comfort, good fortune, and fame.
Then comes this passage on radical love. Jesus is the best model. Another example is Stephen (see Acts 7:60). Plato insists that it is better to suffer an injustice than to do one -- this remains the goal of the Christian ethic. Verse 30 is also difficult -- in spite of the risk, it is better to err on the side of generosity. Verse 31 is understandable and perhaps the best of the radical Christian love called for in this passage.
Preaching Possibilities
A. No doubt for All Saints' Sunday those who selected these readings for the Sunday we remember those saints of our congregation who have died over the last year and sing that glorious, "For all the saints ..." wanted us to see the fate of the saints in the Daniel passage. We are to remain faithful to God and the victory will eventually be ours. In the New Testament Reading they wanted us to see what is the inheritance of the saints and the blessedness of being sealed by the Holy Spirit. This is the down payment of God's eternal care. Then in the Gospel we have listed the blessedness of being a Christian disciple -- that which our deceased congregational saints knew well. The three will work well together today.
B. I think the Ephesians reading is so rich and can easily stand alone as we address "Our Inheritance" or "The Inheritance of the Saints." We do have to remember that many still think of saints as those special people beatified rather than all the baptized for whom Jesus died on the cross (and made a down payment for our eternal life). As those who are God's people, disciples, we have an inheritance.
1. Live in praise and glory (v. 12);
2. Sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit (v. 13);
3. Have a guarantee of redemption (v. 14);
4. Loved by God (v. 15);
5. Be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation (v. 17);
6. Know the hope to which we are called (v. 18);
7. Know the riches of our inheritance of the Saints (v. 18);
8. Know the greatness of his power (v. 19); and
9. Be a part of Christ's body which is the church (23).
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: The Saints Of God And Their Discipleship
A. Begin by asking the congregation to define in their mind just exactly what a saint is. Then give your definition.
B. Move to naming two or three who are being remembered today in the service and ask what the congregation believes makes them saints. Answer that the price Jesus paid on the cross, and so on.
C. Move to the Luke or Matthew account for today and the Beatitudes by Jesus to the disciples.
D. Explain these are not predictions of how it will be one day but are congratulations on how it is now for the saints of God.
E. Call attention to additions Luke gives:
1. The rich already have received their comfort (v. 24).
2. Those who have plenty may not later (v. 25).
3. The laughing now will cry later (v. 25).
4. Those who try to please everyone will be in trouble (v. 26).
F. Call attention to the radical love we disciples are to have:
1. We are to love our enemies and do good to them (v. 27).
2. We are to bless those who abuse and curse us (v. 28).
3. We are to turn the other cheek and give to people who have any need (vv. 29, 30).
4. And we must love as we would like to be loved (v. 31).
G. Sum it up by giving the do's and don'ts in your own words and shorter verbiage than this passage.
H. Use one of the Possible Metaphors And Stories below.
Prayer For The Day
Dear God, we do rejoice and give thanks today for all the saints living now and those who have gone before us which make up such a glorious company of the baptized. As we contemplate those lives lived in our midst today, we pray we might learn from them the do's and don'ts of sainthood and rejoice for your death on the cross for us all. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In September of 1997 the world lost one of its living saints. The prayer written by Mother Teresa that every Missionary of Charity says before leaving for his or her apostate and also used as the Physician's Prayer in Shishu Bhavan, the children's home that Mother Teresa oversaw in Calcutta, follows:
"Dear Lord, the Great Healer, I kneel before you, since every perfect gift must come from you. I pray give skill to my hands, clear vision to my mind, kindness and meekness to my heart. Give me singleness of purpose, strength to lift up a part of the burden of my suffering fellow men, and a true realization of the suffering that is mine. Take from my heart all guile and worldliness that with the simple faith of a child, I may rely on you" (From A Simple Heart, by Mother Teresa, published by Ballentine Books, 1995).
Pastor Carlos Schneider told of Ted and Tom, who sat in the balcony at St. John's, Sacramento. Ted has died. Tom sits in the same place and keeps a place open for his deceased brother even when the balcony is crowded ... "the communion of the Saints" lived out by Tom of St. John's, Sacramento.
Some boys in a ski boat needed a tow. I went over and towed them into a nearby marina. They offered to pay. I told them just to purchase a tow rope and carry it in their boat to help others.
We who have been forgiven from the cross ought to forgive others; we who have been so richly blessed ought to bless; we who are so loved, to love ... and so forth.
At the Indonesian Batak celebration, called a "Hula Hula," of pregnancy, birth, marriage, ordinations, or a very special visit, all sit on straw mats on the floor and eat with their fingers and drink. Speeches are made and when the speaker says something especially wise and worthwhile all assembled say in unison, "Ima tutu," which means, "May it be so!"
The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are the Ima tutus of Jesus. Blessed are the poor, those who mourn, who grieve, and so forth. Ima tutu. May our ministries make it be so.
