Proper 15
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
We have come to the end of the story of great King David who
reigned for 40 years. He was succeeded by his son, Solomon. Soon
after succession to the throne, Solomon had a dream in which the
Lord asked him what he should give him. He asked for wisdom to
govern the nation. This pleased God so that he gave Solomon more
than he asked: wisdom and riches.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:15-20 (C, E, L, RC)
The exhortation to Christian living continues in this
pericope. It was probably chosen because of its relation to
Lesson 1 and the theme of wisdom. The foolish indulge in
wickedness; the wise live righteously. Because the days are evil,
Christians are to make the most of the time that remains before
the end and the return of Christ. The wise will understand the
will of God in terms of right living in an evil world. Christians
are to be filled not with alcohol, but with the Spirit. They will
not carouse as drunkards, but celebrate by praising with singing
and thanking God.
Gospel: John 6:51-58 (C, L, RC)
The first verse of this lesson is the last verse of last
Sunday's gospel. It serves as a link in the chain of the theme of
John 6. The emphasis is upon eating and drinking the body and
blood of Christ. There are six references to eating his flesh and
four invitations to drink his blood. Those who do this eating and
drinking are promised eternal life. One will do this eating and
drinking because he believes in Jesus as the bread from heaven.
Thus, one who believes in Christ and eats the bread has eternal
life. This passage is usually associated with the eating and
drinking of the Lord's supper.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C) -- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom." (v. 10)
Psalm 147 (E); Psalm 34:9-14 (L)
Prayer Of The Day
Almighty and ever-living God, you have given great and
precious promises to those who believe. Grant us the perfect
faith which overcomes all doubts."
Hymn Of The Day
"How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 6:51-58 (C, L, RC)
1. Eat (vv. 51-58). In the eight verses of this pericope the
word "eat" occurs eight times. What does it mean? Is Christ to be
literally eaten? It is a metaphor that is saying, "believe
228
in me" and "come to me." It is a way of saying that Christ is to
be taken into one's life, digested so that Christ permeates the
whole of life; body, mind and spirit. As food is taken into the
body, is lost in the body and brings strength to the body, so
Christ is to become a part of us.
2. Is (v. 55). "My flesh is food ... my blood is drink." The
word is not "seems" nor "represents;" the word is "is." Is this
the basis for the view that the bread of holy communion is the
real, physical body of Jesus? This is known as
transubstantiation. Not many can accept this view. Nor can many
accept the view that the bread of holy communion is only a symbol
of the reality of Christ's body. By the word "is" Jesus meant to
say that he was really and truly in the bread but in a spiritual
way. Without becoming bread, his spirit permeates the material so
that in eating the bread, the communicant at the same time
partakes of Christ.
3. Abides (v. 56). By eating and drinking the bread and wine
of the eucharist we have the exalted experience of a mystical
union with Christ. He abides (exists, remains) in us and we in
him. The believer and Christ are one. This makes the holy
communion the peak of religious experience, the apex of worship.
To be one in Christ is life's greatest experience.
4. Live (v. 51). In this passage the word occurs six times.
The believer eats Christ to live spiritually just as one must eat
physical food to live. Either that or starve to death! Christ is
our spiritual food which is necessary to live. Isn't it strange
we do not have spiritual hunger pains and can die spiritually
from lack of food? The difference in physical and spiritual life
is that the latter is eternal. It is eternal because it is the
life of Christ who is eternal.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 (C)
1. Slept (v. 2:10). David's death is described as a "sleep."
It is a beautiful and comforting way to think of death, a falling
to sleep. But, there is no suggestion that David would awaken to
eternal life. Who wants to sleep through eternity? Only Jesus
assures us that we will awaken to eternal life.
2. Only a little child (v. 7). At the beginning of his reign,
Solomon expressed his humility when God asked him what he would
like as a gift. He confessed he was only a little child and did
not know whether he was coming or going as a ruler of a great
people. He felt he was inadequate for such a great task.
Therefore, he asked God for wisdom to rule. Soon after, the gift
of wisdom was demonstrated (1 Kings 4:1-9) when two prostitutes
claimed the same baby.
3. Also (v. 13). God always gives us more than we ask. Solomon
asked for wisdom to govern aright, but God "also" gave him riches
and honor. When in humility we ask for a blessing to help others,
God blesses us far above what we ask or deserve.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:15-20 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Most (v. 16). Paul urges us to make the "most" of our time.
Many are content to just get by. We have a neutral attitude of
"live and let live." We go through life content with second best.
The time is short. There is a world to save. A Christian dare not
be satisfied with anything less than the best. Each Christian
covets Jesus' saying to him, "She has done what she could."
2. Evil (v. 16). "The days are evil." Is this true also for
our days? Is this not the day which the Lord has made? Is this
not our Father's world? How then can we say that the days of our
time are evil? The Christian recognizes the reality and power of
evil in our world which is in the grasp of evil. If this were not
the case, how do you explain wars, crime, corruption and
terrorism in the world? The days are evil and thus it is a
challenge of the church to proclaim the Word to bring all people
to repentance that evil may be suppressed.
3. Drunk (v. 18). On Pentecost the apostles were accused of
being drunk with wine. Paul directs that his people should not
get drunk with alcoholic beverages. Rather, we are to be drunk
with the Spirit, not with spirits! To be drunk is to be saturated
with the drink to the point that you carouse wildly. Christians
are to be so full of the Spirit that they are to be happy,
excited, uplifted in that they celebrate God's goodness with
whole-hearted singing.
229
4. Everything (v. 20) We are to give thanks for "everything."
Everything? That includes sorrow, hardship, hunger, suffering,
death, etc. Can we be truly thankful for all that happens to us?
Was this an over-statement of Paul? When we remember that in all
things God works for the good to them who love him, we can agree
that in everything we should give thanks.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: John 6:51-58 (C, L, RC)
1. Eat a person? "He who eats me." 6:57
Need: The thought of eating human flesh is shocking and
repulsive to most people. However, in recent air crashes on
isolated mountains, survivors ate the flesh of dead passengers
rather than starve to death until rescued. In his day Jesus
shocked his hearers when he said, "He who eats me." Of course,
Jesus was speaking symbolically, but they did not take it that
way. He was to be eaten spiritually. The concept of eating and
drinking was used to express the need for believers to take
Christ into their lives as a personal possession. It was a way of
becoming one with Christ. Many today are searching for a personal
experience with Christ. It is expressed in the phrase, "born
again."
Outline: When we eat Christ, he becomes --
a. Personalized -- a personal experience.
b. Individualized -- a one-to-one experience.
c. Internalized -- Christ comes into a person's life.
d. Homogenized -- Christ and the believer are fused into
one.
2. What is holy communion? 6:55-58
Need: This passage is associated with the holy communion.
Scholars believe that it is John's version of the last supper.
The body and blood of Jesus are in, with and under the
sacramental bread and wine. Yet, many church members do not
understand nor appreciate the importance and significance of the
Lord's supper. Forty percent of the members neglect receiving it.
For many holy communion means only a long-drawn-out service. Yet,
the church recommends the weekly celebration of the sacrament.
Why?
Outline: What holy communion is --
a. The eating of Christ -- v. 55.
b. The uniting with Christ -- v. 56.
c. The living in Christ -- vv. 57-58.
3. Bread is for eating! 6:51, 55
Need: Bread is meant for consumption. If it is not eaten, it
spoils like manna held over a second day. The Lord's Prayer
mentions "daily bread." We work for physical bread by the sweat
of our brows, but spiritual bread is a gift. Like manna it comes
down from heaven. It is free, an act of grace. In this sermon we
want to help people to realize that the holy communion is the
result of sacrifice and to know where they can get this heavenly
food.
Outline: The holy bread we eat --
a. It is given to us -- v. 51. "The body of Christ given for
you."
b. Times when it is given -- v. 55.
1. The Word (Christ) -- read, taught, preached.
2. The sacraments -- the word with a sign. Lesson 1:
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 (C)
1. A beautiful dream. 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Need: Poor is the soul who has no dreams, good or bad. What
are our dreams -- to be great, rich, popular, successful in
politics or business? When we dream of doing good for others, of
making a contribution to a better world, we dream beautiful
dreams.
230
Outline: How to have beautiful dreams --
a. Love the Lord -- v. 3.
b. Obey the laws of the Lord -- v. 3.
c. Worship the Lord -- v. 4. 2. What do you want of God?
3:5-14
Need: We have so many things that we could ask God to give us.
What is your greatest need? It takes some thinking. What you ask
for reveals your character.
Outline: What do you want?
a. A long life? No.
b. Wealth? No.
c. Defeat of your enemies? No.
d. Wisdom? Yes!
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:15-20 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Carouse or celebrate? 5:15-20
Need: Drunkards carouse or celebrate. Those drunk with wine
carouse in dissipation and debauchery. Those drunk with the
Spirit celebrate. We seem to know more about carousing than
celebrating. People who have drunk too much liquor get "happy"
and sing. They have a high, old time. When Christians get
together, do they have a rousing good time, singing their hearts
out? Most of the time Christians seem to be bored, strained,
solemn and serious. If Christians had the Spirit, they would
celebrate the goodness of God and their liberty in Christ.
Outline: Carouse or celebrate?
a. Carouse -- vv. 15-18.
1. Waste time -- v. 15.
2. Be foolish -- v. 17.
3. Get drunk -- v. 18.
b. Celebrate -- vv. 18-20.
1. Be filled with the Spirit -- v. 18.
2. Sing praises to God -- v. 19.
3. Give thanks -- v. 20.
2. What a church should be. 5:18-20
Need: Is our church all that Jesus intended it to be? Are we
satisfied with our church? Is Christ pleased with our church? We
can get an idea of what a church should be by studying the early
church. In this text we see the marks of a church which would be
pleasing to Christ.
Outline: What a church should be --
a. A Spirit-filled church -- v. 18.
b. A singing church -- v. 19.
c. A thankful church -- v. 20.
231
reigned for 40 years. He was succeeded by his son, Solomon. Soon
after succession to the throne, Solomon had a dream in which the
Lord asked him what he should give him. He asked for wisdom to
govern the nation. This pleased God so that he gave Solomon more
than he asked: wisdom and riches.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:15-20 (C, E, L, RC)
The exhortation to Christian living continues in this
pericope. It was probably chosen because of its relation to
Lesson 1 and the theme of wisdom. The foolish indulge in
wickedness; the wise live righteously. Because the days are evil,
Christians are to make the most of the time that remains before
the end and the return of Christ. The wise will understand the
will of God in terms of right living in an evil world. Christians
are to be filled not with alcohol, but with the Spirit. They will
not carouse as drunkards, but celebrate by praising with singing
and thanking God.
Gospel: John 6:51-58 (C, L, RC)
The first verse of this lesson is the last verse of last
Sunday's gospel. It serves as a link in the chain of the theme of
John 6. The emphasis is upon eating and drinking the body and
blood of Christ. There are six references to eating his flesh and
four invitations to drink his blood. Those who do this eating and
drinking are promised eternal life. One will do this eating and
drinking because he believes in Jesus as the bread from heaven.
Thus, one who believes in Christ and eats the bread has eternal
life. This passage is usually associated with the eating and
drinking of the Lord's supper.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C) -- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom." (v. 10)
Psalm 147 (E); Psalm 34:9-14 (L)
Prayer Of The Day
Almighty and ever-living God, you have given great and
precious promises to those who believe. Grant us the perfect
faith which overcomes all doubts."
Hymn Of The Day
"How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 6:51-58 (C, L, RC)
1. Eat (vv. 51-58). In the eight verses of this pericope the
word "eat" occurs eight times. What does it mean? Is Christ to be
literally eaten? It is a metaphor that is saying, "believe
228
in me" and "come to me." It is a way of saying that Christ is to
be taken into one's life, digested so that Christ permeates the
whole of life; body, mind and spirit. As food is taken into the
body, is lost in the body and brings strength to the body, so
Christ is to become a part of us.
2. Is (v. 55). "My flesh is food ... my blood is drink." The
word is not "seems" nor "represents;" the word is "is." Is this
the basis for the view that the bread of holy communion is the
real, physical body of Jesus? This is known as
transubstantiation. Not many can accept this view. Nor can many
accept the view that the bread of holy communion is only a symbol
of the reality of Christ's body. By the word "is" Jesus meant to
say that he was really and truly in the bread but in a spiritual
way. Without becoming bread, his spirit permeates the material so
that in eating the bread, the communicant at the same time
partakes of Christ.
3. Abides (v. 56). By eating and drinking the bread and wine
of the eucharist we have the exalted experience of a mystical
union with Christ. He abides (exists, remains) in us and we in
him. The believer and Christ are one. This makes the holy
communion the peak of religious experience, the apex of worship.
To be one in Christ is life's greatest experience.
4. Live (v. 51). In this passage the word occurs six times.
The believer eats Christ to live spiritually just as one must eat
physical food to live. Either that or starve to death! Christ is
our spiritual food which is necessary to live. Isn't it strange
we do not have spiritual hunger pains and can die spiritually
from lack of food? The difference in physical and spiritual life
is that the latter is eternal. It is eternal because it is the
life of Christ who is eternal.
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 (C)
1. Slept (v. 2:10). David's death is described as a "sleep."
It is a beautiful and comforting way to think of death, a falling
to sleep. But, there is no suggestion that David would awaken to
eternal life. Who wants to sleep through eternity? Only Jesus
assures us that we will awaken to eternal life.
2. Only a little child (v. 7). At the beginning of his reign,
Solomon expressed his humility when God asked him what he would
like as a gift. He confessed he was only a little child and did
not know whether he was coming or going as a ruler of a great
people. He felt he was inadequate for such a great task.
Therefore, he asked God for wisdom to rule. Soon after, the gift
of wisdom was demonstrated (1 Kings 4:1-9) when two prostitutes
claimed the same baby.
3. Also (v. 13). God always gives us more than we ask. Solomon
asked for wisdom to govern aright, but God "also" gave him riches
and honor. When in humility we ask for a blessing to help others,
God blesses us far above what we ask or deserve.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:15-20 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Most (v. 16). Paul urges us to make the "most" of our time.
Many are content to just get by. We have a neutral attitude of
"live and let live." We go through life content with second best.
The time is short. There is a world to save. A Christian dare not
be satisfied with anything less than the best. Each Christian
covets Jesus' saying to him, "She has done what she could."
2. Evil (v. 16). "The days are evil." Is this true also for
our days? Is this not the day which the Lord has made? Is this
not our Father's world? How then can we say that the days of our
time are evil? The Christian recognizes the reality and power of
evil in our world which is in the grasp of evil. If this were not
the case, how do you explain wars, crime, corruption and
terrorism in the world? The days are evil and thus it is a
challenge of the church to proclaim the Word to bring all people
to repentance that evil may be suppressed.
3. Drunk (v. 18). On Pentecost the apostles were accused of
being drunk with wine. Paul directs that his people should not
get drunk with alcoholic beverages. Rather, we are to be drunk
with the Spirit, not with spirits! To be drunk is to be saturated
with the drink to the point that you carouse wildly. Christians
are to be so full of the Spirit that they are to be happy,
excited, uplifted in that they celebrate God's goodness with
whole-hearted singing.
229
4. Everything (v. 20) We are to give thanks for "everything."
Everything? That includes sorrow, hardship, hunger, suffering,
death, etc. Can we be truly thankful for all that happens to us?
Was this an over-statement of Paul? When we remember that in all
things God works for the good to them who love him, we can agree
that in everything we should give thanks.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: John 6:51-58 (C, L, RC)
1. Eat a person? "He who eats me." 6:57
Need: The thought of eating human flesh is shocking and
repulsive to most people. However, in recent air crashes on
isolated mountains, survivors ate the flesh of dead passengers
rather than starve to death until rescued. In his day Jesus
shocked his hearers when he said, "He who eats me." Of course,
Jesus was speaking symbolically, but they did not take it that
way. He was to be eaten spiritually. The concept of eating and
drinking was used to express the need for believers to take
Christ into their lives as a personal possession. It was a way of
becoming one with Christ. Many today are searching for a personal
experience with Christ. It is expressed in the phrase, "born
again."
Outline: When we eat Christ, he becomes --
a. Personalized -- a personal experience.
b. Individualized -- a one-to-one experience.
c. Internalized -- Christ comes into a person's life.
d. Homogenized -- Christ and the believer are fused into
one.
2. What is holy communion? 6:55-58
Need: This passage is associated with the holy communion.
Scholars believe that it is John's version of the last supper.
The body and blood of Jesus are in, with and under the
sacramental bread and wine. Yet, many church members do not
understand nor appreciate the importance and significance of the
Lord's supper. Forty percent of the members neglect receiving it.
For many holy communion means only a long-drawn-out service. Yet,
the church recommends the weekly celebration of the sacrament.
Why?
Outline: What holy communion is --
a. The eating of Christ -- v. 55.
b. The uniting with Christ -- v. 56.
c. The living in Christ -- vv. 57-58.
3. Bread is for eating! 6:51, 55
Need: Bread is meant for consumption. If it is not eaten, it
spoils like manna held over a second day. The Lord's Prayer
mentions "daily bread." We work for physical bread by the sweat
of our brows, but spiritual bread is a gift. Like manna it comes
down from heaven. It is free, an act of grace. In this sermon we
want to help people to realize that the holy communion is the
result of sacrifice and to know where they can get this heavenly
food.
Outline: The holy bread we eat --
a. It is given to us -- v. 51. "The body of Christ given for
you."
b. Times when it is given -- v. 55.
1. The Word (Christ) -- read, taught, preached.
2. The sacraments -- the word with a sign. Lesson 1:
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 (C)
1. A beautiful dream. 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Need: Poor is the soul who has no dreams, good or bad. What
are our dreams -- to be great, rich, popular, successful in
politics or business? When we dream of doing good for others, of
making a contribution to a better world, we dream beautiful
dreams.
230
Outline: How to have beautiful dreams --
a. Love the Lord -- v. 3.
b. Obey the laws of the Lord -- v. 3.
c. Worship the Lord -- v. 4. 2. What do you want of God?
3:5-14
Need: We have so many things that we could ask God to give us.
What is your greatest need? It takes some thinking. What you ask
for reveals your character.
Outline: What do you want?
a. A long life? No.
b. Wealth? No.
c. Defeat of your enemies? No.
d. Wisdom? Yes!
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:15-20 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Carouse or celebrate? 5:15-20
Need: Drunkards carouse or celebrate. Those drunk with wine
carouse in dissipation and debauchery. Those drunk with the
Spirit celebrate. We seem to know more about carousing than
celebrating. People who have drunk too much liquor get "happy"
and sing. They have a high, old time. When Christians get
together, do they have a rousing good time, singing their hearts
out? Most of the time Christians seem to be bored, strained,
solemn and serious. If Christians had the Spirit, they would
celebrate the goodness of God and their liberty in Christ.
Outline: Carouse or celebrate?
a. Carouse -- vv. 15-18.
1. Waste time -- v. 15.
2. Be foolish -- v. 17.
3. Get drunk -- v. 18.
b. Celebrate -- vv. 18-20.
1. Be filled with the Spirit -- v. 18.
2. Sing praises to God -- v. 19.
3. Give thanks -- v. 20.
2. What a church should be. 5:18-20
Need: Is our church all that Jesus intended it to be? Are we
satisfied with our church? Is Christ pleased with our church? We
can get an idea of what a church should be by studying the early
church. In this text we see the marks of a church which would be
pleasing to Christ.
Outline: What a church should be --
a. A Spirit-filled church -- v. 18.
b. A singing church -- v. 19.
c. A thankful church -- v. 20.
231
