Proper 24, Pentecost 22, Ordinary Time 29
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
The Pentecost Season is one of Christian growth and learning about the way of discipleship.
Theme For The Day
The call, responsibilities, and blessings of discipleship.
Old Testament Lesson
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
God's Rebuke
Last week we read Job 23 and the week before that chapter two. So we have the essence of the book.
A. Two weeks ago Job 1:1; 2:1-10: A blameless man is suffering; why?
B. Last week Job 23:1-9, 16-17: Job is going through tough, severe suffering and pleads his case to God.
C. Today God gives as much of an answer as God is ever going to give for Job's suffering: 38:4. Where was Job when the world was created? Who is Job to question the wisdom of our creator God? When some irony is used to point up Job's foolishness: verses 4, 5, 18, 34-41, Job can't do all this which God does, so he shouldn't question God.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 5:1-10
Jesus The High Priest
This is a beautiful simile. In verses 1-4 the author points out that priests are called by God to offer sacrifice for the people's sin and their own sins as well. The author makes the point that because of the priests being also human and sinners, they are sympathetic to their people whom they serve (v. 2).
In verse 5, the point is made that because Jesus became a human, there is a similar situation. He understands what it is like to be human, is sympathetic to us, and he offers himself as the final sacrifice for our sins. Thus, Jesus becomes our source of eternal salvation (v. 9). But we should obey him! It will preach.
In verse 2 we have the beautiful word "gently" describing how the priest will deal with his people. The Greek is metriopatheia. It is the mean between two extremes: anger and laziness. It means the ability to help folks when they are foolish and do it without becoming annoyed with them. It means an attitude of never giving up on someone but being patient with him or her. A nice word for ministry and a nice description of how Jesus is with us.
The Gospel
Mark 10:35-45
James And John's Ambition
When we look at the other synoptic Gospels, we see that when Matthew tells this story, he puts the blame on James and John's mother. It was just too embarrassing to tell about two of the disciples and so Luke omits it altogether. "Drink the cup" (v. 38) meant martyrdom. Baptism is symbolic for death (see Luke 12:50 and Romans 6:3-4). Verse 39 probably indicates their martyrdom. Acts 12:1-2 reports James' death. There are conflicting reports in John's narrative.
Now we have the meaning of discipleship (vv. 42-45). It is serving rather than receiving privilege. Jesus is our best example of that service. And his best service was giving himself as a ransom. References that help develop this idea are found in Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23, and Galatians 1:4 and 2:20.
Preaching Possibilities
If you have not done so yet, Job and his suffering will preach this Sunday by looking back to the Old Testament Lesson for the two previous Sundays and then presenting this Sunday's reading as the best answer we are going to get on why good people must suffer. See Old Testament Lesson comments.
I believe we could use all three readings today in this fashion:
Old Testament Lesson: Job's question is ours: "Why must we suffer?"
New Testament Reading: We can count on Jesus being sympathetic to our struggles. God will not give up on us.
The Gospel: Serving and suffering is a part of being a disciple of Jesus just as it was for James and John.
The Second Reading and the Gospel are so rich that I believe we may want to just center on one, avoiding a "lack of focus," which flaws much of our preaching.
The Hebrews passage gives us advice on being a disciple and on doing our ministry in the world where we work, live, and play. Jesus is our best example.
A. We must deal gently with each other (v. 2).
B. We refrain from seeking honor for our service (vv. 4-5). The Gospel may be a good example here.
C. We must be constantly in prayer (v. 7).
D. We must learn to be obedient (vv. 8 and 9b).
E. The one we follow gives us eternal salvation. (v. 9).
However, I will go with the Gospel for today and focus on ambition and discipleship.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: Because the Gospel is about brothers James and John, let's try a biographical narrative sermon seeing what the lives of these two Galilean fishermen and sons of Salome and Zebedee have to teach us. They were well connected. Salome was probably the sister of the Virgin Mary, so James and John were cousins of Jesus. Zebedee was prosperous and had a home in Jerusalem and was a friend of the High Priest, Caiaphas. The two disciples are always coupled together in the Gospels. Jesus called them "sons of thunder."
John was the youngest of the disciples and was called the "beloved disciple." Some have called him "the apostle of love." He was one of the inner circle of disciples along with Peter and James. He may have been the only disciple who died a natural death, his brother having been martyred by Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:2). Before that, some believe he had written for us the Gospel of John, the three letters of John, and the book of Revelation.
B. These two brother-disciples teach us a lot about discipleship.
1. Discipleship is not about position and glory (Mark 10:38).
2. Discipleship may involve sacrifice (Mark 10:39).
3. Discipleship is service to others (Mark 10:43).
4. Discipleship means loyalty to the Christ was gave his life on the cross as a ransom for us (Mark 10:45).
You might want to add above that a disciple is eager to learn using John's reputation as recorded in John 13:23 and 1 John 2:9.
C. Now frame your sermon by returning to information about the brothers. James' name is the English for Jacob and means the supplanted or follower-after. John means Jehovah has been gracious.
In their own way, they both did drink of the same cup as Jesus. James died when Herod Agrippa had him run through with a sword. John lived to the age of 100 and served with a long, hard life the Christ. So one gave his life by martyrdom and the other by long, long service. (See Mark 10:39.)
Prayer For The Day
Like brothers James and John, help us also to hear your call to discipleship, O God. Show us the way of sacrifice and service. Accept, too, our thanks and praise for what the Christ has done for us on the cross that we might know eternal salvation here and now, and after the grave. We pray in Jesus the Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
I taught a course in Hong Kong called Discipling in the Parish. At semester's end, each student wrote a paper on "What discipleship means to me." The following are some quotations from students from various countries:
"And my grandmother was real inspirer who spend her whole life in ministry through going to places in a boat to the villages on the bank of the great south Indian river Godavari" (Geddada, Sarah Joy, India).
"... the most effective way to win a person to Christ and to make disciples is to live a life of word and deed consistency" (Milanie S. Catolico, Philippines).
"Almost my entire adulthood facing only killings and hatred since 1975 to 1989. The Communists ideology -- atheism is still influenced and widely practiced ... and Christians understood as human flesh eaters ... I went with my elder sisters who spoke to me about Jesus Christ. She was one of the first Christians in Cambodia" (Yi, Narith, Cambodia).
"Last Monday was traditional Chung Yan Festival. In that day we used to go to the grave of our ancestors to memorize (sic!) them ... worship dead spirit will bring good luck to the living ... After my husband and I became Christian, we are more and lass fall in trouble. If we participate such festival which caring ceremony of idol worship. I still trying to find a way which Jesus will agree with" (Man, Suk Yee, NT, People's Republic of China).
The Pentecost Season is one of Christian growth and learning about the way of discipleship.
Theme For The Day
The call, responsibilities, and blessings of discipleship.
Old Testament Lesson
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
God's Rebuke
Last week we read Job 23 and the week before that chapter two. So we have the essence of the book.
A. Two weeks ago Job 1:1; 2:1-10: A blameless man is suffering; why?
B. Last week Job 23:1-9, 16-17: Job is going through tough, severe suffering and pleads his case to God.
C. Today God gives as much of an answer as God is ever going to give for Job's suffering: 38:4. Where was Job when the world was created? Who is Job to question the wisdom of our creator God? When some irony is used to point up Job's foolishness: verses 4, 5, 18, 34-41, Job can't do all this which God does, so he shouldn't question God.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 5:1-10
Jesus The High Priest
This is a beautiful simile. In verses 1-4 the author points out that priests are called by God to offer sacrifice for the people's sin and their own sins as well. The author makes the point that because of the priests being also human and sinners, they are sympathetic to their people whom they serve (v. 2).
In verse 5, the point is made that because Jesus became a human, there is a similar situation. He understands what it is like to be human, is sympathetic to us, and he offers himself as the final sacrifice for our sins. Thus, Jesus becomes our source of eternal salvation (v. 9). But we should obey him! It will preach.
In verse 2 we have the beautiful word "gently" describing how the priest will deal with his people. The Greek is metriopatheia. It is the mean between two extremes: anger and laziness. It means the ability to help folks when they are foolish and do it without becoming annoyed with them. It means an attitude of never giving up on someone but being patient with him or her. A nice word for ministry and a nice description of how Jesus is with us.
The Gospel
Mark 10:35-45
James And John's Ambition
When we look at the other synoptic Gospels, we see that when Matthew tells this story, he puts the blame on James and John's mother. It was just too embarrassing to tell about two of the disciples and so Luke omits it altogether. "Drink the cup" (v. 38) meant martyrdom. Baptism is symbolic for death (see Luke 12:50 and Romans 6:3-4). Verse 39 probably indicates their martyrdom. Acts 12:1-2 reports James' death. There are conflicting reports in John's narrative.
Now we have the meaning of discipleship (vv. 42-45). It is serving rather than receiving privilege. Jesus is our best example of that service. And his best service was giving himself as a ransom. References that help develop this idea are found in Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23, and Galatians 1:4 and 2:20.
Preaching Possibilities
If you have not done so yet, Job and his suffering will preach this Sunday by looking back to the Old Testament Lesson for the two previous Sundays and then presenting this Sunday's reading as the best answer we are going to get on why good people must suffer. See Old Testament Lesson comments.
I believe we could use all three readings today in this fashion:
Old Testament Lesson: Job's question is ours: "Why must we suffer?"
New Testament Reading: We can count on Jesus being sympathetic to our struggles. God will not give up on us.
The Gospel: Serving and suffering is a part of being a disciple of Jesus just as it was for James and John.
The Second Reading and the Gospel are so rich that I believe we may want to just center on one, avoiding a "lack of focus," which flaws much of our preaching.
The Hebrews passage gives us advice on being a disciple and on doing our ministry in the world where we work, live, and play. Jesus is our best example.
A. We must deal gently with each other (v. 2).
B. We refrain from seeking honor for our service (vv. 4-5). The Gospel may be a good example here.
C. We must be constantly in prayer (v. 7).
D. We must learn to be obedient (vv. 8 and 9b).
E. The one we follow gives us eternal salvation. (v. 9).
However, I will go with the Gospel for today and focus on ambition and discipleship.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: Because the Gospel is about brothers James and John, let's try a biographical narrative sermon seeing what the lives of these two Galilean fishermen and sons of Salome and Zebedee have to teach us. They were well connected. Salome was probably the sister of the Virgin Mary, so James and John were cousins of Jesus. Zebedee was prosperous and had a home in Jerusalem and was a friend of the High Priest, Caiaphas. The two disciples are always coupled together in the Gospels. Jesus called them "sons of thunder."
John was the youngest of the disciples and was called the "beloved disciple." Some have called him "the apostle of love." He was one of the inner circle of disciples along with Peter and James. He may have been the only disciple who died a natural death, his brother having been martyred by Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:2). Before that, some believe he had written for us the Gospel of John, the three letters of John, and the book of Revelation.
B. These two brother-disciples teach us a lot about discipleship.
1. Discipleship is not about position and glory (Mark 10:38).
2. Discipleship may involve sacrifice (Mark 10:39).
3. Discipleship is service to others (Mark 10:43).
4. Discipleship means loyalty to the Christ was gave his life on the cross as a ransom for us (Mark 10:45).
You might want to add above that a disciple is eager to learn using John's reputation as recorded in John 13:23 and 1 John 2:9.
C. Now frame your sermon by returning to information about the brothers. James' name is the English for Jacob and means the supplanted or follower-after. John means Jehovah has been gracious.
In their own way, they both did drink of the same cup as Jesus. James died when Herod Agrippa had him run through with a sword. John lived to the age of 100 and served with a long, hard life the Christ. So one gave his life by martyrdom and the other by long, long service. (See Mark 10:39.)
Prayer For The Day
Like brothers James and John, help us also to hear your call to discipleship, O God. Show us the way of sacrifice and service. Accept, too, our thanks and praise for what the Christ has done for us on the cross that we might know eternal salvation here and now, and after the grave. We pray in Jesus the Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
I taught a course in Hong Kong called Discipling in the Parish. At semester's end, each student wrote a paper on "What discipleship means to me." The following are some quotations from students from various countries:
"And my grandmother was real inspirer who spend her whole life in ministry through going to places in a boat to the villages on the bank of the great south Indian river Godavari" (Geddada, Sarah Joy, India).
"... the most effective way to win a person to Christ and to make disciples is to live a life of word and deed consistency" (Milanie S. Catolico, Philippines).
"Almost my entire adulthood facing only killings and hatred since 1975 to 1989. The Communists ideology -- atheism is still influenced and widely practiced ... and Christians understood as human flesh eaters ... I went with my elder sisters who spoke to me about Jesus Christ. She was one of the first Christians in Cambodia" (Yi, Narith, Cambodia).
"Last Monday was traditional Chung Yan Festival. In that day we used to go to the grave of our ancestors to memorize (sic!) them ... worship dead spirit will bring good luck to the living ... After my husband and I became Christian, we are more and lass fall in trouble. If we participate such festival which caring ceremony of idol worship. I still trying to find a way which Jesus will agree with" (Man, Suk Yee, NT, People's Republic of China).
