Proper 27
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (C)
Joshua leads the people to renew the covenant. When Joshua took over the leadership, he called the people together before crossing the Jordan. At the end of his term, he again calls them together and calls upon them to get rid of pagan gods and serve Yahweh. The people swear they will serve only the Lord. Thereupon, the Mosaic covenant was renewed.
Lesson 1: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 (L)
A faithless people and their faithful God.
Lesson 1: Amos 5:18-24 (E)
Prepare for the day of the Lord by exceeding justice.
Lesson 1: Wisdom 6:12-16 (RC)
The work of wisdom.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (C, E, RC)
Paul assures us that at the Judgment Day Jesus will bring with him all who died and the Christian people still living on earth will go with them to heaven. The Christians of Paul's day believed that Christ's return was at hand. This caused concern for those who already died. Would they miss the glorious event and the opportunity to go with Jesus to heaven? Paul assures them that the dead in Christ will come with him and then he will gather the living. Together the dead and living will go to heaven to be forever with Christ. This event is sometimes referred to as the "rapture."
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (L)
See Proper 28, Common.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (C, E, RC)
The parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Only Matthew gives the parable. It concerns the return of Christ. His coming is delayed. During the delay, foolish people go to sleep and run out of oil for their lamps. At midnight when least expected the Bridegroom (Christ) comes. The unprepared have the door shut in front of them. The parable teaches us to be constantly alert and prepared for the Parousia.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:14-30 (L)
See Proper 28, Common.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 78:1-7 (C) - "Give ear, O my people, to my teaching (v. 1)."
Psalm 70 (E) - "O Lord, make haste to help me (v. 1)."
Psalm 90:12-17 (L) - "So teach us to number our days (v. 12)."
Psalm 63:2-8 (RC) - "Because your steadfast love is better than life (v. 3)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people to seek more eagerly the help you offer, that, at the last, they may enjoy the fruit of salvation."
Hymn Of The Day
"Forth In Thy Name, O Lord, I Go"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (C, E, RC)
1. Five (v. 2). Five girls are wise and five are foolish. Could there be that many foolish people? According to this, five go to heaven and five to hell; five have life and five have death; five have joy and five are miserable. We fall into one of these two categories. There is no in-between state. When it comes to being prepared for Christ's return, we are either wise in being prepared or foolish in not being ready to receive him.
2. Delayed (v. 5). Christ's return is delayed, because the first Christians expected his return in their lifetimes. Since this time, there were Christians in each century who expected the Parousia within a short time. Here it is almost the end of the 20th century and he still has not come. We humans tend to get weary in waiting to the point that we conclude he is not coming in our time. This results in carelessness expressed in "sleep" (v. 5) and not having an adequate supply of "oil" (v. 3). The delay is fraught with danger for us.
3. Midnight (v. 6). The bridegroom comes at midnight. Surprise! Who would imagine a bridegroom coming for his bride at the ungodly hour when the world is asleep. It is the least expected time. Those who stay up late are surely in bed by midnight, and even the early risers would not get up at midnight. Jesus said his return would be like this. No one would know the day and hour - so be ready! Moreover, the signs of his coming are associated with the midnight of day which becomes the noonday of hell: wars, earthquakes, catastrophes, fear, etc. When times are at their worst and when people are at their lowest and darkest moments, Christ will come.
4. "Go ... and buy for yourselves (v. 9)." On the surface this seems heartless. The foolish five are in a crisis; there is an emergency. Shouldn't the other five be considerate and compassionate enough to share what they have? It is an urgent matter because it is a matter of eternal life or death. There is a sternness in the parable: When the foolish girls finally get to the wedding feast the "door was shut" (v. 10), and when they appealed for entry, the bridegroom unbelievably says, "I do not know you (v. 12)." All of this happens by virtue of the nature of spiritual preparedness. No one can get to heaven on the oil of another's faith. Without faith in Christ, the door of salvation is closed, because faith is the key to the door. It sounds cruel but the fact is that people without faith are unknown to God, for to know is to be personally related to God.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:14-30 (L) (See Proper 28, Common)
Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (C)
1. Said (v. 2). Having gathered the people at the close of his leadership, Joshua, speaking in behalf of Yahweh, reminds the people of their history going back to their spiritual father, Abraham. He recounts God's gracious dealings from the time of the Exodus, through the wilderness years, and now their completed conquest of Canaan. Now they face a new day. Will they continue to serve God?
2. Choose (v. 15). On the basis of the evidence of God's past dealings with Israel and in the light of a new era in a new land, will the people decide to remain loyal to Yahweh? Before Abraham's call their ancestors worshiped pagan gods. Now they are living among a people with false gods. The day of decision has arrived. Joshua lets the people make the decision. Regardless of what they decide, he announced that he has chosen to serve God. His example was a deciding factor.
3. Will (vv. 18, 21, 24) Four times the people claim they "will" serve Yahweh in the future. It is so easy to say, but will they carry it out? Joshua will not take their first answer. He reminds them of the temptation to turn to other gods. Repeatedly the people swear they "will" serve Yahweh faithfully. On the basis of their determination they renew their covenant made on Mount Sinai, a covenant in which God was their God and the people were God's people.
Lesson 1: Amos 5:18-24 (E)
1. Woe (v. 18). Woe to those who desire the day of the Lord! Why not? When God comes, it means victory over our enemies and glory for us. But, the day is also a day of judgment, a day of darkness, for the wicked will experience the wrath of God. For those in Christ, for the spiritually prepared, the Parousia will be the greatest day of history. Accordingly, we can pray with the apostles, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." On the other hand, the evil-doers, the unbelievers, and all who love the world more than God will find the day of the Lord to be a terror. Repent!
2. Hate (v. 18). Through Amos God is speaking, "I hate, I despise ..." Can God hate? Is he not love? Since God is a personality, he has, like us, the capacity to hate as well as to love. In fact, if one cannot hate, one cannot love. But what or whom does God hate? It is not "whom" but "what." Always he loves the sinner but not the sin. God hates our wickedness, our insincere worship and our religiosity: "Feasts," "solemn assemblies," "noises of your songs." God hates your hypocrisy. If God hates sin, should Christians not also do the same?
3. But (v. 24). The day of the Lord need not be a day of dark judgment for us. "But" refers to a contrast in our behavior that will change the day of wrath to grace, from condemnation to affirmation. God is pleased with his people's good moral behavior in terms of "justice" and "righteousness" (v. 24). The Christian religion is not only one of personal piety but of corporate justice in human relations. But what is justice? Who is to determine what is just in human relationships? The ultimate standard of human justice is God who by nature is just. In the nature of God we learn what is right and wrong, and what is just for all. Be just for God is just.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (C, E, RC)
1. Asleep (v. 13). Paul uses "sleep" to describe the dead in Christ. They are asleep in Jesus. "Sleep" is a comforting concept of the Christian dead. When we sleep, we are at rest. Our labors are over and we rest at peace. When we sleep, we are not dead but alive. We shall awaken out of sleep. We fall asleep on earth to awaken in heaven for a fuller, better life with Christ.
2. Grieve (v. 13). We grieve over the loss of loved ones, but not as those who have no hope of heaven. In Paul's day, people were grieving because they were worried lest the departed miss out on the return of Christ. They wanted the dead to share in his victory, to see the destruction of Satanic powers and to rejoice in the spectacular glory of Christ. For Christians, the end time will be a glorious time and we want our loved ones to share it.
3. Bring (v. 14). When Christ returns at the end of time, the living and the dead in Christ will be together. When Christ leaves heaven for earth, he will bring with him those who died in faith. There is going to be one great, colossal reunion of heaven and earth! Since this is the case according to Paul, we know where our departed loved ones are now. They are with Christ in heaven. To be with Christ is to have life, love, joy and peace. What more could we want or want for our dearest?
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (L) (See Proper 28, Commom)
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
1. The Day of Days.
Need: "That will be the day!" is a common expression when something big is going to happen. The day for the world is going to be "the day of the Lord" which is to be the last day of history, the day God comes in Christ to wrap up the human scene. For most people, the last day of earth is frightening. Like death, we try to not think of it. How should we consider the day when Christ returns? The Lessons give us several possibilities.
Outline: What the day may mean to you -
a. A day of wrath for the wicked - Lesson 1.
b. A day of comfort for the bereaved - Lesson 2.
c. A day of joy for the prepared - Gospel.
2. Are You Ready for the End?
Need: What the end-day will mean to us depends on our preparation for it. A commercial says, "Delta is ready when you are." Delta may be ready when you are, but God is ready to come at the end of time whether you are ready or not. Today's lections tell us how we can be ready for the day of the Lord.
Outline: How you can get ready -
a. Repent! - Lesson 1.
b. Comfort! - Lesson 2.
c. Watch! Gospel.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (C, E, RC)
1. Wise Women. 25:1-13
Need: Christians are familiar with the Three Wise Men, but how many know about the Five Wise Women? According to the parable half of us are foolish when it comes to the Parousia. Our foolishness is expressed in claiming to know the day and hour of Jesus' return, in withdrawing from the world to await the Parousia, and in ignoring the possibility of Jesus' second coming in our time. In the parable we have a model for wise men and women.
Outline: To be wise like the wise women -
a. Be prepared for Jesus' coming - v. 4.
b. Refuse to share your spiritual resources - vv. 8-9.
c. Enter the feast of the kingdom - v. 10.
2. Christ is Coming. 25:1-13
Need: As the church year comes to a close, it is appropriate to consider the close of the age. The end is associated with Jesus' return to judge the world and to gather his people for heaven. The Parousia is a problem for many. Some do not believe Jesus is returning, for they claim he has already returned in the coming of the Spirit. Others have wrong ideas of the Parousia and many sincere questions about the last day. The sermon is needed to clarify the situation.
Outline: What we know about Jesus' return -
a. His return will be unexpected - vv. 5, 6.
1. The time: "midnight."
2. Delayed coming - v. 5.
b. His return will exclude the unprepared - vv. 8-12.
c. His return will be a joyous feast - v. 10.
3. A Spiritual Oil Crisis. 25:3-10
Need: In recent years the world experienced an oil crisis. OPEC countries had a strangle hold on non-oil producing countries and brought inflation by hiking prices. In a spiritual sense, people can have a spiritual oil crisis which will separate the wise from the foolish. The shortage of oil kept some out of heaven. The parable deals with having enough oil for Jesus' return.
Outline: Questions about the oil crisis -
a. What is this oil? Answer: The oil is faith in Christ.
b. Why is oil needed? Answer: To light the way to the kingdom.
c. Where can we get oil? Answer: Bible reading, worship, prayer, fellowship.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:14-30 (L) (See Proper 28, Common)
Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (C)
What About Your Future?
Need: There comes a time to take inventory of your life. Where have you been? What is your present status? What will you do about the future? To inform his people of these things, Joshua called his people together and asked them to decide about their future in the promised land. Every person and people face a day of decision. It is a frightful one: life or death.
Outline: What about your future -
a. Your blessed past - vv. 1-3.
b. Your affluent present - v. 13.
c. Your dangerous future - vv. 14-24.
1. Decision to be made - v. 15.
2. Determination to serve - v. 21.
3. Deed of renewal - v. 25.
Lesson 1: Amos 5:18-24 (E)
1. Can Religious People be Lost? 5:18-24
Need: Amos is speaking to God's people, Israel. If God chose Israel, can the nation be lost? Some believe that "once saved, always saved." A professor in a Baptist seminary was relieved of his position because he taught that "once saved, always saved" is a Baptist heresy. The Jews wanted the "Day of the Lord" to come, for they thought that for them it would be a day of victory over their enemies. They are in for a surprise, for the Day is going to be one of darkness, judgment and gloom. In our day religious people have a false security in thinking they are saved by virtue of their religious observances.
Outline: Once saved, always saved?
a. Don't be too sure - v. 18.
b. Religious people are involved - vv. 21-23.
c. A day of doom for "good" people - vv. 18-20.
2. Something Greater than Worship. 5:21-24
Need: If worship is praising and thanking God, if worship is receiving God's Word in sermon and sacraments, can there be anything more important? If worship is primary, peoplc may consider worship as an end in itself. It is separated from morality and service. Since many church people divorce religion from life, there is a need for this sermon to show that God prefers just and righteous living to religiosity.
Outline: What God thinks of our worship -
a. The worship God despises - vv. 21-23.
b. The worship God approves - v. 24. When worship results in justice and righteousness.
Lesson 1: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 (L)
The Maternal Love of God. 11:1-4, 8-9
Need: Though God as Spirit is sexless, the traditional concept of God is in terms of the masculine, Father. Many of today's women are calling our attention to the feminine aspects of God's nature. Some would address God as "Our Mother God." This is a needed corrective, because God has both paternal as well as maternal characteristics. God's love is like that of a father and mother. Today's First Lesson gives us the feminine characteristics of God's love for his people.
Outline: Like a mother, God -
a. Gives birth to a child - "Out of Egypt I called my son." - v. 1. (At the Exodus Israel was born of God's love.)
b. Loves in spite of disobedience: child's apostasy and idolatry - v. 2. (With compassion a mother loves her wayward child.)
c. Raises the child - vv. 3, 4.
1. Taught child to walk.
2. Carried child in arms.
3. Healed the child.
d. Keeps the child - vv. 8, 9.
1. Unable to abandon the wayward child - v. 8.
2. Refuses to destroy the child - v. 9.
Lesson 1: Wisdom 6:12-16 (RC)
Time to Wise Up! 6:12-16
Need: As the church year comes to a close, it is time to wise up. The gospel urges us to be virgins. Paul in Lesson 2 would not have us to be ignorant. Lesson 1 tells us how to get wisdom and her blessing. People need to learn about wisdom, for many have erroneous ideas that wisdom is a human achievement through education and the exercise of reason. Today we learn that wisdom is the female counterpart of God who is wisdom and gives wisdom as a gift to those who seek her. God is wisdom and we receive it only by revelation. Thus, the poor and uneducated can be wise or ever wiser than those able to afford a high education.
Outline: The truth about wisdom -
a. Wisdom seeks those worthy of her - v. 16.
b. Wisdom reveals herself to those who seek her - v. 13.
c. Wisdom offers peace of mind - v. 15.
1. Concerning the dead in Christ - Lesson 2 (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
2. Concerning entrance into heaven - Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13).
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (C, E, RC)
1. Comfort Through Knowledge. 4:13-18
Need: The problem in Paul's time was ignorance of the Christian dead and their estate. The solution was in knowledge - "We would not have you ignorant ..." Because death is beyond earthly life's realm of experience, we have no knowledge of the dead or their condition. What we can know comes to us only by revelation which is given in this text. Most church members grieve unnecessarily over their departed loved ones for lack of knowledge. Here is reason for this sermon: clarification.
Outline: What you should know about the dead -
a. The Christian dead are asleep in Jesus - v. 13. Sleepers are alive, not dead.
b. The Christian dead are with Jesus - v. 14. To be with Jesus is to be in heaven.
c. The Christian dead will return with Jesus - v. 14. The dead share the ultimate triumph of Christ.
2. Faith Conquers Fear. 4:14.
Need: There is a universal fear of death. Even most Christians fear death when it becomes an existential reality. There is a fear of the unknown, of leaving the security of loved ones and life on earth. No amount of argument nor exhortation can remove the fear. Ultimately it is a matter of faith, what one believes. A deep faith and strong convictions based on scriptural truth are the only solution to fear.
Outline: Fear fades when -
a. You believe Christ died for your sin - "Jesus died."
b. You believe Christ rose from death - "rose again."
c. You believe Christ will return with his people - "God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (L) (See Proper 28, Common)
Joshua leads the people to renew the covenant. When Joshua took over the leadership, he called the people together before crossing the Jordan. At the end of his term, he again calls them together and calls upon them to get rid of pagan gods and serve Yahweh. The people swear they will serve only the Lord. Thereupon, the Mosaic covenant was renewed.
Lesson 1: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 (L)
A faithless people and their faithful God.
Lesson 1: Amos 5:18-24 (E)
Prepare for the day of the Lord by exceeding justice.
Lesson 1: Wisdom 6:12-16 (RC)
The work of wisdom.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (C, E, RC)
Paul assures us that at the Judgment Day Jesus will bring with him all who died and the Christian people still living on earth will go with them to heaven. The Christians of Paul's day believed that Christ's return was at hand. This caused concern for those who already died. Would they miss the glorious event and the opportunity to go with Jesus to heaven? Paul assures them that the dead in Christ will come with him and then he will gather the living. Together the dead and living will go to heaven to be forever with Christ. This event is sometimes referred to as the "rapture."
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (L)
See Proper 28, Common.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (C, E, RC)
The parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Only Matthew gives the parable. It concerns the return of Christ. His coming is delayed. During the delay, foolish people go to sleep and run out of oil for their lamps. At midnight when least expected the Bridegroom (Christ) comes. The unprepared have the door shut in front of them. The parable teaches us to be constantly alert and prepared for the Parousia.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:14-30 (L)
See Proper 28, Common.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 78:1-7 (C) - "Give ear, O my people, to my teaching (v. 1)."
Psalm 70 (E) - "O Lord, make haste to help me (v. 1)."
Psalm 90:12-17 (L) - "So teach us to number our days (v. 12)."
Psalm 63:2-8 (RC) - "Because your steadfast love is better than life (v. 3)."
Prayer Of The Day
"Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people to seek more eagerly the help you offer, that, at the last, they may enjoy the fruit of salvation."
Hymn Of The Day
"Forth In Thy Name, O Lord, I Go"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (C, E, RC)
1. Five (v. 2). Five girls are wise and five are foolish. Could there be that many foolish people? According to this, five go to heaven and five to hell; five have life and five have death; five have joy and five are miserable. We fall into one of these two categories. There is no in-between state. When it comes to being prepared for Christ's return, we are either wise in being prepared or foolish in not being ready to receive him.
2. Delayed (v. 5). Christ's return is delayed, because the first Christians expected his return in their lifetimes. Since this time, there were Christians in each century who expected the Parousia within a short time. Here it is almost the end of the 20th century and he still has not come. We humans tend to get weary in waiting to the point that we conclude he is not coming in our time. This results in carelessness expressed in "sleep" (v. 5) and not having an adequate supply of "oil" (v. 3). The delay is fraught with danger for us.
3. Midnight (v. 6). The bridegroom comes at midnight. Surprise! Who would imagine a bridegroom coming for his bride at the ungodly hour when the world is asleep. It is the least expected time. Those who stay up late are surely in bed by midnight, and even the early risers would not get up at midnight. Jesus said his return would be like this. No one would know the day and hour - so be ready! Moreover, the signs of his coming are associated with the midnight of day which becomes the noonday of hell: wars, earthquakes, catastrophes, fear, etc. When times are at their worst and when people are at their lowest and darkest moments, Christ will come.
4. "Go ... and buy for yourselves (v. 9)." On the surface this seems heartless. The foolish five are in a crisis; there is an emergency. Shouldn't the other five be considerate and compassionate enough to share what they have? It is an urgent matter because it is a matter of eternal life or death. There is a sternness in the parable: When the foolish girls finally get to the wedding feast the "door was shut" (v. 10), and when they appealed for entry, the bridegroom unbelievably says, "I do not know you (v. 12)." All of this happens by virtue of the nature of spiritual preparedness. No one can get to heaven on the oil of another's faith. Without faith in Christ, the door of salvation is closed, because faith is the key to the door. It sounds cruel but the fact is that people without faith are unknown to God, for to know is to be personally related to God.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:14-30 (L) (See Proper 28, Common)
Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (C)
1. Said (v. 2). Having gathered the people at the close of his leadership, Joshua, speaking in behalf of Yahweh, reminds the people of their history going back to their spiritual father, Abraham. He recounts God's gracious dealings from the time of the Exodus, through the wilderness years, and now their completed conquest of Canaan. Now they face a new day. Will they continue to serve God?
2. Choose (v. 15). On the basis of the evidence of God's past dealings with Israel and in the light of a new era in a new land, will the people decide to remain loyal to Yahweh? Before Abraham's call their ancestors worshiped pagan gods. Now they are living among a people with false gods. The day of decision has arrived. Joshua lets the people make the decision. Regardless of what they decide, he announced that he has chosen to serve God. His example was a deciding factor.
3. Will (vv. 18, 21, 24) Four times the people claim they "will" serve Yahweh in the future. It is so easy to say, but will they carry it out? Joshua will not take their first answer. He reminds them of the temptation to turn to other gods. Repeatedly the people swear they "will" serve Yahweh faithfully. On the basis of their determination they renew their covenant made on Mount Sinai, a covenant in which God was their God and the people were God's people.
Lesson 1: Amos 5:18-24 (E)
1. Woe (v. 18). Woe to those who desire the day of the Lord! Why not? When God comes, it means victory over our enemies and glory for us. But, the day is also a day of judgment, a day of darkness, for the wicked will experience the wrath of God. For those in Christ, for the spiritually prepared, the Parousia will be the greatest day of history. Accordingly, we can pray with the apostles, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." On the other hand, the evil-doers, the unbelievers, and all who love the world more than God will find the day of the Lord to be a terror. Repent!
2. Hate (v. 18). Through Amos God is speaking, "I hate, I despise ..." Can God hate? Is he not love? Since God is a personality, he has, like us, the capacity to hate as well as to love. In fact, if one cannot hate, one cannot love. But what or whom does God hate? It is not "whom" but "what." Always he loves the sinner but not the sin. God hates our wickedness, our insincere worship and our religiosity: "Feasts," "solemn assemblies," "noises of your songs." God hates your hypocrisy. If God hates sin, should Christians not also do the same?
3. But (v. 24). The day of the Lord need not be a day of dark judgment for us. "But" refers to a contrast in our behavior that will change the day of wrath to grace, from condemnation to affirmation. God is pleased with his people's good moral behavior in terms of "justice" and "righteousness" (v. 24). The Christian religion is not only one of personal piety but of corporate justice in human relations. But what is justice? Who is to determine what is just in human relationships? The ultimate standard of human justice is God who by nature is just. In the nature of God we learn what is right and wrong, and what is just for all. Be just for God is just.
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (C, E, RC)
1. Asleep (v. 13). Paul uses "sleep" to describe the dead in Christ. They are asleep in Jesus. "Sleep" is a comforting concept of the Christian dead. When we sleep, we are at rest. Our labors are over and we rest at peace. When we sleep, we are not dead but alive. We shall awaken out of sleep. We fall asleep on earth to awaken in heaven for a fuller, better life with Christ.
2. Grieve (v. 13). We grieve over the loss of loved ones, but not as those who have no hope of heaven. In Paul's day, people were grieving because they were worried lest the departed miss out on the return of Christ. They wanted the dead to share in his victory, to see the destruction of Satanic powers and to rejoice in the spectacular glory of Christ. For Christians, the end time will be a glorious time and we want our loved ones to share it.
3. Bring (v. 14). When Christ returns at the end of time, the living and the dead in Christ will be together. When Christ leaves heaven for earth, he will bring with him those who died in faith. There is going to be one great, colossal reunion of heaven and earth! Since this is the case according to Paul, we know where our departed loved ones are now. They are with Christ in heaven. To be with Christ is to have life, love, joy and peace. What more could we want or want for our dearest?
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (L) (See Proper 28, Commom)
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
1. The Day of Days.
Need: "That will be the day!" is a common expression when something big is going to happen. The day for the world is going to be "the day of the Lord" which is to be the last day of history, the day God comes in Christ to wrap up the human scene. For most people, the last day of earth is frightening. Like death, we try to not think of it. How should we consider the day when Christ returns? The Lessons give us several possibilities.
Outline: What the day may mean to you -
a. A day of wrath for the wicked - Lesson 1.
b. A day of comfort for the bereaved - Lesson 2.
c. A day of joy for the prepared - Gospel.
2. Are You Ready for the End?
Need: What the end-day will mean to us depends on our preparation for it. A commercial says, "Delta is ready when you are." Delta may be ready when you are, but God is ready to come at the end of time whether you are ready or not. Today's lections tell us how we can be ready for the day of the Lord.
Outline: How you can get ready -
a. Repent! - Lesson 1.
b. Comfort! - Lesson 2.
c. Watch! Gospel.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (C, E, RC)
1. Wise Women. 25:1-13
Need: Christians are familiar with the Three Wise Men, but how many know about the Five Wise Women? According to the parable half of us are foolish when it comes to the Parousia. Our foolishness is expressed in claiming to know the day and hour of Jesus' return, in withdrawing from the world to await the Parousia, and in ignoring the possibility of Jesus' second coming in our time. In the parable we have a model for wise men and women.
Outline: To be wise like the wise women -
a. Be prepared for Jesus' coming - v. 4.
b. Refuse to share your spiritual resources - vv. 8-9.
c. Enter the feast of the kingdom - v. 10.
2. Christ is Coming. 25:1-13
Need: As the church year comes to a close, it is appropriate to consider the close of the age. The end is associated with Jesus' return to judge the world and to gather his people for heaven. The Parousia is a problem for many. Some do not believe Jesus is returning, for they claim he has already returned in the coming of the Spirit. Others have wrong ideas of the Parousia and many sincere questions about the last day. The sermon is needed to clarify the situation.
Outline: What we know about Jesus' return -
a. His return will be unexpected - vv. 5, 6.
1. The time: "midnight."
2. Delayed coming - v. 5.
b. His return will exclude the unprepared - vv. 8-12.
c. His return will be a joyous feast - v. 10.
3. A Spiritual Oil Crisis. 25:3-10
Need: In recent years the world experienced an oil crisis. OPEC countries had a strangle hold on non-oil producing countries and brought inflation by hiking prices. In a spiritual sense, people can have a spiritual oil crisis which will separate the wise from the foolish. The shortage of oil kept some out of heaven. The parable deals with having enough oil for Jesus' return.
Outline: Questions about the oil crisis -
a. What is this oil? Answer: The oil is faith in Christ.
b. Why is oil needed? Answer: To light the way to the kingdom.
c. Where can we get oil? Answer: Bible reading, worship, prayer, fellowship.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:14-30 (L) (See Proper 28, Common)
Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (C)
What About Your Future?
Need: There comes a time to take inventory of your life. Where have you been? What is your present status? What will you do about the future? To inform his people of these things, Joshua called his people together and asked them to decide about their future in the promised land. Every person and people face a day of decision. It is a frightful one: life or death.
Outline: What about your future -
a. Your blessed past - vv. 1-3.
b. Your affluent present - v. 13.
c. Your dangerous future - vv. 14-24.
1. Decision to be made - v. 15.
2. Determination to serve - v. 21.
3. Deed of renewal - v. 25.
Lesson 1: Amos 5:18-24 (E)
1. Can Religious People be Lost? 5:18-24
Need: Amos is speaking to God's people, Israel. If God chose Israel, can the nation be lost? Some believe that "once saved, always saved." A professor in a Baptist seminary was relieved of his position because he taught that "once saved, always saved" is a Baptist heresy. The Jews wanted the "Day of the Lord" to come, for they thought that for them it would be a day of victory over their enemies. They are in for a surprise, for the Day is going to be one of darkness, judgment and gloom. In our day religious people have a false security in thinking they are saved by virtue of their religious observances.
Outline: Once saved, always saved?
a. Don't be too sure - v. 18.
b. Religious people are involved - vv. 21-23.
c. A day of doom for "good" people - vv. 18-20.
2. Something Greater than Worship. 5:21-24
Need: If worship is praising and thanking God, if worship is receiving God's Word in sermon and sacraments, can there be anything more important? If worship is primary, peoplc may consider worship as an end in itself. It is separated from morality and service. Since many church people divorce religion from life, there is a need for this sermon to show that God prefers just and righteous living to religiosity.
Outline: What God thinks of our worship -
a. The worship God despises - vv. 21-23.
b. The worship God approves - v. 24. When worship results in justice and righteousness.
Lesson 1: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 (L)
The Maternal Love of God. 11:1-4, 8-9
Need: Though God as Spirit is sexless, the traditional concept of God is in terms of the masculine, Father. Many of today's women are calling our attention to the feminine aspects of God's nature. Some would address God as "Our Mother God." This is a needed corrective, because God has both paternal as well as maternal characteristics. God's love is like that of a father and mother. Today's First Lesson gives us the feminine characteristics of God's love for his people.
Outline: Like a mother, God -
a. Gives birth to a child - "Out of Egypt I called my son." - v. 1. (At the Exodus Israel was born of God's love.)
b. Loves in spite of disobedience: child's apostasy and idolatry - v. 2. (With compassion a mother loves her wayward child.)
c. Raises the child - vv. 3, 4.
1. Taught child to walk.
2. Carried child in arms.
3. Healed the child.
d. Keeps the child - vv. 8, 9.
1. Unable to abandon the wayward child - v. 8.
2. Refuses to destroy the child - v. 9.
Lesson 1: Wisdom 6:12-16 (RC)
Time to Wise Up! 6:12-16
Need: As the church year comes to a close, it is time to wise up. The gospel urges us to be virgins. Paul in Lesson 2 would not have us to be ignorant. Lesson 1 tells us how to get wisdom and her blessing. People need to learn about wisdom, for many have erroneous ideas that wisdom is a human achievement through education and the exercise of reason. Today we learn that wisdom is the female counterpart of God who is wisdom and gives wisdom as a gift to those who seek her. God is wisdom and we receive it only by revelation. Thus, the poor and uneducated can be wise or ever wiser than those able to afford a high education.
Outline: The truth about wisdom -
a. Wisdom seeks those worthy of her - v. 16.
b. Wisdom reveals herself to those who seek her - v. 13.
c. Wisdom offers peace of mind - v. 15.
1. Concerning the dead in Christ - Lesson 2 (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
2. Concerning entrance into heaven - Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13).
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (C, E, RC)
1. Comfort Through Knowledge. 4:13-18
Need: The problem in Paul's time was ignorance of the Christian dead and their estate. The solution was in knowledge - "We would not have you ignorant ..." Because death is beyond earthly life's realm of experience, we have no knowledge of the dead or their condition. What we can know comes to us only by revelation which is given in this text. Most church members grieve unnecessarily over their departed loved ones for lack of knowledge. Here is reason for this sermon: clarification.
Outline: What you should know about the dead -
a. The Christian dead are asleep in Jesus - v. 13. Sleepers are alive, not dead.
b. The Christian dead are with Jesus - v. 14. To be with Jesus is to be in heaven.
c. The Christian dead will return with Jesus - v. 14. The dead share the ultimate triumph of Christ.
2. Faith Conquers Fear. 4:14.
Need: There is a universal fear of death. Even most Christians fear death when it becomes an existential reality. There is a fear of the unknown, of leaving the security of loved ones and life on earth. No amount of argument nor exhortation can remove the fear. Ultimately it is a matter of faith, what one believes. A deep faith and strong convictions based on scriptural truth are the only solution to fear.
Outline: Fear fades when -
a. You believe Christ died for your sin - "Jesus died."
b. You believe Christ rose from death - "rose again."
c. You believe Christ will return with his people - "God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (L) (See Proper 28, Common)
