Proper 27
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
With the guidance of Naomi, Ruth gets Boaz as a husband. She
puts on her best clothes and waits until Boaz has eaten and
drunk. Then she lies down at his feet. When he awakens, he
promises to do the work of next of kin. Boaz arranges to buy
Naomi's lot which then allows him to marry Ruth. Out of this
union comes a son, Obed, the grandfather of David.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:24-28 (C, E, L, RC)
The author of Hebrews uses the cult to explain the atonement
and return of Jesus. As the Jewish high priest annually entered
the holy of holies in the temple, Jesus, the high priest, entered
the heavens, the temple of God. The high priest offered a
sacrifice annually, but Christ as high priest offered his
sacrifice but once. The high priest offered not his own blood,
but Jesus did. His one-time sacrifice took away sin. As judgment
comes after a person's death, so Christ will return for the
judgment of the world and to receive those who are waiting for
him.
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (C, E, L, RC)
Verses 38-40 serve as an introduction to our pericope. Jesus
warns the disciples against the scribes, for in their greed they
devour widows' houses. By contrast we see an improvished widow
who places two of the smallest coins, worth a penny, into the
temple's treasury. Jesus is sitting across from the offering
boxes and observes the gifts being given. He calls attention to
the widow's penny in contrast to the million-dollar gifts of the
rich. He claims that she gave more than any other because she
gave out of her poverty while others gave out of their abundance.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 127 (C) -- "Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord."
(v. 3a)
Psalm 146 (E); Psalm 107:1-3, 33-43 (L)
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
"As Saints Of Old Their Firstfruits Brought"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Watched (v. 41). Jesus sat down and watched people drop
their offerings in the temple's treasury. He was an observer of
people and their ways. That may be one reason for his knowing
people so thoroughly and accurately. In his teachings he refers
to everyday
276
happenings and objects. Because he knew what people were saying
and doing, he could relate his teachings to their daily lives. Do
we realize that Jesus is watching us? When the offering plate is
passed, what does Jesus think of our gift, especially when we let
the plate pass without putting some gift in it?
2. Poor (v. 42). Jesus saw a poor widow give her offering. In
his day a widow was almost always poor because she had no husband
to support her. There were no insurance policies, no death
benefits plan, no Social Security. Because she was extremely
poor, she could have been excused from giving to the Lord's
treasury. Rather she should have been given something from the
treasury. Her gift proved that she was not poor spiritually. She
had the riches of faith in God to motivate her gift.
3. More (v. 43). Here is a case of proportionate giving. The
widow's penny was a larger gift than the wealthy's thousand
dollars. The rich give out of their surplus, but she gave out of
their need. She gave everything, but the rich gave only
something. For this reason a basic across-the-board tithe is not
equal nor fair. The poor person's tithe is a far greater gift and
sacrifice than a rich person's tithe even though the tithe is
larger in amount. But, is the widow's mite which represents
everything she had a practical proposal for every Christian? This
episode must be saying more than the amount one gives to God.
Lesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
1. Security (v. 3:1). Naomi was ever seeking the welfare of
Ruth. She saw that Ruth as a young widow needed the security of a
marriage. As a single woman, Ruth needed a husband to provide and
protect her. As Ruth expressed her love for Naomi by her loyalty,
Naomi is expressing her love by planning security for Ruth. She
plotted the marriage of Ruth to Boaz.
2. Do (v. 3:5). Although she was a grown woman, Ruth followed
Naomi's directions how to get a husband. After Naomi told her to
wash, put on her best clothes, wait for Boaz to finish eating and
drinking, and then lie at his feet that night, Ruth's response
was "All that you tell me to do I will do." Ruth had no reason to
obey, but out of love for her mother-in-law, she obeyed to her
own profit.
3. Naomi (v. 4:17). The book of Ruth opens with the
impoverishment of Naomi; it closes with Naomi blessed with a
grandchild. Women said, "A son has been born to Naomi." To whom?
To Ruth? No, to Naomi! In the beginning of the story Naomi was
deprived of a husband and two sons. Now she holds a grandchild in
her bosom. God has turned her loss into gain.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:24-28 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Entered (v. 24). Jesus entered into the presence of God in
the heavens. Unlike a Jewish high priest who entered the holy of
holies once a year to be in God's presence, Jesus entered a
cosmic sanctuary to be with God. Only he could do this, for he
alone had the purity and perfection of God. A sinner cannot enter
God's presence, for sin cannot be tolerated by a holy God. Why
did Jesus enter God's presence? He went there, as Esther did to
the king, to intercede for us. Hear him plead for our
forgiveness!
2. Himself (v. 26). Who ever heard of a priest offering a
sacrifice of himself? This is the mystery and the glory of Jesus'
sacrifice. He stands at the altar as the officiating priest, but
he offers himself as the lamb. With this in mind, we can
understand the explanation of the atonement as a sacrifice that
satisfied the justice of God. The price for our sins is paid by
God himself.
3. Once (vv. 26-28). "Once upon a time" Jesus came into the
world. It sounds like a story, and this "story" is popular in
today's theological thinking. Once he loved and died for his
people's freedom from Satan. Only once did he appear in the world
as a man. Only once did he die for the world's sin. Only once
will he return to wind up world history, to gather his people and
to establish his everlasting kingdom. There is no need to look
for another to come. There is no new revelation to be made. In
Christ God made his last effort to reconcile the world.
277
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (C, E, L, RC)
1. A woman who held nothing back. 12:41-44
Need: The heroine of the gospel is an unnamed widow. She
needed the money more than the temple or the priests needed it.
It would be expected that those who have shall give and those who
have not do not give. Here is a woman who had as her total wealth
two coins worth a penny. She is an example and a goal for
Christian giving.
Outline: What the poor woman could have done --
a. She could have given nothing because she had almost
nothing.
b. She could have given one coin to God and kept one for
herself -- v. 42.
c. She gave everything to God -- v. 44.
2. The biggest gift in the Bible. 12:41-44
Need: The widow's gift of a penny was more than any other gift
of a person in the Bible. Jesus said that she gave more than any
other rich person. The well-to-do gave of their abundance, but
she gave of her poverty. This is proportionate giving. No giving
is really Christian giving unless it hurts. The rich give
thousands of dollars and they hardly miss the money. They may
even profit from the gift because it is tax deductible. Why do we
not publicize the small sacrificial gift as much as the $100,000
gift, especially since it is proportionately larger and a greater
sacrifice?
Outline: Characteristics of this biggest gift --
a. It was voluntary -- no pledge card, no every-member
visit.
b. It was cheerful -- the widow made no complaints.
c. It was an expression of her faith and love of God.
3. Are you willing to sacrifice? 12:44
Need: Today authorities of state announce that the American
people should adopt a simpler lifestyle. In the past few decades
Americans have been the world's worst wasters. With six percent
of the world's population, we are using over 30 percent of the
world's resources. It is a call to sacrifice our high standard of
living which consists of luxury and leisure. The widow in the
gospel sacrificed her "everything." Are we willing to sacrifice
something for the welfare of the world and in support of God's
work in the world?
Outline: Why should we sacrifice?
a. The need for the conservation of energy.
b. The millions of hungry people in the world.
c. The poor one-third of the world.
d. The hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Lesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
1. Security for you. 3:1-5
Need: A basic need of all humanity is security. Our security
is threatened by possible unemployment, bank failures and
divorce. Like Ruth we need some security. Naomi saw security for
Ruth in getting her a husband.
Outline: You can find security --
a. Do what you can -- vv. 3, 4.
b. Be obedient -- v. 5.
c. Seek a bridegroom, Christ -- v. 4.
2. Misfortune to good fortune. 4:13-17
Need: Life can be rough on us. It can be filled with
disappointment and disaster. Such was the case with Naomi. She
lost her husband and two sons. She was in a foreign land. As a
widow she had no income and therefore faced poverty. But, her end
was one of good fortune due to the blessing of God. The story of
Naomi gives hope that God will do the same for all who are
presently prisoners of misfortune. The hope is that the end will
be better than the present.
278
Outline: The end can be better --
a. Let God have his way with your life -- v. 13.
b. Be grateful for God's blessings -- vv. 14-17.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:24-28 (C, E, L, RC)
1. It was all for us. 9:24-28
Need: It may be different to see the contemporary relevance of
the Christology in Hebrews. Yet Christ's life, death and
resurrection have important practical consequences for our lives.
What happened to Jesus was not done in a vacuum, nor was it only
a historical event. The consequences of his sacrifice are still
felt today. This sermon is to show that all that happened to
Jesus was for us.
Outline: It was all for us --
a. He intercedes for us -- v. 24.
b. He gained our salvation -- v. 26.
c. He guarantees life after death -- v. 27.
d. He is coming again to claim us -- v. 28.
2. Once is enough! 9:26-28
Need: Jesus is not a repeatable event in history. He is not
reincarnated in other prophets or messiahs. The revelation and
atonement accomplished by Jesus is a once-for-all-time
phenomenon. There is no need for the church to repeat his
sacrifice, even if she could. There is no new revelation to be
received except what Christ revealed. Religions that claim
additional revelations, prophets and sacrifices are not built on
the truth of Christ.
Outline: Once is enough --
a. He lived but once on earth -- v. 26.
b. He died but once as the supreme sacrifice -- v. 28.
c. He is coming but once for judgment -- v. 27.
279
puts on her best clothes and waits until Boaz has eaten and
drunk. Then she lies down at his feet. When he awakens, he
promises to do the work of next of kin. Boaz arranges to buy
Naomi's lot which then allows him to marry Ruth. Out of this
union comes a son, Obed, the grandfather of David.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:24-28 (C, E, L, RC)
The author of Hebrews uses the cult to explain the atonement
and return of Jesus. As the Jewish high priest annually entered
the holy of holies in the temple, Jesus, the high priest, entered
the heavens, the temple of God. The high priest offered a
sacrifice annually, but Christ as high priest offered his
sacrifice but once. The high priest offered not his own blood,
but Jesus did. His one-time sacrifice took away sin. As judgment
comes after a person's death, so Christ will return for the
judgment of the world and to receive those who are waiting for
him.
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (C, E, L, RC)
Verses 38-40 serve as an introduction to our pericope. Jesus
warns the disciples against the scribes, for in their greed they
devour widows' houses. By contrast we see an improvished widow
who places two of the smallest coins, worth a penny, into the
temple's treasury. Jesus is sitting across from the offering
boxes and observes the gifts being given. He calls attention to
the widow's penny in contrast to the million-dollar gifts of the
rich. He claims that she gave more than any other because she
gave out of her poverty while others gave out of their abundance.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 127 (C) -- "Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord."
(v. 3a)
Psalm 146 (E); Psalm 107:1-3, 33-43 (L)
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
"As Saints Of Old Their Firstfruits Brought"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Watched (v. 41). Jesus sat down and watched people drop
their offerings in the temple's treasury. He was an observer of
people and their ways. That may be one reason for his knowing
people so thoroughly and accurately. In his teachings he refers
to everyday
276
happenings and objects. Because he knew what people were saying
and doing, he could relate his teachings to their daily lives. Do
we realize that Jesus is watching us? When the offering plate is
passed, what does Jesus think of our gift, especially when we let
the plate pass without putting some gift in it?
2. Poor (v. 42). Jesus saw a poor widow give her offering. In
his day a widow was almost always poor because she had no husband
to support her. There were no insurance policies, no death
benefits plan, no Social Security. Because she was extremely
poor, she could have been excused from giving to the Lord's
treasury. Rather she should have been given something from the
treasury. Her gift proved that she was not poor spiritually. She
had the riches of faith in God to motivate her gift.
3. More (v. 43). Here is a case of proportionate giving. The
widow's penny was a larger gift than the wealthy's thousand
dollars. The rich give out of their surplus, but she gave out of
their need. She gave everything, but the rich gave only
something. For this reason a basic across-the-board tithe is not
equal nor fair. The poor person's tithe is a far greater gift and
sacrifice than a rich person's tithe even though the tithe is
larger in amount. But, is the widow's mite which represents
everything she had a practical proposal for every Christian? This
episode must be saying more than the amount one gives to God.
Lesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
1. Security (v. 3:1). Naomi was ever seeking the welfare of
Ruth. She saw that Ruth as a young widow needed the security of a
marriage. As a single woman, Ruth needed a husband to provide and
protect her. As Ruth expressed her love for Naomi by her loyalty,
Naomi is expressing her love by planning security for Ruth. She
plotted the marriage of Ruth to Boaz.
2. Do (v. 3:5). Although she was a grown woman, Ruth followed
Naomi's directions how to get a husband. After Naomi told her to
wash, put on her best clothes, wait for Boaz to finish eating and
drinking, and then lie at his feet that night, Ruth's response
was "All that you tell me to do I will do." Ruth had no reason to
obey, but out of love for her mother-in-law, she obeyed to her
own profit.
3. Naomi (v. 4:17). The book of Ruth opens with the
impoverishment of Naomi; it closes with Naomi blessed with a
grandchild. Women said, "A son has been born to Naomi." To whom?
To Ruth? No, to Naomi! In the beginning of the story Naomi was
deprived of a husband and two sons. Now she holds a grandchild in
her bosom. God has turned her loss into gain.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:24-28 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Entered (v. 24). Jesus entered into the presence of God in
the heavens. Unlike a Jewish high priest who entered the holy of
holies once a year to be in God's presence, Jesus entered a
cosmic sanctuary to be with God. Only he could do this, for he
alone had the purity and perfection of God. A sinner cannot enter
God's presence, for sin cannot be tolerated by a holy God. Why
did Jesus enter God's presence? He went there, as Esther did to
the king, to intercede for us. Hear him plead for our
forgiveness!
2. Himself (v. 26). Who ever heard of a priest offering a
sacrifice of himself? This is the mystery and the glory of Jesus'
sacrifice. He stands at the altar as the officiating priest, but
he offers himself as the lamb. With this in mind, we can
understand the explanation of the atonement as a sacrifice that
satisfied the justice of God. The price for our sins is paid by
God himself.
3. Once (vv. 26-28). "Once upon a time" Jesus came into the
world. It sounds like a story, and this "story" is popular in
today's theological thinking. Once he loved and died for his
people's freedom from Satan. Only once did he appear in the world
as a man. Only once did he die for the world's sin. Only once
will he return to wind up world history, to gather his people and
to establish his everlasting kingdom. There is no need to look
for another to come. There is no new revelation to be made. In
Christ God made his last effort to reconcile the world.
277
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (C, E, L, RC)
1. A woman who held nothing back. 12:41-44
Need: The heroine of the gospel is an unnamed widow. She
needed the money more than the temple or the priests needed it.
It would be expected that those who have shall give and those who
have not do not give. Here is a woman who had as her total wealth
two coins worth a penny. She is an example and a goal for
Christian giving.
Outline: What the poor woman could have done --
a. She could have given nothing because she had almost
nothing.
b. She could have given one coin to God and kept one for
herself -- v. 42.
c. She gave everything to God -- v. 44.
2. The biggest gift in the Bible. 12:41-44
Need: The widow's gift of a penny was more than any other gift
of a person in the Bible. Jesus said that she gave more than any
other rich person. The well-to-do gave of their abundance, but
she gave of her poverty. This is proportionate giving. No giving
is really Christian giving unless it hurts. The rich give
thousands of dollars and they hardly miss the money. They may
even profit from the gift because it is tax deductible. Why do we
not publicize the small sacrificial gift as much as the $100,000
gift, especially since it is proportionately larger and a greater
sacrifice?
Outline: Characteristics of this biggest gift --
a. It was voluntary -- no pledge card, no every-member
visit.
b. It was cheerful -- the widow made no complaints.
c. It was an expression of her faith and love of God.
3. Are you willing to sacrifice? 12:44
Need: Today authorities of state announce that the American
people should adopt a simpler lifestyle. In the past few decades
Americans have been the world's worst wasters. With six percent
of the world's population, we are using over 30 percent of the
world's resources. It is a call to sacrifice our high standard of
living which consists of luxury and leisure. The widow in the
gospel sacrificed her "everything." Are we willing to sacrifice
something for the welfare of the world and in support of God's
work in the world?
Outline: Why should we sacrifice?
a. The need for the conservation of energy.
b. The millions of hungry people in the world.
c. The poor one-third of the world.
d. The hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Lesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
1. Security for you. 3:1-5
Need: A basic need of all humanity is security. Our security
is threatened by possible unemployment, bank failures and
divorce. Like Ruth we need some security. Naomi saw security for
Ruth in getting her a husband.
Outline: You can find security --
a. Do what you can -- vv. 3, 4.
b. Be obedient -- v. 5.
c. Seek a bridegroom, Christ -- v. 4.
2. Misfortune to good fortune. 4:13-17
Need: Life can be rough on us. It can be filled with
disappointment and disaster. Such was the case with Naomi. She
lost her husband and two sons. She was in a foreign land. As a
widow she had no income and therefore faced poverty. But, her end
was one of good fortune due to the blessing of God. The story of
Naomi gives hope that God will do the same for all who are
presently prisoners of misfortune. The hope is that the end will
be better than the present.
278
Outline: The end can be better --
a. Let God have his way with your life -- v. 13.
b. Be grateful for God's blessings -- vv. 14-17.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:24-28 (C, E, L, RC)
1. It was all for us. 9:24-28
Need: It may be different to see the contemporary relevance of
the Christology in Hebrews. Yet Christ's life, death and
resurrection have important practical consequences for our lives.
What happened to Jesus was not done in a vacuum, nor was it only
a historical event. The consequences of his sacrifice are still
felt today. This sermon is to show that all that happened to
Jesus was for us.
Outline: It was all for us --
a. He intercedes for us -- v. 24.
b. He gained our salvation -- v. 26.
c. He guarantees life after death -- v. 27.
d. He is coming again to claim us -- v. 28.
2. Once is enough! 9:26-28
Need: Jesus is not a repeatable event in history. He is not
reincarnated in other prophets or messiahs. The revelation and
atonement accomplished by Jesus is a once-for-all-time
phenomenon. There is no need for the church to repeat his
sacrifice, even if she could. There is no new revelation to be
received except what Christ revealed. Religions that claim
additional revelations, prophets and sacrifices are not built on
the truth of Christ.
Outline: Once is enough --
a. He lived but once on earth -- v. 26.
b. He died but once as the supreme sacrifice -- v. 28.
c. He is coming but once for judgment -- v. 27.
279
