Proper 8
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
In a battle with the Philistines King Saul and his sons lost
their lives. An Amalekite soldier describes how Saul died. Saul
was severely wounded and asked the Amalekite to kill him. Though
Saul requested the Amalekite to kill him, David ordered one of
his men to kill the Amalekite for slaying the Lord's anointed.
Then he sang a lament for Saul and Jonathon.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (C, RC)
In chapters 8 and 9 Paul discusses the stewardship of money.
The pressing need of the day was the poor and hungry in
Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas were planning to take the funds to
Jerusalem. He asks the Corinthians to match the generosity of the
Macedonian church and thereby prove their love is genuine. Christ
is the example for their giving in that he, being rich, became
poor to make us rich. Each is asked to give not according to what
one does not have, but according to what one has.
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 (C, E, L, RC)
Jesus returns to the Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee by
boat. He is met by Jairus, a leader in the local synagogue, who
begs Jesus to come to his house to heal his little daughter.
Jesus decides to go, but he is interrupted by a woman who touches
him to get healing for her 12-year-old issue of blood. This
caused a delay and friends report that Jairus' daughter has died.
Jesus ignores this and goes to the home. A great multitude is
already mourning. He asks them why they are mourning, for he
claims that the child is not dead, but sleeping. Their ridicule
does not stop him. In Aramaic he addresses the girl. To the
amazement of all, she rises from death to life. He orders silence
about the miracle and food for the girl.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 130 (C) -- "There is forgiveness with you." (v. 4)
Psalm 30 (L); Psalm 112 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond
understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you that,
loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which
exceed all that we can desire."
Hymn Of The Day
"O God, Of Mercy, God Of Light"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Seeing (v. 22). Jesus had just gotten out of the boat after
crossing the lake. Soon a crowd gathered around Jesus. One of
them was Jairus, leader of the local synagogue.
199
"Seeing him" Jairus pleaded for his daughter's recovery. In a
crowd, whom do you see? What do you see in Jesus, if you see him?
Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jairus did not see in Jesus one
who was out of his mind or in league with the devil. Jairus saw a
man of compassion and power. He saw in Jesus one who could help
him by healing his daughter.
2. Come (v. 23). Jesus usually is the one who says, "Come."
Here Jairus asks Jesus to come to his home and heal his child.
When the two "comes" meet, there is the miracle of healing and
salvation. When the sinner asks Jesus to come into his heart to
heal his sin, Jesus is more than eager to come. There are times
when we cannot come to Jesus, as in this case, and then Jesus
graciously comes to us in our time of need.
3. Sleeping (v. 39). Jesus speaks of death as sleeping. A
Christian is one, it is said, who falls asleep in Jesus when
death comes. On the one hand, death as sleeping is not
satisfactory. If it is a sleep until the final resurrection, it
means the dead know and do nothing for ages. When we are asleep,
we are "out of everything." On the other hand, it is a comforting
view of death. No one objects to falling asleep -- it is pleasant
and painless. If we awaken the next morning in heaven, all is
well. This means we awaken in the presence of Christ to praise
and enjoy him forever.
4. Say (v. 41). Jesus takes the girl by the hand and says, "I
say to you, arise." The dead hear his voice and obey! Here is an
instance of demonstrating the authority and power of Jesus' word.
What he says happens. Who but God can with a word bring life out
of death? It is no wonder Jesus ordered his disciples and Jairus
to tell no one of the miracle. He did not want people to see or
accept him as Messiah on the basis of miracles. The revelation of
his identity was to come on the cross.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)
1. Lament (v. 17) David sang a lament, as it was the custom in
David's time, for the loss of Saul and Jonathon. David asked the
whole population to learn and sing the lament to express their
sorrow at the loss of their heroes. It is appropriate to express
sorrow when a loved one dies.
2. The mighty have fallen (vv. 19, 25). "How the mighty have
fallen" is the theme of the lament. They were the "mighty"
because they were a king and a prince. It shows that David could
praise King Saul in spite of Saul's past persecution of him by
making him a refugee and outlaw. Because there was forgiveness in
his heart, he could praise the fallen king.
3. Grieve (v. 26). David and Jonathon were the closest of
friends. Jonathon recognized that the Lord chose David to succeed
his father. This love is expressed by calling him his "brother"
and saying "You were very dear to me." Their love for each other
was "wonderful." There is not the slightest suggestion that their
relationship was sexually related. Because of their love, David
was distressed and grieved over the death of Jonathon, his best
friend.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
1. Genuine (v. 8). Paul calls upon the Corinthians to prove
that their love for Christ and people is genuine. It is easy to
love in words or in expression of affection such as a hug and a
kiss. The real proof of love is in service, in giving to those
who are in need and who cannot return the gift. The poor in
Jerusalem were hungry. In contrast, the Corinthian church was
affluent. If we say we love God and neighbor, the proof of this
claim is in the giving of funds to help the needy through the
church.
2. Readiness (v. 12). Are we ready to give to the needy?
Before we give, we need to be prepared. The Macedonian Christians
were ready: they gave according to their means, they gave
voluntarily and they gave themselves to God. With this
preparation, Christians not only give but ask to give,
considering it a privilege to give to the poor. This calls for a
spiritual preparation in which we first give ourselves to Christ.
Then we are ready to give our substance, for in giving ourselves
we have the motivation, the concern and the love for unfortunate
people.
200
3. Excel (v. 7). Paul asks the Corinthians to excel in giving
as they excel in other things. To excel is to do more than
others. Jesus taught that a disciple is to do more than non-
believers. Secular people aim to excel in sports or in business.
A Christian aims to excel in love, in kindness, in showing mercy
to the needy.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
O God!
Need: Certain collects (prayers of the day) are so beautiful
in word and thought that they cry for preaching. The prayer for
this Sunday is worthy of memorizing for repeated use in daily
life. If this sermon is preached, probably the people will be
motivated to memorize it.
Outline: O God --
a. Your joys are beyond understanding -- "joys beyond
understanding" -- Mark 5:42.
b. Your love is supreme -- "loving you above all things" --
2 Corinthians 8:8.
c. Your promises exceed our desires -- "which exceed all
that we can desire" -- Mark 5:39-41.
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
1. Fathers who care. 5:21-24a, 35-43
Need: Our land has many fathers who do not care about their
children. Some fathers desert their families, get divorced and
fail to support their children, and abuse their children
physically and mentally. Many children cannot appreciate the
allusion to God as a loving Father. In this gospel, we have two
fathers who care, two fathers every person needs: earthly and
heavenly. If we do not have the former, we can always have the
latter.
Outline: Fathers who care for you --
a. Jairus: the earthly father -- vv. 22-23.
1. Concerned: "My little daughter is at the point of
death."
2. Humble: "Fell at his feet."
3. Earnest: "Besought him."
b. Jesus: the heavenly father -- vv. 35-43.
1. Physical concern -- v. 43.
2. Acceptance of ridicule to help -- vv. 39-40.
3. Giver of life -- v. 41.
2. The person of last resort. 5:21-24a, 35-43
Need: How many people will come to your aid, people you can
count on at any time under any circumstances? For most people,
the number is not more than one or two, if any. Jesus is in the
midst of a crowd. Jairus sees Jesus among the many. He sees in
Jesus the only one who can help him in a desperate situation. A
true Christian sees Jesus as the one who will always come to his
rescue. Today we cannot expect the miracle of raising a dead
loved one, but this miracle tells us something about Jesus that
will help us meet life's crises.
Outline: What this miracle tells us about Jesus --
a. He knows better than all others -- vv. 35-36, 39-40.
b. He cares about people in trouble -- v. 24.
c. He has power and authority over death -- v. 41.
3. Refusing to take "no" for an answer. 5:35-43
Need: When Jesus is needed, nothing can stop him from helping.
In this lesson we see Jesus refusing to take "no" for an answer.
He is determined to overcome any obstacle. He may be interrupted
and detained, but he carries on until the need is met. This
miracle is interrupted by the case of a woman with an issue of
blood when she touched him to be healed while he was on his way
to Jairus' home. He resumed his walk to heal the girl. When we
cry to Jesus for his help in a desperate situation he comes to us
without fail.
201
Outline: When Jesus will not take "no" for an answer --
a. "Your daughter is dead" -- v. 35 (people's opinion).
b. "They laughed at him" -- v. 40 (ridicule).
c. "I say to you, arise" -- v. 41 (stark reality of death).
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)
1. Forgiveness for the fallen. 1:19-24
Need: When an enemy dies, it is natural to say, "I'm glad you
are dead, you rascal you!" Today who laments the death of a
tyrant-dictator like Hitler or Stalin? Saul was David's worst
enemy because time after time Saul tried to kill David. Now one
would expect David to rejoice that his enemy was dead. But no,
David expresses forgiveness.
Outline: How David expressed forgiveness for Saul --
a. Prevent the Philistines from knowing lest they rejoice --
v. 20.
b. Praise for the father-son relationship -- v. 23.
c. Let the women weep for their loss -- v. 24.
2. If your best friend should die. 1:15-27
Need: David and Jonathon were the best of friends. They
entered a blood covenant together. Jonathon protected David from
his father's intent to kill David. Jonathon recognized David's
divine choice to be Saul's successor. Now Jonathon falls in
battle. He lost his best friend. How does one take such a loss?
Outline: How David took the loss of his best friend --
a. Praised him -- "How the mighty have fallen." (vv. 25,
27).
b. Considered him to be his brother -- (v. 26).
c. Loved him -- "Your love to me was wonderful." (v. 26).
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (C, RC)
1. The grace of giving. 8:7-15
Need: This lection would seem to be more appropriate in
November at the time of the annual stewardship drive to
underwrite next year's budget, for the passage deals with giving
money to the poor. A stewardship sermon at this time of the year
may be more effective than at a time when people are expecting to
hear a sermon on money. The truth is that stewardship of funds is
not a concern for one month of the year, but for the entire year.
The church can serve only to the extent that it has funds. Giving
is a spiritual matter and it is to this that we turn.
Outline: To acquire the grace of giving --
a. Express your love -- v. 8.
b. Follow the example of Jesus -- v. 9.
c. Meet the needs of the poor -- v. 14.
2. How much shall I give? 8:7-15
Need: "How much shall I give?" is a question people are
constantly asking. With all of our other needs -- medical,
dental, educational, material -- what is a fair share for God
through the church? The minimum biblical standard is the tithe.
But can all afford to give this amount when loaded down with
debts? How can one determine the amount of gift that would be
pleasing to God and a blessing to the donor? We look for answers
in the text.
Outline: What guidance the text gives us --
a. Give sacrificially -- v. 9.
b. Give according to what you have -- v. 12.
c. Give according to the needs -- v. 14.
202
their lives. An Amalekite soldier describes how Saul died. Saul
was severely wounded and asked the Amalekite to kill him. Though
Saul requested the Amalekite to kill him, David ordered one of
his men to kill the Amalekite for slaying the Lord's anointed.
Then he sang a lament for Saul and Jonathon.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (C, RC)
In chapters 8 and 9 Paul discusses the stewardship of money.
The pressing need of the day was the poor and hungry in
Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas were planning to take the funds to
Jerusalem. He asks the Corinthians to match the generosity of the
Macedonian church and thereby prove their love is genuine. Christ
is the example for their giving in that he, being rich, became
poor to make us rich. Each is asked to give not according to what
one does not have, but according to what one has.
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 (C, E, L, RC)
Jesus returns to the Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee by
boat. He is met by Jairus, a leader in the local synagogue, who
begs Jesus to come to his house to heal his little daughter.
Jesus decides to go, but he is interrupted by a woman who touches
him to get healing for her 12-year-old issue of blood. This
caused a delay and friends report that Jairus' daughter has died.
Jesus ignores this and goes to the home. A great multitude is
already mourning. He asks them why they are mourning, for he
claims that the child is not dead, but sleeping. Their ridicule
does not stop him. In Aramaic he addresses the girl. To the
amazement of all, she rises from death to life. He orders silence
about the miracle and food for the girl.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 130 (C) -- "There is forgiveness with you." (v. 4)
Psalm 30 (L); Psalm 112 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond
understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you that,
loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which
exceed all that we can desire."
Hymn Of The Day
"O God, Of Mercy, God Of Light"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Seeing (v. 22). Jesus had just gotten out of the boat after
crossing the lake. Soon a crowd gathered around Jesus. One of
them was Jairus, leader of the local synagogue.
199
"Seeing him" Jairus pleaded for his daughter's recovery. In a
crowd, whom do you see? What do you see in Jesus, if you see him?
Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jairus did not see in Jesus one
who was out of his mind or in league with the devil. Jairus saw a
man of compassion and power. He saw in Jesus one who could help
him by healing his daughter.
2. Come (v. 23). Jesus usually is the one who says, "Come."
Here Jairus asks Jesus to come to his home and heal his child.
When the two "comes" meet, there is the miracle of healing and
salvation. When the sinner asks Jesus to come into his heart to
heal his sin, Jesus is more than eager to come. There are times
when we cannot come to Jesus, as in this case, and then Jesus
graciously comes to us in our time of need.
3. Sleeping (v. 39). Jesus speaks of death as sleeping. A
Christian is one, it is said, who falls asleep in Jesus when
death comes. On the one hand, death as sleeping is not
satisfactory. If it is a sleep until the final resurrection, it
means the dead know and do nothing for ages. When we are asleep,
we are "out of everything." On the other hand, it is a comforting
view of death. No one objects to falling asleep -- it is pleasant
and painless. If we awaken the next morning in heaven, all is
well. This means we awaken in the presence of Christ to praise
and enjoy him forever.
4. Say (v. 41). Jesus takes the girl by the hand and says, "I
say to you, arise." The dead hear his voice and obey! Here is an
instance of demonstrating the authority and power of Jesus' word.
What he says happens. Who but God can with a word bring life out
of death? It is no wonder Jesus ordered his disciples and Jairus
to tell no one of the miracle. He did not want people to see or
accept him as Messiah on the basis of miracles. The revelation of
his identity was to come on the cross.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)
1. Lament (v. 17) David sang a lament, as it was the custom in
David's time, for the loss of Saul and Jonathon. David asked the
whole population to learn and sing the lament to express their
sorrow at the loss of their heroes. It is appropriate to express
sorrow when a loved one dies.
2. The mighty have fallen (vv. 19, 25). "How the mighty have
fallen" is the theme of the lament. They were the "mighty"
because they were a king and a prince. It shows that David could
praise King Saul in spite of Saul's past persecution of him by
making him a refugee and outlaw. Because there was forgiveness in
his heart, he could praise the fallen king.
3. Grieve (v. 26). David and Jonathon were the closest of
friends. Jonathon recognized that the Lord chose David to succeed
his father. This love is expressed by calling him his "brother"
and saying "You were very dear to me." Their love for each other
was "wonderful." There is not the slightest suggestion that their
relationship was sexually related. Because of their love, David
was distressed and grieved over the death of Jonathon, his best
friend.
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
1. Genuine (v. 8). Paul calls upon the Corinthians to prove
that their love for Christ and people is genuine. It is easy to
love in words or in expression of affection such as a hug and a
kiss. The real proof of love is in service, in giving to those
who are in need and who cannot return the gift. The poor in
Jerusalem were hungry. In contrast, the Corinthian church was
affluent. If we say we love God and neighbor, the proof of this
claim is in the giving of funds to help the needy through the
church.
2. Readiness (v. 12). Are we ready to give to the needy?
Before we give, we need to be prepared. The Macedonian Christians
were ready: they gave according to their means, they gave
voluntarily and they gave themselves to God. With this
preparation, Christians not only give but ask to give,
considering it a privilege to give to the poor. This calls for a
spiritual preparation in which we first give ourselves to Christ.
Then we are ready to give our substance, for in giving ourselves
we have the motivation, the concern and the love for unfortunate
people.
200
3. Excel (v. 7). Paul asks the Corinthians to excel in giving
as they excel in other things. To excel is to do more than
others. Jesus taught that a disciple is to do more than non-
believers. Secular people aim to excel in sports or in business.
A Christian aims to excel in love, in kindness, in showing mercy
to the needy.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
O God!
Need: Certain collects (prayers of the day) are so beautiful
in word and thought that they cry for preaching. The prayer for
this Sunday is worthy of memorizing for repeated use in daily
life. If this sermon is preached, probably the people will be
motivated to memorize it.
Outline: O God --
a. Your joys are beyond understanding -- "joys beyond
understanding" -- Mark 5:42.
b. Your love is supreme -- "loving you above all things" --
2 Corinthians 8:8.
c. Your promises exceed our desires -- "which exceed all
that we can desire" -- Mark 5:39-41.
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
1. Fathers who care. 5:21-24a, 35-43
Need: Our land has many fathers who do not care about their
children. Some fathers desert their families, get divorced and
fail to support their children, and abuse their children
physically and mentally. Many children cannot appreciate the
allusion to God as a loving Father. In this gospel, we have two
fathers who care, two fathers every person needs: earthly and
heavenly. If we do not have the former, we can always have the
latter.
Outline: Fathers who care for you --
a. Jairus: the earthly father -- vv. 22-23.
1. Concerned: "My little daughter is at the point of
death."
2. Humble: "Fell at his feet."
3. Earnest: "Besought him."
b. Jesus: the heavenly father -- vv. 35-43.
1. Physical concern -- v. 43.
2. Acceptance of ridicule to help -- vv. 39-40.
3. Giver of life -- v. 41.
2. The person of last resort. 5:21-24a, 35-43
Need: How many people will come to your aid, people you can
count on at any time under any circumstances? For most people,
the number is not more than one or two, if any. Jesus is in the
midst of a crowd. Jairus sees Jesus among the many. He sees in
Jesus the only one who can help him in a desperate situation. A
true Christian sees Jesus as the one who will always come to his
rescue. Today we cannot expect the miracle of raising a dead
loved one, but this miracle tells us something about Jesus that
will help us meet life's crises.
Outline: What this miracle tells us about Jesus --
a. He knows better than all others -- vv. 35-36, 39-40.
b. He cares about people in trouble -- v. 24.
c. He has power and authority over death -- v. 41.
3. Refusing to take "no" for an answer. 5:35-43
Need: When Jesus is needed, nothing can stop him from helping.
In this lesson we see Jesus refusing to take "no" for an answer.
He is determined to overcome any obstacle. He may be interrupted
and detained, but he carries on until the need is met. This
miracle is interrupted by the case of a woman with an issue of
blood when she touched him to be healed while he was on his way
to Jairus' home. He resumed his walk to heal the girl. When we
cry to Jesus for his help in a desperate situation he comes to us
without fail.
201
Outline: When Jesus will not take "no" for an answer --
a. "Your daughter is dead" -- v. 35 (people's opinion).
b. "They laughed at him" -- v. 40 (ridicule).
c. "I say to you, arise" -- v. 41 (stark reality of death).
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)
1. Forgiveness for the fallen. 1:19-24
Need: When an enemy dies, it is natural to say, "I'm glad you
are dead, you rascal you!" Today who laments the death of a
tyrant-dictator like Hitler or Stalin? Saul was David's worst
enemy because time after time Saul tried to kill David. Now one
would expect David to rejoice that his enemy was dead. But no,
David expresses forgiveness.
Outline: How David expressed forgiveness for Saul --
a. Prevent the Philistines from knowing lest they rejoice --
v. 20.
b. Praise for the father-son relationship -- v. 23.
c. Let the women weep for their loss -- v. 24.
2. If your best friend should die. 1:15-27
Need: David and Jonathon were the best of friends. They
entered a blood covenant together. Jonathon protected David from
his father's intent to kill David. Jonathon recognized David's
divine choice to be Saul's successor. Now Jonathon falls in
battle. He lost his best friend. How does one take such a loss?
Outline: How David took the loss of his best friend --
a. Praised him -- "How the mighty have fallen." (vv. 25,
27).
b. Considered him to be his brother -- (v. 26).
c. Loved him -- "Your love to me was wonderful." (v. 26).
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (C, RC)
1. The grace of giving. 8:7-15
Need: This lection would seem to be more appropriate in
November at the time of the annual stewardship drive to
underwrite next year's budget, for the passage deals with giving
money to the poor. A stewardship sermon at this time of the year
may be more effective than at a time when people are expecting to
hear a sermon on money. The truth is that stewardship of funds is
not a concern for one month of the year, but for the entire year.
The church can serve only to the extent that it has funds. Giving
is a spiritual matter and it is to this that we turn.
Outline: To acquire the grace of giving --
a. Express your love -- v. 8.
b. Follow the example of Jesus -- v. 9.
c. Meet the needs of the poor -- v. 14.
2. How much shall I give? 8:7-15
Need: "How much shall I give?" is a question people are
constantly asking. With all of our other needs -- medical,
dental, educational, material -- what is a fair share for God
through the church? The minimum biblical standard is the tithe.
But can all afford to give this amount when loaded down with
debts? How can one determine the amount of gift that would be
pleasing to God and a blessing to the donor? We look for answers
in the text.
Outline: What guidance the text gives us --
a. Give sacrificially -- v. 9.
b. Give according to what you have -- v. 12.
c. Give according to the needs -- v. 14.
202
