Proper 9 (C, E)
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 (C)
Historically, of course, this is an important passage as it relates the establishment of David as king of the Israelites. His successful attack on JerusalemÍs Zion stronghold enabled him to declare it ñthe City of David.'' This focused the peopleÍs sense of identity, and the temple with its ñholy of holies'' identified the city as the place where God dwells. Of course to say that is to allow for ancient religious concepts. The book of Jonah, for instance, would remind us that the people in fact believed that there is one God and he is everywhere.
George A. F. Knight, writing in A Christian Theology Of The Old Testament, made the interesting point that the people did not see the city of David in its empirical form, but as an idealized city. Even after widespread destruction took place, it was still for them a place of beauty for it was the place of GodÍs dwelling. Knight makes the point that we can see the city in terms of what it might one day become, rather than as a place of stone and sin.
This is not a passage I would ever choose to preach about, but there is that thought: God sees us, not just as we are, but as we have the capability of becoming.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 2:2-5 (RC); Ezekiel 2:1-7 (E)
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (C, E); 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (RC)
ItÍs interesting „ we like to contend that God doesnÍt send afflictions, he only uses them as they occur. But Paul clearly holds here that he was ñgiven a painful physical ailment.'' He seems to feel that it was handed out by ñSatan'' and that his pleas to God were answered by refusal to remove the ailment. Paul feels that the purpose of the ailment is to keep him from being proud, yet one wonders why Satan would do that. Would Satan not prefer that Paul BE proud? I see this as an example of the way Paul sort of dashed off his ideas on the run, so to speak, and a lack of logic here should not obscure the fact that we know this: Paul had an ñailment.'' Some think it may have been back trouble. Or epilepsy. Or migraine headaches. Whatever, Paul believed it served a positive role in his development as a man and as a Christian. He believed that God didnÍt want him set free because God knew Paul to have a personality which inclined toward pridefulness. It taught him to endure in the face of all mistreatment, and most importantly, it caused him to rely on GodÍs strength along with his own. There is certainly strong preaching possibility here.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-13 (C); Mark 6:1-6 (RC, E)
ñFamiliarity breeds contempt,'' goes an old saying. ThatÍs what happened here in the early verses (1-6). Jesus, having returned for a visit to his boyhood home, taught in the synagogue. But many of the people said to themselves, and to others: ñThis is just Jesus, the kid down the block. I know his sisters. TheyÍre nice people, but just ordinary folks like us. I canÍt believe the little kid I used to see down at the store is such great shakes as all that.'' So Jesus, disappointed, departed after healing a few sick people. One significant word here with preaching possibilities is verse 5: ñHe was not able to perform any miracles there....'' If one does not believe in Jesus, Jesus is not able to bless that personÍs life.
The lesson goes on with verses 7 to 13, telling of JesusÍ sending out of his twelve disciples, that they should go two by two with much urgency, not tarrying where their reception was doubtful. They were to depend solely on the charity of the people they met, and thus went out preaching repentance. They also seem to have been able to do some healing. Whether olive oil had healing properties or served as a placebo effect one canÍt know for sure. Healing was not done miraculously.
As for preaching themes, there are several. The preaching of repentance is one. We could try to ask what it means for the messengers to turn their backs on us if weÍre not yet able to sign on the dotted line. We could also explore the idea of traveling with no possessions (something I have no plans to try). Or, looking at the earlier verses, we could ask ourselves to what extent do we discourage people whom we know and may even love because we canÍt see their great potential. ñHeck, I used to play baseball with that guy. He wasnÍt any different than the rest of us.'' And as noted, Jesus was unable to change peopleÍs lives if they werenÍt first willing to accept him as Messiah, as Lord.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñO Joy That Seekest Me Through Pain''
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Theme: The old hymn says it: ñO joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.'' We all must share the burden of the worldÍs pain. It comes in myriad forms, but all must share in it. Paul attributes his ailment to Satan. Today, some might use that word, others might be more general in attributing pain to the imperfection of the universe, to accident, to demonic forces such as disease, natural climatic forces, and the like. ThatÍs a faith decision never to be settled by argument. What Paul does demonstrate is that what we do with our pain is the measure of our character.
1. Pain can be a means of coming closer to God. I recently went through an illness which was quite painful. IÍm glad to report that itÍs over and done with now, thanks to very fine, skillful physicians. But there were nights of intense pain and I prayed as I rarely do. And I found the strength to endure and still feel optimism about my world. For me, in immediate terms, my morn was tearless.
2. Pain keeps us mindful of the sufferings of others. I spent a night in the emergency room of a hospital. After years of visiting such places as a pastor, and after only dimly registering the sounds of groans and complaints from other patients, I suddenly felt a kinship with the woman across the aisle who was crying out in agony. My pain was no doubt less severe than hers, but for a while we were brother and sister in suffering.
3. Pain always ends. Granted, sometimes it ends in death. But even then, God has another word to speak to us. And out of our pain comes growth and, if faced courageously, character. And finally, whatever the outcome, ñfrom the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be.''
Text: ñFaith Can Change Your Life Today''
Text: Mark 6:1-6
Theme: Though IÍm tempted by the chance to suggest a sermon on encouraging others instead of taking them for granted, I think the strongest word from this passage is implied by MarkÍs words: ñHe was not able to perform any miracles there....'' The people just couldnÍt take Jesus seriously, and the consequence of that was to render Jesus unable to change or help them. Now a miracle is sometimes defined as an event for which there is no natural explanation. As used here, however, I interpret this to mean that Jesus was unable to help the people with the power of faith because of their frank disbelief.
IÍm under the impression that Jesus relied on the faith of the people who came to him to bring about needed change. Time after time we find Jesus telling someone he has healed, ñYour faith has made you well.'' Remember the woman who reached out and touched his garment as he passed through the crowd. She was healed of a disease which had troubled her for years. But one touch of JesusÍ robe and she was healed. He turned, saw what had happened, then told her that her own faith had made her well. Faith in him, that is. Because God has created us with the freedom to reject him, it follows that God will not force his blessings on us if we studiously refuse them. I know people who are miserable, lost in any number of problems, yet they pass by the church and try to solve their trouble in other ways. Then one day they turn to the Lord and, behold, it can only seem like a miracle as the blessings come and the change takes place.
A young high school senior stood before an audience and told of his problems in his first years in school. He had only problem-type friends, a bad relationship at home, and failing grades. One day some friends persuaded him to go to church with them. They got him involved in their youth group. One day he ñaccepted Christ.'' That was a year or a bit more ago. Now he says he is happy, has wonderful friends and a rich full life, has a great relationship at home, has top grades, and is heading off to college with high hopes for a career. ThatÍs what faith in Jesus can do.
1. Jesus Christ comes to your door and knocks.
2. You decide whether to admit him.
3. When Christ enters in, he always changes many things.
4. Those changes will bring a new, higher happiness.
5. You will be asked to take a yoke upon you, but it will be easy.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
A splendid book titled Love, Medicine, and Miracles was published by a physician named Bernie Siegel. He wrote in that book about the importance to good health of taking responsibility for oneself, even in times of illness, as well as the importance of faith in self and in life. He told of one man, a Mr. Wright, who was critically ill, terminally, so his physicians believed. Having nothing to lose, they gave him an experimental new drug and told the man it was highly effective against his disease. The man soon improved and went home. He resumed a normal life, even learned to fly a plane. Then one day, he read in the newspaper that the drug he had been given was declared ineffective by the hospital. Immediately, the man had a relapse and was readmitted. His condition worsened rapidly. But his doctor decided to try one more time. He told the man that the announcement had been a mistake, that the drug had been defective and a new shipment was indeed effective. The man soon recovered and once more returned home. But after some weeks of recovery, the patient learned of the deception and returned to the hospital. Dr. Siegel wrote this: ñWithin a few days of this report Mr. Wright was readmitted to the hospital in extremis, his faith was now gone, his best hope vanished, and he succumbed in two days.''
____________
ñThe sufferings of all the world converge in him. His eyes reach out to the farthest corner of the earth, wherever there is suffering. He hears the sobs of the lonely and those bereft of every tie of family and possessions. He is wounded by the dread of the dying and those in mortal peril. He hears the sighs of prisoners behind their bars and electrically charged barbed wire. He bears upon his shoulders the cares that are cast upon him every hour and every minute from every square mile of the inhabited earth. He does not merely see this whole confused world situation in the large; he is not content with the divine perspective of a total view. No, he becomes as he did in the days when he walked the earth, to the individual, to the nameless one who lives forsaken in some back alley. He knows the little cares of children and the grisly hallucinations of the insane that no word can describe and no heart can understand. Yes, he also knows the joy of life in a sparrow and the exultation and the trembling fear of little creatures that live their lives beneath the level where we human beings pursue our interests.
ñCould human eyes endure the sight of this vast sum of distress and gloom, of mutilated bodies and mortal dread? Could human ears bear the cries of misery that rise to heaven day after day and night after night?
ñAnd because he not only registers it but hears it in love, it wounds and hurts him. His heart is pierced by every knife that is drawn, by every bullet that is shot, by every evil word that is spoken. The savior is literally riddled with the suffering of the world. Only so can we ever understand his suffering.''
„ Helmut Thielicke in Our Heavenly Father
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 48 (C) „ ñGreat is the Lord and greatly to be praised.''
Psalm 122 (RC) „ ñI was glad when they said to me....''
Psalm 123 (E) „ ñTo you I lift up my eyes.''
Prayer Of The Day
You know our pain right now, dear Lord. Our cries are heard, we know. Help us to see the gift in unavoidable suffering, to reach out a trusting hand to accept your blessing, to remain faithful during times of trial, that we may emerge with honor and gratitude as the tearless morn breaks with wondrous light. Amen.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 (C)
Historically, of course, this is an important passage as it relates the establishment of David as king of the Israelites. His successful attack on JerusalemÍs Zion stronghold enabled him to declare it ñthe City of David.'' This focused the peopleÍs sense of identity, and the temple with its ñholy of holies'' identified the city as the place where God dwells. Of course to say that is to allow for ancient religious concepts. The book of Jonah, for instance, would remind us that the people in fact believed that there is one God and he is everywhere.
George A. F. Knight, writing in A Christian Theology Of The Old Testament, made the interesting point that the people did not see the city of David in its empirical form, but as an idealized city. Even after widespread destruction took place, it was still for them a place of beauty for it was the place of GodÍs dwelling. Knight makes the point that we can see the city in terms of what it might one day become, rather than as a place of stone and sin.
This is not a passage I would ever choose to preach about, but there is that thought: God sees us, not just as we are, but as we have the capability of becoming.
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 2:2-5 (RC); Ezekiel 2:1-7 (E)
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (C, E); 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (RC)
ItÍs interesting „ we like to contend that God doesnÍt send afflictions, he only uses them as they occur. But Paul clearly holds here that he was ñgiven a painful physical ailment.'' He seems to feel that it was handed out by ñSatan'' and that his pleas to God were answered by refusal to remove the ailment. Paul feels that the purpose of the ailment is to keep him from being proud, yet one wonders why Satan would do that. Would Satan not prefer that Paul BE proud? I see this as an example of the way Paul sort of dashed off his ideas on the run, so to speak, and a lack of logic here should not obscure the fact that we know this: Paul had an ñailment.'' Some think it may have been back trouble. Or epilepsy. Or migraine headaches. Whatever, Paul believed it served a positive role in his development as a man and as a Christian. He believed that God didnÍt want him set free because God knew Paul to have a personality which inclined toward pridefulness. It taught him to endure in the face of all mistreatment, and most importantly, it caused him to rely on GodÍs strength along with his own. There is certainly strong preaching possibility here.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-13 (C); Mark 6:1-6 (RC, E)
ñFamiliarity breeds contempt,'' goes an old saying. ThatÍs what happened here in the early verses (1-6). Jesus, having returned for a visit to his boyhood home, taught in the synagogue. But many of the people said to themselves, and to others: ñThis is just Jesus, the kid down the block. I know his sisters. TheyÍre nice people, but just ordinary folks like us. I canÍt believe the little kid I used to see down at the store is such great shakes as all that.'' So Jesus, disappointed, departed after healing a few sick people. One significant word here with preaching possibilities is verse 5: ñHe was not able to perform any miracles there....'' If one does not believe in Jesus, Jesus is not able to bless that personÍs life.
The lesson goes on with verses 7 to 13, telling of JesusÍ sending out of his twelve disciples, that they should go two by two with much urgency, not tarrying where their reception was doubtful. They were to depend solely on the charity of the people they met, and thus went out preaching repentance. They also seem to have been able to do some healing. Whether olive oil had healing properties or served as a placebo effect one canÍt know for sure. Healing was not done miraculously.
As for preaching themes, there are several. The preaching of repentance is one. We could try to ask what it means for the messengers to turn their backs on us if weÍre not yet able to sign on the dotted line. We could also explore the idea of traveling with no possessions (something I have no plans to try). Or, looking at the earlier verses, we could ask ourselves to what extent do we discourage people whom we know and may even love because we canÍt see their great potential. ñHeck, I used to play baseball with that guy. He wasnÍt any different than the rest of us.'' And as noted, Jesus was unable to change peopleÍs lives if they werenÍt first willing to accept him as Messiah, as Lord.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñO Joy That Seekest Me Through Pain''
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Theme: The old hymn says it: ñO joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.'' We all must share the burden of the worldÍs pain. It comes in myriad forms, but all must share in it. Paul attributes his ailment to Satan. Today, some might use that word, others might be more general in attributing pain to the imperfection of the universe, to accident, to demonic forces such as disease, natural climatic forces, and the like. ThatÍs a faith decision never to be settled by argument. What Paul does demonstrate is that what we do with our pain is the measure of our character.
1. Pain can be a means of coming closer to God. I recently went through an illness which was quite painful. IÍm glad to report that itÍs over and done with now, thanks to very fine, skillful physicians. But there were nights of intense pain and I prayed as I rarely do. And I found the strength to endure and still feel optimism about my world. For me, in immediate terms, my morn was tearless.
2. Pain keeps us mindful of the sufferings of others. I spent a night in the emergency room of a hospital. After years of visiting such places as a pastor, and after only dimly registering the sounds of groans and complaints from other patients, I suddenly felt a kinship with the woman across the aisle who was crying out in agony. My pain was no doubt less severe than hers, but for a while we were brother and sister in suffering.
3. Pain always ends. Granted, sometimes it ends in death. But even then, God has another word to speak to us. And out of our pain comes growth and, if faced courageously, character. And finally, whatever the outcome, ñfrom the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be.''
Text: ñFaith Can Change Your Life Today''
Text: Mark 6:1-6
Theme: Though IÍm tempted by the chance to suggest a sermon on encouraging others instead of taking them for granted, I think the strongest word from this passage is implied by MarkÍs words: ñHe was not able to perform any miracles there....'' The people just couldnÍt take Jesus seriously, and the consequence of that was to render Jesus unable to change or help them. Now a miracle is sometimes defined as an event for which there is no natural explanation. As used here, however, I interpret this to mean that Jesus was unable to help the people with the power of faith because of their frank disbelief.
IÍm under the impression that Jesus relied on the faith of the people who came to him to bring about needed change. Time after time we find Jesus telling someone he has healed, ñYour faith has made you well.'' Remember the woman who reached out and touched his garment as he passed through the crowd. She was healed of a disease which had troubled her for years. But one touch of JesusÍ robe and she was healed. He turned, saw what had happened, then told her that her own faith had made her well. Faith in him, that is. Because God has created us with the freedom to reject him, it follows that God will not force his blessings on us if we studiously refuse them. I know people who are miserable, lost in any number of problems, yet they pass by the church and try to solve their trouble in other ways. Then one day they turn to the Lord and, behold, it can only seem like a miracle as the blessings come and the change takes place.
A young high school senior stood before an audience and told of his problems in his first years in school. He had only problem-type friends, a bad relationship at home, and failing grades. One day some friends persuaded him to go to church with them. They got him involved in their youth group. One day he ñaccepted Christ.'' That was a year or a bit more ago. Now he says he is happy, has wonderful friends and a rich full life, has a great relationship at home, has top grades, and is heading off to college with high hopes for a career. ThatÍs what faith in Jesus can do.
1. Jesus Christ comes to your door and knocks.
2. You decide whether to admit him.
3. When Christ enters in, he always changes many things.
4. Those changes will bring a new, higher happiness.
5. You will be asked to take a yoke upon you, but it will be easy.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
A splendid book titled Love, Medicine, and Miracles was published by a physician named Bernie Siegel. He wrote in that book about the importance to good health of taking responsibility for oneself, even in times of illness, as well as the importance of faith in self and in life. He told of one man, a Mr. Wright, who was critically ill, terminally, so his physicians believed. Having nothing to lose, they gave him an experimental new drug and told the man it was highly effective against his disease. The man soon improved and went home. He resumed a normal life, even learned to fly a plane. Then one day, he read in the newspaper that the drug he had been given was declared ineffective by the hospital. Immediately, the man had a relapse and was readmitted. His condition worsened rapidly. But his doctor decided to try one more time. He told the man that the announcement had been a mistake, that the drug had been defective and a new shipment was indeed effective. The man soon recovered and once more returned home. But after some weeks of recovery, the patient learned of the deception and returned to the hospital. Dr. Siegel wrote this: ñWithin a few days of this report Mr. Wright was readmitted to the hospital in extremis, his faith was now gone, his best hope vanished, and he succumbed in two days.''
____________
ñThe sufferings of all the world converge in him. His eyes reach out to the farthest corner of the earth, wherever there is suffering. He hears the sobs of the lonely and those bereft of every tie of family and possessions. He is wounded by the dread of the dying and those in mortal peril. He hears the sighs of prisoners behind their bars and electrically charged barbed wire. He bears upon his shoulders the cares that are cast upon him every hour and every minute from every square mile of the inhabited earth. He does not merely see this whole confused world situation in the large; he is not content with the divine perspective of a total view. No, he becomes as he did in the days when he walked the earth, to the individual, to the nameless one who lives forsaken in some back alley. He knows the little cares of children and the grisly hallucinations of the insane that no word can describe and no heart can understand. Yes, he also knows the joy of life in a sparrow and the exultation and the trembling fear of little creatures that live their lives beneath the level where we human beings pursue our interests.
ñCould human eyes endure the sight of this vast sum of distress and gloom, of mutilated bodies and mortal dread? Could human ears bear the cries of misery that rise to heaven day after day and night after night?
ñAnd because he not only registers it but hears it in love, it wounds and hurts him. His heart is pierced by every knife that is drawn, by every bullet that is shot, by every evil word that is spoken. The savior is literally riddled with the suffering of the world. Only so can we ever understand his suffering.''
„ Helmut Thielicke in Our Heavenly Father
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 48 (C) „ ñGreat is the Lord and greatly to be praised.''
Psalm 122 (RC) „ ñI was glad when they said to me....''
Psalm 123 (E) „ ñTo you I lift up my eyes.''
Prayer Of The Day
You know our pain right now, dear Lord. Our cries are heard, we know. Help us to see the gift in unavoidable suffering, to reach out a trusting hand to accept your blessing, to remain faithful during times of trial, that we may emerge with honor and gratitude as the tearless morn breaks with wondrous light. Amen.
