Suffering for righteousness' sake
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle A
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15 (C)
Moses observes the mysterious burning bush on Mount Horeb and draws closer for an examination. An angelic presence is seen in the fire and then the voice of God calls out to Moses. The voice identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, telling him that he has heard the cries of oppression coming from the Hebrew slaves in Egypt and has determined to bring them into their promised land. God chooses Moses for the task, who straight away makes excuses. God assures Moses of his presence and aid in accomplishing this Herculean task.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7--9 (RC)
The prophet laments the unpleasant task of preaching judgment to those who will not repent of their ways and return to the Lord. He covenants with himself to quit speaking the Lord's Word, but its burning within him is impossible to contain.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 15:15--21 (E, L)
Jeremiah laments the unhappy consequences of his having to proclaim the word of the Lord; it has caused pain, derision and loneliness. He accuses the Lord of being deceitful with him. The Lord retorts rather firmly that he should repent of his feeling sorry for himself and utter what is precious, not what is worthless. God promises to deliver him.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:9--21 (C)
Paul gives a survey of the behavioral characteristics exhibited by the person who has consecrated his or her life to God. Such a life will be marked by the fruits of the Spirit, like love, joy, peace and enthusiasm. The believer will also refrain from judging others and seeking revenge, leaving that sphere to the Lord.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:1--2 (RC); Romans 12:1--8 (E, L)
In response to the justification which God has effected, Paul urges believers to present their lives as a living sacrifice to God. According to Pauline theology, the life of faith has definite ethical consequences. Christians are not to conform to the pattern of this present world but are to be transformed by God. They are not to think too highly of themselves but exercise their gifts in the community of faith for the building up of the Body of Christ. For the Christian, worship is not just a liturgical act, it is a way of living a consecrated life.
278
Gospel: Matthew 16:21--28 (C); Matthew 16:21--27 (RC, E); Matthew 16:21--26 (L)
Christ attempts to prepare his disciples for his passion and death by warning that he is going to be betrayed, handed over by the religious officials, crucified and then raised. Peter stoutly opposes Jesus' plan since it did not fit in with the traditional messianic expectations. Jesus strongly puts Peter in his place by saying: ''Get behind me, Satan!'' In opposing Jesus' plan, Peter is siding with Satan, the Adversary, and is making it more difficult for the Lord to fulfill his mission. It is interesting to see that Peter, the first to confess Jesus as the Messiah, cannot understand the implications of his profession. Jesus then announces that if anyone would be his disciple, he must be willing to take up his cross and follow him. In other words, the follower of Jesus must be willing to suffer and die, if need be, for the sake of the kingdom. True life comes only to the person willing to give to the Lord.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 105:1--6, 23--26, 45 (C) - ''Seek the Lord and his strength ...'' (v. 4).
Psalm 63:2--6, 8--9 (RC) - ''So I will bless you as long as I live'' (v. 4a).
Psalm 26 (E, L) - ''O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell'' (v. 8a).
Prayer Of The Day
O Lord, keep us faithful to our calling to be your witnesses in a world that is often times hostile to the gospel. When we suffer reproach and scorn, enable us to bear it patiently, knowing that we cannot inherit the crown without bearing the cross. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15
Non--consuming fire. Moses turned aside to behold the wonder of a bush that burned but was not consumed. God is often represented as a fire, light, or energy source. God, in his judgment, can destroy the unrepentant, but aims not to destroy but to purify. Jeremiah found that the Spirit of God only consumed him when he tried to hold it in. (Refer to the Roman Catholic First Lesson)
Turn aside, come closer. God entered the burning bush so as to get the attention of Moses. When he approached the bush, the voice of God bid him come closer. God cannot call us or use us until he gets our attention. Like Moses, however, we are attracted and repelled by the holy presence of God. We realize our insignificance and our sinfulness. We want to observe in awe from a distance. At such a time, God graciously bids us to come closer that we might know and do his will.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7--9
Smolder or burn. Jeremiah tried to contain the word of the Lord within himself but could not. It was too hot to put a lid on. You might say that when the prophet held in God's message, he was smoldering, giving off more smoke than light or heat. But a fire will not smolder forever; it will either go out or burst into flame. Jeremiah just had to let it burn. He was the Lord's burning bush, a sign of God's holy presence.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 15:15--21
Chafing under the cross. The cross was not used as an instrument of execution in Israel during Jeremiah's day. Nevertheless, Jeremiah had to bear a type of cross; he had to suffer for God's sake. Jeremiah didn't bear up very well under the duress of his cross bearing. He demanded that God bring down destruction upon the heads of his tormentors and even accused God of tricking him. How different from Christ, who bore his cross quietly and willingly.
When we turn back, God will take us back. God communicated to Jeremiah that his attitude was contrary to God's will and that he must repent (v. 19). The Lord said that if he turned
279
back, God would take him back. Who of us has not railed against God, life or fate? Like the prodigal son, the Lord stands ready to take us back when we repent.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:1--8
Non--consuming sacrifice. In the burning bush and the prophet Jeremiah we see two examples of God's non--consuming fire. In this lesson, Paul urges us, in gratitude to God for his salvation, to offer our lives as a non--consuming sacrifice. In the Jewish temple ritual, the sacrificial victim was consumed either by fire or by eating. Here, the believer is to offer himself or herself to God as a living sacrifice. Only the dross will be consumed; what is essential and good will remain, fit to be employed in the daily service of God.
Give to others what they do not deserve. Evil doers treat people in ways they do not deserve. No one deserves to be shot or raped, for instance. Paul takes the lead from Jesus in preaching that we should give others the love and goodness they do not deserve. ''Bless those who persecute you ...'' (v. 14). Do not repay anyone evil for evil ... (v. 17). ''If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink'' (v. 20).
Burning coals on their head. Paul maintains that if we return good for evil we will pour burning coals on the heads of our enemies. What kind of coals does he mean? Guilt, shame, remorse? According to the wisdom of the age, that's a horrible load to dump on someone else. Such coals of white hot love can purify our soul and turn us back to the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 16:21--28
The Messianic secret. After Peter's great confession, featured in last week's Gospel, Jesus charged the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. This is known as the Messianic secret. Why didn't he want this information out of the bag? Because they didn't understand the implication of that accolade. They were still thinking in the categories of glory and power, rather than suffering servanthood. In this week's Gospel, the secret unfolds. Jesus is going to be betrayed, maltreated and crucified, but he would rise again. Peter's astonished reaction to Jesus' pronouncement shows where the disciples were coming from.
Undercover. When Peter sternly rebutted Jesus' announcement of his coming passion, Peter replied: ''God forbid it, Lord!'' (v. 22). Jesus then slapped him in the face with the ''Get behind me, Satan'' retort. Peter was unwittingly serving as the undercover agent for the Prince of Darkness. Satan rejoices to use as his undercover agents those who think they are serving the cause of God.
A scandalized Christ. Christ accuses Peter of being a stumbling block to the purposes of God. The Greek word is skandalon, which can mean snare trap or stumbling block. Thus, it refers to a cause of offense. How often our attitudes and behavior are a stumbling block to those outside the fold of Christ. Many times Christians are a scandal to the non--believing world. Last week I was listening to an interview of an author on National Public Radio. This woman had been an agnostic, as well as a drug addict. However, she found acceptance at a little church in California and was now a believer. The interviewer made a statement that really scandalized me. He said, ''You know, you are the only person I know and respect who goes to church.'' I thought, is he saying something about himself or the state of the Christian Church? I know plenty of churchgoers whom I know and respect. Perhaps he has kept such folks at arm's length, so that he can judge them from a distance. Maybe he didn't respect any churchgoers because his value system was different from theirs. Yet it happens that persons such as this are scandalized by the lack of integrity they observe in Christians. I'm sure that Christ continues to be scandalized by the lack of faith, vision and integrity he observes among Christians.
Get Lost. Jesus states the greatest of contradictions. ''For those who would save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.'' We only find life when we have the courage to give it away, after the pattern of Jesus.
280
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15
Sermon Title: Are You Hearing God's Call?
Sermon Angle: Before Moses could hear God's call, the Lord had to get his attention through the blazing bush. Once Moses turned aside from his flock to see what this was, God spoke to him and called him to lead his people out of slavery into the Promised Land. In what ways has God tried to get our attention as we pursue our daily activities? Through sickness, burn--out, or desperation? Through a co--worker, a spouse, or a friend? The holy God blazes into our consciousness through special or even ordinary events and people, calling us to obedience.
Sermon Title: God, Apathetic Or Empathetic?
Sermon Angle: The Stoics taught that God was apathetic; that he could feel no pain nor sorrow. They reasoned that if God could be touched by human sorrow, then humans could influence God and, thereby, have power over him. Our text says that God knows the sorrows of his people and has heard their cries of oppression. He sends Moses to free them from their taskmasters. Thus, from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New, we see a God who is empathetic, entering into the joys, pains and sorrows of his children.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 15:15--21
Sermon Title: One Is The Loneliest Number
Sermon Angle: Jeremiah chafes under the burden of having to proclaim God's judgment. He complains that he is denied the company of merrymakers and must sit alone, racked by pain (v. 17). The prophet has a bad case of loneliness even though he is not really alone. Though he felt quite abandoned, God was with him.
Outline:
1. Describe the conditions that led to Jeremiah's loneliness
2. Explain that loneliness stems from alienation from God
3. Describe the symptoms of this alienation in our society
4. Explain that loneliness feeds on self--pity, such as Jeremiah showed
5. Conclusion: When we return to God, we are no longer just one, the loneliest number - we are one with God
Lesson 2: Romans 12:1--8
Sermon Title: Presentable Bodies
Sermon Angle: Americans spend millions of dollars trying to make their bodies beautiful and, if not beautiful, at least presentable. Diet foods, body building equipment and weight loss programs abound. Some are literally obsessed with body image. Paul suggests that we present our bodies (lives) to God as a living sacrifice. That which makes our bodies presentable is not our appearance but the end toward which our bodies are dedicated. If our bodies are idols, they are not presentable, no matter how lovely, but if they are dedicated to God, they are not only presentable, but beautiful.
Outline:
1. Millions of people are dedicated toward making their bodies presentable to the world - weight loss, cosmetics, clothes, exercise and so forth
2. Paul tells us that we should make our bodies presentable to God, not to the world or ourselves (v. 1)
3. A life dedicated to God is truly beautiful
Gospel: Matthew 16:21--28
Sermon Title: At The Cross Purpose
Sermon Angle: After Peter's confession, Jesus dedicated himself to explaining to his disciples the meaning of his messiahship. He told them that he was going to Jerusalem where he
281
would suffer and die, before being raised to newness of life. Jesus' purpose of offering himself on the cross was contrary to the disciples' notion of the Messiah. The ultimate purpose for Jesus was the cross, which put him at cross purposes with those closest to him.
Outline:
1. Jesus lived on purpose - to give his life completely to God
2. God's purpose led Jesus to the cross
3. This put him at cross purposes with his disciples (v. 22)
4. Are we dedicated to the cross of Christ or are we at cross purposes with him?
The movie, Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, is a study on the topic of purpose and destiny. Forrest Gump, the main character in the movie, was born mentally deficient. Yet most everything in his life seemed to fall into place. As a boy, he had to wear braces on his legs, but when he was chased one day by his tormentors, the braces suddenly fell free and he could run like a deer. His fleetness of foot made him a star football player in college. He went to Vietnam and became a hero for saving the lives of several wounded men. One of these men was his superior officer, who felt it was his destiny to die with his men in battle. He was angry with Gump for robbing him of his destiny. In Vietnam, Gump also became a champion table tennis player. In endorsing equipment from that sport, he made a lot of money. He bought a fishing boat and got rich when his boat was the only one to survive the hurricane. When his lifelong sweetheart left him again, he started running across the country and back again. He ran for three years. People started running behind him, thinking that he knew something they didn't: that he had some purpose in mind. But he didn't have any purpose in mind. The movie started and ended with a feather being blow about. It was symbolic of his life. Was it driven merely by the whims of the wind or was there a guiding purpose directing its course? Those who belong to Christ know that they are guided by a destiny that is tied up with the purpose of the cross.
Sermon Title: Whose Side Are You On?
Sermon Angle: In our Lord's stinging rebuke of Peter, he told him that he was not on the side of God but of the Adversary, Satan. None of us intend to serve Satan but if our lives are dedicated to avoiding pain and maximizing pleasure, we are really on his side. A good look at the way we live will reveal whose side we are on.
Sermon Title: A Scandalous Faith
Sermon Angle: The word in verse 23 that is translated hindrance is the Greek word skandalon, from which we get the English word scandal. The cross was a scandal to the disciples and Peter's rejection of the cross was a scandal to Christ. In the past decade or so, the Church has been rocked with one scandal after another concerning the deportment of pastors, leaders, and church officials. It's right that the world should be scandalized, but by the cross and not by our immorality.
Outline:
1. Explain the meaning of the word skandalon
2. The cross is a scandal to the world as it was to Peter
3. Our reluctance to embrace the cross is a scandal to Christ
4. Let us abandon the scandal of unchristian conduct and embrace the scandal of the cross
282
Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15 (C)
Moses observes the mysterious burning bush on Mount Horeb and draws closer for an examination. An angelic presence is seen in the fire and then the voice of God calls out to Moses. The voice identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, telling him that he has heard the cries of oppression coming from the Hebrew slaves in Egypt and has determined to bring them into their promised land. God chooses Moses for the task, who straight away makes excuses. God assures Moses of his presence and aid in accomplishing this Herculean task.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7--9 (RC)
The prophet laments the unpleasant task of preaching judgment to those who will not repent of their ways and return to the Lord. He covenants with himself to quit speaking the Lord's Word, but its burning within him is impossible to contain.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 15:15--21 (E, L)
Jeremiah laments the unhappy consequences of his having to proclaim the word of the Lord; it has caused pain, derision and loneliness. He accuses the Lord of being deceitful with him. The Lord retorts rather firmly that he should repent of his feeling sorry for himself and utter what is precious, not what is worthless. God promises to deliver him.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:9--21 (C)
Paul gives a survey of the behavioral characteristics exhibited by the person who has consecrated his or her life to God. Such a life will be marked by the fruits of the Spirit, like love, joy, peace and enthusiasm. The believer will also refrain from judging others and seeking revenge, leaving that sphere to the Lord.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:1--2 (RC); Romans 12:1--8 (E, L)
In response to the justification which God has effected, Paul urges believers to present their lives as a living sacrifice to God. According to Pauline theology, the life of faith has definite ethical consequences. Christians are not to conform to the pattern of this present world but are to be transformed by God. They are not to think too highly of themselves but exercise their gifts in the community of faith for the building up of the Body of Christ. For the Christian, worship is not just a liturgical act, it is a way of living a consecrated life.
278
Gospel: Matthew 16:21--28 (C); Matthew 16:21--27 (RC, E); Matthew 16:21--26 (L)
Christ attempts to prepare his disciples for his passion and death by warning that he is going to be betrayed, handed over by the religious officials, crucified and then raised. Peter stoutly opposes Jesus' plan since it did not fit in with the traditional messianic expectations. Jesus strongly puts Peter in his place by saying: ''Get behind me, Satan!'' In opposing Jesus' plan, Peter is siding with Satan, the Adversary, and is making it more difficult for the Lord to fulfill his mission. It is interesting to see that Peter, the first to confess Jesus as the Messiah, cannot understand the implications of his profession. Jesus then announces that if anyone would be his disciple, he must be willing to take up his cross and follow him. In other words, the follower of Jesus must be willing to suffer and die, if need be, for the sake of the kingdom. True life comes only to the person willing to give to the Lord.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 105:1--6, 23--26, 45 (C) - ''Seek the Lord and his strength ...'' (v. 4).
Psalm 63:2--6, 8--9 (RC) - ''So I will bless you as long as I live'' (v. 4a).
Psalm 26 (E, L) - ''O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell'' (v. 8a).
Prayer Of The Day
O Lord, keep us faithful to our calling to be your witnesses in a world that is often times hostile to the gospel. When we suffer reproach and scorn, enable us to bear it patiently, knowing that we cannot inherit the crown without bearing the cross. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15
Non--consuming fire. Moses turned aside to behold the wonder of a bush that burned but was not consumed. God is often represented as a fire, light, or energy source. God, in his judgment, can destroy the unrepentant, but aims not to destroy but to purify. Jeremiah found that the Spirit of God only consumed him when he tried to hold it in. (Refer to the Roman Catholic First Lesson)
Turn aside, come closer. God entered the burning bush so as to get the attention of Moses. When he approached the bush, the voice of God bid him come closer. God cannot call us or use us until he gets our attention. Like Moses, however, we are attracted and repelled by the holy presence of God. We realize our insignificance and our sinfulness. We want to observe in awe from a distance. At such a time, God graciously bids us to come closer that we might know and do his will.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7--9
Smolder or burn. Jeremiah tried to contain the word of the Lord within himself but could not. It was too hot to put a lid on. You might say that when the prophet held in God's message, he was smoldering, giving off more smoke than light or heat. But a fire will not smolder forever; it will either go out or burst into flame. Jeremiah just had to let it burn. He was the Lord's burning bush, a sign of God's holy presence.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 15:15--21
Chafing under the cross. The cross was not used as an instrument of execution in Israel during Jeremiah's day. Nevertheless, Jeremiah had to bear a type of cross; he had to suffer for God's sake. Jeremiah didn't bear up very well under the duress of his cross bearing. He demanded that God bring down destruction upon the heads of his tormentors and even accused God of tricking him. How different from Christ, who bore his cross quietly and willingly.
When we turn back, God will take us back. God communicated to Jeremiah that his attitude was contrary to God's will and that he must repent (v. 19). The Lord said that if he turned
279
back, God would take him back. Who of us has not railed against God, life or fate? Like the prodigal son, the Lord stands ready to take us back when we repent.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:1--8
Non--consuming sacrifice. In the burning bush and the prophet Jeremiah we see two examples of God's non--consuming fire. In this lesson, Paul urges us, in gratitude to God for his salvation, to offer our lives as a non--consuming sacrifice. In the Jewish temple ritual, the sacrificial victim was consumed either by fire or by eating. Here, the believer is to offer himself or herself to God as a living sacrifice. Only the dross will be consumed; what is essential and good will remain, fit to be employed in the daily service of God.
Give to others what they do not deserve. Evil doers treat people in ways they do not deserve. No one deserves to be shot or raped, for instance. Paul takes the lead from Jesus in preaching that we should give others the love and goodness they do not deserve. ''Bless those who persecute you ...'' (v. 14). Do not repay anyone evil for evil ... (v. 17). ''If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink'' (v. 20).
Burning coals on their head. Paul maintains that if we return good for evil we will pour burning coals on the heads of our enemies. What kind of coals does he mean? Guilt, shame, remorse? According to the wisdom of the age, that's a horrible load to dump on someone else. Such coals of white hot love can purify our soul and turn us back to the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 16:21--28
The Messianic secret. After Peter's great confession, featured in last week's Gospel, Jesus charged the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. This is known as the Messianic secret. Why didn't he want this information out of the bag? Because they didn't understand the implication of that accolade. They were still thinking in the categories of glory and power, rather than suffering servanthood. In this week's Gospel, the secret unfolds. Jesus is going to be betrayed, maltreated and crucified, but he would rise again. Peter's astonished reaction to Jesus' pronouncement shows where the disciples were coming from.
Undercover. When Peter sternly rebutted Jesus' announcement of his coming passion, Peter replied: ''God forbid it, Lord!'' (v. 22). Jesus then slapped him in the face with the ''Get behind me, Satan'' retort. Peter was unwittingly serving as the undercover agent for the Prince of Darkness. Satan rejoices to use as his undercover agents those who think they are serving the cause of God.
A scandalized Christ. Christ accuses Peter of being a stumbling block to the purposes of God. The Greek word is skandalon, which can mean snare trap or stumbling block. Thus, it refers to a cause of offense. How often our attitudes and behavior are a stumbling block to those outside the fold of Christ. Many times Christians are a scandal to the non--believing world. Last week I was listening to an interview of an author on National Public Radio. This woman had been an agnostic, as well as a drug addict. However, she found acceptance at a little church in California and was now a believer. The interviewer made a statement that really scandalized me. He said, ''You know, you are the only person I know and respect who goes to church.'' I thought, is he saying something about himself or the state of the Christian Church? I know plenty of churchgoers whom I know and respect. Perhaps he has kept such folks at arm's length, so that he can judge them from a distance. Maybe he didn't respect any churchgoers because his value system was different from theirs. Yet it happens that persons such as this are scandalized by the lack of integrity they observe in Christians. I'm sure that Christ continues to be scandalized by the lack of faith, vision and integrity he observes among Christians.
Get Lost. Jesus states the greatest of contradictions. ''For those who would save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.'' We only find life when we have the courage to give it away, after the pattern of Jesus.
280
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15
Sermon Title: Are You Hearing God's Call?
Sermon Angle: Before Moses could hear God's call, the Lord had to get his attention through the blazing bush. Once Moses turned aside from his flock to see what this was, God spoke to him and called him to lead his people out of slavery into the Promised Land. In what ways has God tried to get our attention as we pursue our daily activities? Through sickness, burn--out, or desperation? Through a co--worker, a spouse, or a friend? The holy God blazes into our consciousness through special or even ordinary events and people, calling us to obedience.
Sermon Title: God, Apathetic Or Empathetic?
Sermon Angle: The Stoics taught that God was apathetic; that he could feel no pain nor sorrow. They reasoned that if God could be touched by human sorrow, then humans could influence God and, thereby, have power over him. Our text says that God knows the sorrows of his people and has heard their cries of oppression. He sends Moses to free them from their taskmasters. Thus, from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New, we see a God who is empathetic, entering into the joys, pains and sorrows of his children.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 15:15--21
Sermon Title: One Is The Loneliest Number
Sermon Angle: Jeremiah chafes under the burden of having to proclaim God's judgment. He complains that he is denied the company of merrymakers and must sit alone, racked by pain (v. 17). The prophet has a bad case of loneliness even though he is not really alone. Though he felt quite abandoned, God was with him.
Outline:
1. Describe the conditions that led to Jeremiah's loneliness
2. Explain that loneliness stems from alienation from God
3. Describe the symptoms of this alienation in our society
4. Explain that loneliness feeds on self--pity, such as Jeremiah showed
5. Conclusion: When we return to God, we are no longer just one, the loneliest number - we are one with God
Lesson 2: Romans 12:1--8
Sermon Title: Presentable Bodies
Sermon Angle: Americans spend millions of dollars trying to make their bodies beautiful and, if not beautiful, at least presentable. Diet foods, body building equipment and weight loss programs abound. Some are literally obsessed with body image. Paul suggests that we present our bodies (lives) to God as a living sacrifice. That which makes our bodies presentable is not our appearance but the end toward which our bodies are dedicated. If our bodies are idols, they are not presentable, no matter how lovely, but if they are dedicated to God, they are not only presentable, but beautiful.
Outline:
1. Millions of people are dedicated toward making their bodies presentable to the world - weight loss, cosmetics, clothes, exercise and so forth
2. Paul tells us that we should make our bodies presentable to God, not to the world or ourselves (v. 1)
3. A life dedicated to God is truly beautiful
Gospel: Matthew 16:21--28
Sermon Title: At The Cross Purpose
Sermon Angle: After Peter's confession, Jesus dedicated himself to explaining to his disciples the meaning of his messiahship. He told them that he was going to Jerusalem where he
281
would suffer and die, before being raised to newness of life. Jesus' purpose of offering himself on the cross was contrary to the disciples' notion of the Messiah. The ultimate purpose for Jesus was the cross, which put him at cross purposes with those closest to him.
Outline:
1. Jesus lived on purpose - to give his life completely to God
2. God's purpose led Jesus to the cross
3. This put him at cross purposes with his disciples (v. 22)
4. Are we dedicated to the cross of Christ or are we at cross purposes with him?
The movie, Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, is a study on the topic of purpose and destiny. Forrest Gump, the main character in the movie, was born mentally deficient. Yet most everything in his life seemed to fall into place. As a boy, he had to wear braces on his legs, but when he was chased one day by his tormentors, the braces suddenly fell free and he could run like a deer. His fleetness of foot made him a star football player in college. He went to Vietnam and became a hero for saving the lives of several wounded men. One of these men was his superior officer, who felt it was his destiny to die with his men in battle. He was angry with Gump for robbing him of his destiny. In Vietnam, Gump also became a champion table tennis player. In endorsing equipment from that sport, he made a lot of money. He bought a fishing boat and got rich when his boat was the only one to survive the hurricane. When his lifelong sweetheart left him again, he started running across the country and back again. He ran for three years. People started running behind him, thinking that he knew something they didn't: that he had some purpose in mind. But he didn't have any purpose in mind. The movie started and ended with a feather being blow about. It was symbolic of his life. Was it driven merely by the whims of the wind or was there a guiding purpose directing its course? Those who belong to Christ know that they are guided by a destiny that is tied up with the purpose of the cross.
Sermon Title: Whose Side Are You On?
Sermon Angle: In our Lord's stinging rebuke of Peter, he told him that he was not on the side of God but of the Adversary, Satan. None of us intend to serve Satan but if our lives are dedicated to avoiding pain and maximizing pleasure, we are really on his side. A good look at the way we live will reveal whose side we are on.
Sermon Title: A Scandalous Faith
Sermon Angle: The word in verse 23 that is translated hindrance is the Greek word skandalon, from which we get the English word scandal. The cross was a scandal to the disciples and Peter's rejection of the cross was a scandal to Christ. In the past decade or so, the Church has been rocked with one scandal after another concerning the deportment of pastors, leaders, and church officials. It's right that the world should be scandalized, but by the cross and not by our immorality.
Outline:
1. Explain the meaning of the word skandalon
2. The cross is a scandal to the world as it was to Peter
3. Our reluctance to embrace the cross is a scandal to Christ
4. Let us abandon the scandal of unchristian conduct and embrace the scandal of the cross
282
