Third Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus calling his disciples and it dawning on them who this person is they are following. Light for a dark world.
Theme For The Day
Jesus begins his good news ministry in Galilee, in his home town, where he claims to be the promised one to come caring about the poor.
Old Testament Lesson
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
The Public Reading Of The Law
This is not a familiar book of the Bible and we don't read from it often. The introduction to the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible tells us that Nehemiah continues the history of the Jews after their return from exile where Ezra leaves off. He inspired the people to repair the city walls, and with Ezra he provided religious leadership. A theme over and over in the book is the importance to Nehemiah of prayer.
The section we read today is probably a misplaced section of Ezra, the main character.
The people gather at the water gate to have Ezra read the law to them just two months after his arrival back in Jerusalem. This was probably portions of the Pentateuch. The language is Hebrew with the Levites translating it aloud in Aramaic, which was the common language of Palestine after the return from exile.
When they heard the law read, they cried because they knew the punishment which was coming. But they are told to not cry for this day is holy and they have God's joy for their strength (v. 10).
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
One Body
We continue on in reading from Paul's first letter to his Corinthian congregation. See also Romans 12:4-5. The simile is clear. Just as our bodies depend on all the organs functioning properly -- so too the church. It won't do well unless all are considered important parts to its well being. Evidently, scholars have found this same analogy used in other Greek and Jewish material. Paul also claims that those parts of the body we think of as less honorable -- are just as significant in the church (v. 23). The inferior gets more honor!
Verse 26 is a beautiful analogy. If one part suffers, all suffer. If one part is honored -- all will rejoice. So the church is a unified, functioning body of Christ. It will really preach.
With verse 28 begins a different list of gifts. We have apostles, prophets, and teachers (see Ephesians 4:11). Notice speaking in tongues appears last again. Better cool it there, folks. Because there wasn't any fixed order of organization yet, these lists vary.
The Gospel
Luke 4:14-21
Beginning Of Galilean Ministry
Continuing with the Epiphany season we read today of Jesus beginning his Galilean ministry by returning to his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and already meeting opposition. This account and Jesus' sermon give us a condensed outline of Jesus' ministry in the days ahead. Try comparing it with Acts 6:10--7:20. Luke must have written this purposely as the basic pattern of discipleship.
Luke writes his Gospel making the main events in Jesus' life and ministry the working of the Holy Spirit. The text for Jesus' message is Isaiah 61:1-2. Perhaps Jesus expected these hometown Jews to recognize that the prophet-servant promised by Isaiah had arrived; but it was impossible for them to see beyond the return of a local kid they had watched grow up.
What made them so angry at Jesus was the compliment Jesus paid the Gentiles. These who thought of themselves as God's people were told that the Gentiles were also loved by God. So, it began to dawn on them that this new message their son was bringing to them was very different from anything they had ever heard.
Note, also, that Jesus went to synagogue on the Sabbath day (v. 16). He went even though things there were not as they should have been.
Preaching Possibilities
A. With the reading in order of Corinthians (lectur continuum) this Epiphany season, seldom will the Gospel accounts and the Second Reading work together. However, with some imagination we could link all three of today's readings in this way:
1. Nehemiah tells of Ezra reading publicly the law to the people.
2. Luke tells of Jesus reading publicly a new gospel of good work.
3. Paul tells us how this new religion will function as the alive body of Christ in the world.
B. One could also do a sermon comparing Ezra's public message of law and Jesus' public message of good news gospel.
C. Of course the Second Lesson is rich in imagery calling for unity and respect for all Christians, and it also reminds us of the Church as serving as the alive presence of the body of Christ in the world. This is an image which can really be expanded upon. The message could be organized around these moves:
1. Title: Paul's image of the church.
2. Like our physical bodies have many parts with various functions, so too the body of the church.
3. It is an inclusive church where all are respected.
4. If one suffers, all suffer; if one is honored, all are honored.
5. A more excellent way is when we each recognize the other as a valuable part of the body.
6. Ours is a large responsibility to be together the resurrected body of Christ in our world and community.
7. Give your own implications to the above.
8. Frame it.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: The ministry begins in Galilee
A. Introduction: Tell of your own beginning of ministry or your experience of returning to your home town congregation.
B. Move to the Gospel today and tell in your own words the story of Jesus returning to the hometown synagogue.
C. Move to contrasting verse 15 with verse 29. Tell them the difference is the new gospel he was preaching:
1. It is good news.
2. It is a social gospel.
3. It is the fulfillment of the promise of this scripture.
D. Move to the difference in this new message Jesus starts out to model and preach and teach.
1. Based on grace rather than law.
2. Inclusive of all people, even Gentiles!
3. It is concerned with the oppressed, poor, blind, in prison.
E. Use here a story or metaphor from below.
F. List what you think are the implications for your congregation's life together and ministry.
1. Are we ministering to the oppressed, poor, in prison?
2. Do we present the faith as good news?
3. How would Jesus be received if he preached here today?
4. Who are our hometown boys or girls who should be invited to return and preach?
G. Frame the sermon by returning to your own experience of beginning ministry or preaching in your home church.
Prayer For The Day
Dear God, help us with our ministry here at (your congregation) that we might follow Jesus' example to care about the poor, the oppressed, those in prison, and those who are in need of healing. And watch over our members who are preparing to be, or already are, in ordained ministry. Give us the ability to celebrate your gospel because it is obviously very good news. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
When I was a much younger man, and on rare occasions invited to preach in my home congregation, an old woman named Emma Stahl would say at the door, "Jerry, you would have made such a good farmer." Another would say, "I remember when you were summoned into juvenile court for working nights." It's never quite the same in one's hometown!
(For Second Lesson) Here is another funny sign. It is in a Midas Muffler shop in Des Moines: "Please, let us know if you would like your old parts returned. Thank you. The shop manager."
I attended an ecumenical service at Saint John's Catholic Church in Des Moines. After being seated I discovered that two pillars holding up the sanctuary roof completely blocked my view of the pulpit. I wonder what church pillars block the message from the pulpit? Traditions, heresies, wrong perceptions, our own pride...?
I followed a large cement truck being towed up Lower Beaver Road. I wondered what happens when a truck full of concrete stalls and the barrel no longer rotates. I drove on out to the concrete place to ask. They carry a certain chemical with them just in case, and they can put it in this mix to keep it from setting up in the barrel of the truck.
What might we use to keep our minds and prejudices from setting up like concrete?
Jesus calling his disciples and it dawning on them who this person is they are following. Light for a dark world.
Theme For The Day
Jesus begins his good news ministry in Galilee, in his home town, where he claims to be the promised one to come caring about the poor.
Old Testament Lesson
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
The Public Reading Of The Law
This is not a familiar book of the Bible and we don't read from it often. The introduction to the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible tells us that Nehemiah continues the history of the Jews after their return from exile where Ezra leaves off. He inspired the people to repair the city walls, and with Ezra he provided religious leadership. A theme over and over in the book is the importance to Nehemiah of prayer.
The section we read today is probably a misplaced section of Ezra, the main character.
The people gather at the water gate to have Ezra read the law to them just two months after his arrival back in Jerusalem. This was probably portions of the Pentateuch. The language is Hebrew with the Levites translating it aloud in Aramaic, which was the common language of Palestine after the return from exile.
When they heard the law read, they cried because they knew the punishment which was coming. But they are told to not cry for this day is holy and they have God's joy for their strength (v. 10).
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
One Body
We continue on in reading from Paul's first letter to his Corinthian congregation. See also Romans 12:4-5. The simile is clear. Just as our bodies depend on all the organs functioning properly -- so too the church. It won't do well unless all are considered important parts to its well being. Evidently, scholars have found this same analogy used in other Greek and Jewish material. Paul also claims that those parts of the body we think of as less honorable -- are just as significant in the church (v. 23). The inferior gets more honor!
Verse 26 is a beautiful analogy. If one part suffers, all suffer. If one part is honored -- all will rejoice. So the church is a unified, functioning body of Christ. It will really preach.
With verse 28 begins a different list of gifts. We have apostles, prophets, and teachers (see Ephesians 4:11). Notice speaking in tongues appears last again. Better cool it there, folks. Because there wasn't any fixed order of organization yet, these lists vary.
The Gospel
Luke 4:14-21
Beginning Of Galilean Ministry
Continuing with the Epiphany season we read today of Jesus beginning his Galilean ministry by returning to his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and already meeting opposition. This account and Jesus' sermon give us a condensed outline of Jesus' ministry in the days ahead. Try comparing it with Acts 6:10--7:20. Luke must have written this purposely as the basic pattern of discipleship.
Luke writes his Gospel making the main events in Jesus' life and ministry the working of the Holy Spirit. The text for Jesus' message is Isaiah 61:1-2. Perhaps Jesus expected these hometown Jews to recognize that the prophet-servant promised by Isaiah had arrived; but it was impossible for them to see beyond the return of a local kid they had watched grow up.
What made them so angry at Jesus was the compliment Jesus paid the Gentiles. These who thought of themselves as God's people were told that the Gentiles were also loved by God. So, it began to dawn on them that this new message their son was bringing to them was very different from anything they had ever heard.
Note, also, that Jesus went to synagogue on the Sabbath day (v. 16). He went even though things there were not as they should have been.
Preaching Possibilities
A. With the reading in order of Corinthians (lectur continuum) this Epiphany season, seldom will the Gospel accounts and the Second Reading work together. However, with some imagination we could link all three of today's readings in this way:
1. Nehemiah tells of Ezra reading publicly the law to the people.
2. Luke tells of Jesus reading publicly a new gospel of good work.
3. Paul tells us how this new religion will function as the alive body of Christ in the world.
B. One could also do a sermon comparing Ezra's public message of law and Jesus' public message of good news gospel.
C. Of course the Second Lesson is rich in imagery calling for unity and respect for all Christians, and it also reminds us of the Church as serving as the alive presence of the body of Christ in the world. This is an image which can really be expanded upon. The message could be organized around these moves:
1. Title: Paul's image of the church.
2. Like our physical bodies have many parts with various functions, so too the body of the church.
3. It is an inclusive church where all are respected.
4. If one suffers, all suffer; if one is honored, all are honored.
5. A more excellent way is when we each recognize the other as a valuable part of the body.
6. Ours is a large responsibility to be together the resurrected body of Christ in our world and community.
7. Give your own implications to the above.
8. Frame it.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: The ministry begins in Galilee
A. Introduction: Tell of your own beginning of ministry or your experience of returning to your home town congregation.
B. Move to the Gospel today and tell in your own words the story of Jesus returning to the hometown synagogue.
C. Move to contrasting verse 15 with verse 29. Tell them the difference is the new gospel he was preaching:
1. It is good news.
2. It is a social gospel.
3. It is the fulfillment of the promise of this scripture.
D. Move to the difference in this new message Jesus starts out to model and preach and teach.
1. Based on grace rather than law.
2. Inclusive of all people, even Gentiles!
3. It is concerned with the oppressed, poor, blind, in prison.
E. Use here a story or metaphor from below.
F. List what you think are the implications for your congregation's life together and ministry.
1. Are we ministering to the oppressed, poor, in prison?
2. Do we present the faith as good news?
3. How would Jesus be received if he preached here today?
4. Who are our hometown boys or girls who should be invited to return and preach?
G. Frame the sermon by returning to your own experience of beginning ministry or preaching in your home church.
Prayer For The Day
Dear God, help us with our ministry here at (your congregation) that we might follow Jesus' example to care about the poor, the oppressed, those in prison, and those who are in need of healing. And watch over our members who are preparing to be, or already are, in ordained ministry. Give us the ability to celebrate your gospel because it is obviously very good news. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
When I was a much younger man, and on rare occasions invited to preach in my home congregation, an old woman named Emma Stahl would say at the door, "Jerry, you would have made such a good farmer." Another would say, "I remember when you were summoned into juvenile court for working nights." It's never quite the same in one's hometown!
(For Second Lesson) Here is another funny sign. It is in a Midas Muffler shop in Des Moines: "Please, let us know if you would like your old parts returned. Thank you. The shop manager."
I attended an ecumenical service at Saint John's Catholic Church in Des Moines. After being seated I discovered that two pillars holding up the sanctuary roof completely blocked my view of the pulpit. I wonder what church pillars block the message from the pulpit? Traditions, heresies, wrong perceptions, our own pride...?
I followed a large cement truck being towed up Lower Beaver Road. I wondered what happens when a truck full of concrete stalls and the barrel no longer rotates. I drove on out to the concrete place to ask. They carry a certain chemical with them just in case, and they can put it in this mix to keep it from setting up in the barrel of the truck.
What might we use to keep our minds and prejudices from setting up like concrete?
