Third Sunday In Lent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Exodus 17:3-7 (RC); Exodus 17:1-7 (C, E)
Upon Yahweh's direction Moses brings water out of a rock for the wilderness people. God's people are in the wilderness and are thirsty. This is one of a series of complaints of the Israelites during their 40-year stay in the wilderness. This episode follows the pattern of the others: the people complain to Moses, Moses takes the complaint to Yahweh, and Yahweh graciously answers the need. In this case, Moses is directed to strike a rock out of which comes water. The account points out the faithlessness of the people by threatening Moses and by putting God to the test, the obedience of Moses, and the goodness of God in answering the need. In this instance, there was the sin of putting God to the test: Is God with us or not?
Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:14-21 (L)
God promises sight to the blind.
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-11 (C, E); Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 (RC)
Christians have peace with God through the reconciliation made possible by the cross. This pericope is a part of a transition from justification by faith to a life of faith beginning with chapter 6. Hence we have Paul's "therefore." By grace through faith, we are one with God in peace and harmony. Out of this relationship come reasons to rejoice: we share in the glory of God (v. 2); we experience suffering that eventuates in hope (vv. 3, 4); and we are reconciled to God through Christ (v. 11). In our suffering, sin and weakness, God comes to us in love expressed in the death of Christ.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:8-14 (L)
Christians are the children of light.
Gospel:
John 4:5-26 (27-38), 39-42 (E); John 4:5-42 (C, RC)
Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman to whom he reveals himself as the Messiah. In this Gospel lesson we are given several important subjects: the attitude of Jesus toward a Samaritan woman, Jesus' humanity in wanting a drink and offering living water, the moral condition of the woman, the proper place and nature of worship, Jesus' declaration that he is the Messiah and the woman's response of witnessing. In relation to the other pericopes, the main theme of the Gospel is that Jesus is the water of life giving eternal life. He can give this living water because he is the Messiah.
Gospel:
John 9:1-41 (L)
A man born blind receives physical and spiritual sight.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 95 (C, F, RC) - "Harden not your hearts, as at Meribah ... when your fathers tested me (vv. 8, 9)."
Psalm 142 (L) - "When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way (v. 3)!"
Prayer Of The Day
"Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love."
Hymn Of The Day
"God, Whose Almighty Word"
Theme Of The Day: Water Is Life
Gospel - Jesus is the water of eternal life - John 4:5-42
Lesson 1 - Water is necessary for physical life - Exodus 17:1-7
Lesson 2 - Life flows from Justification - Romans 5:1-11
The Gospel and Lesson 1 are obviously connected because of the theme of water, physical and spiritual water. Lesson 2 has no reference to water, but to the life that follows Justification by faith: peace, access, hope and joy. Justification is based on the love of God shown in Christ's dying for the ungodly. Psalm 95 is closely related to Lesson 1 because it refers to the Israelites' putting God to the test.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
John 4:5-42 (See Gospel, Lutheran, Lent 2)
Gospel:
John 9:1-41 (L)
1. Sin and suffering. In Jesus' day the popular view was that sin caused suffering. In the case of the man born blind, the disciples asked whose sin caused the handicap. Jesus answered that no one sinned in this case. Some suffering is caused by sin, but we should see suffering as an opportunity for God's healing.
2. Dualism. There is the dualism of light and darkness. Christ is the light and the world is darkness. Darkness may at times overcome the light. Jesus sees his upcoming death as the hour of darkness. Thus, he must work now while there is light. The light shall ultimately conquer the darkness of evil. Revelation portrays heaven as a place where there is no night.
3. Legalism. Because Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees could not accept Jesus as a man from God. In their view, a man of God does not break God's laws. Was this Sabbath law the law of man or of God? For Jesus, human values were higher and of more importance than legal matters. Man has a priority next to God, and laws are to serve the needs of man.
4. Compassion. Jesus comes to the rescue when a person is rejected. Because of his defense of Jesus, the healed man was excommunicated, ostracized and cast out, a penalty next to death. From henceforth no one was to have any dealings with the man. When man comes to his extremity, Christ comes with compassion and support. Here is an insight into Jesus' love for the downtrodden and oppressed.
Lesson 1: Exodus: 17:1-7
1. Thirsted (v. 3). The problem for over 600,000 people in a wilderness was the lack of water for themselves and their herds. The seriousness of the problem can be realized when we remember how we felt when our water supply was shut off for several hours while a main pipe was repaired. We cannot live without water, and rapidly the world's fresh water supply is decreasing. While physical water is necessary, spiritual water is even more essential. Would that our soul thirsted for God!
2. Did so (v. 6). Think of the crisis Moses faced. Over 600,000 people demanded that he get them water or they would kill him. Who could measure up to that demand? Moses takes the matter to Yahweh who tells him to do a seemingly impossible task: get water for the people by taking his rod and beating a solid rock. Ever see water in a rock? Water runs over a rock but never out of a rock. But, Moses "did so" - he was obedient regardless of how foolish it seemed to do it.
3. Proof (v. 7). Surely there was no sin in needing or asking for water. Why should they die of thirst? The sin of the people was putting God to the test, to proving whether he was with them or not. They wanted concrete, physical proof in terms of water. In another wilderness, Jesus told Satan, "You shall not tempt (test) the Lord thy God." To demand a sign or proof discloses a lack of faith.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:14-21 (L)
1. Patience of God. In this lesson we have an instance of God's losing his patience - v. 14. In the light of his people's idolatry and spiritual blindness, God cries out like a woman in labor. God has infinite patience with man's disobedience, but even this runs out. Judgment will come. Christ will return. God will come to save his faithful ones.
2. Spiritual blindness. In the Gospel, a beggar was blind because of natural causes, physical in nature. In Lesson 1, God's people can see with their natural eyes, but they lack spiritual vision. They have sight but not insight. As the body has eyes to see, the soul needs eyes to see God and his purposes in life.
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-11
1. Have (v. 1). All of the good things God has earned for us through Christ are present possessions. Here and now we "have" peace with God. We have access to God's grace. We are reconciled. Consequently, the gospel is not "pie in the sky bye and bye." When Christ died for us, we were reconciled to God, and that reconciliation became a present reality by faith.
2. Peace (v. 1). Peace with God is not by treaty or truce. It is not a human accomplishment; peace is a by-product of God's redemption in Christ on the cross, and our acceptance of pardon by faith. The estrangement and hostility have ended. God and persons are now friends. The result is peace in terms of harmony resulting from reconciling love. Peace of soul is the foundation of peace of mind and heart. Peace with God is a precondition of peace among people.
3. Yet (v. 8). We know Christ died for sinners. But what kind of sinners - repentant, converted sinners? "Yet" indicates that God's love was expressed on the cross even before people repented and turned to God. While we were yet sinners - going our own rebellious ways, denying and cursing God, and living like the devil, Christ died for us in love. Thus, we do not first repent and then come for mercy. Before we come, God has already had mercy and has forgiven us. Now we come because we have experienced God's mercy, and this leads us to repent.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:8-14 (L)
Light. Christians are identified with light. They came out of the darkness of unbelief and wickedness. They are light because they are in Christ, the Light of the world. As people of light, Christians walk in the light in terms of virtuous living. They live in a dark world of evil. As their light shines, the darkness is exposed and scattered. The light of a Christian is not a natural endowment but is a reflection of the one light, Christ. Probably the reason evil flourishes is that the light of Christians is dimmed. For the Christian's light to give light, the Christian needs a closer relationship with the Light.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Water is Life.
Need: There are some things that are absolutely necessary for life here and hereafter. We cannot live without air, food or water. Nor can we live in the hereafter without God. In today's Lessons we have this need expressed in terms of water. We need physical water which God the Creator provides. More so, we need spiritual water which Christ supplies. Our need is to realize that we need spiritual water as much, if not more so, than physical water. With physical water, we live on earth; without spiritual water we cannot live through eternity. The good news is that Christ is that spiritual water. Our problem is our lack of thirst for Christ.
Outline: Water is life now and forever -
a. Water is necessary for physical life on earth - Lesson 1 - Exodus 17:1-7.
b. Water is necessary for spiritual life in heaven - Gospel - John 4:5-42.
c. Christ is the water for life with God - Lesson 2 - Romans 5:1-11.
Gospel:
John 4:5-42 (See Gospel, Lutheran, Lent 2)
Gospel:
John 9:1-14 (L)
1. You Light Up My Life. 9:1-41
Need: Debby Boone broke all record sales with the song, "You Light Up My Life." Of course, the song refers to the boy or girl who lights up the other's life. Certainly, the music and the singer have something to do with its popularity, but the lyric appeals: we want someone to light up our lives that we may have love and happiness. If a lover can light up a life, how much more can Christ, the Light of the world, bring light, love, joy and truth to a person! In the Gospel, Jesus was the light of a blind beggar.
Outline: Jesus can light up your life.
a. Light up your darkness - v. 40. We may be blind and not know it. Before we can come to the light, we must be aware of our need of light.
b. Give light for you to see - v. 5.
1. Light to see who you are - v. 2.
2. Light to see the meaning of life - v. 25.
3. Light to see Jesus is the Savior - vv. 21-38.
2. Need Glasses? 9:1-12, 35-38
Need: The natural eye needs help to see things that cannot be seen with the lack of aids. As someone gets older, they find they cannot read fine print without glasses. There are many things we cannot see in life unless we have visual aids. If we would look at life through the eyes of Jesus, what wonders we would see!
Outline: We need help to see.
a. What we can see with physical aids.
1. Telescope - to see the stars.
2. Microscope - to see the tiny things of nature.
3. X-ray to see through solids.
b. What we can see with the eyes of Jesus.
1. Our condition of blindness - v. 1.
2. Jesus' concern for our blindness - v. 35.
3. The nature of Jesus - vv. 35-38.
3. Are You Blind? 9:1-41
Need: That may be a ridiculous question. We may not even need glasses. Are we spiritually blind? To the Pharisees that was also a ridiculous question, for they considered themselves to be devout people of God. Could church members be blind spiritually and not know it? Here is an opportunity to teach how we can be as blind as the Pharisees of the Gospel lesson.
Outline: What makes us blind.
a. Blindness of ignorance: Disciples - v. 2.
b. Blindness of fear: Parents - v. 22.
c. Blindness of sin: Pharisees - vv. 16, 29, 41.
4. The Dawning of the Light. 9:11, 17-35.
Need: The light of faith may come gradually. This should speak to those who expect to have all faith and knowledge in one experience. The blind beggar came to the fullness of faith in Jesus as Messiah gradually. His experience can be ours. We grow in faith. Like a dimmer switch, the light can be intensified slowly.
Outline: How the light of faith may dawn.
a. "The man names Jesus" - v. 11.
b. "He is a prophet" - v. 17.
c. "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" - v. 35.
Lesson 1: Exodus 17:1-7
1. Give Me Water or I die! 17:2-6
Need: A person can literally die of thirst. Unrelieved thirst can cause agony as it did for Jesus while on the cross: "I thirst." When Schroeder, the second man ever to receive an artificial heart, came to consciousness after the operation, he said, "I want a beer." In this sermon we want to deal not only with today's growing crisis of having quantity and quality of water but with spiritual water and its source.
Outline: Questions about the water of life -
a. Are you thirsty? "The people thirsted (v. 3)."
b. For what are you thirsty? "Give us water to drink (v. 2)."
c. Where can you get a drink? "Strike the rock (v. 6)." Christ is the Rock - 1 Corinthians 10:4.
2. Is God with Us or Not? 17:7
Need: Are we a God-abandoned people? When needs are not met, when adversity strikes, when God is silent and apparently absent, we question whether God is with us or not. That was the question of the thirsty Israelites at Massah. They were desperate to know. Their lives depended on the answer. If God is with us, why then is there no end of our suffering? As long as we have tribulation, we will be asking the question. In this sermon we will give the right and wrong ways to find the answer.
Outline: Is God with us or not?
a. The wrong way of testing God: Demand for proof of God's presence.
b. The right way of trusting God: God is with us - word, sacraments, spirit, answered prayer.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:14-21 (L)
Blind with 20-20 Vision. 42:18-20
Need: One of life's tragedies is that we have good eyes to see but we see nothing. We have sight but no insight. We have physical but not spiritual vision. In the Lesson the prophet speaking for God laments that Israel is blind to the spiritual meaning of things. Take this principle and apply it to Jesus during this period of Lent. Israel in A.D. 30 was blind to the significance of Jesus.
Outline: Eyes but not see.
a. Jesus forgives sin - see him as a blasphemer, not God's son.
b. Jesus heals a blind beggar - see him as a law-breaker, not Son of man.
c. Jesus preaches to his home congregation - see him as Joseph's son, not Messiah.
d. Jesus witnesses to the truth - Pilate sees him as trouble-maker, not King of kings.
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-11
1. The Joy of Lent. 5:1-11
Need: Joy of Lent? Is it not a time of solemnity and a sharing of the sorrows of Jesus as he goes through the Passion? In this passage Paul deals with the cross and yet three times he refers to "rejoicing." Since Jesus refers to "the third day," he, too, could endure the cross with a sense of joy in the knowledge of a victorious ending. It is a joy but not in the sense of frivolity nor amusement.
Outline: In the face of the cross we can rejoice because -
a. We will share in God's glory - v. 2.
b. We suffer with hope - v. 4.
c. We are reconciled with God - v. 11.
2. When You've Said it All! 5:1
Need: One of today's least offensive commercials says, "When you say Budweiser, you've said it all." A popular phrase for Paul, used twice in this pericope, is "our Lord Jesus Christ." When you say that, you say it all about Christ. The phrase sums up the total truth about Jesus.
Outline: When you say it all about Jesus -
a. Jesus is Lord (Sovereign King of kings) - "Lord (v. 1)."
b. Jesus is Jesus (human, finite) - "Jesus (v. 1)."
c. Jesus is the Christ (anointed Son of God, Savior) - "Christ (v. 1)."
d. Jesus is ours (personal possession by faith) - "Our (v. 1)."
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:8-14 (L)
1. Let Your Light Shine! 5:8-14
Need: Jesus taught that his followers are the light of the world. In this Lesson Paul repeats the truth. It is not enough to state the fact, but people need to be shown how they can let their light shine around them.
Outline: You can let your light shine.
a. As a window - v. 8. A Christian is one who lets the light of Christ shine through him.
b. As a mirror - v. 8. "Walk as children of light." A mirror reflects the light. We do not have our own light. "You are light in the Lord" and then you are light in the world.
c. As a security light - v. 11. A security light exposes evil-doers and thereby protects people and property.
2. From Night to Day. 5:8
Need: In recent years we have witnessed dramatic life changes in prominent people: Charles Colson, Eldridge Cleaver and Larry Flynt: from Watergate to Christ-gate, from Panther to disciple, from pornography to theology. Paul expressed it: "darkness - light." The need here is to show people that their lives can change for the better.
Outline: You can change.
a. Be light in the Lord - v. 8.
b. Walk in the light of the Lord - v. 8.
Upon Yahweh's direction Moses brings water out of a rock for the wilderness people. God's people are in the wilderness and are thirsty. This is one of a series of complaints of the Israelites during their 40-year stay in the wilderness. This episode follows the pattern of the others: the people complain to Moses, Moses takes the complaint to Yahweh, and Yahweh graciously answers the need. In this case, Moses is directed to strike a rock out of which comes water. The account points out the faithlessness of the people by threatening Moses and by putting God to the test, the obedience of Moses, and the goodness of God in answering the need. In this instance, there was the sin of putting God to the test: Is God with us or not?
Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:14-21 (L)
God promises sight to the blind.
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-11 (C, E); Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 (RC)
Christians have peace with God through the reconciliation made possible by the cross. This pericope is a part of a transition from justification by faith to a life of faith beginning with chapter 6. Hence we have Paul's "therefore." By grace through faith, we are one with God in peace and harmony. Out of this relationship come reasons to rejoice: we share in the glory of God (v. 2); we experience suffering that eventuates in hope (vv. 3, 4); and we are reconciled to God through Christ (v. 11). In our suffering, sin and weakness, God comes to us in love expressed in the death of Christ.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:8-14 (L)
Christians are the children of light.
Gospel:
John 4:5-26 (27-38), 39-42 (E); John 4:5-42 (C, RC)
Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman to whom he reveals himself as the Messiah. In this Gospel lesson we are given several important subjects: the attitude of Jesus toward a Samaritan woman, Jesus' humanity in wanting a drink and offering living water, the moral condition of the woman, the proper place and nature of worship, Jesus' declaration that he is the Messiah and the woman's response of witnessing. In relation to the other pericopes, the main theme of the Gospel is that Jesus is the water of life giving eternal life. He can give this living water because he is the Messiah.
Gospel:
John 9:1-41 (L)
A man born blind receives physical and spiritual sight.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 95 (C, F, RC) - "Harden not your hearts, as at Meribah ... when your fathers tested me (vv. 8, 9)."
Psalm 142 (L) - "When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way (v. 3)!"
Prayer Of The Day
"Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love."
Hymn Of The Day
"God, Whose Almighty Word"
Theme Of The Day: Water Is Life
Gospel - Jesus is the water of eternal life - John 4:5-42
Lesson 1 - Water is necessary for physical life - Exodus 17:1-7
Lesson 2 - Life flows from Justification - Romans 5:1-11
The Gospel and Lesson 1 are obviously connected because of the theme of water, physical and spiritual water. Lesson 2 has no reference to water, but to the life that follows Justification by faith: peace, access, hope and joy. Justification is based on the love of God shown in Christ's dying for the ungodly. Psalm 95 is closely related to Lesson 1 because it refers to the Israelites' putting God to the test.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
John 4:5-42 (See Gospel, Lutheran, Lent 2)
Gospel:
John 9:1-41 (L)
1. Sin and suffering. In Jesus' day the popular view was that sin caused suffering. In the case of the man born blind, the disciples asked whose sin caused the handicap. Jesus answered that no one sinned in this case. Some suffering is caused by sin, but we should see suffering as an opportunity for God's healing.
2. Dualism. There is the dualism of light and darkness. Christ is the light and the world is darkness. Darkness may at times overcome the light. Jesus sees his upcoming death as the hour of darkness. Thus, he must work now while there is light. The light shall ultimately conquer the darkness of evil. Revelation portrays heaven as a place where there is no night.
3. Legalism. Because Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees could not accept Jesus as a man from God. In their view, a man of God does not break God's laws. Was this Sabbath law the law of man or of God? For Jesus, human values were higher and of more importance than legal matters. Man has a priority next to God, and laws are to serve the needs of man.
4. Compassion. Jesus comes to the rescue when a person is rejected. Because of his defense of Jesus, the healed man was excommunicated, ostracized and cast out, a penalty next to death. From henceforth no one was to have any dealings with the man. When man comes to his extremity, Christ comes with compassion and support. Here is an insight into Jesus' love for the downtrodden and oppressed.
Lesson 1: Exodus: 17:1-7
1. Thirsted (v. 3). The problem for over 600,000 people in a wilderness was the lack of water for themselves and their herds. The seriousness of the problem can be realized when we remember how we felt when our water supply was shut off for several hours while a main pipe was repaired. We cannot live without water, and rapidly the world's fresh water supply is decreasing. While physical water is necessary, spiritual water is even more essential. Would that our soul thirsted for God!
2. Did so (v. 6). Think of the crisis Moses faced. Over 600,000 people demanded that he get them water or they would kill him. Who could measure up to that demand? Moses takes the matter to Yahweh who tells him to do a seemingly impossible task: get water for the people by taking his rod and beating a solid rock. Ever see water in a rock? Water runs over a rock but never out of a rock. But, Moses "did so" - he was obedient regardless of how foolish it seemed to do it.
3. Proof (v. 7). Surely there was no sin in needing or asking for water. Why should they die of thirst? The sin of the people was putting God to the test, to proving whether he was with them or not. They wanted concrete, physical proof in terms of water. In another wilderness, Jesus told Satan, "You shall not tempt (test) the Lord thy God." To demand a sign or proof discloses a lack of faith.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:14-21 (L)
1. Patience of God. In this lesson we have an instance of God's losing his patience - v. 14. In the light of his people's idolatry and spiritual blindness, God cries out like a woman in labor. God has infinite patience with man's disobedience, but even this runs out. Judgment will come. Christ will return. God will come to save his faithful ones.
2. Spiritual blindness. In the Gospel, a beggar was blind because of natural causes, physical in nature. In Lesson 1, God's people can see with their natural eyes, but they lack spiritual vision. They have sight but not insight. As the body has eyes to see, the soul needs eyes to see God and his purposes in life.
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-11
1. Have (v. 1). All of the good things God has earned for us through Christ are present possessions. Here and now we "have" peace with God. We have access to God's grace. We are reconciled. Consequently, the gospel is not "pie in the sky bye and bye." When Christ died for us, we were reconciled to God, and that reconciliation became a present reality by faith.
2. Peace (v. 1). Peace with God is not by treaty or truce. It is not a human accomplishment; peace is a by-product of God's redemption in Christ on the cross, and our acceptance of pardon by faith. The estrangement and hostility have ended. God and persons are now friends. The result is peace in terms of harmony resulting from reconciling love. Peace of soul is the foundation of peace of mind and heart. Peace with God is a precondition of peace among people.
3. Yet (v. 8). We know Christ died for sinners. But what kind of sinners - repentant, converted sinners? "Yet" indicates that God's love was expressed on the cross even before people repented and turned to God. While we were yet sinners - going our own rebellious ways, denying and cursing God, and living like the devil, Christ died for us in love. Thus, we do not first repent and then come for mercy. Before we come, God has already had mercy and has forgiven us. Now we come because we have experienced God's mercy, and this leads us to repent.
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:8-14 (L)
Light. Christians are identified with light. They came out of the darkness of unbelief and wickedness. They are light because they are in Christ, the Light of the world. As people of light, Christians walk in the light in terms of virtuous living. They live in a dark world of evil. As their light shines, the darkness is exposed and scattered. The light of a Christian is not a natural endowment but is a reflection of the one light, Christ. Probably the reason evil flourishes is that the light of Christians is dimmed. For the Christian's light to give light, the Christian needs a closer relationship with the Light.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Water is Life.
Need: There are some things that are absolutely necessary for life here and hereafter. We cannot live without air, food or water. Nor can we live in the hereafter without God. In today's Lessons we have this need expressed in terms of water. We need physical water which God the Creator provides. More so, we need spiritual water which Christ supplies. Our need is to realize that we need spiritual water as much, if not more so, than physical water. With physical water, we live on earth; without spiritual water we cannot live through eternity. The good news is that Christ is that spiritual water. Our problem is our lack of thirst for Christ.
Outline: Water is life now and forever -
a. Water is necessary for physical life on earth - Lesson 1 - Exodus 17:1-7.
b. Water is necessary for spiritual life in heaven - Gospel - John 4:5-42.
c. Christ is the water for life with God - Lesson 2 - Romans 5:1-11.
Gospel:
John 4:5-42 (See Gospel, Lutheran, Lent 2)
Gospel:
John 9:1-14 (L)
1. You Light Up My Life. 9:1-41
Need: Debby Boone broke all record sales with the song, "You Light Up My Life." Of course, the song refers to the boy or girl who lights up the other's life. Certainly, the music and the singer have something to do with its popularity, but the lyric appeals: we want someone to light up our lives that we may have love and happiness. If a lover can light up a life, how much more can Christ, the Light of the world, bring light, love, joy and truth to a person! In the Gospel, Jesus was the light of a blind beggar.
Outline: Jesus can light up your life.
a. Light up your darkness - v. 40. We may be blind and not know it. Before we can come to the light, we must be aware of our need of light.
b. Give light for you to see - v. 5.
1. Light to see who you are - v. 2.
2. Light to see the meaning of life - v. 25.
3. Light to see Jesus is the Savior - vv. 21-38.
2. Need Glasses? 9:1-12, 35-38
Need: The natural eye needs help to see things that cannot be seen with the lack of aids. As someone gets older, they find they cannot read fine print without glasses. There are many things we cannot see in life unless we have visual aids. If we would look at life through the eyes of Jesus, what wonders we would see!
Outline: We need help to see.
a. What we can see with physical aids.
1. Telescope - to see the stars.
2. Microscope - to see the tiny things of nature.
3. X-ray to see through solids.
b. What we can see with the eyes of Jesus.
1. Our condition of blindness - v. 1.
2. Jesus' concern for our blindness - v. 35.
3. The nature of Jesus - vv. 35-38.
3. Are You Blind? 9:1-41
Need: That may be a ridiculous question. We may not even need glasses. Are we spiritually blind? To the Pharisees that was also a ridiculous question, for they considered themselves to be devout people of God. Could church members be blind spiritually and not know it? Here is an opportunity to teach how we can be as blind as the Pharisees of the Gospel lesson.
Outline: What makes us blind.
a. Blindness of ignorance: Disciples - v. 2.
b. Blindness of fear: Parents - v. 22.
c. Blindness of sin: Pharisees - vv. 16, 29, 41.
4. The Dawning of the Light. 9:11, 17-35.
Need: The light of faith may come gradually. This should speak to those who expect to have all faith and knowledge in one experience. The blind beggar came to the fullness of faith in Jesus as Messiah gradually. His experience can be ours. We grow in faith. Like a dimmer switch, the light can be intensified slowly.
Outline: How the light of faith may dawn.
a. "The man names Jesus" - v. 11.
b. "He is a prophet" - v. 17.
c. "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" - v. 35.
Lesson 1: Exodus 17:1-7
1. Give Me Water or I die! 17:2-6
Need: A person can literally die of thirst. Unrelieved thirst can cause agony as it did for Jesus while on the cross: "I thirst." When Schroeder, the second man ever to receive an artificial heart, came to consciousness after the operation, he said, "I want a beer." In this sermon we want to deal not only with today's growing crisis of having quantity and quality of water but with spiritual water and its source.
Outline: Questions about the water of life -
a. Are you thirsty? "The people thirsted (v. 3)."
b. For what are you thirsty? "Give us water to drink (v. 2)."
c. Where can you get a drink? "Strike the rock (v. 6)." Christ is the Rock - 1 Corinthians 10:4.
2. Is God with Us or Not? 17:7
Need: Are we a God-abandoned people? When needs are not met, when adversity strikes, when God is silent and apparently absent, we question whether God is with us or not. That was the question of the thirsty Israelites at Massah. They were desperate to know. Their lives depended on the answer. If God is with us, why then is there no end of our suffering? As long as we have tribulation, we will be asking the question. In this sermon we will give the right and wrong ways to find the answer.
Outline: Is God with us or not?
a. The wrong way of testing God: Demand for proof of God's presence.
b. The right way of trusting God: God is with us - word, sacraments, spirit, answered prayer.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:14-21 (L)
Blind with 20-20 Vision. 42:18-20
Need: One of life's tragedies is that we have good eyes to see but we see nothing. We have sight but no insight. We have physical but not spiritual vision. In the Lesson the prophet speaking for God laments that Israel is blind to the spiritual meaning of things. Take this principle and apply it to Jesus during this period of Lent. Israel in A.D. 30 was blind to the significance of Jesus.
Outline: Eyes but not see.
a. Jesus forgives sin - see him as a blasphemer, not God's son.
b. Jesus heals a blind beggar - see him as a law-breaker, not Son of man.
c. Jesus preaches to his home congregation - see him as Joseph's son, not Messiah.
d. Jesus witnesses to the truth - Pilate sees him as trouble-maker, not King of kings.
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-11
1. The Joy of Lent. 5:1-11
Need: Joy of Lent? Is it not a time of solemnity and a sharing of the sorrows of Jesus as he goes through the Passion? In this passage Paul deals with the cross and yet three times he refers to "rejoicing." Since Jesus refers to "the third day," he, too, could endure the cross with a sense of joy in the knowledge of a victorious ending. It is a joy but not in the sense of frivolity nor amusement.
Outline: In the face of the cross we can rejoice because -
a. We will share in God's glory - v. 2.
b. We suffer with hope - v. 4.
c. We are reconciled with God - v. 11.
2. When You've Said it All! 5:1
Need: One of today's least offensive commercials says, "When you say Budweiser, you've said it all." A popular phrase for Paul, used twice in this pericope, is "our Lord Jesus Christ." When you say that, you say it all about Christ. The phrase sums up the total truth about Jesus.
Outline: When you say it all about Jesus -
a. Jesus is Lord (Sovereign King of kings) - "Lord (v. 1)."
b. Jesus is Jesus (human, finite) - "Jesus (v. 1)."
c. Jesus is the Christ (anointed Son of God, Savior) - "Christ (v. 1)."
d. Jesus is ours (personal possession by faith) - "Our (v. 1)."
Lesson 2: Ephesians 5:8-14 (L)
1. Let Your Light Shine! 5:8-14
Need: Jesus taught that his followers are the light of the world. In this Lesson Paul repeats the truth. It is not enough to state the fact, but people need to be shown how they can let their light shine around them.
Outline: You can let your light shine.
a. As a window - v. 8. A Christian is one who lets the light of Christ shine through him.
b. As a mirror - v. 8. "Walk as children of light." A mirror reflects the light. We do not have our own light. "You are light in the Lord" and then you are light in the world.
c. As a security light - v. 11. A security light exposes evil-doers and thereby protects people and property.
2. From Night to Day. 5:8
Need: In recent years we have witnessed dramatic life changes in prominent people: Charles Colson, Eldridge Cleaver and Larry Flynt: from Watergate to Christ-gate, from Panther to disciple, from pornography to theology. Paul expressed it: "darkness - light." The need here is to show people that their lives can change for the better.
Outline: You can change.
a. Be light in the Lord - v. 8.
b. Walk in the light of the Lord - v. 8.
