John, that whole "Word" concept is hazy, could you flesh it out a bit?

Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:(1-9) 10-18

SPECIAL NOTE: This a "View from the Pew" addition.

 

In other words, I've attempted to simulate what it's like to hear these lessons on Sunday morning when I haven't had a whole week or more to dwell on them. It also made a difrerence that there was no long pause between lessons, I just had to take it all in as the words came. 

 

So I went into the empty sanctuary, read the lessons and then sat there in a pew and typed as quickly as possible (I call it "method-blogging").  It was actually helpful: you can try it yourself!

First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:7-14

 

Challenges:

It seems that good things are coming: I wonder when this will happen.  Did it happen back in Bible times?  I don't remember hearing about a time when people" never languished again." (v. 12) If there was a time like that, it didn't last long!  My life can be stressful and it seems like when good things like this happen to me, even in small doses, I don't really know how to handle them or 'take them in.' I hope God will help with this.

 

Oh yeah, and what will the old women being doing here? Verse 13 says that the young women will dance and the young AND old men will be merry. What about the old women? Will they be cleaning up after everyone else? What gives?

Opportunities:

 If we are giving out descriptions of the good things that God will do for the people I could add a few: the Cubs winning the World Series, Chicken Wings going back to 25 cents a wing, etc. etc.  Also, I remember singing "Listen You Nations of the World" from the old Green Hymnal: I really liked that tune and it seems that they got all the words from this passage.

The Good News:

Good things are coming: God will provide happiness and wholeness.  It might not be here yet, but God promises that it will come.  I'm not going to dwell on the specifics, as in what the old women will be doing: I'm sure God has that taken care of and it will be great for them.  God will build things up again.  We just have to hold on.

 

Psalm 147:12-20

 

Challenges:

Seems a bit exclusive there, doesn't it? I don't think the writer was thinking of Germans, Italians, Scots or Americans (all of the nations where my ancestors originated plus my own homeland).  Does this mean we're on the outside looking in? How do I get to be a part of Israel? How can I learn the ordinances of the Lord?

Opportunities:

I like the fact that God BOTH brings snow and ALSO melts it.  God is flexible like that. (see verse 16-18) As the father of a 3 year old, I have seen my fair share of crumb-hurling: I'm glad my daughter does not have access to hail.

The Good News:

 

Since according to this psalm I'm not a part of Israel and don't know God's ordinances (I'm being a bit snarky here), I guess the hail/crumb throwing and melting words are good things.  I'm mean they are good if the one doing them is benevolent, loving and just.  If the one doing these things ISN'T benevolent, loving and just we're in trouble!

 Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14

 

Challenges:

Whoa, there's a lot of information here: you could concentrate on just a few verses and have enough for a Bible Study. There was something said early on that tripped me up a bit: who is the "us" that is destined for adoption in verse 5? Just the church?  I mean the Roman Emperors and everyone else didn't really appear to be marked with the Holy Spirit. But is also says that all things will be drawn to God. What with the what now?!?  Who gets destined for adoption today? Everyone?  Just a few people? Some are destined at one point and others at a different point? If we're destined do we have ANY part in loving God? And if we don't, doesn't that just make me some sort of robot for God?  I know a lot of other things were said in that passage, but I got caught up with this one. 

Opportunities:

Having said all of those things in the challenges, I will admit that it was good to hear that we are being called for a purpose: we have a job to do in God's great plan.  (verse11-14 or so)  It's really great to be a part of something greater than yourself: a team, congregation, business, country, etc. (well, most of the time it is).

The Good News:

 

Going back and looking at it again, verse 7 sticks out as good news: we've received redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ.  The word "redemption" somehow reminds me of my time living in Boston Massachusetts where aluminum can "redemption" centers were stationed throughout our neighborhood (usually connected with liquor stores). You could put your aluminum can in the machines and when the machine had read your bar code you were credited 5 cents (this was back in 2002-2005).

 

Those redemption centers smelled like old soda and skunky beer and the floors practically squelched as you walked on them,  but as a grad student without much ready cash, it was a great way to take something seemingly worthless and make it worthwhile.  It happened in a messy, way...but didn't out own redemption on the cross happen in such a way (multiplied to the millionth degree beyond this)?

THE GOSPEL: John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Challenges:

Ok, hard to find any challenges here: very beautiful stuff here. Well, I guess just one quick challenge: there are lots of Johns mentioned in the New Testament: John the Baptist, John the disciple, that John-guy who wrote Revelation: that's quite a few Johns to keep track of!

Also, what exactly does "The Word" mean? I might need to have that fleshed out for me [pun intended]...there's another 20 chapters after this one?  Oh.
 

Opportunities:
 

That whole line about 'the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory' is really, REALLY striking and personal. It gives me goosebumps to think that the writer of this Gospel has had a PERSONAL connection with Jesus the Word, the beloved Son: it makes this more significant, more real to me somehow. I don't care at this point about what scholars and professors say about when things were written and how this probably wasn't what it says it is: I resonate with the personal connection.

 

The Good News:

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it." That sums it all up right there: that is a verse to memorize and repeat to myself when I am in dark places: both metaphorically and physically.

Advent 4: Hey Joe

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

First Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-16

Challenges:

You scholarly types out there have already considered a challenge already: the Septuagint translation of verse 14 uses a word that is translated as "virgin" while the original Hebrew says "young woman."  Early Christians, including the authors of the Gospels, used the Septuagint for all of their scriptural needs and thus it was easy for them to see Jesus in this verse.  Had they been familiar with the earlier Hebrew, who knows what would have happened. And therefore our belief in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ is undermined completely and utterly...at least that is what some people will say or think.

This might be a challenge best left to a Sunday School or Adult Forum class, unless you want to make it the center of your entire sermon.  At the same time it might not be that big a deal: each faith community has it's own personality and concerns, but I see this as less of a concern for people in my particular faith community than it might have been a few decades ago.  They might just shrug their shoulders and say, "Ok." You are the expert on your own community/audience. How might they react?

Opportunities:

This could be a great chance to talk about names and their meaning.  I bet you already know (and if you didn't just nod and pretend that you did) that names in the Bible took on a special meaning.  They told you something about the person they were attached to.  Just read the prophet Hosea's words to get a sense of the importance of names.  Perhaps some people will not know, or need to be reminded, that "Immanuel" means "God with us."  To begin your sermon, you could pick out some popular names within you congregation and give their meanings (any baby name website will work for this).  From here you can springboard into what "God with us" is all about.

The Good News:

The "hope and expectation" wagon keeps rolling along with this lesson. Like many, if not all, of the texts for Advent there is something to look forward to.  And, hopefully, all of this hope, expectation and "looking forward" to a future reality will effect our present.  As many wise and faithful theologians have already said, this is a way that the future is breaking into the present.

Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Challenges:

There is some powerful imagery that can make a point, but some of this imagery can either be confusing or problematic to the ears of some of your listeners.  What does it mean to be enthroned upon the cherubim and to shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh? (1-2) Why are only a few tribes of Israel mentioned?  This has to do with the fact that this is a psalm from the Northern Kingdom of Israel (not Judah).

Also, there is a very prevalent feeling today (at least in my context) that shies away from the idea that we should "fear" God.  God is love, etc.  People who dislike the idea of our "fear" of God will probably shy away from verse 4, which speaks of God's anger toward the prayers of the people. This doesn't make the psalm a bad one, it just presents a challenge for your listeners.

Also, the verses of the psalm that are left out of this reading are a vivid analogy for the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and their foundation in the Promised Land.  You can't include everything I suppose!

Opportunities:

As I read and reread this psalm the word that kept coming into my head was "relationship."  The writer/speaker of this psalm has a relationship with God.  They acknowledge the ways that the people have failed God, but they are also not shy in describing the ways that God has punished them.  All of the psalms are great examples of people being honest and "leveling" with God: this is an excellent example of this.

 

The Good News:

This is a prayer FROM people TO God. In this psalm itself we do not hear if it was answered.  We do know that God DID and DOES remain faithful in many ways...especially through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Second Lesson: Romans 1:1-7

Challenges:

There is quite a bit packed into these opening seven verses of Romans: themes and ideas that would need chapters to completely flesh them out...and guess what, that's what the rest of Romans does! But we're not going to hear the rest of Romans today are we? Also, because so much is packed into a reading which takes about 40 seconds (yes I timed it) there is no way my mind can process all of the information in this reading and I have a theology degree: processing this sort of stuff is what I do!

Hearers of this lesson will have a tough time taking it all in: NOT because they are dumb or anything like this, but because it's a difficult passage. This is a good text for Sunday School or Bible Study.

Opportunities:

Having listed all of those challenges in the lines above, I will say that there is a treasure trove of content here: statements about the nature of the gospel, the identity of Jesus Christ, what Jesus does for us, and the purpose and goal given to Christians in the wake of all the above.  Instead of leading with this lesson, it could be a perfect addition to bring into your sermon after you have looked at the Gospel or the First Lesson.  There really is "something for everyone" here.

The Good News:

"...through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ..." (v. 5-6).  That sums it up: we are saved FROM many things (sin, death, etc.) FOR a purpose.

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

Challenges:

This is a pretty familiar story from the Bible, so familiar that people might tune out the details because they feel like they already know it.  Also, while a familiar story it is often read or heard in such a traditional, stilted way (at pageants or services) that the true, emotional import of Joseph's experience can be overlooked.  The way that you read this Gospel Lesson (inflection, emphasis, etc.) will help tell the story, while what you bring up in your sermon will take it the rest of the way.

Opportunities:

Can you get much more "real-life" than this? A regular guy is preparing to get married when he finds out that his bride-to-be is pregnant! I don't think this is the time to go into a description of First Century Galilean Marriage/Engagement customs...this is a chance to talk about how every-day, even MUNDANE this situation is.

The men in your audience/congregation probably have a deep sense of responsibility and honor: this sort of situation will speak deeply to them. It is also an amazing opportunity to talk about what it means to be a righteous man.

What should Joseph do? What kind of emotions are running through his head and heart?  While Matthew doesn't tell us, he DOES tell us that Joseph is a RIGHTEOUS (right-related) man and he is going to do the decent thing: dismissing Mary quietly.  If you are tempted to be a bit critical of Joseph for this, remember that Joseph hasn't been reciting the Apostles or Nicene Creed each Sunday and doesn't know that the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

I named this post "Hey Joe" because Joseph's situation reminded me of the Jimi Hendrix song of the same name, where Hendrix sings, "Hey Joe, where are you going with that gun in your hand?" and the answer comes back, "I'm going down to shoot my old lady, I found her messing around with another man."  This is NOT our Joseph's reaction: he is a righteous man.

In a world where the mistreatment of women is all-too-common, Joseph is an amazing example of something else.

If you are not familar with the sermons of Fred Craddock I thoroughly recommend them.  You can buy his book here.  He preaches an AMAZING sermon on this text.  He talks about how Joseph could have received guidance from his friends and neighbors (who probably would have said, "Dump her!"), he could have "just done what the Bible Says." If this was the case Deuteronomy 22 says, "She is to be taken out and stoned to death in front of the people."

But Craddock says, "Joseph is a good man, and he rises to a point that is absolutely remarkable for his day and time.  He loves his Bible and he knows his Bible and bless his heart for it.  But he reads his Bible through a certain kind of lens, the lens of the character and nature of a God who is loving and kind.  Therefore, he says, "I will not harm her, abuse her, expose her, shame her, ridicule her, or demean her value, her dignity, or her worth.  I will protect her." Where does it say that, Joseph? In your Bible? I'll tell you where it says that. It says that in the very nature and character of God." The Collected Sermons of Fred Craddock (Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville, KY, 2011), page 66.

The Good News:

All the "usual suspects" found in the Gospel Message are here: a challenging situation (v. 18-19) which is changed by the action/intervention of God (v. 20-21) and the transformation of a situation into something whole and complete (24-25) according to the fulfilment of prophecy (v. 22-23).

I find there to be good news in the fact that God chose to use regular people to bring about a (or rather THE) transformation in the world.  Sure, Joseph was descended from David...not that this pedigree would have seemed that grand to a Roman or Greek.  But he wasn't a ruler or official or particularly "special" guy.  But God worked through him (and Mary too).

Advent 3: Will the Real John the Baptist Please Stand Up?

Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

First Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-10

Challenges:

Of course, there is the usual, "When will all of this happen?" (look at the Gospel for an answer to this question).

The image of the "wilderness and dry land" being glad is a good one, but it is rather sad to know that while there is certainly irrigated and flourishing farmland in the Holy Land today, it comes at the expense of other areas, which have become dryer and dryer.  The Jordan River, for instance, is little more than a watery ditch in some places while the Dead Sea is becoming lower and lower.  While a challenge, this could also be an opportunity to compare and contrast God's actions with humanity's actions.

Opportunities:

Again there are powerful images in this passage.  How could they be fleshed out for today?  What do strengthened hands and firm knees look like (v.3) or strong hearts (v.4)?  And how about the blind seeing?

Here's an example:

In his book The Reason For God, Timothy Keller tells the story of a drug dealer who lived a very violent and immoral life.  Finally, in one deal gone bad, he was shot and lost his sight.  This experience, however, proved to be a catalyst that caused him to change his life and become a follower of Jesus. He said, "As my physical eyes were closed, my spiritual eyes were opened, as it were.  I finally saw how I'd been treating people.  I changed, and now for the first time in my life I have friends, real friends.  It was a terrible price to pay, and yet I must say it was worth it.  I finally have what makes life worthwhile." (Reason for God pg. 25)

The Good News:

I find it particularly good news to hear that "not even fools shall go astray" on the Holy Way that leads to Zion.  If I am honest with myself I know that I can be rather foolish most of the time: sometimes particularly so.  Quite often we are VERY afraid to appear foolish and that fear can stop us from stepping up and following Jesus.  "Saving face" or "not looking ridiculous" is something that stretches far beyond High School: the adult world knows these "values" quite well.  It can be liberating to put aside the fear of these things.

Psalm: Psalm 146: 5-10

Challenges:

The word "happy" is a complicated one that carries a great deal of cultural baggage.  When you hear the word "happy" it is easy to think of smiles and high-fives and Skittles falling from the sky (at least I do...when I mentioned how great it would be if Skittles fell from the heavens a venerable church lady looked at me and said, "But they'd chip the paint of your car!")

Anyway, what does it mean that "happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob'? Does this mean we need to be upbeat all of the time? Well, of course not, but I'm sure at least one person hearing this on Sunday Morning might start to think this. For the sake of that one person, try to make it clear that "happy" doesn't have to mean "upbeat."  Maybe you don't mention it in your sermon, but you could make a side statement in between different parts of the liturgy.

Opportunities:

Like I said with the Isaiah text, there are some awesome examples: justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, prisoners set free (7), the opening of blind eyes (8), etc. etc.  That's how God rolls.  What are some present day examples of this?  If you didn't mention Nelson Mandela in your sermon last week (or even if you did), his life could be a good example.  Especially since in his life many of these things fed off each other: his time in prison changed him profoundly and HIS freedom and how he used it became a chance for many of the OTHER things in this Psalm to begin to happen in South Africa.

The Good News:

Okay, so this is one of those times where it's all good news.  Sometimes you have to do hunting for it, here you just have to get out of its way!

Second Lesson: James 5:7-10

Challenges:

A very, very small percentage of the American population is employed in farming these days (certainly under 10%...or something like that, google it if you want an exact figure).  Therefore verse 7, with it's farming example, might seem a bit removed from our experience.  It might not connect with our ears, or even worse, seem quaint.

Also, when it comes to a critique of grumbling it is always important to not "grumble about people who grumble" if you know what I mean.  Have you ever heard anyone say, "I just hate it how negative those clowns are? It really annoys me!"  Don't get caught in the vortex of negativity!  

Opportunities:

While written almost 2,000 years ago, James sure can peg church people today, can't he?  If there is something we have brought to a near art-form it's grumbling.  This could be a great chance to humorously list the various types of grumbling you have seen in a church community.  Come up with your own, but here could be a few possibilities:

1) "Lonely Grumbling:" 'No one else will sign up to do "x" so I guess I'll keep doing it, even though I've been doing it for the past 3 months...'

2) "Sniper Grumbling:" 'You know what our leadership needs to do?  It's "x."  I've been trying to tell them! What was that?  Can I serve in leadership? Oh no, I don't have the time..."

3) "Nostalgic Grumbling:" "You know, there was a time when there weren't games on Sunday morning or Wednesday Night, we prayed in schools and had nativity scenes at the court house, what is wrong with us today? I'll tell you what, it's "x."

4) "The Grumbling Pastor" "People just don't...come to church anymore...read the bible anymore...care anymore...sing in church anymore...do "x" anymore..."

What are your favorite varieties of grumbling?

The Good News:

The Lord has not come in the way we hope, but there is assurance here that he is, in fact, coming.  Also, if things are not going particularly well for you and you think that you aren't making a difference, you are not alone.  Many of the prophets had a similar experience: it must have been very frustrating to be Amos or Micah or Jeremiah...I'm sure they felt like saying, "IS THIS MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT ALL?!?!?!"

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

Challenges:

One of the chief challenges with this, or any, text is the lack of adverbs or adjectives to describe John's vocal tone or demeanor.  Was he frustrated? Hopeful?  Worried? Disgusted?  Spiritually beaten down?

WILL THE REAL JOHN THE BAPTIST PLEASE STAND UP????

While many people are "sure" he felt a certain way, it is less than clear as to his mental and spiritual state.  If you are the one reading this lesson, the way that you speak John's lines will be interpretation itself.  This is a challenge, but that's what we signed up for!

Also, it is very, VERY easy for us to put-down John for not having a "proper understanding" of who Jesus really was.  Even if this is the case, I say we cut the guy some slack.

Opportunities:

I never saw John as a "doubter" in this story.  I always saw it as a matter of fact statement which ultimately says, "Hey, I know "the one" is coming sooner or later, of that I have no doubt, I just want to know if it's you."

I have no way to prove that's what John was really saying, but it's the way I see it in my mind's eye when I hear this story.  I'm also not saying I'm right...just that this is what I see. You might have people like me listening to you on Sunday.  I will certainly have people who look at it the other way listening to me.  This should be a reminder of all the different ways a group of people can hear the same story. Maybe you could explore all of these different possibilities of John's reaction.

The Good News:

Succinctly, the good news comes in the answer to John's question, "Are you the one?" That answer is simply, "YES." Jesus is pointing out the signs of "the Kingdom of Heaven" that have come near.

I have heard the question before, "What were the point of Jesus' miracles?"  It's a fair question. Were they meant to change the world? If so, why did he have to go and get himself killed? He could have stayed alive and taken on a utilitarian ethic that "did the most good." Or were the miracles just opportunities for people to believe, in which case the people healed were just props or "examples?"

All good questions.

I think the good news comes with the fact that Jesus miracles are BOTH signs to bring faith AND ways to change the world.  Jesus could have chosen signs that hurt or harmed people, signs that cowed his viewers into submission.  Instead he used signs that brought and enhanced life...because like his Father, that's how he rolls.  As his followers we get to roll that way too.  I think the church's benchmark for "success" should take into account all of the signs of the coming kingdom that Jesus lists in verses 4-6.

Advent 2: Wolves, Bears and Vipers...Oh My!

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

First Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-10

Challenges:

So who are we talking about here?  Who is the "shoot that will come out from the stump of Jesse"? Is this poem from the 700s, or Josiah's time, or even later in the exilic period?  Who knows?  Christians have seen this poem pointing to Jesus Christ.  I'm sure that whoever the original author had in mind as the "shoot" and "branch" on whom rests the spirit of the Lord, they did not have Jesus of Nazareth in mind.  This, of course, in no way negates the fact that Jesus fulfills these words, but it does make things somewhat complicated.

Let's face it:  while this wonderful imagery of 'wolf and lamb' and 'cow and bear' lying down or grazing together, gets the point across, it might bring up distracting thoughts into the heads of your hearers.  As a kid I always wondered, what will the wolves eat?  Will the bear enjoy grazing?  How about the lion eating straw, will that be fun for him? Of course, such musing totally miss the point, but that doesn't mean they won't be there in your congregation's minds.  Images are wonderful things, but even the best ones fall short when it comes to describing God and what God is up to.

Opportunities:

Another lesson from Isaiah, more great imagery.  It seems that the Season of Advent is all about vivid imagery...and that's certainly not a bad thing. What are some contemporary images that relate to what Isaiah is speaking of here? For instance, I once saw a commercial (I can't remember what the product was) where they would show random groups of people finally getting along. There was a wolf and a lamb lying together, followed by a picture of Coach Bobby Knight arm-in-arm with a referee.

"Updating" this imagery could be very useful: Michigan and Ohio State Fans perhaps?  And if people have a problem with an image like that, it might be a good time to talk about the need for healthy rivalries that don't involve actual "hatred."

The Good News:

I've said it before and I'll say it again: HOLD ON, GOOD TIMES WILL COME, GOD IS STILL WORKING: HOLD ON! HAVE HOPE!

Psalm: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Challenges:

Americans have a very interesting relationship with the concept of royalty.  We are very proud that we declared our independence from 'that tyrant George III," (even though American Revolution was infinitely more complex).  At the same time we are fascinated by the British Royal family today, especially its most recent George.  We love fantasy stories with kings, castles, queens and especially princesses (just look at the marketing directed at young girls and you'll see what I mean).  At the same time we become very nervous with the idea of absolute power (and its corrupting influence). Kingship is a strange concept that has many layers in our cultural pysche.

Also, note how we leave out verses like 9: "may his foes bow down before him and his enemies lick the dust."  Lovely huh? We like to leave out the unappetizing bits when we can, don't we? Also, this is a very "us vs. them" sort of psalm.  It's talking about "OUR" king who will look after US and trounce everyone else.  If you lived in the ancient world, you'd probably want the same thing (it wasn't an easy place to live) but still, this is a bit problematic.

Opportunities:

What makes a king a good king?  What kind of things should you expect from a king?  Various cultures and ideologies will tell you, but here we have a biblical image of kingship: justice and righteousness, prosperity for the people, defending the cause of the poor, etc., etc.  Of course, read the rest of the bible  and you can realize that the kings of Israel and Judah had a very...well, let's say..."mixed" record on all of these counts.  Okay, that was being generous: most of the time they failed miserably.  But this desire for something greater and better is still present.  The bible doesn't just shrug and say, "Oh well, that's how the world works: "Might Makes Right.'" Instead there is the possibility, the hope, of something more.

The Good News:

Kings and rulers should be there for the benefit of their people.  There should be righteousness, justice and prosperity.  For God, these things aren't aberrations: they are the norm.  If they seem like aberrations to us, it's because our world is not yet what it will someday be.  

Second Lesson: Romans 15:4-13

Challenges:

Here's the greatest challenge for this text on this particular week: it's going to be overshadowed by the Gospel of Matthew and Isaiah (both books have a way of doing this don't they?).  What Paul has to say here is really insightful and important, but when you have John the Baptist with his camel's hair, locusts and wild honey on the same Sunday, gosh, that doesn't leave much space for Paul's words about the Gentiles and the words of the Old Testament.  At best Romans will get an "assist" for mentioning the "root of Jesse" from Isaiah 11.10.  This is a shame because verse seven ("welcome one another...") should be driven into our brains on a regular basis.

Opportunities:

I really like how Paul argues here: he makes a statement and then backs it up with the example of Christ and Scripture.  Verse Seven says, "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Verse 8 then gives an example of what Christ did and verse 9 follows with the purpose of Christ's actions as well as a quote from Scripture.  Something similar happens at the beginning of Chapter 15, it's just that our lesson starts in the middle of the argument.  If you are leading a Bible Study or small group you can use Paul's method of reasoning as a good example of making an argument.

The Good News:

If there is any point in scripture that speaks of the Gentile's inclusion into the covenant that God has with God's people, I need to remember to rejoice enthusiastically.  As my father, a very wise and witty pastor, has said, "At this point in human history [i.e. the time of Jesus] my ancestors were worshipping trees in a German forest."  God loves "those people" and that's good news because I am "those people."  Realizing this changes a person's perspective.

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

Challenges:

Along with all of the academic hullaballoo and "goings-on"that comes with the "Quest for the Historical Jesus," there is a great deal of question, at least in some circles, as to the "Historical John the Baptist."  Who was he? A prophet?  An Essene? A "PK" (Priest's Kid) like Luke says?  Who knows?  How much does it matter for your sermon?

There is also the challenge of John's, shall we say, directness.  "YOU BROOD OF VIPERS!!!"  You never find yourself wanting to say, "So John, tell me how you really feel."  There is some end-times, apocalyptic imagery going on here what with axes lying at tree roots (v.10) and there certainly is an emphasis on works...or in this case "fruit." It'd be tempting to say, "Well John was concerned with works and Jesus was concerned with faith." This would help us all breath a sigh of relief, but I do not believe that such a statement stays true to the Gospel of Matthew.  Jesus can be just as, shall we say, "direct" as John.  Ask the "foolish bridesmaids" (25.1-3) about Jesus' "directness." How do we deal with this without whitewashing or watering-down the text just so we can sleep better at night?

Opportunities:

John is all about "image." I can't imagine that his wardrobe and diet were accidents: he knew what he was doing.  Since strong images are there, this is a great opportunity to take them out for a spin and see what they can do.  For myself, it is very hard for me to not think of John as some sort of Revivalist Preacher from the American South. I think "Cotton Patch Gospel" (Book and Musical) have become ensconced in my mind.  Wouldn't "YOU BROOD OF VIPERS" or "YOU SONS OF SNAKES" come across much more effectively and colorfully with a southern accent?

There are extravagant and almost outrageous images here: have some fun with them.

The Good News:

Okay, finding some "good news" here can be a bit tough.  I think the closest you can come, without whitewashing or watering-down what Matthew is saying throughout the Gospel, is to say that there is an opportunity to REPENT, or as the CEB translation puts it, "Change your hearts and minds."  The Kingdom of Heaven has come near: God is active.  That might not be exactly "pleasant" news (considering our track record of following God's ways), but it is "good" news. If having God and God's  reality near to us isn't good news, well, we might as well do something else.

Advent 1: It's the End of the World as We Know It

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24: 36-44

In Isaiah, Romans and Matthew we see that "The End of the World as We Know It" is coming.  We get to live it out now, even before it's fully here.

First Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5

Challenges:

This is a wonderful vision and it's hard to find any challenges here other than the perennial challenge of, 'why hasn't this happened yet/how long must we wait?' One challenge for us, however, it to emphasize the SUBSTANCE of the instruction that comes from Zion (v.3).  What does this instruction look like? What does it say? How should we live?  Also, what does it mean to "walk in the light of the Lord"?  It is all well and good to say these things, they sound nice, but what do they mean? What do they look like?  As writing instructors will tell their pupils, "good writers show, they don't tell." This applies to preachers too.  WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE????

Opportunities:

It's often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but with these 155 words (yes, I counted in my NRSV Bible), Isaiah has created an inspiring and enduring image that can bring hope and faith in the power of God's goodness.  What ways do you see God at work today?  Through your congregation?  Point it out to them!

For a literal look at 'turning swords into plowshares,' check out Shane Claiborne's ministry in this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shane-claiborne/beating-ak47s-into-shovels_b_3762948.html and this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWH4R0_-4hg.

  

The Good News:

Peace is coming.  Justice is coming.  Walking in the paths of the Lord will allow us to experience this.  And while it hasn't happened universe-wise as of yet, our faith allows us to 'live in' to this peace and justice even before it gets here.  We get a glimpse and that glimpse will carry us.

Psalm: Psalm 122

Challenges:

Jerusalem is a holy and wonderful place.  Its streets have also run red with blood because of the devotion various people have shown to it.  While Jesus found Jerusalem to be important and even wept over its fate, he is no longer found only in Jerusalem.  As the angels told the women at the empty tomb in Mark: 'He has been raised; he is not here...he is going ahead of you to Galilee..." (Mark 16)  God is present here in Swanton Ohio where I'm typing and wherever you are reading this.  Is this psalm constricting?  No, but only if Jerusalem is given the right emphasis.

Opportunities:

This is a pilgrimage psalm, celebrating the goal of the pilgrim's journey.  This is a great opportunity to talk about journeys.  You can talk about the entire weekend 'pilgrimage' that many people take to see their favorite college or pro football team. There's the drive, the skull sessions, the tail-gating and then, when they finally enter the stadium, there is a feeling of "Our feet are standing within your gates, O Horseshoe...Big House...Lambeau...Lucas Oil Field..."  While these trips are not evil in themselves (I love football myself), they do show how the sport has become a religion in itself.

How is our entire life a pilgrimage?  As we begin advent as a time of expectation, preparation and penance how can we make our way to the manger and then the cross and then the empty tomb?  

The Good News:

This psalm is an action psalm: I can easily see Jesus and his disciples singing it as they neared Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  When we say it, it is as if we are getting a chance to enter the story too.  I get to imagine myself as a disciple of Jesus 2,000 years ago, walking close to him.  I don't know about you, but that gets my blood pumping.  Then throw in the realization that, as a disciple, I will either betray or abandon him in a few days, and you have some powerful emotions rumbling around.  Follow that with the absolute joy that comes with his invitation to return to him...well, that's the whole story in a nutshell.  Your mind can go through all of that just by reading this psalm.  That's a powerful story.

Second Lesson: Romans 13:11-14

Challenges:

I totally get the darkness/light and night/day imagery here and I like it very much.  But like all imagery, metaphors, analogies and similes it ultimately falls short.  Anyone who has gazed up at the stars or taken part in a Christmas candlelight service knows that we can experience the sacred at night.  Does this negate Paul's imagery? As he would say, "BY NO MEANS!!!"  But it does merit consideration as we prepare to wax eloquent on night and day.

Opportunities:

We're in the height of football season (and my posts reflect that).  You might not be inclined to enjoy the passing of the pigskin, but this lesson reminds me of the pre-game speeches made by players and coaches who stand in the middle of the team circle and say, "What time is it?"  The shouted answer is "GAME TIME!"  Or, as they say in this video, "We ready," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb1zVpJ5AHw Advent is a time for Paul to say, "You know what time it is..." And we know: it's game time.  Are we ready?

The Good News:

It might look like night-time out there.  Watch or read the news and it will feel like the sun hasn't come up yet.  War, poverty, strife, bullies...the list goes on.  We can be dominated by how things appear, but Jesus Christ gives us the power to live a different way.  Instead of bowing to the darkness, we get to live as if the day has already come.  There is a new way of life out there: authentic life, good life, ABUNDANT life and here Paul is saying, "Come and get it!"

Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44

Challenges:

Okay, two things:

1) Which day and hour are we talking about here?  Like many lessons, this one drops us right into the middle of the action with no background (unless provided by a note in your bulletin). It's like overhearing someone say, "Just shoot it."  Are they talking about a basketball, a set of river rapids or a sick dog?  Context will determine how I feel about the "it" which is about to be "shot."  Unless you are well versed in the Gospel of Matthew or the liturgical year (and how many of your hearers will be?) you could be a bit lost.  Context, context, context.  

2) Do you want to be the one taken or the one left behind?  In the case of the Flood, is "being taken" mean being taken on the ark or being taken by the flood?  In the case of what Jesus is talking about, is being taken a good thing or a bad thing? I guess it doesn't matter too much, but it's a question. What do you think?  Maybe with Christ coming to claim his own, we WANT to be taken.

Opportunities:

I once began a sermon on this text by singing a few lines of REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)" to set the mood.  Go on, embrace the alternative rock goodness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY.  It appealed to the 35-55 year old crowd: most people above or below those ages didn't know what I was doing.  This sentiment gives us a succinct, if trite, way of looking at what is to come.  Of course  'Fine' in no way sums up the totality of our feelings about Jesus' return, but it's a start.

The Good News:

The end of the world is often seen as a bad thing: destruction and death, zombies, disease, cats and dogs living together...you know, mass hysteria! (See Ghostbusters for that last bit).  We can approach it with hope and expectation.  When you look at the "world as we know it," seeing it end is actually a pretty good thing, as long as Jesus Christ is involved in the ending.  Like the Romans text, this is an invitation to "live in" to what is coming. We can feel even better than "fine."

November 24, 2013: Christ the King Sunday

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23: 33-43

First Lesson: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Challenges:

I'm thinking of starting a "perennial Challenge" page for this blog, because the same subjects come up again and again.  Two of the usual ones are found here: when it comes to "destroying shepherds" we are almost always going to see them as people we already disagree with today.  The other perennial challenge is the fact that for this passage to make sense, you'd need to describe the socio-political situation of the late Iron Age Middle East succinctly and interestingly.  Have fun.


Opportunities:

Much like The Rolling Stones had "Sympathy for the Devil" I have a bit of sympathy for the kings of Israel and Judah: it certainly would not have been easy negotiating international politics when you are a tiny nation in the middle of a bunch of gigantic empires.  If I had been a King, I'd have been tempted to say to a prophet, "Okay, you take my spot and make the decisions...see how it goes!"

Instead of listing all of the "destroying shepherds" out there (or from the past) this could be a great chance to "come clean" and talk about how none of us match up: none of us will be the perfect shepherd, no matter how hard we try. Instead bending ourselves out of shape while pretending we are perfect, why not just admit that we need "a Righteous Branch" who will reign as king.

Also, this is a great chance to talk about what makes a "good king."  Military might? Justice? Wisdom?  All of the above?  (In fairness, we shouldn't throughout military might automatically...if you're living in 9th century England and the Vikings start pillaging, you want a king who can protect you).  What kind of king is Jesus?

 

The Good News:

God is going to set things right, wait with faith.

 

Psalm: Psalm 46

Challenges:

We have more "perennial" challenges here: the psalmist is making some pretty big claims.  If these words are said in a self-assured, gloating, smug sort of way they will ring false.  But if they are said with a daring hope, they can be a powerful statement of faith.  So, as with most things, don't be smug. 

Opportunities:

 

Without being trite about it, you could turn to stories from the Philippines after it's storms and how people have turned to the church as a place and people of comfort and hope.  See: http://www.npr.org/2013/11/18/245880864/catholics-in-philippines-turn-to-church-to-cope-with-typhoon

Likewise, there were serious storms in the Midwestern U.S. this last weekend: it could be useful to talk about how this psalm could bring hope if we are in a situation like that.  I am sure that faith in God made a great difference for people in these storms as well.

 

The Good News:

 

This is one of those psalms where the good news is spelled out in front of you.  God is going to win.  God breaks bows and shatters spears.  Even though present evidence seems to suggest otherwise, we do not need to fear.  That's powerful.

Second Lesson: Colossians 1:11-20

 

Challenges:

Verse 15 says "he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation..." This is wonderful, but there is far from universal agreement on Jesus' "image." Was a he a peace-lovin' hippie? A bearded body-builder? A "zealot for God"? We don't know what he looked like, but there are plenty of people who will tell you their opinion.  So when it comes to the "image of God," be aware that everyone will have their own image in their heads...

Opportunities:

There is great power in the idea that God has made peace us, reconciled himself to us through 'the blood of his cross.' The bible has evidence of many different images of atonement, but there is always the idea that through the Cross, we become connected to God and God becomes connected to us.  Don't let anyone tell you there is just one atonement theory (whether they are conservative or liberal), but there is great joy in the connection with God that comes from what Christ did for us.

The author here goes on and on about the "amazing-ness" of Christ. There are times when I am inspired by the ways someone will express their love for someone else (a spouse, a child, or a friend).  If I put myself in that mindset it can make a huge difference in reading this text and quite inspire me.

The Good News:

There have been times in my life where I have been reconciled or reunited to people and it brings a great deal of joy and peace.  If I take that experience and multiply it by, oh I don't know, 15 million times or so, and it gives me a sense of the "amazing-ness" of what Christ did for us on the Cross.  It makes me want to "go off" on the beauty of it all, like the author of Colossians does.

Gospel: Luke 23:33-43

 

Challenges:

 

Because this is read outside of the longer, fuller Passion Narrative, this reading can lose a little bit of its pathos.  It pops up in the middle of worship with so many other things going on and it might just drift over and past us that Jesus, our friend, teacher, master and Lord is BEING KILLED.  The inscription that says "This is the King of Jews" is certainly not a form of praise: it's a scornful mocking of both Jesus and the Jews.  The Romans are saying: this is the treatment that Jewish kings get at the hands of Rome.  All of this can just pass us by because there are so many other things going on in worship today.

 

Opportunities:

Quite often it seems like the world we humans have created and perpetuate is "keeping score." According to our scoring system, Christ lost and lost badly. According to God's scoring system, Christ triumphed and brought reconciliation. Maybe this could be a great opportunity to reevaluate the "scoring system" in our own lives.
 

 

The Good News:

Bullying is a hot topic these days. When it comes to world history, the Romans get high marks for being some of the most savage bullies out there. Jesus receives the full force of this bullying: physical pain, mockery and the indignity of having his clothing taken away. Christ's crucifixion, and the establishment of empire, is bullying on a grand scale. The fact that Christ truly becomes our king, that he his "lifted up" (as John puts it), through suffering, rather than despite suffering, is a powerful message to those who have also suffered. 

Pentecost 26: JUST DO IT.

Malachi 4: 1-2a
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19

Announcement! I'm trying a slightly new format: each subsection will have just one bullet point.  Hopefully this will make your reading more streamlined!

First Lesson: Malachi 4:1-2a

 

Challenges:

• When I hear proclamations such as this one ("the day is coming...all the arrogant and evildoers will be stubble...") I have two quick reactions: 1) Well, hasn't happened yet! 2)  Uhhh, just HOW much do I need to revere God's name to avoid this stubble-situation? There are times when I revere God's name, there are times when I do evil and there are even times when I'm arrogant...it's true.  Of course, looking at that passage as if I need a good "faith average" (like having a good "batting average") misses the point.  There's that whole saint-and-sinner thing.  Of course, it is easy to feel either very smug ('Hey, I'm one of the good guys') or worried ('Do I love God enough, yikes!') when reading this.

Opportunities:

• This passage provides some excellent imagery: it seems that the day of the Lord will hit both the arrogant/evildoers and the righteous.  For the former it will not be pleasant, for the later it will be wonderful.  How often is news good for some and bad for others?  How often is a situation a benefit for some, but hard for others?  As Rob Bell has said about heaven: heaven will be awful if you are a racist.  Perhaps the bad will need to be burned off of us, and while not pleasant, this burning will be liberating.
  

The Good News:

 

•   Any honest person will have to admit that things aren't as good as they COULD be.  There is wrong-doing, corruption, oppression and artifical turf on baseball fields.  The good news is that God is at work and things will not always be this way.  In the meantime, we live by faith.
   

 

Psalm: Psalm 98

 

Challenges:

•   So, I feel like I ALWAYS include the challenge of "hey, this victory hasn't been fully realized yet, and I don't always see it," anytime a psalm or lesson talks about the victory of the Lord, so I'm not going to say it now...nope won't say it at all.
   

Opportunities:

•  There are times when a lament is appropriate, but there are also times when it is fully appropriate to pump your fist in the air, crow outloud with praises to God for what the Almighty has done in your life or in the world.  When times like this come (and they will), it can be a great thing to have words on your heart and tongue ready to be said.  "O Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things.  His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory!" are those kind of words.  Also, with all of the talk of waters, hills and creation singing and shouting with joy, I'm reminded of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia where forests and rivers interact with Aslan the Lion.  Not read Narnia? Drop everything and do it...do it now!
   

The Good News:

•  There is a great sense of "togetherness" in this psalm: creation is united in its love and praise of the Lord.  We get to be part of that "togetherness," which banishes loneliness and hopelessness.
   

Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Challenges:

•  Like I said with the 'challenge' in the psalm section, I'll say here: it seems I always mention the same sort of 'challenge' when a biblical writer warns us against a certain type of person.  In this case, we're talking about 'idle' believers and the challenge always seems to be: it's too easy for me to see potential candidates for this description and they happen to be whoever I seem to disagree with or not like.  So, like I said with the psalm, I'm not going to mention this challenge at all, not once...

Opportunities:

•   Okay, this will probably be an unpopular statement, but sometimes you just need to say, 'Get to work,' and not "Let's talk about your feelings and why you don't want to do what we are asking..." I need to be told to 'get to work' sometimes (maybe more than sometimes) and that exhortation can been useful and helpful.  Just because God loves us unconditionally doesn't mean that God wants us to be lazy or 'busybodies.' God won't stop loving busybodies or lazy people (and thank God for that!), but Jesus didn't die on the cross so that we could go on a permanent vacation: he has called us to something greater, fuller and more rewarding (a lazy person like myself needs to remember this).

The Good News:

• I do not have enough space and time to fully describe how much I enjoy lounging around: it's one of my favorite things. But there are plenty of times when my inactivity can make me rather depressed or "blue." I can feel listless and purposeless. This message from 2 Thessalonians helps me to be free from the lock that inactivity (perhaps even 'sloth') has on me, so that I can be energized and invigorated by an active life in Christ.

 

Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

 

Challenges:

•   Verse 19 says, "By your endurance you will gain your souls..." If this is the case I feel like that guy from the movie Jaws who says, "We're going to need a bigger boat."  Also, does what Jesus says here sound like the medical warnings that appear on just about every medication commercial: 'Try fill in medication name here  it will improve your health...maybe cause nausea, bloating, heart-attack or flu-like symptoms..."  Well, maybe it's not the same thing as what Jesus is saying here, but people might hear it that way...

 

Opportunities

•  There's a song by the band Radical Face that talks about a friendship from the past that is no longer there and the chorus says again and again, "Everything goes away...everything goes away."  It's  catchy song (called "Always Gold") and I've found myself humming or singing it under my breath again and again.  And lately, I've heard news or stories from friends that makes me sing that line "everything goes away" over and over again: a beloved friend or congregtation member dies, a precious heirloom is lost, someone's health fails, a fire destroys a building, a friendship ends, CHANGE happens. Everything goes away...even the Temple...everything goes away...except the love of God found in Jesus Christ.
   

The Good News:

• I think the tail end of my "opportunity" section has already mentioned the Good News.  In a transitory world, where the only constant is change and all of the things that we love eventually go away or are taken away from us, we can hold our heads up with resolution and even joy because of God and what God has done through Jesus Christ.  Instead of attempting to hold onto everything we have with white-knuckles, we can give to those around us, we can be free from fear, we can breathe deep and hold our heads up high.

Pentecost 25: RESURRECTION!

Job 19: 23-27a
Psalm 17:1-9
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5; 13-17
Luke 20: 27-38

First Lesson: Job 19:23-27a

Challenges:

• This particular lesson seems to have been plucked out of context.  What's been going on before this? How about after this?  These lines are found within Job's back-and-forth debate with his "friends." Job is accusing both his friends and God of persecuting and tormenting him.  All of that can be easily lost.
• It's easy for us to jump to the interpretation that Job is talking about a post-resurrection life here.  What the original writers of Job had in mind, however, is a bit less clear.  It is quite possible (apparently) that Job is NOT referring to God as his 'redeemer' because he sees the Almighty as his persecutor.
• Okay, here's the thing: this passage is very complex with a complicated theological history.  How much time do you want to spend on the different meanings of words? Will it be the full thrust of your sermon? Do your listeners care about all of this or will they just hear, "Blah, blah, blah...crazy pastor-stuff...blah, blah, blah..."?   

Opportunities:

• These are familiar words to anyone who has been to more than one graveside service.  Because I myself have said them many, MANY times, verses like these take on a life of their own and conjure up memories of loved ones who have been laid to rest.  An anecdote from a particular funeral or the description of the sights, sounds and emotions from such an experience will make this passage very real indeed.
• One of my favorite hymns would be more than appropriate on a Sunday such as this: I Know That My Redeemer Lives (ELW 619 if you're into that who Lutheran Worship thing).  You could sing just four verses or really go all out with all 8.

The Good News:

• Job shows a remarkable assurance in the face of physical pain and emotional attacks from his friends.  His tenacity is admirable and it helps guide us in our own faith-filled wrestling.

The Psalm: Psalm 17:1-9

Challenges:

• Well, the writer of this psalm seems pretty sure of him/herself to say the least!  Some might say they are laying it on a bit thick with all of this "just cause" stuff.  This person almost feels like a "goody-two-shoes" character who is running to get help with things are tough.
• Is there such a thing as a 100% just cause? Or is it always complicated?  And here's another question: let's say it's always complicated (which I believe), but sooner or later do you have to make a judgment call and say, "Yep, that's a just cause" or "Nope, that cause ain't just."

Opportunities:

• This is really honest talk with God. Sometimes when I pray, my theological training kicks in and I start to craft a prayer that would recieve high points in a seminary class.  While not bad, these prayers might not come right from the heart.  My truly heart-felt prayers are much less polished and a bit more...er, embarrassing.  This psalm is hearfelt.  This could be a good chance to talk about these things.
• Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" does a great sketch called "Really?!?" where Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers list some really dumb thing that a celebrity has done and then say, "Really?!?" Considering that this psalm is attributed to David, it is possible that you could go through it and add, "David, you committed adultry, murder and plenty of other sins, your cause is just? Really!?!"

The Good News:

• I'll admit: this is a tough one for me. You can say this at least: this psalm feels very close and personal to God, evidence of a relationship between the speaker and God.  Speak to God out of a profound sense of connection and relationship can be very powerful.

Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Challenges:
•  So it seems that the message is, "wait a little longer..."  We're still waiting. I can come up with all sorts of good theological reasons why Jesus hasn't come back yet, but it can still be a bit hard that the thing the early church was waiting on (Jesus' return) hasn't happened yet.
• With verse 13 and beyond: if God has chosen some, why them? Why not others? Why not all of us? Is this a predestination thing?  
Who is the "lawless one?" If the "lawless one" came today what would he look like?  I'm sure we all have an idea: he'd look like whoever we really disagree with.

Opportunities:

• The image of being "shaken in mind or alarmed" can be a very powerful one.  Describing an earthquake or other natural disaster could be a good way to illustrate what rumors and false teachings can do to a community.
• Sometimes it is helpful for me to remember that the early church had problems.  They weren't perfect: they quarreled, doubted and were swayed by false teachings too.  Yet, God used them and continues to use us too.

The Good News:

• Jesus Christ is with us in the midst of the shaking and quaking times we face.  Trouble does not mean that we are abandoned by God: God is with us.

Gospel: Luke 20:27-38

Challenges: 

• How often at the death of loved ones do people say, "Well, she/he is now together with ________ (his/her already deceased spouse)." Jesus' words about a lack of marriage and giving in marriage
• It appears that what Jesus is talking about isn't "heaven" in the way that popular culture often thinks of it: pearly gates, clouds, harps, etc. (okay, maybe the harps).  Instead Jesus is speaking about "that age" and "the resurrection of the dead," which seems to be something different. 
• The interplay between all of the religious/political parties within 1st century Judaism can be very confusing.  For some, keeping the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, Jesus-people in order could be as difficult as keeping track of who-is-who on Game of Thrones or The Wire. 

Opportunities:

• This could be a good chance to talk about who the Sadducees were and how they related to Jesus and the Pharisees. A good Biblical history book will give you all the facts you need, but there's nothing like painting a picture for your hearers.  In my mind these guys were the economic and religious elite: posh, snobby, and cynical.  They didn't believe in the resurrection, but, hey, things were pretty good for them in the here-and-now, so why worry, eh? For all of their fights with Jesus, I prefer the Pharisees. 
• Talking about the resurrection of the dead is not some abstract and academic endeavor. There are people within ear-shot of your sermon who have lost spouses.  Your words will hit home in a very powerful way.
• I once preached this sermon in two separate, yet parallel parts: the first from the point of view of a Jerusalmite who would have overheard this argument and the second from my own point-of-view after the death of my grandfather.  I believed this helped tie Jesus' argument into the here and now.

The Good News:

•  God is the God of the living: there is indeed "life after death" although that's a misleading way of talking about it.  Where there is God, there is life, abundant life.
• "The Resurrection" isn't just something that can make us say, 'Oh isn't that nice." It's really about the ultimate justice of God being realized. God wins.  All of the systems of oppression and exploitation that have been set up in defiance of God will fall.  They are temporary: God is forever.