Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 117
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
FIRST LESSON: Amos 8:4-7
Challenges:
- Trampling on the needy seems to be the sort of thing everyone thinks that "other" people are doing. Many "rich" people consider it's the people above THEM with higher paychecks who are the real tramplers. Have you heard someone say "Well, I'm not rich, I insert reason here."
- If the LORD will not forget "any of their deeds" how will any of us be able to stand? If one bad deed gets you on the LORD's list, why not more? How does quantity fit into this?
- Much like Bill Cosby's comedy routine has Noah saying to God, "What's a cubit?" listeners today might wonder, "What's an ephah? What's a shekel?" An ephah is a measure of grain (about 36.4 liters or 1 bushel) a shekel is a piece of currency that is based on weight as well. If your ephah was small and the shekel great, it would seem that you are getting more $$ than you deserve for your grain.
Opportunities:
- A common sentiment I have heard voiced from time to time says that it's not bad to use the system to better yourself, even though it takes advantages of others, and "after all, you didn't make the system did you?" This is a great chance to call this sentiment out as contrary to God's way.
- This could be a great time to talk about exorbitant interest rates in our own society today and how they hurt many, MANY people.
- A great chance to talk about the different between "the letter" and "the spirit" of the law. As person who follows the sabbath, but is just chaffing for it to be done so they can get back to business is missing the whole point: there might as well not be a sabbath if that is your mindset.
The Good News:
- Again and again and again, the Good News that comes from the prophets of Israel and Judah is that GOD CARES. God cares about the poor and needy, God cares about how we live our lives. God has a heart for those who are hurting. This awareness that God cares can bring hope, comfort and strength in the midst of adversity.
PSALM: Psalm 117
Challenges:
- Whoa, this is one short psalm. Usually you have time to get into a rhythm with a psalm, to get into some back-and-forth with a cantor perhaps. Here, it's over before you know it.
- This psalm instructs the nations to praise the Lord, because the Lord has shown steadfast love to "US." Is that "us" just Israel? Probably. That seems a bit exclusive don't you think?
- Sometimes people like "fun facts." If so, they'd be interested to know that this is the shortest psalm in the psalter.
- Instead of this being an "exclusive" psalm, could this be a "It worked for us, let it work for you," invitation to the peoples and nations of the earth? The Lord showed us steadfast love, the Lord can do it for you too!" Is it? Maybe.
- It's almost a laughable image here: tiny Israel is telling all the nations of the earth (even the big ones like Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, etc.) to praise THEIR god. It would be like the coaches in my hometown of Portland Indiana or my present town of Swanton Ohio, telling the Indianapolis Colts or the Detroit Lions how they should lead the team...the Cleveland Browns, however, could probably use the advice...
The Good News:
- Again and again in Scripture we hear of our Lord's STEADFAST and FAITHFUL nature. God can be counted on in the good times and the bad times.
- This psalm doesn't talk about Israel's accomplishments, attributes or other reasons for being loved: it's about God's love, not our merit.
SECOND LESSON: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Challenges:
- If God desires for everyone to be saved (v.4), will everyone be saved? It doesn't say, does it? In Love Wins Rob Bell talks about salvation and says, "Does God get what God wants?" and the implied answer is, "Of course!" This is an interesting question. (and by saying that I'm saying that I don't have an answer)
- Verse 5-6 speaks of Jesus as a ransom (as does Mark 10:45). Who exactly is Jesus given to as a ransom? God? The Devil and the forces of evil?
- Trinity issues? Verse 5 says that Jesus is human, but it doesn't say anything about Jesus' divinity one way or another.
Opportunities:
- With this "ransom" image of atonement, many different illustrations are possible: in the Middle Ages, King Richard I "the Lionheart" was captured and held for the ransom of 150,000 marks (estimated at $4 Billion in 2011 prices). That's a lot, to be sure, but it didn't involve someone giving their actual life.
- Jesus is also described as the "mediator." This gives you many possible images: Jesus as a bridge between God and humanity, Jesus as connector, cornerstone, keystone, etc.
- Another good image for connecting two separate things: in World War II if a group of soldiers had to cross a barbed wire fence, one soldier would lay down over the barbed wire and the others would use him as a bridge.
- Verse 4 shows us the character and personality of God: God desires everyone to be saved: even Caesar! God isn't just itching to destroy people for fun, God wants very badly for them to come home.
- And still, the statement "There is only one God..." is a statement of defiance. God is God and Caesar is not. Christians pray FOR Caesar not TO Caesar.
- Slaves and captives needed to be ransomed. WE are slaves to our own desires, addictions and emotions. Jesus ransoms us from these oppressors.
GOSPEL: Luke 16:1-13
Challenges:
- What ISN'T a challenge here? The steward in this story might be cunning, savvy and smart, but he is also SELFISH. If we all acted this way, what would the world look like?
- The steward doesn't REPENT or act VIRTUOUSLY at all.
- This story seems to suggest that reciprocity is something to be sought after when Jesus recently seems to have rejected it (see Luke 14:12-14).
Opportunities:
- This story sounds very "contemporary" with a present day feel. Change the setting to the office of a company and it would fit.
- Bob Dylan's song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody" is absolutely right. The opening lyrics say: You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody. Are you going to serve God or wealth? You can't serve both. - This could be a good opportunity to joke about the difficulties of preaching hard texts ("I get to preach this one? Really? REALLY?") and turn the joke into a discussion on confronting difficult texts.
The Gospel:
- As disciples of Jesus, we don't emulate this steward's motives, but we can emulate his actions and his savviness. Lois Malcom (from www.workingpreacher.org) says "...he transforms a bad situation into one that benefits him and others..."
- From The People's New Testament Commentary (Boring & Craddock): "Here, Luke recognizes the inherent ambiguity of wealth: on the one hand, money is "dishonest," i.e. tainted with sin. On the other hand, it is not to be rejected as such but to be used in a way oriented to the coming triumph of God's kingdom. Money is a means, not an end in itself. People are to be loved, and money is to be used, not vice versa."
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