Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47
Challenges:
Socialism! Communism! It's crazy Pinko stuff is going on here! Collecting wealth and then redistributing it? Whoa...Well, there's more to it than that, but it might be tempting to spend way too much time explaining why or why not this way of life fits in with particular political and economic ideologies today. While a discussion of such things might bear fruit in certain settings, I don't think it will help much in a sermon. People will either automatically agree with you or immediately tune you out, depending on your message and their pre-held beliefs.
Our political and social climate is such these days that there are just certain words or phrases that spark knee-jerk reactions among people: "redistribution" is one of them. This doesn't mean that you can't use them, it just means you must use them wisely.
This also can raise an interesting question: who gets to decide where exactly all of the proceeds go? The Apostles? Someone else? Also, it doesn't say it hear, but in another passage (4:32-37) where the proceeds are laid at the apostles' feet and it is then distributed. Is this what we would consider a cult today? Later there are complaints made by the Hellenists about how their widows are getting passed over and the apostles appoint deacons (Acts 6), so you can tell that it was an issue back then as well.
It's one thing to say "we should share and give." It's another to actually work out the nitty-gritty on how it can happen.
Opportunities:
On the Sunday after Easter we had the chance to hear John's Gospel talk about having "Life in his [Christ's] name." If we wonder what that kind of life looks like, we can certainly see what's going on here in Acts 2. This could be an excellent opportunity to go through a list of the various things the early church was doing and make parrallels to your community of faith today:
- Devotion to Apostles' Teaching (42)
- Fellowship (42)
- Breaking of Bread (42)
- Prayers (42)
- Filled with Awe (43)
- Signs and Wonders were happening (43)
- Believers were together (44)
- Held all things in Common (44)
- Sell Possessions (45)
- Distribute Proceeds to all, as any had need (45)
- Spent much time together (46)
- Ate food with glad and generous hearts. (46)
- Had the goodwill of all people. (47)
- Their numbers grew. (47)
The Good News:
As I read this passage I can almost feel the enthusiasm, emotion and just plain LIFE bursting off the page. You get the sense that these people were on fire and excited. They didn't really have time to figure out how everything worked EXACTLY, they were just filled with joy and happiness that Christ was raised. When I hear or read these words I experience a great longing to be part of a community like this (even though there will be imperfections and problems). Something tugs at me and wants to join in.
So we had Psalm 23 a month or so ago. In the interests of time (or maybe you could call it laziness) I'm reposting my notes from that week onto this one). DISCLAIMER COMPLETE.
Challenges:
Obviously this is very, very, VERY well known piece of scripture. It's spoken at funerals and oh-so-many other places. This might trip some people up: they'll think they know more than they really do. Also, depending on the particular wording of the translation you will be using in worship, if things are worded in a way that is different from what people are used to, it could be very distracting. This psalm evokes tremendous emotion: if it is said in an unfamiliar way, it could sap someone's emotion. Okay, maybe people get too comfortable and need to be confronted with differences, but just be ready for some kick-back!
Much like John 3:16 (which we heard awhile back) the 23rd Psalm is one of those "greatest hit" songs that you hear so often on the radio that it can drive you absolutely crazy. At the same time, it just very well might be a "greatest hit" for a very good reason. It is a psalm of trust...and let's face it: we need psalms of trust. My father, who is also a pastor, says that it is important that God does not build a highway AROUND the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but goes through it with us. For some other opportunities, I asked people via Facebook, "If you were listening to a sermon on the 23rd Psalm, what would you want to hear?" Here are some of the answers:
- I would want to hear what exactly God dwelling WITH us in our darkest times looks like? It isn't a bang. It isn't a big miracle or a complete erasing of the suffering. So, what exactly does God being there as a shepherd, abiding with us in our darkness, look like? And how is that redemptive?
- I would want to be reminded about the grace God gives to us every moment; even in the low times when we tend to push God aside or become angry -- He is there.
- What I want to hear is "What does it mean to sit at a table in the presence of my enemies?"
- I would want to be reminded to listen and follow. He can't lead me to all those wonderful places if I'm not following!
- Lately, just reflecting on the fact that all green pastures and still waters aside, there are still enemies present. God doesn't promise safety, but instead protection and sustenance in the midst of danger.
- ...because I have such a shepherd I shall not want....how does that play out..?
Over and over again, people wanted to hear about WHAT this psalm actually looks like in daily life. I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH ALL OF OUR SERMONS.
The Good News:
Our trust in God can be stronger than our circumstances. Our relationship with God can be closer than our circumstances. When we are in need of any kind, God DOES NOT say "Good luck, you're on your own!" God is there with us. This is true throughout our life and even in our death. Even as we die, we know that God has been there before us and is also with us...yet another amazing thing about the Cross of Christ.
This psalm is attributed to David. He knew quite a few valleys where the shadow of death hung over him. The Valley of Elah, where David faced Goliath, is just one of them. I doubt he had written this psalm at that point, but the trust that this psalm shows is definitely there. David was an accomplished slinger and slings could throw a projectile 90 mph. That's enough to kill even a giant, if your projective hits the mark. But something had to steady his hand. Something had to give him the courage and poise to stand up to the giant killing machine in front of him. That was the Lord, the God of Israel.
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25
Challenges:
This passage brings us into complex and complicated territory. There are plenty of layers to a conversation about slavery in Biblical times. Let me start by saying that slavery is bad, wrong, evil, reprehensible, tragic and oppressive. Always. Everywhere. Having said that, it is also a valid point that slavery in ancient times was different from the form of slavery found in American History. It didn't have the same racial aspect and it was possible to buy your own freedom, etc.
For me personally, this is one of the most troubling texts in the New Testament. I feel like it urges its readers to submit and take the abuse that is thrown at them. This is very troubling to say the least. I continue to wrestle with it again and again.
Still, this is a very tricky, touchy topic and it's the type of lesson that would be best used in an adult forum. (if you can)
Opportunities:
I appreciate the line, "If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that to you?" The parallel is not exact, but I hear people say "How could God let this happen?" when they are punished for doing something colossally stupid or wrong. There are consequences to our actions, some good, some bad.
Also, this is just a guess or pondering, but if you study the history of ancient slave revolts ("I'm Spartacus! I'm Spartacus!") you'll see that they involve a great deal of death, chaos, destruction, and suffering). Tens of thousands of people were crucified, etc. It is possible that the writer of the epistle doesn't want that type of violence and destruction to rear it's ugly head. I'm not saying I agree with this line of thinking (or disagree), just that this might be what's going on here. In truth, rebellion, war and destruction ALWAYS cause great suffering and they should never be entered lightly.
And there is one way that this passage could be useful:
Also, this is just a guess or pondering, but if you study the history of ancient slave revolts ("I'm Spartacus! I'm Spartacus!") you'll see that they involve a great deal of death, chaos, destruction, and suffering). Tens of thousands of people were crucified, etc. It is possible that the writer of the epistle doesn't want that type of violence and destruction to rear it's ugly head. I'm not saying I agree with this line of thinking (or disagree), just that this might be what's going on here. In truth, rebellion, war and destruction ALWAYS cause great suffering and they should never be entered lightly.
And there is one way that this passage could be useful:
The Good News:
I'll admit, on the face of it, I'm having trouble finding "good news." As I read the passage repeatedly, I found myself latching on to the verse "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (v.24) It reminds me that whatever our present circumstances, God has the last word on our existence.
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Challenges:
Perhaps we should rename this "Gate Sunday" considering what it says in the Gospel Lesson for today. (Couldn't they have just included the next verse or...say...the next eight?)
So, there is a challenge (and opportunity) in the way that Jesus speaks in the Gospel of John. If people were to read on, they might ask "So are you the gate? Or the shepherd? Or something else? I'm confused." It's also very easy for our minds to make these statements (and let's face it, all of the "I am" statements) and make them exclusionary). Better be a Christian or you're in big, big trouble! Don't want to go to hell do you? Turn or burn!
Also it could be very easy (depending on your personality) to get extremely technical and "clever" in how this story works. Is the gate-keeper considered a part of "the gate?" So, if you keep out verse 11 (were Jesus says he's "the shepherd") then who is the one who calls to the sheep by their name? Can gates call out to anyone? Do gates have a choice in who they let in and don't? Who has control over the gate? ASKING TOO MANY (or any) of these questions misses the point, even if it makes you look clever. Go for a much more "simple" or straightforward reading and don't get caught up in semantics.
Those are the challenges. If you want opportunities, you can see below.
Opportunities:
Okay, I promised opportunities didn't I? Well, if you are speaking to a relatively biblically literate crowd, there might be a joke in order about how Jesus in the Gospel of John is the kind of guy who, unlike the Godfather, will "will make you an offer you can't understand." Or maybe not, but you have the chance to "gripe" about all of the competing images here.
And when it comes to the "exclusive" nature of these "I am" statements, on one level I believe that they are and SHOULD be exclusive. Hear me out. If something other than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ reconciles God and Humanity, gives us the gift of everlasting and abundant life...or in short, SAVES us, then this whole thing that God has done seems like a waste of time. What's the point? If there is going to be any salvation at all, ever, it will happen because of what God has done through Jesus Christ.
Now, having said that, how exactly people "enter by me [Jesus]," is a little less than clear. Just those who believe? If so, how MUCH belief is necessary? How "correct" would your belief need to be? What if you believed all of your life and had a moment of doubt and died in the middle of the "unbelief?" Okay, okay so these are questions meant to poke at the whole idea of our certainty in such areas.
In short, this is an opportunity to talk about the WHO and less about the EXACT HOW...I don't need to know exactly how the computer I'm using works in order to type on it.
And when it comes to the "exclusive" nature of these "I am" statements, on one level I believe that they are and SHOULD be exclusive. Hear me out. If something other than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ reconciles God and Humanity, gives us the gift of everlasting and abundant life...or in short, SAVES us, then this whole thing that God has done seems like a waste of time. What's the point? If there is going to be any salvation at all, ever, it will happen because of what God has done through Jesus Christ.
Now, having said that, how exactly people "enter by me [Jesus]," is a little less than clear. Just those who believe? If so, how MUCH belief is necessary? How "correct" would your belief need to be? What if you believed all of your life and had a moment of doubt and died in the middle of the "unbelief?" Okay, okay so these are questions meant to poke at the whole idea of our certainty in such areas.
In short, this is an opportunity to talk about the WHO and less about the EXACT HOW...I don't need to know exactly how the computer I'm using works in order to type on it.
The Good News:
Martin Luther said some crazy things, he wrote some awful things, and he put forward some ideas that I just can't agree with (please don't revoke my 'Lutheran Card.') But one thing on which he hit a grand slam (or the 16th century German equivalent) was his explanation of "The Sacrament of Holy Communion" where he emphasizes the words "FOR YOU." These are my favorite words during communion. I'm using the "Fed and Forgiven" curriculum for our first communion students and I'm really enjoying it. One of the pastors interviewed for the "Fed and Forgiven" DVD segment talks about this very thing. You can watch the video by clicking HERE. His comments on "for you" happen around minute four.
Knowing the shepherd is wonderful, but being KNOWN by the shepherd is even better.
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