Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Challenges:
I'll admit it: these sermons in Acts might not always make the most exciting, action-packed reading. If they are being read by an individual who doesn't know what's going on in them (that really awesome and well-meaning lector who is busy enough during the week that he or she doesn't get around to practicing even though they meant to...) well, it can seem like a bunch of old words strung together. The question is: how do you make this come alive in the midst of worship? Also, this speech is missing the context that is given in verses 16-21 and 22-34. You can't include every little thing, but this could be a good idea.
Opportunities:
So there are a lot of sermons in Acts. They are sprinkled throughout the book like some sort of theological garnish. One thing that I think is amazing about all of these sermons is the fact that they all proclaim Christ as the Savior of the World, but they do them slightly differently. A sermon preached to a Jewish audience sounds different than one preached to Gentiles. It's as if the author (let's call him "Luke") knows that you have to adapt and tailor your TECHNIQUE to the situation in which you find yourself, while still proclaiming the same message. This is a great time to talk about sharing the faith in the lives of your listeners: they will approach the story from different angles depending on where they find themselves.
The Good News:
It doesn't say this in the assigned reading, but some hear the message and scoff, while others hear the message and become believers. Why do some believe and others don't? I don't know and I wrestle with that question again and again (and again and again after that). Still, it is amazing to know that Paul was given the ability to go into a different place, speak in a way that could be heard, and change lives. He had been equipped with the academic talents that allowed him to speak in a way that would be respected by other philosophers, he had the guts to do this. The other amazing thing about this story is that it all came about while Paul was WAITING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO HAPPEN. This wasn't part of the strategic plan, it wasn't necessarily on the agenda...it was in THE MEANTIME. And still IN THE MEANTIME the lives of people like Dionysius and Damaris were transformed forever.
Psalm: Psalm 66:8-20
Challenges:
Some really challenging things to ponder here: God testing people? God bringing people into the net? Letting others ride over their heads? What's up with that? Also, there's that line, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened..." Sometimes I cherish iniquity in my heart, sometimes I don't. Sometimes iniquity and goodness are like two newscasters (ala Anchorman) who are each trying to get the last word. Why? Well, that's a whole other blog post. And another thing, how do you think that Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea or Micah would feel about verse 15 and all of those offerings? And how does it connect with Paul's words about how God doesn't need to be served by human hands as if God needed anything?
Opportunities:
Perhaps within those very contradictions I mentioned at the end of the 'challenge' section, can be less of a liability and more of an asset in your message. You can talk about how all of the different pieces of Scripture are like an ongoing conversation about who God is and what God is up to. Do they all line up perfectly? Well, no they don't. (at least on one level, if you consider 'perfection' to be flawlessness). But they do all work together to inform, inspire and guide us. You can encourage people to stop wasting their time making everything fall neatly into place and more time listening so that we are guided by what God says to us through this gloriously jumbled "conversation."
The Good News:
The writer of this psalm seems to have gone through great ordeals, but has been delivered from evil. The words this person uses might not be my own, but I can rejoice that they were able to use this deliverance and a way of proclaiming and honoring God.
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 3:13-22
Challenges:
Verse 17 is rather difficult to swallow: at the very least it should be dealt with VERY CAREFULLY. When we talk about God's Will, we should approach it with humility. What suffering is God's Will? I won't pretend to know. I've heard some people, committed Christians say "Well, the Holocaust was God's will because it helped lead to the creation of the state of Israel." I won't say that ever. At the same time, I don't think we can confidently say "Well, suffering is NEVER in God's will." How do we know? Really know? Humility: approach it all with humility!
Opportunities:
Verse 15b here ("always be ready to make a defense...") and then 16 ("...and yet do it with gentleness and reverence...") was a favorite verse of an ecumenical expert I heard speak. It really stuck with me and they are words I've tried to take to heart. Are we ready to explain WHY we are Christians? Why we do "that whole church thing?" Why we value the things we value? And are we ready to do it with a good, reverent tone? How many arguments really come down to the tone used? Encourage your congregation to memorize these words or place them somewhere that they will see them: refrigerator, car, dresser, you name it." They are words to live by.
Also, here is the main scriptural support for the idea that Christ "went to hell" and preached to the souls there between Good Friday and Easter. Do with that what you will.
Also, here is the main scriptural support for the idea that Christ "went to hell" and preached to the souls there between Good Friday and Easter. Do with that what you will.
The Good News:
There is a lot to work with here (and to work through), but over all there is a sense of being claimed, named and cleaned by what Christ has done on the cross and by being resurrected. There is a profound sense here that says "All of those forces that are keeping you down, oppressing you and making life miserable...they don't have the last word: Christ Jesus does. All powers are subject to him: hold on and have hope."
Gospel: John 14:15-21
Challenges:
And another thing...I've often heard the Holy Spirit described as this warm and fuzzy power: like a warm blanket that goes with a cup of tea. this could just be a pet-peeve of mine, but I don't see the Holy Spirit as being "froo-froo." Is the Holy Spirit comforting? Absolutely. But I believe the Holy Spirit is immensely strong and powerful: a rushing wind rather than a gentle breeze (although, frankly, the Spirit can do whatever the Spirit wants to do). This nothing to do with the "gender" of the Holy Spirit: I can call the Spirit "She" just as much as I can say "He." If you don't think that a female spirit can't be strong and powerful you don't know the women I know. Again a pet-peeve of mine...
Opportunities:
So I've just talked about all sorts of issues that come with talking about the Holy Spirit, but there are amazing things to say as well. Above all, how can you name the Spirit at work? Either in your community of faith or in your own life. This could be an amazing time to talk about how just because a group of people might not name the power at work in and through them, doesn't mean it WASN'T the Holy Spirit at work. I had the chance to help some great guys from my congregation pull up and move some bushes today. I don't imagine that many of them would say "Well, that was the Holy Spirit here with us," (although who knows? I could be surprised), but the "spirit" of the group was very wholesome, strong and, well, "holy." Maybe it's out job to point out the things that we see: like the Holy Spirit at work. In doing this, we could very well help others "get in the habit" of doing this.
The Good News:
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