"Holy Trinity Batman!"

First Lesson: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Psalm: Psalm 8

Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

BONUS: Thoughts on the Trinity, Experience, Revelation, Theology and Preaching:

So there they were: eleven pious Jews.  They might not have been the cream of the crop when it came to theological education, but they certainly had had the core and essence of their faith pounded into them again and again: "Hear O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD alone." (Deut. 6:4) Along with their relatives and neighbors they recited this daily.  Their teacher and leader himself quoted scripture to resist the tempter: "Away with you, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him." (Deut. 6:13) Israel had ONE GOD....and Israel came to believe THERE WAS ONLY ONE GOD.  THAT'S IT.  These pious, if a bit rough-around-the-edges, Galilean Jews would not only have known this, it was core to their being.

And yet, here they are on a mountain WORSHIPPING their teacher. Why? I imagine they were doing this because it was the right and natural thing to do.  It just made sense (and NOT in that way that eating a second jelly donut "makes sense" at the time). Despite the teachings and values that (quite rightly) scream at them "Don't worship a person, DON'T WORSHIP A PERSON!!!!" they worship Jesus.

Thank God, literally, that he's not JUST a person. And let's face it, if Jesus is JUST a person we Christians are in big, big trouble.

Perhaps right in the middle of the experience, they began to think "...is this really what we should be doing?..." (hence the doubts).  But, it was the right thing to do (or Jesus would have stopped them).

And he doesn't stop them, he even talks about "The Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Here's the thing about the relationship between EXPERIENCE, REVELATION, and THEOLOGY (at least in my mind).  The EXPERIENCE and REVELATION of Jesus Christ come first...the THEOLOGY comes later as we try to make to make sense of what God is doing. Now, if you are a Lutheran pastor reading this you might be about to "defend the importance of theology." Hey, I have no problem with theology, it's very important...but it comes later as we try to make sense of things.  EXPERIENCE and REVELATION come first (and they go together, having one without the other doesn't really work).

As Rolf Jacobsen says, "Theology is always playing a catch-up game - trying to catch up to the reality of who God is. Doctrine doesn't make God triune; God is triune.  Our language runs to catch." (Crazy Talk pg. 175). So there's not a doctrine of the Trinity spelled out in Scripture? So what!?!? The doctrine is trying to catch up with what God is up to.

So, in my humble opinion, that tries to "explain the Trinity" with all sorts of analogies really misses the point. Why does it matter?  I prefer a sermon that gets at the heart of the experience of God in Jesus Christ (and the revelation that comes from God).

This is what I usually say about the Trinity: at God's very core essence, God is RELATIONSHIP and COMMUNITY (that doesn't mean that relationship and community are God...) God is love (I remember reading that somewhere...like, say First John). That's what the Trinity is getting at (at least to me).  If we are "made in the image of God" that means the importance of relationship and community are core and central to who we are.  As the musical Les Mis says "To love another person is to see the face of God." Well, yeah.

So theology is important, especially if it's put into the right place. Jesus Christ didn't die and rise from the dead to that we could have perfect theology.  Nope. It's so that we can have life in his name.  Life in his name, where we truly get to be who we were meant to be...claiming our gift of being made in the image of God.

When I hear people talk about the Trinity, I need to hear about the wild and crazy and totally fitting experience of the disciples in Matthew 28.  I don't need a talk about how the Trinity is like a piece of pie or H20 in it's three forms.  Give me the crazy and amazing revelation and experience of God any day.

First Lesson: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Challenges:

This is a wonderful piece of scripture, but it is also very long (over a chapter).  If it is being read in worship people might get lost in the descriptions of days, or get destracted by something else as they try to listen (if you have ever experienced trying to keep a three year old setting the contents of your pew on fire, you know what I'm talking about).  There's a lot to digest and cover...and unless your sermon is centered on Genesis 1, you might not get to it in your sermon.

Opportunities:

While it might come as a surprise to some, this is not an excerpt from a science textbook, but rather amazing poetry that gives us truth (not necessarily "fact"). There's a cadence and rhythm to the words here. How can you emphasize those two things? Perhaps you can ask whoever is reading to put a small pause between the descriptions of the days (verses 5/6, 8/9, 13/14, 19/20, 23/24, 31/2:1)

There's also the "obvious" (at least after you've been shown it and learned about it), "sighting" of the Holy Trinity as God creates: there's God the creator, the "wind" from God is the Holy Spirit (wind, spirit, and breath all come from the same word), and when God speaks things into being, there is Christ "the Word." Something tells me that the original writers of this text didn't think to themselves, "Let's get this just so because, hundreds of years from now, it'll be part of an important dogma in the church.  But that doesn't mean the Holy Trinity ISN'T there.

The Good News: 

God creates, God makes things that are good.  Humankind is made in the image and likeness of God. I'll say in other places that Christians believe that at God's core essence, God is COMMUNITY and RELATIONSHIP. Because we are made in the image of God, there is something in us, at our very core, that longs for and needs COMMUNITY and RELATIONSHIP. With God and with each other.  Hmmmm....that reminds of me of the two greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind....and love your neighbor as yourself." It's as if these things fit together...weird. It's as if the Holy Spirit just might have had something to do with this whole compilation of the Bible thing, eh?

Psalm: Psalm 8

Challenges:

What exactly does "dominion" mean here? The right to screw up the environment?  The right to "dominate" and destroy? I don't believe so.  I see this as our role as caretakers, stewards, people in positions of "delegated authority." It could be very easy for us to use a psalm like this as an opportunity to lord it over everything us...be mindful!

Opportunities:

Quite often you'll hear people quote the Bible without even knowing it ("...wolves in sheeps' clothing" etc.). Verse 2 is another example of this ("Out of the mouths of babes and infants"). It's always kind of fun and interesting when you can connect Scripture with things we say everyday, it can bring the Bible to life in the lives of people.

The Good News: 

This psalm recognizes that we humans are not anything that special...except we are. Not because we have done anything, but because God chose us and gave us our...what would you call it? "Special-ness," "Speciality," "special-nicity?" Well, whatever you call it, it comes from God and it is a gift and we can live lives of gratitude because of it.

Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Challenges:

If the first lesson was long, this one is very short (I doubt many in your congregation will complain).  Still, people will have barely settled in to listening by the time it's over.  Again, the judicious use of pauses in the reading could be very helpful.

Opportunities:

Here's another one of those phrases that gets used a lot, maybe not in popular culture (okay, DEFINITELY not in popular culture), but certainly in church culture. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God..." I remember the first time I read something in scripture that is also found in our liturgy (from 1 John, "If we say we have not sinned we deceive ourselves...") and there was this really amazing moment where I thought, "Wow! We're not just making all of this up!" It gave the liturgy a greater significance and GRAVITAS from then on. This lesson can do the same thing. We're not just making it all up. Isn't that nice?

The Good News: 

The first verses talk about what the hearers should do (put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with each other, live in peace, etc.) and then there is the blessing of God's presence among them and on them.  I read this and realize that all of the stuff we "should" or "have" to do becomes something we get to do...and we're not doing it alone.  We're doing it with the help, inspiration, and comradeship of God.  That's amazing and exciting...certainly not drudgery.

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

Challenges:

Those of us familiar with the Gospels will know that this is at the end of the Gospel of Matthew.  We'll know about how it happens after the crucifixion and resurrection.  Will other people know this? Will they be surprised that only eleven disciples are named? And instead of thinking, "Oh, it's only eleven, this must be AFTER Judas hanged himself (or fell over into a field and had his guts burst out, if you prefere Acts 1) or will they think, huh, "I guess I was wrong, there were only eleven?" How much explanation should you give BEFORE reading the Gospel, or should you just leave it for the sermon?

Opportunities:

 By now you might have heard about the not-so-great job that the NRSV does in translating verse 17. It doesn't necessarily say "they worshipped him, but SOME doubted." It actually says "They worshipped him and doubted." It means that worship and doubt can co-exist together.  You don't have to have it all together and figured out before you can live a life of worship. You don't have to have "a proper theological understanding of....fill in the blank" before you have an experience of Jesus.  At the same time, it's not all doubts either (I think we like to lean on one or the other worship, or doubt, rather than balance them).  We are called to "go" and make disciples. We do know what Jesus commanded us to do (see Sermon on the Mount as well as lots of other things).  So this could be a good chance to talk about the exhilerating, glorious, chaotic, mess that is discipleship and how it can change your life and the world.

The Good News:

Sometimes I read this text and put myself in the place of the disciples (which is wholy and completely an "okay" thing to do). I think about how I Jesus is with me always, I think about how I am to "go" and make disciples, I think about the things Jesus has commanded me to do and how I can teach them.  Again, nothing wrong with this.  As I read the lesson today, however, I found myself putting myself outside of the story.  I find myself thinking, "Because these disciples listened to Jesus and WENT somewhere, my ancestors eventually heard the Gospel, stopped worshipping trees in the forrests of Germany, and had new life.  Because the disciples did what Jesus told them, I eventually heard the Good News and experienced Jesus.  When I think of the story that way, above all, I feel grateful.

"Pentecostal" Preaching

And here it is, Pentecost 2014. Like most of my blog posts for festivals and high feast days, this one will look different from the "normal" set up.


...and to explain the title of this post. A few years ago while worshipping on Pentecost, I approached pastor and said "You look very pentecostal!" (The pastor had on a very nice red stole with flames on it.) Sadly, she did not find this amusing...


One Thought on Pentecost

There is always one thing I try to remember as I prepare for this Sunday: while I myself think about Pentecost, the Second Chapter of Acts, and all of this stuff A LOT, not everyone in my congregation does.  It doesn't mean that they don't care...they actually care a great deal, but not many of them dwell on the details.  Do I dwell on the details of their jobs?  So, if I start to think that what I'm talking about is "just too painfully obvious and boring since we all know this stuff, don't we?" I might be the only one.  There is a great chance that you will preaching to someone who is hearing (or more likely, truly considering) this story for the first time.  My goodness, that's awesome.  Make it come alive with your words and demeanor.


Superheroes?

Okay, I don't want to make too much of this, but as I hear Acts 2 read again (and again...and again) over the years I can't help but see these apostles in an almost superhero-esque light.  Like many of the superheroes we see in the movies or in graphic novels they are given special powers and abilities (there's the great language-thing going on in our own lesson for this Sunday but also check out Acts 1:8 for Jesus' own words).

Other superheroes get their powers from a radioactive spider (Spiderman), or by coming from another planet (Thor or Superman), or by receiving a "super-serum" (Captain America), or getting hit by gamma radiation (Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk), or cosmic rays while in outer space (The Fantastic Four), or just by having lots and lots and lots of money (Batman or Iron Man). Okay, that last one was unfair to Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark: they have a great work ethic, intelligence, etc. These apostles receive their "super powers" from the Holy Spirit and Pentecost is the beginning of a tremendous adventure.  It's an adventure that will include healings, daring escapes, long journeys, riots, encounters with demon-possessed individuals, shipwrecks, and much more. In fact,  it's an adventure that has not yet ended, even to this day.

If you start with the idea of calling the apostles of Pentecost Superheroes people might go along with it. Once you have them along for the ride, then you can land an amazing "punch."  Your listeners are superheroes as well, given amazing powers by their baptism and by receiving the Lord's Supper.

Think of the amazing powers they have: the ability to proclaim the good news, the ability to love like Jesus, to strive for justice and peace...hey, why not just run through the 'Affirmation of Baptism' (aka Confirmation) service again.

Hey, if you really want to get all Lutheran with this, talk about even believing in Jesus or calling him "Lord" is a super-power granted by the Holy Spirit (can anyone say Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles Creed?)

AND while your at it, why not look at all of those gifts of the Spirit that Paul mentions in First Corinthians.  THEN you can point out how these different gifts work together: you practically have "The Avengers" here.


Other Images:

• I really enjoy the "Re:form" confirmation lesson on "Who Wrote the Bible, God or Humans?" (check out the video clip HERE.) It talks about the meaning of the word "Inspired." "In" means..."in" and "spired" means "breathed" as in "breathed into."  The apostles on Pentecost were quite literally "inspired" by the Holy Spirit.  There's plenty to be said about being "inspired."

• I really like how a crowd forms after hearing the sound of the apostles praising God in their own languages and then Peter is able to give a powerful sermon.  He was given the words when the time came.  How often do we worry about whether or not we will find the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ? Well, if you are like me, quite often.  Sometimes, however, the opportunity jumps up right in our faces.  Pentecost is ten days after Jesus Christ's ascension. Peter didn't know that he would be preaching a sermon on that day...but when the time came, the Holy Spirit gave him word.

• Okay, this probably isn't helpful, BUT...when I was a young kid and heard this story, I somehow got the idea that when people started speaking in different languages that they were ONLY able to speak that new language and had somehow forgotten their OLD language. Why did I feel this was how it worked? I really can't tell you, but the idea made be rather sad as I thought "They won't be able to talk to their friends anymore!" How happy was I when I discovered that they could still speak the way they had before.  I guess my point is, who knows what will be running through the minds of your listeners?

Yeah, What He Said...

"It is most significant, in the light of what we said before about the ascension, that the wind came 'from heaven' (verse 2). The whole point is that, through the spirit, some of the creative power of God himself comes from heaven to earth and does its work here.  The aim is not to give people a 'spirituality' which will make the things of earth irrelevant.  The point is to transform earth with the power of heaven, starting with those parts of 'earth' which consist of the bodies, minds, hearts and lives of the followers of Jesus - as a community..."

-N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone, Part 1, pg. 22-23


"The New Testament writers in general affirm that after the death of Jesus his followers were united, guided, and empowered by the experience of the risen Christ, who empowered them by the Holy Spirit to carry on his work.  All agree that the church began not by human initiative, but in the conviction that the presence and power of God ( = the risen Christ, the Holy Spirit) generated the renewed Christian community.  The New Testament authors have different ways of conceptualizing and expressing this.  The Gospel of John, for instance, does not have a separate Pentecost scene but pictures Jesus as giving the Spirit to his followers on the first Easter day by breathing on them (...the Greek words for "breathe" and "spirit" are related).  Luke portrays the coming of the Spirit in a separate scene, just as he had pictured the ascension as an event distinct from the resurrection.  In the story of Pentecost, Luke sums up a gradual process in one paradigmatic scene."

-M. Eugene Boring and Fred Craddock, The People's New Testament Commentary, pg.369



"Luke's point is not the pyrotechnics of theophany, but spiritual transformation. The real "event" of Pentecost is the empowerment of the disciples by the Holy Spirit...."

-Luke Timothy Johnson, The Acts of the Apostles: Sacra Pagina, pg. 45

Because He Cares for You...

Acts 1:6-14

Psalm 68: 1-10, 32-35

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

John 17:1-11

First Lesson: Acts 1:6-14

Challenges:

Oh how easy it is to be down on the disciples here.  Silly disciples, don't you get that you aren't supposed to know the time when the kingdom will be restored.  Silly disciples, stop looking up into the sky and get to work! Silly disciples...let's keep using them as bad examples again and again. I get that, but at the same time I think their actions are pretty darn understandible.  They have just experienced Jesus raised from the dead, doing amazing things: if the kingdom is going to be restored, this would be a pretty likely time for it.  Also, if two men is white robes had asked me why I was looking up at the sky, and I had answered honestly, I would have said: "Well, I'm stilly trying to process what's just happened...it could take awhile..." My point? Maybe we could give the disciples a break, at least a little one.

And also, there could be nagging doubts that this story is all made up as a convenient way to "get rid of Jesus" from the story so as to explain why he's not around anymore, even though he's resurrected.  This can cast nagging doubts on the Resurrection itself.  

Opportunities:

We all think differently. Some of us are comfortable with mystery, others want all the details explained. There are strengths with both mindsets.  When it comes to the Ascension there will be many people who are curious about the exact details. "Where exactly did Jesus go? Is he transported through time? To a different dimension?  Why did he go "up" if heaven isn't above the clouds?  These aren't bad questions in themselves, but it's important to show that this is a story that is trying to somehow explain the unexplainable: the image of the cloud is a very good one, actually.

One thing informs my thinking: the disciples themselves were so caught up in what had happened and the experience of Jesus that they seem to have not asked all of these probing questions.

The Good News: 

Verse 8 is a favorite of mine. I often tell people "Did you know that our town is mentioned in the Bible? Really it is..." and then I talk about "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth..." Usually there can be a joke about how we're the "end of the earth." But then you can get serious and talk about how this message of the crucified and risen Jesus, a man called God who died and then rose again, eventually made it's way to us...many years later. Someone told someone who told someone. For A LONG TIME. It changed and transformed and improved and completed lives for thousands of years.  That's pretty exciting...even more: that's PROFOUND.

Psalm: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

Challenges:

Don't you just love it when the psalm readings jump around? Don't worry, no one will actually notice.  So, who exactly ARE God's enemies? Ask anyone and they will probably have a whole list...that also happens to agree with their own list.  I'm sure I am on someone else's list of "God's Enemies" and I bet you are too. I wonder if the people I'd put on the list of God's enemies would agree.  Perhaps we're all enemies of God...who have been reconciled through God's son Jesus Christ. Now that I can go with...

Opportunities:

When I first read verses 1-3 this week my mind immediately went to the climactic scene from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" when Nazis open up the Ark of the Covenant and are promptly melted by the Spirit of God like so many overheated crayons.  I don't know what you can do with this, but I wanted to share the image.

The psalms often give us amazing imagery, and the image of God as the one who "rides upon the clouds" and is"the rider in the heavens..." is a very vivid one. It almost sounds like a lyric from a classic rock song. Again an observation, but I'm not sure what you can do with it.

Hmmm...I'll try harder for opportunities with next week's psalm.

The Good News: 

It's one thing to talk about a majestic and powerful God.  To talk about God's ability to destroy and conquer and what-not. I'd be tempted to "Sing to God" along with the nations...you don't want a deity like this to be angry at you! But that wouldn't create much love in my heart and life.  But verses 5 and 6 talk about God cares for orphans and widows, captives and the desolate. The God of great power cares for and protects the powerless.  That's amazing, inspiring, life-changing, challenging, comforting and confounding all at once. It convicts me and consoles me all at once. Something within me is drawn to a powerful God who cares for the powerless.  Sounds like the Gospel!

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Challenges:

Talking about persecution is a tricky thing. Not a BAD thing, just tricky. It's also especially tricky to talk about someone ELSE'S persecution. "Well, Christians in other countries are persecuted, but that's good because it draws them closer to Christ." Well maybe, maybe not, but to make a statement like that blithely is dangerous.  This can also go beyond oppression for the sake of religion and move into other realms as well.  Public figures in the United States will sometimes say "Black people seemed happier when they were all picking cotton out in the fields. They were poor but happy, not like now." Wait, what?!?! NO!

How often have women facing abuse been told, rejoice because you are bearing Christ's sufferings, stay in the marriage? Again, I'm not saying don't talk about persecution, just think it through, pause, and then think it through again.  Use some humility...it's good for your soul.

Opportunities:

There's some really good practical stuff here: casting your anxiety on him...discipline yourselves...stay alert...resist the devil, steadfast in faith..." there's some really good stuff here. What do these things look like today?  How do we cast our anxiety on Jesus Christ? How do we disciple ourselves. In my experience, many pastors (myself included) like to speak in abstracts. (If I could move to a place called "abstract-land" I think I'd love it there...) But again and again I hear faithful, godly people in the pews ask to hear practical guidance for living the Christian life.  I don't believe they are being lured away by "works-righteousness" (at least not all of them). They just want to know how to live in such a way that honors God because they care. How can this text show us how to do that?

The Good News: 

All of those things I mentioned above: casting anxiety, discipline, staying alert, resisting the devil, ALL of it is kept together by an amazing linchpin: "BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU." It's one thing to do all of that stuff because the boss says to and you don't want to lose your job and that's just how the world works.  It's a completely other thing to do all of that stuff knowing that God CARES FOR US AND IS WORKING FOR OUR GOOD EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF HARDSHIP. That changes everything. An awareness of this can completely transform the way we look at the world.  It can completely transform our lives for the good.

Gospel: John 17:1-11

Challenges:

I truly and sincerely believe that God can and will speak to us in all of scripture. I don't ever want to say, "Well, that has nothing to say to me." But I also need to be honest that some scripture comes through louder and clearer than others for me!  Jesus' speeches and prayers in John can be tough for me to keep up with.  Who's in who and glorifying who?  Mine are yours, yours are mine...who is who?  I've come to really love the Gospel of John and the idea of "life in the name of Christ" and the "light shining in the darkness" but it can also be complicated to me. This doesn't mean it's bad, wrong, or worthless.  Far from it! God can and will speak through these words.  How can I open my ears and my heart to them?

Opportunities:

I have often loved the image of a bridge in describing Jesus (not that any image can completely describe Jesus!). Jesus is the bridge between God and humanity, the connection that brings us together. So, in verse 8 when Jesus says "for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me." I see that connection, that bridge, that Jesus forms between us and God.  What does God want? What does God find important? How does God want us to live? These are all important questions with very few easy answers...but Christians believe that we can turn to Jesus when we have these questions and can find life in his name and in the name of his Father when we do this.  

Are there any other images that, while not specifically mentioned in scripture, enrich your understanding of who Jesus Christ is?

The Good News:

Hmmm....I think I already gave some of the good news at the end of the "opportunity" section. This happens quite a bit.  Here's something else: Jesus asks his Father to protect those who belong to him in "your name." I believe that when Jesus prays something, things change. Knowing that we receive protection from the Father is a powerful thing (we're not being left as orphans as Chapter 14 tells us).  There's good news there.

"The Hope That is Within You..."

Acts 17:22-31
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.

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:

The Holy Spirit that Jesus is speaking of here is by its very nature hard to nail down. Describing it can be tough.  The denomination and tradition of which I am a part (Lutheran), has been less than enthusiastic in its emphasis on the Spirit (although I believe we're getting better).  Usually you think "Holy Spirit" the Pentecostal or Baptist Churches come to mind.  All of these things can be roadblocks along your way.  How will you overcome them?

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:

It'd be hard to say "goodbye" to Jesus: the awareness that an "advocate" would be there is extremely comforting and inspiring.  It makes a TREMENDOUS difference to know that you are not alone. Words like "with you" and "in you" really drive this home for me.  The images that this creates are very powerful. I come back again and again to the amazing realization that I am not alone. This is no small thing. We're not orphans: we have someone there for us. "Wounded Warriors" is an organization that supports returning Iraq and Afghanistan vets and I really respect them.  Their website (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) says "The greatest casualty is being forgotten." There's truth in that, and it is good news to know that we are not forgotten, orphaned or abandoned.

I Just Want to Belong

Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14

First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60

Challenges:

Our first lesson takes us on a one-way trip to "Out of Context Land."   First of all, let's just say hypothetically that you keep the lesson exactly AS IS: who is this "he" who is filled with the Holy Spirit and gazes into heaven? You, the pastor, will know but chances are 99% of people will not. Besides, it's such a short lesson by the time people become acclimated to what is happening it will be over.  I'd say either give some background before it is read or just don't read it. 

Opportunities:

We quite often talk about effective preaching/communicating and how it will reach people. There are dozens if not hundreds of books on the subject...I'm reading one right now. Sometimes this really helps: other times it can be discouraging, like we are searching for an elusive treasure.  This lesson gives me perspective: was Stephen's communication effective? You could argue (I guess) that it was TOO effective: his listeners certainly got the message, they just didn't like it!  If anything, it's a good reminder that it's not always about numbers...holding this sermon in tension with Peter's Pentecost Sermon is a good idea.

Also, keep an eye on this Saul guy mentioned in verse 58: interesting things might happen with him.

The Good News: 

In Stephen we have an individual who was so connected with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit that he was able to peacefully (despite the situation) give up his spirit after asking forgiveness for the ones who were stoning him. I have heard it said that "happiness" is contingent on circumstances but that "joy" comes from the Lord. While it doesn't actually use the word "joy" here I believe this applies to Stephen.

Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Challenges:

Any time that the word "hate" is used it will probably get some attention. Hate is a strong word and this psalm uses it (verse 6).  People might ask you what it means to "hate" and will curious about how God could hate things, since in other places the Bible says that God is "love." Think a bit about how you would answer this question.

Opportunities:

These are valuable words to "get to know" and become familiar with.  Seeking refuge...a rock of refuge...rescue...deliverence...be gracious to me...these are words and phrases that are uttered by people in great need. There is a great comfort in turning things over to God: committing our spirit into God's hands.  We all face plenty of trials and challenges and one of the things that makes each of these trials harder, darker, or more hurtful is a sense of loneliness...the feeling that I'm on my own with this.  I know that when I feel lonely or "on my own" everything seems worse, harder, more insurmountable, etc.  This psalm gives us words of a person who probably felt similarly.  Their words can become our words.

The Good News: 

At the very least, it is comforting to know that we are not alone in feeling alone. That's no small thing.  Other people, thousands of years ago, and thousands of miles away felt the same way.  It reminds us that there are people in our own time and our own places who feel the same way.  As we read the rest of Scripture we hear about a God who reaches out to help those who are lonely and in need of help.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Challenges:

Wait what? Some where destined to disobey the word? What's up with that?  (See verse 8) Are they (and we) just pawns in this whole cosmic game of God's? I'm kind of joking here, but this is actually a rather serious situation. You might know and interact with people who feel that they are destined to disobey God and it really, really bothers them.  One of the amazing aspects of my tradition's theology is the idea that we cannot believe in Christ and come to him on our own but that they Holy Spirit calls us through the Gospel. This is beautiful and amazing...but it can also be troubling. Does this mean that the Holy Spirit only calls some people through the Gospel? Why do some people NOT believe? Was that the Holy Spirit's choice? And how about these people verses 6-8? Did God really destine them not to believe? These aren't rhetorical questions: I'm genuinely puzzled and concerned.  If you have an answer, let me know!

Opportunities:

There are plenty of strong images and analogies here: do you pick just one or use a bunch? Spiritual milk: there's nothing like watching a hungry baby finally get a chance to eat. Or maybe the living stone/corner stone image. If you have construction people in your congregation, you could interview them during your sermon about building practices and what makes things come together. In my own town, one of our downtown, Main Street buildings has be condemned and will probably have to be torn down. One of the walls is in danger of collapsing and that weakens all of the other walls. There's an illustration there.

The Good News: 

It is highly probable that the people who are hearing/reading this epistle don't "belong" in other parts of their lives. Chances are they are not rich, wealthy, influential, connected, whatever. Some of them are certainly slaves.  It is very, very hard to NOT belong...especially if you are in the presence of those who do.  Verses 9 and 10 assure them that the DO, in fact, BELONG. They are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  I'm sure this would appear to be laughable to many in the ancient world...and our own world for that matter. Just about as laughable as a Crucified Messiah.  And yet, there is hope and belonging and new life in these words.  There is good news.

Gospel: John 14:1-14

Challenges:

And here is another "little talk" from Jesus.  We have another "I Am" statement and we have some puzzled listeners (if you didn't know it already, these would be great tip-offs to show that it's the Gospel of John.  It is just possible that many people will hear this and go into a "funeral mindset." While this isn't necessarily bad, it's always good to consider if you are going to use that tendency or try to take them somewhere else. Also, here is another statement of Jesus that can sound EXTREMELY exclusionary: something to talk about and deal with. (Look at last week's blog-post for some thoughts on that).

Opportunities:

When I hear this text my mind quickly goes to a dear friend who is now a member of the church triumphant. Don would often come up to me and say in a deep, booming voice, "Aw pastor, I was just reading John 14 again...doesn't get any better than John 14 does it?  He was a big-hearted man who had a way of making people feel like they belonged, like they had a place. He led worship services in local nursing homes and really connected with the residents to the point that he was asked to do many of their funerals. Here Jesus is talking about taking his followers, his friends, to a place (in time, space, whatever) where they belong. Don lived out that value: I bet you know someone (or more than one) who does in your life.

The Good News:

As I said in the challenge section, you have some common themes from the Gospel of John: Jesus saying some big things and his listeners not getting it. Since we've been talking about belonging quite a bit today, here's something very, very good. Jesus doesn't say, "Wow, you don't get it do you? I guess you're not part of the 'in' crowd, you are one of the cool people..." or whatever it is the cool people say. No, they are still in: bumbling and all. He even says to these disciples who don't get it that those who believe in him will do greater works than "these." He doesn't say, "those who have a proper theological understanding" or "those who score a 75% or higher on my quiz, or "those who never screw up...well at least not BAD enough..." Nope, it's those who believe. If there is indeed an "in" crowd and an "out" crowd, the line is drawn in a way that our world could not expect it at all.

And Your Name is????

Acts 2:42-47
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)

How have you seen these things happen in your community of faith? How could these things happen more often?

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.

Psalm: Psalm 23

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!

Opportunities

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:

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.

The Good News:

I deeply resonate with the idea that the shepherd calls his sheep BY NAME. It means Jesus knows my name (and yours too). This might be a personal faith, but I don't believe it's a private one.  It means I really do have a "friend" in Jesus (in addition to Savior and Lord). It means that I am not alone. It means that I am a part of something wonderful and amazing. When I read that I start to get the same feeling that I encountered while reading the Acts 2 lesson.

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.