KEEPING IT BIBLICAL AND KEEPING IT REAL: PROCLAIMING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH PENTECOST DERRICK FALLON PREACHING PERSPECTIVES SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
LECTIONARY MATTHEW
HOLY CROSS DAY‐CHRIST THE KING
SEPTEMBER 14‐NOVEMBER 23
LECTIONARY/FESTIVAL Holy Cross Day September 14 Pentecost 15 September 21 Pentecost 16 September 28 Pentecost 17 October 5 Pentecost 18 October 12 Pentecost 19 October 19 Reformation Sunday October 26 All Saints Sunday November 2 Pentecost 22 November 9 Pentecost 23 November 16 Christ the King November 23 Thanksgiving November 27
TEXT
John 3: 13‐17 Matthew 20: 1‐16 Matthew 21: 23‐32 Matthew 21: 33‐46 Matthew 22: 1‐14 Matthew 22: 15‐22 John 8: 31‐36 Matthew 5: 1‐12 Matthew 25: 1‐13 Matthew 25: 14‐30 Matthew 25: 31‐46 Luke 17: 11‐19
KEEPING IT BIBLICAL AND KEEPING IT REAL: PROCALIMING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH PENTECOST DERRICK FALLON PREACHING PERSPECTIVES SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
September 14 John 3: 13‐17
TEXTS, THEMES, AND TALKING POINTS Holy Cross Day
The promise: eternal life for those who believe and salvation through Christ for the world God loves The challenge and opportunity: how to preach in new and fresh ways this well‐ known, beloved text and spark imagination, reflection, and action For John, eternal life is both a present and future event in Christ What does life in Christ look like in our contexts and communities today? How is God working salvation in the world God loves so much?
September 21 Pentecost 15 Matthew 20: 1‐16 Teaching in parables on the way to Jerusalem The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard The Kingdom of heaven is like…Jesus gives a glimpse of God’s empire God’s grace and mercy in contrast to human understanding of what is right, fair and just God’s nature: God chooses to give, prompting the question, Are you envious because I am generous? How do we answer this question…how do our listeners? A promise: So the last will be first, and the first will be last
September 28 Pentecost 16 Matthew 21: 23‐32
A major turning point in the gospel—Jesus and his disciples arrive in Jerusalem Triumphal entry, cleansing of the temple, Jesus leaves then returns to teach Jesus’ authority is questioned by his opponents Identity, authority, and the struggle for control—who are you…by what authority do you do these things? Another parable aimed at Jesus’ opponents: The Parable of the Two Sons What do you think?...Repentance and a willingness to change
October 5 Pentecost 17 Matthew 21: 33‐46
A break from teaching in parables—the question of paying taxes An attempt to trip Jesus up in order to use his words against him Give to the emperor what is the emperor’s and to God the things that are God’s The question: What belongs to God…what isn’t God’s? Reformation Sunday
Jesus talks about discipleship: You will know the truth and the truth will make you free The promise: if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed Free from what…free for what? Jesus calls himself the truth that frees from sin/unbelief and the truth that leads to abundant life Themes: grace, faith, freedom. What does this freedom look like in our context and communities?
November 2 Matthew 5: 1‐12
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet A glimpse of God’s nature: the willingness to gather and share—God invites to a feast—an event of grace and joy and celebration Some go, others refuse to join the party So…God invites again—persistence in gathering and sharing grace and mercy
October 26 John 8: 31‐36
Pentecost 18
October 19 Pentecost 19 Matthew 22: 15‐22
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants Again, directed against religious leaders/Jesus’ opponents The prophetic Jesus: You have failed in loving God and neighbor Fear of the crowds, concern over status immobilizes
October 12 Matthew 22: 1‐14
All Saints Sunday
The Beatitudes—God’s blessed ones Within the Sermon On the Mount, Jesus proclaims the good news of God’s reign, what life is like in God’s empire The Sermon on the Mount begins with blessing. God blesses: pure grace, pure promise God’s blessed ones respond as salt and light to love God and neighbor
November 9 Matthew 25: 1‐13
The Parable of the Talents—a difficult text to hear and preach on Jesus uses hyperbolic language to make a point Would God or Jesus really act like the master in the parable? Who are we most like in the story? Who are our listeners? Risk/reward Are we left simply to wrestle with and puzzle over the parable and its meaning?
November 23 Christ the King Matthew 25: 31‐46
Back to teaching in parables: The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids Expectation and readiness Peeking ahead toward Advent and its themes of watchfulness and preparedness The kingdom of heaven will be like this…Jesus gives a glimpse, not the whole picture
November 16 Pentecost 23 Matthew 25: 14‐30
Pentecost 22
The promise: just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me Caring for the neighbor in need and loving the broken: feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, healing the sick, visiting the imprisoned What does this look like in our community and context? In what ways are we caring for those in need and in turn caring for Christ himself? The promise: eternal life for the ones God makes righteous
RESOURCES
Stanley P. Saunders. Preaching the Gospel of Matthew: Proclaiming God’s Presence. Westminster John Knox Press Mark Allan Powell. What Do They Hear? Bridging the Gap Between Pulpit and Pew. Abington Press Thomas G. Long. Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible. Fortress Press Lutheran Study Bible. Augsburg Fortress
KEEPING IT BIBLICAL AND KEEPING IT REAL: PROCLAIMING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH PENTECOST
DERRICK FALLON PREACHING PERSPECTIVES SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
PAIRING AND SHARING I
John 8:31–36 31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Keeping it Biblical What is the promise given in the text? Keeping it Real How does God’s promise shape your life and the way you see the world? How does it do the same for your listeners?
PAIRING AND SHARING II
Matthew 5:1–12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Keeping it Biblical What is Jesus promising when he blesses? Keeping it Real How does this make a difference in the lives of your listeners? New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
