Lectionary discussion for June 22
Here are the lectionary readings below: And I don't mind saying they are troublesome passages esp Gen and Mt. How are we to preach these to our parishioners in the pews?
Genesis 21:8-21 Sarah wants Hagar and son sent away. All after she has Hagar give Abraham a son. And so she and her son is sent away. But God does not abandon them or let them die in the desert even though God sides with Sarah. Why did Sarah want this to happen? Where was her heart? Where was the hospitality? You might could use this scripture to talk about the cut offs that happen families or how children are the ones often caught in family feuds and divorces. Or how God is the God of dispossessed even though he had Isaac in mind for the inheritance. God hears Ishmael's cry (Ishmael means God harkens). The story of the woeful drama of Abraham's two sons still echoes in the violent Middle East conflict today between Arabs and Jews
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 or Psalm 17 (UMH 749)
Romans 6:1b-11 Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? Paul says no, our church members probably think yes for them and no for everybody else. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. So why can't I stop sinning? And if I sin is grace still available? So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Perhaps the truth is not many of us believe in the resurrection power. Baptism makes the difference for Christians. In baptism, we die to sin. We are baptised into Christ's death, as well as into his resurrection. This is pretty Methodist though after all sanctifying grace is at work in our lives.
Matthew 10:24-39 "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master." This is the starting place Jesus has for this set of instructions to his disciples. We are heir to the same kind of opposition the teacher receives, that just makes me want to be a disciple right now. Have no fear, you are worth more to God than a sparrow. Acknowledge me, I will acknowledge you. And the whole thing of not bringing peace but the sword. But I thought Jesus was the Prince of peace and we are to be peacemakers? And what about dividing up familes and setting each other against each other? "Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. and Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." There is no cutting corners following Jesus, no luke warm, no maybe today or tomorrow, its yes or no. Vss. 21-22 reflect persecutions which the apostolic church endured in the decades immediately before the Roman-Jewish war of 68-70 CE, but not at the time of Jesus' ministry ca. 30 CE. These sayings on persecution and discipleship were drawn from Mark 9:41 and 13:9-13. A parallel saying to that of vss. 34-36 occurs in Luke 12:51-53.So
What and how will you preach these texts this Sunday? Where willl you be going? Theme? Worship ideas? Let us hear from you
Genesis 21:8-21 Sarah wants Hagar and son sent away. All after she has Hagar give Abraham a son. And so she and her son is sent away. But God does not abandon them or let them die in the desert even though God sides with Sarah. Why did Sarah want this to happen? Where was her heart? Where was the hospitality? You might could use this scripture to talk about the cut offs that happen families or how children are the ones often caught in family feuds and divorces. Or how God is the God of dispossessed even though he had Isaac in mind for the inheritance. God hears Ishmael's cry (Ishmael means God harkens). The story of the woeful drama of Abraham's two sons still echoes in the violent Middle East conflict today between Arabs and Jews
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 or Psalm 17 (UMH 749)
Romans 6:1b-11 Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? Paul says no, our church members probably think yes for them and no for everybody else. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. So why can't I stop sinning? And if I sin is grace still available? So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Perhaps the truth is not many of us believe in the resurrection power. Baptism makes the difference for Christians. In baptism, we die to sin. We are baptised into Christ's death, as well as into his resurrection. This is pretty Methodist though after all sanctifying grace is at work in our lives.
Matthew 10:24-39 "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master." This is the starting place Jesus has for this set of instructions to his disciples. We are heir to the same kind of opposition the teacher receives, that just makes me want to be a disciple right now. Have no fear, you are worth more to God than a sparrow. Acknowledge me, I will acknowledge you. And the whole thing of not bringing peace but the sword. But I thought Jesus was the Prince of peace and we are to be peacemakers? And what about dividing up familes and setting each other against each other? "Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. and Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." There is no cutting corners following Jesus, no luke warm, no maybe today or tomorrow, its yes or no. Vss. 21-22 reflect persecutions which the apostolic church endured in the decades immediately before the Roman-Jewish war of 68-70 CE, but not at the time of Jesus' ministry ca. 30 CE. These sayings on persecution and discipleship were drawn from Mark 9:41 and 13:9-13. A parallel saying to that of vss. 34-36 occurs in Luke 12:51-53.So
What and how will you preach these texts this Sunday? Where willl you be going? Theme? Worship ideas? Let us hear from you
posted by Unknown | 1:03 PM
2 Comments:
Abi,
I thought you preached on this...but after reflection I discovered that I preached on this. The Genesis 21 reference comes to mind. It is in the moment that God reveals His wonderful presence in seeing the son needing water, and He opens Hagar's eyes to the presence of the well that the mercy and grace of God is revealed. It is all about God's mercy and grace, and His divine revelation of His hand at work in every situation that we become humbled. So awesome! Hagar was spoken to by God. Period. And she heard and responded. Aren't we all in receipt of God's word...but sometimes too caught up in the dastardly things of the world to perceive? She was a hero because she opened her eyes and her heart and heard the word of God to the benefit of her child. Can we take an example from her? I think so.
Just my thoughts....
Marty
Wow, this is really good. No I didn't and I am sorry I haven't. I would but we are going through the gospel here at Trinity.
Thanks for sharing this.
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