We ministers in training put a lot of thought into what a good sermon is. At
After the sermon there was a meeting - an official one - in which feed back, and constructive criticism would be offered on the quality of the sermon and the overall conduct of the service.
At these meetings people were polite, constructive, always helpful.
You got to find out what people really thought of your sermon during breakfast - or in hushed whispers passed around the classroom.
But as far as I know - no one was ever taken to the edge of a cliff to be thrown off. Although I am sure that the suggestion was made once or twice.
* * *
If you asked around the room this morning - what people thought a good sermon was you would get as many responses as there are people in the room…
Those who count the money after the service might say: A good sermon reaches down, near to peoples hearts, and into their pockets.
Some people might say: A good sermon makes me feel really bad about all the things I do and makes me want to repent! Ready to go on sinning next week.
Some say: A good sermon makes me feel all mushy inside - loved by God, a sermon that warms the heart!
Some want to come away with a quote and a memory verse. Some want an application of some sort - practical advice…
Some would prefer it to be really short.
* * *
My discipline tells me that I should look to Jesus - and try to imitate Jesus in the content of my preaching…
* * *
In Luke 4 we read about Jesus - teaching in the synagogue at
So I bet there was a crowd there that morning to hear him preach in his hometown.
Jesus read from scripture and he began to teach: Things went well - Verse 22 “They were all well impressed with him and marvelled at the eloquent words that he spoke...”
#
But let me cut to the audience’s response at the end of the sermon (Verse 29): “They rose up, dragged Jesus out of the town, and took him to the top of the hill on which their town was built. They meant to throw him over the cliff…”
* * *
What on earth did Jesus have to say that angered people so much that it demanded a quick and brutal death - on the Sabbath nogal!
If the definition of a good sermon is to preach as Jesus would preach… I’m not sure I want to preach a sermon that has you chasing me up Paarl Rock / The Franschhoek mountains to throw me down and see if I bounce!
* * *
What did Jesus say?
* * *
He starts with a quote from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind;
to set free the oppressed
and announce that the time has come
when the Lord will save his people.”
In verse 20 the writer says that having read the scripture, Jesus sat down. This means that he began to teach (in the Jewish synagogue the rabbi or teacher did not stand and preach - as we do here, but he would sit.)
He said that the scripture they read - had come true that day.
A positive message - a message of encouragement to them - a message that said the Messiah was here to rescue
* * *
We’re the same as them - aren’t we? Easily impressed by flattery, good news - the gospel that we want to hear! We love to hear a sermon that is full of encouragement…
We will lap up the words of television preachers who tell us how rich we will get, how God will bless us! How God loves us! …and how God detests - those other people - the sinners - (out there).
We become like the Pharisee in Luke 18: “I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer, like everybody else…”
* * *
But then Jesus begins to tell them the difficult news… the gospel they don’t want to hear.
First, he warns them - “prophets are never welcomed in their home town.”
One of our Old Testament lecturers reminded us at college: “A Good prophet: comforts the afflicted - and afflicts the comfortable.”
You see, a Biblical prophet challenges the status quo, addresses the wrongs in society and points out ways to make things better.
Sometimes a good prophet upsets those to whom he or she speaks - Many people criticised the prophets of our church who stood up against apartheid… people didn’t want to hear the message of judgement - the challenge of reconciliation.
Their response - was anger.
* * *
Jesus points out to his hearers that God’s boundaries are much wider than the ones that they have set.
He reminds them of two important stories, occasions when God’s love has broken out - God’s love has extended to those whom they deemed unworthy.
* * *
Remember Elijah?!
There was a time in Israel when there was no rain for three and a half years - people were starving - famine throughout the land…
Elijah was sent - by God, Yahweh - out of the country, to a widow (a woman - not a man) living outside of the country - outside of the religion!
And God provided for her. Not the starving at home - whom we consider righteous.
* * *
Remember Elisha?!
The next great hero of the faith.
Many people were suffering from leprosy in
* * *
The people were angry because Jesus pointed out that God’s love extends outside the boundaries that we set for it.
* * *
When the people heard this difficult message - this message that tells them that God cares for foreigners, people who are considered impure / sinful… “they were filled with anger.”
Anger which led to violence.
* * *
Jesus preached the gospel that people didn’t want to hear.
A message from God that said you are not my only children - I have more, and they are a part of my plan of salvation.
Those people whom you consider unworthy, whom you treat badly, whom you judge - they are also my children.
* * *
As I reflect on this scene from the gospel I ask some questions: What does it tell me about God? What does it tell me about people? And what does it tell me about the relationship between God and people?
* * *
I learn that God’s love is able to stretch beyond the boundaries which I sometimes set for it. God loves people whom I sometimes think are unlovable.
I learn that people are more stubborn about God’s love than God is - not only do we consider other people to be unlovable, but we often refuse to believe that God could love us. We sometimes get angry when someone suggests that God’s love reaches out - even to the people whom we count as sinners. Strange that this message of love could be a gospel we don’t want to hear. Maybe it’s the implication - if God loves these people, then I also have to.
I learn, about the relationship between God and people, that God calls us - and goes with us - into the lives of those people whom we find difficult to love, and enables us to live out the call to love; in practical ways (even when that love hurts us).
* * *
Jesus’ sermon was a good sermon - because he ruffled a few feathers, he challenged people’s perceptions about who God loves.
It was a brilliant sermon - because it was underlined by action… His sermon sets the tone for his ministry, Luke specifically reflects Jesus interaction with the most rejected people in society - the outcasts and people living on the edge; the Pharisees comment in Lk 14:2 “This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!”
* * *
Friends, we need to stop trying to decide whom God does and does not like. Rather we need to follow the example of Jesus and reach out to everyone in love, no matter what we think of them.
Then I believe,
We will begin to see the
No comments:
Post a Comment