Pastor’s Notes for 7th Sunday After Epiphany, A Date: 2/23/14
Theme: Jesus’ Teaching Alters the Law
Bible Ref’s: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Ps. 119:33-40; 1Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23; and Matthew 5:38-48.
Prayer of the Day
Holy God of compassion, you invite us into your way of forgiveness and peace. Lead us to love our enemies, and transform our words and deeds to be like his through whom we pray, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Brief Family Sermon Outline: “Holy Church, Batman!”
1. Title slide. The Batman theme song by Neal Hefti (1966) will begin automatically with slide 2.
2. ê The music begins and we see Batman and Robin swinging in to mount the Bat-ocarina.
3. ê Batman the finger puppet flies in on his Bat-ocarina to the tune of the Batman theme song. The pastor exclaims, “Holy ocarina, Batman! What’s the trouble?”
4. ê After some daring dips and dives, he lands on the baptismal font. “Could this be a Holy Church, Robin?” To which Robin replies, ê “How can you tell, Batman?” <inquire of the kids for an answer> We begin to understand what “holiness means” from a biblical perspective. ê For that, we begin with Lev. 19:2 where God says to Moses, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel & say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
5. ê Batman interprets, “God himself defines holiness, Robin. God’s acts are holy acts.” Robin replies “Yes, Batman, but how can THEY be holy?”
6. ê ”Perhaps digging deeper into the Holiness Code of Leviticus will give us a clue…” “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes, & observe them; I am the LORD; I sanctify you.” (Lev. 20:7-8) So holiness is defined not only by God’s nature as “set apart” and “wholly Other” (Karl Barth), but also by God’s commandments & actions that make things holy (called sanctification). ê Batman queries, “Hmmm, do you remember when we dropped in on that drug store, Robin?” Robin replies, “Holy exercise, Batman, I do!”
7 ê <click to start Video clip #1> (Batman Window Cameo with Green Hornet & Cato) “What are we doing here?” Growing in holiness is a matter of discovering & exercising one’s spiritual gifts. It’s also re: af-firming the gifts of others & supporting them in their varied calls to holi-ness. Being God’s holy people is an adventure full of holy surprises! ê
8. ê Robin exclaims “We grow in holiness by exercising our spiritual gifts!” Batman replies, “By affirming those gifts in others, as well, Robin. God calls all of us to use our spiritual gifts together.”
9. ê “Ah,” Robin says “so BEING holy is not only about being chosen by God, but exercising the holi-ness God gives us!” ê“Exactly, Robin. Now, let’s explore the meaning of holiness with a “Holiness Quiz”—to see how God has acted to make us holy and empowers us to do God’s holy will…”
10. ê First “Holiness Quiz” slide. <have the kids and congregation try to guess what the “holy” thing is that the slide clues us into.> To a picture of a burning bush, Robin says, ê “Holy Moses, Batman, it’s holy ground!” To which Batman tells Robin, “Yes, take off your sandals, Robin…”
11.ê Second “Holiness Quiz” slide. After a brief pause, Robin says, ê “I’ll have to call about this one, Batman. What’s the area code of Jerusalem?” Batman thinks to himself, “Sometimes you really ARE a boy wonder, Robin!” Then out loud he says, ê “It’s the Holy Land.”
12. ê Third “Holiness Quiz” slide. <an icon of the Holy Family is displayed> Robin guesses correctly, ê “The Holy Family, Batman!”
13. Fourth “Holiness Quiz” slide. <five images in a row: palm frond, money bag, bread, cup, crown of thorns.> After everyone has made their guesses, Robin chimes in, ê “Holy Week, Batman!” Right you are, Robin!” comes the quick reply.
14. ê Fifth “Holiness Quiz” slide. <another series of images, all of which depict the presence of a dove: Creation, Annunciation, Jesus’ Baptism, Pentecost, and the Great Commission> Batman asks, “What ties all these events together?” Robin answers, ê “The Holy Spirit, Batman!”
15. ê Sixth “Holiness Quiz” slide. <an image of Father, Son and Holy Spirit> Batman asks, Who IS the greatest superhero of all, Robin?” Robin, of course, replies, “The Holy Trinity, Batman!”
16. ê Seventh “Holiness Quiz” slide. <an icon detail of many saints gathered together> After a time, Robin declares, ê “It’s the holy people of God.” Batman affirms and clarifies, “That’s the holy catholic church, Robin, the communion of saints.”
17. ê Eighth “Holiness Quiz” slide. image of a large Bible> Batman asks a leading question, “And what are the gifts God gives us?” ê “Holy Bible, Batman!” is Robin’s reply. Batman confirms “Holy words for holy people.” “All scripture is inspired by God” (2Tim. 3:16), which comes to us as Law & Gospel (AAC, Article 4), for “interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.” (1Cor. 2:13)
18. ê Ninth “Holiness Quiz” slide. <traditional symbols of baptism> After a time, Robin asks, • “Is it holy water, Batman?” Batman replies, “Good guess, Boy Wonder…Actually, it’s Holy Baptism.”
19. ê <click to start Video clip #2> “About being ‘chosen’ by God.” <Robin wonders how he and Batman always seem to make miraculous escapes from perilous circumstances, “it’s almost as though someone was dreaming up these situations, guiding our destiny…” to which Batman replies, ‘that only happens in the movies, Robin. This is real life.”> Check out the Feb. 2014 issue of the Lutheran magazine for a nice article by Prof. Erik Heen (from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia) on the topic of predestination from a Lutheran perspective. ê
20. ê Batman assures Robin, “In Holy Baptism, God connects us to the holy life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
21. ê Robin says, “God chooses to save us and make us his holy people!” Batman responds, ê “You ARE the Boy Wonder, Robin!”
22. ê Tenth “Holiness Quiz” slide. <images of the Last Supper, bread and cup> Robin guesses correctly, ê “Holy Communion, Batman!”
23. ê Batman lists many gifts associated with the sacrament: “The forgiveness of sins; the nurture of faith; the indwelling of the Spirit; unity in Christ; God’s kingdom come…In Holy Communion, we are built up as God’s temple with Christ our foundation.” Paul’s words underscore the point, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you…God’s temple is holy, & you are that temple.”
24. ê <click to start Video clip #3> (Window Cameo with Art Linkletter) About “Reviving faith and ministry,” Art asks the dynamic duo if they know of anyone with strange costumes, dual identities or unique approaches to problems who might serve to revive his show “People are Funny.” ê
25. ê Batman picks up his Bat-phone. Robin asks, ê “Are you making a holy call Batman?” Batman replies, “No, Robin. WE have a holy calling.”
26. ê Keeping to the topic of “Reviving faith and ministry,” Batman sums up, “Through the holy ministry of Word & Sacrament, God keeps us active in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.” Robin exclaims, ê “Holy Church, Batman, we’re called to be a Holy Family!”
27. ê The Batman theme song resumes. “Quick, Robin, to the Bat-ocarina! We’ve been called to live out the Holy Gospel!” <At the end of the music, all the graphics pinwheel out.>
Song of the Day: “Lord, Reign in Me“ by our “Flying on Faith” Praise Band
The Word
(Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18)
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
9 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.
11 You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. 12 And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.
13 You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. 14 You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
15 You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
17 You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
(Psalm 119:33-40)
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
(1Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23)
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
“He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
20 and again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile.”
21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
(Matthew 5:38-48)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon Notes
Holiness movement
Theholiness movementrefers to a set of beliefs and practices emerging from 19th-century Methodism, and to a number of evangelical Christian denominations who emphasize those beliefs as a central doctrine. The movement is distinguished by its emphasis on John Wesley’s "Christian Perfection" teaching —the belief that it is possible to live free of voluntary sin, and particularly by the belief that this may be accomplished instantaneously through a second work of grace.
Holiness adherents believe that the “second work of grace” refers to a personal experience subsequent to regeneration, in which the believer is cleansed of the tendency to commit sin. This experience of sanctification enables the believer to live a holy life, and ideally, to live entirely without willful sin, though it is generally accepted that a sanctified individual is still capable of committing sin.
Holiness groups believe the moral aspects of the law of God are pertinent for today, and so expect their adherents to obey behavioral rules - for example prohibiting the consumption of alcohol, participation in any form of gambling, and entertainments such as dancing and movie-going. This position does attract opposition from someevangelicals, who charge that such an attitude refutes or slights Reformation (particularly [Lutheran and] Calvinist) teachings that believers are justified by grace through faith and not through any efforts or states of mind on their part, that the effects oforiginal sin remain even in the most faithful of souls.
Source: excerpts of article “Holiness movement” from Wikipedia