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Are We Building Up: Part II Year B—Lectionary 20 and 11 Pentecost Preaching Supports Theme Statement an Overarching Glimpse of the Entire Worship Series

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Are We Building Up: Part II Year B—Lectionary 20 and 11 Pentecost Preaching Supports Theme Statement an Overarching Glimpse of the Entire Worship Series SESSION FIVE-B Ephesians 5:15-20 Are We Building Up: Part II Year B—Lectionary 20 and 11 Pentecost Preaching Supports Theme Statement An overarching glimpse of the entire worship series. Often we don’t notice that a building is being constructed until the walls go up. From purchase of the land to the architectural design, from surveying to excavating, a lot can escape our notice if we are not personally involved in the project. Then one day something changes Focus Statement and we see a new edifice rising. As beloved children we are learning to live in imitation Many of Paul’s letters were written to churches with a long laundry of our heavenly Father, se- list of problems. The letter of Ephesians is unique. Paul saw the need cure and joyful in God’s love for a new vision for the church. It does not address problems within for us through Jesus. the church but problems outside the church and ways that God’s people could gracefully meet those challenges. This would be a church built on love. The town of Ephesus proved to be an especially Key Verse good building site for this increasingly visible church. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, Membership in many churches today is declining. Some consider the and live in love, as Christ church to be an ineffective earthly institution. This series is an op- loved us and gave himself portunity to examine the church’s divine origins and lessons which up for us, a fragrant offering can guide us in mission and ministry. Paul’s message in Ephesians is and sacrifice to God. Ephe- not limited to the people of ancient Ephesus. Its powerful insights are sians 5:1-2 designed to inspire churches and leaders for all time. 1. Are We Building in Love? Tip Ephesians 1:3-14 (Year B—Lectionary 15 / 6 Pentecost) Many of the creative worship 2. Are We Building without Walls? suggestions in these preach- Ephesians 2:11-22 (Year B—Lectionary 16 / 7 Pentecost) ing and liturgy supports 3. Are We Building beyond Measure? require some preparation, Ephesians 3:14-21 (Year B—Lectionary 17 / 8 Pentecost) so please look through them 4. Are We Building as One? well in advance. Ephesians 4:1-16 (Year B—Lectionary 18 / 9 Pentecost) 5. Are We Building Up? Part I: Ephesians 4:25—5:2 (Year B—Lectionary 19 / 10 Pentecost) Part II: Ephesians 5:15-20 (Year B—Lectionary 20 / 11 Pentecost) 6. Are We Built to Withstand? Ephesians 6:10-20 (Year B—Lectionary 21 / 12 Pentecost) NOTE: Preachers and worship planners should take note that the small group Bible study materials combine the texts from Lectionary 19 and 20 into a single session. Text Study An expository summary of the reading related to the Together in Faith Adult Bible Study. Ephesians 5:15-20 asks whether or not we are raising the roof of God’s house with music and singing. The house of the Lord should resound with Spirit-filled, heartfelt singing (Ephesians 5:19-20). This is not Preaching Supports: Ephesians 5:15-20, p. 1 Book of Faith is an initiative of the ELCA, © 2009 Augburg Fortress. May be reproduced for local use provided that each copy carries this notice. described as a rote intoning of mindless dirges, but an engaged and lively worship with a rich variety of “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (see also Colossians 3:16). Each of these three terms offers a unique understanding of music that is pleasing to God. The psalms (psalmOIS) are songs that were used in the ancient liturgical worship of God’s people. The book of Psalms has even become part of Holy Scripture. Their authors include King David himself and psalms remain, to this day, central to the worship life of the church. While both psalms and hymns (HYMnois) offer praise and thanksgiving to God, hymns in the Bible are also used to teach and build up the church (1 Corin- thians 14:26). As for “spiritual songs” (Odase pneumatikAIS), these often connect with deep emotions, both joy (Psalm 107:22) and sadness (Psalm 137:1-3). There’s a newness connected to songs in the Bible (Psalm 33:3) and a sense of spontaneity as David’s singing and dancing illustrates in 1 Samuel 18:6 (see also Deuteronomy 31:22 and Numbers 21:16-17). Paul also knew firsthand about the power of singing; after casting a demon out of a slave girl in Philippi, he and Silas were cast into prison. Acts 16:19-40 records their plight, but in the midst of it we find them singing hymns (verse 25). That’s when the miracles started to happen. Sermon Outlines The first outline is designed for use if the scheduling of this series corresponds with the Church Year calendar. The second outline is provided for general use at any time of the year. OutliNE 1: (LECtioNARY-basED SERMON) Gospel Connection: In John 6:51-58, Jesus says: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for- ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (verses 51-52). The concept of communion was confusing to many in the ancient world. Christians were accused of being cannibals by some and suspected of being followers of mystery cults by others. The Israelites were also confused when God gave them bread from heaven in the wilderness. The word manna means “what is it?” 1 Corinthians 1 reminds us that worldly un- derstanding is always inferior to the wisdom of God. The world takes; God gives. The world hates; God loves. The world lies; God is living truth. The world rejects; God accepts. The world destroys; God regenerates. Title: “Under the (Holy Spirit’s) Influence” Introduction: This section is the culmination of the “wisdom” theme throughout Ephesians. “Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good (Psalm 14:1 and 53:1). The wise are those who have learned Christ (Ephesians 4:20) and those who understand the true mystery of God (Ephesians 1:8; 1:17; 3:8). 1. The early Christians confronted Greco-Roman mystery religions. a. This involved the worship of Dionysius (the god of wine and inspirer of ritual madness and drunkenness). b. They claimed that over-consumption of wine brought freedom liber( ) and truth (en vino veritas). c. These cults usually focused on fertility and were accompanied by drunken, erotic ceremonies. The word orgy means “secret rite.” 2. The temple of Artemis was known as a site of this “mystery religion.” a. This was reinforced by the many astounding “miracles” that occurred in the great temples of the day. Ephesus was no exception. b. Heron of Alexandria (a contemporary of Paul’s) was a gifted scientist who described many ways that pagan priests used trickery: Preaching Supports: Ephesians 5:15-20, p. 2 Book of Faith is an initiative of the ELCA, © 2009 Augburg Fortress. May be reproduced for local use provided that each copy carries this notice. i. With chemicals changing colors of liquids such as water into blood. ii. With mechanical devices that made statues come alive. iii. Magnets that mysteriously made objects float in air. iv. Tubes inserted into statues enabling sounds to mimic voices or thunder. v. Tubes inserted into statues enabling multi breasted statues (similar to Artemis) to lactate. 3. Ephesians counters pagan mystery with the true mystery of God “in Christ.” This is an expression of God’s great design in creation. a. This is a mystery in the eyes of the world but makes sense for those who have experienced mystical union with the body of Christ. b. This is a mystery enabled by wisdom and joy as compared to foolishness and drunken stupor. By the indwelling Spirit of Christ, Christians can keep “making the most of the time” God gives us (Ephesians 5:15-16). c. This is a mystery that ignites a “melody in our hearts” (Ephesians 5:19). Conclusion: Ephesians 5: 18-20 reminds us, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The world tries to quench its spiritual thirst with a drug-induced high and life filled with loss of self control. That is a counterfeit spirituality. These are people of the lie. Mature Christians are filled with the uninhibited love of God (1 Corinthians 13). On Pentecost, the Chris- tians were accuse of being drunk; they weren’t. They were filled with God’s joy-filled Spirit. OutliNE 2: (THEMatiC SERMON) Title: Money, Sex, and Power Introduction: In Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power, Richard Foster asserts the need for a mod- ern day renewal of spiritual experience with an ethical emphasis. Spiritually, we make faithful commit- ments (vows) regarding poverty (money), chastity (sex), and obedience (power). The Ephesians certainly dealt with the major themes of money (the temple was a bank), sex ( fertility cult), and power (mystery adher- ents surrendering bodies and minds). This chapter encourages a review of these key topics covered in this letter.
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