Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace

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Sunday, March 22, 2009
Why Are We Here?

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Scriptures: Numbers 21:4–9; Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22; Ephesians 2:1–10;
John 3:14–21/3:14–22 IV; Jacob 3:9–16; Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a–b

Prelude

Welcome

Praise Song: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” NS 33
OR “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” HS 23

Scripture Reading

To set the context for the reading of this scripture, use a Bible commentary to briefly explain the history of the use of the serpent—a symbol of both death and fertility, life and healing—as a metaphor for Jesus being lifted up on the cross.

Reader 1—Numbers 21:4–5

Reader 2—Numbers 21:6–7

Reader 1—Numbers 21:8–9

Call to Worship: John 3:14–15 OR Jacob 3:9–16

Declaration: Why are we here? We are here to worship God.

*Hymn: “Lift High the Cross” HS 263
OR “Hosanna” NS 14

*Invocation

*Response

Prayer for Peace

Hymn: “Lord, Save Your World” HS 310
OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing SP 31

Disciples’ Generous Response

Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ. Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4–7

Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes

Focus Moment

Have a bag with several items in it that produce light: a candle, lightbulb, flashlight, toy lighthouse, glow stick. Show each item and ask its purpose. Refer to John 3:19–21 and reflect on how Jesus is “the light in the darkness.” If possible, give each child a small flashlight, glow stick, or some other symbol as a reminder of the message.

Spoken Word

Based on John 3:14–21 and/or Numbers 21:4–9

Lenten Confession

Reader 1—Psalm 107:17–20

Reader 2—Psalm 107:21

*Hymn: “Christ for the World We Sing” HS 478
OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” SP 38

*Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a

*Postlude

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Numbers 21:4–9; Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22; Ephesians 2:1–10; John 3:14–21/3:14–22 IV

Exploring the Scriptures

At the heart of this reading in John is likely the best known verse in the New Testament. However, this verse is set in a larger reflection on the part of the writer of the Gospel of John. Some scholars suggest that this section actually summarizes “the Evangelist’s” preaching career. In carefully reviewing this passage one finds that two words come to the fore: judgment and grace. In fact, its message may be summarized as the one act of God that is spoken in judgment and grace in God’s sending of Jesus Christ into the world.

One of the difficulties of this passage is the way it is constructed. Verses 13–21 seem to be materials originally a part of a recorded discourse that had been adapted by the writer of the Gospel without taking the trouble to smooth out all the wrinkles. The words of Jesus and the words of the Evangelist appear to be interwoven. This passage is composed of two parts: verses 14–15 and verses 16–21. Neither of these units is dependent on verses 1–13.

Verses 14–15 suggest that Christ’s redemptive activity should be compared to the brazen serpent recorded in Numbers 21:4–9. In the account found in the book of Numbers the people are depicted as suffering God’s punishment for sin. The elevation of a bronze serpent by Moses provided relief and life for all—everyone who would look at the serpent of bronze would live (Numbers 21:9). Likewise, for the Evangelist, Christ is lifted up for the life of all who look to him in faith. Note here that the lifting up of Christ has a double meaning. First, it refers to the manner of his death on the cross. Second, it refers to Christ’s exaltation to the presence of God. Both the passage from Numbers and this passage from John are faithful narratives of God’s grace in the face of judgment. By divine action the people are saved!

Verses 16–21 provide a theological discourse on the meaning of Christ coming into the world. This text does not stand alone, but is a part of a much larger argument that persists throughout the entire Gospel of John. The language of light is employed here as elsewhere in John (1:1–9; 8:12; 11:9–10). Light is related to revelation; also it is a metaphor for expressing both the judgment and grace that are reflected in Christ’s coming. This revelation reveals a crisis. Further, it reveals deeds that are evil: “And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). But it is also grace: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16), and there are many who will respond to that light.

Central Ideas
  1. The act of God’s sending Christ into the world brings both judgment and grace (Numbers 21: 4–9 and John 3:14–15).
  2. “God so loved the world” is a theological reflection on the meaning of Christ’s coming into the world. It is at the heart of the message of John’s Gospel.
  3. Implicit in Christ’s coming is the understanding that a saving presence may at the same time be a disturbing one. But the light of Christ is not to be overcome.

Questions for the Speaker
  1. What is your understanding of judgment and grace in the passage from Numbers 21:4–9? What significance does this understanding have for the discourse that is found in John 3:14–15?
  2. Can you think of a situation where you saw a crisis (or dilemma) brought about by a judgment found in the gospel?
  3. Where have you seen God’s love overcome evil and darkness? Where do you see God’s love at work in the world through the witness of the Community of Christ?
  4. Why are you here? Can you bear an affirmative witness to a world that does not know God’s love?

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