SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024 | EASTER - Fourth Sunday of Easter (B)

Texts

First Reading Acts 4:5–12

Acts 4:5–12 (NRSV)

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;

it has become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

New Testament 1 John 3:16–24

1 John 3:16–24 NRSV

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

Gospel John 10:11–18

John 10:11–18 NRSV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Core Theme: Sacrificial Love and Confident Living

These texts beautifully illustrate the sacrificial love embodied by Jesus and the confident, love-driven life this invites us to step into.

Insights and Details:

Acts 4:5-12

Boldness in the face of Opposition: Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit, speak with unwavering conviction about Jesus as the source of salvation, despite facing powerful authorities.The Cornerstone: Jesus, seemingly rejected, becomes the foundation of our faith. This pattern – rejection leading to triumph – is central to the Easter story and our own lives.Salvation's Exclusivity: While God's love extends to all, there is only one way to full salvation and healing: through Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:16-24

The Benchmark of Love: Jesus laying down his life becomes the ultimate definition of love. We're not called to martyrdom, but to self-sacrificing love in everyday ways.Love, Not Just Words: Love is expressed through action and meeting practical needs, mirroring how God loved us tangibly.Assurance in Our Hearts: When we love actively, it dispels fear and insecurity. Our actions align with God's heart, giving us confidence in our relationship to Him.

John 10:11-18

The Good Shepherd vs. Hired Hands: Jesus isn't a distant overseer, but deeply invested, willing to lay down His life for His sheep (us).Knowing His Voice: Through the Holy Spirit, we learn to recognize Jesus' guidance and provision. This brings security, even in tough seasons.Freedom and Abundance: Following Jesus isn't restrictive but leads to a truly full life.

Sermon Structure (Approx. timing)

Intro (1-2 min): Story about the power of sacrificial love – a parent for a child, a rescue worker, etc. Connect this to the ultimate love of Christ.Point 1 - God's Unmatched Love (3 min): Focus on Jesus laying down His life (John 10, 1 John 3), and how this shatters our limited understanding of love.Point 2 - Our Empowered Response (3 min): We are called to love practically (1 John 3). When we do, the world sees Jesus, and we echo His boldness as witnesses (Acts 4).Closing (2 min): Challenge: Where is sacrificial love needed in your life? Ask God to give you the courage to love this way and to recognize His loving guidance in your world.

Contemporary Connections

Polarized World: Our society struggles with division and demonization of "the other." Sacrificial love challenges us to see the human dignity of even those fiercely opposed to us. Think of examples where bridge-building has had a positive impact.Social Justice: Real love compels us to stand up for the oppressed, echoing the boldness of Peter and John, advocating for systems and policies that protect the vulnerable.Consumerism & Abundance: Jesus' abundant life isn't about material gain. Our culture often equates "good life" with wealth. Counter that, showing how laying down our own comfort for others leads to a deeper, more lasting joy.Mental Health Struggles: Many feel lost and without guidance. We can point to the Good Shepherd model, of finding our voice and safe place within his care, even amidst a chaotic world.

Weaving These into Your Sermon

Intro: Instead of just a story of sacrificial love, use a current event example – someone risking their reputation to advocate for an unpopular cause, or a grassroots movement meeting tangible needs in a community.Point 1: Contrast the world's approach to conflict with God's self-giving love shown in Jesus.Point 2: Highlight modern-day examples of sacrificial love that challenge self-centeredness (volunteers, advocacy against human trafficking, etc.). Connect this to our daily choices.Closing: Urge listeners to identify one area where they can go against the grain of the world's values by a specific act of sacrificial love in the coming week.

Important Notes

Sensitivity: Avoid painting issues simplistically; nuance is important when addressing complex problems.The Gospel Remains Central: The contemporary issues illustrate the need for Christ-like love, but don't let them overshadow the core message of Jesus' sacrifice and our response

Acts 4:5-12

"Rulers and elders and scribes... were gathered together" (v.5-6): Emphasizes the political and religious power arrayed against the apostles. This underscores their boldness even more."The Name" (v.7, 10,12): More than just a label, in Jewish thought, "the Name" represented the person's full authority and essence. Peter relies on the power inherent in the name of Jesus."Cornerstone" (v. 11): Psalm 118 is quoted here— a kingly Psalm. This hints at Jesus' kingly authority, even though seemingly rejected by earthly powers.

1 John 3:16-24

"Love" (throughout): The word in Greek is "agape", highlighting selfless, sacrificial love, rather than emotional or romantic love."Laid Down His Life" (v.16): Echoes Jesus' own words in John 10. Shows the author's consistency in underscoring this sacrificial concept."Abide" (v.24): A key concept in John's writings. It's more than just believing, but about a deep, continuous connection with Christ that shapes everyday life.

John 10:11-18

"Good Shepherd": Deeply resonant with Old Testament imagery (Psalm 23, etc.). Audience would recognize the contrast with corrupt, self-serving leaders they often experienced."I lay down my life.." (v.15, 17): Active choice, not passive victimhood. Jesus isn't just dying, but purposefully surrendering His life out of love."Other sheep...I must bring" (v.16): Hints at the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, a radical notion for a Jewish audience.

Additional Tips for Your Sermon:

Explain Key Concepts: Don't assume everyone grasps "agape" love or "abiding". Brief definitions will deepen understanding.Word Pictures: Vividly portray what 'shepherd' meant in the original context to make the contrast with the Good Shepherd even stronger.Emphasize Verbs: Words like "laid down", "abide", and "bring" convey action— tie these to practical expressions of love in our lives.

Acts 4:5-12

Name (onoma - Greek): (v.7, 10, 12). In biblical thought, a name represents not just a label, but the essence, authority, and power of the person. Peter isn't relying on magic words, but the power inherent in Jesus' identity.Healed (sozo - Greek): (v.9,10). Carries a sense of wholeness, restoration, and salvation. Emphasize that Peter isn't speaking of just physical healing, but complete transformation through Jesus.Cornerstone (kephale gonias- Greek): (v.11). More than just a foundation stone, this denoted the capstone, the piece that locked the whole structure together. It hints at the overarching importance of Jesus.

1 John 3:16-24

Love (agape - Greek): (throughout). This isn't romantic or emotional love, but self-giving, sacrificial action. Underscore this as the defining characteristic of God's love and our call to emulate it.Laid down (tithemi - Greek): (v.16). A volitional act of surrender, not mere circumstance. Emphasize the active choice in this sacrifice.Abide (meno - Greek): (v.24). Signifies deep, ongoing connection and dwelling. Contrast this with surface-level, fleeting belief.

John 10:11-18

Shepherd (poimen - Greek): Connect to Old Testament imagery (Psalm 23) familiar to the audience. Shepherds were known for care, leading, provision, and protection. Highlight the contrast between this and the self-serving leaders of Jesus' day.Know (ginosko - Greek): (v.14,15). More than intellectual knowing; it's intimate, relational knowledge. Reinforces the closeness between the shepherd and his sheep.Lay Down (tithemi - Greek): (v.15, 17, 18) Again, this voluntary act, not just dying. Underscore the love-driven choice.

How to Incorporate This in Your Sermon

Don't Overwhelm: Choose 2-3 key words to focus on, explaining them briefly for clarity.Make it Relatable: Use contemporary examples to illustrate the meaning behind the terms ("abiding" = a close, ongoing friendship)Connect to Big Idea: Tie the word studies back to the core theme of sacrificial love and our response to Christ.

Good morning,

And still happy Easter! The themes are all coming together this Sunday - sacrificial love, commitment to action, not just words, Jesus as the true good shepherd to look up to and Lily’s baptism.

And it is all related, really. Love is at the forefront of Easter and the whole of our religion. Or at least should be, sometimes, when you read the news about what Christ professing people are doing, you might have your doubts and so do I. Christians can be a rather mean bunch, too!

And you know, there is plenty of love and mercy in the Hebrew Bible - Ruth taking care of her mother in law Noemi, Boaz taking care of Ruth, Joseph making his way out of slavery into success and then allowing his family to benefit from it even though it was his brothers that got him into trouble to begin with, Hagar and Ishmael surviving in the desert…etc.

So on the paper, we are good…even before Jesus came and more biblical material came in. But that is the thing - we are always called to more, to actually live into what is written down. As we all surely know from experience, stuff can be written down, a lot of it, but if it is never put to practice - there is not much to it! It’s good there are driving rules, but if the roads are full of selfish and aggressive drivers, then...

A good example is baptism - on paper, it’s all rainbow and sunshine…and rightfully so.

"Faith clings to the water and believes that it is baptism, in which is the pure salvation and life, not through the water...but through the Word of God in and with the water, and through faith."

"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved'... To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with Him eternally."

And many more quotes...

But… I do not hear one of Luther’s quotes too often:

"Where faith is present with its fruits, there baptism is no empty symbol, but the effect accompanies it; but where faith is lacking, it remains a mere unfruitful sign.”

There is a possibility that baptism may be a mere unfruitful sign, when the life of the individual doesn’t follow the promises.

To be or get someone baptized is the step one…but what happens to the person is well…all the other steps! And maybe that person doesn’t remain a part of religion or maybe adopts a different one entirely, but I believe that faith is more than just declarations, attendance, theologies, self-identification… It’s what is in the heart, the love present and given out!

I have people in my life that carry that kind of sacrificial and kind love that Jesus calls us to and maybe they don’t really call themselves Christians or anything, really. And yet, there is the spark, nay, flame of love. And then there are plenty of people around us that claim to be Christians, but there isn’t even a small spark. After all, we are their neighbors, too!

And we do need those sparks and flames! It is disheartening to watch adherents to the religions of the book, Abrahamic religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam hurting each other - Hamas attacks Israel, then Israel invades Gaza, Iran fires rockets and drones, and now Israel fires rockets at Iran, all the while people of different faiths cheer one side or another. Where is the flame of God’s love and mercy in all that destruction and suffering? As a person of faith, I find it impossible to cheer for destruction and violence for whatever reason. I do not believe that the goal justifies the means, no matter how noble. It can explain them and perhaps makes them easier to forgive, but ultimately the reality of violence, destruction, and oppression remains and so do the consequences. Be it land annexation, wars, drone strikes, restricting women’s reproductive rights, racial profiling, or holding people in prison without charge for years - that is not fulfilling our baptismal promises. Or the requirements of basic humanity, really!

Beloveds, Jesus calls on us to be like him, the good shepherd that cares for his flock and the flock knows him and trusts him and not like the hired help that does what they are hired to do and beyond that they do not care. There is no love in just doing the bare minimum, but there is a lot of love in commitment and caring demeanor.

Will we fail to fully care like Jesus does? Oh, most definitely. Is it worth trying again and again to keep this flame of love going? Oh yeah. We are called to form communities of love and mutual care, in and out of the church. That is what we are called upon in baptism and that is what we can feel being whispered in our very being, only if we are willing to listen! Let us try. Amen.