The Second Reading appointed for the Second Sunday of Christmas in the Year of Luke is the opening of the Letter to the Ephesians (1:3-14). The Lutheran Study Bible entitles this section "Greeting and Blessing" which could be a great sermon title for a New Year's sermon. The writer of this letter is simply glorying in the amazing grace of being chosen by God from the beginning of all things. What better task than that for the first sermon of the year!
(The following questions are taken from a method designed to bring out how the Word functions in the text, a fundamental concern of Law and Gospel preachers. In short, how the Word functions is how the sermon should function, at least in the main. For more on this method and on Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)
1. How does the Word function in the text? The Word here functions as pure gospel. This text is one extended summary of what God has done for us in Christ. More than one term is used here to describe our salvation in Christ: chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, destined, receiving an inheritance.
2. How is the Word not functioning in the text? There is really no word of Law here, nothing that calls us to repentance or to recognize our need for a Savior.
3. With whom are you identifying in the text? As believers, baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit, called to be blameless and holy, just as those people were to whom this was first written, we can identify with those to whom this epistle is written. It was written for us.
4. What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text? The Word functioning as a call to obedience is present in a text when we are invited to live in a certain way in response to the Gospel. The only portion of this text that hints at this is in the purpose statement in verse 12: "So that we.... might live to the praise of his glory." There is little else here that calls us to obedience.
5. What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? Since there are many ways the gospel is presented in this text, we can create couplets by imagining the opposite of those gospel terms. Some examples: rejected/chosen; orphaned/adopted; lost/redeemed; guilty/forgiven; forgotten/destined; without a future/receiving an inheritance.
6. Exegetical work: As you may imagine, there is much discussion amongst commentators around the subject of election in this text. However, far from being a point of contention, it is often, at least in ancient and Reformation times, a reason to give praise to God. As contemporary scholar, Ralph P. Martin notes, "New Testament writers proclaim God's electing mercy not as a conundrum to tease our minds but as a wonder to call forth our praise." (Interpretation series, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, p. 16). Ancient and Reformation writers are also clear on the idea that our election is due to God's loving purposes, not our virtue. John Chrysostom, 4th century bishop, says, "the sanctified life is not the effect of our labors or achievement but of God's love." "So that our love for him may become more fervent, he desires nothing from us except our salvation. He does not need our service or anything else but does everything for this end." (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, NT, Vol. VIII, p. 113). Chrysostom also reminds us of God's purpose in all of this: "'You have been elected,' he says, in order to be holy and unblemished before his face." (Ibid., p 111). Swiss reformer, John Bullinger, sums up the thought of many: "Although salvation is freely conferred on us by Christ, God nevertheless does not want the heirs of his eternal inheritance to be lazy but requires thanks and praise from them." (Reformation Commentary on Scripture, NT, Vol. X, p. 245). And so we are back where this discussion began - giving praise to God - which is our privilege and calling to do.
7. Consider the insights of the pioneers of the New Homiletic? It would be a worthy challenge with this text to heed Eugene Lowry's advice that every sermon must involve some tension and release, from disequilibrium to equilibrium. Since this text does not function as Law, but only as Gospel, it will be the preacher's challenge to introduce the tension. Couplets might play a key role here.
Blessings on your proclamation!
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