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Illustration
Object:
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Is it so wrong to be the Charlie Browns' of the community? Linus and Charlie are standing behind what they refer to as the "thinking wall." Charlie, with a profound look of despair upon his face, causes Linus to ask, "You seem bothered by something, Charlie Brown." To which he receives this oration, "I keep having this daydream, I see myself years from now at a huge banquet... The master of ceremonies is introducing the head table, and when he gets to me, I am introduced as a 'former great'..." To which Linus inquisitively replies, "Before you can be a 'former great,' Charlie Brown, you have to be a 'great.' " Perplexed, Charlie answers, "That's what bothers me!" So what is great?
Great, it is just being a good person. Not a perfect person, just a kind person. It is a person with flaws and faults, coupled with goodness and graciousness. Isaiah reflected upon who we are and who we would like to be. He begins by describing the shortcomings of his people. They are quarrelsome, jealous, at times lazy, and at worse display injustice. Yet, they have not entirely forsaken their God, and they have not closed their hearts to receiving the preaching of the prophet. And in time, there is a transformation in their behavior. Do they become perfect? No. But, they do become better. This restoration to righteous behavior is testified to by Isaiah when he says, "And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
So, was Charlie Brown great? Are either you or me great? At times yes; at times no. So what is great? To answer Charlie's question from a Christian perspective, it means to constantly struggle to be obedient to the scriptures.
Ron L.
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Her family and friends keep pressuring her to quit smoking, but Cynthia can't bring herself to do it. She goes with a friend to the drug store and looks at the different aids to quit: the nicotine gum, nicotine patches, even electronic cigarettes that provide nicotine without the carcinogens. But there is just something about holding a cigarette in her fingers, the calming sensation of smoke in her throat, the heat of the lighter and the soothing drug that Cynthia can't get out of her mind. She knows that quitting is the right thing to do, but she doesn't want to. She would go right back to it: she does not apologize for her habit. It is the same way with us: we can't repent until we really want to change ourselves. Saying "sorry" doesn't mean anything until we genuinely want to live better.
Leah T.
1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Many preachers and evangelists have to go through extensive training and seminary study before ascending to the pulpit. One who didn't was Billy Bray, a man from Cornwall, England. An uneducated, drunken tin miner, he had no need for Christ. A mining accident, however, forced Billy to examine his life, and he along with his wife soon dedicated their lives to Christ. Even as he continued to work in the mines, he ministered to the other miners, soon leading hundreds to Christ. Soon he and his sons were building chapels all through Cornwall and would even travel around, speaking to congregations. Many lives were touched by the gospel through this uneducated man.
Perhaps that's what Paul meant when he said he didn't come to the Corinthians with fancy words: "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (v. 2).
Craig K.
Matthew 5:13-20
This object lesson will emphasize the Epiphany passage, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Prior to the sermon, after the scripture passage has been read and during a moment of silence, have the ushers distribute to everyone a small pocket flashlight. The flashlight must be of quality, so the people will want to keep it, carry it with them, and use it when necessary. It must be small enough to place in one's pocket or purse, or possibly attached to a key chain.
During the sermon make several references to the flashlight and what it represents for us, as Christians. We are to be the light of Christ in the world today. We must take the time and make the effort to illuminate the path of others through our many and varied avenues of ministry. We are a light unto others through our daily actions and from our involvement in the church and community organizations. Each time se see, touch, or use our pocket flashlight we must be reminded, "You are the light of the world."
(We usually associate object lessons with children's sermons. Though, if used sparingly in the course of a year, objects can be used for the sermon. The purpose of the object is to emphasize the central point of the sermon message. The object is also something the congregants can take with them as a constant reminder of the sermon's message. The pastor will have to decide the best time to distribute the object during the sermon, keeping in mind that the process cannot become so lengthy or disruptive that the people lose their focus on the message. Also, in deciding to use an object, a pastor must plan ahead to secure the required number of objects for those who will be attending worship. Be sure to have more objects than are expected to be distributed. This will avoid someone feeling left out for not receiving one. Also, extra objects will be required because individuals who have missed the service will come to the church office and request the object that their friends received. The distributing of an object to a parishioner who was absent from worship is a good teaching tool, for it introduces him/her to the central message of the sermon that was missed. Also, the objects will have to be purchased or donated. The expense involved or the securing of donations must also be a part of the planning process.)
Ron L.
Matthew 5:13-20
In an old fairy tale, a king asks his three daughters how much they love him. The first two daughters, who are schemers, answer: "Father, I love you as one loves gold!" "Father, I love you as one loves diamonds!" The third daughter, who is honest in her love for her father, is annoyed by her sisters' false answers. The third daughter says, "Father, I love you as one loves salt." The king is insulted. He exiles his third daughter. She finds her way to a nearby kingdom, where she marries a powerful prince. Years later, her father is invited to dine with this prince. Her father scrapes and bows, wanting to gain favor with the powerful ruler. His first two daughters have ruined the kingdom with spending, and he now struggles for money. The meal is served, and the father can barely choke it down -- the meal has been prepared without salt! At the end of the meal, his daughter reveals herself -- and reveals the true meaning of her long-ago confession of love.
Leah T.
Is it so wrong to be the Charlie Browns' of the community? Linus and Charlie are standing behind what they refer to as the "thinking wall." Charlie, with a profound look of despair upon his face, causes Linus to ask, "You seem bothered by something, Charlie Brown." To which he receives this oration, "I keep having this daydream, I see myself years from now at a huge banquet... The master of ceremonies is introducing the head table, and when he gets to me, I am introduced as a 'former great'..." To which Linus inquisitively replies, "Before you can be a 'former great,' Charlie Brown, you have to be a 'great.' " Perplexed, Charlie answers, "That's what bothers me!" So what is great?
Great, it is just being a good person. Not a perfect person, just a kind person. It is a person with flaws and faults, coupled with goodness and graciousness. Isaiah reflected upon who we are and who we would like to be. He begins by describing the shortcomings of his people. They are quarrelsome, jealous, at times lazy, and at worse display injustice. Yet, they have not entirely forsaken their God, and they have not closed their hearts to receiving the preaching of the prophet. And in time, there is a transformation in their behavior. Do they become perfect? No. But, they do become better. This restoration to righteous behavior is testified to by Isaiah when he says, "And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
So, was Charlie Brown great? Are either you or me great? At times yes; at times no. So what is great? To answer Charlie's question from a Christian perspective, it means to constantly struggle to be obedient to the scriptures.
Ron L.
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Her family and friends keep pressuring her to quit smoking, but Cynthia can't bring herself to do it. She goes with a friend to the drug store and looks at the different aids to quit: the nicotine gum, nicotine patches, even electronic cigarettes that provide nicotine without the carcinogens. But there is just something about holding a cigarette in her fingers, the calming sensation of smoke in her throat, the heat of the lighter and the soothing drug that Cynthia can't get out of her mind. She knows that quitting is the right thing to do, but she doesn't want to. She would go right back to it: she does not apologize for her habit. It is the same way with us: we can't repent until we really want to change ourselves. Saying "sorry" doesn't mean anything until we genuinely want to live better.
Leah T.
1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Many preachers and evangelists have to go through extensive training and seminary study before ascending to the pulpit. One who didn't was Billy Bray, a man from Cornwall, England. An uneducated, drunken tin miner, he had no need for Christ. A mining accident, however, forced Billy to examine his life, and he along with his wife soon dedicated their lives to Christ. Even as he continued to work in the mines, he ministered to the other miners, soon leading hundreds to Christ. Soon he and his sons were building chapels all through Cornwall and would even travel around, speaking to congregations. Many lives were touched by the gospel through this uneducated man.
Perhaps that's what Paul meant when he said he didn't come to the Corinthians with fancy words: "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (v. 2).
Craig K.
Matthew 5:13-20
This object lesson will emphasize the Epiphany passage, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Prior to the sermon, after the scripture passage has been read and during a moment of silence, have the ushers distribute to everyone a small pocket flashlight. The flashlight must be of quality, so the people will want to keep it, carry it with them, and use it when necessary. It must be small enough to place in one's pocket or purse, or possibly attached to a key chain.
During the sermon make several references to the flashlight and what it represents for us, as Christians. We are to be the light of Christ in the world today. We must take the time and make the effort to illuminate the path of others through our many and varied avenues of ministry. We are a light unto others through our daily actions and from our involvement in the church and community organizations. Each time se see, touch, or use our pocket flashlight we must be reminded, "You are the light of the world."
(We usually associate object lessons with children's sermons. Though, if used sparingly in the course of a year, objects can be used for the sermon. The purpose of the object is to emphasize the central point of the sermon message. The object is also something the congregants can take with them as a constant reminder of the sermon's message. The pastor will have to decide the best time to distribute the object during the sermon, keeping in mind that the process cannot become so lengthy or disruptive that the people lose their focus on the message. Also, in deciding to use an object, a pastor must plan ahead to secure the required number of objects for those who will be attending worship. Be sure to have more objects than are expected to be distributed. This will avoid someone feeling left out for not receiving one. Also, extra objects will be required because individuals who have missed the service will come to the church office and request the object that their friends received. The distributing of an object to a parishioner who was absent from worship is a good teaching tool, for it introduces him/her to the central message of the sermon that was missed. Also, the objects will have to be purchased or donated. The expense involved or the securing of donations must also be a part of the planning process.)
Ron L.
Matthew 5:13-20
In an old fairy tale, a king asks his three daughters how much they love him. The first two daughters, who are schemers, answer: "Father, I love you as one loves gold!" "Father, I love you as one loves diamonds!" The third daughter, who is honest in her love for her father, is annoyed by her sisters' false answers. The third daughter says, "Father, I love you as one loves salt." The king is insulted. He exiles his third daughter. She finds her way to a nearby kingdom, where she marries a powerful prince. Years later, her father is invited to dine with this prince. Her father scrapes and bows, wanting to gain favor with the powerful ruler. His first two daughters have ruined the kingdom with spending, and he now struggles for money. The meal is served, and the father can barely choke it down -- the meal has been prepared without salt! At the end of the meal, his daughter reveals herself -- and reveals the true meaning of her long-ago confession of love.
Leah T.
