Sermon Illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2011)
Illustration
Acts 1:1-11
"Patience is a virtue," they say. However, patience is becoming less and less a part of our society. With advances in telecommunication, smartphone technology, and other forms of communication, our world is becoming defined by instants: instant access to information, instant gratification, and so on. Patience is almost no longer needed.
In their last moments with Jesus, the disciples showed a little impatience of their own. "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (v. 6). Even after the crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples still thought in terms of worldly power. Jesus rose from the dead; that meant the Romans were on their way out. Jesus' reply reminded them, and us, that there are many things over which we have no control: "It is not for you to know the times and seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority" (v. 7). It was true for them then, and it is true for us now who long to see Jesus return the way he ascended (v. 11). We must have patience.
Craig K.
Acts 1:1-11
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed by order of Hitler shortly before the Allies rescued prisoners from the Nazi concentration camps in Germany at the close of World War II, wrote a letter to his parents on June 4, 1943. In this letter he commented: "Today is Ascension Day, and a day of great joy for all who can believe that Christ rules the world and our lives. My thoughts go out to all of you, to the church and its services, from which I have been cut off so long. Nor do I forget those unknown people in this house who are bearing their fate in silence. I find such thoughts as these a good antidote against thinking too much of my own hardships. It would be wrong of me and most ungrateful to give way to that temptation…"
If Bonhoeffer in his dismal circumstances could rejoice on Ascension Day, how much more should we be filled with joy on that day as well!
Richard H.
Acts 1:1-11
When it appeared that Congress would be unable to pass the 2011 budget, 800,000 federal employees who were deemed "non-essential" would be furloughed. Thus, national parks, museums, passport offices, and other government offices that are "essential" to the citizens of our country would be closed. Yet the congressmen responsible for the budget would remain working and continue to be paid their $178,000 salary. Humorist Andy Borowitz wrote on Twitter, "That's like eliminating the fire dept & sending checks to the arsonists."
We are told that we "will be the witnesses" for Christ. But to be a witness we must have integrity and character. We cannot engage in unethical actions or behavior, such as furloughing workers while we continue to receive a massive paycheck.
Ron L.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Thank God for the feet who have trod ahead of me. For those who have given their lives to the service of others: missionaries, teachers, healers. For those who have risked much for their faith: martyrs, saints, the persecuted. For those who have marked out the path of love: mothers, fathers, social workers. For those who have opened their eyes and their hearts: volunteers, members of the Peace Corps, humanitarians. These are the people who have marked out the paths of righteousness that lie before me. I have their example. They have shown that the way is not impossible.
Leah T.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Susan Roy wrote a book that studied the history of the fallout shelter, titled Bamboozled: How the U.S. Government Misled Itself and Its People Into Believing They Could Survive a Nuclear Attack. The summary of the book is that nuclear bombs are so powerful and radiation so long-lasting that even the best-built and best-stocked fallout shelter would prove ineffective. This lesson really became apparent to Roy when she visited the Nevada test site where experimental nuclear bombs were detonated. The test site is larger than the state of Rhode Island. As one takes a bus tour through the test grounds, massive craters are visible. But what disturbed Roy the most was this: "The tone of the tour is relentlessly upbeat. The bomb is described as a marvelous technical achievement; there is never a reference to what its actual purpose was -- to efficiently kill hundreds of thousands or millions of people. It is one of the most profoundly depressing places I've seen."
We are told we are given "immeasurable greatness of Jesus' power when we believe." But those who forsake Christ for Satan are also given an "immeasurable greatness of power." The question becomes, "How will we use the power that is given to us as humans?" Shall we use it destructively or constructively?
Ron L.
Luke 24:44-53
A little boy went to his first symphony orchestra concert. He marveled at the different musicians as they came on stage and sat down. They were an odd mix of young and old, men and women, mostly men. One by one they picked up their instruments and each began to play a few notes. It sounded like a terrible noise since they didn't seem to be playing the same music. Then the boy saw a man in a long black coat walk to the center of the stage. He raised a long thin stick and the noise stopped. With a sweep of this man's hand the musicians began to play again, and the music now was very beautiful.
When the disciples first saw the risen Christ they were fearful and confused. It was only after they received the promise to be "clothed with power from on high" that they came together with a newfound power and sense of direction.
Richard H.
Luke 24:44-53
I thought it would be interesting for this illustration to find out just how many English translations of the Bible exist. Well, a little research later, I discovered that I had chosen a more monumental task than I first realized. For a good starting point, feel free to check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_English_Bible_translations. See just how long that list really is!
Each translation offers its own style, its own take on the original texts of the Old and New Testaments. Each one can help readers gain a deeper insight into the meaning of a particular passage. However, for all the benefits so many translations can offer us, the best way to understand the scriptures is to connect with the God who inspired them: "Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures..." (v. 45).
Craig K.
"Patience is a virtue," they say. However, patience is becoming less and less a part of our society. With advances in telecommunication, smartphone technology, and other forms of communication, our world is becoming defined by instants: instant access to information, instant gratification, and so on. Patience is almost no longer needed.
In their last moments with Jesus, the disciples showed a little impatience of their own. "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (v. 6). Even after the crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples still thought in terms of worldly power. Jesus rose from the dead; that meant the Romans were on their way out. Jesus' reply reminded them, and us, that there are many things over which we have no control: "It is not for you to know the times and seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority" (v. 7). It was true for them then, and it is true for us now who long to see Jesus return the way he ascended (v. 11). We must have patience.
Craig K.
Acts 1:1-11
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed by order of Hitler shortly before the Allies rescued prisoners from the Nazi concentration camps in Germany at the close of World War II, wrote a letter to his parents on June 4, 1943. In this letter he commented: "Today is Ascension Day, and a day of great joy for all who can believe that Christ rules the world and our lives. My thoughts go out to all of you, to the church and its services, from which I have been cut off so long. Nor do I forget those unknown people in this house who are bearing their fate in silence. I find such thoughts as these a good antidote against thinking too much of my own hardships. It would be wrong of me and most ungrateful to give way to that temptation…"
If Bonhoeffer in his dismal circumstances could rejoice on Ascension Day, how much more should we be filled with joy on that day as well!
Richard H.
Acts 1:1-11
When it appeared that Congress would be unable to pass the 2011 budget, 800,000 federal employees who were deemed "non-essential" would be furloughed. Thus, national parks, museums, passport offices, and other government offices that are "essential" to the citizens of our country would be closed. Yet the congressmen responsible for the budget would remain working and continue to be paid their $178,000 salary. Humorist Andy Borowitz wrote on Twitter, "That's like eliminating the fire dept & sending checks to the arsonists."
We are told that we "will be the witnesses" for Christ. But to be a witness we must have integrity and character. We cannot engage in unethical actions or behavior, such as furloughing workers while we continue to receive a massive paycheck.
Ron L.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Thank God for the feet who have trod ahead of me. For those who have given their lives to the service of others: missionaries, teachers, healers. For those who have risked much for their faith: martyrs, saints, the persecuted. For those who have marked out the path of love: mothers, fathers, social workers. For those who have opened their eyes and their hearts: volunteers, members of the Peace Corps, humanitarians. These are the people who have marked out the paths of righteousness that lie before me. I have their example. They have shown that the way is not impossible.
Leah T.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Susan Roy wrote a book that studied the history of the fallout shelter, titled Bamboozled: How the U.S. Government Misled Itself and Its People Into Believing They Could Survive a Nuclear Attack. The summary of the book is that nuclear bombs are so powerful and radiation so long-lasting that even the best-built and best-stocked fallout shelter would prove ineffective. This lesson really became apparent to Roy when she visited the Nevada test site where experimental nuclear bombs were detonated. The test site is larger than the state of Rhode Island. As one takes a bus tour through the test grounds, massive craters are visible. But what disturbed Roy the most was this: "The tone of the tour is relentlessly upbeat. The bomb is described as a marvelous technical achievement; there is never a reference to what its actual purpose was -- to efficiently kill hundreds of thousands or millions of people. It is one of the most profoundly depressing places I've seen."
We are told we are given "immeasurable greatness of Jesus' power when we believe." But those who forsake Christ for Satan are also given an "immeasurable greatness of power." The question becomes, "How will we use the power that is given to us as humans?" Shall we use it destructively or constructively?
Ron L.
Luke 24:44-53
A little boy went to his first symphony orchestra concert. He marveled at the different musicians as they came on stage and sat down. They were an odd mix of young and old, men and women, mostly men. One by one they picked up their instruments and each began to play a few notes. It sounded like a terrible noise since they didn't seem to be playing the same music. Then the boy saw a man in a long black coat walk to the center of the stage. He raised a long thin stick and the noise stopped. With a sweep of this man's hand the musicians began to play again, and the music now was very beautiful.
When the disciples first saw the risen Christ they were fearful and confused. It was only after they received the promise to be "clothed with power from on high" that they came together with a newfound power and sense of direction.
Richard H.
Luke 24:44-53
I thought it would be interesting for this illustration to find out just how many English translations of the Bible exist. Well, a little research later, I discovered that I had chosen a more monumental task than I first realized. For a good starting point, feel free to check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_English_Bible_translations. See just how long that list really is!
Each translation offers its own style, its own take on the original texts of the Old and New Testaments. Each one can help readers gain a deeper insight into the meaning of a particular passage. However, for all the benefits so many translations can offer us, the best way to understand the scriptures is to connect with the God who inspired them: "Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures..." (v. 45).
Craig K.
