Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2014)
Illustration
Object:
Revelation 7:9-17
Isn't it hard to "picture" heaven in your mind? Do such descriptions as in our text with all those angels help? We read about heavenly mansions, but are we envisioning apartment houses with kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms? We don't know! We will only know when we are there. Our main hope comes in the words of the only one who came back from the grave and said "Rejoice!" That should be enough for us. It is hard not to be literal in some scripture.
I like to think of it like when we were children playing with our toys on the floor. We were content as long as we knew our folks were there. We counted on their love to protect us and for them to provide more toys. All I care about after I leave this body is that I will feel the love of God surrounding me. Then I will be content. If he loved me enough to suffer and die for me, then how can I question his love? God is love! That is all I need to know.
This scripture is helpful if we are suffering for our faith in anyway. We will find our reward when we go to be with him in glory. I don't think we should go looking for suffering. Some early Christians were condemned for running out in the streets, shouting that they were Christian so they would be put to death for their faith. If it comes we should take it, but don't go looking for it.
This text really ends any racial or national prejudice. We had better learn to get along with each other from every tribe and nation here so that we won't be shocked when we go to be with the Lord.
Bob O.
Revelation 7:9-17
The multitude that John saw wearing white robes in his vision in this passage are holding palm branches and shouting, expressing thanksgiving for salvation given by God and his holy lamb. They fall flat on their faces in worship and begin chanting, "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!" (Revelation 7:12 NIV).
Today's world seems enamored by the dazzling lights of popularity, big money, entertainment, and all the false grandeur of life. We fail to pay attention to the majesty and awe of the living God. The sparkle of glitter the world offers does nothing but litter the ocean floor of the spirit. A saint's job?... to pay close attention to the security of God's greatness -- the magnitude, creation, mercy, hope, happiness, joy, peace, and life that he alone offers. With God our spiritual ship will stay afloat for eternity.
Derl K.
1 John 3:1-3
The Cold War threatened our security. President Eisenhower was determined to disassociate our Christian nation from the atheistic Soviet Union. On Flag Day 1954, as an evangelical statement, he added the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. Eisenhower wrote, "In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future."
Application: Eisenhower wanted to make sure that the world did know a Christian Untied States.
Ron L.
1 John 3:1-3
The essence of sainthood, our text makes clear, is love. Not how much we love, but that God loves saints into being his children. Good parents love their children into decent, law-abiding, productive citizens. And so it is no surprise that God's love should have this impact on us, his children. An anonymous quotation on the internet well expresses these sentiments: "Falling in love is one of the most exhilarating and life-altering experiences. It can change your entire perspective on life. It can consume you and erase all your troubles."
In the case of God's love, we might add that love can sanctify you and turn you into a saint.
The medieval mystic Teresa of Avila profoundly describes the life of saint (and that is what all Christians are) here on earth, how God's love makes a difference: "For saints like us here on earth feel that whatever we do counts very little, for the love of God showered on us makes us feel that everything we do is of small amount and with God's aid is quite easy" (Elmer O'Brien, ed., Varieties of Mystic Experience, pp. 214-215).
For saints like us, our good works don't seem like a big deal. In fact, God's love makes them seem easy to do.
Mark E.
Matthew 5:1-12
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains the root of authentic sainthood. We must not hide from God's desire for our lives.
In his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, pastor/author Jim Cymbala says that the devil's strategy with the Lord's saints seems to be that they don't call, don't ask, or don't depend on God to achieve great things in their lives. It is, he says, like the children's game of hide and seek -- except it is from God we are hiding. Cymbala explains that when a Christian lifts his heart to God, Satan's dominion will be hurt. That defines being open to God. Openness to God admits dependence on him. Openness to God comes through prayer. Openness to God develops through obedience and absolutely seeks the truth.
With that open spirit God gives the saint a deep-rooted authentic power. Like the root system of a mighty oak, God and the Christian entwined together produce a phenomenal power to do things beyond the wildest dreams.
(Derl G. Keefer, Let's Get Committed [CSS Publishing], pp. 60-61)
Derl K.
Matthew 5:1-12
Some translations say "happy" instead of blessed. I think we would be more than happy if we were to inherit the whole earth.
Jesus liked to preach on mountainsides where his words would carry. Pastors might like the custom of Jesus' day where the preacher sat down and all the rest of the people stood up. Right? His sermons would have to be shorter.
Most of those "beatitudes" are God's blessings on those experiencing negative problems.
That first one is puzzling. Does it mean poor as in not enough money or does it mean a more humble spirit? It sounds like you are going from the bottom to the very top -- the kingdom of heaven. We sometimes find God when we are at the bottom. He seems to lift us out of our depression. In my congregations I have found some who were depressed that a loved one had died without the Lord. One person's father died seemingly without a faith. I was able to tell her that before he died he was baptized and gave his life to the Lord. Recently a father told me that he thought his son had died without the Lord but found a note that he had committed himself to Jesus before he died. That also fulfilled the second beatitude.
The next one is puzzling too, since we complain if our leaders seem to be too meek (and weak?) and not strong enough to take a stand against our enemies. But on the mission field we found that a meek spirit won more converts than a demanding, overbearing one. It can help us accomplish our goals faster than if we shout that we won't yield to those who differ.
If we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we may find fulfillment in our church where there is refreshment for our souls. Don't sit around waiting.
The next seems to tell us that if we are merciful to others, then we will also receive mercy.
The next one seems impossible. When I asked a Bible study recently how many thought they were pure in heart, none of the people raised their hand. I doubt if any pastor could claim to be "pure in heart." I still hope we will get to see God.
We sure need peacemakers in this world. We give more honor to those whose job is to kill (even for a worthy cause). Think how we gave honor to Nelson Mandela at his funeral. He was able to bring peace to his country by his willingness to love his enemies. What higher reward can there be than to be called a son of God?
There may not be many who are persecuted for their faith except in mission fields all over the world. Two pastors were shot in Nepal while we were there and you could lose your job and even your family for your faith.
But if it does happen to you, rejoice.
Bob O.
Isn't it hard to "picture" heaven in your mind? Do such descriptions as in our text with all those angels help? We read about heavenly mansions, but are we envisioning apartment houses with kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms? We don't know! We will only know when we are there. Our main hope comes in the words of the only one who came back from the grave and said "Rejoice!" That should be enough for us. It is hard not to be literal in some scripture.
I like to think of it like when we were children playing with our toys on the floor. We were content as long as we knew our folks were there. We counted on their love to protect us and for them to provide more toys. All I care about after I leave this body is that I will feel the love of God surrounding me. Then I will be content. If he loved me enough to suffer and die for me, then how can I question his love? God is love! That is all I need to know.
This scripture is helpful if we are suffering for our faith in anyway. We will find our reward when we go to be with him in glory. I don't think we should go looking for suffering. Some early Christians were condemned for running out in the streets, shouting that they were Christian so they would be put to death for their faith. If it comes we should take it, but don't go looking for it.
This text really ends any racial or national prejudice. We had better learn to get along with each other from every tribe and nation here so that we won't be shocked when we go to be with the Lord.
Bob O.
Revelation 7:9-17
The multitude that John saw wearing white robes in his vision in this passage are holding palm branches and shouting, expressing thanksgiving for salvation given by God and his holy lamb. They fall flat on their faces in worship and begin chanting, "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!" (Revelation 7:12 NIV).
Today's world seems enamored by the dazzling lights of popularity, big money, entertainment, and all the false grandeur of life. We fail to pay attention to the majesty and awe of the living God. The sparkle of glitter the world offers does nothing but litter the ocean floor of the spirit. A saint's job?... to pay close attention to the security of God's greatness -- the magnitude, creation, mercy, hope, happiness, joy, peace, and life that he alone offers. With God our spiritual ship will stay afloat for eternity.
Derl K.
1 John 3:1-3
The Cold War threatened our security. President Eisenhower was determined to disassociate our Christian nation from the atheistic Soviet Union. On Flag Day 1954, as an evangelical statement, he added the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. Eisenhower wrote, "In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future."
Application: Eisenhower wanted to make sure that the world did know a Christian Untied States.
Ron L.
1 John 3:1-3
The essence of sainthood, our text makes clear, is love. Not how much we love, but that God loves saints into being his children. Good parents love their children into decent, law-abiding, productive citizens. And so it is no surprise that God's love should have this impact on us, his children. An anonymous quotation on the internet well expresses these sentiments: "Falling in love is one of the most exhilarating and life-altering experiences. It can change your entire perspective on life. It can consume you and erase all your troubles."
In the case of God's love, we might add that love can sanctify you and turn you into a saint.
The medieval mystic Teresa of Avila profoundly describes the life of saint (and that is what all Christians are) here on earth, how God's love makes a difference: "For saints like us here on earth feel that whatever we do counts very little, for the love of God showered on us makes us feel that everything we do is of small amount and with God's aid is quite easy" (Elmer O'Brien, ed., Varieties of Mystic Experience, pp. 214-215).
For saints like us, our good works don't seem like a big deal. In fact, God's love makes them seem easy to do.
Mark E.
Matthew 5:1-12
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains the root of authentic sainthood. We must not hide from God's desire for our lives.
In his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, pastor/author Jim Cymbala says that the devil's strategy with the Lord's saints seems to be that they don't call, don't ask, or don't depend on God to achieve great things in their lives. It is, he says, like the children's game of hide and seek -- except it is from God we are hiding. Cymbala explains that when a Christian lifts his heart to God, Satan's dominion will be hurt. That defines being open to God. Openness to God admits dependence on him. Openness to God comes through prayer. Openness to God develops through obedience and absolutely seeks the truth.
With that open spirit God gives the saint a deep-rooted authentic power. Like the root system of a mighty oak, God and the Christian entwined together produce a phenomenal power to do things beyond the wildest dreams.
(Derl G. Keefer, Let's Get Committed [CSS Publishing], pp. 60-61)
Derl K.
Matthew 5:1-12
Some translations say "happy" instead of blessed. I think we would be more than happy if we were to inherit the whole earth.
Jesus liked to preach on mountainsides where his words would carry. Pastors might like the custom of Jesus' day where the preacher sat down and all the rest of the people stood up. Right? His sermons would have to be shorter.
Most of those "beatitudes" are God's blessings on those experiencing negative problems.
That first one is puzzling. Does it mean poor as in not enough money or does it mean a more humble spirit? It sounds like you are going from the bottom to the very top -- the kingdom of heaven. We sometimes find God when we are at the bottom. He seems to lift us out of our depression. In my congregations I have found some who were depressed that a loved one had died without the Lord. One person's father died seemingly without a faith. I was able to tell her that before he died he was baptized and gave his life to the Lord. Recently a father told me that he thought his son had died without the Lord but found a note that he had committed himself to Jesus before he died. That also fulfilled the second beatitude.
The next one is puzzling too, since we complain if our leaders seem to be too meek (and weak?) and not strong enough to take a stand against our enemies. But on the mission field we found that a meek spirit won more converts than a demanding, overbearing one. It can help us accomplish our goals faster than if we shout that we won't yield to those who differ.
If we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we may find fulfillment in our church where there is refreshment for our souls. Don't sit around waiting.
The next seems to tell us that if we are merciful to others, then we will also receive mercy.
The next one seems impossible. When I asked a Bible study recently how many thought they were pure in heart, none of the people raised their hand. I doubt if any pastor could claim to be "pure in heart." I still hope we will get to see God.
We sure need peacemakers in this world. We give more honor to those whose job is to kill (even for a worthy cause). Think how we gave honor to Nelson Mandela at his funeral. He was able to bring peace to his country by his willingness to love his enemies. What higher reward can there be than to be called a son of God?
There may not be many who are persecuted for their faith except in mission fields all over the world. Two pastors were shot in Nepal while we were there and you could lose your job and even your family for your faith.
But if it does happen to you, rejoice.
Bob O.
