Sermon Illustrations for Christ the King Sunday (Proper 29) (2015)
Illustration
Object:
2 Samuel 23:1-7
David is given credit for writing some of the Psalms (he is the singer of songs), and preceding these verses is one that is not included in the Psalms. This represents the end of David’s psalm composing. He is still called the exalted, the anointed, and the singer. What did he do to deserve that? But now, he says, his house is right with the Lord!
When you look at David’s life, it gives us hope. What he did to get Bathsheba is shameful and he did other things contrary to God’s commands, but he had one good point. He confessed his sinfulness to the Lord! This should give us hope, no matter how bad our sins are, that we can be forgiven if we confess sincerely with all our heart. Our Lord Jesus is a descendant of David, the sinful king, but Jesus is the sinless king and ruler of the universe.
It looks like some could find salvation even before Jesus came if they looked ahead to it and believed in his coming -- just as Jesus saw Moses and Elijah on the mountain, who did not come from the “pit.”
Then does this apply to those today who haven’t heard about Jesus, but are looking forward to his coming in some form or another? We should never use this as an excuse for failing in our mission to them! We may even be blamed if we could have “saved” them but failed.
The Apaches had another name for God (Usen), but when the Spanish priests came and told them about our God, they recognized him as the same god they had been worshiping.
That should encourage us to preach the word to all the world and hope that other nations will recognize Jesus as the one they have been worshiping.
One Roman Catholic priest who knew the Dalai Lama felt that he was very close to our God. The Lama did not want to convert Christians to Buddhism either!
In Nepal, the Buddhists were easier to convert than the Hindus (who had many gods). But whoever heard the gospel recognized the hand of God in it. Do we also recognize his hand in our service and lives?
Bob O.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Wes Craven is a master of horror cinema who popularized the slasher genre, including his classic Nightmare on Elm Street. In this film Craven’s most famous creation was serial killer Freddy Krueger, portrayed by Robert Englund. With his razor-blade glove, Krueger haunted the dreams of many high school students -- and the movie was very profitable, costing only $1.8 million to produce while grossing over $25 million. Craven’s theory on the appeal of horror films is that they get under moviegoers’ skin in unexpected ways. He says, “Horror movies have to show us something that hasn’t been shown before so that the audience is completely taken aback. You see, it’s not just that people want to be scared; people are scared.”
Application: We are told in our lesson that evil is touching thorns. Evil does scare us.
Ron L.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
A much briefer poem opens this chapter (vv. 1-7). Strikingly, its initial words recall the prophet Bil’am’s inspired vision of a peaceful, secure Israel in Numbers 22-24. The poem touts the theme of God’s reassurance, presenting mainly the natural imagery of light and growth for David himself, and concluding with a fiery portrayal of his enemies’ demise. The latter is a frequent theme in the book of Psalms.
(Everett Fox, The Early Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, The Schocken Bible: Volume II,p. 536)
Frank R.
Revelation 1:4b-8
The little girl sat on the front porch. She was a picture of loveliness. She’d put on her prettiest dress and was carrying her coin purse. She wore her church shoes, very nicely framing her socks that had ruffles at the top. She even wore her hat. She waited on the porch, watching as several people went by on the street in front of her house. Most of them were pleasant as they passed, but all of them were curious. “What are you doing?” they would ask her. She smiled and told them, “Waiting.” Some of her neighbors heard her as they continued to work in their yards or play, thinking that the little girl was playing a great game of make-believe. She’d been there a long time. No one had come, and they didn’t think that would change any time soon. They were shocked, though, when a huge black car stopped at the curb in front of her house. A man stepped from the back seat. Everyone on the street and in their yards stopped to watch as he gracefully exited the car. He pushed open the gate and smiled. “Grandpa,” the little girl cried out as the man tipped his hat to her, “I didn’t want to be late for our special date.” They both waved to everyone on her street as they drove away for a special day.
Jesus is coming again. When he comes all will see him, even those who don’t believe. Though so many don’t get it, keep waiting and watching. His coming will be worth it.
Bill T.
Revelation 1:4b-8
The refrain to the song “Days of Elijah” (written by Robin Mark) is: “Behold he comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun at the trumpet’s call. So lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee. Out of Zion’s hill, salvation comes.” If you haven’t heard the song, you need to listen to it. It is a celebration of this passage of scripture, of the hope and promise that this human life is not the end, that Jesus is coming, is the beginning and the end. For those of us who are people of faith, this is the message of hope we need in a weary and war-torn world.
But it was also the message the church needed in the first century, in the days when John was exiled on Patmos and the churches were being persecuted. When John, as exiled pastor, wrote to the church, he wanted them to remember that the current time would not last for all time, that the current struggle would not last forever. He wanted the people to know that God was present and that Jesus was coming.
This is the message of love. Every time we love one another as Jesus has loved us, Jesus comes -- riding on the clouds of our compassion, mercy, and reconciliation. Behold, he comes!
Bonnie B.
Revelation 1:4b-8
Famed 20th-century Reformed theologian Karl Barth spoke of the “pronouncedly revolutionary character of His [Jesus’] relationship to the order of life” (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/2, p. 171):
...as long as there is history at all, [the order of life and value] enjoy a transitory validity in the history of every human place.... This is how He Himself deals with them, not in principle, not in the execution of a program, but for this reason in a way in which is all the more revolutionary, as the One who breaks all bonds asunder, in new historical developments and situations each of which is for those who can see and hear -- only a sign, but an unmistakable sign, of His freedom and kingdom and over-ruling history (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/2, p. 173).
Jesus makes the future present -- a future that changes the order of things, sets us free from the oppression of life and business as usual. When you realize that when you walk with Jesus you are in the future reality of God, then you can heed the sound of advice of American sociologist Charlotte Perkins Gilman: “Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead. It is going on all the time.” And we can also say along with comedian George Burns: “I look to the future, because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.”
Mark E.
John 18:33-37
Sometimes we are like the Jews and expect God to overcome earthly kingdoms (such as the Roman empire) who don’t measure up to his standards. That was what worried Pilate the most -- if Jesus claimed to be an earthly king competing with Caesar. When Pilate knew that there was no evidence of an earthly kingdom, he didn’t pursue that but demanded to know what the real motive was for having Jesus arrested.
I hear so many, even good Christians, crying out to the Lord to come “right now” and save the world from political turmoil. The Jews in Jesus’ day would have believed in him if he had overcome the Roman conquerors and restored the Jewish kingdom. Pilate still pursues that claim of Jesus as king and he gets his answer: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Some have trouble believing that a good, holy, and loving God who is all-powerful would allow the tragedies that we see in the news. If he is up there, why doesn’t God just wave his wand and end all the insanity in the world?
Then I ask, why would we have to “learn” to trust in him? It sounds like it is a process and not an instant thing.
The point is that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. His coming was to prepare us for the next world -- his heavenly kingdom! We find out that the rules are different in God’s kingdom.
God’s word promises that we don’t have to wait until we die to be a part of Jesus’ kingdom. We can be one of his citizens right now! We live in two kingdoms! One will end, but the other will go on for all eternity. We can be thankful that our present “kingdom” is not that bad (compared to the Romans). But we look forward to an even better one!
Bob O.
John 18:33-37
Fanny Crosby is considered one of the greatest hymn writers in the history of the church. The perseverance that allowed her to continue with heart, she testifies, came from the assurance of God’s divine presence. In January 1864, Crosby had an encounter with God that transformed her life. One night she had a dream; it was a vision in which she found herself in an immense observatory -- before her was the largest telescope one could ever imagine. She looked through the telescope and saw a brilliant, captivating star. Suddenly she was moving through space towards that star, when abruptly she came to the edge of a beautiful river. The scene was so peaceful, so inviting, that Fanny wanted to continue on. She even asked to be invited across that golden spectacle. In response to her request she heard the voice of God. Her heavenly parent brought a stillness to her soul when he spoke these gentle words: “Not now, Fanny. You must return to the earth and do your work there before you enter those sacred bounds; but ere you go, I will leave the gates open a little way, so you can hear one burst of the celestial music.”
Application: As Jesus was able to stand before Pilate, he can stand before all adversity. In Jesus we truly have a king who watches over our lives.
Ron L.
John 18:33-37
Although Pilate tries to separate the politics of state from the politics of religion, the trial is of cosmic religious consequence. Jesus’ terms of kingdom and kingship (18:36 RSV) supersede Pilate’s comprehension. My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here. Pilate is confronted with power and kingship not from this world. Jesus concretizes the point by denouncing fighting. The word used here (agonizomai)is derived from athletic imagery and has the meaning of contending.... In 2 Timothy 4:7a, the same term is used but is translated with military imagery, as fighting: “I have fought the good fight” (in athletic terms, “I have competed well in the contest”). Jesus’ servants (huperetes) do not run a this-worldly race.
(Willard Swartley, John: A Believer’s Church Bible Commentary,pp. 427-428)
Frank R.
David is given credit for writing some of the Psalms (he is the singer of songs), and preceding these verses is one that is not included in the Psalms. This represents the end of David’s psalm composing. He is still called the exalted, the anointed, and the singer. What did he do to deserve that? But now, he says, his house is right with the Lord!
When you look at David’s life, it gives us hope. What he did to get Bathsheba is shameful and he did other things contrary to God’s commands, but he had one good point. He confessed his sinfulness to the Lord! This should give us hope, no matter how bad our sins are, that we can be forgiven if we confess sincerely with all our heart. Our Lord Jesus is a descendant of David, the sinful king, but Jesus is the sinless king and ruler of the universe.
It looks like some could find salvation even before Jesus came if they looked ahead to it and believed in his coming -- just as Jesus saw Moses and Elijah on the mountain, who did not come from the “pit.”
Then does this apply to those today who haven’t heard about Jesus, but are looking forward to his coming in some form or another? We should never use this as an excuse for failing in our mission to them! We may even be blamed if we could have “saved” them but failed.
The Apaches had another name for God (Usen), but when the Spanish priests came and told them about our God, they recognized him as the same god they had been worshiping.
That should encourage us to preach the word to all the world and hope that other nations will recognize Jesus as the one they have been worshiping.
One Roman Catholic priest who knew the Dalai Lama felt that he was very close to our God. The Lama did not want to convert Christians to Buddhism either!
In Nepal, the Buddhists were easier to convert than the Hindus (who had many gods). But whoever heard the gospel recognized the hand of God in it. Do we also recognize his hand in our service and lives?
Bob O.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Wes Craven is a master of horror cinema who popularized the slasher genre, including his classic Nightmare on Elm Street. In this film Craven’s most famous creation was serial killer Freddy Krueger, portrayed by Robert Englund. With his razor-blade glove, Krueger haunted the dreams of many high school students -- and the movie was very profitable, costing only $1.8 million to produce while grossing over $25 million. Craven’s theory on the appeal of horror films is that they get under moviegoers’ skin in unexpected ways. He says, “Horror movies have to show us something that hasn’t been shown before so that the audience is completely taken aback. You see, it’s not just that people want to be scared; people are scared.”
Application: We are told in our lesson that evil is touching thorns. Evil does scare us.
Ron L.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
A much briefer poem opens this chapter (vv. 1-7). Strikingly, its initial words recall the prophet Bil’am’s inspired vision of a peaceful, secure Israel in Numbers 22-24. The poem touts the theme of God’s reassurance, presenting mainly the natural imagery of light and growth for David himself, and concluding with a fiery portrayal of his enemies’ demise. The latter is a frequent theme in the book of Psalms.
(Everett Fox, The Early Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, The Schocken Bible: Volume II,p. 536)
Frank R.
Revelation 1:4b-8
The little girl sat on the front porch. She was a picture of loveliness. She’d put on her prettiest dress and was carrying her coin purse. She wore her church shoes, very nicely framing her socks that had ruffles at the top. She even wore her hat. She waited on the porch, watching as several people went by on the street in front of her house. Most of them were pleasant as they passed, but all of them were curious. “What are you doing?” they would ask her. She smiled and told them, “Waiting.” Some of her neighbors heard her as they continued to work in their yards or play, thinking that the little girl was playing a great game of make-believe. She’d been there a long time. No one had come, and they didn’t think that would change any time soon. They were shocked, though, when a huge black car stopped at the curb in front of her house. A man stepped from the back seat. Everyone on the street and in their yards stopped to watch as he gracefully exited the car. He pushed open the gate and smiled. “Grandpa,” the little girl cried out as the man tipped his hat to her, “I didn’t want to be late for our special date.” They both waved to everyone on her street as they drove away for a special day.
Jesus is coming again. When he comes all will see him, even those who don’t believe. Though so many don’t get it, keep waiting and watching. His coming will be worth it.
Bill T.
Revelation 1:4b-8
The refrain to the song “Days of Elijah” (written by Robin Mark) is: “Behold he comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun at the trumpet’s call. So lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee. Out of Zion’s hill, salvation comes.” If you haven’t heard the song, you need to listen to it. It is a celebration of this passage of scripture, of the hope and promise that this human life is not the end, that Jesus is coming, is the beginning and the end. For those of us who are people of faith, this is the message of hope we need in a weary and war-torn world.
But it was also the message the church needed in the first century, in the days when John was exiled on Patmos and the churches were being persecuted. When John, as exiled pastor, wrote to the church, he wanted them to remember that the current time would not last for all time, that the current struggle would not last forever. He wanted the people to know that God was present and that Jesus was coming.
This is the message of love. Every time we love one another as Jesus has loved us, Jesus comes -- riding on the clouds of our compassion, mercy, and reconciliation. Behold, he comes!
Bonnie B.
Revelation 1:4b-8
Famed 20th-century Reformed theologian Karl Barth spoke of the “pronouncedly revolutionary character of His [Jesus’] relationship to the order of life” (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/2, p. 171):
...as long as there is history at all, [the order of life and value] enjoy a transitory validity in the history of every human place.... This is how He Himself deals with them, not in principle, not in the execution of a program, but for this reason in a way in which is all the more revolutionary, as the One who breaks all bonds asunder, in new historical developments and situations each of which is for those who can see and hear -- only a sign, but an unmistakable sign, of His freedom and kingdom and over-ruling history (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/2, p. 173).
Jesus makes the future present -- a future that changes the order of things, sets us free from the oppression of life and business as usual. When you realize that when you walk with Jesus you are in the future reality of God, then you can heed the sound of advice of American sociologist Charlotte Perkins Gilman: “Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead. It is going on all the time.” And we can also say along with comedian George Burns: “I look to the future, because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.”
Mark E.
John 18:33-37
Sometimes we are like the Jews and expect God to overcome earthly kingdoms (such as the Roman empire) who don’t measure up to his standards. That was what worried Pilate the most -- if Jesus claimed to be an earthly king competing with Caesar. When Pilate knew that there was no evidence of an earthly kingdom, he didn’t pursue that but demanded to know what the real motive was for having Jesus arrested.
I hear so many, even good Christians, crying out to the Lord to come “right now” and save the world from political turmoil. The Jews in Jesus’ day would have believed in him if he had overcome the Roman conquerors and restored the Jewish kingdom. Pilate still pursues that claim of Jesus as king and he gets his answer: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Some have trouble believing that a good, holy, and loving God who is all-powerful would allow the tragedies that we see in the news. If he is up there, why doesn’t God just wave his wand and end all the insanity in the world?
Then I ask, why would we have to “learn” to trust in him? It sounds like it is a process and not an instant thing.
The point is that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. His coming was to prepare us for the next world -- his heavenly kingdom! We find out that the rules are different in God’s kingdom.
God’s word promises that we don’t have to wait until we die to be a part of Jesus’ kingdom. We can be one of his citizens right now! We live in two kingdoms! One will end, but the other will go on for all eternity. We can be thankful that our present “kingdom” is not that bad (compared to the Romans). But we look forward to an even better one!
Bob O.
John 18:33-37
Fanny Crosby is considered one of the greatest hymn writers in the history of the church. The perseverance that allowed her to continue with heart, she testifies, came from the assurance of God’s divine presence. In January 1864, Crosby had an encounter with God that transformed her life. One night she had a dream; it was a vision in which she found herself in an immense observatory -- before her was the largest telescope one could ever imagine. She looked through the telescope and saw a brilliant, captivating star. Suddenly she was moving through space towards that star, when abruptly she came to the edge of a beautiful river. The scene was so peaceful, so inviting, that Fanny wanted to continue on. She even asked to be invited across that golden spectacle. In response to her request she heard the voice of God. Her heavenly parent brought a stillness to her soul when he spoke these gentle words: “Not now, Fanny. You must return to the earth and do your work there before you enter those sacred bounds; but ere you go, I will leave the gates open a little way, so you can hear one burst of the celestial music.”
Application: As Jesus was able to stand before Pilate, he can stand before all adversity. In Jesus we truly have a king who watches over our lives.
Ron L.
John 18:33-37
Although Pilate tries to separate the politics of state from the politics of religion, the trial is of cosmic religious consequence. Jesus’ terms of kingdom and kingship (18:36 RSV) supersede Pilate’s comprehension. My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here. Pilate is confronted with power and kingship not from this world. Jesus concretizes the point by denouncing fighting. The word used here (agonizomai)is derived from athletic imagery and has the meaning of contending.... In 2 Timothy 4:7a, the same term is used but is translated with military imagery, as fighting: “I have fought the good fight” (in athletic terms, “I have competed well in the contest”). Jesus’ servants (huperetes) do not run a this-worldly race.
(Willard Swartley, John: A Believer’s Church Bible Commentary,pp. 427-428)
Frank R.
