Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (OT 3) Cycle C (2019)
Illustration
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Imagine a worship service, a sharing of scripture and interpretation, that went on from dawn until midday. How would you respond? In many of our mainline churches a worship service that last more than an hour risks negative comments to the pastor. “Worship was too long.” “I have other things to do today.” “Can’t you try to keep worship to an hour?”
I can remember being interviewed by a congregational search committee and being asked how long I preached. My response, accurate and not flippant at all was, “Until I’m done.” My spirit connects with the Holy Spirit during my sermon preparation. I strive to offer the message God wants me to offer. I can’t, and won’t try to, control how long the message will take. Ezra following the guidance of God, reads to the people from the book of Law and then sends the people forth to celebrate the holiness of the day and the abiding presence of God. May it be so for us in worship as well.
Bonnie B.
***
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
The U.S. poverty rate reached 12.7 percent in 2016, before Trump was elected. That came as the unemployment rate fell from a high of 10 percent to 4.7 percent at the end of 2016. With the unemployment rate still dropping, perhaps the poverty rate will be better by the time you are ready to preach on this text. But any hungry child is one too many! A Christian concern for the poor is not new. Based on this lesson’s call to share our bounty with the poor, it is well to note how prominent Christians of the past have argued that sharing wealth (even its redistribution) is the business of Christians. Augustine put it this way:
He who uses his wealth badly possesses it wrongfully, and wrongful possession means that it is another’s property... Yet, even here, we do not intercede to prevent restitution from being made according to earthly customs and laws. (Fathers of the Church, Vol.20, p.302)
And Martin Luther argued that the purpose of government is “to establish and maintain order is all areas of trade and commerce in order that the poor not be burdened and oppressed.” (The Book of Concord [2000 ed.], 419.249)
Mark E.
***
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
A parable is told about a group of animals deciding to improve their general welfare by starting a school. The curriculum included swimming, running, climbing and flying. The duck, an excellent swimmer, was deficient in other areas. He decided to major in climbing, running and flying, much to the detriment of his swimming. The rabbit, the superior runner, was forced to spend so much of his time in other classrooms that he lost much of his famed speed. The squirrel, who had been rated “A” as a climber, dropped to a “C,” because his instructor spent hours trying to teach him to swim and fly. And the eagle was disciplined for soaring to the treetops, when he had been told to learn how to climb, even though flying was most natural for him.
This parable circulated for years in educational circles as a reminder that people are different. Everyone is not the same. That’s the genius as well as the frustration of being a human being. In the church, there are all kinds of different people and different gifts. God chose to equip his people with a wide variety of gifts. Not everyone is the same, nor should they seek to be. Let’s celebrate the wonderful diversity that is the Body of Christ.
Bill T.
***
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Scientists in Paul’s time knew that the world was round, and proved it by scientific observation. While their model of the cosmos was not totally correct it was based on observation that was checked by others. Scientists laid out their evidence. One judged based on the evidence, and trusted the testimony of reliable people.
That’s no so today. There is a whole subculture that inhabits some of the more obtuse corners of the internet that believes the earth is flat, despite the evidence. There are people who believe the Holocaust never happened. There are those who deny basic truths about the universe, and refuse to listen to reasoned proofs because what they feel is more important than what we know.
This is Paul’s legal brief, meant to persuade those who are able to listen to evidence and evaluate it. In the eleven verses prior to this passage Paul begins with a series of witnesses. It is an impressive list, consisting not only of some important names, the apostles for instance, but also a large group of over five hundred people, many who are still alive, who can testify to an astounding event -- Jesus is risen.
This passage then hinges on that most powerful of rhetorical devises the If-THEN statement. IF-THEN is essential to computer programming. IF something is yes, THEN do this. IF no, THEN do something else. And if we are willing to accept the many witnesses Paul lists, how can we deny the Resurrection.
What is the alternative? If Jesus is not raised from the dead we are the most foolish of people. Everything is thrown out the window. But since Paul has established a witness list then the opposite proposition, that Christ is actually raised from the dead, means we are the most fortunate of people.
Frank R.
***
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
The theological concept that Paul put forth that we are one body with many members can be applied to so many cooperative enterprises. NASA’s spacecraft, the New Horizon, has now travelled farther from earth than any other spacecraft to explore a distant object in our universe. The spacecraft has now reached the mysterious frozen body Ultima Thule, that is shaped like a blowing pin, and is 4 billion miles from earth. New Horizon left earth in 2006 and has now passed within 2,200 miles of Ultima Thule. The victory came shortly into the New Year at 12:33 a.m. The object is so far from earth that it takes six hours for a message sent from New Horizon to reach earth. As Ultima Thule was formed with the rest of the universe 4.5 billion years ago, it is hoped that it can help us understand the origin of the universes. The project was a group effort, as it took 12 years to sell the project, 5 years to build it, and 9 years for it to reach its first target, Pluto.
Ron L.
***
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus comes home to Nazareth and is invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue. He does so with authority and confidence. He reads one of my favorite passages from Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus then proclaims the fulfillment of this prophecy.
The reality is that the spirit is on us, too, individually and collectively, that we might offer the same gifts in the world. The divinity of the risen Christ is in us. The spirit of the Lord surrounds us. We, too, are called to act in ways the bring good news, release, recovery, and freedom to those we meet in the world. May it be so.
Bonnie B.
***
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus was unimpressed by power and position. His whole ministry, especially his own sense of what God had in store in the future, was to overcome barriers, including economic barriers. This is evident in his call to his followers to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and oppressed (vv.18-19). Theologians call this idea a “preferential option for the poor.” Pope Benedict XVI explained it nicely:
... the preferential option for the poor is implicit in the Christological faith in the God Who became poor for us, so as to enrich us with His poverty.
The famed political speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream,” employed a sense of what this text implies, that the Kingdom of God is at hand and that this has implications for abolishing distinctions in society. Just as the dream King had entailed that black and white, rich and poor belong together in America, so Jesus refers to end time themes in reaching out to the poor and oppressed. Famed New Testament scholar Rudolf Bultmann made clear that when you have an end-time, Kingdom of God point of view, the things of the world, like wealth, don’t matter much:
But everyone is confronted [by the belief in the End Times] with deciding what he will set his heart upon – on God or on worldly goods... for the Reign of God one must be ready for any sacrifice. (Theology of the New Testament, Vol.1, p.10)
Martin Luther once made a similar point:
Let us learn the art of letting the world boast of great wealth, honor, power, etc. After all, these are light, unstable, perishable commodities, which God throws away. It is a trifling matter to Him to give a kingdom, principality, or some other honor... (What Luther Says, p.1465)
Mark E.
Imagine a worship service, a sharing of scripture and interpretation, that went on from dawn until midday. How would you respond? In many of our mainline churches a worship service that last more than an hour risks negative comments to the pastor. “Worship was too long.” “I have other things to do today.” “Can’t you try to keep worship to an hour?”
I can remember being interviewed by a congregational search committee and being asked how long I preached. My response, accurate and not flippant at all was, “Until I’m done.” My spirit connects with the Holy Spirit during my sermon preparation. I strive to offer the message God wants me to offer. I can’t, and won’t try to, control how long the message will take. Ezra following the guidance of God, reads to the people from the book of Law and then sends the people forth to celebrate the holiness of the day and the abiding presence of God. May it be so for us in worship as well.
Bonnie B.
***
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
The U.S. poverty rate reached 12.7 percent in 2016, before Trump was elected. That came as the unemployment rate fell from a high of 10 percent to 4.7 percent at the end of 2016. With the unemployment rate still dropping, perhaps the poverty rate will be better by the time you are ready to preach on this text. But any hungry child is one too many! A Christian concern for the poor is not new. Based on this lesson’s call to share our bounty with the poor, it is well to note how prominent Christians of the past have argued that sharing wealth (even its redistribution) is the business of Christians. Augustine put it this way:
He who uses his wealth badly possesses it wrongfully, and wrongful possession means that it is another’s property... Yet, even here, we do not intercede to prevent restitution from being made according to earthly customs and laws. (Fathers of the Church, Vol.20, p.302)
And Martin Luther argued that the purpose of government is “to establish and maintain order is all areas of trade and commerce in order that the poor not be burdened and oppressed.” (The Book of Concord [2000 ed.], 419.249)
Mark E.
***
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
A parable is told about a group of animals deciding to improve their general welfare by starting a school. The curriculum included swimming, running, climbing and flying. The duck, an excellent swimmer, was deficient in other areas. He decided to major in climbing, running and flying, much to the detriment of his swimming. The rabbit, the superior runner, was forced to spend so much of his time in other classrooms that he lost much of his famed speed. The squirrel, who had been rated “A” as a climber, dropped to a “C,” because his instructor spent hours trying to teach him to swim and fly. And the eagle was disciplined for soaring to the treetops, when he had been told to learn how to climb, even though flying was most natural for him.
This parable circulated for years in educational circles as a reminder that people are different. Everyone is not the same. That’s the genius as well as the frustration of being a human being. In the church, there are all kinds of different people and different gifts. God chose to equip his people with a wide variety of gifts. Not everyone is the same, nor should they seek to be. Let’s celebrate the wonderful diversity that is the Body of Christ.
Bill T.
***
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Scientists in Paul’s time knew that the world was round, and proved it by scientific observation. While their model of the cosmos was not totally correct it was based on observation that was checked by others. Scientists laid out their evidence. One judged based on the evidence, and trusted the testimony of reliable people.
That’s no so today. There is a whole subculture that inhabits some of the more obtuse corners of the internet that believes the earth is flat, despite the evidence. There are people who believe the Holocaust never happened. There are those who deny basic truths about the universe, and refuse to listen to reasoned proofs because what they feel is more important than what we know.
This is Paul’s legal brief, meant to persuade those who are able to listen to evidence and evaluate it. In the eleven verses prior to this passage Paul begins with a series of witnesses. It is an impressive list, consisting not only of some important names, the apostles for instance, but also a large group of over five hundred people, many who are still alive, who can testify to an astounding event -- Jesus is risen.
This passage then hinges on that most powerful of rhetorical devises the If-THEN statement. IF-THEN is essential to computer programming. IF something is yes, THEN do this. IF no, THEN do something else. And if we are willing to accept the many witnesses Paul lists, how can we deny the Resurrection.
What is the alternative? If Jesus is not raised from the dead we are the most foolish of people. Everything is thrown out the window. But since Paul has established a witness list then the opposite proposition, that Christ is actually raised from the dead, means we are the most fortunate of people.
Frank R.
***
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
The theological concept that Paul put forth that we are one body with many members can be applied to so many cooperative enterprises. NASA’s spacecraft, the New Horizon, has now travelled farther from earth than any other spacecraft to explore a distant object in our universe. The spacecraft has now reached the mysterious frozen body Ultima Thule, that is shaped like a blowing pin, and is 4 billion miles from earth. New Horizon left earth in 2006 and has now passed within 2,200 miles of Ultima Thule. The victory came shortly into the New Year at 12:33 a.m. The object is so far from earth that it takes six hours for a message sent from New Horizon to reach earth. As Ultima Thule was formed with the rest of the universe 4.5 billion years ago, it is hoped that it can help us understand the origin of the universes. The project was a group effort, as it took 12 years to sell the project, 5 years to build it, and 9 years for it to reach its first target, Pluto.
Ron L.
***
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus comes home to Nazareth and is invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue. He does so with authority and confidence. He reads one of my favorite passages from Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus then proclaims the fulfillment of this prophecy.
The reality is that the spirit is on us, too, individually and collectively, that we might offer the same gifts in the world. The divinity of the risen Christ is in us. The spirit of the Lord surrounds us. We, too, are called to act in ways the bring good news, release, recovery, and freedom to those we meet in the world. May it be so.
Bonnie B.
***
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus was unimpressed by power and position. His whole ministry, especially his own sense of what God had in store in the future, was to overcome barriers, including economic barriers. This is evident in his call to his followers to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and oppressed (vv.18-19). Theologians call this idea a “preferential option for the poor.” Pope Benedict XVI explained it nicely:
... the preferential option for the poor is implicit in the Christological faith in the God Who became poor for us, so as to enrich us with His poverty.
The famed political speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream,” employed a sense of what this text implies, that the Kingdom of God is at hand and that this has implications for abolishing distinctions in society. Just as the dream King had entailed that black and white, rich and poor belong together in America, so Jesus refers to end time themes in reaching out to the poor and oppressed. Famed New Testament scholar Rudolf Bultmann made clear that when you have an end-time, Kingdom of God point of view, the things of the world, like wealth, don’t matter much:
But everyone is confronted [by the belief in the End Times] with deciding what he will set his heart upon – on God or on worldly goods... for the Reign of God one must be ready for any sacrifice. (Theology of the New Testament, Vol.1, p.10)
Martin Luther once made a similar point:
Let us learn the art of letting the world boast of great wealth, honor, power, etc. After all, these are light, unstable, perishable commodities, which God throws away. It is a trifling matter to Him to give a kingdom, principality, or some other honor... (What Luther Says, p.1465)
Mark E.
