Sermon illustrations for Epiphany 7 (2011)
Illustration
Object:
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Charlize doesn't get along with her dad. Ever since her parents got a divorce, her dad has done one rude or stupid thing after another, and Charlize has had it. She wants to be done with him completely, just ignore him. It would be so easy to just drop him like a former friend, someone she used to know. But something won't let her. He's her father, and Charlize knows that family is not something you can just leave behind, discard like an old candy bar wrapper. For better or for worse, Charlize's family is her family. And no matter what they do to each other, at the end of the day they are still a family. She may be frustrated with her dad now, but these times will pass. Eventually, she will get over her pain and anger. Things may never be just like they used to be, but they will be better.
Leah T.
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Reginald Heber (783-1826) was a bishop in the Church of England. One of his avocations was writings hymns. In his lifetime, before his unexpected death at the age of 43, he wrote over fifty hymns. One of the last hymns he wrote was for Trinity Sunday. But, unsure of the quality of the stanzas he placed the finished work in a drawer and went about his other duties.
After his death, as his wife was sorting his belongings, she came across the desecrated manuscript titled, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." She took the lyrics to a friend, John Dykes, who put the words to music. A bishop who felt a hymn he had written was too unworthy to be sung is now one of the most popular hymns we have in worship.
Leviticus recounts an encounter between God and Moses: "The LORD said to Moses, 'Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.' " God is holy and that is to be reflected in our lives and our worship. This is why we can so robustly sing:
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, bless'd Trinity!
Ron L.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
St. Peter's basilica in Rome is the result of a massive building effort by many contributors. It was begun under the papacy of Julius II in 1506 and wasn't completed until 1626 under Pope Urban VIII, 19 popes later. Many people had a hand in its design and construction, people like Donato Bramante, Raphael, Fra Giocondo, and another artist by the name of Michelangelo. Despite all the different people that had a hand in its creation, it remains today one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the world.
The church has been built over the centuries in much the same way, with many people building on the work of the previous generation in reaching the world for Christ. As Paul puts it in this passage, "like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it" (v. 10).
Craig K.
Matthew 5:38-48
Frederick Douglass approached the front door of the White House, seeking admission into Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Ball. Just as Douglass was about to know on the door, two policemen seized him, barring the black man's entrance. Douglass, a large, powerful man, brushed the officers aside and stepped into the foyer. Once inside, two more officers grabbed the uninvited guest, all the while uttering racial maledictions. As Douglass was being dragged from the hall, he cried to a nearby patron, "Just say to Mr. Lincoln that Fred Douglass is at the door!" Confusion ensued. Then suddenly the officers received orders to usher Douglass into the East Room. In that beautiful room, the great abolitionist stood in the presence of the esteemed president. The place quieted as Lincoln approached his newly arrived guest, hand outstretched in greeting, and speaking in a voice loud enough so none could mistake his intent, the president announced, "Here comes my friend Douglass."
Our lectionary reading for today speaks continually about how we are to be peacemakers and transgress all social boundaries to help another person. We are to turn the other check, go the extra mile, love our enemies, and give to anyone who asks of us. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Disciples are loving, self-sacrificing, accepting, and forgiving.
Certainly in the foyer of the White House, to the chagrin of everyone else present, Abraham Lincoln demonstrated that he understood these admonitions. Can the same be said for you and me?
Ron L.
Matthew 5:38-48
In the 1992 film Last of the Mohicans, Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Hawkeye, an Englishman adopted and raised by Mohicans. The film takes place during the French and Indian War. Hawkeye is escorting two English women and an English soldier through a war zone when all three are captured by an enemy Indian tribe. The enemy tribe takes the captives to the tribe's chief for judgment, and Hawkeye decides to go to bargain for their lives. As he walks into the enemy village, carrying a sign of peace, the Indians hit, spit on, and cut him on his way to the chief. But instead of being angry and fighting these insults, Hawkeye keeps his eyes on his destination and does not react. He is a trespasser in their village. He has a goal to accomplish, and he will complete it in good faith -- no matter what obstacles may be in his path.
Leah T.
Charlize doesn't get along with her dad. Ever since her parents got a divorce, her dad has done one rude or stupid thing after another, and Charlize has had it. She wants to be done with him completely, just ignore him. It would be so easy to just drop him like a former friend, someone she used to know. But something won't let her. He's her father, and Charlize knows that family is not something you can just leave behind, discard like an old candy bar wrapper. For better or for worse, Charlize's family is her family. And no matter what they do to each other, at the end of the day they are still a family. She may be frustrated with her dad now, but these times will pass. Eventually, she will get over her pain and anger. Things may never be just like they used to be, but they will be better.
Leah T.
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Reginald Heber (783-1826) was a bishop in the Church of England. One of his avocations was writings hymns. In his lifetime, before his unexpected death at the age of 43, he wrote over fifty hymns. One of the last hymns he wrote was for Trinity Sunday. But, unsure of the quality of the stanzas he placed the finished work in a drawer and went about his other duties.
After his death, as his wife was sorting his belongings, she came across the desecrated manuscript titled, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." She took the lyrics to a friend, John Dykes, who put the words to music. A bishop who felt a hymn he had written was too unworthy to be sung is now one of the most popular hymns we have in worship.
Leviticus recounts an encounter between God and Moses: "The LORD said to Moses, 'Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.' " God is holy and that is to be reflected in our lives and our worship. This is why we can so robustly sing:
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, bless'd Trinity!
Ron L.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
St. Peter's basilica in Rome is the result of a massive building effort by many contributors. It was begun under the papacy of Julius II in 1506 and wasn't completed until 1626 under Pope Urban VIII, 19 popes later. Many people had a hand in its design and construction, people like Donato Bramante, Raphael, Fra Giocondo, and another artist by the name of Michelangelo. Despite all the different people that had a hand in its creation, it remains today one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the world.
The church has been built over the centuries in much the same way, with many people building on the work of the previous generation in reaching the world for Christ. As Paul puts it in this passage, "like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it" (v. 10).
Craig K.
Matthew 5:38-48
Frederick Douglass approached the front door of the White House, seeking admission into Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Ball. Just as Douglass was about to know on the door, two policemen seized him, barring the black man's entrance. Douglass, a large, powerful man, brushed the officers aside and stepped into the foyer. Once inside, two more officers grabbed the uninvited guest, all the while uttering racial maledictions. As Douglass was being dragged from the hall, he cried to a nearby patron, "Just say to Mr. Lincoln that Fred Douglass is at the door!" Confusion ensued. Then suddenly the officers received orders to usher Douglass into the East Room. In that beautiful room, the great abolitionist stood in the presence of the esteemed president. The place quieted as Lincoln approached his newly arrived guest, hand outstretched in greeting, and speaking in a voice loud enough so none could mistake his intent, the president announced, "Here comes my friend Douglass."
Our lectionary reading for today speaks continually about how we are to be peacemakers and transgress all social boundaries to help another person. We are to turn the other check, go the extra mile, love our enemies, and give to anyone who asks of us. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Disciples are loving, self-sacrificing, accepting, and forgiving.
Certainly in the foyer of the White House, to the chagrin of everyone else present, Abraham Lincoln demonstrated that he understood these admonitions. Can the same be said for you and me?
Ron L.
Matthew 5:38-48
In the 1992 film Last of the Mohicans, Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Hawkeye, an Englishman adopted and raised by Mohicans. The film takes place during the French and Indian War. Hawkeye is escorting two English women and an English soldier through a war zone when all three are captured by an enemy Indian tribe. The enemy tribe takes the captives to the tribe's chief for judgment, and Hawkeye decides to go to bargain for their lives. As he walks into the enemy village, carrying a sign of peace, the Indians hit, spit on, and cut him on his way to the chief. But instead of being angry and fighting these insults, Hawkeye keeps his eyes on his destination and does not react. He is a trespasser in their village. He has a goal to accomplish, and he will complete it in good faith -- no matter what obstacles may be in his path.
Leah T.
