Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 7 (OT 7) Cycle C (2022)
Illustration
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Martin Luther observes in Joseph’s engagement with his brothers’ insights about how the Holy Spirit works. He wrote:
But Joseph, filled with the Holy Spirit, does not extinguish natural affection; he increases it. For the Holy Spirit is not given to remove and abolish implanted affections of nature but to restore dead nature to life, to arouse it when it is languid and asleep, and to correct it when it goes astray and turns aside. (Luther’s Works, Vol.8, p.16)
Luther also offers good advice to Christians when things are not going our way:
Therefore, let us learn not to follow our own thoughts or to measure and understand by our own counsels our misfortunes or works and experience. (Luther’s Works, Vol.8, p.29)
It has to do with how God works:
This, then, is the way the saints are governed and the wisdom of the Church of God, namely, that they are not scandalized by the counsels of God or offended by the face with which he meets us. For sometimes he wraps it up and hides it, lest we be able to recognize or look upon it. He is indeed the God of Life... But sometimes he covers it and puts on another mask... (Luther’s Works, Vol.8, pp.30-31)
A famous theologian of the early church named Tertullian taught that this story about Joseph reminds us of Jesus:
Joseph, again, himself was made a figure of Christ in this point alone... that he suffered persecution at the hands of his brethren, and was sold into Egypt, on account of the favor of God; just as Christ was sold by Israel — (and therefore.) “according to the flesh” by his “brethren”... (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol.3, p.165)
Mark E.
* * *
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
This passage talks about the body as a seed that must be planted. This calls to mind something a Guatemala farmer told me way back in 2001, when I visited there. Corn is a major crop, but the farmer didn’t consider every kernel of corn his. He put fine pieces of seed corn in his hand and told me that one seed was for the insects. Another seed was for the birds. The other three seeds were for him. He expected that other creatures would benefit from the corn he planted. He would not be the recipient of all the increase from the seed he sowed. It strikes me that when we think our physical bodies as seeds to be planted and later to be harvested as spiritual bodies, we’re only concerned with our harvest, our resurrection into new life. Yet this great miracle of salvation is not for our benefit only. We are meant to be blessing each other, and when the Son of God brings in the harvest at the last judgement that which is sown is not meant to benefit us solely, because all of creation and all of humanity are meant to benefit as well.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
The Los Angeles Times, on March 3, 1991, ran this story. On February 27, 1991, during the Desert Storm War, Ruth Dillow, a Kansas resident, received the worst visit of her life. Two officers came to report that her son, Clayton Carpenter, Private First Class, had stepped on a land mine and was dead. For the next three days she grieved. No one could comfort her.
On the third day after receiving the terrible news, the phone rang. On the other end of the phone there was a voice that said, “Mom, it’s me. I’m alive.” At first, she thought it was a cruel joke, but as the conversation continued, she realized it was her son.
Later she said she laughed and cried and rejoiced because what seemed to be a hopeless situation turned out to be the greatest day of her life. This is a powerful story and is a clear reminder of what Jesus did to death and the grave. “Hopeless situations” can become the greatest days of our lives because Jesus Christ lives.
Bill T.
* * *
Luke 6:27-38
Martin Luther offers an interesting insight about this text while preaching a sermon on it:
This is a remarkable statement. It shows us that God actually is more concerned about the service we render our neighbor than about the service we render him. (What Luther Says, p.526)
Regarding love for one’s enemies which Jesus directs us to do, Benjamin Franklin offered good advice: "Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults."
No less helpful in this connection is the wisdom of ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. He is reported to have noted that “Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself." On Jesus’ critique of judging others, marketing strategist Arthur Jonak has offered a sound insight, as he claims that, “Those who spend their time looking for the faults of others usually make no time to correct their own.”
The point of all of Jesus’ directives are well summarized by Martin Luther King, Jr.:
Darkness cannot drive our darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.
Mark E.
Martin Luther observes in Joseph’s engagement with his brothers’ insights about how the Holy Spirit works. He wrote:
But Joseph, filled with the Holy Spirit, does not extinguish natural affection; he increases it. For the Holy Spirit is not given to remove and abolish implanted affections of nature but to restore dead nature to life, to arouse it when it is languid and asleep, and to correct it when it goes astray and turns aside. (Luther’s Works, Vol.8, p.16)
Luther also offers good advice to Christians when things are not going our way:
Therefore, let us learn not to follow our own thoughts or to measure and understand by our own counsels our misfortunes or works and experience. (Luther’s Works, Vol.8, p.29)
It has to do with how God works:
This, then, is the way the saints are governed and the wisdom of the Church of God, namely, that they are not scandalized by the counsels of God or offended by the face with which he meets us. For sometimes he wraps it up and hides it, lest we be able to recognize or look upon it. He is indeed the God of Life... But sometimes he covers it and puts on another mask... (Luther’s Works, Vol.8, pp.30-31)
A famous theologian of the early church named Tertullian taught that this story about Joseph reminds us of Jesus:
Joseph, again, himself was made a figure of Christ in this point alone... that he suffered persecution at the hands of his brethren, and was sold into Egypt, on account of the favor of God; just as Christ was sold by Israel — (and therefore.) “according to the flesh” by his “brethren”... (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol.3, p.165)
Mark E.
* * *
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
This passage talks about the body as a seed that must be planted. This calls to mind something a Guatemala farmer told me way back in 2001, when I visited there. Corn is a major crop, but the farmer didn’t consider every kernel of corn his. He put fine pieces of seed corn in his hand and told me that one seed was for the insects. Another seed was for the birds. The other three seeds were for him. He expected that other creatures would benefit from the corn he planted. He would not be the recipient of all the increase from the seed he sowed. It strikes me that when we think our physical bodies as seeds to be planted and later to be harvested as spiritual bodies, we’re only concerned with our harvest, our resurrection into new life. Yet this great miracle of salvation is not for our benefit only. We are meant to be blessing each other, and when the Son of God brings in the harvest at the last judgement that which is sown is not meant to benefit us solely, because all of creation and all of humanity are meant to benefit as well.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
The Los Angeles Times, on March 3, 1991, ran this story. On February 27, 1991, during the Desert Storm War, Ruth Dillow, a Kansas resident, received the worst visit of her life. Two officers came to report that her son, Clayton Carpenter, Private First Class, had stepped on a land mine and was dead. For the next three days she grieved. No one could comfort her.
On the third day after receiving the terrible news, the phone rang. On the other end of the phone there was a voice that said, “Mom, it’s me. I’m alive.” At first, she thought it was a cruel joke, but as the conversation continued, she realized it was her son.
Later she said she laughed and cried and rejoiced because what seemed to be a hopeless situation turned out to be the greatest day of her life. This is a powerful story and is a clear reminder of what Jesus did to death and the grave. “Hopeless situations” can become the greatest days of our lives because Jesus Christ lives.
Bill T.
* * *
Luke 6:27-38
Martin Luther offers an interesting insight about this text while preaching a sermon on it:
This is a remarkable statement. It shows us that God actually is more concerned about the service we render our neighbor than about the service we render him. (What Luther Says, p.526)
Regarding love for one’s enemies which Jesus directs us to do, Benjamin Franklin offered good advice: "Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults."
No less helpful in this connection is the wisdom of ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. He is reported to have noted that “Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself." On Jesus’ critique of judging others, marketing strategist Arthur Jonak has offered a sound insight, as he claims that, “Those who spend their time looking for the faults of others usually make no time to correct their own.”
The point of all of Jesus’ directives are well summarized by Martin Luther King, Jr.:
Darkness cannot drive our darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.
Mark E.
