Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2018)
Illustration
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19 and Psalm 24
L.P. Lehman wrote a book on sermon illustrations. Throughout his book he compared a sermon to a house with a door and windows. An effective sermon must have both. The door is a sermon illustration. The door allows the listener to enter the sermon and become a participant. It is a story that allows individuals to relate to the doctrinal topic of the sermon. Lehman wrote that every minister “needs a door somewhere in his sermon so that the spectator may become a participant.” Windows allow an outsider to look in, but it prevents them from participating. Lehman wrote that “windows do not allow outsiders to become insiders and participants in what they see.” But, a window allows those who are inside to “receive light and gaze with pity on those who are outside.” A door — an illustration — brings us into the sermon. A window — for those who are inside — shows us where we need to go with the gospel message.
Application: In 2 Samuel we are told that worship should be a joyful experience. It is so joyful that worshipers find themselves dancing. It is our door to enter the celebration. In the psalm we learn that in worship we are to “lift up our heads.” We are to lift up our heads to the Lord so we can know where we should go with the gospel message. We lift up our heads to look out the window of our calling.
Ron L.
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19 and Psalm 24
At the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi there is a galaxy-wide celebration that the empire has fallen. The people are finally free. There are shots of dancing, fireworks and laughter from multiple planets as everyone rejoices. The end of that movie depicts unrestrained joy and excitement. It is not unlike the emotions that David and the Israelites felt when the ark of the covenant was brought back. It was a time of unbridled joy and uninhibited praise. Nearly everyone reveled in the moment (Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter did not see the joy, but she was likely the only one).
Are there times for celebratory worship? Some of the words to one of my favorite songs came to mind while reading this passage. David Ruis, in these words, describes a time of future joy, dancing and celebration. They read…
Bill T.
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24
David’s wife Michal disdained him because he was cavorting so wildly as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. Yet according to the ancient Jewish scholar Maimonides, Moses told the people that they were served punishments because they would not serve the Lord in joy and gladness (cf. Deuteronomy 28:47). Maimonides also quoted Proverbs 25:6, that one should not exalt themselves in the King’s presence. He concluded “However, whoever humbles himself and makes little of himself is in these instances who is great and honorable and serves [God] in love. And thus did David say: ‘I shall dishonor myself even more and be low in my own esteem’ (2 Samuel 6:22).”
This is awfully close to what Jesus said in a parable, that whoever exalts themselves shall be humbled, and whoever humbles themselves shall be exalted. (The quote is from “The JPS Bible Commentary Haftarot,” p. 168.)
Frank R.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Inheritances are interesting. As a local church pastor, I encountered families who had more disputes about what was to be inherited than they seemed to grieve the loss of a family member. In my own family, I missed knowing a whole side of my family because my paternal grandfather had an argument with his brothers about the family farm and severed his relationships with the family. My Dad maintained that distance. Or we could look at my mother’s family. She worked, rented an apartment and supported her grandmother. When my grandmother died, my Mom’s aunts swooped in to claim most of what was in the apartment — even though the items belonged to my Mom and not my great-grandmother. Inheritances are interesting.
Paul’s letter gives us an entirely different perspective. We are told that through Jesus we are inheritors of the kingdom of God, we have become God’s beloved children. When I think about the sacrifices of Jesus, the teachings of Jesus, an inheritance takes on a whole new meaning. Kinship with God, Jesus as a brother, all other humans as sisters and brothers — this is an inheritance that overwhelms me. Stuff matters a whole lost less.
Bonnie B.
Ephesians 1:3-14
A Barna group survey revealed that nearly 3 in 4 Americans do not think salvation is certain, since they believe that we must earn our way into heaven by our good works. In contrast, this lesson certifies the certainty we can have, as it proclaims our election in Christ (vv.4-5). Not sure if you are among the elect? Martin Luther offered an interesting answer. He advised us to take hold of our noses, search our guts, and then it will become evident that we are part of the world and so belong to the number of elect (Complete Sermons, Vol.2/1, p.364). John Calvin elaborates on the unity we have in Christ:
Mark E.
Ephesians 1:3-14
That passage always makes me think that we were all predestined to belong to our Lord. It doesn’t say who were lost. My own children might refuse to accept me as father. That might be because they did not accept the future I had planned for them. That might mean they would not inherit the estate that my will would give them. Whatever future was planned, I would still always be their father as God is always our Lord.
There is a denomination that believes in predestination in either direction. When one of their pastors is ordained, he pledges that he will serve the Lord even if he is predestined to damnation!
There are some who might not accept the treasure God has planned for them because it would mean they would have to accept the will of their heavenly Father every day. God’s will might deny them all the fun things they hoped for like taking money that did not belong to them or going to bed with someone already married. I can think of many more commandments that could be broken by heart, soul or mind.
We are the ones who must decide how we will respond to the great love God has given us — if we accept it.
We are adopted as Jesus children. Yes it was through his blood and sacrifice, but there is another passage that enlarges it a bit. The Bible also tells us that we are the bride of Christ. I sometimes think of this implying to our church. Christ had one bride, not a Baptist bride and a Lutheran bride and a Methodist bride, etc. We are one in him and not a mess of denominations. Jesus was not a polygamist. If that is true, then our church can become our mother — Christ’s bride. Don’t try to take that too far. Be careful not to take that passage literally as we are not all “sons.” Some are daughters. Right? I would rather translate that passage “children” of Christ.
I always like that it is based on “love.” God is love. That is the center of scripture. That is why Jesus came to save us. So our motive to serve him must always be love. God loves us so we should also love him in return as he gives us the will and strength to do so.
Bob O.
Mark 6:14-29
We all occasionally say things that would be better left unsaid. We will blurt out an indiscretion, let slip some embarrassing truth or foolishly create a bad situation by a thoughtless remark or promise. American author Edgar Allan Poe blamed such careless utterances on “the imp of the perverse,” while Sigmund Freud ascribed them to the “counter will.” The French called such gaffes a ‘faux pas’ — literally a ‘false step.’ This expression goes back to the days of Louis XIV, a period when etiquette demanded everyone must dance perfectly. Making a ‘false step’ during one of the Royal balls was to risk expulsion from court.
King Herod, in the text today, commits the ultimate faux pas. Herod had taken Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, to be his bride. This brought him the condemnation of John. Herod arrested him, and Herodias hated him. On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod and his guests. He was overcome with delight and he blurted out a promise he’d soon regret. She could have anything, up to half of the kingdom. She went out to her mom and came back with the request; John’s head on a platter. That wasn’t part of Herod’s plan and he didn’t want to do it, but he’d made a promise.
There are quite a few things in this story that Herod could’ve done better. One of them would have been to heed the words of a children’s song. “O be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.”
Bill T.
Mark 6:14-29
Way back in the first chapter of Mark's gospel we are told that after John the Baptist was arrested by Herod the ministry of Jesus truly began. Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (1:14-15)
At this point in the narrative Mark tells us that the disciples are now out proclaiming the good news and casting out demons as well. They are taking up what Jesus was doing. This causes many to begin guessing about just how Jesus is, but self-centered rulers tend to think it is all about them. Vainly, they think they are the center of the universe. This is why Herod proclaims that Jesus is John the Baptist back from the dead, the same John he arrested and executed.
He’s wrong. Jesus is not John, and this whole business has nothing to do with him. He’s not that important.
Frank R.
Mark 6:14-29
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian. He is probably best known for his death as a martyr for his resistance to Hitler and Nazism. But, he should also be remembered for his books, as he was a prolific writer. Perhaps the book that is most associated with him is titled The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer had an ethical issue if he should be part of a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, since the scriptures command us not to kill. After a great deal of study and meditation Bonhoeffer came to the understanding that Hitler was so evil that he must be stopped, even it meant assassination. With that realization, he became involved in the Bunker plot. When Hitler attended a military planning meaning at Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia, a bomb would be set off in the bunker where the meeting was being conducted. Bonhoeffer, along with the others involved, would be a part of forming a new government in Germany. Hitler survived the explosion. In time, the names of all the participants were discovered and all were arrested. Bonhoeffer was already in prison on other charges at the time of the explosion. He learned on the radio that the plot had failed. Bonhoeffer realized that he would be implicated in the assassination attempt. On Friday, July 21, 1944, Bonhoeffer wrote a letter from prison to a friend in which he ruminated on his understanding of living the Christian life. Bonhoeffer began the letter by saying his quest in life had always been to learn how to have faith. He now wrote in his letter, “and I’m still discovering right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith…I mean living unreservedly in life’s duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In doing so we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world — watching with Christ in Gethsemane.”
Application: When John the Baptist confronted Herod he knew what it meant to live completely in this world. We are called to do the same.
Ron L.
L.P. Lehman wrote a book on sermon illustrations. Throughout his book he compared a sermon to a house with a door and windows. An effective sermon must have both. The door is a sermon illustration. The door allows the listener to enter the sermon and become a participant. It is a story that allows individuals to relate to the doctrinal topic of the sermon. Lehman wrote that every minister “needs a door somewhere in his sermon so that the spectator may become a participant.” Windows allow an outsider to look in, but it prevents them from participating. Lehman wrote that “windows do not allow outsiders to become insiders and participants in what they see.” But, a window allows those who are inside to “receive light and gaze with pity on those who are outside.” A door — an illustration — brings us into the sermon. A window — for those who are inside — shows us where we need to go with the gospel message.
Application: In 2 Samuel we are told that worship should be a joyful experience. It is so joyful that worshipers find themselves dancing. It is our door to enter the celebration. In the psalm we learn that in worship we are to “lift up our heads.” We are to lift up our heads to the Lord so we can know where we should go with the gospel message. We lift up our heads to look out the window of our calling.
Ron L.
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19 and Psalm 24
At the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi there is a galaxy-wide celebration that the empire has fallen. The people are finally free. There are shots of dancing, fireworks and laughter from multiple planets as everyone rejoices. The end of that movie depicts unrestrained joy and excitement. It is not unlike the emotions that David and the Israelites felt when the ark of the covenant was brought back. It was a time of unbridled joy and uninhibited praise. Nearly everyone reveled in the moment (Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter did not see the joy, but she was likely the only one).
Are there times for celebratory worship? Some of the words to one of my favorite songs came to mind while reading this passage. David Ruis, in these words, describes a time of future joy, dancing and celebration. They read…
Dance with all your mightUnrestrained joy; unashamed praise; uninhibited worship; what a day that will be. As David knew, there is a time to dance.
Lift up your hands and clap for joy
The time’s drawing near
When He will appear
And oh we will stand by His side
A strong pure spotless bride
We will dance on the streets that are golden
The glorious bride and the great Son of Man
From every tongue and tribe and nation
We’ll join in the song of the Lamb
Bill T.
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24
David’s wife Michal disdained him because he was cavorting so wildly as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. Yet according to the ancient Jewish scholar Maimonides, Moses told the people that they were served punishments because they would not serve the Lord in joy and gladness (cf. Deuteronomy 28:47). Maimonides also quoted Proverbs 25:6, that one should not exalt themselves in the King’s presence. He concluded “However, whoever humbles himself and makes little of himself is in these instances who is great and honorable and serves [God] in love. And thus did David say: ‘I shall dishonor myself even more and be low in my own esteem’ (2 Samuel 6:22).”
This is awfully close to what Jesus said in a parable, that whoever exalts themselves shall be humbled, and whoever humbles themselves shall be exalted. (The quote is from “The JPS Bible Commentary Haftarot,” p. 168.)
Frank R.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Inheritances are interesting. As a local church pastor, I encountered families who had more disputes about what was to be inherited than they seemed to grieve the loss of a family member. In my own family, I missed knowing a whole side of my family because my paternal grandfather had an argument with his brothers about the family farm and severed his relationships with the family. My Dad maintained that distance. Or we could look at my mother’s family. She worked, rented an apartment and supported her grandmother. When my grandmother died, my Mom’s aunts swooped in to claim most of what was in the apartment — even though the items belonged to my Mom and not my great-grandmother. Inheritances are interesting.
Paul’s letter gives us an entirely different perspective. We are told that through Jesus we are inheritors of the kingdom of God, we have become God’s beloved children. When I think about the sacrifices of Jesus, the teachings of Jesus, an inheritance takes on a whole new meaning. Kinship with God, Jesus as a brother, all other humans as sisters and brothers — this is an inheritance that overwhelms me. Stuff matters a whole lost less.
Bonnie B.
Ephesians 1:3-14
A Barna group survey revealed that nearly 3 in 4 Americans do not think salvation is certain, since they believe that we must earn our way into heaven by our good works. In contrast, this lesson certifies the certainty we can have, as it proclaims our election in Christ (vv.4-5). Not sure if you are among the elect? Martin Luther offered an interesting answer. He advised us to take hold of our noses, search our guts, and then it will become evident that we are part of the world and so belong to the number of elect (Complete Sermons, Vol.2/1, p.364). John Calvin elaborates on the unity we have in Christ:
Formed into one body we are united to God and closely connected with each other. Without Christ, on the other hand, the whole world is as shapeless chaos and frightful confusion. We are brought into actual unity by Christ alone. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXI/1, p.205)Election in Christ brings us all together; it is a gift for all of us.
Mark E.
Ephesians 1:3-14
That passage always makes me think that we were all predestined to belong to our Lord. It doesn’t say who were lost. My own children might refuse to accept me as father. That might be because they did not accept the future I had planned for them. That might mean they would not inherit the estate that my will would give them. Whatever future was planned, I would still always be their father as God is always our Lord.
There is a denomination that believes in predestination in either direction. When one of their pastors is ordained, he pledges that he will serve the Lord even if he is predestined to damnation!
There are some who might not accept the treasure God has planned for them because it would mean they would have to accept the will of their heavenly Father every day. God’s will might deny them all the fun things they hoped for like taking money that did not belong to them or going to bed with someone already married. I can think of many more commandments that could be broken by heart, soul or mind.
We are the ones who must decide how we will respond to the great love God has given us — if we accept it.
We are adopted as Jesus children. Yes it was through his blood and sacrifice, but there is another passage that enlarges it a bit. The Bible also tells us that we are the bride of Christ. I sometimes think of this implying to our church. Christ had one bride, not a Baptist bride and a Lutheran bride and a Methodist bride, etc. We are one in him and not a mess of denominations. Jesus was not a polygamist. If that is true, then our church can become our mother — Christ’s bride. Don’t try to take that too far. Be careful not to take that passage literally as we are not all “sons.” Some are daughters. Right? I would rather translate that passage “children” of Christ.
I always like that it is based on “love.” God is love. That is the center of scripture. That is why Jesus came to save us. So our motive to serve him must always be love. God loves us so we should also love him in return as he gives us the will and strength to do so.
Bob O.
Mark 6:14-29
We all occasionally say things that would be better left unsaid. We will blurt out an indiscretion, let slip some embarrassing truth or foolishly create a bad situation by a thoughtless remark or promise. American author Edgar Allan Poe blamed such careless utterances on “the imp of the perverse,” while Sigmund Freud ascribed them to the “counter will.” The French called such gaffes a ‘faux pas’ — literally a ‘false step.’ This expression goes back to the days of Louis XIV, a period when etiquette demanded everyone must dance perfectly. Making a ‘false step’ during one of the Royal balls was to risk expulsion from court.
King Herod, in the text today, commits the ultimate faux pas. Herod had taken Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, to be his bride. This brought him the condemnation of John. Herod arrested him, and Herodias hated him. On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod and his guests. He was overcome with delight and he blurted out a promise he’d soon regret. She could have anything, up to half of the kingdom. She went out to her mom and came back with the request; John’s head on a platter. That wasn’t part of Herod’s plan and he didn’t want to do it, but he’d made a promise.
There are quite a few things in this story that Herod could’ve done better. One of them would have been to heed the words of a children’s song. “O be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.”
Bill T.
Mark 6:14-29
Way back in the first chapter of Mark's gospel we are told that after John the Baptist was arrested by Herod the ministry of Jesus truly began. Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (1:14-15)
At this point in the narrative Mark tells us that the disciples are now out proclaiming the good news and casting out demons as well. They are taking up what Jesus was doing. This causes many to begin guessing about just how Jesus is, but self-centered rulers tend to think it is all about them. Vainly, they think they are the center of the universe. This is why Herod proclaims that Jesus is John the Baptist back from the dead, the same John he arrested and executed.
He’s wrong. Jesus is not John, and this whole business has nothing to do with him. He’s not that important.
Frank R.
Mark 6:14-29
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian. He is probably best known for his death as a martyr for his resistance to Hitler and Nazism. But, he should also be remembered for his books, as he was a prolific writer. Perhaps the book that is most associated with him is titled The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer had an ethical issue if he should be part of a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, since the scriptures command us not to kill. After a great deal of study and meditation Bonhoeffer came to the understanding that Hitler was so evil that he must be stopped, even it meant assassination. With that realization, he became involved in the Bunker plot. When Hitler attended a military planning meaning at Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia, a bomb would be set off in the bunker where the meeting was being conducted. Bonhoeffer, along with the others involved, would be a part of forming a new government in Germany. Hitler survived the explosion. In time, the names of all the participants were discovered and all were arrested. Bonhoeffer was already in prison on other charges at the time of the explosion. He learned on the radio that the plot had failed. Bonhoeffer realized that he would be implicated in the assassination attempt. On Friday, July 21, 1944, Bonhoeffer wrote a letter from prison to a friend in which he ruminated on his understanding of living the Christian life. Bonhoeffer began the letter by saying his quest in life had always been to learn how to have faith. He now wrote in his letter, “and I’m still discovering right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith…I mean living unreservedly in life’s duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In doing so we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world — watching with Christ in Gethsemane.”
Application: When John the Baptist confronted Herod he knew what it meant to live completely in this world. We are called to do the same.
Ron L.
