Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | OT 21 (2025)
Illustration
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 77:1-6
William Barclay describes what it means to be perfect and useful to the Lord. He writes, “Suppose in my house there is a loose screw, and I want to tighten and adjust this screw. I go out and I buy a screwdriver. I find that the screwdriver exactly fits the grip of my hand; it is neither too large nor too small, too rough nor too smooth. I lay the screwdriver on the slot of the screw, and I find that it exactly fits. I then turn the screw and the screw is fixed. The screwdriver exactly fulfilled the purpose for which I desired and bought it.”
Just as Barclay may have had a purpose for the screwdriver, God has a purpose for our lives. Greg Laurie once said, “God’s plans for you are better than any plans you have for yourself. So don’t be afraid of God’s will, even if it’s different from yours.”
God had a plan for David and a purpose for his life. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 4:5). David, though not sinless, was used by God in powerful ways. Will we allow ourselves to be tools in the hands of the master?
Bill T.
* * *
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6 is a good choice to accompany the passage from Jeremiah where he protests that he is too young to take up the mantle of prophet. God’s response is that Jeremiah will be made able when it is time, to knock over nations and to proclaim a rather dangerous message. This passage from Psalms will serve not only Jeremiah, but all of us called into uncomfortable ministries. The psalmist takes refuge in the Lord. “Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me…” (71:3). Going out on a limb for the sake of God’s Word and work can easily become a very uncomfortable place to find oneself. We might as well be honest with God and admit we’re not going to be able to do this alone.
Frank R.
* * *
Hebrews 12:18-29
Commenting on our sin and the profound impact of Jesus’ sacrificial death, Martin Luther writes:
For since it [an evil conscience] cannot change a sin committed in the past and in any way avoid the future wrath, it cannot escape begin distressed and troubled, no matter where it turns. (Luther’s Works, Vol.29, 209)
But the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the deeds of righteousness we did but according to his own mercy. (Ibid., p.211)
Seventeenth-century French mystic Jeanne Guyon compellingly explains what happens to us as a result of the New Covenant instituted by Jesus:
God never shows you a past fault so as to lead you to remedy it. He acts in the same way as a skillful gardener who show shows his child the weeds without letting him pull them up; He wishes to do this himself. (Elmer O’Brien, ed., Varieties of Mystic Experience, p,242)
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 13:10-17
This woman’s infirmity is dramatically visible. She is described as “bent over and … quite unable to stand up straight.” (13:11) No one can miss her! She is memorable.
The passage itself will focus on the fact that Jesus, once again, heals on the Sabbath, and that despite opposition from a few purists, the people are delighted not only by his actions but also by his answers to those who oppose him.
Right now, I just want to point out that she is not only present at synagogue worship, she is highly visible. This speaks well for her sense of self-identity, as well as for the congregation which seems to accept her.
Nevertheless, unlike some infirmities which are invisible or barely visible, you can’t miss her almost grotesque appearance. Luke does not give her a name. She is known by her infirmity. During my years of ministry, it was not uncommon for someone to stop attending worship if they had to drag along an oxygen machine, or walked in an uncommon way because of injury or illness, or even if someone had to push them in a wheel chair. I’m not always sure this was a congregation’s decision, although I don’t doubt that in some churches there are gatekeepers who want to avoid having to see such thing. I remember going out of my way to make sure individuals who had experienced a sudden change in their health knew how welcome, at least from my position, they would be. When one gentleman expressed reluctance to drag his oxygen machine into church because it made a noise, I pointed out that if he came, others would also follow his example. And that proved to be true.
Frank R.
* * *
Luke 13:10-17
The Surgeon General of America Vivek Murthee has advised us about a growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation in America (“Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”). Often like in our lesson, isolation and need go hand-in-hand. Mother Teresa well explained this connection. As she put it, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” Martin Luther often taught that in faith we are wrapped up in Christ’s arms, are kissed and embraced in Christ (Complete Sermons, Vol.5, p.82). Elaborating on this he adds insights on how Christians need never endure such loneliness:
The sum of the matter is this: Depressed or exalted, circumscribed in whatsoever way, dragged hither and thither, I still find Christ. For he holds in his hand everything… Therefore, so long as he dwells in my heart, I have courage where I go, I cannot be lost. I dwell where Christ my Lord dwells. (Complete Sermons, Vol.4/2, p.279)
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 13:10-17
In Genesis 1:26, it notes that God said, “Let us make man in our image and in our likeness.” Richard Phillips wrote, “The image of a God is a biblical doctrine regarding the nature and purpose of mankind.” Human beings are created in God’s image, and, as such, are special. When humans are seen or treated as less than that, it is troublesome and wrong.
I came across an advertisement dated March 1861 by the Betts and Gregory Auction House in Richmond, VA. It was for the sale of slaves. It listed that, “Boys 4 feet high” would go for $1,300.” I understand the historical context, but it is horrific to reduce the value of a human being to an amount of money.
Jesus also knew the value of human beings. He healed a woman who’d been crippled for eighteen years. He did it on the Sabbath, which irritated the religious leaders. When the confronted him, he reminded them of the value of people. “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” (vs. 15-16) This stark reminder silenced his opponents and was a reminder that people matter to God.
Bill T.
William Barclay describes what it means to be perfect and useful to the Lord. He writes, “Suppose in my house there is a loose screw, and I want to tighten and adjust this screw. I go out and I buy a screwdriver. I find that the screwdriver exactly fits the grip of my hand; it is neither too large nor too small, too rough nor too smooth. I lay the screwdriver on the slot of the screw, and I find that it exactly fits. I then turn the screw and the screw is fixed. The screwdriver exactly fulfilled the purpose for which I desired and bought it.”
Just as Barclay may have had a purpose for the screwdriver, God has a purpose for our lives. Greg Laurie once said, “God’s plans for you are better than any plans you have for yourself. So don’t be afraid of God’s will, even if it’s different from yours.”
God had a plan for David and a purpose for his life. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 4:5). David, though not sinless, was used by God in powerful ways. Will we allow ourselves to be tools in the hands of the master?
Bill T.
* * *
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6 is a good choice to accompany the passage from Jeremiah where he protests that he is too young to take up the mantle of prophet. God’s response is that Jeremiah will be made able when it is time, to knock over nations and to proclaim a rather dangerous message. This passage from Psalms will serve not only Jeremiah, but all of us called into uncomfortable ministries. The psalmist takes refuge in the Lord. “Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me…” (71:3). Going out on a limb for the sake of God’s Word and work can easily become a very uncomfortable place to find oneself. We might as well be honest with God and admit we’re not going to be able to do this alone.
Frank R.
* * *
Hebrews 12:18-29
Commenting on our sin and the profound impact of Jesus’ sacrificial death, Martin Luther writes:
For since it [an evil conscience] cannot change a sin committed in the past and in any way avoid the future wrath, it cannot escape begin distressed and troubled, no matter where it turns. (Luther’s Works, Vol.29, 209)
But the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the deeds of righteousness we did but according to his own mercy. (Ibid., p.211)
Seventeenth-century French mystic Jeanne Guyon compellingly explains what happens to us as a result of the New Covenant instituted by Jesus:
God never shows you a past fault so as to lead you to remedy it. He acts in the same way as a skillful gardener who show shows his child the weeds without letting him pull them up; He wishes to do this himself. (Elmer O’Brien, ed., Varieties of Mystic Experience, p,242)
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 13:10-17
This woman’s infirmity is dramatically visible. She is described as “bent over and … quite unable to stand up straight.” (13:11) No one can miss her! She is memorable.
The passage itself will focus on the fact that Jesus, once again, heals on the Sabbath, and that despite opposition from a few purists, the people are delighted not only by his actions but also by his answers to those who oppose him.
Right now, I just want to point out that she is not only present at synagogue worship, she is highly visible. This speaks well for her sense of self-identity, as well as for the congregation which seems to accept her.
Nevertheless, unlike some infirmities which are invisible or barely visible, you can’t miss her almost grotesque appearance. Luke does not give her a name. She is known by her infirmity. During my years of ministry, it was not uncommon for someone to stop attending worship if they had to drag along an oxygen machine, or walked in an uncommon way because of injury or illness, or even if someone had to push them in a wheel chair. I’m not always sure this was a congregation’s decision, although I don’t doubt that in some churches there are gatekeepers who want to avoid having to see such thing. I remember going out of my way to make sure individuals who had experienced a sudden change in their health knew how welcome, at least from my position, they would be. When one gentleman expressed reluctance to drag his oxygen machine into church because it made a noise, I pointed out that if he came, others would also follow his example. And that proved to be true.
Frank R.
* * *
Luke 13:10-17
The Surgeon General of America Vivek Murthee has advised us about a growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation in America (“Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”). Often like in our lesson, isolation and need go hand-in-hand. Mother Teresa well explained this connection. As she put it, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” Martin Luther often taught that in faith we are wrapped up in Christ’s arms, are kissed and embraced in Christ (Complete Sermons, Vol.5, p.82). Elaborating on this he adds insights on how Christians need never endure such loneliness:
The sum of the matter is this: Depressed or exalted, circumscribed in whatsoever way, dragged hither and thither, I still find Christ. For he holds in his hand everything… Therefore, so long as he dwells in my heart, I have courage where I go, I cannot be lost. I dwell where Christ my Lord dwells. (Complete Sermons, Vol.4/2, p.279)
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 13:10-17
In Genesis 1:26, it notes that God said, “Let us make man in our image and in our likeness.” Richard Phillips wrote, “The image of a God is a biblical doctrine regarding the nature and purpose of mankind.” Human beings are created in God’s image, and, as such, are special. When humans are seen or treated as less than that, it is troublesome and wrong.
I came across an advertisement dated March 1861 by the Betts and Gregory Auction House in Richmond, VA. It was for the sale of slaves. It listed that, “Boys 4 feet high” would go for $1,300.” I understand the historical context, but it is horrific to reduce the value of a human being to an amount of money.
Jesus also knew the value of human beings. He healed a woman who’d been crippled for eighteen years. He did it on the Sabbath, which irritated the religious leaders. When the confronted him, he reminded them of the value of people. “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” (vs. 15-16) This stark reminder silenced his opponents and was a reminder that people matter to God.
Bill T.
