Sermon Illustrations For Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2017)
Illustration
Exodus 16:2-15
“God will provide.” We’ve all heard that expression. Probably we’ve said it a few times too. Those are the easy parts, hearing it and saying it. Trusting that he will can be a different matter. I read the following story in a missionary magazine, and thought it would be a great way to illustrate this passage.
Virginia, a missionary teacher in Papua New Guinea, knows firsthand about how God provides. Eighteen people had arrived at her home unexpectedly. They stayed for the evening to visit and pray. Everyone was hungry. She had little food in the house. She took rice and prepared one dish. She threw in everything she had -- an egg, a radish, an onion.
It was delicious, but there was so little. The rice bowl was passed. Each person dipped in, and the bowl continued being passed around the table. Her prayer was: “Lord, let the rice multiply because I know there is not enough!” Everyone ate. The rice bowl was passed around a second time. Everyone ate until they were full. It was truly the miracle of the multiplying rice.
The magazine is a reputable one, and I don’t doubt for a moment that God can do that. He has specialized in providing what people need at the precise moment they need it. In Papua New Guinea, he multiplied rice. In Galilee, Jesus multiplied bread and fish. In 2 Kings 4 Jehovah-Jireh multiplies bread and grain. Here in this Exodus passage, God provides bread and meat for his people. Billy Graham once said: “We can be certain that God will give us the strength and resources we need to live through any situation in life that he ordains. The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”
Bill T.
Exodus 16:2-15
Our lesson is about people who are not satisfied. It is as 17th-century English poet Robert Herrick once wrote: “Who with a little cannot be content endures an everlasting punishment.”
The punishment seems to be our addiction to collecting stuff and never getting ahead financially. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority reports that in 2016, three in five of us save nothing, and one in five of us spend more than we earn. Consumption is the name of the game, evident in the fact that the size of the average of American home has tripled since 1950 (when families were larger). Our lesson reminds us that this is nothing new for human nature. The people of Israel were so messed up that what satisfied them (the manna from heaven) was really the defecation of birds. They settled for shit (like we often do in our shopping)! The lesson still reports God’s care for these dissatisfied people like we are. Famed megachurch pastor Rick Warren nicely summarizes God’s love in this way: “He [God] won’t quit on you. You may give up on God, but he’ll never give up on you.”
Mark E.
Exodus 16:2-15
In March 2017 on the eve of the of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome (the founding charter for the European Union), Pope Francis welcomed 27 EU leaders to the Vatican. Britain had just decided to leave the European Union, and other nations were becoming more restrictive. The pope was concerned that populist political agendas would result in the same bitter divisions seen decades earlier. Pope Francis urged European leaders, in his words, to resist the “false forms of security” promised by populists who want to isolate themselves. The pope said that instead of isolation what is needed is greater solidarity. The pope said egotistical populism “hems people in and prevents them from overcoming and looking beyond their own narrow vision.”
Application: One of the lessons from our reading is that when people complain there cannot be progress toward the Promised Land.
Ron L.
Philippians 1:21-30
Suffering seems to be an ongoing theme in the letters of Paul. Maybe it is because there was so much suffering in his life -- shipwrecks and imprisonments, illnesses and physical challenges, spiritual pain and reawakening. The reawakening was also a form of suffering for Paul, as he realized his persecution of Christians was wrong. The question that often engages Christians and non-Christians alike is why does God allow suffering?
Can’t God just wave God’s hand or breathe into the world joy and peace and a removal of all pain? Why won’t God do so? It’s an age-old question and would take much more space to discuss than I have here. Think for a moment as a parent. Does overprotecting your child from ever stubbing a toe or arguing with a friend or being denied an experience really help them to grow? God created us and breathed us into being, but God is not the puppeteer and we are not marionettes. Sometimes the suffering we encounter is a result of our own human behavior, and sometimes it is the result of someone else’s. Sometimes the suffering is the result of our human body in a human world. God does not cause suffering, but God walks through suffering with us.
Thus Paul reminds us: “Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” That’s our calling -- to live with a mind for the faith in the gospel, now and in the days to come.
Bonnie B.
Philippians 1:21-30
The Greek word politeuomai, found in v. 27 (“Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...”), might better be translated as “living politically,” “living responsibly,” or “living as mutually accountable citizens.”
When Paul came to Philippi, he first preached to God-fearing women at the riverside. They were there because there weren’t enough Jewish men to provide a quorum for synagogue worship in the town (there had to be ten, and they had to be men). The phrase “God-fearing” referred to those Gentiles who worshiped the One God but who were not officially members of God’s people.
Because Philippi’s population, which came from all over the empire, was largely Gentile, Paul did not refer to Moses, Abraham, or Sarah in his letter, nor did he rely on arguments from the Hebrew scriptures. But because the Philippians were citizens of Rome and enjoyed the joys, privileges, and responsibilities of Roman citizenship, they were used to thinking of themselves in political terms. Politeuomai comes from the Greek ideal of the city-state where all citizens are connected with each other and accountable to each other. Paul wants them to think of their membership in the commonwealth of heaven in the same way.
Frank R.
Philippians 1:21-30
When my kids had a place in Hawaii, they invited us over to get a place next to theirs. What a temptation!
It would be great to go to Hawaii and be near our kids, but we were settled into our home in Albuquerque and had all kinds of things we liked that filled our time. Life is full of choices. According to this passage we would enjoy life no matter where we are, at home or in Hawaii.
Sometimes the choice is easy. When you are in a hospital suffering, death may seem like the best choice. We are not sure about the option of euthanasia drugs or just waiting for God to take us. That is our other choice.
No matter what we choose, if we trust in Christ and believe in him we can be content no matter which way we go. We may even prefer to be with the one who loved us so much that he gave his life for us.
Even he had a choice. Remember his prayer in the garden: “If it is possible let this suffering pass from me, but nevertheless, let your will be done.”
No matter which way we go, we must stand firm in the Lord and finish the job he has given us. A pastor can be so involved in his church that he wants to go on serving his people. But we should be ready for our final reward also!
Bob O.
Matthew 20:1-16
Some things are just not fair. We don’t like it when we have to do something that our peers don’t have to do. That’s not fair! The student recoils when she has an assignment that others in the class do not have. That’s not fair! Younger siblings chafe when older siblings get to do things they don’t. That’s not fair! I suppose all of us struggle with unfair things. There is one thing, though, that I’m glad is not fair. What’s that, you ask? Grace.
Grace, by definition, is not fair. It isn’t based on equity. The parable in this text, I think, epitomizes grace. The landowner hires some men at the beginning of the day, agreeing to pay them “whatever is right.” That’s a key phrase -- whatever is right. He hires two other groups throughout the day and one group near the end of the day. He pays the last group he hired a day’s wages. The first group is elated, thinking they’ll get even more. However, they grumble when they get the day’s wage. The landowner’s reply is a critical component of grace: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”
That’s crucial in terms of grace. It isn’t about what is earned. It is about what is chosen to be given. I suppose I sometimes push for things to be fair. I’m happy, though, that God doesn’t do things that way. Instead of giving what is earned, he gives what is “right.” I’m glad; aren’t you?
Bill T.
Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus seems to advocate injustice in this parable. American Lutheran theologian Eric Gritsch comments on how little we “deserve” for all our hard work: “There is no glory in Christian deeds in the world since these deeds are born in the turmoil of life on earth, in the shadow of the end-time which has begun in the resurrection of Jesus. When God is in charge, no man can pretend to be his own master in either word or deed” (Bulletin [Winter 1971], p. 7).
John Calvin offers two comments that are helpful in appreciating why God owes us noting for our good deeds: “Even our good inclinations are God’s work” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XXI/2, p. 66). “We act only when he [God] has prepared us for acting” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XXI/2, p. 69).
C.S. Lewis explains what it is God really expects from us and how he rewards our faithfulness: “If you do one good deed your reward usually is to be sent to do another and harder and better one” (The Horse and His Boy).
South African author Gugu Mona tells us why it is all worthwhile: “Sometimes you will do good things and not get an acknowledgement for it. Don’t let that dishearten you, the world is a better place with your good deeds.”
Mark E.
Matthew 20:1-16
When Pilgrim John Winthrop first sighted the New World in June 1630 aboard the Arbella, he declared: “We shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.” This land, which would become the United States of America, was viewed by the Pilgrims as the New Jerusalem. Having been persecuted for their religious beliefs in England, they came to the New World for religious freedom. They held so strongly to their belief that all the nations of the world would look upon their Christian society and be converted to Christianity and follow the Pilgrims’ doctrines. These idealistic voyagers commissioned themselves as the keepers of the Truth, which by their example would guide all foreign adversaries into Christendom. With all sincerity and selfless dedication, they perceived themselves as the salt of the earth.
Application: The central message of our reading is one of discipleship.
Ron L.
“God will provide.” We’ve all heard that expression. Probably we’ve said it a few times too. Those are the easy parts, hearing it and saying it. Trusting that he will can be a different matter. I read the following story in a missionary magazine, and thought it would be a great way to illustrate this passage.
Virginia, a missionary teacher in Papua New Guinea, knows firsthand about how God provides. Eighteen people had arrived at her home unexpectedly. They stayed for the evening to visit and pray. Everyone was hungry. She had little food in the house. She took rice and prepared one dish. She threw in everything she had -- an egg, a radish, an onion.
It was delicious, but there was so little. The rice bowl was passed. Each person dipped in, and the bowl continued being passed around the table. Her prayer was: “Lord, let the rice multiply because I know there is not enough!” Everyone ate. The rice bowl was passed around a second time. Everyone ate until they were full. It was truly the miracle of the multiplying rice.
The magazine is a reputable one, and I don’t doubt for a moment that God can do that. He has specialized in providing what people need at the precise moment they need it. In Papua New Guinea, he multiplied rice. In Galilee, Jesus multiplied bread and fish. In 2 Kings 4 Jehovah-Jireh multiplies bread and grain. Here in this Exodus passage, God provides bread and meat for his people. Billy Graham once said: “We can be certain that God will give us the strength and resources we need to live through any situation in life that he ordains. The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”
Bill T.
Exodus 16:2-15
Our lesson is about people who are not satisfied. It is as 17th-century English poet Robert Herrick once wrote: “Who with a little cannot be content endures an everlasting punishment.”
The punishment seems to be our addiction to collecting stuff and never getting ahead financially. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority reports that in 2016, three in five of us save nothing, and one in five of us spend more than we earn. Consumption is the name of the game, evident in the fact that the size of the average of American home has tripled since 1950 (when families were larger). Our lesson reminds us that this is nothing new for human nature. The people of Israel were so messed up that what satisfied them (the manna from heaven) was really the defecation of birds. They settled for shit (like we often do in our shopping)! The lesson still reports God’s care for these dissatisfied people like we are. Famed megachurch pastor Rick Warren nicely summarizes God’s love in this way: “He [God] won’t quit on you. You may give up on God, but he’ll never give up on you.”
Mark E.
Exodus 16:2-15
In March 2017 on the eve of the of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome (the founding charter for the European Union), Pope Francis welcomed 27 EU leaders to the Vatican. Britain had just decided to leave the European Union, and other nations were becoming more restrictive. The pope was concerned that populist political agendas would result in the same bitter divisions seen decades earlier. Pope Francis urged European leaders, in his words, to resist the “false forms of security” promised by populists who want to isolate themselves. The pope said that instead of isolation what is needed is greater solidarity. The pope said egotistical populism “hems people in and prevents them from overcoming and looking beyond their own narrow vision.”
Application: One of the lessons from our reading is that when people complain there cannot be progress toward the Promised Land.
Ron L.
Philippians 1:21-30
Suffering seems to be an ongoing theme in the letters of Paul. Maybe it is because there was so much suffering in his life -- shipwrecks and imprisonments, illnesses and physical challenges, spiritual pain and reawakening. The reawakening was also a form of suffering for Paul, as he realized his persecution of Christians was wrong. The question that often engages Christians and non-Christians alike is why does God allow suffering?
Can’t God just wave God’s hand or breathe into the world joy and peace and a removal of all pain? Why won’t God do so? It’s an age-old question and would take much more space to discuss than I have here. Think for a moment as a parent. Does overprotecting your child from ever stubbing a toe or arguing with a friend or being denied an experience really help them to grow? God created us and breathed us into being, but God is not the puppeteer and we are not marionettes. Sometimes the suffering we encounter is a result of our own human behavior, and sometimes it is the result of someone else’s. Sometimes the suffering is the result of our human body in a human world. God does not cause suffering, but God walks through suffering with us.
Thus Paul reminds us: “Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” That’s our calling -- to live with a mind for the faith in the gospel, now and in the days to come.
Bonnie B.
Philippians 1:21-30
The Greek word politeuomai, found in v. 27 (“Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...”), might better be translated as “living politically,” “living responsibly,” or “living as mutually accountable citizens.”
When Paul came to Philippi, he first preached to God-fearing women at the riverside. They were there because there weren’t enough Jewish men to provide a quorum for synagogue worship in the town (there had to be ten, and they had to be men). The phrase “God-fearing” referred to those Gentiles who worshiped the One God but who were not officially members of God’s people.
Because Philippi’s population, which came from all over the empire, was largely Gentile, Paul did not refer to Moses, Abraham, or Sarah in his letter, nor did he rely on arguments from the Hebrew scriptures. But because the Philippians were citizens of Rome and enjoyed the joys, privileges, and responsibilities of Roman citizenship, they were used to thinking of themselves in political terms. Politeuomai comes from the Greek ideal of the city-state where all citizens are connected with each other and accountable to each other. Paul wants them to think of their membership in the commonwealth of heaven in the same way.
Frank R.
Philippians 1:21-30
When my kids had a place in Hawaii, they invited us over to get a place next to theirs. What a temptation!
It would be great to go to Hawaii and be near our kids, but we were settled into our home in Albuquerque and had all kinds of things we liked that filled our time. Life is full of choices. According to this passage we would enjoy life no matter where we are, at home or in Hawaii.
Sometimes the choice is easy. When you are in a hospital suffering, death may seem like the best choice. We are not sure about the option of euthanasia drugs or just waiting for God to take us. That is our other choice.
No matter what we choose, if we trust in Christ and believe in him we can be content no matter which way we go. We may even prefer to be with the one who loved us so much that he gave his life for us.
Even he had a choice. Remember his prayer in the garden: “If it is possible let this suffering pass from me, but nevertheless, let your will be done.”
No matter which way we go, we must stand firm in the Lord and finish the job he has given us. A pastor can be so involved in his church that he wants to go on serving his people. But we should be ready for our final reward also!
Bob O.
Matthew 20:1-16
Some things are just not fair. We don’t like it when we have to do something that our peers don’t have to do. That’s not fair! The student recoils when she has an assignment that others in the class do not have. That’s not fair! Younger siblings chafe when older siblings get to do things they don’t. That’s not fair! I suppose all of us struggle with unfair things. There is one thing, though, that I’m glad is not fair. What’s that, you ask? Grace.
Grace, by definition, is not fair. It isn’t based on equity. The parable in this text, I think, epitomizes grace. The landowner hires some men at the beginning of the day, agreeing to pay them “whatever is right.” That’s a key phrase -- whatever is right. He hires two other groups throughout the day and one group near the end of the day. He pays the last group he hired a day’s wages. The first group is elated, thinking they’ll get even more. However, they grumble when they get the day’s wage. The landowner’s reply is a critical component of grace: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”
That’s crucial in terms of grace. It isn’t about what is earned. It is about what is chosen to be given. I suppose I sometimes push for things to be fair. I’m happy, though, that God doesn’t do things that way. Instead of giving what is earned, he gives what is “right.” I’m glad; aren’t you?
Bill T.
Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus seems to advocate injustice in this parable. American Lutheran theologian Eric Gritsch comments on how little we “deserve” for all our hard work: “There is no glory in Christian deeds in the world since these deeds are born in the turmoil of life on earth, in the shadow of the end-time which has begun in the resurrection of Jesus. When God is in charge, no man can pretend to be his own master in either word or deed” (Bulletin [Winter 1971], p. 7).
John Calvin offers two comments that are helpful in appreciating why God owes us noting for our good deeds: “Even our good inclinations are God’s work” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XXI/2, p. 66). “We act only when he [God] has prepared us for acting” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XXI/2, p. 69).
C.S. Lewis explains what it is God really expects from us and how he rewards our faithfulness: “If you do one good deed your reward usually is to be sent to do another and harder and better one” (The Horse and His Boy).
South African author Gugu Mona tells us why it is all worthwhile: “Sometimes you will do good things and not get an acknowledgement for it. Don’t let that dishearten you, the world is a better place with your good deeds.”
Mark E.
Matthew 20:1-16
When Pilgrim John Winthrop first sighted the New World in June 1630 aboard the Arbella, he declared: “We shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.” This land, which would become the United States of America, was viewed by the Pilgrims as the New Jerusalem. Having been persecuted for their religious beliefs in England, they came to the New World for religious freedom. They held so strongly to their belief that all the nations of the world would look upon their Christian society and be converted to Christianity and follow the Pilgrims’ doctrines. These idealistic voyagers commissioned themselves as the keepers of the Truth, which by their example would guide all foreign adversaries into Christendom. With all sincerity and selfless dedication, they perceived themselves as the salt of the earth.
Application: The central message of our reading is one of discipleship.
Ron L.
