Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2018)
Illustration
Job 38:1-7, 34-41
King Louis XIV of France died in 1715 after a reign of seventy-two years. He had called himself “the Great,” and was the monarch who made the famous statement, “I am the state!” His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was also spectacular. As his body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a special candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial, thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak; slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”
It is a stunning, but accurate proclamation. In God’s questions to Job and in the declaration of the Psalms we find the greatness of God described. He “laid the foundations of the earth” and set up everything in it. He provides what creation needs and has power over it. In the words of a song made popular by Casting Crowns,
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
Bill T.
* * *
Job 38:1-7 (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Partway through The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, the second part of the five-volume Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy trilogy, we read about a punishment known as the Total Perspective Vortex as a punishment for stealing a starship.
The cruelty of the Total Perspective Vortex is that it presents the victim with total awareness of “the whole infinity of the universe” and one’s relationship to it. Confronting the true scale of the universe annihilates the brain.
Except in the book it has absolutely no effect on a character forced inside because, as he put it, “It just told me what I knew all the time. I’m a really terrific and great guy.”
Some people act as if God’s initial address to Job is a series of put-downs, but really God is telling Job he’s more than able to see the universe and his relationship to it without his mind being destroyed. God calls Job a gibor, a mighty man or warrior in Hebrew. There are other words for man in Hebrew, ish and enosh, that denote the weakness and mortality of humanity. When God says to Job, “Gird up your loins like a warrior” (38:3 and 40:7) there is no intention of belittling Job… God asks Job to stand up like a mighty warrior and present his case because God knows Job is up the challenge.
(adapted from “Voices in the Book of Job” by Robert W. Neff and Frank Ramirez)
Frank R.
* * *
Job 38:1-7 (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Henry Ward Beecher, who was born in 1813, was a Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and public speaker, known for his support of the abolition of slavery and his emphasis on God’s love. He was a well known preacher throughout the United States and Europe. In 1871, Yale University established “The Lyman Beecher Lectureship.” Robert Ingersoll, who was born in 1833, was a lawyer, politician, orator and noted for his broad range of culture and his defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed “The Great Agnostic.” Beecher kept a beautiful globe that showed the various stars and constellations of the universe. Ingersoll, visiting Beecher one day, admired the globe and asked, “Who made it?” Beecher, never losing a chance to profess his Christian faith before “The Great Agnostic” replied, “Why, nobody made it; it just happened.”
Application: Our lectionary readings confess that God is the great creator and provider.
Ron L.
* * *
Hebrews 5:1-10
As this text reflects on Jesus’ role as High Priest, offering the sacrifice of his body to save us, Martin Luther nicely explained what Christ’s death means for us:
If our sins, therefore, rest upon Christ, we can be content: they are in the right place -- just where they belong. Upon us they do not lie well; for we and all men, yes, and all creatures, are too weak to bear a single sin... Therefore let them remain upon Christ... To this comfort let us cleave, and not permit sadness to oppress our hearts... (Sermons on the Passion of Christ, pp.32-33)
John Calvin speaks of Christ as a brother to us in his sufferings, “not only on account of unity as to flesh and nature, but also by becoming a partaker of our infirmities, so that He is led, and as it were formed, to show forebearance and kindness.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXII/1, p.124)
The medieval mystic Julian of Norwich also offered reflections portraying what life is like for Christians who have been overwhelmed by God’s forgiving love:
I saw that for us He is everything that is good, comforting and helpful; He is our clothing, who for love, wraps us up, holds us close; He entirely encloses us for tender love, so that He may never leave us, since His is the source of all good things for us... (The Revelation of Divine Love in Sixteen Showings, p.67)
Mark E.
* * *
Hebrews 9:11-14
Purification rituals abounded in first century Palestine, within the Jewish community. There were extensive guidelines and sacrifices required. Today’s Hebrew passage reminds us that the sacrifice of bulls and goats, the sprinkling of ashes, the offerings of grain and oil were all a part of regular worship celebrations and adhering to the Law as proclaimed by Moses. Yet, we are reminded that the sacrifice of Jesus provides the purification we need, the sanctification we are seeking.
Now purification and sanctification can be difficult concepts for us to understand. We view them as due to us because we believe in Jesus. We believe that Jesus came solely to provide for our purification and sanctification. Sometimes we have a hard time understanding that Jesus came to do more than die. Jesus came to show us how to live as beloved children of God. It is true, we do not need to earn our way into heaven or relationship with God. Jesus opened that door. But our sanctification is ongoing and our relationship is about following in the footsteps of Jesus -- in how we live with one another, how we worship God, how we pray and reflect on our eternal family relationship with God through Jesus. Prayer, reflection, worship, action -- those are the purification rituals of our days.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Hebrews 5:1-10
Who is our high priest today? Is that the job of a pastor? We would really have to love and trust our pastor to obey all his requests. Yes even a pastor is not perfect. I know I was never perfect, but I still had to ask my members to make sacrifices for their sins.
I felt the call to be a pastor. I can’t tell you the nature of a call. It can be different for each of us.
My mother told me that she prayed I would be a pastor like my grandfather. His picture always stood on grandma’s night stand. He was called from Denmark to our country to minister to all the Danes who came here over the years. I have a story of his life in Danish telling what he did here. I also heard it from Danes in our country who were helped by him.
One of our greatest blessings is knowing that Jesus our Lord has already paid the price for our sin.
My son, who had been an alcoholic, was able to help others to recover. He introduced me to one who told me, “He (my son) knows what it’s like.” That is why an AA meeting is good to have in every church. It could be for more than alcoholics. It could be for people with many different problems like dishonesty, and marriage problems.
I was able to help some in my churches because I could tell them I was a fellow sinner. My marriage broke up when I was serving one parish and many members who were having marital problems came to me because they thought I would understand some of their problems. I did understand and encouraged them to turn to the God of forgiveness so they could be healed as I was.
Bob O.
* * *
Mark 10:35-45
Jesus assures the two disciples who want a place at his right and left that they will share in his glory -- but it’s going to be the glory of persecution. In the centuries before Jesus there were two conflicting viewpoints about persecution and martyrdom, especially as it related to the events surrounding the time of the Maccabees and Antiochus Epiphanes IV. The author of the First Book of the Maccabees told the story of armed resistance against the foreign emperor who installed the abomination of desolation in the temple but told no stories of martyrdom. This author saw nothing of value in them.
The author of 2 Maccabees examined the same events but believed that faithfulness and endurance under persecution included the possibility of martyrdom. He thought examples of the faithful were important to inspire others to not knuckle under to tyrants.
One of his most horrifying and gripping martyr stories is found in the seventh chapter of his book, where one by one, from the oldest to the youngest, seven brothers were tortured, butchered, and killed in front of each other, while they testified against their tormentors and expressed their faith in eternal life. Finally their mother joined them in martyrdom.
The little-read Fourth Book of the Maccabees starts off like a philosophical treatise, divorced from reality: “The subject that I am about to discuss is most philosophical, that is, whether devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. So it is right for me to advise you to pay earnest attention to philosophy.”
But before you start yawning, let me tell you -- this book describes nine executions by torture in graphic detail. The point is that it’s vital to remain faithful to God regardless of what people do to you. You’ll not only endure, but triumph and gain an eternal reward.
Frank R.
* * *
Mark 10:35-45
I ran across this story and thought it was a bit humorous, but also pointed:
A man went to the doctor after weeks of symptoms. The doctor examined him carefully, then called the patient's wife into his office. “Your husband is suffering from a rare form of anemia. Without treatment, he'll be dead in a few weeks. The good news is, it can be treated with proper nutrition. You will need to get up early every morning and fix your husband pancakes, bacon and eggs, the works. He'll need a home-cooked lunch every day, and then an old-fashioned meat-and-potato dinner every evening. It would be especially helpful if you could bake frequently. Cakes, pies, homemade bread; these are the things that will allow your husband to live. One more thing. His immune system is weak, so it's important that your home be kept spotless at all times. Do you have any questions?” The wife had none.
”Do you want to break the news or shall I?” asked the doctor.
“I will,” the wife replied.
She walked into the exam room. The husband, sensing the seriousness of his illness, asked her, “It's bad, isn't it?”
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “What's going to happen to me?” he asked.
With a sob, the wife blurted out, “The doctor says you're gonna die!”
Being a servant requires putting “self” last. It isn’t an easy thing to do. Just before Jesus explained to his disciples about being a servant, James and John ask him about places of honor when he comes into his kingdom. The others are outraged at their boldness. Jesus notes that the Gentile rulers lord it over others and that great ones are tyrants, but he tells them of a different way. It is a way of self-sacrifice and putting others first. It’s the opposite of what the wife in this story demonstrates. Would you be great? Be a servant.
Bill T.
* * *
Mark 10:35-45
Neil Armstrong, as a member of Apollo 11 crew, on July 20, 1969, became the first man to walk on the moon. After his historic flight, Armstrong, a devout Christian, visited the Old City of Jerusalem. At the Huldah Gate, which leads to the Temple Mount, the astronaut wanted to know if he was walking on the same stone walkway as Jesus did. When Armstrong learned it was the very same stones, he replied, “I have to tell you, I am more excited stepping on these stones than I was stepping on the moon.”
Application: We are to be humble servants of the Lord.
Ron L.
King Louis XIV of France died in 1715 after a reign of seventy-two years. He had called himself “the Great,” and was the monarch who made the famous statement, “I am the state!” His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was also spectacular. As his body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a special candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial, thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak; slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”
It is a stunning, but accurate proclamation. In God’s questions to Job and in the declaration of the Psalms we find the greatness of God described. He “laid the foundations of the earth” and set up everything in it. He provides what creation needs and has power over it. In the words of a song made popular by Casting Crowns,
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
Bill T.
* * *
Job 38:1-7 (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Partway through The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, the second part of the five-volume Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy trilogy, we read about a punishment known as the Total Perspective Vortex as a punishment for stealing a starship.
The cruelty of the Total Perspective Vortex is that it presents the victim with total awareness of “the whole infinity of the universe” and one’s relationship to it. Confronting the true scale of the universe annihilates the brain.
Except in the book it has absolutely no effect on a character forced inside because, as he put it, “It just told me what I knew all the time. I’m a really terrific and great guy.”
Some people act as if God’s initial address to Job is a series of put-downs, but really God is telling Job he’s more than able to see the universe and his relationship to it without his mind being destroyed. God calls Job a gibor, a mighty man or warrior in Hebrew. There are other words for man in Hebrew, ish and enosh, that denote the weakness and mortality of humanity. When God says to Job, “Gird up your loins like a warrior” (38:3 and 40:7) there is no intention of belittling Job… God asks Job to stand up like a mighty warrior and present his case because God knows Job is up the challenge.
(adapted from “Voices in the Book of Job” by Robert W. Neff and Frank Ramirez)
Frank R.
* * *
Job 38:1-7 (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Henry Ward Beecher, who was born in 1813, was a Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and public speaker, known for his support of the abolition of slavery and his emphasis on God’s love. He was a well known preacher throughout the United States and Europe. In 1871, Yale University established “The Lyman Beecher Lectureship.” Robert Ingersoll, who was born in 1833, was a lawyer, politician, orator and noted for his broad range of culture and his defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed “The Great Agnostic.” Beecher kept a beautiful globe that showed the various stars and constellations of the universe. Ingersoll, visiting Beecher one day, admired the globe and asked, “Who made it?” Beecher, never losing a chance to profess his Christian faith before “The Great Agnostic” replied, “Why, nobody made it; it just happened.”
Application: Our lectionary readings confess that God is the great creator and provider.
Ron L.
* * *
Hebrews 5:1-10
As this text reflects on Jesus’ role as High Priest, offering the sacrifice of his body to save us, Martin Luther nicely explained what Christ’s death means for us:
If our sins, therefore, rest upon Christ, we can be content: they are in the right place -- just where they belong. Upon us they do not lie well; for we and all men, yes, and all creatures, are too weak to bear a single sin... Therefore let them remain upon Christ... To this comfort let us cleave, and not permit sadness to oppress our hearts... (Sermons on the Passion of Christ, pp.32-33)
John Calvin speaks of Christ as a brother to us in his sufferings, “not only on account of unity as to flesh and nature, but also by becoming a partaker of our infirmities, so that He is led, and as it were formed, to show forebearance and kindness.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXII/1, p.124)
The medieval mystic Julian of Norwich also offered reflections portraying what life is like for Christians who have been overwhelmed by God’s forgiving love:
I saw that for us He is everything that is good, comforting and helpful; He is our clothing, who for love, wraps us up, holds us close; He entirely encloses us for tender love, so that He may never leave us, since His is the source of all good things for us... (The Revelation of Divine Love in Sixteen Showings, p.67)
Mark E.
* * *
Hebrews 9:11-14
Purification rituals abounded in first century Palestine, within the Jewish community. There were extensive guidelines and sacrifices required. Today’s Hebrew passage reminds us that the sacrifice of bulls and goats, the sprinkling of ashes, the offerings of grain and oil were all a part of regular worship celebrations and adhering to the Law as proclaimed by Moses. Yet, we are reminded that the sacrifice of Jesus provides the purification we need, the sanctification we are seeking.
Now purification and sanctification can be difficult concepts for us to understand. We view them as due to us because we believe in Jesus. We believe that Jesus came solely to provide for our purification and sanctification. Sometimes we have a hard time understanding that Jesus came to do more than die. Jesus came to show us how to live as beloved children of God. It is true, we do not need to earn our way into heaven or relationship with God. Jesus opened that door. But our sanctification is ongoing and our relationship is about following in the footsteps of Jesus -- in how we live with one another, how we worship God, how we pray and reflect on our eternal family relationship with God through Jesus. Prayer, reflection, worship, action -- those are the purification rituals of our days.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Hebrews 5:1-10
Who is our high priest today? Is that the job of a pastor? We would really have to love and trust our pastor to obey all his requests. Yes even a pastor is not perfect. I know I was never perfect, but I still had to ask my members to make sacrifices for their sins.
I felt the call to be a pastor. I can’t tell you the nature of a call. It can be different for each of us.
My mother told me that she prayed I would be a pastor like my grandfather. His picture always stood on grandma’s night stand. He was called from Denmark to our country to minister to all the Danes who came here over the years. I have a story of his life in Danish telling what he did here. I also heard it from Danes in our country who were helped by him.
One of our greatest blessings is knowing that Jesus our Lord has already paid the price for our sin.
My son, who had been an alcoholic, was able to help others to recover. He introduced me to one who told me, “He (my son) knows what it’s like.” That is why an AA meeting is good to have in every church. It could be for more than alcoholics. It could be for people with many different problems like dishonesty, and marriage problems.
I was able to help some in my churches because I could tell them I was a fellow sinner. My marriage broke up when I was serving one parish and many members who were having marital problems came to me because they thought I would understand some of their problems. I did understand and encouraged them to turn to the God of forgiveness so they could be healed as I was.
Bob O.
* * *
Mark 10:35-45
Jesus assures the two disciples who want a place at his right and left that they will share in his glory -- but it’s going to be the glory of persecution. In the centuries before Jesus there were two conflicting viewpoints about persecution and martyrdom, especially as it related to the events surrounding the time of the Maccabees and Antiochus Epiphanes IV. The author of the First Book of the Maccabees told the story of armed resistance against the foreign emperor who installed the abomination of desolation in the temple but told no stories of martyrdom. This author saw nothing of value in them.
The author of 2 Maccabees examined the same events but believed that faithfulness and endurance under persecution included the possibility of martyrdom. He thought examples of the faithful were important to inspire others to not knuckle under to tyrants.
One of his most horrifying and gripping martyr stories is found in the seventh chapter of his book, where one by one, from the oldest to the youngest, seven brothers were tortured, butchered, and killed in front of each other, while they testified against their tormentors and expressed their faith in eternal life. Finally their mother joined them in martyrdom.
The little-read Fourth Book of the Maccabees starts off like a philosophical treatise, divorced from reality: “The subject that I am about to discuss is most philosophical, that is, whether devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. So it is right for me to advise you to pay earnest attention to philosophy.”
But before you start yawning, let me tell you -- this book describes nine executions by torture in graphic detail. The point is that it’s vital to remain faithful to God regardless of what people do to you. You’ll not only endure, but triumph and gain an eternal reward.
Frank R.
* * *
Mark 10:35-45
I ran across this story and thought it was a bit humorous, but also pointed:
A man went to the doctor after weeks of symptoms. The doctor examined him carefully, then called the patient's wife into his office. “Your husband is suffering from a rare form of anemia. Without treatment, he'll be dead in a few weeks. The good news is, it can be treated with proper nutrition. You will need to get up early every morning and fix your husband pancakes, bacon and eggs, the works. He'll need a home-cooked lunch every day, and then an old-fashioned meat-and-potato dinner every evening. It would be especially helpful if you could bake frequently. Cakes, pies, homemade bread; these are the things that will allow your husband to live. One more thing. His immune system is weak, so it's important that your home be kept spotless at all times. Do you have any questions?” The wife had none.
”Do you want to break the news or shall I?” asked the doctor.
“I will,” the wife replied.
She walked into the exam room. The husband, sensing the seriousness of his illness, asked her, “It's bad, isn't it?”
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “What's going to happen to me?” he asked.
With a sob, the wife blurted out, “The doctor says you're gonna die!”
Being a servant requires putting “self” last. It isn’t an easy thing to do. Just before Jesus explained to his disciples about being a servant, James and John ask him about places of honor when he comes into his kingdom. The others are outraged at their boldness. Jesus notes that the Gentile rulers lord it over others and that great ones are tyrants, but he tells them of a different way. It is a way of self-sacrifice and putting others first. It’s the opposite of what the wife in this story demonstrates. Would you be great? Be a servant.
Bill T.
* * *
Mark 10:35-45
Neil Armstrong, as a member of Apollo 11 crew, on July 20, 1969, became the first man to walk on the moon. After his historic flight, Armstrong, a devout Christian, visited the Old City of Jerusalem. At the Huldah Gate, which leads to the Temple Mount, the astronaut wanted to know if he was walking on the same stone walkway as Jesus did. When Armstrong learned it was the very same stones, he replied, “I have to tell you, I am more excited stepping on these stones than I was stepping on the moon.”
Application: We are to be humble servants of the Lord.
Ron L.
