Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2018)
Illustration
1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
I ran across this news item and thought it appropriate for this text. Missionaries reported that many early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions and prayer. In one particular village, some men, leaders of the tribe, each had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. These paths were known and noticed by many in the village. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
The story of Hannah and Samuel is a powerful example of love, devotion and trust. After a long time of infertility, God gives Hannah a son. True to her word, she gives the boy back to God. It is a touching story. There is part of it, though, that sometimes gets overlooked. Hannah was a woman dedicated to prayer. She brought her requests to God. Such devotion appears to be rare at that time. Eli, the priest, mistakes her intensity and fervent prayer for drunkenness. However, there wasn’t much grass on Hannah’s path to prayer. How about yours?
Bill T.
* * *
1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and the unnamed mother of Samson were, like Hannah in today’s scriptures, women in scripture who wanted to have children but had not gotten pregnant. It’s a commonplace for preachers, in speaking about Biblical passages, to talk about how women who had not been able to have children were considered deficient or even cursed by God.
In an article published in the September/October 2017 issue of Biblical Archaeological Review scholars Joel S. Baden and Candida R. Moss summarized some interesting points from their book “Reconceiving Infertility: Biblical Perspectives on Procreation and Childlessness.”
For instance, after the twelve sons of Jacob were born the divine command to be fruitful and multiply is never spoken again. Moreover the women mentioned earlier are not faulted or blamed by God, or their husbands, for their infertility. Certainly Hannah, Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel are all loved.
The two authors suggest that according to the Biblical view, every pregnancy depended on an act of God. In this light the pregnancies of Sarah, Rebecca, Hannah, and the mother of Samson are no more and no less miraculous than every woman’s pregnancy.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Elton John caused millions to weep as he sang a reworked version of Candle in the Wind in an emotional farewell to Princess Diana. Elton John originally recorded the single, titled Goodbye Norma Jean, in 1973 to honor Marilyn Monroe who had died 11 years earlier in 1962. After his close friend Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997, he revised the lyrics to honor the Princess. He changed the title to Candle in the Wind. Elton has only performed the song once at Princess Diana’s Westminster Abbey funeral. In concerts he uses the original version of the song. The opening lines of the 1973 version, “Goodbye Norma Jeane, though I never knew you at all,” were adapted to “Goodbye England’s rose, may you ever grow in our hearts.” All the lyrics were changed to reflect the Princess’ life following her tragic death. In the original, the lyrics reflected Marilyn Monroe's turbulent life, which was cut short when she was just 36. Princess Diana died at the age of 36.
Application: Our lectionary readings discuss living a troubled and anxious filled life. There should be comfort in knowing that we are still admired and cared about by others.
Ron L.
* * *
Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25
External laws and checklists are often a part of our self-judgment. Have we done all our tasks? Have we checked all the boxes? Have we done enough to earn our own way? We judge ourselves with harshness when we don’t fulfill all the thoughts and actions we think we should. But is that how God see us? I don’t think so. Hebrews reminds us that it is the law God has written on our hearts, not an external motivation, that allows us to feel our relationship with God, and through that a more positive relationship with each other. Forgiveness isn’t earned. It is freely given to us through the mercy and grace of God. We are reminded that the checking of all the boxes is not important. The relationship with God is what is important. Maybe if we all lived with the recognition of the love of God and paid attention to the law written on our hearts, we would have better relationships with each other and with our creator.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25
Some people don’t like to get something for nothing. They want to earn it. Maybe they don’t realize how overwhelming sin is and what it costs. We should always remember what our Lord had to endure to pay for it. No human could ever sacrifice enough to pay for his sins. It is so common for us to read the paper or see the news on TV and think how much more sinful other people are. We couldn’t possibly be as wicked as some others -- certainly we are not that bad that Jesus had to suffer such agony on the cross for us. That is something our church should help us realize.
Maybe all we have to do is put a little more in the offering every week plus make sure we don’t miss church on Sunday and act as usher or sing in the choir or take the hard job of teaching a Sunday school class.
One look at that cross every week should make us think what it costs to pay for our sins.
That cross makes us realize that we could never sacrifice enough ourselves to make up for our sins. It is all right to sacrifice, but that cross helps us to know that it is never enough. The only thing that is enough is the sacrifice of our Lord. That is where our faith must be.
Some of our Nepali church members spent time in prison for their faith and suffered beatings and torture, but the message from their church was that only Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. It helped them to learn how extreme suffering could be on a cross.
The most important lesson for them was to know that God’s love was the reason for that suffering. That is what made their love for him strong enough to endure their own small sacrifice for him.
Bob O.
* * *
Hebrews 10:11-4 (15-18),19-25
Poll data indicates that more and more Americans don’t think that the life and work of Jesus are that special, that we can get what he gives from other religions. In the most recent poll on the subject a decade ago (2008), a Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believes many religions (not just through the sacrifice of Christ) can lead to eternal life. Little doubt there may even be more proponents of this line of thinking with the marked growth of the religiously unaffiliated. In contrast, and in line with this lesson, Martin Luther elaborates on what Christ has done and done uniquely:
This, therefore, is the Christian love that is shown to those who are contemptible and unworthy of love; this, in fact, is the kindness that is bestowed on those who are evil and ungrateful. For this is what Christ and God did for us... (Luther’s Works, Vol.29, p.227)
Those who fail to appreciate the unique thing Jesus has done for us, are guilty of making him a moral example or teacher, a kind of Moses. To that point of view, Luther adds:
People make a Moses of Christ for us, whereas He did not purchase us with His shed blood merely to teach us how to lead a good life, but in order to live and rule in us Himself and to be our Lord, working all good works within us, something that takes place only through faith in Him. (What Luther Says, p.185)
Christ does not just tell us what to do; He takes over our lives. This is why we need his atoning love.
Mark E.
* * *
Mark 13:1-8
A little girl was having trouble sleeping one night. Her bedroom was upstairs, and every few minutes her parents, who were downstairs reading, would hear her little feet coming down the stairs. First, she wanted a drink of water. Then she wanted a cookie. Another time she wanted to know what time it was. Finally, her parents’ patience ran out. They warned her that if she came downstairs one more time she would be in big trouble. All the little girl could do was lie in bed and listen to the striking of the grandfather clock downstairs. After the clock chimed eleven o’clock something happened mechanically, because the clock continued to chime. When the old clock chimed the eighteenth time, the little girl threw caution to the wind and jumped up and ran downstairs and cried, “Mom, Dad -- it’s later than it’s ever been!”
I like that story. There’s truth in the words of that little girl. In this passage Jesus is talking to his disciples. They are impressed by the awesomeness of the temple, but Jesus notes that a day is coming when it will be destroyed. As they question him further, he tells them of the things that will happen perhaps in the near future as well as what will happen before the end comes. As the disciples wrestled with these truths, the words of the little girl ring truer than ever: “It’s later now than it’s ever been.”
Bill T.
* * *
Mark 13:1-8
The ancients believed that the sky was not distant. The stars were not infinitely distant objects. Moreover astronomical events like comets and meteors took place fairly close at hand. And of course the heavens were interpreted in terms of God’s intent. Was good or evil coming? Look to the skies.
An ancient Anglo-Saxon chronicle mentioned the appearance of a red cross visible after sunset during the year 774 AD. Was this just the sort of thing that people imagined they saw in the sky during the dark ages?
A few years ago Jonathan Allen connected this heavenly event with a strange concentration of Carbon-14 in Japanese cedar tree rings for the year 774 AD. Each year of a tree’s growth reflects its history. Was it a dry year? A rainy year? Why would trees have an unusual concentration with an element associated with cataclysmic cosmic events?
Allen formulated a “what if?” What if the light from a supernova had to pass through an interstellar cloud? It might well turn red and appear in the shape of a cross. And the Carbon-14 expelled by that supernova might have left its mark on cedar trees in Japan?
The event may have had a perfectly natural explanation, but it was also natural for believers to imbue this event with religious significance. To those of us who see Jesus in everything it is easy to interpret a cross-shaped patch of dust in the skies as a sign of our savior.
Frank R.
* * *
Mark 13:1-8
The movie Rocky II was released in 1979. It was written, directed by, and starred Sylvester Stallone. The movie is about a rematch between Rocky, “The Italian Stallion,” and Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion of the world. In the first film, Apollo gave Rocky a shot at the title. The fight ended with Apollo winning in the 15th and last round by a by split-decision. Because of the close outcome of the fight boxing enthusiasts who saw the movie believed that Apollo did not necessarily win. Because of this, Apollo gives Rocky a second chance for the title in a rematch. The rematch is the plot of Rocky II. Stallone used Apollo as an imaginative representative of the real heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali. This was generally understood by the viewing public. In the movie Apollo taunts Rocky by saying, “I’ll destroy you. I’m the master of disaster.” After a private screening of the movie Ali was asked about that line in the movie. Ali responded, “Master of disaster. I wish I’d thought of that.”
Application: There are going to many false prophets who misquote the scriptures for their own personal advantage.
Ron L.
I ran across this news item and thought it appropriate for this text. Missionaries reported that many early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions and prayer. In one particular village, some men, leaders of the tribe, each had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. These paths were known and noticed by many in the village. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
The story of Hannah and Samuel is a powerful example of love, devotion and trust. After a long time of infertility, God gives Hannah a son. True to her word, she gives the boy back to God. It is a touching story. There is part of it, though, that sometimes gets overlooked. Hannah was a woman dedicated to prayer. She brought her requests to God. Such devotion appears to be rare at that time. Eli, the priest, mistakes her intensity and fervent prayer for drunkenness. However, there wasn’t much grass on Hannah’s path to prayer. How about yours?
Bill T.
* * *
1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and the unnamed mother of Samson were, like Hannah in today’s scriptures, women in scripture who wanted to have children but had not gotten pregnant. It’s a commonplace for preachers, in speaking about Biblical passages, to talk about how women who had not been able to have children were considered deficient or even cursed by God.
In an article published in the September/October 2017 issue of Biblical Archaeological Review scholars Joel S. Baden and Candida R. Moss summarized some interesting points from their book “Reconceiving Infertility: Biblical Perspectives on Procreation and Childlessness.”
For instance, after the twelve sons of Jacob were born the divine command to be fruitful and multiply is never spoken again. Moreover the women mentioned earlier are not faulted or blamed by God, or their husbands, for their infertility. Certainly Hannah, Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel are all loved.
The two authors suggest that according to the Biblical view, every pregnancy depended on an act of God. In this light the pregnancies of Sarah, Rebecca, Hannah, and the mother of Samson are no more and no less miraculous than every woman’s pregnancy.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Elton John caused millions to weep as he sang a reworked version of Candle in the Wind in an emotional farewell to Princess Diana. Elton John originally recorded the single, titled Goodbye Norma Jean, in 1973 to honor Marilyn Monroe who had died 11 years earlier in 1962. After his close friend Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997, he revised the lyrics to honor the Princess. He changed the title to Candle in the Wind. Elton has only performed the song once at Princess Diana’s Westminster Abbey funeral. In concerts he uses the original version of the song. The opening lines of the 1973 version, “Goodbye Norma Jeane, though I never knew you at all,” were adapted to “Goodbye England’s rose, may you ever grow in our hearts.” All the lyrics were changed to reflect the Princess’ life following her tragic death. In the original, the lyrics reflected Marilyn Monroe's turbulent life, which was cut short when she was just 36. Princess Diana died at the age of 36.
Application: Our lectionary readings discuss living a troubled and anxious filled life. There should be comfort in knowing that we are still admired and cared about by others.
Ron L.
* * *
Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25
External laws and checklists are often a part of our self-judgment. Have we done all our tasks? Have we checked all the boxes? Have we done enough to earn our own way? We judge ourselves with harshness when we don’t fulfill all the thoughts and actions we think we should. But is that how God see us? I don’t think so. Hebrews reminds us that it is the law God has written on our hearts, not an external motivation, that allows us to feel our relationship with God, and through that a more positive relationship with each other. Forgiveness isn’t earned. It is freely given to us through the mercy and grace of God. We are reminded that the checking of all the boxes is not important. The relationship with God is what is important. Maybe if we all lived with the recognition of the love of God and paid attention to the law written on our hearts, we would have better relationships with each other and with our creator.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25
Some people don’t like to get something for nothing. They want to earn it. Maybe they don’t realize how overwhelming sin is and what it costs. We should always remember what our Lord had to endure to pay for it. No human could ever sacrifice enough to pay for his sins. It is so common for us to read the paper or see the news on TV and think how much more sinful other people are. We couldn’t possibly be as wicked as some others -- certainly we are not that bad that Jesus had to suffer such agony on the cross for us. That is something our church should help us realize.
Maybe all we have to do is put a little more in the offering every week plus make sure we don’t miss church on Sunday and act as usher or sing in the choir or take the hard job of teaching a Sunday school class.
One look at that cross every week should make us think what it costs to pay for our sins.
That cross makes us realize that we could never sacrifice enough ourselves to make up for our sins. It is all right to sacrifice, but that cross helps us to know that it is never enough. The only thing that is enough is the sacrifice of our Lord. That is where our faith must be.
Some of our Nepali church members spent time in prison for their faith and suffered beatings and torture, but the message from their church was that only Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. It helped them to learn how extreme suffering could be on a cross.
The most important lesson for them was to know that God’s love was the reason for that suffering. That is what made their love for him strong enough to endure their own small sacrifice for him.
Bob O.
* * *
Hebrews 10:11-4 (15-18),19-25
Poll data indicates that more and more Americans don’t think that the life and work of Jesus are that special, that we can get what he gives from other religions. In the most recent poll on the subject a decade ago (2008), a Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believes many religions (not just through the sacrifice of Christ) can lead to eternal life. Little doubt there may even be more proponents of this line of thinking with the marked growth of the religiously unaffiliated. In contrast, and in line with this lesson, Martin Luther elaborates on what Christ has done and done uniquely:
This, therefore, is the Christian love that is shown to those who are contemptible and unworthy of love; this, in fact, is the kindness that is bestowed on those who are evil and ungrateful. For this is what Christ and God did for us... (Luther’s Works, Vol.29, p.227)
Those who fail to appreciate the unique thing Jesus has done for us, are guilty of making him a moral example or teacher, a kind of Moses. To that point of view, Luther adds:
People make a Moses of Christ for us, whereas He did not purchase us with His shed blood merely to teach us how to lead a good life, but in order to live and rule in us Himself and to be our Lord, working all good works within us, something that takes place only through faith in Him. (What Luther Says, p.185)
Christ does not just tell us what to do; He takes over our lives. This is why we need his atoning love.
Mark E.
* * *
Mark 13:1-8
A little girl was having trouble sleeping one night. Her bedroom was upstairs, and every few minutes her parents, who were downstairs reading, would hear her little feet coming down the stairs. First, she wanted a drink of water. Then she wanted a cookie. Another time she wanted to know what time it was. Finally, her parents’ patience ran out. They warned her that if she came downstairs one more time she would be in big trouble. All the little girl could do was lie in bed and listen to the striking of the grandfather clock downstairs. After the clock chimed eleven o’clock something happened mechanically, because the clock continued to chime. When the old clock chimed the eighteenth time, the little girl threw caution to the wind and jumped up and ran downstairs and cried, “Mom, Dad -- it’s later than it’s ever been!”
I like that story. There’s truth in the words of that little girl. In this passage Jesus is talking to his disciples. They are impressed by the awesomeness of the temple, but Jesus notes that a day is coming when it will be destroyed. As they question him further, he tells them of the things that will happen perhaps in the near future as well as what will happen before the end comes. As the disciples wrestled with these truths, the words of the little girl ring truer than ever: “It’s later now than it’s ever been.”
Bill T.
* * *
Mark 13:1-8
The ancients believed that the sky was not distant. The stars were not infinitely distant objects. Moreover astronomical events like comets and meteors took place fairly close at hand. And of course the heavens were interpreted in terms of God’s intent. Was good or evil coming? Look to the skies.
An ancient Anglo-Saxon chronicle mentioned the appearance of a red cross visible after sunset during the year 774 AD. Was this just the sort of thing that people imagined they saw in the sky during the dark ages?
A few years ago Jonathan Allen connected this heavenly event with a strange concentration of Carbon-14 in Japanese cedar tree rings for the year 774 AD. Each year of a tree’s growth reflects its history. Was it a dry year? A rainy year? Why would trees have an unusual concentration with an element associated with cataclysmic cosmic events?
Allen formulated a “what if?” What if the light from a supernova had to pass through an interstellar cloud? It might well turn red and appear in the shape of a cross. And the Carbon-14 expelled by that supernova might have left its mark on cedar trees in Japan?
The event may have had a perfectly natural explanation, but it was also natural for believers to imbue this event with religious significance. To those of us who see Jesus in everything it is easy to interpret a cross-shaped patch of dust in the skies as a sign of our savior.
Frank R.
* * *
Mark 13:1-8
The movie Rocky II was released in 1979. It was written, directed by, and starred Sylvester Stallone. The movie is about a rematch between Rocky, “The Italian Stallion,” and Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion of the world. In the first film, Apollo gave Rocky a shot at the title. The fight ended with Apollo winning in the 15th and last round by a by split-decision. Because of the close outcome of the fight boxing enthusiasts who saw the movie believed that Apollo did not necessarily win. Because of this, Apollo gives Rocky a second chance for the title in a rematch. The rematch is the plot of Rocky II. Stallone used Apollo as an imaginative representative of the real heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali. This was generally understood by the viewing public. In the movie Apollo taunts Rocky by saying, “I’ll destroy you. I’m the master of disaster.” After a private screening of the movie Ali was asked about that line in the movie. Ali responded, “Master of disaster. I wish I’d thought of that.”
Application: There are going to many false prophets who misquote the scriptures for their own personal advantage.
Ron L.
