Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2012)
Illustration
Object:
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Bryan Mattimore, a creativity expert, tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci preparing a shield for his father. Ser Piero, his father, also presented him with a challenge to paint something on the shield. His son decided to paint something on the shield to "terrify the enemy." He collected in his room the makings of his model: "lizards, newts, crickets, serpents, butterflies, grasshoppers, bats, and other strange animals." Out of the mix of these creatures he fashioned a horrible monster.
When his father picked up the shield he "received a great shock" and almost fell over backward with fright.
In our biblical story David relied on a weapon that was just right for the task of confronting and defeating the giant Goliath. He could not use the heavy armor of King Saul. He had to use something he was comfortable with even though a sling shot and a few stones might not seem like an adequate weapon to others.
Richard H.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Christians have been made people who go against the grain. Martin Luther King Jr. so well described our rebellious, maladjusted way of life:
Modern psychology has a word that is probably used more than any other word. It is the word "maladjusted." Now we all should seek to live a well-adjusted life in order to avoid neurotic and schizophrenic personalities. But there are some things within our social order to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I call upon you to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination... I call upon you to be as maladjusted as Amos who in the midst of the injustices of the day cried out in words that echo across the generation, "Let justice run down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." As maladjusted as Abraham Lincoln who had the vision to see that this nation could not exist half slave and half free. As maladjusted as Jefferson, who in the midst of an age amazingly adjusted to slavery could cry out, "All men are created equal..." As maladjusted as Jesus of Nazareth who dreamed a dream of the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man ("The Power of Nonviolence").
Mark E.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
The American colonies entering the War for Independence from Britain knew it lacked the men needed for an army, the ships for the protection of the harbors, and the industry to produce armaments. This is why it was crucial for France to align itself with the colonies. It was for this purpose that Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams frequently traveled to Paris as ambassadors to gain French support.
Understandably, the French were hesitant to become involved in a war that encompassed their arch-enemy, the British. Therefore, all diplomatic talk fell on deaf ears until the French knew the colonists could defeat the British.
After the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, in upstate New York, the French become convinced the colonists could prevail. It was at this point they joined the fight on the side of the Americans.
Until this victor at Saratoga, the colonists had to have great endurance.
Ron L.
Mark 4:35-41
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn, "Does Jesus Care?" normally was an upbeat person, and in fact he often was called the "Sunshine Minister." But later in life Graeff endured a number of heartbreaks that plunged him into deep depression. At length, he came out of this period of despair and was able to write the hymn that included these words: "O Yes, He cares; I know he cares; / His heart is touched with my grief; / When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, / I know my Savior cares." He was able to answer his own question, "Does Jesus Care?" with a resounding, "Yes."
The disciples in Mark's account of their harrowing experience in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee also doubted that Jesus cared for them, when they sought to awaken him crying out "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" But Jesus granted them the "peace" that he still grants to those who trust him.
Richard H.
Bryan Mattimore, a creativity expert, tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci preparing a shield for his father. Ser Piero, his father, also presented him with a challenge to paint something on the shield. His son decided to paint something on the shield to "terrify the enemy." He collected in his room the makings of his model: "lizards, newts, crickets, serpents, butterflies, grasshoppers, bats, and other strange animals." Out of the mix of these creatures he fashioned a horrible monster.
When his father picked up the shield he "received a great shock" and almost fell over backward with fright.
In our biblical story David relied on a weapon that was just right for the task of confronting and defeating the giant Goliath. He could not use the heavy armor of King Saul. He had to use something he was comfortable with even though a sling shot and a few stones might not seem like an adequate weapon to others.
Richard H.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Christians have been made people who go against the grain. Martin Luther King Jr. so well described our rebellious, maladjusted way of life:
Modern psychology has a word that is probably used more than any other word. It is the word "maladjusted." Now we all should seek to live a well-adjusted life in order to avoid neurotic and schizophrenic personalities. But there are some things within our social order to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I call upon you to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination... I call upon you to be as maladjusted as Amos who in the midst of the injustices of the day cried out in words that echo across the generation, "Let justice run down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." As maladjusted as Abraham Lincoln who had the vision to see that this nation could not exist half slave and half free. As maladjusted as Jefferson, who in the midst of an age amazingly adjusted to slavery could cry out, "All men are created equal..." As maladjusted as Jesus of Nazareth who dreamed a dream of the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man ("The Power of Nonviolence").
Mark E.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
The American colonies entering the War for Independence from Britain knew it lacked the men needed for an army, the ships for the protection of the harbors, and the industry to produce armaments. This is why it was crucial for France to align itself with the colonies. It was for this purpose that Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams frequently traveled to Paris as ambassadors to gain French support.
Understandably, the French were hesitant to become involved in a war that encompassed their arch-enemy, the British. Therefore, all diplomatic talk fell on deaf ears until the French knew the colonists could defeat the British.
After the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, in upstate New York, the French become convinced the colonists could prevail. It was at this point they joined the fight on the side of the Americans.
Until this victor at Saratoga, the colonists had to have great endurance.
Ron L.
Mark 4:35-41
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn, "Does Jesus Care?" normally was an upbeat person, and in fact he often was called the "Sunshine Minister." But later in life Graeff endured a number of heartbreaks that plunged him into deep depression. At length, he came out of this period of despair and was able to write the hymn that included these words: "O Yes, He cares; I know he cares; / His heart is touched with my grief; / When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, / I know my Savior cares." He was able to answer his own question, "Does Jesus Care?" with a resounding, "Yes."
The disciples in Mark's account of their harrowing experience in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee also doubted that Jesus cared for them, when they sought to awaken him crying out "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" But Jesus granted them the "peace" that he still grants to those who trust him.
Richard H.
