Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2012)
Illustration
Object:
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
David did not gloat over the victory over Saul. Instead he praised Saul and his son Jonathan, even lamented them. Being gracious in victory, David remembered the good times he had with Saul and his family. Most of the time we live like English author Aldous Huxley described: "Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." David and Christian faith show us another happier way to live -- a life of thanks. In the black church parishioners are often reminded that "we stand on the shoulders" [of those who went before us].
English author G.K. Chesterton does a wonderful job reminding us that grateful people are happier: "I would maintain [he writes] that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." Studies by psychologist Robert Emmons (Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier) provide scientific backing for how gratitude makes for a better and happier life. Adults keeping gratitude journals were polled as happier and healthier than the general public.
Mark E.
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
During the French Revolution the country was in economic chaos. As the king had to abdicate much of his authority, in order to increase taxes he had convened the Estates General, which had not been called to assembly for 150 years.
The convocation was composed of three estates. The First Estate was the clergy, the Second Estate was the nobles, and the Third Estate was the commoners. Though the Third Estate represented almost the entire population, each Estate had only one vote. Thus the First and Second Estate could always prevail over the Third. Knowing this, the king was confident he would secure his tax increases.
The Third Estate, realizing they represented the will of the people, boycotted the proceedings. On the day of this decision it was raining, so they convened in an indoor tennis court. They agreed not to relinquish power until the rights of all people were recognized in a constitution. Their vow and published document of demands, reflective of their meeting place, became known as the Tennis Court Oath.
As seen in the story of David, the recognition of authority and leadership must clearly be established.
Ron L.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Julia Ward Howe, the composer of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" once asked the abolitionist leader Senator Charles Summer for a favor. She asked him if he would help a friend of hers who had personal problems. The senator wrote back to her, "My dear Julia, I am so busy with the Abolitionist Movement that I don't have time to take care of individual people." Howe's response was, "How remarkable Charles! Even God hasn't reached that stage yet."
Paul in writing to the Corinthian church sought to bring to their attention the Jerusalem church that was hurting more than they were. He thought that this prosperous Christian community should do something about the plight of the Jerusalem believers, and he expressed is concern in these words: "I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need..." (2 Corinthians 8:13-14).
R. Hasler
Mark 5:21-43
Salman Khan did not set out to change the world, only to help his cousin who lived on the opposite coast of his Silicon Valley apartment. She was having difficulty with math, so Khan composed several online lectures to assist her.
As others learned of the lectures, the desire grew for copies of the lectures; as well as lectures in other academic disciplines.
As Khan expanded his teaching program, he developed the online tutorial service called khanacademy.org. The library presently contains over 3,000 short lessons that allow students to learn at their own pace. Khan's ultimate goal is to give every child the opportunity for a free first-class education.
It all started by posting one math lesson for one child.
The reading from Mark is about compassion. When the ailing woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment he asked, "Who touched my clothes?" Jesus felt the touch for he was aware of the need.
Some of us will have the opportunity to minister to thousands, others to only one, but each "touch" is an act of compassion.
Ron L.
Mark 5:21-43
If death is nothing Christians need fear, why do we spend so much time worrying about it, being sad at funerals, and seeing the doctor when sick? Nineteenth-century American author Henry Van Dyke put it well: "Some people are so afraid to die that they never begin to live." Mark Twain made a similar point: "The fear of death follows from the fear of life." But then he added a point that relates to what Jesus does for and to us. "A man who lives fully is prepared to die any time," he wrote. Jesus comes to take away the fear of death, overcoming it, and making it possible to live fully and courageously. When we live that way, death is not so scary. In the movie Gladiator, there was a line: "Death smiles at us all; all a man can do is smile back." Jesus gives us the courage to smile (and laugh) at death.
Mark E.
David did not gloat over the victory over Saul. Instead he praised Saul and his son Jonathan, even lamented them. Being gracious in victory, David remembered the good times he had with Saul and his family. Most of the time we live like English author Aldous Huxley described: "Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." David and Christian faith show us another happier way to live -- a life of thanks. In the black church parishioners are often reminded that "we stand on the shoulders" [of those who went before us].
English author G.K. Chesterton does a wonderful job reminding us that grateful people are happier: "I would maintain [he writes] that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." Studies by psychologist Robert Emmons (Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier) provide scientific backing for how gratitude makes for a better and happier life. Adults keeping gratitude journals were polled as happier and healthier than the general public.
Mark E.
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
During the French Revolution the country was in economic chaos. As the king had to abdicate much of his authority, in order to increase taxes he had convened the Estates General, which had not been called to assembly for 150 years.
The convocation was composed of three estates. The First Estate was the clergy, the Second Estate was the nobles, and the Third Estate was the commoners. Though the Third Estate represented almost the entire population, each Estate had only one vote. Thus the First and Second Estate could always prevail over the Third. Knowing this, the king was confident he would secure his tax increases.
The Third Estate, realizing they represented the will of the people, boycotted the proceedings. On the day of this decision it was raining, so they convened in an indoor tennis court. They agreed not to relinquish power until the rights of all people were recognized in a constitution. Their vow and published document of demands, reflective of their meeting place, became known as the Tennis Court Oath.
As seen in the story of David, the recognition of authority and leadership must clearly be established.
Ron L.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Julia Ward Howe, the composer of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" once asked the abolitionist leader Senator Charles Summer for a favor. She asked him if he would help a friend of hers who had personal problems. The senator wrote back to her, "My dear Julia, I am so busy with the Abolitionist Movement that I don't have time to take care of individual people." Howe's response was, "How remarkable Charles! Even God hasn't reached that stage yet."
Paul in writing to the Corinthian church sought to bring to their attention the Jerusalem church that was hurting more than they were. He thought that this prosperous Christian community should do something about the plight of the Jerusalem believers, and he expressed is concern in these words: "I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need..." (2 Corinthians 8:13-14).
R. Hasler
Mark 5:21-43
Salman Khan did not set out to change the world, only to help his cousin who lived on the opposite coast of his Silicon Valley apartment. She was having difficulty with math, so Khan composed several online lectures to assist her.
As others learned of the lectures, the desire grew for copies of the lectures; as well as lectures in other academic disciplines.
As Khan expanded his teaching program, he developed the online tutorial service called khanacademy.org. The library presently contains over 3,000 short lessons that allow students to learn at their own pace. Khan's ultimate goal is to give every child the opportunity for a free first-class education.
It all started by posting one math lesson for one child.
The reading from Mark is about compassion. When the ailing woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment he asked, "Who touched my clothes?" Jesus felt the touch for he was aware of the need.
Some of us will have the opportunity to minister to thousands, others to only one, but each "touch" is an act of compassion.
Ron L.
Mark 5:21-43
If death is nothing Christians need fear, why do we spend so much time worrying about it, being sad at funerals, and seeing the doctor when sick? Nineteenth-century American author Henry Van Dyke put it well: "Some people are so afraid to die that they never begin to live." Mark Twain made a similar point: "The fear of death follows from the fear of life." But then he added a point that relates to what Jesus does for and to us. "A man who lives fully is prepared to die any time," he wrote. Jesus comes to take away the fear of death, overcoming it, and making it possible to live fully and courageously. When we live that way, death is not so scary. In the movie Gladiator, there was a line: "Death smiles at us all; all a man can do is smile back." Jesus gives us the courage to smile (and laugh) at death.
Mark E.
