Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2018)
Illustration
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
Dr. Marilyn Gootman wrote a book in 2005 called When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens about Grieving and Healing. It has been lauded as a valuable tool for young people at a time of loss and confusion. Here are some excerpts from that book.
"My parents act like the death of my boyfriend shouldn't matter. They don't understand what he meant to me. We really loved each other. We could talk about anything and everything. Maybe if my parents had taken the time to get to know him, it would be different. They didn't want us together. I guess they'll never understand."
“When my friend died, the rest of the world kept going and no one knew what I was going through. No one could understand the pain I was feeling. I wanted the world to stop and I wanted to just scream out, ‘Doesn’t anyone realize that I am hurt?' I kept looking at people and thinking, 'You don't have a care, and look at me, one of my friends just died."
These are just two of the raw sentiments expressed in the book as teens deal with the emotions and pain that losing a friend causes. In our text for today we see a glimpse of David’s heart at the death of his friend, Jonathan and Jonathan’s father Saul. David is deeply affected by their deaths. He honors their lives and what they did for Israel. His grieving, however, unlike some of the heartbreaking stories in the Gootman book, is not without hope. Psalm 130 notes that forgiveness and hope come from the Lord. With the Lord comes unfailing love and redemption. May our grieving find hope in the Lord. “Joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Bill T.
2 Samuel 1:1-27 and Psalm 130
In July 2016, as Pope Francis flew from Rome to Krakow to celebrate World Youth Day in Poland, he spoke with reporters during his flight. Recently an 85-year-old French priest was murdered by two extremists in Normandy. A reporter asked the Pope about the slaying. In repose the Pope said, “It’s war, we don’t have to be afraid to say this.” The Pope then sought to prevent any misunderstanding of his remark by continuing, “I only want to clarify that, when I speak of war, I am really speaking of war. A war of interests for money, resources, domination of peoples.” The Pope went on to say, “I am not speaking of a war of religions. Religions don’t want war. The others want war.”
Application: After the death of Saul there was a great expression of grief. The psalmist speaks of grief when he says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” Then the psalmist offers that most important biblical word -- “hope.” We are surrounded by grief. We are surrounded by a war of grief, either directly or indirectly, but it still affects all of us. It is our calling to bring forth hope and peace in a world torn apart by grief.
Ron L.
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
"He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar." (2 Samuel 1:18)
This is one of two references to the Book of Jashar, which translated means The Book of the Upright. The other is in Joshua 10:13. It probably refers to a collection of songs which celebrate heroes of the past. The earlier reference celebrates the great battle in which the sun holds still for Joshua. The present reference is Saul and Jonathan.
This suggests that the scriptures have layers of tradition. They are not necessarily composed by eyewitnesses. What gives scripture life is the interpretation of history, practice, and proclamation. The old events are given this new life as they are reinterpreted by God’s people in light of what they were presently experiencing. (See "Joshua," a commentary that is part of the Word Biblical Commentary, p 117)
Frank R.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Religious institutions are still the single biggest recipients of overall charity donations, according to the 2015 survey by the Giving USA Foundation. About 32% ($119.3 billion) of what Americans gave to charities went to churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. But that is down from about 50% since 1990. Given these problematic numbers, we need to hear the advice of John Wesley about money: “Earn all you can; save all you can; give all you can.” (Works, Vol.6, p.133) Martin Luther further comments on Christian generosity, what Christ wants us to do with our money:
Paul’s reference to our becoming rich through Christ (v.9) is not a text substantiating Prosperity Gospel and its claim that our giving will be returned to us with material blessings (Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now, pp.260,262). The famous preacher of the early church, John Chrysostom, nicely explains what the lesson means when it speaks of our becoming rich. In his view it entails “the knowledge of godliness, the cleansing away of our sin... the countless good things which He bestowed up us...” (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 1/12:360).
Mark E.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Once again Paul writes to the church in Corinth and in this letter, he talks about sharing and generosity, using gifts for the good of others. It’s useful to note that the economy of Corinth was unevenly ranked, with the haves having much more than the have-nots. Seems a little like our western culture, doesn’t it? In fact, statistically, “the net worth of U.S. households and non-profit organizations was $94.7 trillion in the first quarter of 2017, a record level both in nominal terms and purchasing power parity. Divided equally among 124 million U.S. households, this would be $760,000 per family. However, the bottom 50% of families, representing 62 million households, average $11,000 net worth.”1 Statistically, the top 1% of the economic strata’s wealth keeps climbing while the poor are getting poorer and the number of the poor are increasing.
Paul seems to be implying the culture in Corinth should be changed. He relates in the same way as Luke does in the Book of Acts when he says that all shared and none went without. It might sound a little socialist, but the economic system to which we adhere is crippling large portions of our population -- and it isn’t about people working hard. I know some poorer families who work 3 or 4 jobs to put a roof over their heads and food on the table. The reality is that once you have wealth and influence it is much easier to gain more wealth and influence. My questions are: is this what God intended and what do we do about it? I don’t have answers, but the conversation is an important one for us Christians.
Bonnie B.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
This is a text you will want to use for pledge week. It urges us to compare the needs of others with our needs. That should be preached all over America. Our congress and president should read (and obey) this text.
When I was encouraging contributions for my friends in Nepal, my emphasis was on their great need. The yearly income of those people in Nepal was the equivalent of $200 in US dollars. I hoped that my members back home would give sacrificially. That did not mean they should give so much that they were sacrificing the basic needs of their own family.
Each person has to think prayerfully what is a reasonable amount. I’m sure our wealthy president should give more than I or my friends give.
We depend on the information we get about the needs of others from reliable sources like our church magazine.
For some church members that might mean more than the standard 10 percent of our income. Some may have trouble with the 10 percent the Bible asks us to contribute. No. We are not asked to give all that we have like the widow Jesus pointed out dropping her last coins in the offering plate.
Many of us may have great faith and knowledge and other abilities plus great love for those who deserve it. When we see a picture of a starving child in a church publication, our heart may go out to them, but does part of our income also go out to them? Sometimes I feel guilt that I am not giving more. I give more to my friends in Nepal because they are like family to me.
How much would we sacrifice for a son or daughter who lost their job and might have to leave their new house if they didn’t have enough rent money? We might even give more than we could afford out of love for them. Would we sacrifice for our sick mother or father here in America or on the mission field who had little money?
Would we sacrifice for a neighbor in need also? Would we only let them know by our “speech” that we cared about them?
Equality is not an easy thing to Annalise on a piece of paper. It may be even harder to measure in our heart. We may need some help from others who are more skilled in analyzing our situation. We may need spiritual help from our pastor or fellow members.
A member in a friend’s church said that he might have to reduce his giving for a while because his wife needed a car of her own as they sometimes had trouble sharing. He was quite well to do so my friend asked him if she needed enough to eat also. He took the insult to heart and said he would think about it.
This is an important text, but as I said it may need the help of a pastor or friends to help us.
God looks in our heart and knows what we can give. Your church can’t tell you what to give. That is up to you.
Remember that verse where Jesus is saying, “why didn’t you give to me when I was in need?” Remember where they went? They were not giving to someone in need who was loved by Jesus.
Whatever we give is a gift to God!
Bob O.
Mark 5:21-43
Jesus ministers to people of all social and economic classes. As part of the backdrop of the gospels we see people concerned with who is seen with who, along with favoritism directed towards the rich and powerful. Jesus cares enough about the rich to share a meal with Zaccheaus, or to call the tax collector Levi as one of his apostles. But he doesn’t favor the rich over the poor. It is Jesus who points out that the supposedly minuscule gift of the widow is greater than all those who deposit large sums in the temple’s treasury.
This balance is seen clearly in this passage. Jesus ministers to a person of influence, but on his way to save the daughter of Jairus Jesus turns aside to minister to an unclean woman who was also broke! She is a person of no status, but she receives healing before Jesus returns to serve the influential family.
Frank R.
Mark 5:21-43
It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Steward, is one of my favorite movies and I watch it, at least once, each Christmas. There are a lot of scenes that are worth watching repeatedly, but one scene stands out for it’s warmth and sincerity. George Bailey’s wedding is over, and he and Mary are about to go on their honeymoon. The stock market crash, however, has caused a run on the bank and the building and loan. People are flocking in to get money. The bank has called in the loan, so there is no money to give. George pleads with the townspeople to be patient, but they need cash. Finally, he offers his wedding money, nearly all he has. People line up to get twenty dollars, just to see them through. Then the character played by Ellen Corby says, "Could I have $17.50?" It is part of the back story to that movie that Ellen Corby came up with that line spontaneously, Stewart's reaction was likewise improvised. Frank Capra thought it was great and kept it.
I thought of that woman when I read through this text. There is a lot of activity surrounding Jesus. A synagogue ruler, an important man, Jairus has a problem. His little girl is dying. He is begging Jesus to come. Can there be anything more pressing? I’m guessing a sick woman in the crowd didn’t think so. Like Jairus, she had a problem. She’d had a bleeding issue for twelve years, as long as the little girl had been alive. She didn’t want to cause much trouble, though, and she certainly didn’t want to detain Jesus. In an act of humble faith, she reached out to touch his clothes. She didn’t think she needed more. That would be enough. Her humble faith brought about healing.
Bill T.
Mark 5:21-43
Anthony Norris Groves was a dentist. His religious affiliation was with the Plymouth Brethren. Anthony, along with his family, went as missionaries to Baghdad. He accepted this call using his own money and without seeking the support of any mission board. It was a faith journey for Groves, trusting that God would provide for all of his and his family's needs. While in Baghdad he suffered from the extreme heat, and even worse the persecution he encountered from Muslims. Groves commitment to his missionary work is best demonstrated when a plague engulfed the city of Baghdad. Anthony elected to stay with his family and continue his work. In a letter he wrote on Sunday, March 28, 1830, Groves expressed why he remined in Baghdad despite the plague. Groves wrote that those Christian missionaries who left “leaves us exposed to the bigotry of the people in any tumults that may arise.” Because the Christian missionaries fled Baghdad, the people will think that all Christian missionaries are bigots, concerned only for themselves. As for why the Groves family remained, “But there are considerations that outweigh these in our minds: in the first place, we feel that while we have the Lord’s work in our hands we ought not to fly and leave it…opportunities of usefulness may arise in the plague that a more unembarrassed time may not present.” Anthony’s wife, Mary, died during the plague.
Application: Our lectionary reading discusses healing. There is need to be present, as Jesus was for Jairus little daughter. There is the need to be compassionate, as Jesus felt the touch on his garment.
Ron L.
1 Wikipedia
Dr. Marilyn Gootman wrote a book in 2005 called When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens about Grieving and Healing. It has been lauded as a valuable tool for young people at a time of loss and confusion. Here are some excerpts from that book.
"My parents act like the death of my boyfriend shouldn't matter. They don't understand what he meant to me. We really loved each other. We could talk about anything and everything. Maybe if my parents had taken the time to get to know him, it would be different. They didn't want us together. I guess they'll never understand."
“When my friend died, the rest of the world kept going and no one knew what I was going through. No one could understand the pain I was feeling. I wanted the world to stop and I wanted to just scream out, ‘Doesn’t anyone realize that I am hurt?' I kept looking at people and thinking, 'You don't have a care, and look at me, one of my friends just died."
These are just two of the raw sentiments expressed in the book as teens deal with the emotions and pain that losing a friend causes. In our text for today we see a glimpse of David’s heart at the death of his friend, Jonathan and Jonathan’s father Saul. David is deeply affected by their deaths. He honors their lives and what they did for Israel. His grieving, however, unlike some of the heartbreaking stories in the Gootman book, is not without hope. Psalm 130 notes that forgiveness and hope come from the Lord. With the Lord comes unfailing love and redemption. May our grieving find hope in the Lord. “Joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Bill T.
2 Samuel 1:1-27 and Psalm 130
In July 2016, as Pope Francis flew from Rome to Krakow to celebrate World Youth Day in Poland, he spoke with reporters during his flight. Recently an 85-year-old French priest was murdered by two extremists in Normandy. A reporter asked the Pope about the slaying. In repose the Pope said, “It’s war, we don’t have to be afraid to say this.” The Pope then sought to prevent any misunderstanding of his remark by continuing, “I only want to clarify that, when I speak of war, I am really speaking of war. A war of interests for money, resources, domination of peoples.” The Pope went on to say, “I am not speaking of a war of religions. Religions don’t want war. The others want war.”
Application: After the death of Saul there was a great expression of grief. The psalmist speaks of grief when he says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” Then the psalmist offers that most important biblical word -- “hope.” We are surrounded by grief. We are surrounded by a war of grief, either directly or indirectly, but it still affects all of us. It is our calling to bring forth hope and peace in a world torn apart by grief.
Ron L.
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
"He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar." (2 Samuel 1:18)
This is one of two references to the Book of Jashar, which translated means The Book of the Upright. The other is in Joshua 10:13. It probably refers to a collection of songs which celebrate heroes of the past. The earlier reference celebrates the great battle in which the sun holds still for Joshua. The present reference is Saul and Jonathan.
This suggests that the scriptures have layers of tradition. They are not necessarily composed by eyewitnesses. What gives scripture life is the interpretation of history, practice, and proclamation. The old events are given this new life as they are reinterpreted by God’s people in light of what they were presently experiencing. (See "Joshua," a commentary that is part of the Word Biblical Commentary, p 117)
Frank R.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Religious institutions are still the single biggest recipients of overall charity donations, according to the 2015 survey by the Giving USA Foundation. About 32% ($119.3 billion) of what Americans gave to charities went to churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. But that is down from about 50% since 1990. Given these problematic numbers, we need to hear the advice of John Wesley about money: “Earn all you can; save all you can; give all you can.” (Works, Vol.6, p.133) Martin Luther further comments on Christian generosity, what Christ wants us to do with our money:
Christ says: “If I suffer or hunger or thirst in the person of my apostle or of any Christian, yes of a Christian child or of any person poor and in want, and you are aware of this situation, you are truly an archmiser if you close your eyes to this. I want you to know that I am the One Who is suffering hunger and thirst. If you feed this person, you are feeding Me...” (Luther’s Works, Vol.22, p.520)
Paul’s reference to our becoming rich through Christ (v.9) is not a text substantiating Prosperity Gospel and its claim that our giving will be returned to us with material blessings (Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now, pp.260,262). The famous preacher of the early church, John Chrysostom, nicely explains what the lesson means when it speaks of our becoming rich. In his view it entails “the knowledge of godliness, the cleansing away of our sin... the countless good things which He bestowed up us...” (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 1/12:360).
Mark E.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Once again Paul writes to the church in Corinth and in this letter, he talks about sharing and generosity, using gifts for the good of others. It’s useful to note that the economy of Corinth was unevenly ranked, with the haves having much more than the have-nots. Seems a little like our western culture, doesn’t it? In fact, statistically, “the net worth of U.S. households and non-profit organizations was $94.7 trillion in the first quarter of 2017, a record level both in nominal terms and purchasing power parity. Divided equally among 124 million U.S. households, this would be $760,000 per family. However, the bottom 50% of families, representing 62 million households, average $11,000 net worth.”1 Statistically, the top 1% of the economic strata’s wealth keeps climbing while the poor are getting poorer and the number of the poor are increasing.
Paul seems to be implying the culture in Corinth should be changed. He relates in the same way as Luke does in the Book of Acts when he says that all shared and none went without. It might sound a little socialist, but the economic system to which we adhere is crippling large portions of our population -- and it isn’t about people working hard. I know some poorer families who work 3 or 4 jobs to put a roof over their heads and food on the table. The reality is that once you have wealth and influence it is much easier to gain more wealth and influence. My questions are: is this what God intended and what do we do about it? I don’t have answers, but the conversation is an important one for us Christians.
Bonnie B.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
This is a text you will want to use for pledge week. It urges us to compare the needs of others with our needs. That should be preached all over America. Our congress and president should read (and obey) this text.
When I was encouraging contributions for my friends in Nepal, my emphasis was on their great need. The yearly income of those people in Nepal was the equivalent of $200 in US dollars. I hoped that my members back home would give sacrificially. That did not mean they should give so much that they were sacrificing the basic needs of their own family.
Each person has to think prayerfully what is a reasonable amount. I’m sure our wealthy president should give more than I or my friends give.
We depend on the information we get about the needs of others from reliable sources like our church magazine.
For some church members that might mean more than the standard 10 percent of our income. Some may have trouble with the 10 percent the Bible asks us to contribute. No. We are not asked to give all that we have like the widow Jesus pointed out dropping her last coins in the offering plate.
Many of us may have great faith and knowledge and other abilities plus great love for those who deserve it. When we see a picture of a starving child in a church publication, our heart may go out to them, but does part of our income also go out to them? Sometimes I feel guilt that I am not giving more. I give more to my friends in Nepal because they are like family to me.
How much would we sacrifice for a son or daughter who lost their job and might have to leave their new house if they didn’t have enough rent money? We might even give more than we could afford out of love for them. Would we sacrifice for our sick mother or father here in America or on the mission field who had little money?
Would we sacrifice for a neighbor in need also? Would we only let them know by our “speech” that we cared about them?
Equality is not an easy thing to Annalise on a piece of paper. It may be even harder to measure in our heart. We may need some help from others who are more skilled in analyzing our situation. We may need spiritual help from our pastor or fellow members.
A member in a friend’s church said that he might have to reduce his giving for a while because his wife needed a car of her own as they sometimes had trouble sharing. He was quite well to do so my friend asked him if she needed enough to eat also. He took the insult to heart and said he would think about it.
This is an important text, but as I said it may need the help of a pastor or friends to help us.
God looks in our heart and knows what we can give. Your church can’t tell you what to give. That is up to you.
Remember that verse where Jesus is saying, “why didn’t you give to me when I was in need?” Remember where they went? They were not giving to someone in need who was loved by Jesus.
Whatever we give is a gift to God!
Bob O.
Mark 5:21-43
Jesus ministers to people of all social and economic classes. As part of the backdrop of the gospels we see people concerned with who is seen with who, along with favoritism directed towards the rich and powerful. Jesus cares enough about the rich to share a meal with Zaccheaus, or to call the tax collector Levi as one of his apostles. But he doesn’t favor the rich over the poor. It is Jesus who points out that the supposedly minuscule gift of the widow is greater than all those who deposit large sums in the temple’s treasury.
This balance is seen clearly in this passage. Jesus ministers to a person of influence, but on his way to save the daughter of Jairus Jesus turns aside to minister to an unclean woman who was also broke! She is a person of no status, but she receives healing before Jesus returns to serve the influential family.
Frank R.
Mark 5:21-43
It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Steward, is one of my favorite movies and I watch it, at least once, each Christmas. There are a lot of scenes that are worth watching repeatedly, but one scene stands out for it’s warmth and sincerity. George Bailey’s wedding is over, and he and Mary are about to go on their honeymoon. The stock market crash, however, has caused a run on the bank and the building and loan. People are flocking in to get money. The bank has called in the loan, so there is no money to give. George pleads with the townspeople to be patient, but they need cash. Finally, he offers his wedding money, nearly all he has. People line up to get twenty dollars, just to see them through. Then the character played by Ellen Corby says, "Could I have $17.50?" It is part of the back story to that movie that Ellen Corby came up with that line spontaneously, Stewart's reaction was likewise improvised. Frank Capra thought it was great and kept it.
I thought of that woman when I read through this text. There is a lot of activity surrounding Jesus. A synagogue ruler, an important man, Jairus has a problem. His little girl is dying. He is begging Jesus to come. Can there be anything more pressing? I’m guessing a sick woman in the crowd didn’t think so. Like Jairus, she had a problem. She’d had a bleeding issue for twelve years, as long as the little girl had been alive. She didn’t want to cause much trouble, though, and she certainly didn’t want to detain Jesus. In an act of humble faith, she reached out to touch his clothes. She didn’t think she needed more. That would be enough. Her humble faith brought about healing.
Bill T.
Mark 5:21-43
Anthony Norris Groves was a dentist. His religious affiliation was with the Plymouth Brethren. Anthony, along with his family, went as missionaries to Baghdad. He accepted this call using his own money and without seeking the support of any mission board. It was a faith journey for Groves, trusting that God would provide for all of his and his family's needs. While in Baghdad he suffered from the extreme heat, and even worse the persecution he encountered from Muslims. Groves commitment to his missionary work is best demonstrated when a plague engulfed the city of Baghdad. Anthony elected to stay with his family and continue his work. In a letter he wrote on Sunday, March 28, 1830, Groves expressed why he remined in Baghdad despite the plague. Groves wrote that those Christian missionaries who left “leaves us exposed to the bigotry of the people in any tumults that may arise.” Because the Christian missionaries fled Baghdad, the people will think that all Christian missionaries are bigots, concerned only for themselves. As for why the Groves family remained, “But there are considerations that outweigh these in our minds: in the first place, we feel that while we have the Lord’s work in our hands we ought not to fly and leave it…opportunities of usefulness may arise in the plague that a more unembarrassed time may not present.” Anthony’s wife, Mary, died during the plague.
Application: Our lectionary reading discusses healing. There is need to be present, as Jesus was for Jairus little daughter. There is the need to be compassionate, as Jesus felt the touch on his garment.
Ron L.
1 Wikipedia
