Sermon Illustrations for the Third Sunday of Easter (2012)
Illustration
Object:
Acts 3:12-19
Lloyd Ogilvie one day was pondering this passage about Peter's sermon in the temple after Peter and John were used by God to heal a lame man. He developed a number of uncomfortable questions.
One, the Holy Spirit has come in a fresh, new Pentecost in our time. Have I received the Holy Spirit? Is my heart his home?
Two, I have been called to be a part of the church, the body of Christ. Have I surrendered my separatistic independence to become one in mind and heart with a fellowship of adventurers in the Spirit?
Three, have I and have we as a congregation, recognized and realized the power that is given to us through the Holy Spirit?
Four, have I utilized the power of prayer in Jesus' name for the lame in myself, in others, and in society?
Five, have I accepted the awesome truth that God will not bypass his people in their prayers and that if I do not pray his blessing will not be given?
Richard H.
Acts 3:12-19
I wonder why it is that so many in the body of Christ see so many events in scripture as only being for that time. With advances in medical science, there seems to be less and less room for divine healing in our theology. The act of the laying on of hands for healing has actually been relegated to the fringes of our faith in some circles. While there are, unfortunately, many cases of people abusing the notion of healing ministry for their own gain, and while it is true that not every person who is prayed over or anointed with oil is healed, divine healing is a definite reality in Christianity.
Perhaps as we read this passage, we should take the time to meditate on the healing seen here. What God has done before, he can do again. "And his name ? by faith in his name ? has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all" (v. 16).
Craig K.
1 John 3:1-7
Susanna Wesley defined for her son, who would become the founder of Methodism, the meaning of sin.
She said, "If you would judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure, then take this simple rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things -- that to you is sin."
In order to know what is righteous and to act righteously, we must also have an equal understanding of sin.
Ron L.
Luke 24:36b-48
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows, like SyFy's Ghost Hunters? It's actually rather interesting seeing what methods these spooky sleuths use to find their ghost -- digital thermometers, Geiger counters, electromagnetic field readers, white noise machines, night vision goggles, and the list goes on. While the science behind some of this is perhaps dubious, it can make for some entertaining television.
The disciples were convinced that after seeing Jesus die on the cross, the man they were seeing now must be a ghost. However, it wasn't a Geiger counter or a pair of night vision goggles that showed that this was no ghost; it was a piece of broiled fish (v. 42).
Craig K.
Luke 24:36b-48
Bill Tammeus in his article "Facing Funerals, Affirming Faith" in The Presbyterian Outlook argues against dull funerals. He wishes everyone would take time out to complete a form such as his church has developed to ask people what specifically they want in their funeral service or memorial service. He recognizes that we live in a "death-denying culture" and that as Christians we should stand against such a culture that promotes destructive values. Therefore, he advocates that our churches should be spending much more time helping people understand their own deaths,and one way to do this is to get church members to fill out one of these funeral forms.
Rather than spend more time offering aerobics and yoga classes, Tammeus suggests we spend time teaching people about the meaning of the resurrection of the body. He concludes: "The death of my family members and friends breaks my heart. I grieve. I suffer. But it doesn't break my spirit and doesn't deaden my soul... I know that my redeemer lives."
Richard H.
Lloyd Ogilvie one day was pondering this passage about Peter's sermon in the temple after Peter and John were used by God to heal a lame man. He developed a number of uncomfortable questions.
One, the Holy Spirit has come in a fresh, new Pentecost in our time. Have I received the Holy Spirit? Is my heart his home?
Two, I have been called to be a part of the church, the body of Christ. Have I surrendered my separatistic independence to become one in mind and heart with a fellowship of adventurers in the Spirit?
Three, have I and have we as a congregation, recognized and realized the power that is given to us through the Holy Spirit?
Four, have I utilized the power of prayer in Jesus' name for the lame in myself, in others, and in society?
Five, have I accepted the awesome truth that God will not bypass his people in their prayers and that if I do not pray his blessing will not be given?
Richard H.
Acts 3:12-19
I wonder why it is that so many in the body of Christ see so many events in scripture as only being for that time. With advances in medical science, there seems to be less and less room for divine healing in our theology. The act of the laying on of hands for healing has actually been relegated to the fringes of our faith in some circles. While there are, unfortunately, many cases of people abusing the notion of healing ministry for their own gain, and while it is true that not every person who is prayed over or anointed with oil is healed, divine healing is a definite reality in Christianity.
Perhaps as we read this passage, we should take the time to meditate on the healing seen here. What God has done before, he can do again. "And his name ? by faith in his name ? has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all" (v. 16).
Craig K.
1 John 3:1-7
Susanna Wesley defined for her son, who would become the founder of Methodism, the meaning of sin.
She said, "If you would judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure, then take this simple rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things -- that to you is sin."
In order to know what is righteous and to act righteously, we must also have an equal understanding of sin.
Ron L.
Luke 24:36b-48
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows, like SyFy's Ghost Hunters? It's actually rather interesting seeing what methods these spooky sleuths use to find their ghost -- digital thermometers, Geiger counters, electromagnetic field readers, white noise machines, night vision goggles, and the list goes on. While the science behind some of this is perhaps dubious, it can make for some entertaining television.
The disciples were convinced that after seeing Jesus die on the cross, the man they were seeing now must be a ghost. However, it wasn't a Geiger counter or a pair of night vision goggles that showed that this was no ghost; it was a piece of broiled fish (v. 42).
Craig K.
Luke 24:36b-48
Bill Tammeus in his article "Facing Funerals, Affirming Faith" in The Presbyterian Outlook argues against dull funerals. He wishes everyone would take time out to complete a form such as his church has developed to ask people what specifically they want in their funeral service or memorial service. He recognizes that we live in a "death-denying culture" and that as Christians we should stand against such a culture that promotes destructive values. Therefore, he advocates that our churches should be spending much more time helping people understand their own deaths,and one way to do this is to get church members to fill out one of these funeral forms.
Rather than spend more time offering aerobics and yoga classes, Tammeus suggests we spend time teaching people about the meaning of the resurrection of the body. He concludes: "The death of my family members and friends breaks my heart. I grieve. I suffer. But it doesn't break my spirit and doesn't deaden my soul... I know that my redeemer lives."
Richard H.
