Sermon Illustrations For Trinity Sunday (2017)
Illustration
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
The other evening, I simply sat and looked at the sky. I thought how wonderful it was to see the deep darkness spattered with points of light. It reminded me that God is a creator of all things good. Over my desk, I have a photograph I took in 2003 of the Colorado River at the base of the Grand Canyon. I can see the river and two sets of rapids on the river in the photo. Looking at it reminds me of the vastness of creation and that God is the creator of all things good.
When I was in seminary we discussed the two creation stories in Genesis and the rationale for each. Even through all that study, even factoring in the science and theory of evolution, I still see God as the creator of all things good. Now granted God is still creating, but we too have a role. Our role is to co-create the wonderful, good realm of God that we aspire to inhabit. Our role is to love in such a way that all the people we encounter see and know the goodness of God. Our role is to protect the creation and the created so each and all will know God through our love and nurture. We can argue all we want about creation and evolution, but that’s not really the point.
When he was about five, my oldest grandson had an argument about creation with his mother, a devout atheist. He argued that God created the world. His mother argued that evolution was the process of creation. His response was “Well, I think God created evolution.” Smart boy. Let’s remember to be co-creators, no matter our view of this story or evolution. That is our calling.
Bonnie B.
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
For some, the focus of this story of creation is on how long it takes in chronological terms. The author of Genesis has no interest at all in the issue. The real agenda is found embedded in the first couple of verses. Creation stories in other cultures could involve conflict between generations of gods, and a temporary truce with chaos and chance. In this account of creation it will be very clear -- there is one God, no conflict, and chaos is conquered... period. Other cultures celebrated the shortest day of the year because they could see the signs that chaos would not win this time, and that spring would return. This account makes it clear that the universe may not always be safe, but it’s secure.
The first verse could very well be translated “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was TOHU,and BOHU covered the face of the deep.” Tohu and Bohu were ancient gods of chaos, which could also be translated as formless void and darkness. When God creates the world as we know it, there are already the elements of chaos from whatever God was doing before. The next part of the second verse, often translated “while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters,” could also refer to “the Spirit of God.” The Greek pneuma and the Hebrew ruakh both mean “breath,” “wind,” and “spirit.”
What the first two verses tell us is that the Spirit of God is always present and that the chaos gods of Formless Void and Darkness are no longer a factor, because God says “Let there be light” and Light exists, and the waters of chaos are contained. The stars, representing fate or chance, are shown to have no control over our lives -- God puts them in their places.
Frank R.
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
This passage is not telling us that night is sinful and only day is good. It is talking about spiritual light and darkness. We are not sinners because we turn out the light when we go to bed at night to sleep!
The text implies that without God’s glory and light this world is in spiritual darkness. We can see some darkness without God, or maybe we should say that without God there is nothing but spiritual darkness in the world. Some people are living in darkness on purpose, because their deeds are evil. God sent Jesus to light up the world with his message. Without his light, we can’t see anything. We can see everything with light, but nothing in darkness.
A scientist could say that darkness does not exist since he can’t believe in anything he can’t see or measure in some way. He can’t put darkness under a microscope! So he might say that there is only light and “nothing.”
We come to church to find more light in our lives. Light can also show if we have darkness in our lives. It can open our eyes to see what we should be like. We need the help of our fellow church members to give us insight into our lives. We need the help of God to open our eyes!
Bob O.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Right now, as I write this, our nation is still torn. We’ve come through a hard-fought, bitter election and the two sides are still far away from unifying. The current mode of expression is the protest. On the day after the inauguration, large numbers of women marched in various cities across the country. The words expressed from those stages were words of fighting, opposition. and anger. Some would argue that words of division came from the other side too. The bottom line is that the United States is not now a united country. I hope we get there, though.
Sadly, what is true for our nation after the last election is true for a lot of churches. Too many Christians are at odds with each other. Paul, in his parting words to the church at Corinth, had a message about that. He urges them to rejoice and put things in order, or restore themselves to completeness. He then tells them to agree with one another, or be of one mind and live in peace. He is calling for the church at Corinth to be unified. As we read through 1 and 2 Corinthians, it’s easy to see that they weren’t. His parting words are a call to unity. If they did so, then the God of love and peace would be with them.
That sounds good, you say. How do we do that? The key may be found in that which unites us rather than that which divides us. There are a lot of things that divide people. I don’t have to list them for you to know them. What is it that unites? Put things in order. That which is on the top, or rather he who is on top, is Jesus Christ. He who unites us is greater than that which divides us. That leads to love and peace. That leads to God.
Bill T.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
The Pentagon is trying to increase diversity among its soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Unable to establish a workable solution of their own, the Pentagon has turned to the model employed by the NFL -- the “Rooney Rule.” While the legality of this rule has been questioned, it has proven to be very effective. Named after Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, this policy requires each NFL team to interview minority candidates for senior positions. Under the Pentagon’s proposal the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force would be required to do the same; that is, to interview minority candidates for senior positions.
Application: Our lesson discusses the importance of community.
Ron L.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul relates the Trinity to social harmony in this lesson. There is plenty of social fragmentation in America. A 2012 book by political scientist Charles Murray titled Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010 made clear long before the Trump election that class differences have divided even whites in America so far that we no longer live together or even understand each other. The rich and poor have different families, different work ethics, even get addicted to different things. Leading evangelical theologian Carl Henry, the founding editor of Christianity Today, saw the Trinity as a helpful antidote to these dynamics. The Trinity, he argued, makes us socially conscious and gets us out of our boxes, because God is social: “Trinitarian religion involves all man’s relations to God and to society; the social relationships within the Trinity call out against any anti-social interpretation of personal religion” (Revelation and Authority, Vol. 5, p. 213). Early north African theologian Clement of Alexandria noted that a Triune God shares everything and so his people cannot but share with each other, even with the poor: “God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was his own, when he gave his own word, common to all, and made all things for all. All things therefore are common, and not for the rich to appropriate an undue share” (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, p. 268).
Mark E.
Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus commanded: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This scripture has been misinterpreted for a long while. It was the basis for proselytizing and demanding that indigenous peoples give up their heritage and culture to become European- or American-style Christians. The idea was that if you weren’t a disciple in the same way the traditional church thought you should be, then you weren’t a disciple at all. This idea led to American Indian boarding schools, the Document of Discovery, and the near annihilation of the Hawaiian people’s culture.
So for us in the 21st century, what is this command about? Well, it’s not about beating, starving, or forcing submission to a tradition that is our expression of our Christian faith. Rather, we are called to shine the light of our faith into the world with such intensity that folks want to be a part of this thing we call Christian faith. We are called to demonstrate the grace, compassion, reconciliation, peace, and love of God in such a way that folks want to have a relationship with God through Jesus and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. So, my friends, go forth and shine your light, opening the doors for others to come in.
Bonnie B.
Matthew 28:16-20
There is no attempt on the part of the evangelists to harmonize the resurrection accounts. Within each we are to take the scenario on its own terms. In Luke, for instance, the apostles meet Jesus in the Upper Room after the two disciples come to report they’ve seen the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. In Matthew, the apostles are told the news by the women that Jesus is risen and that his message to them is that they must first go to Galilee in order to see him. This calls for an act of faith involving a three-day walk, as well as a climb up a hill. Huff-puff. This is the first time they’ll see Jesus since they all abandoned him.
And that last fact makes this journey painfully awkward. The apostles had a lot to think about during that journey -- especially because they had abandoned Jesus during his arrest, trial, execution, and death.
But Jesus seems to have no interest in forcing the apostles to jump through some confessional hoops before they are forgiven. The consequence of his resurrection is cosmic. There is simply too much to do to fuss with that sort of thing. Jesus describes their mission as the foundation of a universal church. Theirs is a worldwide mission on behalf of the Lord of heaven and earth. This is cosmic. They are to go throughout the world with this message of salvation. They are to teach -- we are to teach -- everything Jesus commanded.
The scripture says the apostles worshiped Jesus -- BUT -- here’s the important thing: “And some doubted” (v. 17). It’s hard to imagine that anyone standing in the presence of the risen Jesus could doubt anymore, but perhaps they doubted the evidence of their eyes because of the fantastic nature of what had occurred. Perhaps this contradicted their understanding of scripture. Whatever, Jesus does not separate them into two camps -- believers and doubters -- because there’s too much work to do. This is the important advice for our churches -- there’s no need to give a person a 25-question test of faith, and you need to get all 25 correct to join in the ministry. The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. Doubters welcome. Get to work.
Frank R.
Matthew 28:16-20
Who of the eleven doubted? The text doesn’t mention Thomas, though he had seen Jesus before he died on the cross and after he was raised. So how could you doubt what you can see?
When we come to church we hope to “see” God, but even then there are some doubters! Some come hoping to have their doubts removed. At least there is hope for those who are searching. God will never disappoint them, so they should keep on looking.
It seems like a command for all of us to become missionaries and carry the gospel all over the world! I was 70 years old when I went to Nepal. It is never too late! But even if some cannot go or are not “called” to go (not everyone is called to be a missionary in our own or in a foreign nation), then all they can do is serve him in whatever he calls them to do. A drop in the offering may also help!
The most comforting verse tells us that he will be with us always -- even to our end! That is our greatest hope. That is the hope our church teaches us.
Bob O.
The other evening, I simply sat and looked at the sky. I thought how wonderful it was to see the deep darkness spattered with points of light. It reminded me that God is a creator of all things good. Over my desk, I have a photograph I took in 2003 of the Colorado River at the base of the Grand Canyon. I can see the river and two sets of rapids on the river in the photo. Looking at it reminds me of the vastness of creation and that God is the creator of all things good.
When I was in seminary we discussed the two creation stories in Genesis and the rationale for each. Even through all that study, even factoring in the science and theory of evolution, I still see God as the creator of all things good. Now granted God is still creating, but we too have a role. Our role is to co-create the wonderful, good realm of God that we aspire to inhabit. Our role is to love in such a way that all the people we encounter see and know the goodness of God. Our role is to protect the creation and the created so each and all will know God through our love and nurture. We can argue all we want about creation and evolution, but that’s not really the point.
When he was about five, my oldest grandson had an argument about creation with his mother, a devout atheist. He argued that God created the world. His mother argued that evolution was the process of creation. His response was “Well, I think God created evolution.” Smart boy. Let’s remember to be co-creators, no matter our view of this story or evolution. That is our calling.
Bonnie B.
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
For some, the focus of this story of creation is on how long it takes in chronological terms. The author of Genesis has no interest at all in the issue. The real agenda is found embedded in the first couple of verses. Creation stories in other cultures could involve conflict between generations of gods, and a temporary truce with chaos and chance. In this account of creation it will be very clear -- there is one God, no conflict, and chaos is conquered... period. Other cultures celebrated the shortest day of the year because they could see the signs that chaos would not win this time, and that spring would return. This account makes it clear that the universe may not always be safe, but it’s secure.
The first verse could very well be translated “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was TOHU,and BOHU covered the face of the deep.” Tohu and Bohu were ancient gods of chaos, which could also be translated as formless void and darkness. When God creates the world as we know it, there are already the elements of chaos from whatever God was doing before. The next part of the second verse, often translated “while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters,” could also refer to “the Spirit of God.” The Greek pneuma and the Hebrew ruakh both mean “breath,” “wind,” and “spirit.”
What the first two verses tell us is that the Spirit of God is always present and that the chaos gods of Formless Void and Darkness are no longer a factor, because God says “Let there be light” and Light exists, and the waters of chaos are contained. The stars, representing fate or chance, are shown to have no control over our lives -- God puts them in their places.
Frank R.
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
This passage is not telling us that night is sinful and only day is good. It is talking about spiritual light and darkness. We are not sinners because we turn out the light when we go to bed at night to sleep!
The text implies that without God’s glory and light this world is in spiritual darkness. We can see some darkness without God, or maybe we should say that without God there is nothing but spiritual darkness in the world. Some people are living in darkness on purpose, because their deeds are evil. God sent Jesus to light up the world with his message. Without his light, we can’t see anything. We can see everything with light, but nothing in darkness.
A scientist could say that darkness does not exist since he can’t believe in anything he can’t see or measure in some way. He can’t put darkness under a microscope! So he might say that there is only light and “nothing.”
We come to church to find more light in our lives. Light can also show if we have darkness in our lives. It can open our eyes to see what we should be like. We need the help of our fellow church members to give us insight into our lives. We need the help of God to open our eyes!
Bob O.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Right now, as I write this, our nation is still torn. We’ve come through a hard-fought, bitter election and the two sides are still far away from unifying. The current mode of expression is the protest. On the day after the inauguration, large numbers of women marched in various cities across the country. The words expressed from those stages were words of fighting, opposition. and anger. Some would argue that words of division came from the other side too. The bottom line is that the United States is not now a united country. I hope we get there, though.
Sadly, what is true for our nation after the last election is true for a lot of churches. Too many Christians are at odds with each other. Paul, in his parting words to the church at Corinth, had a message about that. He urges them to rejoice and put things in order, or restore themselves to completeness. He then tells them to agree with one another, or be of one mind and live in peace. He is calling for the church at Corinth to be unified. As we read through 1 and 2 Corinthians, it’s easy to see that they weren’t. His parting words are a call to unity. If they did so, then the God of love and peace would be with them.
That sounds good, you say. How do we do that? The key may be found in that which unites us rather than that which divides us. There are a lot of things that divide people. I don’t have to list them for you to know them. What is it that unites? Put things in order. That which is on the top, or rather he who is on top, is Jesus Christ. He who unites us is greater than that which divides us. That leads to love and peace. That leads to God.
Bill T.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
The Pentagon is trying to increase diversity among its soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Unable to establish a workable solution of their own, the Pentagon has turned to the model employed by the NFL -- the “Rooney Rule.” While the legality of this rule has been questioned, it has proven to be very effective. Named after Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, this policy requires each NFL team to interview minority candidates for senior positions. Under the Pentagon’s proposal the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force would be required to do the same; that is, to interview minority candidates for senior positions.
Application: Our lesson discusses the importance of community.
Ron L.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul relates the Trinity to social harmony in this lesson. There is plenty of social fragmentation in America. A 2012 book by political scientist Charles Murray titled Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010 made clear long before the Trump election that class differences have divided even whites in America so far that we no longer live together or even understand each other. The rich and poor have different families, different work ethics, even get addicted to different things. Leading evangelical theologian Carl Henry, the founding editor of Christianity Today, saw the Trinity as a helpful antidote to these dynamics. The Trinity, he argued, makes us socially conscious and gets us out of our boxes, because God is social: “Trinitarian religion involves all man’s relations to God and to society; the social relationships within the Trinity call out against any anti-social interpretation of personal religion” (Revelation and Authority, Vol. 5, p. 213). Early north African theologian Clement of Alexandria noted that a Triune God shares everything and so his people cannot but share with each other, even with the poor: “God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was his own, when he gave his own word, common to all, and made all things for all. All things therefore are common, and not for the rich to appropriate an undue share” (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, p. 268).
Mark E.
Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus commanded: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This scripture has been misinterpreted for a long while. It was the basis for proselytizing and demanding that indigenous peoples give up their heritage and culture to become European- or American-style Christians. The idea was that if you weren’t a disciple in the same way the traditional church thought you should be, then you weren’t a disciple at all. This idea led to American Indian boarding schools, the Document of Discovery, and the near annihilation of the Hawaiian people’s culture.
So for us in the 21st century, what is this command about? Well, it’s not about beating, starving, or forcing submission to a tradition that is our expression of our Christian faith. Rather, we are called to shine the light of our faith into the world with such intensity that folks want to be a part of this thing we call Christian faith. We are called to demonstrate the grace, compassion, reconciliation, peace, and love of God in such a way that folks want to have a relationship with God through Jesus and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. So, my friends, go forth and shine your light, opening the doors for others to come in.
Bonnie B.
Matthew 28:16-20
There is no attempt on the part of the evangelists to harmonize the resurrection accounts. Within each we are to take the scenario on its own terms. In Luke, for instance, the apostles meet Jesus in the Upper Room after the two disciples come to report they’ve seen the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. In Matthew, the apostles are told the news by the women that Jesus is risen and that his message to them is that they must first go to Galilee in order to see him. This calls for an act of faith involving a three-day walk, as well as a climb up a hill. Huff-puff. This is the first time they’ll see Jesus since they all abandoned him.
And that last fact makes this journey painfully awkward. The apostles had a lot to think about during that journey -- especially because they had abandoned Jesus during his arrest, trial, execution, and death.
But Jesus seems to have no interest in forcing the apostles to jump through some confessional hoops before they are forgiven. The consequence of his resurrection is cosmic. There is simply too much to do to fuss with that sort of thing. Jesus describes their mission as the foundation of a universal church. Theirs is a worldwide mission on behalf of the Lord of heaven and earth. This is cosmic. They are to go throughout the world with this message of salvation. They are to teach -- we are to teach -- everything Jesus commanded.
The scripture says the apostles worshiped Jesus -- BUT -- here’s the important thing: “And some doubted” (v. 17). It’s hard to imagine that anyone standing in the presence of the risen Jesus could doubt anymore, but perhaps they doubted the evidence of their eyes because of the fantastic nature of what had occurred. Perhaps this contradicted their understanding of scripture. Whatever, Jesus does not separate them into two camps -- believers and doubters -- because there’s too much work to do. This is the important advice for our churches -- there’s no need to give a person a 25-question test of faith, and you need to get all 25 correct to join in the ministry. The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. Doubters welcome. Get to work.
Frank R.
Matthew 28:16-20
Who of the eleven doubted? The text doesn’t mention Thomas, though he had seen Jesus before he died on the cross and after he was raised. So how could you doubt what you can see?
When we come to church we hope to “see” God, but even then there are some doubters! Some come hoping to have their doubts removed. At least there is hope for those who are searching. God will never disappoint them, so they should keep on looking.
It seems like a command for all of us to become missionaries and carry the gospel all over the world! I was 70 years old when I went to Nepal. It is never too late! But even if some cannot go or are not “called” to go (not everyone is called to be a missionary in our own or in a foreign nation), then all they can do is serve him in whatever he calls them to do. A drop in the offering may also help!
The most comforting verse tells us that he will be with us always -- even to our end! That is our greatest hope. That is the hope our church teaches us.
Bob O.
