Sermons Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25
Illustration
Object:
Exodus 16:2-15
After the opening salvo of the Revolutionary War at Concord, colonial defeat was looming. Desperate, the Continental Congress issued a call for all citizens to fast and pray that the Lord God might bless the nation. This bold summons could only be issued by a legislature that recognized and professed their faith in God.
Application: Instead of complaining the Hebrew people should have acknowledged God through fasting and prayer.
Ron L.
Exodus 16:2-15
Like the ancient Hebrews in the wilderness, Americans are never satisfied. We will do anything to get more. A 2013 survey by FINRA Investor Education Foundation found that only 41% of Americans spend less than their income and that 56% of us do not have even three months' worth of expenses saved for an emergency. Even those of us who are in the minority, the thriftier segment of the population, can't wait to get that new car or the latest new computer update. We are so greedy. But it is never enough. The famed ancient philosopher Socrates captures our mood: "He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have."
Nothing satisfies our greed. But God still gives us enough to feed us and keep us going, even though like the complaining Hebrews we don't deserve it. In that sense this is a story all about God's grace. Because as the anonymous quote goes: "Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve."
God shines the sun on the good and bad, waters the crops for Christian farmers and the ones who are atheists. The fact is that none of us has done enough good to earn the sunshine, the rain, or the food that feeds us.
Mark E.
Philippians 1:21-30
Paul writes to the Philippian congregation that they ought to conduct themselves in a lifestyle worthy of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Lyle P. Flinner wrote, "Paul lifts our expected standard of conduct beyond the mere standards of a person, a manual, or a church. The criteria of our lifestyle are to be found in the "gospel of Christ."
"In saying 'conduct yourself' Paul is saying, 'Let your life be ordered by conscious effort so that it is worthy of your calling.' He is calling for personal attention and deliberately chosen actions and reactions. He is calling for a living demonstration of Christianity" (Preacher's magazine).
Many of the converts at Philippi had come out a pagan society and culture. They needed the example of those who claim a personal relationship with Christ to demonstrate how living the Christian life is done! Paul is saying to live life above reproach, suspicion and sinful habits. Live a life of holiness.
Derl K.
Philippians 1:21-30
I feel the same about my wife. I would love to be with the Lord, but for her sake I want to stay a bit longer. We both feel that way. I also want to remain for the sake of our children, a couple of whom have not accepted the Lord yet. I want to live an exemplary life to encourage them to turn around like I turned around for my folks.
As a missionary to Nepal I also want to remain to help them, but at 87 I don't think I have too much more time, so I am trying to find some friends to whom I can turn over these tasks.
The older we get, the more we are ready to be with the Lord.
Christ can be our example. He only stayed long enough to accomplish what his Father had sent him to do. As he looked forward (?) to his cross he hoped it might pass from him, but he was willing to stay on to complete his purpose on earth. While we may not have a cross to bear for our Lord, we still may have some troubles we would like to leave behind and escape to God's presence.
We must look at our lives and see if we are doing what Christ has sent us to do. We all have a purpose, but is his purpose for us our main goal in life? Are you examining your life to see if you are fulfilling God's purpose for you? He has not called all to be pastors, but we are all part of his body and we must look for why he has brought us into this world. Why are we here?
As Paul looked back over his life he never regretted the job he was given to do, which was sometimes dangerous though sometimes fulfilling.
If the Lord were to call you home now, would you feel that you had served him? Would he have been first in your life?
Every day people are dying in accidents or because of illness. But we like to think that we have plenty of time.
My folks died on the way home from my ordination, but a lady who sat next to my mother at the service heard my mother say, "Now my prayers have been answered! Now my son is doing what I hoped he would do all my life." I hope I can say that about my kids before the Lord takes me.
Isn't it curious that we do everything in our power to extend life? Why are we not like Paul accepting whatever God wants not what we may want? Let him decide when our time is up. In the meantime, let us live as an example to our family and friends and those we meet! Help them to see Christ in us!
Bob O.
Matthew 20:1-16
Bebe has been called the "Father of English History." At the age of seven he entered monastic life. He dedicated himself to reading and study. He wrote commentaries on the scriptures. Most noteworthy though is his composition titled the Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation. He wrote, "My chief delight has always been in studying, teaching, and writing." He died on May 26, 735, chanting, "Glory be to the Father and to the Son."
Application: The last will be first for those who have dedicated their entire lives to the service of the Lord.
Ron L.
Matthew 20:1-16
A 2006 Barna Group poll found that Americans have a good opinion of themselves. Nearly every American polled (97%) said they were good citizens, and 90% said they were generous. The last decade has surely not eroded our high estimate of ourselves. We feel about ourselves like the laborers who had worked all day and like them we probably feel we deserve more than others. The parable does what it can to erode such insidious self-esteem. About the day-long laborers (and we hard-working, "decent" Americans) Martin Luther writes:
Thus the ungodly and arrogant men, although they are sick before God, seem most healthy to themselves. Therefore they not only reject God as their physician, but they even regard him as a fool and liar.
(Luther's Works, Vol. 25, p. 203)
If we consider the landowner unfair in this case, if we churchgoers think ourselves more righteous and more deserving of God's blessings than the C & E Christians or the unchurched, we are regarding the Lord as a fool and liar. Luther made this clear in another work: "For a person cannot praise God unless he understands that there is nothing in himself worthy of praise but that all that is worthy of praise is of God and from God" (Ibid., Vol. 11, p. 144).
You don't go to a doctor (to Jesus) until you are convinced you are sick (not deserving of God's favor by what you have done).
Mark E.
After the opening salvo of the Revolutionary War at Concord, colonial defeat was looming. Desperate, the Continental Congress issued a call for all citizens to fast and pray that the Lord God might bless the nation. This bold summons could only be issued by a legislature that recognized and professed their faith in God.
Application: Instead of complaining the Hebrew people should have acknowledged God through fasting and prayer.
Ron L.
Exodus 16:2-15
Like the ancient Hebrews in the wilderness, Americans are never satisfied. We will do anything to get more. A 2013 survey by FINRA Investor Education Foundation found that only 41% of Americans spend less than their income and that 56% of us do not have even three months' worth of expenses saved for an emergency. Even those of us who are in the minority, the thriftier segment of the population, can't wait to get that new car or the latest new computer update. We are so greedy. But it is never enough. The famed ancient philosopher Socrates captures our mood: "He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have."
Nothing satisfies our greed. But God still gives us enough to feed us and keep us going, even though like the complaining Hebrews we don't deserve it. In that sense this is a story all about God's grace. Because as the anonymous quote goes: "Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve."
God shines the sun on the good and bad, waters the crops for Christian farmers and the ones who are atheists. The fact is that none of us has done enough good to earn the sunshine, the rain, or the food that feeds us.
Mark E.
Philippians 1:21-30
Paul writes to the Philippian congregation that they ought to conduct themselves in a lifestyle worthy of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Lyle P. Flinner wrote, "Paul lifts our expected standard of conduct beyond the mere standards of a person, a manual, or a church. The criteria of our lifestyle are to be found in the "gospel of Christ."
"In saying 'conduct yourself' Paul is saying, 'Let your life be ordered by conscious effort so that it is worthy of your calling.' He is calling for personal attention and deliberately chosen actions and reactions. He is calling for a living demonstration of Christianity" (Preacher's magazine).
Many of the converts at Philippi had come out a pagan society and culture. They needed the example of those who claim a personal relationship with Christ to demonstrate how living the Christian life is done! Paul is saying to live life above reproach, suspicion and sinful habits. Live a life of holiness.
Derl K.
Philippians 1:21-30
I feel the same about my wife. I would love to be with the Lord, but for her sake I want to stay a bit longer. We both feel that way. I also want to remain for the sake of our children, a couple of whom have not accepted the Lord yet. I want to live an exemplary life to encourage them to turn around like I turned around for my folks.
As a missionary to Nepal I also want to remain to help them, but at 87 I don't think I have too much more time, so I am trying to find some friends to whom I can turn over these tasks.
The older we get, the more we are ready to be with the Lord.
Christ can be our example. He only stayed long enough to accomplish what his Father had sent him to do. As he looked forward (?) to his cross he hoped it might pass from him, but he was willing to stay on to complete his purpose on earth. While we may not have a cross to bear for our Lord, we still may have some troubles we would like to leave behind and escape to God's presence.
We must look at our lives and see if we are doing what Christ has sent us to do. We all have a purpose, but is his purpose for us our main goal in life? Are you examining your life to see if you are fulfilling God's purpose for you? He has not called all to be pastors, but we are all part of his body and we must look for why he has brought us into this world. Why are we here?
As Paul looked back over his life he never regretted the job he was given to do, which was sometimes dangerous though sometimes fulfilling.
If the Lord were to call you home now, would you feel that you had served him? Would he have been first in your life?
Every day people are dying in accidents or because of illness. But we like to think that we have plenty of time.
My folks died on the way home from my ordination, but a lady who sat next to my mother at the service heard my mother say, "Now my prayers have been answered! Now my son is doing what I hoped he would do all my life." I hope I can say that about my kids before the Lord takes me.
Isn't it curious that we do everything in our power to extend life? Why are we not like Paul accepting whatever God wants not what we may want? Let him decide when our time is up. In the meantime, let us live as an example to our family and friends and those we meet! Help them to see Christ in us!
Bob O.
Matthew 20:1-16
Bebe has been called the "Father of English History." At the age of seven he entered monastic life. He dedicated himself to reading and study. He wrote commentaries on the scriptures. Most noteworthy though is his composition titled the Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation. He wrote, "My chief delight has always been in studying, teaching, and writing." He died on May 26, 735, chanting, "Glory be to the Father and to the Son."
Application: The last will be first for those who have dedicated their entire lives to the service of the Lord.
Ron L.
Matthew 20:1-16
A 2006 Barna Group poll found that Americans have a good opinion of themselves. Nearly every American polled (97%) said they were good citizens, and 90% said they were generous. The last decade has surely not eroded our high estimate of ourselves. We feel about ourselves like the laborers who had worked all day and like them we probably feel we deserve more than others. The parable does what it can to erode such insidious self-esteem. About the day-long laborers (and we hard-working, "decent" Americans) Martin Luther writes:
Thus the ungodly and arrogant men, although they are sick before God, seem most healthy to themselves. Therefore they not only reject God as their physician, but they even regard him as a fool and liar.
(Luther's Works, Vol. 25, p. 203)
If we consider the landowner unfair in this case, if we churchgoers think ourselves more righteous and more deserving of God's blessings than the C & E Christians or the unchurched, we are regarding the Lord as a fool and liar. Luther made this clear in another work: "For a person cannot praise God unless he understands that there is nothing in himself worthy of praise but that all that is worthy of praise is of God and from God" (Ibid., Vol. 11, p. 144).
You don't go to a doctor (to Jesus) until you are convinced you are sick (not deserving of God's favor by what you have done).
Mark E.
