Sermon Illustrations For Ash Wednesday (2023)
Illustration
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Joel professes the need to repent, to fast, to weep, to mourn our sinfulness and separation from God. What might happen if instead of giving up — tv, chocolate, dessert, snacking, etc. we added a spiritual practice or discipline to our lives during Lent. What if we prayer more, read scripture more, spent more time with God and worked on deepening our faith relationships? What if we encountered God more frequently in retreat and meditation, in listening for God to speak to our hearts? That might be of more benefit as we prepare for the celebrations of our faith.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
In this text calling to repentance, Martin Luther commented on God’s way of dealing with his people illustrated in the text:
This, however, is the custom of God Almighty, that he takes his faithful to hell before his brings them back. Finally, however, after condemning and terrifying them, he brings them back and comforts them. (Luther’s Works, Vol.18, p.98)
For John Calvin, the lesson is a message of urgency and mercy. He claimed that “the object of the narrative, then, is to make the people sensible, that it was now no time for taking rest.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XIV/1, p.44). We need this warning, Calvin adds, because we tend “to delay the time, as the profane and scorners are wont to do, who trifle with God from day to day.” (Ibid., p.56) The Genevan reformer then makes clear that God has a way of hastening our response, for “hence the prophet now [in v.13] represents God as propitious and merciful, that he might thus kindly allure the people to repentance.” (Ibid. p.55)
Mark E.
* * *
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Recently our church purchased a zero turn lawn mower, one of those machines where you sit on the throne and turn tight circles around posts, trees, and bushes. It’s caused a lot of consternation because those who sign up to take a turn mowing the church lawn have mowing reflexes built up over decades that are suddenly no use at all.
Not all turns are created equal. There’s that old 1964 Jan and Dean song, “Dead Man’s Curve,” about a fatal street race between two teens on the streets of Los Angeles that ends in tragedy. We probably all know a turn in our area that’s trickier than you think — and there’s nothing like a change in seasons, when things get more slippery during summer rains or winter snows. Some turns are easier than others.
The prophet Joel holds out hope in the midst of his prophecy of doom. “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning….” (2:12) The Hebrew term for return, shuv, involves an element of turning — but as we know, there are turns and there are turns. For some of us, returning, turning, involves a gentle curve. We are mostly on the right path, and we just need to recognize that a bend in the road ahead will get us on the right track. For some of us, we have to come to a complete stop before making a sharp ninety-degree turn. And depending where we are emotionally and sinfully, may find ourselves jamming on the brakes, tires squealing, but the turn ahead pretty much double backs on itself.
Frank R.
* * *
Isaiah 58:1-12
We have a new Congress in place, but the old problems are still haunting America — poverty, wage disparities, racism, and the ecological crisis -- are far from being solved. Martin Luther’s reflections on what government should be doing are most relevant to our present American situation. In his book, Large Catechism, he wrote:
To restrain open lawlessness is the responsibility of princes and magistrates. They should be alert and resolute to establish and maintain order in all areas of trade commerce in order the poor may not be burdened and oppressed. (The Book of Concord [2000 ed.], p.419)
How should this sort of alleviation of the plight of the poor be executed? Ancient African theologian Clement of Alexandria offered some interesting insight:
God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was his own when hegave his own word, common to all, and make 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)
And John Calvin, noted the church’s responsibility on this matter, contending that everything the church owns is for the poor (Institutes [Westminster Press ed.], pp.1075-1076).
Mark E.
* * *
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
A United States ambassador is the president’s highest-ranking representative to a specific nation or international organization abroad. An effective ambassador must be a strong leader—a good manager, a resilient negotiator, and a respected representative of the United States. A key role of an ambassador is to coordinate the activities of all staff. The primary purpose of an American ambassador is to represent the interests and policies of the United States. In other words, they represent the United States and her values in a foreign land.
The word “presbeuo” in verse 20 literally means, “a trusted and respected emissary.” Paul is making it clear that he and his traveling party (and all subsequent believers) are ambassadors for Christ. Our message to the foreign land in which we live is be reconciled to God. Thinking about the role of ambassador made me wonder, how am I doing representing Jesus Christ to those around me? How are you doing?
Bill T.
* * *
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
There is no consensus in the matter, but many believe Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians contains pieces of several letters, and references to possibly two lost letters. At one point in his ministry, Paul spent eighteen months in Corinth, working in the marketplace with Priscilla and Aquila making and repairing tents.
And somewhere in the middle of this correspondence a “painful visit” took place, when Paul was forced to confront the Corinthians, and in which they in some way rejected him. This particular reading may come from the letter (including portions of the first seven chapters of 2 Corinthians) that Paul wrote after that painful visit. He speaks much of reconciliation, and affliction. In today’s passage Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8 that “…now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” (6:2) He then includes an extensive list of his own hardships and struggles, as well as a litany of the accusations against him and his paradoxically joyful responses. In conclusion he writes, despite their rough experiences, his heart is open — it’s time for the Corinthians to open their hearts as well. I’m not sure if anyone might have been offended by being labeled “children” (6:11) but Jesus called us to receive the gospel as children, and sometimes we need to return to the wonder of rich experiences and claim a little less skepticism and grievance.
Frank R.
* * *
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21
Jesus speaks in this passage about demonstrating humility in our spiritual practices. Our offerings, our prayers, our actions of faith are for God to know, for us to experience and hold in our hearts. It’s not uncommon for people to ask us what we have “given up” for Lentand we often share that information, even when not asked. There is something in our humanness that seeks recognition for our actions, an acknowledgment of our faithfulness. Yet, Jesus reminds us to be humble. I sometimes have a hard with humility. After all, I am proud of my accomplishments and the actions I take for and in faith. And I know that is not what is important. This Lent I am seeking that humility Jesus speaks of and Matthew records. Perhaps you will as well.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
We need to be reminded of our sin on Ash Wednesday, a sinfulness that is evidenced even in our good deeds like giving alms. Martin Luther nicely makes this point with a warning he gives when expositing this text. He cautions the faithful that when giving alms that they not inform the left hand what the right hand is doing, lest the left hand try to take more money than the right hand gave (Luther’s Works, Vol.21, p.135). John Wesley offered a similar analysis in one of his sermons on this text, noting how even in doing good we are always looking out for what’s in it for us in doing such deeds. He wrote:
But it is not only the having an eye to the praise of men, which cuts off any reward in heaven; which leaves us no room to expect the blessing of God upon our works, whether of piety or mercy. Purity of intention is equally destroyed by a view to any temporal reward whatever. If we repeat our prayers, if we attend the public worship of God, if we relieve the poor, with a view to gain or interest, it is not a whit more acceptable to God, than if it were done with a view to praise. (Works, Vol.5, p.331)
Wesley adds, though, that there is Good News in the midst of this awareness of sin, that we are forgiven:
As soon as ever, through, the free grace of God in Christ, we “receive forgiveness of sins,” we receive likewise “a lot among those sanctified by faith which is in him.” Sin has lost its power. It has not dominion over those who are under grace, that is, in favour of God. (Works, Vol.5, p.340)
Mark E.
* * *
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
No one has much tolerance for a braggart. I came across this story that, if true, is incredibly funny and illustrates the ridiculousness of bragging. The owner of a small foreign car began irritating his friends by bragging about his gas mileage. So, they decided on a way to get some humor out of his endless boasting, as well as bring it to an end. Every day one of them would sneak into the parking lot where the man kept his car and pour a few gallons of gas into the tank. Soon the braggart was recording phenomenal mileage. He was boasting of getting as much as 90 miles per gallon! His friends were delighted at his exasperation as he tried to convince people he was telling the truth. It was even more fun to watch his reaction when they stopped refilling the tank. The poor fellow couldn’t figure out what had happened to his car.
Bragging and drawing attention to oneself does not work out very well. Jesus spoke against doing things to get attention from others. Jesus warns, “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward” (vs. 2). Jesus wanted his followers to do their good deeds for him and not the attention of others.
Bill T.
Joel professes the need to repent, to fast, to weep, to mourn our sinfulness and separation from God. What might happen if instead of giving up — tv, chocolate, dessert, snacking, etc. we added a spiritual practice or discipline to our lives during Lent. What if we prayer more, read scripture more, spent more time with God and worked on deepening our faith relationships? What if we encountered God more frequently in retreat and meditation, in listening for God to speak to our hearts? That might be of more benefit as we prepare for the celebrations of our faith.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
In this text calling to repentance, Martin Luther commented on God’s way of dealing with his people illustrated in the text:
This, however, is the custom of God Almighty, that he takes his faithful to hell before his brings them back. Finally, however, after condemning and terrifying them, he brings them back and comforts them. (Luther’s Works, Vol.18, p.98)
For John Calvin, the lesson is a message of urgency and mercy. He claimed that “the object of the narrative, then, is to make the people sensible, that it was now no time for taking rest.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XIV/1, p.44). We need this warning, Calvin adds, because we tend “to delay the time, as the profane and scorners are wont to do, who trifle with God from day to day.” (Ibid., p.56) The Genevan reformer then makes clear that God has a way of hastening our response, for “hence the prophet now [in v.13] represents God as propitious and merciful, that he might thus kindly allure the people to repentance.” (Ibid. p.55)
Mark E.
* * *
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Recently our church purchased a zero turn lawn mower, one of those machines where you sit on the throne and turn tight circles around posts, trees, and bushes. It’s caused a lot of consternation because those who sign up to take a turn mowing the church lawn have mowing reflexes built up over decades that are suddenly no use at all.
Not all turns are created equal. There’s that old 1964 Jan and Dean song, “Dead Man’s Curve,” about a fatal street race between two teens on the streets of Los Angeles that ends in tragedy. We probably all know a turn in our area that’s trickier than you think — and there’s nothing like a change in seasons, when things get more slippery during summer rains or winter snows. Some turns are easier than others.
The prophet Joel holds out hope in the midst of his prophecy of doom. “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning….” (2:12) The Hebrew term for return, shuv, involves an element of turning — but as we know, there are turns and there are turns. For some of us, returning, turning, involves a gentle curve. We are mostly on the right path, and we just need to recognize that a bend in the road ahead will get us on the right track. For some of us, we have to come to a complete stop before making a sharp ninety-degree turn. And depending where we are emotionally and sinfully, may find ourselves jamming on the brakes, tires squealing, but the turn ahead pretty much double backs on itself.
Frank R.
* * *
Isaiah 58:1-12
We have a new Congress in place, but the old problems are still haunting America — poverty, wage disparities, racism, and the ecological crisis -- are far from being solved. Martin Luther’s reflections on what government should be doing are most relevant to our present American situation. In his book, Large Catechism, he wrote:
To restrain open lawlessness is the responsibility of princes and magistrates. They should be alert and resolute to establish and maintain order in all areas of trade commerce in order the poor may not be burdened and oppressed. (The Book of Concord [2000 ed.], p.419)
How should this sort of alleviation of the plight of the poor be executed? Ancient African theologian Clement of Alexandria offered some interesting insight:
God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was his own when hegave his own word, common to all, and make 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)
And John Calvin, noted the church’s responsibility on this matter, contending that everything the church owns is for the poor (Institutes [Westminster Press ed.], pp.1075-1076).
Mark E.
* * *
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
A United States ambassador is the president’s highest-ranking representative to a specific nation or international organization abroad. An effective ambassador must be a strong leader—a good manager, a resilient negotiator, and a respected representative of the United States. A key role of an ambassador is to coordinate the activities of all staff. The primary purpose of an American ambassador is to represent the interests and policies of the United States. In other words, they represent the United States and her values in a foreign land.
The word “presbeuo” in verse 20 literally means, “a trusted and respected emissary.” Paul is making it clear that he and his traveling party (and all subsequent believers) are ambassadors for Christ. Our message to the foreign land in which we live is be reconciled to God. Thinking about the role of ambassador made me wonder, how am I doing representing Jesus Christ to those around me? How are you doing?
Bill T.
* * *
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
There is no consensus in the matter, but many believe Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians contains pieces of several letters, and references to possibly two lost letters. At one point in his ministry, Paul spent eighteen months in Corinth, working in the marketplace with Priscilla and Aquila making and repairing tents.
And somewhere in the middle of this correspondence a “painful visit” took place, when Paul was forced to confront the Corinthians, and in which they in some way rejected him. This particular reading may come from the letter (including portions of the first seven chapters of 2 Corinthians) that Paul wrote after that painful visit. He speaks much of reconciliation, and affliction. In today’s passage Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8 that “…now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” (6:2) He then includes an extensive list of his own hardships and struggles, as well as a litany of the accusations against him and his paradoxically joyful responses. In conclusion he writes, despite their rough experiences, his heart is open — it’s time for the Corinthians to open their hearts as well. I’m not sure if anyone might have been offended by being labeled “children” (6:11) but Jesus called us to receive the gospel as children, and sometimes we need to return to the wonder of rich experiences and claim a little less skepticism and grievance.
Frank R.
* * *
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21
Jesus speaks in this passage about demonstrating humility in our spiritual practices. Our offerings, our prayers, our actions of faith are for God to know, for us to experience and hold in our hearts. It’s not uncommon for people to ask us what we have “given up” for Lentand we often share that information, even when not asked. There is something in our humanness that seeks recognition for our actions, an acknowledgment of our faithfulness. Yet, Jesus reminds us to be humble. I sometimes have a hard with humility. After all, I am proud of my accomplishments and the actions I take for and in faith. And I know that is not what is important. This Lent I am seeking that humility Jesus speaks of and Matthew records. Perhaps you will as well.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
We need to be reminded of our sin on Ash Wednesday, a sinfulness that is evidenced even in our good deeds like giving alms. Martin Luther nicely makes this point with a warning he gives when expositing this text. He cautions the faithful that when giving alms that they not inform the left hand what the right hand is doing, lest the left hand try to take more money than the right hand gave (Luther’s Works, Vol.21, p.135). John Wesley offered a similar analysis in one of his sermons on this text, noting how even in doing good we are always looking out for what’s in it for us in doing such deeds. He wrote:
But it is not only the having an eye to the praise of men, which cuts off any reward in heaven; which leaves us no room to expect the blessing of God upon our works, whether of piety or mercy. Purity of intention is equally destroyed by a view to any temporal reward whatever. If we repeat our prayers, if we attend the public worship of God, if we relieve the poor, with a view to gain or interest, it is not a whit more acceptable to God, than if it were done with a view to praise. (Works, Vol.5, p.331)
Wesley adds, though, that there is Good News in the midst of this awareness of sin, that we are forgiven:
As soon as ever, through, the free grace of God in Christ, we “receive forgiveness of sins,” we receive likewise “a lot among those sanctified by faith which is in him.” Sin has lost its power. It has not dominion over those who are under grace, that is, in favour of God. (Works, Vol.5, p.340)
Mark E.
* * *
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
No one has much tolerance for a braggart. I came across this story that, if true, is incredibly funny and illustrates the ridiculousness of bragging. The owner of a small foreign car began irritating his friends by bragging about his gas mileage. So, they decided on a way to get some humor out of his endless boasting, as well as bring it to an end. Every day one of them would sneak into the parking lot where the man kept his car and pour a few gallons of gas into the tank. Soon the braggart was recording phenomenal mileage. He was boasting of getting as much as 90 miles per gallon! His friends were delighted at his exasperation as he tried to convince people he was telling the truth. It was even more fun to watch his reaction when they stopped refilling the tank. The poor fellow couldn’t figure out what had happened to his car.
Bragging and drawing attention to oneself does not work out very well. Jesus spoke against doing things to get attention from others. Jesus warns, “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward” (vs. 2). Jesus wanted his followers to do their good deeds for him and not the attention of others.
Bill T.
