Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 (2011)
Illustration
Micah 6:1-8
Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist and inventor in the early and mid-20th century. He is famous for coming up with complex, convoluted machines designed to perform a simple task, such as machines filled with pulleys and strings and ping pong balls and weights, all designed to turn on a light switch. Such devices are now called Rube Goldberg machines, in his honor.
Sometimes we can treat life like a Rube Goldberg machine, thinking we have to do something complex and complicated to succeed. Many feel that way about living the Christian life, too. But perhaps we're overcomplicating things. Maybe what Micah said is really what it's all about: "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?" (v. 8).
Craig K.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Norman and Ruth Peale share adjoining offices at the Foundation for Christian Living in Pawling, New York. Mrs. Peale relates that whenever her husband has a problem he asks her to come to his office. Then Dr. Peale simply says, "I think we should ask for help." Then he prays, "Lord, you know what this problem is. Guide us in the right direction. Make us receptive to your will, and thank you for your help." Then Dr. and Mrs. Peale sit quietly, disposed to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Peales were wise enough to understand the truth of Paul's words when he wrote, "Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God." We should always be in conversation with God but especially when we are perplexed. It is in this moment of despair that the comforting presence of our Heavenly Parent is sought; for only the Lord can give us the assurance and guidance that we so desperately seek. Anguished over the day's events and uncertain about tomorrow, we pray and wait patiently for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Ron L.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, two contemporary satire writers, outdo themselves in their joint novel Good Omens. The novel, a tongue-in-cheek depiction of Armageddon, features an unusual pair: Crowley, a demon and representative of hell, and Aziraphale, an angel and representative of heaven. Both Crowley and Aziraphale live among men to do their masters' bidding -- and in the two thousand years of meantime, they have struck up a friendship -- and have a fondness for the humans among whom they have lived for two millennia. In the course of the novel, these two work together to keep Armageddon from happening and preserve humanity, both its good and evil. Although not particularly religious, Pratchett and Gaiman's book brings up some of the same questions that the Corinthians text asks: Who is truly wise? Should we rely on signs, or trust in our faith in things not seen? Is our faith based on rules or based on love?
Leah T.
Matthew 5:1-12
Type the words "true happiness" in a search box on Google, and you will find 12,100,000 results on the internet. Titles such as "Finding tips on how to be happy in life" and "What is true happiness and how to experience true happiness now" are common in the search results. So many people out there are looking for what it is to be happy, and at least 12,100,000 websites try to give them all the answers.
When Jesus gave a description of a happy (blessed) life, he didn't come up with 12,100,000 examples. In fact, the traits of a happy life he gave are probably not in a lot of those websites. According to Jesus, people are truly happy when they are "poor in spirit," in mourning, meek, or hungry for righteousness. They are the ones who look forward to a happy life. Looking at that Google list reminds us that Jesus and the world have a vastly different perspective when it comes to the good life.
Craig K.
Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist and inventor in the early and mid-20th century. He is famous for coming up with complex, convoluted machines designed to perform a simple task, such as machines filled with pulleys and strings and ping pong balls and weights, all designed to turn on a light switch. Such devices are now called Rube Goldberg machines, in his honor.
Sometimes we can treat life like a Rube Goldberg machine, thinking we have to do something complex and complicated to succeed. Many feel that way about living the Christian life, too. But perhaps we're overcomplicating things. Maybe what Micah said is really what it's all about: "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?" (v. 8).
Craig K.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Norman and Ruth Peale share adjoining offices at the Foundation for Christian Living in Pawling, New York. Mrs. Peale relates that whenever her husband has a problem he asks her to come to his office. Then Dr. Peale simply says, "I think we should ask for help." Then he prays, "Lord, you know what this problem is. Guide us in the right direction. Make us receptive to your will, and thank you for your help." Then Dr. and Mrs. Peale sit quietly, disposed to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Peales were wise enough to understand the truth of Paul's words when he wrote, "Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God." We should always be in conversation with God but especially when we are perplexed. It is in this moment of despair that the comforting presence of our Heavenly Parent is sought; for only the Lord can give us the assurance and guidance that we so desperately seek. Anguished over the day's events and uncertain about tomorrow, we pray and wait patiently for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Ron L.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, two contemporary satire writers, outdo themselves in their joint novel Good Omens. The novel, a tongue-in-cheek depiction of Armageddon, features an unusual pair: Crowley, a demon and representative of hell, and Aziraphale, an angel and representative of heaven. Both Crowley and Aziraphale live among men to do their masters' bidding -- and in the two thousand years of meantime, they have struck up a friendship -- and have a fondness for the humans among whom they have lived for two millennia. In the course of the novel, these two work together to keep Armageddon from happening and preserve humanity, both its good and evil. Although not particularly religious, Pratchett and Gaiman's book brings up some of the same questions that the Corinthians text asks: Who is truly wise? Should we rely on signs, or trust in our faith in things not seen? Is our faith based on rules or based on love?
Leah T.
Matthew 5:1-12
Type the words "true happiness" in a search box on Google, and you will find 12,100,000 results on the internet. Titles such as "Finding tips on how to be happy in life" and "What is true happiness and how to experience true happiness now" are common in the search results. So many people out there are looking for what it is to be happy, and at least 12,100,000 websites try to give them all the answers.
When Jesus gave a description of a happy (blessed) life, he didn't come up with 12,100,000 examples. In fact, the traits of a happy life he gave are probably not in a lot of those websites. According to Jesus, people are truly happy when they are "poor in spirit," in mourning, meek, or hungry for righteousness. They are the ones who look forward to a happy life. Looking at that Google list reminds us that Jesus and the world have a vastly different perspective when it comes to the good life.
Craig K.
