Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2013)
Illustration
Isaiah 43:1-7
One summer Beth discovered the joy of creation. Behind the family summer house at Smokey Lake, she learned how to form a "soap dog." Aunt Betty filled empty hours with challenging activities, bringing her artistic tools with her. That summer was dedicated to forming animals using a carving knife on a bar of Ivory soap. She explained safety rules when using a knife and the delicacy of soap. Beth was focused as her soap came alive in the form of a dog. For two hours she and her friends sat on the dock, absorbed in sculpting. That was years ago, but the memory is still alive in Beth's heart.
As Beth created her "soap dog" with gentleness and loving care, God created Israel. The nation was fragile; yet with carefully sculpting, it didn't fall completely to pieces. A remnant remained and its holy sculpture continued forming his people.
Cynthia C.
Isaiah 43:1-7
Maddie really wanted to go into the Haunted House. All the other kids were doing it, coming out screaming and shaking but laughing at the same time. But Maddie was younger, sensitive, and hesitant. Her grandpa, seeing her desire and sensing her desperation, called out from behind her, "Maddie, you can do it. Go ahead." Whenever Maddie heard her grandpa call her name, a warm feeling surged inside her. She turned and asked with her eyes if he would go with her through the haunted house. Grandpa understood his only granddaughter for whom he would do anything. He stepped forward and took her hand, paid the admission fee, and together they entered the dreaded haunted house, screaming and giggling all at the same time.
Mark M.
Isaiah 43:1-7
What a positive uplifting passage! The part of coming through the waters reminds us of our baptism. With our baptism we have become God's own. Nothing can overcome us!
I just received a letter from a fellow missionary in Nepal who runs a school over there. Her letter was very long telling of all the problems and frustrations she was enduring. One of her teachers was not well trained and another was too young. She was spending most of her time at the school. The list went on and on, but then she said how blessed she was to have a God who loved her and was teaching her patience! She praised his name in almost every sentence after listing her problems. How many over here would do the same? The Bible says that even if we walk through burning coals we will not be hurt. You will have to decide what those burning coals may be for you: a mortgage foreclosure? Loss of a job? Illness without adequate insurance? In my case: when my computer gives me a problem! You name it!
If we had to suffer what our friends suffer, I doubt we would be praising the Lord. But when we saw their suffering, we could praise the Lord in all circumstances when we came home. Our troubles here are so small when compared with those we knew on the mission field. The average yearly income in Nepal was the equivalent of $200 in our money! The average Nepali pastor saw maybe the equivalent of $2 or $3 in the offering plate every Sunday! If there was more, it meant that an American tourist had visited them. That weekly offering had to pay the pastor's salary to support his family plus pay the rental of the room the church met in and the cost of Bibles and hymnals! There was not much left over! The gift of a pair of shoes was cause for great rejoicing! When we sent over $30 a month for one pastor, he could live like a king!
When I talked with others who have traveled, they almost all said that you could not understand your own country until you had visited another country -- especially a Third World country.
If we belong to God, he will help us overcome whatever may come our way. Have you noticed that sometimes we don't really appreciate what he is doing for us until we face serious problems in life? As we grow old we can look back and see that God has brought us through many struggles and tragedies. He will never desert us! Let him know how much he is appreciated -- not just today, but every day of the week! Remember that Jesus even overcame a cross for you!
Bob O.
Acts 8:14-17
Americans don't think highly of immigrants. At least according to a Pew Research poll nearly a decade ago, only 38% of us think immigrants strengthen America. A 2010 Gallup poll showed 4 in 10 Americans have some prejudice against Muslims. But our lesson is about how baptism is for everyone, even for those not of our ethnicity. In fact, as the Second Vatican Council taught, baptism makes us one family, uniting us despite our ethnic differences: Through baptism we are formed in the likeness of Christ. "For in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:12) ... Giving the body unity through himself... this same Spirit produces and stimulates love among the faithful. From this it follows that if one member suffers anything, all the members suffer with him (Documents of Vatican II, p. 355). If American Christians lived out the meaning of our baptism, our nation would be a lot friendlier, caring place to the stranger, and we would live out the promise engraved on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Mark. E.
Acts 8:14-17
Tom Monaghan needed money if he was going to study architecture at the University of Michigan, and one day follow in the footsteps of his idol, Frank Lloyd Wright. Borrowing $900 from his brother, Monaghan bought DomiNick's pizza shop in nearby Ypsilanti, followed by the purchase of a second store in Mount Pleasant. In order to save "sign making" money, Monaghan simply dropped the "ick" from DomiNick and added an "o." Thus began the second largest pizza franchise in the world, Domino's Pizza.
The 53-year-old board chairman and founder at Domino's Pizza grew up in poverty, spending many of his youngest years at a Catholic orphanage. Monaghan credits his deep religious faith to the influence of that institution. He began each work day with physical exercise, twenty minutes of prayer, and attendance at Mass. In the briefcase he carried every day to the office were two spiral notebooks. One notebook is red -- like the devil -- where he recorded his material desires in life. The other is blue -- like heaven -- where Monaghan wrote the spiritual aspects of his life. Since his personal worth was estimated at $480 million, Monaghan wanted to guard himself against becoming materialistic. Tom Monaghan realized, "God has been good to me. I feel obliged to give something back." A great philanthropist, Monaghan has often said, "I've always felt the most important thing for me is getting into heaven. When I die, I don't think Saint Peter is going to ask me how many pizzas I sold." Therefore, he has set for himself a goal before he retired: to build Roman Catholic chapels around the globe, especially in the Third World. Speaking, years ago, to this one ambition, Monaghan related, "We have 5,000 pizza outlets. My goal now is 5,000 chapels." In gratitude to God, Monaghan wished to build one chapel for each pizza shop he owns.
It would be wonderful if all of us had the foresight to carry a blue notebook, keeping a record of all our blessings. In our books we may not be able to record great financial wealth, but surely our spiritual wealth abounds. How often do we focus only upon the red notebook, lamenting what is not ours. Instead, let us rejoice in the bountiful blessings that we already possess. For each one of us the list will be different, but each one of us will have a list nonetheless. Shown should be our gratitude for family and friends, employment and recreation, health and home, democracy and freedom. Certainly an inventory of such prosperity would fill page after page after page. The blue notebook is in essence our being blest by the Holy Spirit.
Ron L.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
On August 5 this past summer, the NASA land rover Curiosity reached Mars. Part of its mission is to search for signs of water (either past or present). We know there is water on Mars in the cryosphere (permafrost and polar caps). It is suspected that there were large bodies of water in ages past forming a hydrosphere in which life may have emerged. Water is vital for life as we know it. It is also important for fun and games. This past summer, water was the venue of so many of the Olympic sports: diving, swimming, polo, rowing. The fundamental ritual of Christian initiation involves water as a means of conveying God's life-giving and life-enjoying grace.
Mark M.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
One child coming out of church after service asked the pastor, "Are you God?" When we wear our cleric, some folks put us on a very high level. When I drive in town with my cleric on, I drive more carefully so if I am stopped, God's reputation will not suffer. If someone knows you are a Christian and a church member, how do you act when you are with them? The Bible tells us to let others see our good works and give him the glory. Even though John was baptizing the Lord of lords, he remained humble and did not take the credit that belonged to Christ alone. He would not make a good politician!
What we should worry about most is that threshing floor. Are we wheat or chaff? Is it that the wheat can reproduce and has a useful purpose, while the chaff is just the dregs or remains that are worthless? I suppose we should ask ourselves "are we useless chaff or are we wheat that reproduces and can be used to produce food for those in need?" Would anyone miss you if you were gone? Would the world be any worse off without you? Do we just look on some good we may have done sometime in the past or are we right now useful to our Lord? We never retire from serving him! Even his disciples left their fishing boats to follow Jesus. What are your priorities? When someone in church asks for your help or if an item in a magazine seems to call to you, how do you react?
The lowest most humble job in a house in Jesus' day was given to the servant who took off a visitor's shoes and washed their feet. It was standard in Jesus' time for the way a guest should be treated. It is mentioned several times in scripture. Today we would not think of doing such a disgusting thing!
Is that gospel lesson on New Years still calling to you? Whatever we do to the least of these, Jesus said, we do it to him! Be wheat and not a cereal killer to be swept out and burned.
Let us live so that our God says "with you I am well pleased!"
Bob O.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Infant baptism is often remembered through a baby book picture, a baptismal napkin or candle, a signed certificate, and maybe a gift from godparents. Aunt Nancy made sure goddaughter Katrina was always remembered at Christmas, her birthday, and her baptism day. Katrina's parents knew Nancy would take her sponsorship responsibility seriously.
An adult candidate for baptism will have clearer memories of that faith stepping stone. As the baptismal water was poured over Harold's head, he felt cleansed from sin and anointed for service. Harold carries a picture of that day in his Bible, filed the certificate, and put his gift of a cross on his nightstand.
As Katrina grew, she came to know the promises made for her in baptism. And Harold clearly remembers the words he and his sponsors spoke and the promises they all made.
Cynthia C.
One summer Beth discovered the joy of creation. Behind the family summer house at Smokey Lake, she learned how to form a "soap dog." Aunt Betty filled empty hours with challenging activities, bringing her artistic tools with her. That summer was dedicated to forming animals using a carving knife on a bar of Ivory soap. She explained safety rules when using a knife and the delicacy of soap. Beth was focused as her soap came alive in the form of a dog. For two hours she and her friends sat on the dock, absorbed in sculpting. That was years ago, but the memory is still alive in Beth's heart.
As Beth created her "soap dog" with gentleness and loving care, God created Israel. The nation was fragile; yet with carefully sculpting, it didn't fall completely to pieces. A remnant remained and its holy sculpture continued forming his people.
Cynthia C.
Isaiah 43:1-7
Maddie really wanted to go into the Haunted House. All the other kids were doing it, coming out screaming and shaking but laughing at the same time. But Maddie was younger, sensitive, and hesitant. Her grandpa, seeing her desire and sensing her desperation, called out from behind her, "Maddie, you can do it. Go ahead." Whenever Maddie heard her grandpa call her name, a warm feeling surged inside her. She turned and asked with her eyes if he would go with her through the haunted house. Grandpa understood his only granddaughter for whom he would do anything. He stepped forward and took her hand, paid the admission fee, and together they entered the dreaded haunted house, screaming and giggling all at the same time.
Mark M.
Isaiah 43:1-7
What a positive uplifting passage! The part of coming through the waters reminds us of our baptism. With our baptism we have become God's own. Nothing can overcome us!
I just received a letter from a fellow missionary in Nepal who runs a school over there. Her letter was very long telling of all the problems and frustrations she was enduring. One of her teachers was not well trained and another was too young. She was spending most of her time at the school. The list went on and on, but then she said how blessed she was to have a God who loved her and was teaching her patience! She praised his name in almost every sentence after listing her problems. How many over here would do the same? The Bible says that even if we walk through burning coals we will not be hurt. You will have to decide what those burning coals may be for you: a mortgage foreclosure? Loss of a job? Illness without adequate insurance? In my case: when my computer gives me a problem! You name it!
If we had to suffer what our friends suffer, I doubt we would be praising the Lord. But when we saw their suffering, we could praise the Lord in all circumstances when we came home. Our troubles here are so small when compared with those we knew on the mission field. The average yearly income in Nepal was the equivalent of $200 in our money! The average Nepali pastor saw maybe the equivalent of $2 or $3 in the offering plate every Sunday! If there was more, it meant that an American tourist had visited them. That weekly offering had to pay the pastor's salary to support his family plus pay the rental of the room the church met in and the cost of Bibles and hymnals! There was not much left over! The gift of a pair of shoes was cause for great rejoicing! When we sent over $30 a month for one pastor, he could live like a king!
When I talked with others who have traveled, they almost all said that you could not understand your own country until you had visited another country -- especially a Third World country.
If we belong to God, he will help us overcome whatever may come our way. Have you noticed that sometimes we don't really appreciate what he is doing for us until we face serious problems in life? As we grow old we can look back and see that God has brought us through many struggles and tragedies. He will never desert us! Let him know how much he is appreciated -- not just today, but every day of the week! Remember that Jesus even overcame a cross for you!
Bob O.
Acts 8:14-17
Americans don't think highly of immigrants. At least according to a Pew Research poll nearly a decade ago, only 38% of us think immigrants strengthen America. A 2010 Gallup poll showed 4 in 10 Americans have some prejudice against Muslims. But our lesson is about how baptism is for everyone, even for those not of our ethnicity. In fact, as the Second Vatican Council taught, baptism makes us one family, uniting us despite our ethnic differences: Through baptism we are formed in the likeness of Christ. "For in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:12) ... Giving the body unity through himself... this same Spirit produces and stimulates love among the faithful. From this it follows that if one member suffers anything, all the members suffer with him (Documents of Vatican II, p. 355). If American Christians lived out the meaning of our baptism, our nation would be a lot friendlier, caring place to the stranger, and we would live out the promise engraved on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Mark. E.
Acts 8:14-17
Tom Monaghan needed money if he was going to study architecture at the University of Michigan, and one day follow in the footsteps of his idol, Frank Lloyd Wright. Borrowing $900 from his brother, Monaghan bought DomiNick's pizza shop in nearby Ypsilanti, followed by the purchase of a second store in Mount Pleasant. In order to save "sign making" money, Monaghan simply dropped the "ick" from DomiNick and added an "o." Thus began the second largest pizza franchise in the world, Domino's Pizza.
The 53-year-old board chairman and founder at Domino's Pizza grew up in poverty, spending many of his youngest years at a Catholic orphanage. Monaghan credits his deep religious faith to the influence of that institution. He began each work day with physical exercise, twenty minutes of prayer, and attendance at Mass. In the briefcase he carried every day to the office were two spiral notebooks. One notebook is red -- like the devil -- where he recorded his material desires in life. The other is blue -- like heaven -- where Monaghan wrote the spiritual aspects of his life. Since his personal worth was estimated at $480 million, Monaghan wanted to guard himself against becoming materialistic. Tom Monaghan realized, "God has been good to me. I feel obliged to give something back." A great philanthropist, Monaghan has often said, "I've always felt the most important thing for me is getting into heaven. When I die, I don't think Saint Peter is going to ask me how many pizzas I sold." Therefore, he has set for himself a goal before he retired: to build Roman Catholic chapels around the globe, especially in the Third World. Speaking, years ago, to this one ambition, Monaghan related, "We have 5,000 pizza outlets. My goal now is 5,000 chapels." In gratitude to God, Monaghan wished to build one chapel for each pizza shop he owns.
It would be wonderful if all of us had the foresight to carry a blue notebook, keeping a record of all our blessings. In our books we may not be able to record great financial wealth, but surely our spiritual wealth abounds. How often do we focus only upon the red notebook, lamenting what is not ours. Instead, let us rejoice in the bountiful blessings that we already possess. For each one of us the list will be different, but each one of us will have a list nonetheless. Shown should be our gratitude for family and friends, employment and recreation, health and home, democracy and freedom. Certainly an inventory of such prosperity would fill page after page after page. The blue notebook is in essence our being blest by the Holy Spirit.
Ron L.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
On August 5 this past summer, the NASA land rover Curiosity reached Mars. Part of its mission is to search for signs of water (either past or present). We know there is water on Mars in the cryosphere (permafrost and polar caps). It is suspected that there were large bodies of water in ages past forming a hydrosphere in which life may have emerged. Water is vital for life as we know it. It is also important for fun and games. This past summer, water was the venue of so many of the Olympic sports: diving, swimming, polo, rowing. The fundamental ritual of Christian initiation involves water as a means of conveying God's life-giving and life-enjoying grace.
Mark M.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
One child coming out of church after service asked the pastor, "Are you God?" When we wear our cleric, some folks put us on a very high level. When I drive in town with my cleric on, I drive more carefully so if I am stopped, God's reputation will not suffer. If someone knows you are a Christian and a church member, how do you act when you are with them? The Bible tells us to let others see our good works and give him the glory. Even though John was baptizing the Lord of lords, he remained humble and did not take the credit that belonged to Christ alone. He would not make a good politician!
What we should worry about most is that threshing floor. Are we wheat or chaff? Is it that the wheat can reproduce and has a useful purpose, while the chaff is just the dregs or remains that are worthless? I suppose we should ask ourselves "are we useless chaff or are we wheat that reproduces and can be used to produce food for those in need?" Would anyone miss you if you were gone? Would the world be any worse off without you? Do we just look on some good we may have done sometime in the past or are we right now useful to our Lord? We never retire from serving him! Even his disciples left their fishing boats to follow Jesus. What are your priorities? When someone in church asks for your help or if an item in a magazine seems to call to you, how do you react?
The lowest most humble job in a house in Jesus' day was given to the servant who took off a visitor's shoes and washed their feet. It was standard in Jesus' time for the way a guest should be treated. It is mentioned several times in scripture. Today we would not think of doing such a disgusting thing!
Is that gospel lesson on New Years still calling to you? Whatever we do to the least of these, Jesus said, we do it to him! Be wheat and not a cereal killer to be swept out and burned.
Let us live so that our God says "with you I am well pleased!"
Bob O.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Infant baptism is often remembered through a baby book picture, a baptismal napkin or candle, a signed certificate, and maybe a gift from godparents. Aunt Nancy made sure goddaughter Katrina was always remembered at Christmas, her birthday, and her baptism day. Katrina's parents knew Nancy would take her sponsorship responsibility seriously.
An adult candidate for baptism will have clearer memories of that faith stepping stone. As the baptismal water was poured over Harold's head, he felt cleansed from sin and anointed for service. Harold carries a picture of that day in his Bible, filed the certificate, and put his gift of a cross on his nightstand.
As Katrina grew, she came to know the promises made for her in baptism. And Harold clearly remembers the words he and his sponsors spoke and the promises they all made.
Cynthia C.
