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Illustration
Object:
Illustrations
Amos 7:7-17
The Israelites were familiar with building. When God talks to Amos about plumb lines, they can relate. Plumb lines have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians to help builders ensure that their buildings are upright. After having spent generations as slaves in Egypt, Israelites were no doubt very familiar with tools like the plumb line. But building for the Egyptians was not all the building that the Israelites had done. After their escape from Egypt, Moses' people built the nation of Israel for themselves, and in Israel built the temple at Jerusalem. God's reference to plumb lines and the implication that he would tear apart his people must have made a strong impression on the Israelites, who had worked so hard to build their nation and their people.
Leah T.
Amos 7:7-17
One of the oldest television game shows was, Truth or Consequences, aired on radio in 1940 and was the first commercial game show appearing on television in July 1941. It began regular broadcasting in 1950. Two men who became TV icons hosted the show, Ralph Edwards and Bob Barker. The premise of the show was to get a contestant to either tell the truth about a question from the host or to "suffer" the consequences of some outrageous stunt.
Different from the game show truth is not a laughing matter ... it's dead serious. Without truth, dishonesty reigns with consequences that can devastate life.
Without truth marriages crumble.
Without truth relationships dissolve.
Without truth knowledge is distorted.
Without truth hope is lost.
Without truth salvation is lost.
A wise person once said, "The truth shall set you free." The consequence of truth ... freedom.
Derl K.
Colossians 1:1-14
When I moved to the United States from Canada, I had to go through a plethora of red tape, background checks, and examinations. I remember going with my wife to an immigration consultant and signing form after form after form. I remember traveling almost an hour to a pre-approved physician for probably the most thorough physical examination I think I've had in my life! I remember going almost three hours to a federal immigration center to be fingerprinted and photographed. Some time later, my wife and I went back to that federal building to be interviewed for my application for residency. We were so nervous that I wouldn't be approved, but after a short interview (fifteen minutes, to be more precise), I was approved and became a Canadian citizen legally residing permanently in the United States. And that's not even becoming an American citizen!
Now, there's not much difference between Canada and the United States, culturally. Imagine the change that takes place inside each of us when we follow Christ. We were, as Paul says, part of the "domain of darkness," and yet we have been transferred from that realm to the "kingdom of his beloved Son" (v. 13). And it didn't even require a physical!
Craig K.
Colossians 1:1-14
Twice a year the Anglican Church leaders would meet for a convention in London. Samuel Wesley, the father of John Wesley who became the founder of Methodism, seldom missed a gathering. Early in 1712 Samuel left Epworth for a London convention. He assigned Inman, a curate, to preach in his absence. Samuel's wife, Susanna, soon became disappointed in Inman's performance. He had a poor command of the scriptures, and he held only one service on Sunday. She became concerned that with a single, early morning service her children would have too much idle time that would lead to bad behavior.
She decided that on Sunday evenings she would hold religious services in the kitchen of her home. She gathered her children and her servants in the kitchen to hear the Bible read, sing hymns, and pray. Soon others in the community learned of the evening service and began to attend. Within a few months the kitchen gathering grew to thirty or forty people and upwards of 200 participated.
As a woman Susanna was assuming the unheard of role of being a spiritual leader, an occupation reserved solely for men. In response to those who questioned her leadership, especially her husband, she wrote this line in a letter to him, "I reply, that as I am a woman, so I am also mistress of a large family. And though the superior charge of the souls contained in it lies upon you, as head of the family, and as their minister; yet in your absence I cannot but look upon every soul you leave under my care as a talent committed to me, under a trust, by the great Lord of the families of heaven and earth."
Susanna's kitchen gatherings are reflective of the joy and hope expressed by Paul. Paul shared how grateful he was that the gospel message was being shared and those who heard it became believers. Paul marveled that the fellowship of the church was growing and those who participated shared in God's grace. Paul was pleased that all the congregants were being spiritually strengthened through preaching, prayer, and hymn singing. As with Susanna, we must open our hearts, our homes, and our church with an invitation to worship.
Ron L.
Colossians 1:1-14
Todd was sitting at his desk filled with despair. His marriage was in trouble, he did not have a good relationship with his children. His company was laying off workers in the recession, and Todd worried he might lose his job. As he opened one of his desk drawers he spotted a business card with a mustard seed glued on one side. He turned it over and saw a note that someone was praying for him.
He remembered the church retreat held eight years before. He was a new Christian as well as new to the church. He wanted to grow in his faith. It was a wonderful time as his faith was coming alive. He remembered the afternoon when they placed cards with their names on them and then exchanged them with other participants. They agreed to pray for the person on the card for an entire year. No one knew the identity of their prayer partner.
The person praying for Todd would send unanimous notes throughout the year to let him know that he was lifted up in prayer. Those notes always lifted Todd's spirit and always seemed to come at a time when he felt discouraged.
Seeing the card in his desk drawer that he did not even remember keeping inspired a new sense of hope in his life.
The apostle Paul in his letter complimented the believers for their acts of faith. Paul promised to keep them in his prayers, "For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."
Tim S.
Luke 10:25-37
Jerry was not a good neighbor. His dogs sometimes did their business in Randy's yard. Once Randy woke up in the middle of the night and heard water running. He went outside and found Jerry's hose hooked up to Randy's spigot -- Jerry was stealing his water! Jerry's yard was always a mess, and once Randy had been in Jerry's house -- it was equally trashed. One night, Randy woke up to a telephone call. It was the police station. Jerry had been picked up for a DUI and needed someone to pick him up from the station. Despite all the reasons not to go pick up Jerry at 2 a.m., Randy got out of bed and drove to the police station to give Jerry a ride home.
Leah T.
Luke 10:25-37
My wife and I moved to Michigan to pastor in 1983 where we served for 18 years. I became fascinated with lighthouses and started decorating my office with them. My wife used the word, "clutter" … I preferred the word "décor." I had over 150 of them displayed from sardine cans with lighthouses to expensive models from the Lefton Company. I have never gotten tired of them.
They are great reminders that navigation on the seas was always dangerous. Without navigational aids shipwrecks were common and deadly. Families began building bonfires on hilltops and along shorelines so that the men of the community could find their way home after dark.
As trade developed and products were exported and imported into the countries warships were need to protect the industry. Better ways of making the shorelines safer became necessary. "The lights changed from bonfires to hanging firepots, then to lanterns in trees or fire in barrels. The open fires were used as night beacons, but during the day the smoke from these fires would also signal danger. Smaller fires, torches and lanterns served to signal harbor entrances" (Larry Wright in Bonfires and Beacons).
One of the most interesting of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Pharos in Alexandria, built in 280 BC to guide ships into the Nile River. It stood 400 feet (forty stories) high. Unfortunately, it fell into pieces and was ruined during an earthquake in the early 1300s, but it lasted almost 1,500 years!
Evolution from bonfires to electric lights (about 1930) still had one purpose of the lighthouse … to save the lives of people.
Isn't that the purpose of the church: each church … each person … has the purpose of shining the light of Jesus into a dark world … a dark life to help them find salvation? It includes making a difference by caring and loving … one person at a time. How is your church doing at shining the light? What Samaritan lies along the path of your church or life? How are you doing about shining the light of Jesus?
Derl K.
Amos 7:7-17
The Israelites were familiar with building. When God talks to Amos about plumb lines, they can relate. Plumb lines have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians to help builders ensure that their buildings are upright. After having spent generations as slaves in Egypt, Israelites were no doubt very familiar with tools like the plumb line. But building for the Egyptians was not all the building that the Israelites had done. After their escape from Egypt, Moses' people built the nation of Israel for themselves, and in Israel built the temple at Jerusalem. God's reference to plumb lines and the implication that he would tear apart his people must have made a strong impression on the Israelites, who had worked so hard to build their nation and their people.
Leah T.
Amos 7:7-17
One of the oldest television game shows was, Truth or Consequences, aired on radio in 1940 and was the first commercial game show appearing on television in July 1941. It began regular broadcasting in 1950. Two men who became TV icons hosted the show, Ralph Edwards and Bob Barker. The premise of the show was to get a contestant to either tell the truth about a question from the host or to "suffer" the consequences of some outrageous stunt.
Different from the game show truth is not a laughing matter ... it's dead serious. Without truth, dishonesty reigns with consequences that can devastate life.
Without truth marriages crumble.
Without truth relationships dissolve.
Without truth knowledge is distorted.
Without truth hope is lost.
Without truth salvation is lost.
A wise person once said, "The truth shall set you free." The consequence of truth ... freedom.
Derl K.
Colossians 1:1-14
When I moved to the United States from Canada, I had to go through a plethora of red tape, background checks, and examinations. I remember going with my wife to an immigration consultant and signing form after form after form. I remember traveling almost an hour to a pre-approved physician for probably the most thorough physical examination I think I've had in my life! I remember going almost three hours to a federal immigration center to be fingerprinted and photographed. Some time later, my wife and I went back to that federal building to be interviewed for my application for residency. We were so nervous that I wouldn't be approved, but after a short interview (fifteen minutes, to be more precise), I was approved and became a Canadian citizen legally residing permanently in the United States. And that's not even becoming an American citizen!
Now, there's not much difference between Canada and the United States, culturally. Imagine the change that takes place inside each of us when we follow Christ. We were, as Paul says, part of the "domain of darkness," and yet we have been transferred from that realm to the "kingdom of his beloved Son" (v. 13). And it didn't even require a physical!
Craig K.
Colossians 1:1-14
Twice a year the Anglican Church leaders would meet for a convention in London. Samuel Wesley, the father of John Wesley who became the founder of Methodism, seldom missed a gathering. Early in 1712 Samuel left Epworth for a London convention. He assigned Inman, a curate, to preach in his absence. Samuel's wife, Susanna, soon became disappointed in Inman's performance. He had a poor command of the scriptures, and he held only one service on Sunday. She became concerned that with a single, early morning service her children would have too much idle time that would lead to bad behavior.
She decided that on Sunday evenings she would hold religious services in the kitchen of her home. She gathered her children and her servants in the kitchen to hear the Bible read, sing hymns, and pray. Soon others in the community learned of the evening service and began to attend. Within a few months the kitchen gathering grew to thirty or forty people and upwards of 200 participated.
As a woman Susanna was assuming the unheard of role of being a spiritual leader, an occupation reserved solely for men. In response to those who questioned her leadership, especially her husband, she wrote this line in a letter to him, "I reply, that as I am a woman, so I am also mistress of a large family. And though the superior charge of the souls contained in it lies upon you, as head of the family, and as their minister; yet in your absence I cannot but look upon every soul you leave under my care as a talent committed to me, under a trust, by the great Lord of the families of heaven and earth."
Susanna's kitchen gatherings are reflective of the joy and hope expressed by Paul. Paul shared how grateful he was that the gospel message was being shared and those who heard it became believers. Paul marveled that the fellowship of the church was growing and those who participated shared in God's grace. Paul was pleased that all the congregants were being spiritually strengthened through preaching, prayer, and hymn singing. As with Susanna, we must open our hearts, our homes, and our church with an invitation to worship.
Ron L.
Colossians 1:1-14
Todd was sitting at his desk filled with despair. His marriage was in trouble, he did not have a good relationship with his children. His company was laying off workers in the recession, and Todd worried he might lose his job. As he opened one of his desk drawers he spotted a business card with a mustard seed glued on one side. He turned it over and saw a note that someone was praying for him.
He remembered the church retreat held eight years before. He was a new Christian as well as new to the church. He wanted to grow in his faith. It was a wonderful time as his faith was coming alive. He remembered the afternoon when they placed cards with their names on them and then exchanged them with other participants. They agreed to pray for the person on the card for an entire year. No one knew the identity of their prayer partner.
The person praying for Todd would send unanimous notes throughout the year to let him know that he was lifted up in prayer. Those notes always lifted Todd's spirit and always seemed to come at a time when he felt discouraged.
Seeing the card in his desk drawer that he did not even remember keeping inspired a new sense of hope in his life.
The apostle Paul in his letter complimented the believers for their acts of faith. Paul promised to keep them in his prayers, "For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."
Tim S.
Luke 10:25-37
Jerry was not a good neighbor. His dogs sometimes did their business in Randy's yard. Once Randy woke up in the middle of the night and heard water running. He went outside and found Jerry's hose hooked up to Randy's spigot -- Jerry was stealing his water! Jerry's yard was always a mess, and once Randy had been in Jerry's house -- it was equally trashed. One night, Randy woke up to a telephone call. It was the police station. Jerry had been picked up for a DUI and needed someone to pick him up from the station. Despite all the reasons not to go pick up Jerry at 2 a.m., Randy got out of bed and drove to the police station to give Jerry a ride home.
Leah T.
Luke 10:25-37
My wife and I moved to Michigan to pastor in 1983 where we served for 18 years. I became fascinated with lighthouses and started decorating my office with them. My wife used the word, "clutter" … I preferred the word "décor." I had over 150 of them displayed from sardine cans with lighthouses to expensive models from the Lefton Company. I have never gotten tired of them.
They are great reminders that navigation on the seas was always dangerous. Without navigational aids shipwrecks were common and deadly. Families began building bonfires on hilltops and along shorelines so that the men of the community could find their way home after dark.
As trade developed and products were exported and imported into the countries warships were need to protect the industry. Better ways of making the shorelines safer became necessary. "The lights changed from bonfires to hanging firepots, then to lanterns in trees or fire in barrels. The open fires were used as night beacons, but during the day the smoke from these fires would also signal danger. Smaller fires, torches and lanterns served to signal harbor entrances" (Larry Wright in Bonfires and Beacons).
One of the most interesting of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Pharos in Alexandria, built in 280 BC to guide ships into the Nile River. It stood 400 feet (forty stories) high. Unfortunately, it fell into pieces and was ruined during an earthquake in the early 1300s, but it lasted almost 1,500 years!
Evolution from bonfires to electric lights (about 1930) still had one purpose of the lighthouse … to save the lives of people.
Isn't that the purpose of the church: each church … each person … has the purpose of shining the light of Jesus into a dark world … a dark life to help them find salvation? It includes making a difference by caring and loving … one person at a time. How is your church doing at shining the light? What Samaritan lies along the path of your church or life? How are you doing about shining the light of Jesus?
Derl K.
