Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (OT 3) Cycle C (2013)
Illustration
Object:
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
"Listen up, Jared, or you will fail your final test," Ms. Borns warned.
"Listen up, troops," the Sergeant ordered. "Scale the wall and you'll pass the PT part of leadership training."
"Listen up, Rusty. When I say 'stay,' obey your master's voice."
The one in charge's voice speaks to his people, "Listen up, my people. Listen up, and obey. Hear God's word and let it direct your path."
In the Old Testament reading this morning, God's people listened attentively to his written word and their lives were changed. God's word became a lamp to guide them through the darkness.
Down through generations, we find that when the word of God is read, it calls his people to respond. Strengthened by what they heard on that special day, the Israelites began to understand the spoken word of the Lord. All those present celebrated with joy. So listen up, God's people of today. Rejoice greatly, for "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
Cynthia C.
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
How valuable can a book really be? In the fourteenth century John Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation, translated the Bible (which includes the book of the Law of Moses) into English. The common folks valued it so much that they would sell a load of hay for just a few chapters of James. In Ezra's day, the book of the Law of Moses grabbed the attention of the people who returned to their homeland after exile and were looking for cohesion amongst themselves and a sense of orderliness and purpose. They stood in respect and attentiveness to the reading of it. The moment became a time for worship. The book of the Law of Moses gave them direction in re-establishing their life once again. Valuable indeed!
Mark M.
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Can you imagine standing all day while someone read the Bible to you? That in itself shows faith! It may be hard enough for some to stand during the gospel reading! Ezra spoke to those who could understand. Did he also mean those who would try to understand?
A missionary to a South American country who had not yet learned Spanish was worshiping in a church there one Sunday and since he couldn't understand, he stood when the man next to him stood and sat when he sat. When the pastor made one announcement the man stood and so did the missionary. Every one was shocked. When he left, the pastor said, "Evidently you don't know Spanish yet. I asked the man who was father of a new child to stand up and you both stood!"
Do we understand God's law? Have we read it and studied it? Is that why you are in church today?
We don't bow like the Muslims with our head to the ground, though most churches have kneeling benches by the pews. We still show respect when God's word is read, either out of reverence or because we see everyone else standing. Hopefully the understanding will come later if it has not already come. But we must be open to it!
Ezra and others were preaching to help the people understand the meaning of the law. It was a long sermon!
Our natural reaction when we hear the law is sadness because we realize that we have disobeyed in so many ways. Some pastors and some denominations emphasize the disobedience without emphasizing the other side of the law -- forgiveness. We must realize that laws demonstrate love.
I have talked with children who said that they didn't think their parents loved them because they never received discipline. That may sound strange to some of you, but I have heard it too often. When I broke one of my mother's vases I waited to really get punished, but the worst punishment came when my mother wept over the loss of her treasured vase. It made me weep with sorrow because I had hurt her, but then she hugged me and forgave me and that gave me joy again.
That was the main reason Israel could find joy. God loved them so much that he gave them a law for their own good! And then he followed it with forgiveness when they messed up.
We have had alcoholics in our church who came to know the Lord and it stopped their drinking! They never forgot the day God ended their addiction! Israel never forgot that feast day either.
We should feel the Lord's arms around us when we receive the Lord's Supper! As hard as the law may be, he has forgiven us!
Bob O.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, the son of Joseph. Jesus, the carpenter. This is how people were addressed and acknowledged for millennia. An individual was known by personal attributes, location of origin, occupation, parentage, or clan affiliation. What was culturally true for others in Palestine was applied equally to Jesus.
Surnames, or last names, did not become prominent until the eleventh century. The word "surname" is a name prefixed by the French word sur, meaning "on." This is derived from the Latin super, meaning "over" or "above." "Surname" means an "additional name."
It remained in obscurity until the Saxons conquered England and William I became king. As the new governor, he wanted a census of the land and its people in order to assess a tax. He set his staff to canvass the land and record all individuals and property in the Book of Winchester, completed in 1086. To facilitate record-keeping, families were grouped with surnames. The Book of Winchester commonly became known as the Domesday Book, for once your tax rate was recorded there was no appeal, no compromise, no special dispensation. Thus the Domesday Book, from the English word dom meaning "accounting" or "reckoning." The Domesday Book was viewed upon as the last judgment. Until that period of historical development, a descriptive remained the distinguishing identifier of an individual.
The Body of Christ is one composed of many members, but each member dies keeping his or her individuality and special role in ministry.
Ron L.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Paul claims that all are part of the Body, all our jobs are equally esteemed and indispensable. This is not in line with ordinary human thinking. And yet poll data and neurobiology seem to verify Pauline wisdom. It seems that according to a 2006 General Social Survey of the National Opinion Research Center the most prestigious jobs like CEOs, politicians, stockbrokers, and even doctors ranked far lower than clergy, firefighters, authors (not necessarily famous ones), and teachers (esp. special education teachers, but not school superintendents and principals) regarding the satisfaction they bring to those employed in these positions. The common characteristic of the jobs with greatest satisfaction was that they were jobs involved (or at least perceived as involved) in having direct interaction with helping people. Those in such jobs where the pay scale was higher fell below those who did hands-on caring. It is true that some low-paying jobs like laborers (not involved in construction), salespersons, and packagers scored low in satisfaction. But it is not clear that they and even medical doctors (who score low on job satisfaction) were as inclined to see their jobs as helping professions (a dynamic with MDs that has developed in the last four decades as more and more undergraduate pre-med students tell their peers that it is the financial rewards of the profession that is their prime motivation for studying medicine).
That we find the most job satisfaction in jobs perceived as helping others is not surprising given the latest neurobiological data. Happiness is at least in part a function of the amphetamine-like brain chemical dopamine saturating our brains. But it seems we best experience that when we are not narrowly focused on our own agendas, but when the front part of our brains is stimulated causing us to lose ourselves in bigger realities that provide a sense of meaning (Daniel Amen, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, esp. pp. 140-141). Lose yourself in your job, see it as an opportunity to serve God and others, and not ourselves, and work-life becomes more meaningful. That is the way God sees every job, a chance to serve him and others, a chance to deny our selfishness for their sake. It is like Martin Luther writes: "Each of us is to examine himself according to his station in life and is to find what is best for him to fulfill the work and purpose of his baptism, namely to slay sin and to die... and not be carried with worry and care" (Luther's Works, Vol. 35, p. 40).
Mark E.
Luke 4:14-21
Why was the whole countryside so excited about Jesus coming? Was it because he gave good sermons? Or was it partly or mainly because of his healings and miracles? Would more people come to church today if they could be healed or witness someone else being healed? A few evangelists thrive on that. It is exciting and brings in the crowds!
I attended a service in Kona, Hawaii, once when the pastor's daughter had just become Miss America. I overheard some coming in the door asking, "Did we come to hear God's word and worship or are we here in hopes that we will see the pastor's daughter?"
Whatever their motivation, the people in Galilee heard Jesus read a scripture from the Old Testament and then sat expectantly to hear his sermon. Some may wish their pastor's sermons could be as short as Jesus' when he simply said that the scripture he had just read was fulfilled at that moment. He didn't need to say anything else! Jesus not only preached, but he lived out his message so all could see.
Some might complain that he came to the poor and to prisoners and that he came to release the oppressed. Not us good Christians! Sure, some may need to be healed if they can't afford a good doctor, but we wanted the Lord to come to us good people also!
We know that the Lord came for you and me! We should realize that we may be the "poor in spirit" whom Jesus was preaching to and also those who are imprisoned in our own selfishness and greed who have Satan as our prison guard.
Jesus might have been made a prisoner back then, but his enemies in the synagogue hierarchy were letting his preaching continue, not wanting to disturb the people. I think they were waiting for Jesus to make a mistake. They kept asking him questions to trap him. They would certainly be shocked by his short sermon that day, but they did not have a chance to interrogate him with all his supporters sitting there.
Notice that he did not select the passage. I have experienced the Lord's hand in scripture that was given me.
I visited a dying soldier once who did not go to church, so he wondered why the Lord would be willing to accept him. He said that the things he had done would "knock your socks off," but he had no chance to make up for it. The passage that jumped into my mind was the story of the thief on the cross who had no chance to make up for his sins. That passage really caught him and ultimately turned his few remaining days around.
Pray that God will give you the word you need for this day. May he also give you words that you can pass on to someone else who may have a need.
Bob O.
Luke 4:14-21
The Greek philosopher Aristotle said, "Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life." The French philosopher Voltaire said, "Pleasure is the object, duty, and goal of all rational creatures." The American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson sees it differently: "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Jesus would have agreed far more with Emerson than with Aristotle or Voltaire. When he announced his purpose in life with the words of Isaiah, he revealed the useful and compassionate direction his life would take with the poor, the blind, and the oppressed.
Mark M.
Luke 4:14-21
The service was over and while the pastor walked up the aisle to put away his vestments, he could hear the sound of little feet running up behind him. The pastor, being a joker, moved his arms in a pumping motion like he was running away. "Wait, Jesus, wait," a small voice cried out. "Wait, Jesus," the young boy implored. Turning around, the pastor smiled. "I am not Jesus, but I can tell you all about him. Jesus loves you, the Bible tells us so."
All the world is trying to find God; too often looking in the wrong places. The Holy Spirit is upon us, and the Bible is our compass to proclaim that God has come to us, Emmanuel, in his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus has come to open our eyes and hearts to know that we are all God's children.
Cynthia C.
"Listen up, Jared, or you will fail your final test," Ms. Borns warned.
"Listen up, troops," the Sergeant ordered. "Scale the wall and you'll pass the PT part of leadership training."
"Listen up, Rusty. When I say 'stay,' obey your master's voice."
The one in charge's voice speaks to his people, "Listen up, my people. Listen up, and obey. Hear God's word and let it direct your path."
In the Old Testament reading this morning, God's people listened attentively to his written word and their lives were changed. God's word became a lamp to guide them through the darkness.
Down through generations, we find that when the word of God is read, it calls his people to respond. Strengthened by what they heard on that special day, the Israelites began to understand the spoken word of the Lord. All those present celebrated with joy. So listen up, God's people of today. Rejoice greatly, for "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
Cynthia C.
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
How valuable can a book really be? In the fourteenth century John Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation, translated the Bible (which includes the book of the Law of Moses) into English. The common folks valued it so much that they would sell a load of hay for just a few chapters of James. In Ezra's day, the book of the Law of Moses grabbed the attention of the people who returned to their homeland after exile and were looking for cohesion amongst themselves and a sense of orderliness and purpose. They stood in respect and attentiveness to the reading of it. The moment became a time for worship. The book of the Law of Moses gave them direction in re-establishing their life once again. Valuable indeed!
Mark M.
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Can you imagine standing all day while someone read the Bible to you? That in itself shows faith! It may be hard enough for some to stand during the gospel reading! Ezra spoke to those who could understand. Did he also mean those who would try to understand?
A missionary to a South American country who had not yet learned Spanish was worshiping in a church there one Sunday and since he couldn't understand, he stood when the man next to him stood and sat when he sat. When the pastor made one announcement the man stood and so did the missionary. Every one was shocked. When he left, the pastor said, "Evidently you don't know Spanish yet. I asked the man who was father of a new child to stand up and you both stood!"
Do we understand God's law? Have we read it and studied it? Is that why you are in church today?
We don't bow like the Muslims with our head to the ground, though most churches have kneeling benches by the pews. We still show respect when God's word is read, either out of reverence or because we see everyone else standing. Hopefully the understanding will come later if it has not already come. But we must be open to it!
Ezra and others were preaching to help the people understand the meaning of the law. It was a long sermon!
Our natural reaction when we hear the law is sadness because we realize that we have disobeyed in so many ways. Some pastors and some denominations emphasize the disobedience without emphasizing the other side of the law -- forgiveness. We must realize that laws demonstrate love.
I have talked with children who said that they didn't think their parents loved them because they never received discipline. That may sound strange to some of you, but I have heard it too often. When I broke one of my mother's vases I waited to really get punished, but the worst punishment came when my mother wept over the loss of her treasured vase. It made me weep with sorrow because I had hurt her, but then she hugged me and forgave me and that gave me joy again.
That was the main reason Israel could find joy. God loved them so much that he gave them a law for their own good! And then he followed it with forgiveness when they messed up.
We have had alcoholics in our church who came to know the Lord and it stopped their drinking! They never forgot the day God ended their addiction! Israel never forgot that feast day either.
We should feel the Lord's arms around us when we receive the Lord's Supper! As hard as the law may be, he has forgiven us!
Bob O.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, the son of Joseph. Jesus, the carpenter. This is how people were addressed and acknowledged for millennia. An individual was known by personal attributes, location of origin, occupation, parentage, or clan affiliation. What was culturally true for others in Palestine was applied equally to Jesus.
Surnames, or last names, did not become prominent until the eleventh century. The word "surname" is a name prefixed by the French word sur, meaning "on." This is derived from the Latin super, meaning "over" or "above." "Surname" means an "additional name."
It remained in obscurity until the Saxons conquered England and William I became king. As the new governor, he wanted a census of the land and its people in order to assess a tax. He set his staff to canvass the land and record all individuals and property in the Book of Winchester, completed in 1086. To facilitate record-keeping, families were grouped with surnames. The Book of Winchester commonly became known as the Domesday Book, for once your tax rate was recorded there was no appeal, no compromise, no special dispensation. Thus the Domesday Book, from the English word dom meaning "accounting" or "reckoning." The Domesday Book was viewed upon as the last judgment. Until that period of historical development, a descriptive remained the distinguishing identifier of an individual.
The Body of Christ is one composed of many members, but each member dies keeping his or her individuality and special role in ministry.
Ron L.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Paul claims that all are part of the Body, all our jobs are equally esteemed and indispensable. This is not in line with ordinary human thinking. And yet poll data and neurobiology seem to verify Pauline wisdom. It seems that according to a 2006 General Social Survey of the National Opinion Research Center the most prestigious jobs like CEOs, politicians, stockbrokers, and even doctors ranked far lower than clergy, firefighters, authors (not necessarily famous ones), and teachers (esp. special education teachers, but not school superintendents and principals) regarding the satisfaction they bring to those employed in these positions. The common characteristic of the jobs with greatest satisfaction was that they were jobs involved (or at least perceived as involved) in having direct interaction with helping people. Those in such jobs where the pay scale was higher fell below those who did hands-on caring. It is true that some low-paying jobs like laborers (not involved in construction), salespersons, and packagers scored low in satisfaction. But it is not clear that they and even medical doctors (who score low on job satisfaction) were as inclined to see their jobs as helping professions (a dynamic with MDs that has developed in the last four decades as more and more undergraduate pre-med students tell their peers that it is the financial rewards of the profession that is their prime motivation for studying medicine).
That we find the most job satisfaction in jobs perceived as helping others is not surprising given the latest neurobiological data. Happiness is at least in part a function of the amphetamine-like brain chemical dopamine saturating our brains. But it seems we best experience that when we are not narrowly focused on our own agendas, but when the front part of our brains is stimulated causing us to lose ourselves in bigger realities that provide a sense of meaning (Daniel Amen, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, esp. pp. 140-141). Lose yourself in your job, see it as an opportunity to serve God and others, and not ourselves, and work-life becomes more meaningful. That is the way God sees every job, a chance to serve him and others, a chance to deny our selfishness for their sake. It is like Martin Luther writes: "Each of us is to examine himself according to his station in life and is to find what is best for him to fulfill the work and purpose of his baptism, namely to slay sin and to die... and not be carried with worry and care" (Luther's Works, Vol. 35, p. 40).
Mark E.
Luke 4:14-21
Why was the whole countryside so excited about Jesus coming? Was it because he gave good sermons? Or was it partly or mainly because of his healings and miracles? Would more people come to church today if they could be healed or witness someone else being healed? A few evangelists thrive on that. It is exciting and brings in the crowds!
I attended a service in Kona, Hawaii, once when the pastor's daughter had just become Miss America. I overheard some coming in the door asking, "Did we come to hear God's word and worship or are we here in hopes that we will see the pastor's daughter?"
Whatever their motivation, the people in Galilee heard Jesus read a scripture from the Old Testament and then sat expectantly to hear his sermon. Some may wish their pastor's sermons could be as short as Jesus' when he simply said that the scripture he had just read was fulfilled at that moment. He didn't need to say anything else! Jesus not only preached, but he lived out his message so all could see.
Some might complain that he came to the poor and to prisoners and that he came to release the oppressed. Not us good Christians! Sure, some may need to be healed if they can't afford a good doctor, but we wanted the Lord to come to us good people also!
We know that the Lord came for you and me! We should realize that we may be the "poor in spirit" whom Jesus was preaching to and also those who are imprisoned in our own selfishness and greed who have Satan as our prison guard.
Jesus might have been made a prisoner back then, but his enemies in the synagogue hierarchy were letting his preaching continue, not wanting to disturb the people. I think they were waiting for Jesus to make a mistake. They kept asking him questions to trap him. They would certainly be shocked by his short sermon that day, but they did not have a chance to interrogate him with all his supporters sitting there.
Notice that he did not select the passage. I have experienced the Lord's hand in scripture that was given me.
I visited a dying soldier once who did not go to church, so he wondered why the Lord would be willing to accept him. He said that the things he had done would "knock your socks off," but he had no chance to make up for it. The passage that jumped into my mind was the story of the thief on the cross who had no chance to make up for his sins. That passage really caught him and ultimately turned his few remaining days around.
Pray that God will give you the word you need for this day. May he also give you words that you can pass on to someone else who may have a need.
Bob O.
Luke 4:14-21
The Greek philosopher Aristotle said, "Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life." The French philosopher Voltaire said, "Pleasure is the object, duty, and goal of all rational creatures." The American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson sees it differently: "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Jesus would have agreed far more with Emerson than with Aristotle or Voltaire. When he announced his purpose in life with the words of Isaiah, he revealed the useful and compassionate direction his life would take with the poor, the blind, and the oppressed.
Mark M.
Luke 4:14-21
The service was over and while the pastor walked up the aisle to put away his vestments, he could hear the sound of little feet running up behind him. The pastor, being a joker, moved his arms in a pumping motion like he was running away. "Wait, Jesus, wait," a small voice cried out. "Wait, Jesus," the young boy implored. Turning around, the pastor smiled. "I am not Jesus, but I can tell you all about him. Jesus loves you, the Bible tells us so."
All the world is trying to find God; too often looking in the wrong places. The Holy Spirit is upon us, and the Bible is our compass to proclaim that God has come to us, Emmanuel, in his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus has come to open our eyes and hearts to know that we are all God's children.
Cynthia C.
