Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2024)
Illustration
Isaiah 60:1-6
It is likely that this lesson was written after the Babylonian captivity had ended and yet not everything had fallen into place for the people of Israel. Likewise in wake of the pandemic, we are by no means out of the woods economically, as this summer’s hit recording by Oliver Anthony, “Rich Men North of Richmond” makes clear. As Anthony sings it, many of us are still just working overtime hours for bull-shit pay. Little has changed economically since CBS reported about a year ago that “59% of Americans who earn less than $50,000 a year carry a credit card balance from month to month... The percentage drops slightly to 49% for those who earn between $50,000 and $80,000 and dips again to 46% for people making $80,000 to $100,000 a year.” Modern Americans can identify with the Hebrews’ disappointments that the new day is not making things better. We can also identify with the word of hope in the lesson and how easy it is to miss that good news. We are looking for the wrong kind of peace of mind and comfort from our disappointments. In a commentary in this text John Calvin noted:
... the happiness promised to the church is different from that which consists in meat and drink, or tranquility and peace, and other conveniences... (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.VIII/2, p.276)
Reference to “radiance” which the gospel offers the faithful in v.5, leads Martin Luther to comment in a sermon on how God offers comfort and joy in the midst of our disappointments:
The word “radiant” here also implies pleasure and comfort. For it is said of one who is successful and delighted, his countenance is radiant. (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/2, p.333)
Elsewhere in his commentary on the text, Luther offers reflections on wealth and the text’s links to Epiphany, which also could help America deal with its out-of-control spending in the present economic environment. Pertaining to the reference to gold and frankincense in v.6 he notes:
Some apply this to the Magi (Matt.2:11). I am well satisfied with that application. The proper meaning is that these people revere God and the gospel with the same zeal and wealth with which they do homage to other kings... This happens in our case when we receive the glory of the Lord and for its sake are ready to give up body, life, our money, etc. (Luther’s Works, Vol.17, p.315)
Mark E.
* * *
Ephesians 3:1-12
Our Daily Bread (April 1, 1993) records this story about Dr. Tony Campolo. In the article, Campolo recalled a deeply moving incident that happened in a Christian junior high camp where he served. One of the campers, a boy with spastic paralysis, was the object of much ridicule. When he would ask a question, the other kids would deliberately answer in a halting, mimicking way. One night, the boy’s cabin group chose him to lead the devotions before the entire camp. It seemed like one more effort to have some "fun" at his expense.
However, it didn’t work out like that. Unashamedly the boy stood up, and in his strained, slurred manner, he said simply, "Jesus loves me -- and I love Jesus!" That was all. Conviction fell upon those junior-high students. Many began to cry. Revival gripped the camp. Years afterward, Campolo still met people in the ministry who came to Christ because of that testimony.
In this passage, Paul speaks of how he is the least of the saints (vs 8), but he was given grace to share with the Gentiles. What was the message he was to bring to the Gentiles? The “riches of Christ and to make everyone see what the plan of the mystery is.” Directly stated, it wasn’t much different than that of the junior high boy’s at camp. “Jesus loves me, and I love Jesus.” Really, is there any message more important than that?
Bill T.
* * *
Ephesians 3:1-12
Paul identifies himself as “the very least of all the saints.” In one sense he is not exaggerating. He identifies himself on more than one occasion as somebody who actively persecuted the followers of Jesus. However, he did not do this with evil intent. He did not get up in the morning and say to himself, “What can I do that is absolutely evil?” He believed in all sincerity, until it was proved to him otherwise, that he was serving God by pursuing and arresting the followers of the Way (as early Christians called themselves) with the end in view that they would be executed. What happened with his turnaround was that he came to another way of looking at things — God’s way of looking at things. He then pursued his new ministry, bringing the good news of Jesus the Messiah, to the nations.
It is quite likely that you — and members of the congregation you serve — at one time had a particular sincere belief about people, sin, and the world that you no longer hold. I don’t know if you have times for reflection in your messages, but you certainly may invite members of the congregation as well as yourself to reflect on what you used to believe, what you believe now, and what changed those beliefs, and especially, what has been your response with regards to the life you lead.
Frank R.
* * *
Matthew 2:1-12
If only we had a star like the wise men did to lead us to Christ. Martin Luther tells us we all have that star to lead us:
Moreover, the star goes before them [the wise men] and does not leave them until it brings them to Christ... The light of the sacred gospel does the same thing for us... It will not leave us until it brings us to Christ and the truth. It will not go further, for it teaches nothing but Christ. (Luther’s Works, Vol.52, p. 274)
In another Epiphany sermon, the reformer adds:
For... if we want to seek and find this child, we must believe the word, stick to it, and not allow ourselves to be diverted from it. (Complete Sermons, Vol.5, p.198)
Luther also compellingly reflects on what this child worshipped by the wise men offer us today:
... through him we can face God with confidence and our conscience need not be terrified or fear his wrath and judgment... he gives us security before God and pacifies our conscience, so that God and we ourselves are not at enmity with each other, than that he protects us from every harm that creatures may do to us... (Luther’s Works, Vol.52, p.279)
Mark E.
It is likely that this lesson was written after the Babylonian captivity had ended and yet not everything had fallen into place for the people of Israel. Likewise in wake of the pandemic, we are by no means out of the woods economically, as this summer’s hit recording by Oliver Anthony, “Rich Men North of Richmond” makes clear. As Anthony sings it, many of us are still just working overtime hours for bull-shit pay. Little has changed economically since CBS reported about a year ago that “59% of Americans who earn less than $50,000 a year carry a credit card balance from month to month... The percentage drops slightly to 49% for those who earn between $50,000 and $80,000 and dips again to 46% for people making $80,000 to $100,000 a year.” Modern Americans can identify with the Hebrews’ disappointments that the new day is not making things better. We can also identify with the word of hope in the lesson and how easy it is to miss that good news. We are looking for the wrong kind of peace of mind and comfort from our disappointments. In a commentary in this text John Calvin noted:
... the happiness promised to the church is different from that which consists in meat and drink, or tranquility and peace, and other conveniences... (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.VIII/2, p.276)
Reference to “radiance” which the gospel offers the faithful in v.5, leads Martin Luther to comment in a sermon on how God offers comfort and joy in the midst of our disappointments:
The word “radiant” here also implies pleasure and comfort. For it is said of one who is successful and delighted, his countenance is radiant. (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/2, p.333)
Elsewhere in his commentary on the text, Luther offers reflections on wealth and the text’s links to Epiphany, which also could help America deal with its out-of-control spending in the present economic environment. Pertaining to the reference to gold and frankincense in v.6 he notes:
Some apply this to the Magi (Matt.2:11). I am well satisfied with that application. The proper meaning is that these people revere God and the gospel with the same zeal and wealth with which they do homage to other kings... This happens in our case when we receive the glory of the Lord and for its sake are ready to give up body, life, our money, etc. (Luther’s Works, Vol.17, p.315)
Mark E.
* * *
Ephesians 3:1-12
Our Daily Bread (April 1, 1993) records this story about Dr. Tony Campolo. In the article, Campolo recalled a deeply moving incident that happened in a Christian junior high camp where he served. One of the campers, a boy with spastic paralysis, was the object of much ridicule. When he would ask a question, the other kids would deliberately answer in a halting, mimicking way. One night, the boy’s cabin group chose him to lead the devotions before the entire camp. It seemed like one more effort to have some "fun" at his expense.
However, it didn’t work out like that. Unashamedly the boy stood up, and in his strained, slurred manner, he said simply, "Jesus loves me -- and I love Jesus!" That was all. Conviction fell upon those junior-high students. Many began to cry. Revival gripped the camp. Years afterward, Campolo still met people in the ministry who came to Christ because of that testimony.
In this passage, Paul speaks of how he is the least of the saints (vs 8), but he was given grace to share with the Gentiles. What was the message he was to bring to the Gentiles? The “riches of Christ and to make everyone see what the plan of the mystery is.” Directly stated, it wasn’t much different than that of the junior high boy’s at camp. “Jesus loves me, and I love Jesus.” Really, is there any message more important than that?
Bill T.
* * *
Ephesians 3:1-12
Paul identifies himself as “the very least of all the saints.” In one sense he is not exaggerating. He identifies himself on more than one occasion as somebody who actively persecuted the followers of Jesus. However, he did not do this with evil intent. He did not get up in the morning and say to himself, “What can I do that is absolutely evil?” He believed in all sincerity, until it was proved to him otherwise, that he was serving God by pursuing and arresting the followers of the Way (as early Christians called themselves) with the end in view that they would be executed. What happened with his turnaround was that he came to another way of looking at things — God’s way of looking at things. He then pursued his new ministry, bringing the good news of Jesus the Messiah, to the nations.
It is quite likely that you — and members of the congregation you serve — at one time had a particular sincere belief about people, sin, and the world that you no longer hold. I don’t know if you have times for reflection in your messages, but you certainly may invite members of the congregation as well as yourself to reflect on what you used to believe, what you believe now, and what changed those beliefs, and especially, what has been your response with regards to the life you lead.
Frank R.
* * *
Matthew 2:1-12
If only we had a star like the wise men did to lead us to Christ. Martin Luther tells us we all have that star to lead us:
Moreover, the star goes before them [the wise men] and does not leave them until it brings them to Christ... The light of the sacred gospel does the same thing for us... It will not leave us until it brings us to Christ and the truth. It will not go further, for it teaches nothing but Christ. (Luther’s Works, Vol.52, p. 274)
In another Epiphany sermon, the reformer adds:
For... if we want to seek and find this child, we must believe the word, stick to it, and not allow ourselves to be diverted from it. (Complete Sermons, Vol.5, p.198)
Luther also compellingly reflects on what this child worshipped by the wise men offer us today:
... through him we can face God with confidence and our conscience need not be terrified or fear his wrath and judgment... he gives us security before God and pacifies our conscience, so that God and we ourselves are not at enmity with each other, than that he protects us from every harm that creatures may do to us... (Luther’s Works, Vol.52, p.279)
Mark E.
