Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2015)
Illustration
Object:
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
David worshiped in an uninhibited, joyful way. Famed modern theologian Karl Barth sees the rejoicing of David as an example of a confession of faith which is outside the sphere of purpose. In its freedom from purpose it has the nature of a game, and for this reason “will always cause a head-shaking among serous people...” (Church Dogmatics, Vol. III/3, p. 77). Worship is without purpose. It is a joyous game. We all enjoy games. We forget ourselves and the things of everyday life, and just enjoy the games. We can get in a frenzy when our team is winning. The crowd even sways sometimes when we all applaud. Barth says that this is the way worship is, the way to think of our bodily movements in worship. Studies of the relationship between evolution and religion reveal that the worship experience, in which we lose ourselves, has provided an evolutionary advantage for the faithful -- for it seems that in the experience of worship a spirit of cooperation and exhilarating emotions are nurtured (Nicholas Wade, The Faith Instinct, pp.79-81). We come to trust those who share these experiences with us, and such trust and cooperation typify the evolutionary advantage homo sapiens has over other forms of life. Losing yourself in the ecstasy of worship like David did makes us more trusting and better working partners. No wonder David got carried away in worship.
Mark E.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesus was one of the most important cities of Asia Minor, an ancient city even in Paul’s time that became part of the Roman empire in 133 B.C. At the same time, its location at the mouth of the River Cayster made it an important trade center. Ironically, after the harbor was narrowed to aid navigation, the port became silted; and today the ruins of Ephesus are six miles inland.
Ephesus was a center for many faiths, including mystery religions as well as the cult of emperor worship. Most residents of this proud, sophisticated, and ancient city had a fierce nationalistic pride centered around the worship of the goddess Artemis. Her temple in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
(Frank Ramirez, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians [Abingdon Press],pp. 30-31)
Frank R.
Ephesians 1:3-14
That one sentence is a mystery to me: He chose us in him before the creation of the world. Are we older than we thought? In the Bible it always seems like God sees from all eternity, both forward and backward. I used to make movies, and I remember reels of film that could be played for hours one frame at a time. A projector only shows one picture at a time and then goes to the next picture -- but since they are flashing by at 24 frames per second, it seems like we are watching real life. We only see that one frame at a time, but God has the whole reel of film and can play it anytime backward or forward. But then, God did invent time.
It is important to notice that we are God’s children by adoption. The text uses the confusing word “predestined.” In the past, Presbyterian pastors who were ordained had to say that they would serve the Lord even if they were predestined to hell. Obviously they wouldn’t know until they were there.
It is even harder to think that we were chosen to be holy and blameless in his sight. I sure don’t feel blameless. That is why I take communion every Sunday. Anyone who has never sinned, raise your hand. Then why did he choose us who are sinners?
Ah, but then it says we have redemption through him. He is the one who makes us holy and blameless through his holy blood, shed for our sins.
Maybe what this means is that God foreknows which of us will give ourselves to Christ who cleanses us from sin. I like “foreknows” better than “predestined” -- where we have no choice.
It says that he made known to us the mysteries of his will. No, we did not learn them in seminary and just pass them on. God, and not our professors, will pass on those mysteries. God the Father is the only source.
Our salvation has a deposit of the Spirit in us to guarantee our inheritance, so we don’t have to worry about it. One thing that we can do to make sure we are on the right track is to walk as blamelessly as we can through his grace. In other words, just trust in him.
Our church is a place where we can support each other and encourage each other to walk blamelessly. We need a fellowship!
Bob O.
Mark 6:14-29
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a golden boy. Part of a powerful family with a mother who doted on him, he grew up expecting life to be good. He had everything a young wealthy man could have, including an education from Groton followed by Harvard, where he earned “a gentlemen’s C” grade point. He married Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin and niece of Theodore Roosevelt, who was Franklin’s idol.
It has been said that “he strived to please the adults and took to heart the teachings of Groton’s headmaster, Endicott Peabody, who urged students to help the less fortunate through public service.” Since Teddy Roosevelt had held public office, Franklin followed that path. He was appointed Secretary of the Navy in 1912, which had been a stepping stone for Teddy before him. He then wanted to run for the Senate, but President Woodrow Wilson could not support him because Franklin had alienated many of the Democrats in New York state with his “elitist” ways.
In 1920, he accepted the vice-presidential nomination when asked by James M. Cox, who ran against Warren G. Harding. They lost, but Franklin now had some national exposure, which he was sure would do him good later on.
Then he went to Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada on vacation. He became ill, and the doctor wasn’t sure he would live. Live he did, but he had lost the use of his legs. Who ever heard of a crippled senator? He refused to believe that his paralysis was permanent and bought a spa in Georgia, opening it to anyone who had suffered the damage of polio. He took the physical therapy they all took, ate with them, cheered them on, suffered with them. While at Warm Springs he was just one of “the polios,” as they called themselves.
Despite it all, he never walked again.
But he had a new outlook, a new determination, and a concern for “the little man” and those who were suffering. He ran for president on that platform, and won. He was stubborn, demanding, and insistent on having his way, all those things people accused him of. But he was elected to the highest office in the land four times, at one of the worst times in our history. He negotiated a peace for the end of World War II with two equally strong personalities, Winston Churchill of Britain and Joseph Stalin of the USSR. When he died at Warm Springs just before the end of the war, three million people lined up along the train tracks and streets to pay their respects.
Sandra H.
Mark 6:14-29
When I was 13, I was really into collecting money for Muscular Dystrophy. I always watched the Jerry Lewis telethon, and one of my friends had decided we should put on a “circus” for MD. This involved ordering a kit from the charity and setting up according to directions, then charging people to come and watch us perform. It was okay, but we didn’t take in much, which disappointed me. I decided to go door to door, soliciting directly for MD.
About a block from our house there was an apartment building, and I figured there would be less walking for the money than going to houses. So off I went with my collection box and went up and down the halls. I was about halfway down the second-floor hallway when the door was answered by a man who was evidently having a party. I told him what I was doing and asked for a donation. He reached into his pocket and produced a $20 bill.
“Oh sorry, honey!” he said. “I only have a $20 bill. Do you have change?” I was not happy, peering at that $20 bill. I shook my head. “Too bad! Come back when you have change.” He smiled insincerely and closed the door. I heard a lot of laughing behind that door.
I went on through the building, getting mostly $1 bills or change from each apartment-dweller. I started back down the stairs, and when I got down to the second floor I stopped and counted my money -- $18. I smiled to myself.
Back to the apartment I went and knocked on the door again. The fellow again opened the door. From somewhere behind him, somebody said, “Who is it?”
The fellow shouted over his shoulder, “It’s that kid collecting for MD again!”
I held out the money I’d collected. “I have your change, sir,” I said. His mouth dropped open, but he said, “Well, a deal’s a deal.” He handed me the $20 bill and took the money I held out. I thanked him and started to walk away.
“Hey!” he said. “This is only $18!”
I turned to him and said, “Well, you didn’t say how much change you needed.”
A woman appeared in the doorway. She was laughing. “You got what you deserved, Joe,” she said. “And I think she deserves to get $2 from us.” She waved at me, and I walked away. Again I heard a lot of laughter coming from that apartment. I smiled as I descended the stairs to the street.
Sandra H.
Mark 6:14-29
This is the story of a prophet with courage: John the Baptist. In view of all the challenges facing America -- the wage gap between rich and poor, the race-related police shootings -- and the fact that the majority of Americans do not want churches expressing political views (at least 51% according to a 2014 Pew Research survey), what Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1958 is still appropriate today. We need prophets, he claimed, “willing to suffer courageously for righteousness” (A Testament of Hope, p. 481).
Being a prophet is no easier job today than it was in King’s era. We are timid about what other people will think of us. It is like John Calvin once wrote: “Thus it frequently happens that ungodly men fail to perform their duty, because they do not look to God, but only intent on this object, that they may not incur the reproaches of men” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XVI/2, p. 227).
Martin Luther notes that a prophetic word does not go over well in church: “[W]hen the pastor rebukes others, you say, ‘What a preacher he is, what a telling message, he really gets across!’ But when he finds fault with you, you say, ‘These clerics, don’t they ever talk about anyone else but me?’ (Complete Sermons, Vol. 7, p. 336).
Futurologist Joel A. Barker makes an important observation: “The ultimate function of prophecy is not to tell the future, but to make it.”
Mark E.
David worshiped in an uninhibited, joyful way. Famed modern theologian Karl Barth sees the rejoicing of David as an example of a confession of faith which is outside the sphere of purpose. In its freedom from purpose it has the nature of a game, and for this reason “will always cause a head-shaking among serous people...” (Church Dogmatics, Vol. III/3, p. 77). Worship is without purpose. It is a joyous game. We all enjoy games. We forget ourselves and the things of everyday life, and just enjoy the games. We can get in a frenzy when our team is winning. The crowd even sways sometimes when we all applaud. Barth says that this is the way worship is, the way to think of our bodily movements in worship. Studies of the relationship between evolution and religion reveal that the worship experience, in which we lose ourselves, has provided an evolutionary advantage for the faithful -- for it seems that in the experience of worship a spirit of cooperation and exhilarating emotions are nurtured (Nicholas Wade, The Faith Instinct, pp.79-81). We come to trust those who share these experiences with us, and such trust and cooperation typify the evolutionary advantage homo sapiens has over other forms of life. Losing yourself in the ecstasy of worship like David did makes us more trusting and better working partners. No wonder David got carried away in worship.
Mark E.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesus was one of the most important cities of Asia Minor, an ancient city even in Paul’s time that became part of the Roman empire in 133 B.C. At the same time, its location at the mouth of the River Cayster made it an important trade center. Ironically, after the harbor was narrowed to aid navigation, the port became silted; and today the ruins of Ephesus are six miles inland.
Ephesus was a center for many faiths, including mystery religions as well as the cult of emperor worship. Most residents of this proud, sophisticated, and ancient city had a fierce nationalistic pride centered around the worship of the goddess Artemis. Her temple in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
(Frank Ramirez, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians [Abingdon Press],pp. 30-31)
Frank R.
Ephesians 1:3-14
That one sentence is a mystery to me: He chose us in him before the creation of the world. Are we older than we thought? In the Bible it always seems like God sees from all eternity, both forward and backward. I used to make movies, and I remember reels of film that could be played for hours one frame at a time. A projector only shows one picture at a time and then goes to the next picture -- but since they are flashing by at 24 frames per second, it seems like we are watching real life. We only see that one frame at a time, but God has the whole reel of film and can play it anytime backward or forward. But then, God did invent time.
It is important to notice that we are God’s children by adoption. The text uses the confusing word “predestined.” In the past, Presbyterian pastors who were ordained had to say that they would serve the Lord even if they were predestined to hell. Obviously they wouldn’t know until they were there.
It is even harder to think that we were chosen to be holy and blameless in his sight. I sure don’t feel blameless. That is why I take communion every Sunday. Anyone who has never sinned, raise your hand. Then why did he choose us who are sinners?
Ah, but then it says we have redemption through him. He is the one who makes us holy and blameless through his holy blood, shed for our sins.
Maybe what this means is that God foreknows which of us will give ourselves to Christ who cleanses us from sin. I like “foreknows” better than “predestined” -- where we have no choice.
It says that he made known to us the mysteries of his will. No, we did not learn them in seminary and just pass them on. God, and not our professors, will pass on those mysteries. God the Father is the only source.
Our salvation has a deposit of the Spirit in us to guarantee our inheritance, so we don’t have to worry about it. One thing that we can do to make sure we are on the right track is to walk as blamelessly as we can through his grace. In other words, just trust in him.
Our church is a place where we can support each other and encourage each other to walk blamelessly. We need a fellowship!
Bob O.
Mark 6:14-29
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a golden boy. Part of a powerful family with a mother who doted on him, he grew up expecting life to be good. He had everything a young wealthy man could have, including an education from Groton followed by Harvard, where he earned “a gentlemen’s C” grade point. He married Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin and niece of Theodore Roosevelt, who was Franklin’s idol.
It has been said that “he strived to please the adults and took to heart the teachings of Groton’s headmaster, Endicott Peabody, who urged students to help the less fortunate through public service.” Since Teddy Roosevelt had held public office, Franklin followed that path. He was appointed Secretary of the Navy in 1912, which had been a stepping stone for Teddy before him. He then wanted to run for the Senate, but President Woodrow Wilson could not support him because Franklin had alienated many of the Democrats in New York state with his “elitist” ways.
In 1920, he accepted the vice-presidential nomination when asked by James M. Cox, who ran against Warren G. Harding. They lost, but Franklin now had some national exposure, which he was sure would do him good later on.
Then he went to Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada on vacation. He became ill, and the doctor wasn’t sure he would live. Live he did, but he had lost the use of his legs. Who ever heard of a crippled senator? He refused to believe that his paralysis was permanent and bought a spa in Georgia, opening it to anyone who had suffered the damage of polio. He took the physical therapy they all took, ate with them, cheered them on, suffered with them. While at Warm Springs he was just one of “the polios,” as they called themselves.
Despite it all, he never walked again.
But he had a new outlook, a new determination, and a concern for “the little man” and those who were suffering. He ran for president on that platform, and won. He was stubborn, demanding, and insistent on having his way, all those things people accused him of. But he was elected to the highest office in the land four times, at one of the worst times in our history. He negotiated a peace for the end of World War II with two equally strong personalities, Winston Churchill of Britain and Joseph Stalin of the USSR. When he died at Warm Springs just before the end of the war, three million people lined up along the train tracks and streets to pay their respects.
Sandra H.
Mark 6:14-29
When I was 13, I was really into collecting money for Muscular Dystrophy. I always watched the Jerry Lewis telethon, and one of my friends had decided we should put on a “circus” for MD. This involved ordering a kit from the charity and setting up according to directions, then charging people to come and watch us perform. It was okay, but we didn’t take in much, which disappointed me. I decided to go door to door, soliciting directly for MD.
About a block from our house there was an apartment building, and I figured there would be less walking for the money than going to houses. So off I went with my collection box and went up and down the halls. I was about halfway down the second-floor hallway when the door was answered by a man who was evidently having a party. I told him what I was doing and asked for a donation. He reached into his pocket and produced a $20 bill.
“Oh sorry, honey!” he said. “I only have a $20 bill. Do you have change?” I was not happy, peering at that $20 bill. I shook my head. “Too bad! Come back when you have change.” He smiled insincerely and closed the door. I heard a lot of laughing behind that door.
I went on through the building, getting mostly $1 bills or change from each apartment-dweller. I started back down the stairs, and when I got down to the second floor I stopped and counted my money -- $18. I smiled to myself.
Back to the apartment I went and knocked on the door again. The fellow again opened the door. From somewhere behind him, somebody said, “Who is it?”
The fellow shouted over his shoulder, “It’s that kid collecting for MD again!”
I held out the money I’d collected. “I have your change, sir,” I said. His mouth dropped open, but he said, “Well, a deal’s a deal.” He handed me the $20 bill and took the money I held out. I thanked him and started to walk away.
“Hey!” he said. “This is only $18!”
I turned to him and said, “Well, you didn’t say how much change you needed.”
A woman appeared in the doorway. She was laughing. “You got what you deserved, Joe,” she said. “And I think she deserves to get $2 from us.” She waved at me, and I walked away. Again I heard a lot of laughter coming from that apartment. I smiled as I descended the stairs to the street.
Sandra H.
Mark 6:14-29
This is the story of a prophet with courage: John the Baptist. In view of all the challenges facing America -- the wage gap between rich and poor, the race-related police shootings -- and the fact that the majority of Americans do not want churches expressing political views (at least 51% according to a 2014 Pew Research survey), what Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1958 is still appropriate today. We need prophets, he claimed, “willing to suffer courageously for righteousness” (A Testament of Hope, p. 481).
Being a prophet is no easier job today than it was in King’s era. We are timid about what other people will think of us. It is like John Calvin once wrote: “Thus it frequently happens that ungodly men fail to perform their duty, because they do not look to God, but only intent on this object, that they may not incur the reproaches of men” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XVI/2, p. 227).
Martin Luther notes that a prophetic word does not go over well in church: “[W]hen the pastor rebukes others, you say, ‘What a preacher he is, what a telling message, he really gets across!’ But when he finds fault with you, you say, ‘These clerics, don’t they ever talk about anyone else but me?’ (Complete Sermons, Vol. 7, p. 336).
Futurologist Joel A. Barker makes an important observation: “The ultimate function of prophecy is not to tell the future, but to make it.”
Mark E.
