Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (OT 3) Cycle C (2025)
Illustration
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
I came across this little anecdote that addresses commitment. “A chicken and a pig were talking about a farmers breakfast. The chicken said, ‘look at the commitment I made.’ The pig replied, ‘but for me it was a sacrifice.’” While there is a bit of humor in that little exchange, there is something important about commitment. Evangelist R.A. Torrey (1856-1928) once wrote, ““You may talk about power; but, if you neglect the one book that God has given you as the one instrument through which he imparts and exercises his power, you will not have it. You may read many books and go to many conventions, and you may have your all-night prayer meetings to pray for the power of the Holy Ghost; but unless you keep in constant and close association with the one book, the Bible, you will not have power.”
In the book of Nehemiah, the wall has been built. It was the first day of the seventh month, the day of the “Feast of Trumpets.” Ezra gathers all the people together in the square before the Water Gate. He has gathered them so he can read the book of the law to them. It is likely that Judah was largely an oral society in which very few people could read. Most people did not have direct access to the Word of God. That is why the book or scroll was brought before the people. With the written Torah, everyone could hear the teachings of God. It was a time of commitment and dedication. Reading this text triggered this question. Are we committed to God’s Word today?
Bill T.
* * *
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
This is a key passage! Prior to the exile, worship centered around animal sacrifice, with the king as the key player and the mediator between God and the people. Now there was no more king. The synagogue worship track was developed in which people gathered in their local communities to sing psalms, hear scripture, listen to a speaker expound on the scripture, and in general worship together, creating the roots for our worship today.
Even when a temple was finally built and sacrifice resumed, it now included more people in the service — because there wasn’t a king. That’s why this passage matters. We see the roots of modern worship in this public reading of scripture. Not only do the readers deserve credit, but so do the translators! That’s why it’s a shame two crucial verses are deleted from this lectionary passage. Since the scriptures were read in Hebrew, and the people spoke Aramaic, they were in the position of someone who speaks Spanish listening to someone speaking Italian. It sounds almost understandable, but it isn’t, not quite. So, these helpers who are listed in verses 4 & 7 deserve to be named.
Why aren’t they?
Probably because worship leaders complain about having to pronounce these jawbreakers! And maybe you can’t reinsert them without a rebellion on the part of your readers — but you can read them. They’re not that hard, and who’s going to argue with you if you do mispronounce a name? It’ll mean they’ll have to read next time.
These verses are a reminder that worship involves many people, including some behind the scenes who create worship centers, decorate the altars, put a glass of water in the pulpit, vacuum the sanctuary ahead of time, etc. They’re worth a sermon on their own.
Note to preachers — This is adapted from the StoryShare installment for this particular passage that is also available through SermonSuite.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Our connections in the Body of Christ are essential. They are how we come together to worship God through Jesus. Our gifts are different. Our needs are different. Our missions may be different. Yet, we are all one, one body of Christ. Those who try to separate us along lines of theology or liturgical structure miss that we are all a part of the one family of God, the one body of Christ. We are not the same, but we are loved and included. For me, that is what being a part of a united and uniting denomination is about.
We come together. We worship the one God. We follow in the footsteps of the one Savior. We are strengthened by the one Spirit. We are one. Our gifts are all important and valuable. We need the gifts of all the members, all the parts of the church. And we need to celebrate that diversity as we worship together as one.
Bonnie B.
* * *
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
A 2022 Gallup poll revealed that 85% of Americans don't like their jobs. This is in part related to data discerned in a 2023 OnePoll survey, which found 46% of American workers find their jobs boring (at least sometimes). This text suggests that every job at least to some extent has a spiritual component. Martin Luther offered several thoughtful points in connections with this theme:
Now this means that a servant, maid, son, daughter, man, woman, lord, subject, or whoever else may belong to a station ordained by God... is as beautiful and glorious in the sight of God... as the image of a saint decorated for a high festival. (Luther's Works, Vol.14, p.368)
Each of us is to examine himself according to his station in life and is to find what is the best way 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)
Life on the job looks a lot better when you sure you that what you are doing is the Lord's work.
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield was nicknamed “The Real Deal.” The origin of that name comes from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, when Holyfield was part of a dominant American boxing team. Initially called "Raw Deal" after being disqualified and earning a bronze medal, Holyfield insisted on being known as "Real Deal" to project more positive energy. That nickname stayed with him through much of his fighting career.
“The Real Deal.” Boxing fans recognize that as Evander Holyfield. “The Real Deal” could just have easily applied to Jesus as we read about him in his hometown synagogue. As was the custom, Jesus stood to read the text, then sat to give his interpretation (Luke 4:16, 20). The scripture he read was from the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:17-19). This included predictions of Messiah's healing, rescue, and good news (Isaiah 61:1-2). In verse 21, he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” It is a powerful statement. Jesus did not say that the Savior was somewhere in the world. Instead, he makes the point that he is the one predicted by Isaiah. Jesus is “The Real Deal.” Many in his hometown had trouble with that. Do people today?
Bill T.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus comes to give good news to the poor. The church is not doing all it could or should for the poor. Part of the problem is that we have domesticated Jesus, made him and his faith essentially a good citizen. Martin Luther King Jr had other thoughts on that matter. He spoke of Jesus as "an extremist for love, truth and goodness." (A Testament of Hope, p.298) Use the sermon to get the flock to recognize how political activism on behalf of the poor is not some new liberal idea in Christianity. Point out the ancient precedents. Activism for the poor is evident in the fifth century, reflected in Augustine's openness to a role for government in redistributing property. He put it this way:
He who uses his wealth badly possesses it wrongfully and wrongful possession means it is another's property... Yet, even here, we do not intercede to prevent restitution from being made according to earthly customs and laws. (Fathers of the Church, Vol.20, p.32)
Centuries earlier Clement of Alexandria opted for a similar point. He wrote:
God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was his own, when he gave his own word, common to all, and made all things for all. All things therefore are common, and not for the rich to appropriate an undue share. (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol.2, p.268)
These commitments to property redistribution are also American. We find no less a luminary than Alexander Hamilton take such a position in #36 of The Federalist Papers (pp.222-223). He wrote:
Happy it is when the interest which the government has in the preservation of its own power coincides with a proper distribution of the public burdens and tend to guard the least wealthy part of the community from oppression!
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
Do you have a go-to verse? Mine is Psalm 119:105 — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Basketball Steph Curry told one interviewer his go-to is Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” So how about Jesus?
I expect that Isaiah 61:1 was his go-to. When Jesus arrives in his hometown, he unrolls the bulky Isaiah scroll, and reads Isaiah 61:1 (along with just a smidgeon of verse 2 — there weren’t verse numbers in use in those days).
This verse is the go-to verse and the mission statement for the ministry of Jesus. It’s important to know what your aim is, as a Christian, and as a Christian fellowship. Then we’ll know if we’ve achieved our aim and goal. Without a mission statement we’re in the same boat as the guy who fired a pistol at the wall of his barn and proceeded to paint a target around each bullet hole. Bringing Leviticus to life.
Frank R.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
How often do you feel the Spirit of God upon you? How often do you feel called to care for the poor, the captives, the imprisoned, the oppressed? Jesus proclaims that he has come to earth to live out those promises from Isaiah, to fulfill them. Unfortunately, people didn’t believe him. People wanted to subvert him. People in power wanted to kill him. Jesus set the world on its head, proclaiming that the least among us were beloved of God. Earthly power and stature weren’t as important as faithfulness and righteousness.
When we live out our faith, not everyone will be happy. Some will defame and revile us. Some will judge us harshly. Some will call us “Polly Anna” or naïve. But living caring for the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the oppressed is our call as faithful followers of Jesus. For me, and I hope for you, following Jesus is worth the struggle.
Bonnie B.
I came across this little anecdote that addresses commitment. “A chicken and a pig were talking about a farmers breakfast. The chicken said, ‘look at the commitment I made.’ The pig replied, ‘but for me it was a sacrifice.’” While there is a bit of humor in that little exchange, there is something important about commitment. Evangelist R.A. Torrey (1856-1928) once wrote, ““You may talk about power; but, if you neglect the one book that God has given you as the one instrument through which he imparts and exercises his power, you will not have it. You may read many books and go to many conventions, and you may have your all-night prayer meetings to pray for the power of the Holy Ghost; but unless you keep in constant and close association with the one book, the Bible, you will not have power.”
In the book of Nehemiah, the wall has been built. It was the first day of the seventh month, the day of the “Feast of Trumpets.” Ezra gathers all the people together in the square before the Water Gate. He has gathered them so he can read the book of the law to them. It is likely that Judah was largely an oral society in which very few people could read. Most people did not have direct access to the Word of God. That is why the book or scroll was brought before the people. With the written Torah, everyone could hear the teachings of God. It was a time of commitment and dedication. Reading this text triggered this question. Are we committed to God’s Word today?
Bill T.
* * *
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
This is a key passage! Prior to the exile, worship centered around animal sacrifice, with the king as the key player and the mediator between God and the people. Now there was no more king. The synagogue worship track was developed in which people gathered in their local communities to sing psalms, hear scripture, listen to a speaker expound on the scripture, and in general worship together, creating the roots for our worship today.
Even when a temple was finally built and sacrifice resumed, it now included more people in the service — because there wasn’t a king. That’s why this passage matters. We see the roots of modern worship in this public reading of scripture. Not only do the readers deserve credit, but so do the translators! That’s why it’s a shame two crucial verses are deleted from this lectionary passage. Since the scriptures were read in Hebrew, and the people spoke Aramaic, they were in the position of someone who speaks Spanish listening to someone speaking Italian. It sounds almost understandable, but it isn’t, not quite. So, these helpers who are listed in verses 4 & 7 deserve to be named.
Why aren’t they?
Probably because worship leaders complain about having to pronounce these jawbreakers! And maybe you can’t reinsert them without a rebellion on the part of your readers — but you can read them. They’re not that hard, and who’s going to argue with you if you do mispronounce a name? It’ll mean they’ll have to read next time.
These verses are a reminder that worship involves many people, including some behind the scenes who create worship centers, decorate the altars, put a glass of water in the pulpit, vacuum the sanctuary ahead of time, etc. They’re worth a sermon on their own.
Note to preachers — This is adapted from the StoryShare installment for this particular passage that is also available through SermonSuite.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Our connections in the Body of Christ are essential. They are how we come together to worship God through Jesus. Our gifts are different. Our needs are different. Our missions may be different. Yet, we are all one, one body of Christ. Those who try to separate us along lines of theology or liturgical structure miss that we are all a part of the one family of God, the one body of Christ. We are not the same, but we are loved and included. For me, that is what being a part of a united and uniting denomination is about.
We come together. We worship the one God. We follow in the footsteps of the one Savior. We are strengthened by the one Spirit. We are one. Our gifts are all important and valuable. We need the gifts of all the members, all the parts of the church. And we need to celebrate that diversity as we worship together as one.
Bonnie B.
* * *
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
A 2022 Gallup poll revealed that 85% of Americans don't like their jobs. This is in part related to data discerned in a 2023 OnePoll survey, which found 46% of American workers find their jobs boring (at least sometimes). This text suggests that every job at least to some extent has a spiritual component. Martin Luther offered several thoughtful points in connections with this theme:
Now this means that a servant, maid, son, daughter, man, woman, lord, subject, or whoever else may belong to a station ordained by God... is as beautiful and glorious in the sight of God... as the image of a saint decorated for a high festival. (Luther's Works, Vol.14, p.368)
Each of us is to examine himself according to his station in life and is to find what is the best way 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)
Life on the job looks a lot better when you sure you that what you are doing is the Lord's work.
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield was nicknamed “The Real Deal.” The origin of that name comes from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, when Holyfield was part of a dominant American boxing team. Initially called "Raw Deal" after being disqualified and earning a bronze medal, Holyfield insisted on being known as "Real Deal" to project more positive energy. That nickname stayed with him through much of his fighting career.
“The Real Deal.” Boxing fans recognize that as Evander Holyfield. “The Real Deal” could just have easily applied to Jesus as we read about him in his hometown synagogue. As was the custom, Jesus stood to read the text, then sat to give his interpretation (Luke 4:16, 20). The scripture he read was from the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:17-19). This included predictions of Messiah's healing, rescue, and good news (Isaiah 61:1-2). In verse 21, he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” It is a powerful statement. Jesus did not say that the Savior was somewhere in the world. Instead, he makes the point that he is the one predicted by Isaiah. Jesus is “The Real Deal.” Many in his hometown had trouble with that. Do people today?
Bill T.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus comes to give good news to the poor. The church is not doing all it could or should for the poor. Part of the problem is that we have domesticated Jesus, made him and his faith essentially a good citizen. Martin Luther King Jr had other thoughts on that matter. He spoke of Jesus as "an extremist for love, truth and goodness." (A Testament of Hope, p.298) Use the sermon to get the flock to recognize how political activism on behalf of the poor is not some new liberal idea in Christianity. Point out the ancient precedents. Activism for the poor is evident in the fifth century, reflected in Augustine's openness to a role for government in redistributing property. He put it this way:
He who uses his wealth badly possesses it wrongfully and wrongful possession means it is another's property... Yet, even here, we do not intercede to prevent restitution from being made according to earthly customs and laws. (Fathers of the Church, Vol.20, p.32)
Centuries earlier Clement of Alexandria opted for a similar point. He wrote:
God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was his own, when he gave his own word, common to all, and made all things for all. All things therefore are common, and not for the rich to appropriate an undue share. (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol.2, p.268)
These commitments to property redistribution are also American. We find no less a luminary than Alexander Hamilton take such a position in #36 of The Federalist Papers (pp.222-223). He wrote:
Happy it is when the interest which the government has in the preservation of its own power coincides with a proper distribution of the public burdens and tend to guard the least wealthy part of the community from oppression!
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
Do you have a go-to verse? Mine is Psalm 119:105 — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Basketball Steph Curry told one interviewer his go-to is Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” So how about Jesus?
I expect that Isaiah 61:1 was his go-to. When Jesus arrives in his hometown, he unrolls the bulky Isaiah scroll, and reads Isaiah 61:1 (along with just a smidgeon of verse 2 — there weren’t verse numbers in use in those days).
This verse is the go-to verse and the mission statement for the ministry of Jesus. It’s important to know what your aim is, as a Christian, and as a Christian fellowship. Then we’ll know if we’ve achieved our aim and goal. Without a mission statement we’re in the same boat as the guy who fired a pistol at the wall of his barn and proceeded to paint a target around each bullet hole. Bringing Leviticus to life.
Frank R.
* * *
Luke 4:14-21
How often do you feel the Spirit of God upon you? How often do you feel called to care for the poor, the captives, the imprisoned, the oppressed? Jesus proclaims that he has come to earth to live out those promises from Isaiah, to fulfill them. Unfortunately, people didn’t believe him. People wanted to subvert him. People in power wanted to kill him. Jesus set the world on its head, proclaiming that the least among us were beloved of God. Earthly power and stature weren’t as important as faithfulness and righteousness.
When we live out our faith, not everyone will be happy. Some will defame and revile us. Some will judge us harshly. Some will call us “Polly Anna” or naïve. But living caring for the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the oppressed is our call as faithful followers of Jesus. For me, and I hope for you, following Jesus is worth the struggle.
Bonnie B.
