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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.

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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.

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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.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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