Login / Signup

Free Access

Sermon Illustrations For Trinity Sunday (2023)

Illustration
Genesis 1:1--2:4
Richard Rogers, in 1965, wrote the lyrics to the song “Something Good” for the musical The Sound of Music. The lyrics include the lines, “Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing ever could.”  In the context of the song, it refers to doing something good in childhood that will bear fruit later. However, I thought of those lines again reading this familiar story.

Can something come from nothing?  Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss assets that it can. “Most of the energy in the universe resides in some mysterious, now inexplicable form permeating all of empty space. It’s not an understatement to say that the discovery has changed the playing field of modern cosmology. For one thing, this discovery has produced remarkable new support for the idea that our universe arose from precisely nothing.”

Dr. Krauss’ theory leads to the inevitable question, “Where did the energy in the universe that now resides in some inexplicable form come from?”  As much as some scientists try, it is difficult to argue something came from nothing. What that argument is unstainable is found in our text.  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (1:1).  In this case, the songwriter trumps the scientist. Nothing can come from nothing. The something that exists comes from God.
Bill T.

* * *

Genesis 1:1-2--2:4a
John Wesley offers a thoughtful insight about this version of the creation account, one that can be connected to what we know of science’s perspective on the universe’s origins. He wrote:

The work of creation not only preceded gradually from one thing to another, but advanced gradually from that which was less excellent to that which was more so. (Commentary On the Bible, p.22)

In seeking to explain how the reference to plurality in God in the creation story (the Hebrew word for God Elohim is plural), Carl Henry has claimed that because human beings are always creatures in relationship, and we are made in the image of God, it follows that God must always be in relation to himself, and so must be Triune.  The need for God to be Triune in order for creation to make sense was posited in the ancient church by Calus Marius Victorinus.  For him, the Father is interior knowledge (possibility) and the Son is the activator of that creative potential of God.  The Spirit brings the two (potential and actuality, being and act) together to make creation possible (The Fathers of the Church, Vol.69, pp.22,173,266-267,315).  Or as we sing in an ancient hymn of this era:

Giver
Minister
Distributor
O Blessed Trinity.
  (Ibid., p.324)

Together they combine to make creation real.
Mark E.

* * *

Genesis 1:1-2:4a
This long passage of scripture recounts the creation of all that is. God’s hands and breath create all that is – the light, the day and the night, the stars in the heavens, everything that grows on and in the earth, all the animals which dwell on earth, swim in the sea and lakes, and fly in the sky. Then God creates human beings in God’s own likeness to shepherd and care for the earth, to be caretakers of all that is.

I wonder how God feels about the care we are offering to creation. With issues of the climate crisis, the annihilation of species of animals and birds, and the poor treatment we offer to our siblings on the planet, what kind of job are we doing as the caretakers of creation? Perhaps this Trinity Sunday, as we remember the actions of our loving Creator God, we might think about how and what we can do to care for the earth, all the creatures therein and our siblings created in God’s image. It’s not the new year, but we could make a new resolution to be the caretakers we believe God is calling us to be. What might change if we did that?
Bonnie B.

* * *

2 Corinthians 13:11-13
In the movie The Lion King, Simba, just before returning to the Pride land, meets Rafiki who takes him to a place where he is visited by the spirit of his father Mufasa.  In that meeting the spirit of Mufasa reminds him of who he is. He tells him, “Remember. Remember who you are.” 

As I read the conclusion of Paul’s second letter to the Christians in Corinth, I was struck how he reminded them to remember who they were. Prior to this passage, he challenged them to examine themselves to see if they were living in the faith. Then, as he concludes this letter, he shares with them practical things they can do, remembering who they are in Jesus Christ.

 “Remember who you are.” It is why people hang family portraits on the wall. It’s why they have family reunions in the summer.  It’s what parents talk to children about prior to their first date.  The Corinthian Christians were instructed what to do because of who and whose they were. The same applies to God’s people today. “Remember who you are.”
Bill T.

* * *

2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is actually a packet containing pieces of several letters. In addition to something called the “difficult letter,” there are a couple of stewardship letters (chapters 8 & 9), along with the remains of a letter in chapters 10-13 which includes what I call “Blessed Assurance,” in which Paul assures the Corinthians that although we all endure pain we can all grow through the experience. Paul himself reveals that his thorn in the flesh has not been taken away, despite his earnest prayers. This leads to the closing benediction and blessing. Rejoice! says Paul, among other things. It is Paul’s joy in the midst of trials and his invitation to receive and share in that joy which undergirds and fuels his ministry and the invitation to abide in Christ.

There’s an interesting description of the Trinity named in the final verse. There’s the grace of the son Jesus Christ (grounded in his pain and sacrifice), the love of God the Creator (which has led God to take the risk of giving us free will, creating the opportunity for us to freely become disciples), and the fellowship that we share through the blessings of the Holy Spirit (which makes possible the extraordinary association we share as the church which leads us to include people of every imaginable background). Grace. Love. Fellowship. Son. Father. Holy Spirit. Just one more reminder it’s impossible to pin God down to a simple definition.
Frank R.

* * *

Matthew 28:16-20
“…but they doubted.” (Matthew 28:17) Really? The women passed along the message to meet the risen Lord in Galilee, the eleven followed through, there he was, and they worshipped him – I assume awestruck because it was really true. A three day walk from Jerusalem to Galilee would give plenty of time to doubt and wonder – is this a fool’s errand? Were the women mistaken, or just plain wrong? But here he is. Risen, just as he said.

So, what’s this about doubt? Did they doubt their own eyes? Doubt it was Jesus? Did they have doubts about what lay ahead? About their ability to cope with the new reality?

The Cambridge Greek Lexicon speculates that the word for doubt – distadzo – comes from the words duo, or two, and stand – histemy – in other words, when you doubt you are standing in two places. I just wonder, did their doubt mean they were trying to stand in the old creation, where if you’re dead, you’re dead, and in the new creation, where the powers are overthrown, death is conquered, and we now live?

Regardless of what doubts they had, it was all no never mind. Full speed ahead. Jesus had plans for them, to take the Good News out into the world, to baptize people, and change the world – along with the assurance, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Frank R.

* * *

Matthew 28:16-20
John Calvin nicely links baptism and evangelism to the Trinity.  He notes that first we need God’s mercy (the Father), then we need one to reconcile us (the Son), and finally we need to be regenerated (the Spirit) (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XVII/1, p.387).  In the same way, we might say that there is no successful evangelism without the three components – the word of grace (the merciful Father), the evangelist (the little Christ on earth), and the response of the one evangelized (impossible without the work of the Spirit). 

Famed modern theologian Karl Barth offers an insight on what happens in evangelism that is relevant to the Trinity.  He speaks of all our differences being relativized as we reach out to others (not unlike how the oneness of the godhead relativizes all differences between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  Barth writes:

As the community goes to the nations (v.19), calling them to discipleship, it certainly does not remove the frontiers and differences between them.  On the other hand, it does not sanction them.  Rather, it constitutes right across them a new people in which the member of all peoples do not merely meet but are united. (Church Dogmatics, Vol.IV/3, p.899)
Mark E.

* * *

Matthew 28:16-20
This famous piece of scripture reminds us of our commission to act in the world on behalf God, to follow the request of Jesus to make disciples of all nations. Sometimes this passage has been interpreted as a requirement for everyone to become a Jesus follower. Many choose not to. That is not our responsibility. We are to proclaim our faith, to act on our faith, to share our faith, and not to require others to believe as we do or punish them when they have not. Our responsibility is to share, to be the light of Christ and the presence of God’s love in the world. That involves the truth of our sharing our relationship with God, our journey of faith and our example of faithful people in the world. What might happen if all the Christians in the world acted on this commission? If all of us, the more than two billion of us lived this way? The world might be a very different place. I would love to see it.
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...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

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)

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL