33 Sermon Illustrations on Christians

Most believers have always come from the lower classes (1 Cor 1:26). Consider the ancient remarks of anti-Christian philosopher Celsus, as quoted by Origen:

Their injunctions are like this: “Let no one educated, no one wise, no one sensible draw near. For these abilities are thought by us to be evils. But as for anyone ignorant, anyone stupid, anyone uneducated, anyone who is a child, let him come boldly.”

By the fact that they themselves admit that these people are worthy of their God, They show that they want and are able to convince only the foolish, dishonourable and stupid, and only slaves, women, and children.

"Contra Celsum" 3.44

Christians come in about 13 varieties. These varieties (or mindsets) can be found in all religions. You mustn't judge any religion simply on its caricatures.

My theses:

• Each mind-set makes *part* of Christianity the *whole* of it.

• There's nothing wrong with the parts. But like a car, if you've only got parts lying around you're not going anywhere.

• Jesus rejected all these mindsets (but not the essential concerns of each of them).

For convenience I'll use terms from early Christianity, and for the sake of brevity I'll oversimplify each mindset:

[1] Sadducees are rationalists. If your *reason* can't comprehend something (miracles, resurrection, angels) you don't have to believe it. Their God is very reasonable; their theology is 'liberal'; they inhabit mainline church seminaries.

[2] Zealots are passionate about *justice*. Justice is all about fairness, the relationship of the strong to the weak, the right use of power. Their God sanctions terrorism; their theology is 'liberationist'; today they're priests and others who advocate the violent overthrow of oppressive Latin American regimes.

[3] Herodians love *power*. They climb to the top of religious institutions. Their God bestows favours on the 'haves' who are 'born to rule'. They do not realize that love of power is inimical to a devout spirituality.

[4] Scribes, elders, teachers-of-the-law regard *tradition* as master, rather than servant. Their religious way of life is ruled by precedent, what has been. 'Come weal, come woe, their status is the quo'. If it's new, it's suspect. Their God is unchanging, not merely in faithfulness, but operationally.

[5] Essenes are liturgists. 'If only we get our *worship* right, the Messiah will come.’ Their God is 'wholly other'. Their liturgies are exact, their worship-forms utterly predictable.

[6] Mystics major on *experience*. They are right-brain, rejecting rationalism, cerebralism, dogmatism. For them prayer (perhaps divorced from labour) is the essence of the spiritual life. They sometimes form monastic orders.

[7] Gnostics are syncretists. They believe there's truth in every *religion*. They invite us to make up our own identikit picture of God. They're at home somewhere in the New Age Movement; they develop conspiracy theories from the Dead Sea Scrolls; they love the Gospel of Thomas.

[8] Sophists or sages place a high premium on *knowledge* or *wisdom* (they're not the same). They develop beautiful theories about redaction criticism, whether the four gospels are 'reliable' when they describe what Jesus said and did. They write learned papers, which like those of their predecessors, will be seen in future academic circles to be largely nonsense.

[9] Sign-seekers love *miracles*. With Herod (in Jesus Christ Superstar) they'd love Jesus to 'walk across their swimming-pool.’ Their God wants everyone to be healthy, wealthy (but not necessarily wise: academia is suspect). Anything can be cured, instantly, given enough faith.

[10] Materialists measure everything, not just *money*. The bigger, faster, more brilliant, the better. Bigger churches are better than smaller churches; brilliant preachers than ordinary ones. Success, fame, ambition, optimism, 'imaging' are their watch-words. They attend Amway conventions.

[11] Do-gooders are given to paternalism. They do works of *mercy* for their own benefit, not just for the sake of the one done good to/against. Thoreau said of them, 'If you see someone coming towards you with the object of doing you good, run for your life.’ These 'people-helpers' don't realize they're in it to solve their own problems: pure altruism is very very rare.

[12] Antinomians despise holiness - at least for themselves in private. As the term implies, they're 'against law' and misuse *grace*. 'God loves to forgive, it's his business' - so they give God every opportunity to do just that.

[13] Finally, pharisees are preoccupied with two things - *law* and *doctrine*. So they become legalists and dogmatists. They talk a lot about 'truth' and 'error'. Their God is unambiguous, reducible to creeds and doctrinal statements. Their 'gospel': repentance precedes acceptance (with Jesus it was the other way around). The acid test: their non-concern for social justice and mercy amd true faith (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, cf. Micah 6:8). They're fundamentalists, and proud of it.

All the entities *emphasized* are O.K. as part of a religious system, but are deadly if divorced from any/all of the others. Jesus did not align himself with any of the above groups: go and do likewise!

*

A "NO EXCUSES" SUNDAY

A certain church made the following announcement in their magazine:

"To make it possible for everyone to attend worship next Sunday, we

are having a special "No Excuses" Sunday:

"Beds will be placed in the aisles for all those who say, "Sunday is

the only day I'm able to sleep in late."

"Eye drops will be provided for all those who watch TV too late on

Saturday night.

"Steel helmets will be handed out to all those who say, "The roof will

fall in if I ever come to church!"

"Blankets will be provided for all those who say, "The church is too

cold," and fans for those who say "It's too hot."

"We will have hearing aids for all those who say, "The minister speaks

too softly," and ear plugs for those who say, "The organist plays too

loudly."

"Score cards will be available for all those who wish to keep a record

of the hypocrites present.

"There will be TV dinners for all those who find it difficult to

attend church and prepare the Sunday lunch at the same time.

"One section of the church will be devoted to trees and grass for

those who like to see God in nature.

"Finally, the church will be decorated with Christmas decorations and

Easter flowers for those who have never seen the church without them!"

Once some missionaries

who were in the habit of building a small bonfire each evening were sitting around enjoying the heat and each others

fellowship as usual. As they visited one of them noticed some monkeys going into

the jungle and carrying back sticks of wood. The monkeys, they noticed, would

then pile up the sticks as they had seen the missionaries. When finished, they

squatted

around that pile of wood and put out their little paws. But one thing

was lacking. The missionaries had the fire and the monkeys didn't.

Basically, we all go through about the same pattern of worship. We sing the same

songs, pray the same prayers, and preach the same type of messages. But

there is one fundamental difference in the churches across the land. SOME HAVE THE

FIRE AND SOME DON'T.

Fewer than 10 percent of Americans are deeply committed Christians, says pollster George Gallup, who adds that these people "are far, far happier than the rest of the population." Committed Christians, Gallup found, are more tolerant than the average American, more involved in charitable activities, and are "absolutely committed to prayer." While many more Americans than this 10 percent profess to be Christians, adds Gallup, most actually know little or nothing of Christian beliefs, and act no differently than non-Christians. "Overall," says Gallup, "The Sunday School and religious education system in this country is not working."

Signs of the Times, November 1991, p. 6

When General Grant was nigh unto death, he dictated a formal letter “To the President of the United States,” asking that his namesake and grandson, Ulysses III, be appointed to a cadetship at West Point upon application. Col. Frederick D. Grant, the young lad's father, took the priceless missive to Washington and personally delivered it to President McKinley with an endorsement from the warrior's comrade, General Sherman. General Grant's original letter, with General Sherman's endorsement across the bottom of the page, furnishes a unique souvenir for the war archives at Washington, which will be treasured as a sacred memento. It goes without saying that the appointment will be made.

There are multitudes of young men whose fathers and grandfathers were famous soldiers of Jesus Christ who would, if they could, direct their children and grandchildren into the same noble and joyous service. Any young man who envies this youthful scion of an honored family may well congratulate himself upon the opportunity of becoming a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

________

From “Present Day Parables” by J. Wilbur Chapman

"What is the use of being in the world unless you are somebody?"

George asked Henry. "You are right," Henry replied, "and I am

somebody." Then George asked, "Who or what are you?" "I am a

Christian," Henry joyously answered, "and that is the greatest

somebody in the world." Henry was right. You cannot all be handsome,

or mental giants, or rich, or judge, governor, or President; but you

can all be children of God. Christians, not just nominal Christians or

church members, must be genuine. Christ is spoken of as "the heir of

all things" (\reference{Heb. 1:2}{Hebrews 1:2}). Then we are told that

we are "joint-heirs with

Christ." A joint-heir is an equal heir. Think of it! Equal heir with

Christ! That makes us a well-to-do somebody. Heir of heaven, with all

that that means!

William Moses Tidwell, "Pointed Illustrations."

A MAN had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The Ass

was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as

any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great

favorite with his master, who often fondled him and seldom went out to

dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat. The Ass, on the

contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in

carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often

lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and

idleness of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and

halter, and galloped into his master's house, kicking up his heels

without measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He

next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but

he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He

then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The

servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of

their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his

stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned to his

stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented: "I have brought it all

on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my

companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless

little Lapdog!"

Some Christians complain that sinners go unpunished by God while good

people suffer. Well, we must not concern ourselves with God's Justice

since in the end, both the righteous and sinners will get exactly what

they deserve: one eternal rewards and the other eternal punishment!

THREE BULLS for a long time pastured together. A Lion lay in ambush

in the hope of making them his prey, but was afraid to attack them

while they kept together. Having at last by guileful speeches

succeeded in separating them, he attacked them without fear as they

fed alone, and feasted on them one by one at his own leisure.

Where there is union, there is strength. For this reason, Christians

should remain united so that Satan won't succeed in attacking them or

the Church.

A real Christian is an odd number. He feels love for One whom he has never seen; talks with familiarity to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest; and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge.

A Christian is not some wimpy, timid nerd who cowers in the face of

conflict and constantly runs away from confrontation.

- Tom Sirotnak, {Warriors}, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman

Publishers, 1995), p. 2

It is pretty difficult to imagine a single person having

simultaneously the characteristics of the serpent and the dove, but

this is what Jesus expects. We must combine the toughness of the

serpent and the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart.

- Martin Luther King Jr, {Strength to Love} (New York: Harper

& Row, 1981) 2

\reference{1 Corinthians 16:13}{1 Corinthians 16:13}

At times it appears that in our "Christian world" man is converted to a church rather than to Jesus Christ. Loyalty to a body of believers seems to have priority over allegiance to the Lord Jesus. Although each religion claims faith in the same Bible, because of certain doctrines peculiar to various denominations they separate themselves from one another. Frequently each denomination is divided into a number of sects.

Is it possible for man simply to be a "Christian"? Must he separate himself with some denominational name as Baptist Christian, Methodist Christian, etc.? God doesn't divide believers into various denominations-man does. Even with his own church choice, man is frequently at variance with his brother over some biblical understanding. Also, world Bible scholars differ in matters pertaining to Scripture understanding.

What authority does one believer have in saying, "I am right and you are wrong," or "I am more honest than you." Certainly the Bible is right, but does it necessarily follow that I am the one who has perfect understanding? Do you ever differ with members of your family over some conviction? Does it mean that you are no longer a member of that family? If there can be no unity in diversity, there is simply no possibility of unity, for we all differ in many things.

Sometimes we lead in ways that we don't realize are bringing others closer to God. Recently I read an incident that occurred when a man was working in a shoe store in Nova Scotia. The man said that he noticed a barefoot little boy outside the baker's shop next door to the shoe store. The boy was trying to keep warm by standing on a hot air register outside the bakery. The man watching was uncertain about what to do about the little boy when a middle-aged lady came by. She spoke to the child and then brought him into the shoe store where she purchased shoes and socks for him.

The child asked the lady, "Are you God's wife?"

She replied, "No, son, I'm just one of His children."

"Well, I knew you must be some kin to Him," he remarked as he thanked her and left. That unknown lady was a leader for the cause of Christ, and the little boy and the man watching were able to recognize some Christ-like qualities in her.

"The highest joy to the Christian almost always comes through suffering," said Alexander Maclaren. "No flower can bloom in Paradise which is not transplanted from Gethsemane. No one can taste of the fruit of the tree of life, that has not tasted of the fruits of the tree of Calvary. The crown is after the cross."

A sociology professor every year begins his course on “The Family” by reading to his class a letter, from a parent, written to a government official. In the letter the parent complains that his son, once obedient and well motivated, has become involved with some weird new religious cult. The father complains that the cult has taken over the boy’s life, has forced him to forsake all of his old friends, and has turned him against his family.

After reading the letter, the professor asks the class to speculate what the father is talking about. Almost without exception, the class immediately assumes that the subject of the letter is a child mixed up with the “Moonies,” or some other controversial group. After the class puts out all of the possible conclusions they can think of, the professor surprises them by revealing that the letter, was written by a third century father in Rome, the governor of his province, complaining about this weird religious group called “The Christians.”

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa-the city of his birth-but only on condition that the instrument never be played. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay.

The exquisite mellow-toned violin now has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from service to others loses its meaning.

How well Jesus' strong emphasis upon service is illustrated! In order to retain our value and our worth and not degenerate into a worthless relic, we should serve and remain active.

"But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:26, Matthew 20:27).