Search Results on Frederick Buechner

Frederick Buechner's sermon illustration says Jacob's dream (Genesis 28:10-17) means that God doesn't love people because of who they are, but because of who God is.

Genesis 28:10-17

Dream, God's Love, God's Presence, Grace

The Road Goes On

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Frederick Buechner's commencement address on John 14:6 reflects on the ironies facing those called to be ministers and the grace that will be required to navigate them.

John 14:6

Ministry, Trust, Grace, Pastoral Leadership

Christmas Itself Is By Grace

Frederick Buechner | Global Worship

Book Quote

Frederick Buechner's quote on the incarnation explores John 1:14, marveling that the stupendous miracle of it resists our efforts to domesticate it.

John 1:14

Christmas, Grace, Incarnation, Salvation

Parable

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Frederick Buechner says most of Jesus’ parables have “a kind of sad fun” about them, and "with parables and jokes both, if you've got to have them explained, don't bother."

Matthew 20:1-16

Parables, Generosity, Labor, Vineyards

Not Much To Look At

Frederick Buechner | Day1

"Little by little the forgiven person became a forgiving person." In this illustration for 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Frederick Buechner gives an overview of Paul's life and highlights some of the themes in his letters.

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Paul/saul, Life, Ministry, Forgiveness

The Sacred Journey: Once Beyond Time

Frederick Buechner | Duke University Chapel

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

In this audio sermon on Matthew 19:16-30, Carl Frederick Buechner reads from his memoir. Buechner describes how he came to be healed from the reality of his father's death through God's gift of holy grace.

Matthew 19:16-30

Faith, Healing, Grace, Love

Parables as Comedy

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this illustration for Luke 15:11-32, Frederick Buechner shows that we hear the Gospel best when we hear it as a wild and marvelous joke about the preposterousness of God and his grace.

Luke 15:11-32

Grace, God's Love, Prodigal Son, Humor

The Fruit of the Spirit

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Reflecting on Galatians 5:18-23, Frederick Buechner reminds us that although good works do not earn salvation, "they are nonetheless the mark and effect of it."

Galatians 5:18-23

Fruit Of The Spirit, Grace, Good Works, Law

Jacob

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Taking inspiration from Genesis 25:24-28:17, this book quote from Frederick Buechner's "Peculiar Treasures" explores how God blessed Jacob—a deceitful sinner—through freely given grace. God's love can only be given; it is not earned.

Genesis 25:24-34; 26; 27, 28:1-17

God's Will, Jacob, Sin, God's Love

What It Means to Be a Christian

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

This is an excerpt from Frederick Buechner's "Wishful Thinking" that illustrates John 14:6 and what it means to be a Christian. It means being "on Christ's way" and following the life that Jesus embodied.

John 14:6

Christianity, Grace, Jesus Christ, Knowledge

The Coming Day of Judgment

Frederick Buechner | Preaching Today

Frederick Buechner meditates on the bad news and good news of the coming judgment. We will be judged, but the one who judges us will be Jesus, who bore our judgment on the cross.

Death, Grace, Love, Judgment

The Cock Crows the Whole Night Through on Christmas

Frederick Buechner | Preaching Today

Frederick Buechner quotes a conversation from Hamlet in which the characters discuss the power of Christmas as a time of holiness. Shakespeare's words provide us with another angle from which we can marvel at the incarnation.

Luke 2:8-20; John 1:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Birth, Christmas, Advent, Conversion

The Gift of Grace Requires a Response

Frederick Buechner | Preaching Today

In this sermon illustration for Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; or Titus 2:11, Frederick Buechner speaks of one "catch" to God's gift of salvation through grace: Like any other gift, we must reach out and take it.

Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; Titus 2:11

Grace, Free Will, Gifts From God

Sermon Illustrations on Pastors

David M Brown | The Pastor's Workshop

Several sermon illustrations on pastors, including the primary role of the pastor, the need for pastors to witness to God's presence in their lives, and the impossible expectations people have for pastors.

Ministry, Church, Pastor, Spirituality

Absalom

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Reflecting on the death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18), Frederick Buechner says that although King David would have given his own life to make Absalom alive again - only a God could do that.

2 Samuel 18:5-9 (+ more)

Love, Jesus Christ, Crucifixion, Grace

Hands for the Harvest

Frederick Buechner | Day1

An excerpt from Frederick Buechner's "Book of Bebb," used as an illustration of Luke 10:1-3, in which Bebb reflects how being in prison made him "ripe for the harvest."

Luke 10:1-3

Gratitude, Hope, Evangelism, Grace

Just Beyond Our Grasp

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Cited as an illustration of Hebrews 11:1, Frederick Buechner says faith begins with being loved and is "stepping out into the unknown with nothing to guide us but a hand just beyond our grasp."

Hebrews 11:1

Faith, Grace, Love, Trust

The Gift of Grace

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Reflecting on Ephesians 2:1-9 Frederick Buechner observes how grace, like any other gift, can be ours only if we reach out and take it and how the ability to take it may also be a gift.

Ephesians 2:1-9

Grace, Gift, Election, Sovereignty Of God

Grace

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this book excerpt, Frederick Buechner reflects on grace. We are saved by grace, and there is nothing we have to do. The excerpt may serve as an illustration for Ephesians 2:1-9.

Ephesians 2:1-9

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Gift, Grace, Salvation

The Experience of Grace

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this lecture on preaching Frederick Buechner encourages preachers to "draw on your life, not for illustration but draw on it for truth, not for illustrations of grace, let's say, but for the experience of grace."