Resources on Frederick Buechner

Frederick Buechner says that humans are engaged in two battles: competition with other people for success; and the struggle "to become whole and at peace inside our skins." The latter is the subject of Ephesians 6:10-18.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Illustration, War, Armor, Devil

Humility

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Frederick Buechner offers an illustration of humility in response to Jesus' parable in Luke 14:7-11.

Luke 14:1, 7-11

Parables, Humility, Illustration

Jacob’s Wrestle

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Frederick Buechner retells the story of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:24-30 as a sermon illustration.

Genesis 32:24-30

Awareness Of God, Blessing, Wrestling, Jacob (biblical Patriarch)

Eternal Life

Frederick Buechner | Day1

"Frederick Buechner on John 3:13-17 suggesting that eternal life in the full and final sense is to be with God as Christ is with him, and with each other as Christ is with us."

John 3:13-17

Sermon, Illustration, Eternal Life, Christ

Without Ceasing

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Scripture Meditation or Sermon, Book Quote

Frederick Buechner notes that Jesus says that by far the most important thing about praying is to keep at it, being importunate in prayer, talking to yourself about everything and believing that Someone is listening.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer, Jesus, Illustration, Prayerfulness

Judas

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Frederick Buechner on Matthew 26:14-16 about Judas' betrayal and death. What were his motives? Why would he kill himself after? What would have gone through his head during and after the act?

Matthew 26:14-16

Sermon, Illustration, Judas, Kiss

Samuel

Frederick Buechner | Day1

This sermon illustration on 1 Samuel 8:4-20 and 11:14-15 uses an excerpt from Frederick Buechner's "Peculiar Treasures" to characterize Samuel as a combination prophet, judge, and one-man band.

1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15

Samuel, Prophet, Judge, Illustration

Emmanuel

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

An article and sermon illustration by Frederick Buechner on Matthew 1:23. The essential message of Christmas is Emmanuel, God with us, and that raises a questions: Who is this God and how is this God with...

Matthew 1:23

Birth, Christmas, Sermon, Illustration

War and Peace

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this sermon illustration on Joshua 3:7, Frederick Buechner reflects on how "Holy Wars" can sometimes be the unholiest kind.

Joshua 3:7

War And Peace, War, Against War, Illustration

Deborah

Frederick Buechner | Day1

This sermon illustration pairs Judges 4:1-7 with an excerpt from Frederick Buechner's "Peculiar Treasures" to explore the life and personality of Israel's only female judge, Deborah.

Judges 4:1-7

Illustration, Judges, Deborah, Feminism

Covenant

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this sermon illustration, Hebrews 10:11-22 is paired with a reading from Frederick Buechner that argues the New Covenant--God bleeding for humanity--is a fulfillment of God's suffering love in the Old Covenant.

Hebrews 10:11-22

Covenant, God's Love, Illustration, Reading

Judged by Love

Frederick Buechner | Preaching Today

In this sermon illustration, Frederick Buechner introduces themes of God's love, God's mercy, and the forgiveness of sin by demonstrating that while romantic human love has blind spots, God's love sees all of humanity's sin.

God's Love, God's Mercy, Forgiveness Of Sin, Illustration

Music

Frederick Buechner | Day1

This sermon illustration pairs Psalm 98:4-6 with an excerpt from Frederick Buechner's "Wishful Thinking" to show that music asks us and enables us to listen to certain qualities of time.

Psalm 98:4-6

Praise, Music, Time, Illustration

Sermon Illustrations on Control

Andy Cook | The Pastor's Workshop

These sermon illustrations on control by Andy Cook, Ruth-Haley Barton, Max Lucado, Dorothy Bass, Frederick Buechner, Clay Scroggins, and Luke Norsworthy, emphasize that the Lord is in control; includes image of a pilot and co-pilot.

God's Will, Control, Illustration, Time

Sermon Illustrations on Priorities

Stephen Covey | The Pastor's Workshop

In this collection of sermon illustrations, Steven Covey explains that good is the worst enemy of great. Frederick Buechner offers a reminder that everyone's life is God's business, and Phillip Yancey explains tithing's potential impact.

Sermon, Illustration, Tithes, Choice

A Healing Fool

Frederick Buechner | Preaching Today

In this sermon illustration for Mark 2:17, John 9:1-3, or Matthew 17:20, Frederick Buechner demonstrates that if God doesn't seem to be giving you what you ask, you may be receiving something else instead.

Healing, Illustration, Miracles Of Jesus, Prayer, Answers To

Anxiety

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this sermon illustration for 1 Peter 5:7, two book excerpts from Frederick Buechner argue that while we are commanded to "cast off anxiety" like a physical item we can throw, anxiety is intangible and insidious....

1 Peter 5:7

Anxiety, Mercy, Mental Health, Illustration

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.

Grace Of God, Gift, Free Will, Illustration

Sermon Illustrations on the Gospel

Frederick Buechner | The Pastor's Workshop

This collection of sermon illustrations from various authors explores the Gospel's power in preaching it, the nature of the message, and its universal application to all cultures.

Gospel, Illustration, The Gospel, What Is The Gospel

The Longing for Home

Frederick Buechner | Day1

In this sermon illustration, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 is paired with an excerpt from Frederick Buechner's "The Longing for Home" to demonstrate that Christ's Kingdom exists within and among us.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8