Churchtoons, cartoons from Church

Showing posts with label church toons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church toons. Show all posts

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Ceaser was left out of the loop


 When God came to earth, He did not announce His arrival to the world's leaders, but rather, to shepherds (Luke 2). This was fitting because Jesus never courted the political or social powers of His day. If we follow Christ's example, we will seek to minister directly to the souls around us, rather than use political power to enforce our ideology. How can you minister like Christ this year?

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Shepherds and Angels


 The story of Advent includes an encounter between one of the lowest social strata (shepherds) and a celestial host of angels. This unique meeting highlights the universal appeal of the gospel. Both shepherd and angel declare God's majesty and His good gift in the birth of Christ (Luke 2). May we all rejoice in God's gift and care for us.

Friday, December 23, 2022

Seen


 During this season you may feel unseen, unloved, or unimportant, but the Advent season should inspire just the opposite. Mary declares herself unworthy and yet, blessed with the greatest role in humanity  (Luke 1:46-55).  Like Mary, we too have been seen by the creator of everything. When feeling "unseen" may we see the hand of God and His attention so that we may be comforted.

Monday, December 19, 2022

The lowly are seen

 

Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46-55) describes her low social standing and lack of political power, but recognizes God's care for her and those like her. When you feel invisible and vulnerable, you are in the perfect frame of mind to see God's might and His care for you. Who do you 'unsee' everyday? Are there people you could 'see' and give hope?

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Room in your life

 

The story of John the Baptist's birth reminds us of Issacs's birth. Both were born to parents who were considered too old to have children, but miraculously did (Luke 1:39-45). Understanding that the Advent story makes room for John's story encourages us that we too are important to and part of the story of Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry. Who will you make room for in your story?

Sunday, December 4, 2022

The echoes of Hagar in Mary's Praise


 While considering Mary's response to the incarnation (Luke 1), we might gain a greater understanding of her courage and faith by looking at the plight of Hagar (Gen 16). After being exploited by Abraham and Sarah, Hagar became pregnant which angered Sarah who then persecuted Hagar daily. Knowing this story, Mary's understanding of the persecution she would face highlights her faith in praising God for the event.
(NOTE: Special thanks to Dr Gafney for her work: "A Women's Lectionary" used as a source here.)

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Who's Christlike?

 

Christians often look for 'big' things to please God. While we say that our awesome works for God's glory, they are often for out own betterment or to boost our pride. Micah 6 asks if we should provide a huge sacrifice to please God, but the response is do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. How do you demonstrate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and God's grace in everyday life?

Monday, November 21, 2022

A Tale of 3 servants

Although a powerful military figure, Naaman was inflicted with a disfiguring disease that isolated him from his community 2 Kings 5. Naaman heeded the advice of a slave he had taken who pointed him to the prophet Elisha. Although pride almost kept him from obeying, Naaman eventually listened to his servant and the servant of Elisha and received healing. These acts of humility led directly to his cure.
 

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Wisdom prayer

 


Solomon humbly asked for wisdom so that he could care for the people of Israel (1 Kngs 3). His prayer was deemed unselfish and God gave Solomon the wisdom he asked for, but also gave him great riches and power. Many misread that God will give you power and wealth if you pray for it in a certain way. Do you pray for power to help others while secretly trying to manipulate God into fulfilling your selfish desires?

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Solomon and the government of man

 

The story of Solomon's wisdom begins with an outrageous solution (1 King 3).  Two women claim to be a baby's mother, and Solomon's solution is to cut the child in half. This story reminds us that even a godly ruler like Solomon relied on the power of the sword to enforce law and order. May we look to our Lord Jesus Christ to change our hearts rather than to earthly rulers to scare us into submission.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Soul-Winning without a net


 Most Christians take the great commission (Matt 28), as a serious expectation to evangelize, or to "Preach the gospel" to everyone. However, the methods employed are often more like a sales pitch than a gospel witness. When you consider those who are living as disciples of Christ, did they come to Christ because of a sales pitch, or through personal observation of someone else living out Christ's good news?

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Love or idolatry?


In our zeal to credit God with the good gifts we currently enjoy, we might be tempted to confuse our culture, country, or ideology with God's kingdom. This idolatry implies that other countries or citizens of other countries are inferior in God's sight. Jesus declared that His kingdom was not earthly and no earthly country is the Kingdom of God (John 18:36). May we learn to prefer His Kingdom over our world's kingdoms.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Looking for the gotchas


 The 10 commandments and the other laws given to Israel might seem like the best standard for knowing God's will and for obeying him (Ex 20). However, Christ's summation of the law (Mark 12) indicates that the intent of the law is more important than judging those who may seem to violate it. 

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Real Egyptians


Sometimes our culture and circumstances become more important to us than God. When the Pharaoh saw that the people who were most like him were becoming a minority, he used extreme measures to reduce the number of 'others' or Hebrews (Exodus 1) who might change the culture of Egypt. What extremes would you use? Do you love your current kingdom more than the Kingdom of God?

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Loving them 'over there'

When Pharaoh realized the Jewish immigrants were beginning to outnumber the Egyptians, he began to worry that his long-standing traditions and beliefs might be endangered by the growing influence of the Hebrews (Exodus 1).  This fear drove Pharaoh to uniquely poor and confusing choices that reduced his nation's power and stability. Do you fear losing power more than you fear God?

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Joseph saves the world


Joseph was often treated unfairly and unkindly, but through all of his circumstances, he retained his faith in God. While we see that Joseph is rewarded for his faithfulness, we might miss that those around him also benefited. Because Joseph was in Egypt during the years prior to the famine, he was able to create a plan that ensured not only enough grain for Egypt, but also for those in surrounding areas (Gen 41:53-57)

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Leaving home


Abraham leaving his country (Gen 12) may not seem sacrificial until we consider the prestige and power he had likely gained through his family's status and connections. While it appears that Abraham had wealth that he could carry with him, he would not have the immediate social standing, trust, or privilege he would have enjoyed if remained in his home country. Are you able to trust newcomers to your area or fellowship? 

Monday, September 19, 2022

The first climate change prophet?

 

Like modern climate activists, Noah believed a great ecological disaster was coming because of humanity's actions Gen 6. While we might see pollution as the physical/direct cause, we might do well to consider that God brought the flood because of the violence (v13) or cruelty inflicted by and on the entire world. Are we unconcerned with violence to the world, like the Noah's contemporaries?

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Bearing my cross

 

Christ taught that His followers would be persecuted (Luke 14). Although many Christians do suffer for their faith, many more simply hide behind the cross of persecution when they receive criticism from non-Christians. Can you think of a time when you received deserved critique but mistook it for persecution?

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Jesus the great divider

 

When the religious leaders met Jesus, they understood the divisiveness of His teachings. Although we are called to humility and peace, we should be aware that many will take offense (Luke 12) at the idea of humbling themselves and caring for the vulnerable. Are you willing to let Christ divide you from your own pride and greed?

Welcome


Each of the cartoons on this site is an expression of a sermon I heard in church. As a cartoonist, my method of understanding complex theological topics is to boil them down to simple images.

These images will never do justice to the sermons from which they are derived, but hopefully, they convey at least one aspect of those sermons to you, the reader.

I hope that you gain some benefit from the cartoons and will reuse them in ways that honor Christ.