10 Ways to Preach the All Saints Sermon
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical Body of your Son: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Collect for All Saints’ Day, Book of Common Prayer (2019)
Observed on November 1st or the Sunday thereafter, the Feast of All Saints gives the Church a way to celebrate and honor all known and unknown saints who have faithfully served Christ throughout history. These include:
- Biblical figures: Apostles, prophets, and other individuals from the Old and New Testaments who played significant roles in salvation history.
- Martyrs: Those who suffered and died for their faith in Christ throughout history.
- Canonized saints: Individuals officially recognized by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches for their extraordinary lives of holiness and virtue. Examples include St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Thomas Aquinas.
- Unrecognized saints: Countless believers throughout history who have lived faithful lives but have not been officially recognized by the Church.
- Loved ones: Family members and friends who have passed away and whose lives should be remembered by their living friends and family. Some congregations have a tradition of asking members to submit the names of loved ones who have died. Often, their names are printed like a roll call.
1. The Great Cloud of Witnesses
We have to clear up something right away. Christians do not pray TO the dead, but we can (and should) pray about them and their lives and give thanks for their lives. There are differences between Christians on this point, especially among our Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters. This misunderstanding can lead to confusion and even accusations of idolatry. As pastors, we must clearly explain that prayer is directed to God alone, as he is the only one worthy of our worship and petitions. Moreover, the only precedent in the Bible is for prayer to God.
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However, we are surrounded by the saints as a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). We are united with them as fellow members of the Body of Christ. Thus, the stories of the saints are stories for us as we walk in Christ to encourage, inspire, and strengthen us. Paul taught the Corinthians to “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). So we should imitate all the saints, as they imitated Christ.
2. The Living and the Dead
The All Saints sermon gives us an incredible platform to speak about the unbroken chain of believers through time. Most religions talk about the dead in the past tense. They are dead. But, in light of the Resurrection, Christians talk about those who have died as being alive with Christ! “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!” (Rev. 14:13). Why are they blessed? Because they are alive in the Lord!
This truth is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. When Christ rose from the dead, he conquered death once and for all, securing eternal life for all who believe in him (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Death has no sting; it has no victory. That’s why Paul describes deceased Christians not as being dead but rather as being “asleep in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:18, 20). So, the faithful who have gone before us are not simply memories or historical figures; they are living members of the body of Christ.
3. A Second Adam
Christians should talk about death, and preachers should preach about death. If you think about it, Christians are the only ones who can answer the questions on everyone’s mind: Why do we die? Is there any way out of this problem? What happens in the life to come?
This is what the Corinthians asked Paul, who answered in 1 Corinthians 15. The chapter is so rich that we can draw multiple sermons out of it.
The key idea in this sermon is Jesus as a second Adam, who inverts the curse of Adam’s sin:
For as by a man came death, by a man has also come the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthian 15:21-22
In other words, death was a consequence of Adam’s transgression, a flaw that is passed down to all of us. But with Jesus’ resurrection, we all get a fresh start, following Jesus, our first fruits.
4. From Seed to Tree
Most people have no idea about the afterlife. Many of their concepts are an amalgamation of Hollywood, Hallmark Cards, and our heartfelt wishes of what we hope happens. Plus, most will add some personal options of what we would do if we were God.
However, reality is even better than our best imaginations, and Paul explains this using brilliant and vivid images. Paul draws an analogy between a seed sown into the ground and its eventual transformation into a much larger plant.
And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
1 Corinthian 15:38
The two are incomparable. A plant is not simply a larger version of a seed. We could never look at a seed and deduce that it will be a stalk of wheat, or see the tree emerging from an acorn. Paul is saying that the splendor that arises from the soil is beyond what anyone could predict from what is planted. So, Paul is saying that our future bodies will be vastly different from the weak and feeble seed sown into the ground.
5. From Earth to Heaven
Then, Paul draws an analogy between the earth and heaven and between the moon and the sun to emphasize their vast difference in splendor.
There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
1 Corinthians 15:40-41
He argues that heaven’s grandeur far surpasses the earth’s, and the sun’s brilliance outshines the moon’s by an immeasurable degree. Consequently, the glory that lies ahead is beyond our wildest dreams. From this, we are meant to understand that the eternal bodies promised to us in the future will be exceedingly more splendid than our current physical forms.
So, what kind of bodies will we have at the resurrection? When people die, they pass away in weakness, whether from old age or disease or perhaps a terrible accident. In any case, what goes in the ground is worn out, broken, and dead. But in Paul’s analogy, an upgrade of miraculous proportions emerges. Like a big tree and the brilliant heavens, our resurrected bodies will be glorious in orders of magnitude more splendid than we can imagine.
Candidly, I have done a slow walk through this teaching dozens of times at hospital bedsides, memorial services, pastoral counseling for people with cancer, and the families of people suddenly killed. The teaching of Scripture on this point alone is the most effective balm I have ever known.
6. The Hall of Faith
Another approach to the All Saints sermon would be to read, in the form of a commentary, the list of famous people mentioned in Hebrews 11. Each name mentioned is someone who walked by faith, not by sight.
As you read through the list of names, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, emphasize how each of them faced unique challenges and trials, yet remained steadfast in their faith.
You might even pick one or two and do a deeper analysis, connecting their stories to our lives today. Though we live in different times, the common thread is that we follow God by faith, in the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
7. The Saints in the Creeds
Another approach when preaching on All Saints’ Day would be to draw attention to the historic Christian belief in the subject as expressed in our three creeds. By highlighting a few specific lines from our Creeds that refer to the communion of saints, the resurrection of the dead, and the life everlasting, we can remind our congregations of our faith’s deep roots and enduring promises.
The Apostles’ Creed acknowledges the spiritual unity of all Christians, living and dead. The Nicene Creed focuses on the Church’s unity and universality without mentioning the communion of saints. The Athanasian Creed details Christian doctrine, stressing the necessity of the universal faith and the concept of eternal life or punishment based on one’s actions.
Here are the relevant texts:
The Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”
The Nicene Creed: “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.”
The Athanasian Creed: “And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.”
8. Remember the Modern Martyrs
The Book of Revelation depicts a multitude in white robes celebrating and receiving recognition from Jesus on his throne. John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-17 presents a diverse throng before God and the Lamb, dressed in white and praising God. They are identified as those who have endured great suffering and have purified themselves through their faith.
For us today, All Saints’ Day presents a chance to highlight the plight of Christians facing oppression worldwide. You could highlight modern martyrs such as Lucian Tapiedi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Janani Luwum, or Oscar Romero.
You could also share recent data and instances of hardships in countries like Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, or North Korea. Concrete actions you also might suggest to aid these Christians, such as prayer, sending letters of support, or contributing to organizations like Open Doors or International Christian Concern.
9. Showcase the Burial Office from the Book of Common Prayer
Here’s a wild idea. For your All Saints service, use the Burial Office!
Imagine the impact of starting your service with a solemn procession reading the opening anthems (citations) from the books of John, Job, Romans, 1 Timothy, and Revelation (found on pages 249-250 of the BCP 2019). This would create one of the most memorable experiences for your church members throughout the year.
What’s the rationale behind this idea? Here are three compelling reasons: First, it underscores for your congregation that every Eucharist service, in essence, is partly requiem for the deceased, celebrated by those still living. It is a requiem in light of the resurrection. Secondly, it would prompt your churchgoers to contemplate their own mortality and funeral service. Lastly, it would disrupt the usual flow of the liturgy, drawing jarring attention to the themes associated with All Saints’ Day.
10. Ordinary People
At the end of the Letter of Paul to the Romans, there is a long list of over 50 names of people who were, generally speaking, friends of Paul. He lists them all for the Romans to provide updates, ask for prayers, and convey greetings to the people. It is a list of ordinary people, friends, and acquaintances of the Apostle. We don’t know much about many of them, but we know enough about more than a few to make for an interesting and compelling sermon.
An All Saints sermon can highlight not just the great saints of old and those who left a legacy for the generations born after them but also the common, ordinary people whose lives and contributions are not renowned. Saints can be famous movers and shakers, to be sure, but the majority of saints are people like us.
Conclusion: A Song of the Saints
As a child, I learned about saints from a favorite hymn. The lyrics were imaginative and exciting, and I read myself into them, as did millions of others who sang “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” Whether you sing the song or not, adapt its spirit as you preach on All Saints’ Day, and you will inspire your people.
I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green:
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one, too.
They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and God’s love made them strong;
and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake,
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast:
and there’s not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn’t be one, too?
They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still;
the world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea,
in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;
for the saints of God are just folk like me,
and I mean to be one, too.
(Italics added for emphasis.)
All Saints’ Day is a time to honor past Christians and let their examples influence our lives. We can learn from the saints’ virtues, like faith and courage, and apply them to our own challenges. The day also reminds us of the communion of saints, encouraging us to connect with and support other believers. It points us toward the eternal life that awaits us, giving us hope and a sense of purpose. Ultimately, the day calls us to live with faithfulness, love, and service, following the saints’ footsteps and sharing God’s love in the world.
I hope your sermon will honor those who have gone before our day, but also that it will help your congregations enjoy the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Photo from Vank Cathedral by Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Digitally edited by Jacob Davis.
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