"But observe his prayer, and learn a weighty lesson. For sinful as he is, Jonah does not weep and wail for direct deliverance. He feels that his dreadful punishment is just ... And here, shipmates, is true and faithful repentance; not clamorous for pardon, but grateful for punishment."
— Father Mapple, Moby-Dick
Religious sermons are a staple of any religious community, and in many cases they have a reputation for being long, droning, and often causing members of the congregation to fall asleep.
But sometimes, you will have a member of the priesthood who delivers a sermon so inspired, so powerful, so deeply moving that it can cause the congregation to be moved, inspired, or motivated.
This type of sermon has equal tendency to show up with a Good Shepherd or a Sinister Minister, the former making use of it to move his congregation to a righteous cause, the latter a more cynical, self-serving one. The Sinister Minister, however, might inspire genuine belief in someone, and find his own words thrown back at him in a Meaningful Echo by a true believer.
In times of crisis it will overlap with Rousing Speech. Memorable quotes from a particularly rousing sermon might even serve to become the lines of a Badass Creed.
When an author does this poorly the result is often an Author Filibuster.
Compare Suspiciously Specific Sermon, when the sermon just so happens to be closely related to the plot.
Contrast Boring Religious Service.
As religion is a sensitive and personal topic, No Real Life Examples, Please!.
Examples
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Comic Books
- God Loves, Man Kills has Reverend William Stryker, a Sinister Minister who is very anti-mutant. He makes impassioned speeches to crowds of his followers about his belief that mutants are the spawn of the devil, and need to be killed. He frequently engages in As the Good Book Says..., often by cherry picking quotes out of context and ignoring others that would condemn his actions.
Films — Live-Action
- The Bishop's Wife: The film ends on Bishop Brougham's midnight mass sermon for Christmas. Considering the sermon was actually written by a bonafide Guardian Angel, even the agnostic academic shows up to listen. The bishop's wife Julia, who has been worried throughout the film that her husband has lost sight of his priorities, is particularly impressed by his delivery, since it centers on remembering what is most important. Downplayed since the reactions of the other churchgoers are not seen.
- The Blues Brothers: After learning that the Catholic orphanage where they grew up is going to be torn down due to it being deeply in tax debt, Jake and Elwood go to the Triple Rock Baptist Church while contemplating what to do about the situation. While there, Reverend Cleophus James (played by an Adam Westing version of James Brown) gives a passionate sermon that's so powerful that a beam of light shines down from Heaven and inspires Jake to reunite his old bandmates and hold a benefit concert for the orphanage.
Rev. Cleophus James: When I woke up this mornin', I heard a distubin' sound. I said When I woke up this mornin', I heard a disturbin' sound! What I heard was the jingle-jangle of a thousand lost souls! I'm talkin' 'bout the souls of mortal men and women, departed from this life. Wait a minute! Those lost angry souls roamin' unseen on the earth, seekin' to find life they'll not find, because it's too late! Tooooo late, yeah! Too late for they'll never see again the life they choose not to follow. Alright! Alright! Don't be lost when your time comes! For the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night!
- Godspell: The film version of the play begins with "Prepare Ye", sung by the character most resembling John the Baptist. His sung sermon inspires modern people from many different backgrounds to become baptized and follow the musical's hippie version of Jesus.
Literature
- American Girls: Addy: In Addy's Surprise, Reverend Drake gives a sermon about how the freedmen escaping slavery and coming to the North need help, and how their fellow people can help them by donating money or welcoming them to the pier. Addy has a dime that she considers using to buy a scarf as a Christmas present for Momma, but ultimately donates it to a freedmen's fund.
- The Dark Tower: These are a favorite tactic of Sinister Minister Sylvia Pittston, who's established a Religion of Evil worshiping the Crimson King in the town of Tull. Her passionate sermons are known for not only whipping her followers into a frenzy, but even inspiring lust, as Roland himself finds himself strangely attracted to Sylvia as she preaches (which is noted as a common occurrence for those who see her). She tries to use such a sermon to inspire the townspeople to kill Roland, and he's forced to kill everyone in Tull—Sylvia included—to protect himself.
- Father Brown: In "The Flying Stars", Father Brown delivers a sermon to Flambeau, deconstructing the latter's Lovable Rogue image of himself and warning him about the inevitable danger of Slowly Slipping Into Evil. After that sermon, Flambeau (a hardened and very intelligent criminal who had evaded capture for years) makes a Heel–Face Turn and becomes Father Brown's best friend.
- Moby-Dick: Father Mapple gives a sermon that sums up the themes of the novel, with discussions on facing the truth, no matter how appalling, avoiding blasphemy, and that repentance means acceptance of one's punishment.
Live-Action TV
- M*A*S*H:
- In the episode "Change Day", the B-plot involves a large amount of money being stolen from a wounded serviceman. When Fr. Mulcahy finds out, he delivers a fire-breathing sermon on theft over the camp P.A. system, one that results in the thief anonymously returning the stolen money. Pleased with himself, he muses if maybe he ought to do more regular sermons over the P.A., perhaps "a commandment a week!". Hawkeye replies "I wonder if thou shouldst..."
- In the episode "Blood Brothers", Father Mulchahy, in the midst of a Heel Realization, gives a powerful and moving sermon about serving others in the name of the Lord.
Father Mulchahy: When the first man saw the dignity and the selflessness of the second man, he realized how petty and selfish he had... I... I... I had been. It made me see something more clearly than I've ever seen it before. God didn't put us here for that pat on the back. He created us so he could be here himself. So he could exist in the lives of those he created, in his image. - The Middle: In "Get Your Business Done", the Hecks decide that their normal church service is too boring and decide to go to one with a church with a more enthusiastic pastor. This pastor gives a sermon about a parishioner who died with some unfinished business. He tells those in attendance to "get their business done." The Hecks all decide to do this, setting the episode's plot in motion.
Music
- In "Pray for You
" by Jaron and the Long Road to Love, the narrator attends a sermon where the pastor urges his congregation to simply pray for those who have wronged them, rather than choose anger or condemnation. Feeling inspired, the narrator prays that a variety of misfortunes befall his ex, ranging from everyone forgetting her birthday to her car blowing a tire while she's speeding on the highway.
Mythology and Religion
- The Sermon on the Mount as delivered by Jesus Himself is the Ur-Example and Trope Codifier, well known even outside of Christian circles.
Jesus: You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
- In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter preaches a sermon on the Day of Pentecost that is so inspiring that over 3,000 people convert to Christianity on the spot.
Tabletop Games
- Warhammer 40,000: Imperial Priests and Space Marine Chaplains often give inspiring speeches to motivate the troops into performing better in combat.
Theater
- The Sound of Music: "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is sung by the Reverend Mother to Maria, encouraging her that she must face her feelings for Captain Von Trapp and see loving another person as a holy act in itself. Maria is heartened by the song enough to stop hiding in the abbey and return to the Von Trapps. It helps that the work was inspired by the words of the real Dominican Sister Gregory, who was friendly with the creators during the process.
Video Games
- As the ultimate leader of Brotherhood of Nod, Kane of Command & Conquer Tiberian series makes use of these a lot.
Tiberium Wars: And he cried in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' and Lazarus did, arise from the grave... I have always believed that faith was measured in deeds, not words. And while many of my children worshipped my name, their deeds betrayed them. In my absence they strayed from the path... But you... you my son, your faith never waned. Not in Honduras or Jericho, not in the Great Rio Insurrection. You risked your life countless times to topple GDI, to perpetuate our cause to honor my name. And now I call upon you again to bring glory to the Brotherhood. I have seen that GDI is vulnerable, bloated by arrogance and complacency. Now is the time to strike. While they congratulate themselves on Tiberium advancements Nod made decades ago, we will expose their weaknesses for all the world to see.
- This is a game mechanic in Cult of the Lamb where holding daily sermons are vital to keep the Faith levels of your cult up and your Followers happy. If Faith levels drop, the Followers will start dissenting.
- In The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, "Saryoni's Sermons" is an in-game book of Lord Vivec's most famous sermons, annotated by Tribunal Temple Archcanon Tholer Saryoni. It is said to be the best-selling book in Morrowind, can be found in numerous homes of faithful Dunmer, and at a worth of 50,000 gold, Saryoni's unique manuscript version is the most valuable non-equipment item in the game. During a quest to repossess expensive items from Ienas Sarandas, who lost his family fortune gambling, you have a couple of options for resolving it. The most peaceful is to appeal to his religion by reading from a copy of Saryoni's Sermons, inspiring him to return the items and dedicate his life to the temple.
- Republic: The Revolution: Party members of the Religious background get access to the Revelation and the Evangelize actions at Character Level 1 and 2, respectively. Both are effectively public sermons,note but the former directs public indignation at another faction's transgressions, while the latter boosts your own faction's support by appealing to the public's religious sensibilities.
Web Video
- Dimension 20: Parodied in the "Fantasy High" campaign. As a cleric, Kristen has the ability to give speeches which inspire and strengthen her teammates with divine magic. But as her deity lets her down and the Crisis of Faith sets in, the speeches start to go off the rails, fast. Amazingly, she usually manages to inspire people anyway, almost in spite of herself.
Kristen: Guys, I'm not gonna mince words. There's no God.
Western Animation
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Toward the end of the episode, after everyone gives Charlie Brown grief for bringing a small, natural, needle-shedding tree back to the theatre, he asks if anyone can tell him what Christmas is about. Linus takes the stage and delivers a sermon about the birth of Christ, quoting Luke 2:8-14 and how it's meant to be a sign of peace on Earth and goodwill towards men. This sermon proves so moving that it not only gives Charlie Brown the motive he needs to try and decorate the tree, but it makes the rest of the kids follow him, sympathize with him, and show the tree so much love that they're able to turn it into a beautiful, traditional tree to surprise Charlie Brown with.
Linus: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
- South Park: "Red Hot Catholic Love", Fr. Maxi, appalled at the rampant stories about Pedophile Priests, tries to get the Vatican to allow priests to get married. They tell him that to do so, they need to change the Holy Document of Catholic Law, complete with protests from the Gelgameks and a denial from the Spider-Queen note , Father Maxi destroys the Vatican by decrying "To Hell with the Holy Document of Catholic Law". He then gives a speech about drawing lessons from the Bible about how to treat people, rather than use it to build a hierarchy, that gets televised around the world.
