Sermon and Worship Resources

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526. Whose Disciple Are You?

Illustration

Michael P. Green

It is said that D. L. Moody was once accosted on a Chicago street by a drunk who exclaimed, “Aren’t you Mr. Moody? Why, I’m one of your converts!” Said Moody in reply, “That must be true, for you surely aren’t one of the Lord’s.” The gospel promises not only forgiveness of sins but also new life. When a person receives this new life, his or her life should begin to show some changes.

527. Why No World Peace?

Illustration

Michael P. Green

U Thant was once Secretary General of the United Nations. While speaking in 1965 before sixty-seven distinguished scholars and statesmen from nineteen countries of the world, who were convened to talk about the requirements for world peace, he asked these questions: What element is lacking so that with all our skill and all our knowledge we still find ourselves in the dark valley of discord and e...

528. Why Was It Built?

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Traditions are often an attempt to either protect us from something that can harm us or keep us in the place where we are most likely to do well. Not all traditions are so characterized, and some are nothing more than outmoded responses to situations that no longer exist. Nevertheless, this old saying remains true: “Never tear down a fence until you find out why it was built.”

529. Will of God by Reason

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Just before Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a group of ministers urged him to grant immediate freedom to all slaves. “It is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence in this matter,” Lincoln wrote. “And if I can learn what it is, I will do it.… I suppose it will be granted that I am not to expect a direct revelation; I must study the plain physical facts of the case … ...

530. With a Face Like Yours

Humor Illustration

Michael P. Green

The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and arrived with these angry words: “This picture does not do me justice!” The photographer replied, “Sir, with a face like yours, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!”

531. Word Meaning

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Back in 1675, some nine years after the terrible fire in London, Sir Christopher Wren himself laid the first foundation stone in what was to be his greatest architectural enterprise—the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral. It took him thirty-five long years to complete this task, and when it was done he waited breathlessly for the reaction of her majesty, Queen Anne. After being carefully shown throu...

532. Worthy of Worship

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Many years ago, Thomas K. Beecher once substituted for his famous brother, Henry Ward Beecher, at the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Many curiosity seekers had come to hear the renowned Henry Beecher speak. Therefore, when Thomas Beecher appeared in the pulpit instead, some people got up and started for the doors. Sensing that they were disappointed because he was substituting for his brot...

533. Wrong Message, Right Response

Illustration

Michael P. Green

A young mother, feeling sorry for herself because of her many responsibilities as a parent, saw this sign on a local day-care center: “Attention all mothers—Let me love your children, while you work.” After seeing this, the mother went away grateful for the opportunity she had to love her children herself.

534. You Are No Good; I Am No Good

Illustration

Michael P. Green

In his autobiography, cellist Gregor Piatigorsky tells about a time he was soloist at a concert conducted by Arturo Toscanini: “The maestro paced the dressing room in which I practiced, repeating, ‘You are no good; I am no good.’ ‘Please, Maestro,’ I begged, ‘I will be a complete wreck.’ Then, as we walked on stage, he said, ‘We are no good, but the others are worse. Come on, caro, let’s go.’ ” T...

535. You Hit What You Watch

Illustration

Michael P. Green

One thing a carpenter learns quickly is how to drive nails. He hammers hundreds of nails a day, and that’s a lot of practice! The most important thing in hammering nails is to keep your eye on the nail, not on the thumb that’s holding the nail. That is because you will always hit what you watch! If Christ is your “spiritual” nail, what are the “thumbs” you keep hitting?

536. Your Neighbor's Logs

Illustration

Michael P. Green

There is a story of a frontier settlement in the West whose people were engaged in the lumbering business. The town wanted a church, so they built one and called a minister. The preacher was well received until one day he happened to see some of his parishioners clawing onto the bank some logs that had been floating down the river from another village upstream. Each log was marked with the owner’s...

537. Your Silk May Stretch, but...

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Adam Clarke was an assistant in a dry-goods store, selling silks and satins to a cultured clientele. One day his employer suggested to him that he try stretching the silk as he measured it out; this would increase sales and profits and also increase Adam’s value to the company. Young Clarke straightened up from his work, faced his boss courageously, and said, “Sir, your silk may stretch, but my co...

538. You're Fired

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Wilson Johnson, the founder of Holiday Inn motels, once said, “When I was forty years old I worked in a sawmill. One morning the boss told me I was fired. Depressed and discouraged, I felt like the world had caved in. When I told my wife what had happened, she asked me what I was going to do. I replied, ‘I’m going to mortgage our little home and go into the building business.’ My first venture was...

Showing 526 to 538 of 538all results

Showing all results

526. Whose Disciple Are You?

Illustration

Michael P. Green

527. Why No World Peace?

Illustration

Michael P. Green

528. Why Was It Built?

Illustration

Michael P. Green

529. Will of God by Reason

Illustration

Michael P. Green

530. With a Face Like Yours

Humor Illustration

Michael P. Green

531. Word Meaning

Illustration

Michael P. Green

532. Worthy of Worship

Illustration

Michael P. Green

533. Wrong Message, Right Response

Illustration

Michael P. Green

534. You Are No Good; I Am No Good

Illustration

Michael P. Green

535. You Hit What You Watch

Illustration

Michael P. Green

536. Your Neighbor's Logs

Illustration

Michael P. Green

537. Your Silk May Stretch, but...

Illustration

Michael P. Green

538. You're Fired

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Showing 526 to 538 of 538all results