Sermon Illustrations

Two books about the life of John Lennon, one of the Beatles, have come out. One by Robert Rosen is titled Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon, and another is Lennon in America by Geoffrey Giuliano. Both talk about the famous singer’s conversion to Christ on Palm Sunday. He began watching Billy Graham on televison, and then as he watched a television special on the life of Jesus he broke down in tears. His spiritual passion lasted for a several months. Rosen writes, “One day [Lennon] had an epiphany — he allowed himself to be touched by the love of Jesus Christ, and it drove him to tears of joy and ecstasy.” He says, “He drew a picture of a crucifix; he was born again, and the experience was such a kick that he had to share it with Yoko.” In the weeks that followed, he attended church services and took his son, Sean, to a Christian theater performance. Giuliano states that “He prayed for forgiveness when he stepped on insects or snapped at the maid.” But his wife, Yoko Ono, was not happy with Lennon’s change. Her first husband, Anthony Cox, became a Christian in the 1970’s. Lennon began to challenge his wife’s interest in the occult, and expressed disappointment when she wouldn’t join him in watching when Billy Graham was on television. Giuliano writes. “She feared John’s new faith would clash with her own ideas about spiritualism and threaten her iron hold over him.” In the end, it appeared that Ono won. In his final years, the man best known for his lines “Imagine there’s no heaven / It’s easy if you try” was living a life dictated by astrologers, numerologists, clairvoyants, psychics, herbalists, and tarot-card readers.

No one but God knows the final end of John Lennon. Jesus’ heart was surely open to him. Perhaps he initially accepted and ultimately rejected the invitation, or he may have even reconsidered in...

Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)