Sermon Central
-
The Ugliest Suit Ever
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018 (message contributor)
Note: this story is told from my perspective - Jim Butcher of Madison WV.
When I was at Southern Seminary in Louisville, there were a few days in the spring when they offered official photos. It was a professional photographer with a nice backdrop and the prices were reasonable. The seminary intended to use the photos in their publications, but for guys getting ready to graduate and look for a church to pastor, it was a chance to get a nice-looking photo of yourself in your best suit and tie to (hopefully) impress those pulpit committees that you sending your information to.
Like most high school yearbook photos, it was a waist-up shot.
Which is important to one of the funnier memories I have from my time there. One day when they were taking those photos somewhere on campus I was walking back to my dorm room when a so-to-be graduate came walking toward me. He had on a nice white dress shirt, respectable tie, and a grey suit jacket that was the epitome of dignity. And on the bottom half of his body he was wearing jams. Do you remember jams? The oversize, bright, wild-print shorts that were popular back in the 90s?
Top half: the picture of a pastor; bottom half: the picture of surfer dude.
Of course, he did that because he was only having his top half photographed, so apparently he thought, “Why dress nice all the way when I only have to dress nice halfway?”
It’s an image that’s stuck with me not only for the humor, but also as a picture of half-hearted faith. You know, the kind that makes a little effort to put on a show, but never goes all the way? Of course, it’s not what outside that matter in that regard, but what’s inside. And I hope our hearts are totally in.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
An Ancient Chassidic Parable Tells The Story Of ... PRO
Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 21, 2004
An ancient Chassidic parable tells the story of Yechiel, the young grandson of a Chassidic rabbi, who once played hide-and-seek with a friend. When it was his turn to hide, he found a great hiding place where he waited, somewhat impatiently, for his friend to find him. He waited and waited; it ...read more
-
Early In My Ministry, I Met A Man Named Worral. ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004
Early in my ministry, I met a man named Worral. He had been stricken with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15, and when I met him 30 years later, he was totally paralyzed except for 1 finger, could barely speak and was totally blind. But he had a string tied to that one mobile finger that could turn on ...read more
-
Mitsuo Fuchida Was The Pilot In Charge Of ... PRO
Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004
ILL. Mitsuo Fuchida was the pilot in charge of one of the most successful aerial attacks in recorded history. Under his command was a squadron of 360 specially selected pilots, & on Dec. 7, 1941, Fuchida’s squadron bombed Pearl Harbor. He quickly became one of the most highly decorated pilots ...read more
-
Billy Graham Once Said, "What Is Heaven Going To ...
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Sep 26, 2004
Billy Graham once said, “What is heaven going to be like? Just as there is a mystery to hell, so there is a mystery to heaven. Yet I believe the Bible teaches that both are literal places. I’m not worried about where ...read more
-
In "Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary ... PRO
Contributed by Jeff Simms on Apr 18, 2004
In “Let’s Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage”, Lisa Beamer reflects on the loss of her dad. She says, “Slowly, I began to understand that the plans God has for us don’t just include “good things”, but the whole array of human events. The “prospering” he talks about in the book of ...read more
Related Sermons
-
God’s Power Can Change Your Life Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Apr 21, 2016
This sermon looks at three areas that God can help you change your life. 1. God’s Power Can CANCEL Your Past 2. God’s Power Can CONQUER Your Problems 3. God’s Power Can CHANGE Your Personality
-
God’s Power Can Change Your Life Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Apr 21, 2016
This sermon looks at three areas that God can help you change your life. 1. God’s Power Can CANCEL Your Past 2. God’s Power Can CONQUER Your Problems 3. God’s Power Can CHANGE Your Personality
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
Romans: A Life-Changing Letter Series
Contributed by Tony Thomas on Sep 10, 2017
This message is an overview of the book of Romans and part of a 2-year study of the Bible.
-
Change Your Clothes
Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 11, 2014
Paul is telling us to get rid of the garments that characterize our old life of sin - get rid of them! He wants us now to put on the new garments that speak of life
