-
The Problem With Church 200 Years Ago
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018 (message contributor)
I was recently reading an interesting book about life in America 200 years ago. One intriguing detail that the author shared was that back then most people only bathed once a year. It made me think of how unpleasant it would have been to gather on a sultry August Sunday morning in a sanctuary with no air conditioning with a bunch of people who hadn’t bathed in months. Ugh.
Of course, it’s very possible that it didn’t bother them the way it would bother us. I imagine that if you smelled like that and everyone around you smelled like that, pretty quickly you would just get used to the smell. Smell? What smell?
I pressure-washed the back porch a few weeks ago. It always amazes me when I do that how you really don’t notice how dirty most things are outside until you see what they look like clean. The porch floor doesn’t look that bad until you take the pressure-washer to it and see the difference.
This is all true of our spiritual lives as well. We get used to the smell. We get used to the dirt. We settle into our sin and decide that it’s fine. It’s not. We were made for more. Jesus didn’t just come so we could be forgiven; He came so we could be clean.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Spurgeon (1) Wrote, " I Think I May Say To Every ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Raisbeck on Jul 18, 2003
Spurgeon (1) wrote, " I think I may say to every person whom I am addressing,-If you are yourself saved, the work is but half done until you are employed to bring others to Christ. You are as yet but half formed in the image of your Lord. You have not attained to the full development of the ...read more
-
It Is In The Hours Of Loneliness That God Does ...
Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 8, 2007
It is in the hours of loneliness that God does some of His greatest works. It was in the lonely dejection of Elijah that he heard God’s voice. It was in the wearying lonely path of faith that God came again to Abraham. It was in the lonely hours following failure that Peter found God. It ...read more
-
Martin Luther Had Visitors For Dinner One Day. ...
Contributed by Dan Mahan on Jan 7, 2007
Martin Luther had visitors for dinner one day. His puppy happened to be at the table, looking for a morsel from his master. The puppy watched with open mouth and motionless eyes. Martin Luther said, "Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on ...read more
-
Child-Training PRO
Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Oct 2, 2004
PROVERBS 22:6 “The Hebrew word for train (h\aµnak_) means to dedicate…. H\aµnak_ seems to include the idea of setting aside, narrowing, or hedging in. The word is sometimes used in the sense of “start.” Child-training involves “narrowing” a child’s conduct away from evil and toward godliness and ...read more
-
A Lot Of People Think They Are Self-Acclaimed ... PRO
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 5, 2007
A lot of people think they are self-acclaimed experts. Take this health food advice: Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it... don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Power Of Obedience
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017
Obedience is inherit in the relationship of man (as a created being) with God, the Creator. The New Covenant does not do away with the need for obedience to God. In fact, it supply the strength to live that way. Heaven will be a place of obedience to God.
-
The Church Of The New Testament - Part 6 Series
Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 14, 2018
Part 6 - While still in its infancy, the church began to experience serious problems. Problems in the church from inside and outside sources seem to be a common element that plagues Christians in every age. What is the solution?
-
Falling Out Of Church
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 23, 2014
Examining the importance of church attendance.
-
Identity Series
Contributed by Matt Smith on Jan 3, 2013
From what do you get your identity? Is it in your career? Your Spouse? Your Looks? Maybe it is even something such as Your Ministry or how much you Read The Bible. In this message Pastor Matt Smith shows us through scripture that our primary identity
-
CÓmo Romper Las Maldiciones Generacionales
Contributed by James Dina on Jan 25, 2021
Una maldición generacional viene a través de la línea de sangre, y sólo puede ser cancelada por la sangre la sangre de Jesús.