Sermon Central
-
The Flag And The Cross
Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 1, 2020 (message contributor)
Symbols evoke feelings of adoration or hatred. In this election year, the elephant and donkey mean different things to different people. Let's talk about a symbol that all Americans should be able to adore. In 1813 General Armistead commissioned Mary Pickersgill to make a huge flag that would wave over Fort McHenry near Baltimore to be seen be any enemy from miles away. Pickersgill and her 13 year old daughter Caroline labored long hours that summer until the flag was completed. That flag was 42 feet by 30 feet. It was made from a combination of cotton and dyed wool bunting. It cost about $5,377 in todays money. When the British attacked by land and by sea, they could see that flag in the distance. The defenders of Baltimore faced a bombardment by the guns, rockets and bombs of the most powerful navy in the world on the days and nights of September 12 through September 14. For 25 hours the British navy fired every gun they had on the fortifications of Baltimore. In the dawn's early light of September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key saw not the Union Jack but the stars and stripes of our country's flag. On that occasion, Mr. Key wrote the words to our national anthem. At the end of the battle our flag was still there and it is a great symbol of patriotism to Americans. It is now displayed in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. However, on the other side it is a symbol of failure and defeat to the British. The issue is not the contents, the cost, or the beauty of that flag. The issue is what that flag represents. Symbols are powerful things. The cross of Calvary is a symbol as well. For those who lived before the death of Christ, the cross represented the horrible death of the most heinous of criminals. It was not something anyone looked to with awe or reverence, but rather with angst and disgust. For those who lived in the decades after the cross of Christ, there was a division of thought about this symbol. For the Jews it was a sign of weakness as they could not think of their Messiah dying. For Greeks the cross was a sign of foolishness as they could not think of a God who would die for everyone. But, as Paul says in this verse, for those of us being saved it is a sign of power. Besides power, the cross is also a symbol of love, forgiveness, victory over death.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
According To The National Highway Traffic Safety ...
Contributed by Bruce Willis on Jan 5, 2007
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 6,390 young people ages 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in the year 2,000? Of them alcohol was involved in 2,339 deaths. And as related to drivers – 3,594 young drivers ages 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2,000 and of ...read more
-
Leonard Ravenhill (While Revival Tarries, Chapter ...
Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 15, 2007
Leonard Ravenhill (While Revival Tarries, Chapter 2, Prayer Grasps Eternity) No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop-window to display one’s talents; the prayer closet allows no ...read more
-
Perhaps You've Heard Of Watchman Nee. Watchman ... PRO
Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Nov 13, 2003
Perhaps you’ve heard of Watchman Nee. Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in 1920 at the age of seventeen and began writing in the same year. Throughout the nearly thirty years of his ministry, Watchman Nee was a unique gift from the Lord to the church. Though imprisoned for his ...read more
-
A 2 A.m. Miracle – Joni Eareckson Tada
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Oct 11, 2004
“A 2 a.m. Miracle” – Joni Eareckson Tada It was 2 a.m. and Ken, my husband was snoring softly beside me, not aware that I was biting my lip to keep from waking him up. The combination of my paralysis with middle-of-the-night insomnia always makes me feel claustrophobic. But this was different. ...read more
-
The Story Is Told Of A Teacher Tells About ... PRO
Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 2, 2004
The story is told of a teacher tells about taking a 2nd grader to the library to help her learn to read. The book she choose for the girl only had pictures. So the teacher sat down with the child and said, "Why don’t you identify the pictures for me?" She started: "That’s a house, that’s a man, ...read more
Related Sermons
-
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?
-
Can These Bones Live?
Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 17, 2014
In looking at Ezekiel 37 we find four elements necessary for lifeless dry bones to live.
-
There Is Nothing Too Hard For The Lord
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jan 26, 2018
A sermon examining the fact that God is all powerful.
-
The Flying Arrows
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Jan 19, 2012
The devil is shooting arrows against the people of God in order to afflict them in one area or the other, but their is total liberty through the power of the Holy Ghost.
-
A Wild Life Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 25, 2013
Jesus saved us to live a wild and adventurous life. But how can we do that? We're not apostles like Peter and John were. We don't have their courage and experience. We're just common ordinary folks... or are we?
