Sermon Central
-
I Am Not But I Shall Be
Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 22, 2021 (message contributor)
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
The one thing about getting older is that you get to look back on more things each year and have more to evaluate. I will soon turn sixty-nine. This morning in my meditation, I looked back on what I wished I had been and hoped I would be by now.
Since my salvation in 1975, I had prayed to be like Paul on Mars Hill and Peter on Pentecost. I wanted to be the best Christian God ever had or at least in my generation. I have admired others as well. I wish I could have done great exploits like David and killed a spiritual Goliath or two. I wish I could have been like John the Baptist in front of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
As I look back over those forty-six years, I find that I am nowhere close to being the best Christian of my generation. Now I pray I am not the worst one. I have been like Paul in his anger when he kicked John Mark to the curb as I have allowed my anger to cut off fellowship with some people that I should not have so easily kicked to the curb. I have been like Peter in his fear of men where I warmed myself in the fire of people I should have avoided and though not denying Christ verbally I have at times done so in deeds giving the enemies of God reason to blaspheme.
I have been like John the Baptist when he was in jail and questioned if he was on the right track since he was not still publicly ministering wondering if Jesus was aware of his plight and even if he had made a mistake preaching Jesus. I have been like the unnamed prophet who rebuked a king, but then allowed another “prophet” to sidetrack him turning a victory into a defeat.
Unlike Paul, who challenged those who questioned his call to ministry, I have allowed other people’s opinions and criticisms to question my role and my wife’s role in the Body which led to defeat. I have been the smug self-righteous Pharisee when I should have been the Publican. I have been impetuous Peter. I have been Peter who jumped out of the boat to walk on the sea only to turn from seeing Christ to seeing the tempestuous seas and sink crying out to be saved.
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
-
The Command Came, "On Your Mark, Get Set," And ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
The command came, "On your mark, get set," and then the pistol cracked and the race was on. A fine athlete sprang to the lead, and when the race was over he had broke the state record. Only a few other runners even finished the race. Many dropped out when they saw they could not win. As the field ...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
-
You See, I Understand What It's Like To Be Hooked ... PRO
Contributed by Robbie Bankens on Aug 9, 2005
You see, I understand what it’s like to be hooked on prescription pain killers and muscle relaxers. I know what it’s like to wake up drunk in a ditch, laying in your own vomit and not remember how you got there. I know what it’s like to pass out in the middle of the night in a graveyard, ...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
Related Sermons
-
Is Physical Healing/Deliverance Guaranteed/Provided For In The Atonement?
Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 14, 2017
A detailed look at the Atonement in relation to physical healing.
-
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
-
The Prodigal Son's Brother
Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 6, 2012
Chapter 15 of Luke is the start of a new discussion as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem to fulfill his ultimate sacrificial mission. It begins with the Scribes and Pharisees grumbling because Jesus always allowed sinners to listen to him and eat with hi
-
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?
