Sermon Central
-
Emily's 9-5 Struggle
Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 19, 2024 (message contributor)
Emily, a young woman from the MZ generation, recently started her career with a standard 9-5 job. She quickly finds herself feeling trapped and miserable in this routine. Every morning, the thought of going to work at 9 AM and staying until 5 PM feels unbearable to her. She often voices her frustrations, lamenting, "I'm not born to just work and die. There's got to be more to life than this endless cycle." Rather than providing a sense of achievement, her job feels like a chain that binds her to a monotonous and purposeless existence.
In the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22, like Emily, the rich young ruler had wealth and security but felt something was missing. When he sought eternal life from Jesus, he was challenged to step out of his comfort zone - to sell all his possessions. This request struck at the heart of what he held dear, much like Emily clings to her desire for a life beyond the mundane.
Emily's outcry against the 9-5 routine and her desire for a more meaningful existence parallels the internal struggle the rich young ruler faces. Both are at a crossroads where the comfortable and familiar path conflicts with the deeper, more challenging call of discipleship.
In Emily's case, her job represents more than just a source of income; it symbolizes the societal norms and expectations that she finds suffocating. The rich young ruler's wealth similarly represents comfort and societal status that he is reluctant to relinquish.
This illustration highlights the broader theme of taking up one's cross. It challenges the listener to consider what aspects of their life - routine, comfort, or material possessions - might hinder them from embracing a fuller, more purpose-driven life in Christ. It encourages a reflection on the transformative journey of faith, which calls for stepping out of comfort zones and re-evaluating what truly gives life meaning and purpose.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Blaise Pascal Was A French Mathematician And ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 15, 2005
Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician and philosopher. In his writings, which were entitled Pensees, he traces the logical progression of his thought on many subjects. But something happened to Pascal which was beyond logic and rational thought. After his death, his servant found a piece of ...read more
-
A Faith Without Works Is Dead. It Is As W.t. ...
Contributed by Steven Dow on Apr 1, 2004
A faith without works is dead. It is as W.T. Purkiser said, “A religion of externals is a ghost, spirit without body. But a subjective faith without ...read more
-
The Story Was Told Some Years Ago Of A Pastor ... PRO
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Sep 8, 2004
The story was told some years ago of a pastor who found the roads blocked one Sunday morning and was forced to skate on the river to get to church, which he did. When he arrived the elders of the church were horrified that their preacher had skated on the Lord’s Day. After the service they held a ...read more
-
A Young Salesman Walked Up To The Receptionist ...
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 27, 2004
A young salesman walked up to the receptionist and asked to see the company’s sales manager. Ushered into the office, he said, "I don’t suppose you want to buy any life insurance, do you?" "No," replied the sales manager curtly. "I didn’t think so," said the salesman dejectedly, getting up to ...read more
-
Bill Hybels, In His Book Courageous Leadership, ...
Contributed by Wes Richard on Jan 7, 2004
Bill Hybels, in his book Courageous Leadership, (p. 249) uses this illustration. He has a sailboat and every summer his sailing crew and he have to deliver his sailboat by water to various harbors around the great lakes for regattas. Some of them are a long ways away. Sometimes he runs into storms ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Easter’s Life Changing Message
Contributed by Dennis Lee on Apr 14, 2019
This sermon looks at Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its life changing message that our sins are forgiven, we have a purpose to live out through the power and promises of Christ, and our eternal future is secured in heaven.
-
God's Vision For You
Contributed by Paul Mulani on Dec 12, 2017
God has a vision for you. He created you with a purpose but many people don't live out that purpose. This sermon is on how to live out God's purpose or destiny for you.
-
"Finding Your Purpose" Series
Contributed by David Henderson on Feb 27, 2017
Most of us are tired and weary of the same old, same old when we come to church. We don’t want to feel like when we attend that we are simply going through the motions. People no longer come to church because it is the right thing to do.
-
Plans To Prosper You Series
Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 2, 2017
God will not always do what we desire but He will always do what He decides.
-
Number Your Days
Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016
Life is fleeting, so Moses tells us to "Number our days," and make the most of them.
