Sermon Illustrations

[237 H] [8]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 8

They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. Primarily they are meant more to be read aloud, than read silently as normal poems. They require voice flexibility and expression/intonation/varying speed.

I have placed commas in places where commas don’t normally go but they are there for a distinct short pause. The word before the pause has a more marked emphasis and the first word after the comma is emphasised on the very first syllable. It is like each line is in two short parts. There is inflection and expression in each line. For example –

See him sit, . . . . at Jesus’ feet.

Satan’s power, . . . . met defeat.

In his right mind, . . . . now discreet.

After a while you will feel a balance - I hope! There are twelve of these sections with 5 short scenes in each. The particular incidents are not named here but are done so at the end of my originals, in a table. I don’t think you will have much difficulty identifying them.

They are all written in two stanzas of six lines each with the rhyme scheme: A-A-A-B B-B. The same metre is used throughout: 7-7-7-6-6-7. I trust you will enjoy these and catch something of the excitement of these Gospel incidents.

The incidents written about are both parables and stories of Jesus.

{{Matthew 13:10-13 The disciples came and said to Him, “WHY DO YOU SPEAK TO THEM IN PARABLES?” and He answered and said to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted, for whoever has to him shall more be given and he shall have an abundance, but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. THEREFORE I SPEAK TO THEM IN PARABLES because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”}}

{{Luke 1:1-4 “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”}}

========================================================================

[237 H] [8]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 8

THIRTY-SIX

Clouds are rising in the west,

At the driving winds’ behest.

Showers soon, be manifest.

To the south, desert way;

That wind blows - “Hot,” you say.

All you frauds, can judge each day.

======================

Hypocrites, these signs you learn.

But present times, can’t discern.

Thus to God, you cannot turn.

You can’t judge, what is right.

Understand, now your plight.

Upon the Lord, set your sight.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THIRTY-SEVEN

Mustard farmer, took his seeds,

Ploughed the field, and pulled the weeds.

Hoped the crop, would meet his needs.

That plant, should have grown,

After it was sown,

To the height, that was known.

======================

A monstrosity, it grew.

Filthy birds of evil, drew.

Wicked roots of doctrine, strew.

The church, was perverted.

To evil, reverted.

By Constantine, subverted.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THIRTY-EIGHT

From the desert, drifted in.

Clothed himself, in camel skin.

Locusts, honey; food for him.

In the River Jordan,

Baptised repentant man.

John - forerunner in God’s plan.

======================

Jesus, one day, to John came.

He had no sin, had no blame.

“Lamb of God’ - John knew His name.

“Baptise You, can not do!”

Worthy not, to touch shoe.

Baptised rather, I by You.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THIRTY-NINE

To the Lord, a man did run,

Good of life, offences none,

“Eternal life - what is done?”

“Murder not. Do not steal.

Not lie, defraud. Be real.”

“All these I’ve kept. What new deal?”

======================

“For you to gain, God’s abode,

Go and sell, your treasure trove.”

With that comment, that man strove.

Decision made, he left,

Sad of face, joy bereft.

‘Twixt him and life, a great cleft.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FORTY

Bartimaeus sat alone,

Begging by some roadside stone.

Blind was he and all alone.

“Pity, Jesus, show me.”

Crowd chides. Louder calls he.

Son of David, hear my plea.

======================

Jesus stopped, and to him called.

Rose up from where, he was sprawled.

Sprung to his feet - was not stalled.

Coatless stood, with the Lord.

Viewed the One, he’d implored.

His faith, confirmed, had restored.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Done around the third quarter, 1997

Metre: 7-7-7-6-6-7

Ron Ferguson

Related Sermon Illustrations

  • Sleeping In Church

    Contributed by Charles Salmon on Jan 15, 2007
    based on 1 rating
     | 7,508 views

    Sleeping in Church A Minister, while preaching, noted most of his congregation was asleep. He stopped the sermon and asked a deacon to pass the offering plate. The deacon woke up red-faced and reminded him the offering had already been taken. His response; “Never mind, take up another one. I ...read more

  • Singer Pavarotti  PRO

    Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 24, 2005
    based on 2 ratings
     | 3,215 views

    SINGER PAVAROTTI There was a time in Pavarotti’s life when he wasn’t sure whether to be singer or a music teacher. So he asked his father, "Shall I be a teacher or a singer?" His father replied, "Son, if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one ...read more

  • The Memory Of Charles Haddon Spurgeon Has Been ...

    Contributed by John Shearhart on Mar 4, 2007
    based on 1 rating
     | 1,411 views

    “The memory of Charles Haddon Spurgeon has been cherished among evangelical Christians for over the past 100 years. Many Christian leaders consider him to be the greatest preacher England ever produced. He is commonly hailed as the "Prince of Preachers". Over 63 volumes of published sermons still ...read more

  • A Redhead Is Walking Through The Countryside, ...  PRO

    Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Oct 17, 2005
    based on 13 ratings
     | 4,254 views

    A redhead is walking through the countryside, when she finds a bottle. She rubs it and, you guessed it, a genie appears. The genie says, “You are allowed three wishes. But, I must warn you, anything you get, all the blondes in the world get twice as much.” The woman agrees, “Okay. Give me ...read more

  • William Bathurst: O For A Faith!

    Contributed by Jeff Simms on Aug 24, 2003
     | 4,480 views

    William Bathurst once said, “O for a faith that will not shrink, Tho pressed by every foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of any earthly woe! That will not murmur nor complain Beneath the chastening rod, But, in the hour of grief or pain, Will lean upon its God; A faith that shines ...read more

Related Sermons