Sermon Central
-
I Missed The Sunrise
Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026 (message contributor)
I recently had the chance to visit Acadia National Park in Maine. There's a place there, Cadillac Mountain, where you can be one of the first people in the entire country to see the sunrise. While the rest of America is still in darkness, light first makes its appearance on that mountaintop. I brought a camera. I had every intention of being there for it.
I was asleep.
But here's what struck me afterward: whether anyone shows up to watch or not, the sunrise still happens. Every single morning, without fail, darkness gives way to dawn. First on that mountaintop, then spreading across the entire country. It doesn't wait for me to get out of bed. It doesn't hold off until conditions are perfect or until someone is paying attention. It just breaks through.
That's what hope does. That's what light does in darkness.
Isaiah 9:2 says, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." Notice the tense. Not will see. Not might see if they position themselves correctly. Have seen. It's written as if it's already done, because when God makes a promise, it's as certain as the dawn.
The people Isaiah was speaking to were walking in real darkness. Assyria was coming. Their nation was crumbling. Everything they had counted on was failing. And right into that, God says the light has already broken through.
I missed the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. But it came anyway. And that's exactly the kind of hope Isaiah is talking about. The kind that doesn't depend on whether we're ready for it. The kind that breaks through regardless.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Finding Nemo
Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Feb 5, 2007
Many of you have seen the movie, “Finding Nemo”. •It’s a powerful story of the love and determination of a caring father. •It’s the story of being lost, and then found. •It’s a story that can help us understand our Heavenly Father and His love for us. In the movie, Nemo’s father Marlin loved ...read more
-
Cry Of A Tiny Babe
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 15, 2007
Like a stone on the surface of a still river Driving the ripples on forever Redemption rips through the surface of time In the cry of a tiny babe - Bruce ...read more
-
C.s. Lewis Says, "There Are Two Equal And ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Oct 14, 2005
C.S. Lewis says, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are ...read more
-
I'd Like To Finish By Reading This Little Excerpt ... PRO
Contributed by Vanita George on Apr 20, 2005
I’d like to finish by reading this little excerpt I picked from TD Jakes’ book called “God’s Leading Ladies” and it goes as below:- To become a leading lady, you must raise the curtain and step forward. You must extend yourself beyond the self-imposed limits, external pressures, and patriarchal ...read more
-
There Are Others Who Know About This Miracle ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 15, 2007
There are others who know about this miracle birth The humblest of people catch a glimpse of their worth For it isn’t to the palace that the Christ child comes But to shepherds and street people, hookers and bums And the message is clear if you’ve got [you have] ears to hear That forgiveness ...read more
Related Sermons
-
God Can Break Protocols For Your Sake.
Contributed by Lola Olanrewaju on May 7, 2017
As you continue to allow God to direct your steps through his holy spirit that lives in you , he will begin to break protocol for your sake.
-
When Everything Falls Apart
Contributed by Chris Mcmillan on Jul 28, 2014
What do you do when everything in your world falls apart?
-
God Is Never Late
Contributed by Omololu Ogunremi on Apr 7, 2017
At some points in life, we do not get all we desires at our own time despite prayer; at such time God is waiting for a reason, wait for him, don't give up, WAIT FOR HIM
-
Hope In A Covenant Of Faith Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 18, 2018
A Covenant of Faith and a man named Abraham. Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
-
The Death Of Fear Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 5, 2015
When I was 5 my grandfather died. As I stood by the graveside at the cemetery, my mother said I looked down into the grave and then turned to her and asked "How's Grandpa ever going to get out of there?"
