Sermon Central
-
The Page That's Been There Since 1597
Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 18, 2026 (message contributor)
In my office there hangs a framed page positioned strategically so that it's the last thing I see as I leave and the first thing that catches my eye when I sit down each day. It's a page from a Geneva Bible. The Geneva Bible is the first mass-produced Bible with verse numbers, and this particular page was printed and then lined by hand in red ink 426 years ago in 1597.
What I think is just incredible is that I didn't acquire this page with any prior knowledge that I'd ever be preaching through Colossians. And it just so happens to be the exact chapter and page that contains a verse that is incredibly important to me. Colossians 3:23.
There was a time in my life when the work I was doing was making me bitter from the inside out. Every single day felt like a waste. I knew somewhere deep down that I needed to be in the church. I needed to be in ministry. And it's easy to look back now and almost minimize those days with thoughts like, "Well it all worked out." But I had no idea that was the plan back then. I just felt stuck. And then one night, reading through Colossians, I came to verse 23: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Those "nothing" tasks I had been doing were actually noble when done for Christ. That verse changed something in me.
The page doesn't hang in my office because I think it's cool, though I do think that. It hangs there because it's a daily reminder of how God was able to turn bitterness into worship and service, and also because of the connection I share with believers from nearly four and a half centuries ago. People who read those same words. People who found the same strength and guidance and comfort in them that I did. The Word of God doesn't age. It hasn't gone stale. The same truth that steadied someone in 1597 is the same truth that steadied me in 2017.
That's what Paul means in 2 Timothy 3:16 when he says that all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable. It's not just historically interesting. It's alive. And it's still doing its work.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
You See These Guys Don't You Driving The Delivery ...
Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jan 12, 2007
You see these guys don’t you driving the delivery trucks with the sticker on the back which says How’s my driving telephone 0800 0999. – report if going too fast, driving too reckless – too slow etc . The driver is representing that particular company – it looks bad on them. The application is ...read more
-
In Country, Town Or City
Contributed by Stephen Wright on Mar 11, 2007
In country, town or city Some people can be found Who spend their lives in grumbling At ev’rything around; O yes, they always grumble, No matter what we say, For these are chronic grumblers And they grumble night and day. They grumble when it’s raining, They grumble when it’s ...read more
-
In Country, Town Or City
Contributed by Stephen Wright on Mar 11, 2007
In country, town or city Some people can be found Who spend their lives in grumbling At ev’rything around; O yes, they always grumble, No matter what we say, For these are chronic grumblers And they grumble night and day. They grumble when it’s raining, They grumble when it’s ...read more
-
There Was A Very Capable Evangelist Whom God Used ...
Contributed by Mark Ferrante on Jan 12, 2007
There was a very capable evangelist whom God used in a significant way. But he lost his interest in spiritual things and drifted into a life of sin, for a number of months. Some of his sin was done in secret but ultimately, it became public knowledge and even made the headlines. At first, all he ...read more
-
Stanley Jones Writes About A Crucial Moment In ...
Contributed by Mark Ferrante on Jan 12, 2007
Stanley Jones writes about a crucial moment in his life when he found himself on his way to what could have been a spiritual disaster: For months after my conversion, I was running under cloudless skies. And then suddenly I tripped, almost fell, pulled back this side of the sin, but was ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Calling Those Things That Are Not As Though They Were
Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Jul 5, 2016
This message speaks about how we can bring promises from the spiritual realm bo the natural by calling those things that be not as those they were. We can activate our faith by speaking what God says.
-
Mutual Prayer For Difficult Times
Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Jan 22, 2014
"Mutual Prayer for Difficult Times" is an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. There is a powerful dynamic that works when pastor and people pray for one another, when saints pray for one another.
-
Called To Service
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2017
This message examines Isaiah's call to ministry and his response, then applies principles to God's call on each of our lives. Isaiah's experience with the Lord, recorded in chapter 6, had a lasting effect on his life and ministry.
-
Scripture Alone Series
Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 23, 2017
2 Timothy 3:1-17 teaches us that Scripture contains everything we need God to tell us for faith and life.
-
The Day I Tore Up The Bible Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 11, 2017
No, I didn't actually tear up a Bible, but my audience didn't know that. Find out why I pretended to do that, and what that means to those who actually do tear pages from Scripture.
