Sermon Central
-
Grandpa's Farm
Contributed by David Dunn on Jul 19, 2026 (message contributor)
My grandfather immigrated to America from Eastern Europe looking for a chance to build a new life.
Eventually he settled near Pocatello, Idaho, where he bought a small farm.
It wasn't the biggest farm.
It wasn't the richest farm.
But it had something unusual.
Hot springs bubbled up on the property.
Most people might have seen warm water.
My grandfather saw an opportunity.
The warm ground created its own little microclimate.
While neighboring farms were still waiting for the soil to warm, his fields were already growing.
He planted cantaloupes.
Year after year, his melons ripened almost three weeks before anyone else's.
Three weeks.
That doesn't sound like much.
Until you're the first farmer to arrive at the market.
Those first cantaloupes always brought the highest prices.
What looked like an ordinary piece of land became God's provision for our family.
I've often thought about that.
God doesn't always give us what everyone else has.
Sometimes He gives us something uniquely suited for the work He has called us to do.
The blessing isn't always bigger.
Sometimes it's simply earlier.
Sometimes it's hidden beneath the surface.
Like hot springs under a field in Idaho.
God has a way of placing resources where other people don't even think to look.
The challenge is to recognize them.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Several Years Ago At A Promise Keepers ...
Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 3, 2005
Several years ago at a Promise Keepers conference, Dennis Rainey placed animal traps on stage. They were big ones too. Bear traps and even an African safari large animal trap that took two men to open. There were a dozen or so traps, and he set or opened them all. Then Dennis Rainey had a father ...read more
-
Years Ago A Young Man Began A Small Cheese ... PRO
Contributed by Joel Santos on Jan 24, 2005
Years ago a young man began a small cheese business in Chicago. He failed. He was deeply in debt. “You didn’t take God into your business. You have not worked with Him,” said a Christian friend to him. Then the young man thought, “If God wants to run the cheese business, He can do it, and I’ll work ...read more
-
The Name Auschwitz Brings Terror And Grief To The ... PRO
Contributed by Fred Sigle on Mar 12, 2007
The name AUSCHWITZ brings terror and grief to the hearts of many people. It is the sight of an infamous NAZI DEATH CAMP where 4 million Jews died during World War II. A half-ton of hair is still PRESERVED. The SHOWERS that once sprayed POISON GAS still stand. Maximillian Kolbe, a Franciscan ...read more
-
I Once Heard The Story Of An Organist Who Was ... PRO
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004
I once heard the story of an organist who was getting ready to play as the church service began. When he put his hands on the keys there was no sound. Everyone knew something was wrong, so the preacher quickly got up and led in prayer. The janitor was aware of the fact that they hadn’t plugged ...read more
-
Another Of Her Like Would Be Ophrah – Not A ... PRO
Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Oct 25, 2002
Another of her like would be Ophrah – not a witch, but described by Christianity Today as one of the most influential spiritual leaders in America today – perhaps even all over the western world where her program is shown. This ex baptist now espouses the view that “one of the biggest mistakes we ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Ending Well
Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jan 13, 2016
This sermon was given at the end of 2015. It's to help people think about ending well so that they can have a strong beginning. But also so that they can hear the words of Jesus at the end say, "Well done good and faithful servant.
-
Persevere: Quitting Is Not An Option Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 8, 2017
We are continuing in our series on Discovering Your Destiny and we are thinking about what it means to Persevere. This sermon focuses on a simple statement of Truth: Quitting is not an option. The Christian life, is not the easy option.
-
Faithfulness In Service
Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on Oct 12, 2017
You must be faithful to Him who has appointed you.
-
Faithfulness In Service
Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on Oct 12, 2017
You must be faithful to Him who has appointed you.
-
Seize The Day, Twenty-Four Seven
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 12, 2015
We are Christ followers. We are not, Christ fans. Fans sit on the sidelines followers get into are active on the field of play. It is time to get off the sideline. It is time to Seize the Day, Twenty-four Seven! Updated August 2018.
