Sermon Central
-
Shortly After The Turn Of The Century, Japan ... PRO
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 22, 2004 (message contributor)
Shortly after the turn of the century, Japan invaded, conquered, and occupied Korea. One group singled out for concentrated oppression was the Christians. When the Japanese army overpowered Korea one of the first things they did was board up evangelical churches and eject most foreign missionaries. One pastor persistently entreated his local Japanese police chief for permission to meet for services. Hisnagging was finally accommodated, and the police chief offered to unlock his church ...for one meeting. It didn’t take long for word to travel. Committed Christians starving for an opportunity for unhindered worship quickly made their plans. The Korean has always had a reputation as a singing church, and so as soon at the doors shut the singing began. It was during a stanza of "Nearer My God to Thee" that the Japanese police waiting outside gave the order to barricade the doors and set it on fire. Knowing they were going to die the pastor instructed them to sing "At the Cross." Just before the roof collapsed they sang the last verse. But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away Tis all that I can do!
During the decades that followed the hatred and bitterness was passed on to each new generation of Korean children. The Japanese, although conquered, remained a hated enemy. The monument the Koreans had built at the location of the fire not only memorialized the people who died, but stood as a mute reminder of their pain. It wasn’t until 1972 that any hope came. A group of Japanese pastors traveling through Korea came upon the memorial. When they read the details they were filled with shame, and felt their national guilt could not be excused. They returned to Japan committed to righting the wrong. The raised 10 million yen ($25,000), and a beautiful white church building was erected on the site of the tragedy.
When the dedication service for the new building was held, a delegation from Japan joined the group. Although their generosity was acknowledged and their attempts at making peace appreciated, the memories were still there. Hatred preserves pain. The speeches were made, the details...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
John Wesley Provides The Most Convicting Analysis ... PRO
Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 20, 2004
John Wesley provides the most convicting analysis on what it means to be a true servant: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” Rick ...read more
-
The First Day Of School Our Professor Introduced ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 21, 2004
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a winkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire ...read more
-
And Starting Today, You Are Beginning To Turn ... PRO
Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Nov 13, 2003
And starting today, you are beginning to turn into adults. While your parents still are going to make a lot of choices for you, you are just beginning that Phase where you begin to make some life-changing decisions. You will learn that mom and dad won’t always be there to tell you what to do. I’m ...read more
-
Over The Long Run, Love's Power To Forgive Is ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 1, 2004
"Over the long run, love’s power to forgive is stronger than hate’s power to ...read more
-
I Was Fascinated When I Read The Following ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
I was fascinated when I read the following research a number of years in Dennis Waitley’s, Empires of the Mind. Waitley reported that although there are approximately 450,000 words in the English language, about 80% of our conversations use only about 400 ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Forgive Or Not To Forgive
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 28, 2012
Forgiveness is the way the Lord releases us from guilt and sets us free to continue loving God and others.
-
Getting Over Your Hang-Ups Series
Contributed by Chris Kelly on Oct 31, 2006
Learn with Esther how to understand and follow the invisible God through the incredible trials and challenges of life.
-
Family Forgiveness Series
Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009
Because everyone has sinned, everyone needs forgiveness. That is especially true within families. How does forgiveness play out in our families?
-
The Power Of Reconciliation Series
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 25, 2011
Unforgiveness and biterness will destroy your relationship with God and others.We must reconcile with God so that we can live the life that God intends for us.
-
Reconciliation?
Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 18, 2010
Jacob Meets Esau. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)
