Sermon Central
-
Backing Out Of Life's Garage!" Exodus 20:18-21 ... PRO
Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 20, 2005 (message contributor)
“Backing Out of Life’s Garage!” Exodus 20:18-21 Key verse(s): 20:“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning’.”
Graduating from a reel mower to a power mower, was a very big step in my life. I began cutting lawn with my father when I was a pre-teen. In those days it was common for every family to have a good, sturdy reel mower that worked solely on “boy” power. I can still remember ours. It was a Sears mower with green hub caps and bright red blades. I had watched my dad push this many times and felt quite privileged when he asked me to help him. When I was about eight or nine my dad purchased our first power mower. It was a reel mower as well but with this exception, it had an engine and it was self propelled. My dad still let me use the push mower to trim. But now, since he was able to cut the entire lawn in far less time and with far less effort, my duties became somewhat limited.
The day came, however, several years later when my dad decided it was time for me to graduate to the power mower. Since it was self-propelled he thought that an eleven-year-old ought to be able to control it. Although he was a bit concerned about my ability to turn it around after reaching the end of a row, he decided to let me try. But, before he was willing to turn control over to me, he embarked on a safety lesson I shall never forget. Strategically placing me in front of the mower but a safe distance away, he wedged a poplar stick about the size of a young boy’s finger between the blades. “Now watch this!” he summoned. As he turned the engine over and power reached those blades, they strained for but an instant and then snapped the twig with a crack. At that moment I could feel a sympathetic crack in my own index finger. And, of course, that is exactly what my dad had in mind. Needless to say, I developed a very healthy but real fear of that power mower. And, I must admit, it was with some trepidation that I first put my grip on those handle bars, vibrating with the power of those blades as they churned through the grass.
I feared the mower but I loved to mow the grass. That marriage of fear and love served me well throughout my lawn mowing days. The fear kept me from doing foolish things and the love enabled me to serve my father by cutting the grass. Finding a balance between the two is the critical...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
After A Forest Fire In Yellowstone National Park, ... PRO
Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Startled by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. ...read more
-
Rick Warren Writes In "The Purpose Driven Life," ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 30, 2004
Rick Warren writes in “The Purpose Driven Life,” “I have been at the bedside of many people in their final moments, when they stand on the edge of eternity, and I have never heard anyone say, “Bring me my diplomas! I want to look at them one more time. Show me my awards, my medals, that gold watch ...read more
-
September 11th, 2001 Just Past 9:00am, Stanley ... PRO
Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002
September 11th, 2001 just past 9:00am, Stanley Praimnath, Vice President for Fuji Bank, was in his office in the South Tower at WTC when his phone rang. “Are you watching the news?’ asked a woman the Chicago office. “Are you alright?” “I’m fine” he said wondering why she had called. Just then he ...read more
-
Donald Miller Tells This Story In Blue Like Jazz: ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jul 26, 2005
Donald Miller tells this story in Blue like Jazz: Don had gone to hear a folk singer who ended up telling the story of a friend of his who was a Navy SEAL The folksinger said his friend was performing a covert operation, freeing hostages from a building in some dark part of the world. His ...read more
-
Todd Beamer And The Others On Flight 93 Had A ... PRO
Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 10, 2002
Todd Beamer and the others on Flight 93 had a choice to make. Sit by and watch it happen, or take action. You all know what choice they made. After Todd had recited the 23rd Psalm and asked if the other guys were ready, they headed into action with the words, “Let’s roll!”¨ Jesus had the same ...read more
Related Sermons
-
How To Receive Peace
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Oct 9, 2014
Be anxious for No Thing. Do not be anxious even over one thing. That's right not One thing.You can chose to worry. You can choose to be anxious or you can chose to take the alternative, And Give It To God.My yoke is easy .and my burden is light.
-
Be Of Good Courage Series
Contributed by Rich Anderson on Jan 7, 2011
Where do we get our strength? How can God work in our lives? Through Jesus Christ
-
What Voice Are You Listening To? Series
Contributed by Troy Campbell on Mar 15, 2016
We must choose to listen to the right voice. Fear has a voice and Fatih has a voice. Which one are you going to pay the most attention to?
-
It Was Grace That Taught My Heart To Fear
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 16, 2007
John Newton believed that God’s grace taught him to fear. But we’re not supposed to be afraid of anything are we?
-
Fearing Fear
Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 15, 2010
Delivered 1986. Fear is often a self-fulfilling prophecy, based on our image of a vengeful God. But challenging God is faith-filled, and His response is Jesus, who experiences all that we experience.
