-
Bondage — It's All In The Mind!
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Apr 19, 2005 (message contributor)
Bondage ~ It’s all in the mind!
Harry Houdini had a problem. The famed escaped artist found himself in a jail cell that he couldn’t get out of. His mind began to wander back to the challenge he made…any jail cell, he claimed, couldn’t hold him, that is until now.
Thirty minutes had gone by since the heavy, metal doors swung shut behind him. After an hour, he was still working with the concealed piece of metal that he had hidden in his belt. Bathed in sweat and panting in exasperation, he could not get the tumblers to move. There was something different about this lock. Something he had never experienced before.
Finally, after laboring for two hours, Houdini collapsed to the floor in frustration and failure. He couldn’t figure it out! He had never been beaten before! All he could do is wait for his ultimate embarrassment. He hung his head in shame.
But as he did something miraculous happened. When he hung his head, he instinctively leaned against the heavy, metal door…and it swung open. The door was never locked, just closed. The door had been open the whole time.
For Houdini, his mind overruled the physical. His mind was locked, and that was all it took to keep him from opening the door and walking out of that jail cell.
From that point on, Houdini always checked the door first. (Illustrations Unlimited)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
An American Missionary Was Traveling Across Korea ... PRO
Contributed by George Rennau on Aug 25, 2003
An American missionary was traveling across Korea by train. At a busy station an old man boarded and sat across from Him. The man was Korean and he addressed the American in his native tongue. The Missionary responded in the only Korean phrase that he knew which was "I DON’T UNDERSTAND". A ...read more
-
The Bible Tells The Story Of Absalom. He Was ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 28, 2005
The Bible tells the story of Absalom. He was the son of King David — Israel’s greatest king. Through a series of circumstances, Absalom began to despise his father and made plans to become king in his father’s place. He surreptitiously sowed seeds of division and rebellion in his father’s ...read more
-
Jim Cymbala Stated This About Unlocking God's ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 9, 2005
Jim Cymbala stated this about unlocking God’s blessing from his book Break Through Prayer: According to Scripture, God’s blessing can rest on both men and women, because with God there is no gender bias. His blessing can rest on a family, a child, or even unborn offspring. It can prosper a local ...read more
-
The Political Convention Was In Chaos. Each ... PRO
Contributed by George Rennau on Aug 25, 2003
The political convention was in chaos. Each delegation wanted something different. Some favored states rights, others wanted a stronger central government. Larger states wanted greater representation, and small states wanted an equal voice. Debate dragged on and on. Finally the committee ...read more
-
Whenever I'm Tempted To Whine About The Demands ...
Contributed by Curtis Deming on Apr 16, 2005
Whenever I’m tempted to whine about the demands of leadership, I think of the story of Timothy. He had just heard Paul deliver the report of the Jerusalem Council that circumcision was unnecessary for Gentile converts. Yet Paul circumcised Timothy to avoid offending the Jews in the area. Timothy ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Almost Drowned By Life’s Distractions
Contributed by Spencer Miller on Apr 27, 2013
One of the worst and most serious of all life’s distractions is our fears which may momentarily cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus.
-
Persecution - Are My Hands Clean? Series
Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Sep 9, 2007
What comes to your mind when you think of persecution? What are some of the thoughts and images? What are some of the actions and deeds?
-
Where Ravens Fly
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Dec 4, 2010
Using experiences from the life of Elijah the prophet, this message seeks to show that the ravens of God’s provision fly in the worst of conditions, and the direst of circumstances.
-
When Life Isn't Fair Series
Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 1, 2011
When life is unfair, put your faith in the Lord; be faithful to Him; and if things get worse, keep your faith in the Lord. Don’t stop trusting the One, the only One, who is absolutely trustworthy.
-
Dragon Slayer
Contributed by Doane Brubaker on Jun 29, 2007
Jesus has the authority, power and desire to help us overcome the problems that overwhelm us.