-
Story: Perhaps I Can Explain It Better By Telling ...
Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 4, 2005 (message contributor)
Story: Perhaps I can explain it better by telling you as story that the famous Canadian 20th Century Pentecostal missionary, Jonathan Goforth, used to tell.
When Jonathan was 16 and still living at home with his parents, his father bought a second farm. He asked Jonathan to look after a huge field on that farm and get it ready for harvest.
Jonathan loved his father and wanted to please him. So he ploughed and weeded the field. He tilled it, bought the best grain and planted it in the field.
When the field was ready for harvest, Jonathan brought his father over to inspect it.
Jonathan’s father came and stood on a small hill overlooking the field and said nothing.
He simply surveyed the field to see if he could find weeds.
When he found nothing, Jonathan’s father simply smiled.
Jonathan Goforth used to say: "It was the smile on my father’s face that was all the reward I needed. So it is with our heavenly father when we do what he commands us to do."
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Command Came, "On Your Mark, Get Set," And ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
The command came, "On your mark, get set," and then the pistol cracked and the race was on. A fine athlete sprang to the lead, and when the race was over he had broke the state record. Only a few other runners even finished the race. Many dropped out when they saw they could not win. As the field ...read more
-
There Is An Enlightening Japanese Legend Of A ...
Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Jun 7, 2005
There is an enlightening Japanese legend of a stonecutter named Hasnu. While carving a stone one day he grew miserably weary, and in his weariness began to wish for easier work, and more money. Seeing the king ride by on his horse, he thought he would like to be king. At once his wish was ...read more
-
In His Book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
In his book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max Lucado tells the story of John Egglen, who had never preached a sermon in his life before the Sunday morning when it snowed and the pastor wasn’t able to make it to the church. In fact, he was the only deacon to show up. He was not a preacher, but he ...read more
-
Peter Drucker Offers Insightful Guidance To The ... PRO
Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000
Peter Drucker offers insightful guidance to the church when he calls leadership a peak performance by one who is "the trumpet that sounds a clear sound of the organizations’ goals." His five requirements for this task are amazingly reliable and useful for those who dare to lead churches: (1) a ...read more
-
The New Preacher, Fresh Out Of College, Had Just ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 7, 2005
The new preacher, fresh out of college, had just moved into town. He was nervous but excited about all of the opportunities. After a few days, a nurse at the hospital called and said that he needed to come and visit Mabel. He had never met Mabel but she was a member of the church. On the way to ...read more
Related Sermons
-
What Is Good About Friday? An Easter Message Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 1, 2016
Have you ever wondered what is good about Good Friday? What is good about a day that exists to commemorate the torture and execution of Jesus on a cross?
-
Contagious Christianity
Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 12, 2008
It is genuine Christianity which turned the world upside down and it is genuine Christ-like love which transforms lives.
-
When A Little Guy Meets A Big God
Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 6, 2016
Jesus reaches out to the smallest and the evilest among us with a very personal invitation. He calls us by name. He invites himself over. He desires nothing less than a radically changed life, submitted to him, and all for our good!
-
We Are More Than Conquerors
Contributed by Timm Meyer on Feb 12, 2008
Lent 1 (B) - We are more than conquerors. Nothing can stand against the believer. Nothing can separate from God’s love.
-
Caught In The Act Series
Contributed by Seth Lawson on Jan 22, 2018
Examining this event from Jesus' life and ministry in John 8, we can learn to live as he lived and love as he loved ... no condemnation, no compromise, full of compassion.