Sermon Illustrations

I want to conclude with a story that Tony Campolo tells about a time he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. He remembered that before the service, eight men had him kneel so they could place their hands on his head and pray. He was glad to have prayer, but each of them prayed a long time, and the longer they prayed the more they pushed on his head. One of the men didn’t even pray for him, he prayed for a neighbor. He said, "Dear Lord, you know Charlie Stoltzfus. He lives in that silver trailer down the road a mile. You know the trailer, Lord, just down the road on the right-hand side." Tony recalls that he wanted to interrupt and tell him that God already knew where they guy lived and didn’t need directions, but he remained silent & just tried to keep his head upright. The prayer went on: "Lord, Charlie told me this morning he’s going to leave his wife and three kids. Step in and do something, God. Bring that family back together." The prayer time ended & Tony preached. Things went well. After the service as he was headed home he saw a hitchhiker and felt compelled to pick him up. Campolo, said, "We drove a few minutes in silence & then I said: ’Hi, my name’s Tony Campolo. What’s yours?’ He said, ’My name is Charlie Stoltzfus.’ Campolo got off the turnpike at the next exit and headed back. After a few minutes Charlie said, ’Hey mister, where are you taking me?’ He said, ’I’m taking you home.’ He narrowed his eyes & asked, ’Why?’ I said, ’Because you just left your wife & 3 kids, right?’ He was shocked, he had never seen me before. He plastered himself against the car door &...

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