Sermon Central
-
On December 11, 2005 Tony Dungy, ...
Contributed by Timothy Finch on Mar 6, 2006 (message contributor)
Illustration: On December 11, 2005 Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was asked about his plans for the remainder of the regular season. His team had just won it’s 13th game in a row to start the season and had clinched its division and home field advantage throughout the playoff, by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville.
The challenge was play your starters and risk injury, leading to scrutiny by the media if something did happen. Or, give then some time off to both protect them from injury and give them time to recover in time for the playoffs. This had its pitfalls as well as a break in continuity (especially the offense) could cost them a game and a shot at the Superbowl.
Tony Dungy, a born again believer, told the media that he would have to pray about it and then make a decision. Overnight he was ridiculed by the national media. ESPN’s Dan Patrick went as far as to say that God has more important things to do than to discuss football strategy with Tony Dungy!
On December 22, 2005, just three days before Christmas the world awoke to the news that Tony’s eldest son, James, who was 18 years-old, was dead. In short order we discovered that he had taken his own life by hanging. And what would Tony’s response to this tragedy? Grace... He once again used his faith to determine the decisions he would make. The result? The one who should have been ministered to was ministering to others. He thanked the people who came and then explained that James had placed his faith in Christ and that one day Tony and his wife and family would again see his son: alive!
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
During His Reign, King Frederick William Iii Of ... PRO
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 8, 2003
During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in trouble. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. He couldn’t disappoint his people, and to capitulate to the enemy was unthinkable. After careful reflection, he decided to ...read more
-
A Man Who Had Hitchhiked From Coast To Coast And ... PRO
Contributed by R. Darrel Davis on Sep 17, 2004
A man who had hitchhiked from coast to coast and had walked many miles in the process was asked what he had found the most difficult to endure. To the surprise of his questioner it was not the steep mountains or the dazzling sun or the scorching desert heat that had troubled him, but, in the words ...read more
-
Jerry Rice Works Day In And Day Out To Prepare ... PRO
Contributed by Kent Lenard on Aug 31, 2003
Jerry Rice works day in and day out to prepare for football unlike any other player in the NFL. The story of his ability to push himself started when he was in high school. The Coach of B.L. Moor High School, Charles Davis, had his players run twenty times up a forty-yard hill. On a particularly ...read more
-
Webster's Dictionary Tells Me That - Commit Means ...
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 21, 2003
Webster’s Dictionary tells me that - Commit means to entrust, to give charge, to perform, to pledge. In my search for the definition of Commit I actually looked at one dictionary which did not even have ...read more
-
Model Building Class PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 21, 2003
Illustration of my Model Building Class. I had an interesting week this week teaching a model building class. I had a bunch of students ranging in age from 9-13. I became a little frustrated with some of them this week when they refused to follow directions and as a result they where always ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Faith In Every Season Of Life Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 8, 2017
The natural seasons are winter, spring, summer and autumn; there are also spiritual seasons in our lives. What spiritual season are you experiencing now? Are you trusting God to help you in the season you are in?
-
You Have Not Passed This Way Before
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017
Are you ready for the new season God has for you? In Joshua 3 an event was about to happen that would change their lives forever. How would they walk through that transition successfully?
-
Living By The Word Of God
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017
Trends in America toward less regard for the authority of Scripture are alarming. This message addresses that problem and sets forth four ways Christians should relate to the Bible.
-
You Got To Believe That God Can Work In Your Circumstances Series
Contributed by Charles Jones on Jun 26, 2012
When you look at your difficulty sometimes it has the ability to throw you off course and make you forget about the Power of God.
-
You Gone Have To Work Your Faith
Contributed by Charles Jones on Dec 7, 2012
Belief in the existence of God is absolutely foundational not only to an understanding of the Bible but also to life itself. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that he who comes to God must believe that He is, that He exists and that He is a rewarded of them that di
