Sermon Central
-
Keep Your Fork PRO
Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007 (message contributor)
KEEP YOUR FORK
The sound of Martha’s voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim’s face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went.
This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words. "Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon? I need to talk with you." "Of course. I’ll be there around 3:00."
As they sat facing each other in the quiet of her small living room, Jim learned the reason for what he sensed in her voice. Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a previously undetected tumor.
"He says I probably have six months to live." Martha’s words were certainly serious, yet there was a definite calm about her. "I’m so sorry to . . . " but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted.
"Don’t be. The Lord has been good. I have lived a long life. I’m ready to go. You know that." "I know," Jim whispered with a reassuring nod.
"But I do want to talk with you about my funeral. I have been thinking about it, and there are things that I know I want."
The two talked quietly for a long time. They talked about Martha’s favorite hymns, the passages of Scripture that had meant so much to her through the years, and the many memories they shared from the five years Jim had been with Central Church.
When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused, looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, "One more thing, preacher. When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork in the other."
"A fork?" Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by surprise. "Why do you want to be buried with a fork?"
"I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I attended through the years," she explained. "I couldn’t begin to count them all. But one thing sticks in my mind. At those really nice get-togethers, when the meal was almost finished, a server or maybe the hostess would come by to collect the dirty dishes. I can hear the words now. Sometimes, at the best ones, somebody...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Large Majority Of Men--Married And Single--Say ...
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005
A large majority of men--married and single--say they wouldn’t have an affair, even if they were certain their loved one would never find out, says a Gallup poll commissioned by Self magazine, in the June (1992) issue. Of 500 men surveyed, 67% of married men and 60% of unmarried men say an affair ...read more
-
What My Mother Taught Me PRO
Contributed by Joel Vicente on Feb 14, 2005
Illustrate Humor: WHAT MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME My mother taught me RELIGION: When I spilled grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me LOGIC: From her decisive words, "Because I said so, that’s why." My mother taught me ...read more
-
Nothing We Have Is Attributable To Our Own ... PRO
Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 31, 2003
"Nothing we have is attributable to our own strengths and talents. People think so. It’s an attitude that was expressed very effectively by James Stewart’s character in the movie, “Shenandoah”. He was the patriarch of a large Southern family, running a very successful plantation when the Civil ...read more
-
Movie: Pay It Forward PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 14, 2004
Video Illustration: Movie Pay It Forward. Clip is from the beginning of the movie were a reporter becomes the recipient of a random act of kindness after his car is smashed at a police domestic scene. The reporter is given a new jaguar by a stranger to replace his old wrecked mustang. He responds ...read more
-
Trate Fact: In 1907 Ana Jarvis, From ... PRO
Contributed by Joel Vicente on Feb 14, 2005
Illustrate Fact: In 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day. Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year ...read more
Related Sermons
-
-
Crucified & Risen
Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 31, 2013
Paul tells us that having received Christ as Savior, he was crucified with Christ. Can you say that? Do you understand what that means? It’s more than just saying “He died for me”. It means so much more to be crucified and risen.
-
In Him, We Live Series
Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 15, 2014
Christ is not just necessary for salvation... If we truly know Who Christ is, then we know that He is necessary for our very existence!
-
The Victory
Contributed by Allan Kircher on Mar 27, 2013
Had He never stooped to the grave, He would have been unable to help us in the supreme experiences of life!
-
The Resurrection Changes Everything
Contributed by David Owens on Apr 2, 2013
In this sermon, we look at four appearances of Jesus after the resurrection that John recorded. We see how the resurrection changed everything in the lives of the disciples.
