Sermon Central
-
The Old Rugged Cross
Contributed by Brian Harvison on May 29, 2008 (message contributor)
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
In 1913 George Bennard was struggling with a problem that caused him much suffering. His mind went back again and again to Christ’s anguish on the cross. This was the heart of the Gospel!
The cross he pictured was no gold-covered icon. It was a rough, splintery thing, stained with gore. As he studied on the verse Philippians 3:10, Bennard got the theme for a hymn that has become a favorite for many: "The Old Rugged Cross."
Bennard, an evangelist in the Methodist Church was “praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in Christianity.”
Over a period of time he studied more and more about the cross
He prayed and meditated on the cross of Christ until one day he was able to say “I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption.” The theme was so great, it needed a song.
In a room in Albion, Michigan, Bennard sat down and wrote a tune
But the only words that would come were, “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross." He struggled for weeks to set the words to the melody he had written.
Bennard was scheduled to preach a series of messages in New York.
As he found himself focusing on the cross, it became increasingly more urgent to him. He sat down in Albion, Michigan again and this time the words came. “I sat down and immediately was able to rewrite the stanzas of the song without so much as one word failing to fall into place. I called my wife, took out my guitar, and sang the completed song to her. She was thrilled."
On June 7,1913 George Bennard introduced the new hymn in a revival meeting he was conducting in Pokagon, Michigan. "The Old Rugged Cross" soon became one of the top ten most popular hymns of the 20th Century.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
According To The National Highway Traffic Safety ...
Contributed by Bruce Willis on Jan 5, 2007
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 6,390 young people ages 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in the year 2,000? Of them alcohol was involved in 2,339 deaths. And as related to drivers – 3,594 young drivers ages 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2,000 and of ...read more
-
Perhaps You've Heard Of Watchman Nee. Watchman ... PRO
Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Nov 13, 2003
Perhaps you’ve heard of Watchman Nee. Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in 1920 at the age of seventeen and began writing in the same year. Throughout the nearly thirty years of his ministry, Watchman Nee was a unique gift from the Lord to the church. Though imprisoned for his ...read more
-
A 2 A.m. Miracle – Joni Eareckson Tada
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Oct 11, 2004
“A 2 a.m. Miracle” – Joni Eareckson Tada It was 2 a.m. and Ken, my husband was snoring softly beside me, not aware that I was biting my lip to keep from waking him up. The combination of my paralysis with middle-of-the-night insomnia always makes me feel claustrophobic. But this was different. ...read more
-
The Story Is Told Of A Teacher Tells About ... PRO
Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 2, 2004
The story is told of a teacher tells about taking a 2nd grader to the library to help her learn to read. The book she choose for the girl only had pictures. So the teacher sat down with the child and said, "Why don’t you identify the pictures for me?" She started: "That’s a house, that’s a man, ...read more
-
Asking Amiss. Two Boys Were On The Freshman ... PRO
Contributed by Ed Wood on Jul 1, 2004
ASKING AMISS. Two boys were on the freshman debating team in college. The big night of their first debate, they nervously paced up and down their practice room offstage. The debating coach stuck his head in the door to remind them that the debate was only fifteen minutes away. Ages later he said it ...read more
Related Sermons
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
A Wild Life Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 25, 2013
Jesus saved us to live a wild and adventurous life. But how can we do that? We're not apostles like Peter and John were. We don't have their courage and experience. We're just common ordinary folks... or are we?
-
God's Illogical Demand Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 13, 2016
I thought God hated child sacrifice? What is God doing asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son?
-
The Centurion At The Feet Of Jesus Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 11, 2018
The story of this Centurion is listed in 3 of the Gospels because God wants us to see what he saw. What did the centurion see that day, and why did he cry out "Surely this was the Son of God"?
-
Which Cross Is Yours
Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Dec 6, 2016
To preach this message, I showed the "Three Crosses of Golgotha" and named each cross. The title of the message became the altar call.
