Sermon Central
-
What Keeps You From Church?
Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 31, 2008 (message contributor)
WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM CHURCH?
A young woman in China had been invited to a church and had gone just to please her friend. While she was there, she received Jesus Christ and began attending regularly. She did that because she found pure joy in her soul while she was at church. That was the one place in her life she could actually worship in the Lord's very presence.
And since she loved being close to Jesus that much, she wanted her mother to know the same feeling. There were two problems, though. Her mother was an invalid and unable to walk, and they lived 18 miles from church. The daughter wanted to go to church so badly; she was willing to overcome these obstacles. She purchased a basket big enough to put on her back, and she carried her mother all the way to church. They would leave the night before and walk most of the night -- just to attend God's house of prayer and worship. Then they would spend the entire rest of the day walking back home.
And what do Americans do? We tend to let the smallest of reasons keep us from going to church. We are tired from the hard week we just had. We need to understand that God is a restorer, and He will restore our strength. We complain that we just didn't feel that well, but then come Sunday afternoon, we are out and about, enjoying ourselves to the max. I cannot help but wonder if that hurts God as He looks down and sees how we cheated Him out of some time being spent with us.
(Source: from a sermon by Bruce Ball, "My Dream Church" 7/14/08,
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
In 1953 In Grimes Iowa, Violet Cross Was Getting ... PRO
Contributed by Guy Caley on May 25, 2003
In 1953 in Grimes Iowa, Violet Cross was getting sicker by the day. Finally her eldest son Frank insisted she go to the doctor. Eventually they ended up at the large teaching hospital in Iowa City. The diagnosis was devastating. Though Violet had never smoked she was dying of Lung cancer. One ...read more
-
A Cartoon By Joe Mckeever... PRO
Contributed by Aaron Householder on Sep 30, 2004
A cartoon by Joe McKeever... A smiling woman greeting a surprised pastor as she leaves church says, "All my life I heard pastors say they were ...read more
-
Note: I Do Not Show This Clip To Discredit Those ...
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 3, 2004
Note: I do not show this clip to discredit those individuals who are genuine and are sent by God to go around the world and hold revival meetings. Illustration: From the Movie clip from “Leap of Faith” Clip: The one were they put their show of deception on for the first time. He tells them ...read more
-
During The Reign Of Oliver Cromwell, There Was A ... PRO
Contributed by Dixon Olu. David on Apr 26, 2004
During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. Representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the emergency. After one month, the committee returned with its report. “We have searched the empire in vain seeking to ...read more
-
Let Me Tell You About Neroli Endacott. While ...
Contributed by W F on Jun 12, 2005
Let me tell you about Neroli Endacott. While others her age can kick back, relax, shoo the kids out the door, and consider retirement - - 59 year old Neroli (who lives on the Gold Coast in Australia), fills her days being mum to some of that states most "at risk" children. Since 1999 she has cared ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Leaving An Impression
Contributed by Lloyd Grubbs on Sep 10, 2008
Every Christian is leaving their mark on society. Even after were gone our lives will still be making an impact.
-
A Spiritual House - The Building And Purpose
Contributed by Duane Smith on Oct 27, 2008
The goal of this message is to help us understand that God dwells in us and that He has a purpose in the church being a living, vibrant community of believers.
-
Temple Without Walls Series
Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 28, 2009
The holy place of Jesus Christ resides not in any building, cathedral, or historical site, the holy place of Jesus Christ resides in your heart.
-
The Church Series
Contributed by Timothy Gardner on Nov 27, 2012
The word "Church" is so often used out of context. This sermon series helps the church (the people) identify how God defines church buy using seven different analogies found in the Bible. This is the introduction sermon to the series. There are eight serm
-
He's Coming Back Series
Contributed by Connail Johnson on Oct 23, 2012
Some of the most exciting periods of our lives are the times of anticipation. The times when we can't think of anything but what we are expecting to occur. When we are living with an attitude of expectancy our steps begin to quicken & our eyes brighten as
