Sermon Central
-
Œroger Simms, Hitchhiking His Way Home, Would ...
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 5, 2008 (message contributor)
“Roger Simms, hitchhiking his way home, would never forget the date--May 7. His heavy suitcase made Roger tired. He was anxious to take off his army uniform once and for all. Flashing the hitchhiking sign to the oncoming car, he lost hope when he saw it was a black, sleek, new Cadillac. To his surprise the car stopped. The passenger door opened. He ran toward the car, tossed his suitcase in the back, and thanked the handsome, well-dressed man as he slid into the front seat. "Going home for keeps?" "Sure am," Roger responded. "Well, you’re in luck if you’re going to Chicago." "Not quite that far. Do you live in Chicago?" "I have a business there. My name is Hanover." After talking about many things, Roger, a Christian, felt a compulsion to witness to this fifty-ish, apparently successful businessman about Christ. But he kept putting it off, till he realized he was just thirty minutes from his home. It was now or never. So, Roger cleared his throat, "Mr. Hanover, I would like to talk to you about something very important." He then proceeded to explain the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he would like to receive Christ as his Savior. To Roger’s
astonishment the Cadillac pulled over to the side of the road. Roger thought he was going to be ejected from the car. But the businessman bowed his head and received Christ, then thanked Roger. "This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me."
Five years went by, Roger married, had a two-year-old boy, and a business of his own. Packing his suitcase for a business trip to Chicago, he found the small, white business card Hanover had given him five years before. In Chicago he looked up Hanover Enterprises. A receptionist told him it was impossible to see Mr. Hanover, but he could see Mrs. Hanover. A little confused as to what was going on, he was ushered into a lovely office and found himself facing a keen-eyed woman in her fifties. She extended her hand. "You knew my husband?" Roger told how her husband had given him a ride when hitchhiking home after the war. "Can you tell me when that was?" "It was May 7, five years ago, the day I was discharged from the army." "Anything special about that day?" Roger hesitated. Should he mention giving his witness? Since he had come so far, he might as well take the plunge. "Mrs. Hanover, I explained the gospel. He pulled over to the side of the road and wept against the steering wheel. He gave his life to Christ that day." Explosive sobs shook her body. Getting a grip on herself, she sobbed, "I had prayed for my husband’s salvation for years. I believed God would save him." "And," said Roger, "Where is your husband, Mrs. Hanover?" "He’s dead," she wept, struggling with words. "He was in a car crash after he let you out of the car. He never got home. You see--I thought God had not kept His promise." Sobbing uncontrollably, she added, "I stopped living for God five years ago because I thought He had not kept His word!" [J. Kirk Johnston, Why Christians Sin, Discovery House, 1992, pp. 39-41. www.christianglobe.com/illustrations/prayer]
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Video Clip From The Messenger – ...
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 7, 2005
Illustration: Video clip from The Messenger – Joan of Arc from Videos That Teach 2 Page 108: The Movie France is embroiled in the The Hundred Years War with England, and young Jeanne d’Aragon (milla Jovovich) hears the voice of God telling her to lead the French army into battle and defend ...read more
-
To Accept People Is To Be For Them. It Is To ... PRO
Contributed by Steve Malone on Oct 7, 2004
“To accept people is to be for them. It is to recognize that it is a very good thing that these people are alive, and to long for the best for them. It does not, of course mean to approve of everything they do. It means to continue to want what is best for their souls no matter what they do.” AND ...read more
-
Thomas Andrew Dorsey Was A Black Jazz Musician ... PRO
Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004
Thomas Andrew Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta. In the twenties he gained a certain amount of notoriety as the composer of jazz tunes with suggestive lyrics, but he gave all that up in 1926 to concentrate exclusively on spiritual music. "Peace in the Valley" is one of his best known ...read more
-
I Remember When I Saw A Program Showing How They ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 20, 2005
I remember when I saw a program showing how they used to film Gunsmoke, one of my favorite TV shows as a kid. I learned that Dodge City was really just a place in the middle of nowhere not even close to the real one. There was no Longbranch Saloon, no stores or jail, it was all front with ...read more
-
All Of The Star Wars Movies Center Around The ...
Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 19, 2005
All of the Star Wars movies center around the life of one main character, Anakin Skywalker. Episode three tells the story of the demise of Anakin Skywalker. Anakin is one of the greatest heroes of the Jedi order but he allows his personal desires and wants to cloud his decisions. Slowly he begins ...read more
Related Sermons
-
No Other Name Like The Name Of Jesus
Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 14, 2012
In this sermon outline we lift up the Name of Jesus. To be perfect in all we do we should be able to do so in His Name. If we cannot do something in His Name, most likely we should not do it. Colossians 3:17 (KJV) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do
-
Sermon For Graduates
Contributed by Bobby Stults on May 28, 2013
The nation of Israel was facing the unknown in exile in a foreign land, they needed to know God was there. Jeremiah gave them a message that brought comfort...
-
When Dreams Come True Series
Contributed by Mark Opperman on Apr 27, 2010
Our greatest dreams will come true when we get close to God and give our hearts completely to Him. How to get prayers answered and how not to.
-
Jabez: Overcoming The Significance Of A Sorrowful Name
Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Aug 7, 2011
Jabez' mother named him 'Sorrow,' but the LORD kept this man of prayer from experiencing it. We ought to pray faithfully to God, asking Him to help us in any weighty task and to bring about what is dear to our hearts and according to His will.
-
A Request For Prayer Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 11, 2013
Paul needed prayer. He asked his readers to pray for him. God delights to hear the prayers of His people on behalf of others, especially pastors and missionaries.
