Sermon Illustrations

STRANGER THAN FICTION: A TRUE STORY

A young couple from another church came to one of our assistant pastors for counseling about marital problems they started having soon after their wedding. After just a few minutes of interviewing the two, he could see they were miles apart in tastes, ideas, and opinions. "What made the two of you get married?" he asked.

"A sermon our pastor preached on Joshua conquering Jericho."

"What did that have to do with getting married?"

"Well," explained the husband, "Joshua and his army claimed Jericho, marched around it seven times, and the walls fell down. Our pastor told us that if we trusted God, claimed a certain young girl and marched around her seven times, the walls of her heart would collapse, and she would be willing to marry. So I did it, and we got married."

Our assistant pastor stared in disbelief. Was this man putting him on? No, indeed. In fact, several couples in that particular church had gotten married on the same basis after hearing the same sermon. This amazing story illustratates that, first of all, people can become extremely confused on what the Bible means and what to do about it. And second, the interpretation and application of Scripture is crucial to life decisions.

(Source: John MacArthur, How to Get the Most from God's Word. From Chris Jordan's Sermon "Bible Research #4--Step #2 (Interpretation) & Step #3 (Application)")

Related Sermon Illustrations

  • A Speaker In Colorado Was About To Address A ...

    Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 3, 2005
    based on 1 rating
     | 12,368 views

    A speaker in Colorado was about to address a gathering of businessmen and women. Sitting a the head table, he turned to the real estate salesman on his left and said, "So, how are things going for you?" "Terrible," he answered. "Haven¡¯t you heard about the strikes? 80% of the people in this ...read more

  • Dreary Statistics  PRO

    Contributed by Pb Stetser on Jul 6, 2004
    based on 6 ratings
     | 3,613 views

    Dreary Statistics • 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes --U.S. D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census • 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes --Center for Disease Control • 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes ...read more

  • Poem: More Than A Mother  PRO

    Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 14, 2004
    based on 3 ratings
     | 2,670 views

    B. Poem: MORE THAN A MOTHER When God set the world in place, when He hung the stars up in space, when He made the land and the sea, then He made you and me. He sat back and saw all that was good, He saw things to be as they should. Just one more blessing He had in store; He created a ...read more

  • A Woman Went To Her Doctor With A Whole Catalog ...  PRO

    Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 3, 2005
    based on 6 ratings
     | 5,429 views

    A woman went to her doctor with a whole catalog of complaints about her health. He examined her thoroughly and came to the conclusion that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her physically. He was convinced that her problem was due to her negative attitude toward life. She had become filled ...read more

  • Dwight L. Moody Once Told The Fable Of An Eagle ...  PRO

    Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 10, 2004
    based on 3 ratings
     | 4,209 views

    Dwight L. Moody once told the fable of an eagle who was envious of another that could fly better than he could. One day the bird saw a sportsman with a bow and arrow and said to him, “I wish you would bring down that eagle up there.” The man said he would if he had some feathers for his arrow. So ...read more

Related Sermons