-
It's Not Worth It To Soldier ...
Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2009 (message contributor)
IT’S NOT WORTH IT TO SOLDIER ON
Every year, 100s of Civil war buffs get together and put on mock battles. They form military regiments modeled after the armed forces of that by-gone era and have artillery and cavalry units as well as foot soldiers. And they all don uniforms that soldiers of the North and South would have worn back then.
A couple of years ago, one such group was replaying the Battle of Hanover (it’s a town that influenced the outcome of the Battle of nearby Gettysburg). The southern forces under General J.E.B. Stuart had attacked a Federal cavalry unit driving it back through the streets of Hanover. But Union reinforcements arrived just in the nick of time and Stuart driven back, and was nearly captured.
Well, during the reenactment, it was a hot sweltering day. The civil war buffs are sweating as they maneuvered into position for their battle, facing delays and the usual frustrates involved in setting up such a display. However, one of the "Rebels" got so tired and hot and frustrated that he literally threw in the towel and headed for the refreshment tent. As he tugged off his wool uniform he was heard to grumble: "I quit. We’re not going to win anyway."
And, of course -- he was right! At best, the Battle of Hanover was a draw, but it contributed Confederate loss at Gettysburg.
So here was this civil war buff -- who knows HOW everything is going to turn out. He’s tired, he’s hot, and discouraged. He KNOWS his side isn’t going to win anyway... so he quits.
APPLY: And you know - that’s why many people quit. They just know they’re going to lose (whatever struggle it is they’re facing). They’ve give up hope. They’ve gotten discouraged. It’s not worth it to soldier on, and so they throw in the towel and walk away.
(From a sermon by Jeff Strite, "Til Death Do Us Part" 2/15/2009)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Don't Quit! Don't Quit! PRO
Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 8, 2005
DON’T QUIT! DON’T QUIT! Many years ago I was visiting a lady named Deanna in the resthome, she had a copy of this little poem, I borrowed it and made a copy. I ask you to ponder these words: DON’T QUIT (author unknown) When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re ...read more
-
High Opinion, Our Daily Bread, ... PRO
Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 16, 2004
ILLUSTRATION... High Opinion, Our Daily Bread, July 3, 1989 A man who had a high opinion of himself stepped on a coin-operated scale that dispensed a card, giving his weight and comments about his personality. After reading the card, he handed it to his wife and said, “Here, look at this!” She ...read more
-
Win Arn, A Leading Church Consultant Conducted A ... PRO
Contributed by Martin Kim on Oct 5, 2004
Win Arn, a leading church consultant conducted a survey: He surveyed members of nearly a thousand churches asking the question, “Why does the church exit?? The results? Of the church members surveyed, 89 percent said, “The church’s purpose is to take care of my family’s and my needs.? For many, ...read more
-
Several Years Ago, I Read Patrick Morley's Book ... PRO
Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 7, 2004
Several years ago, I read Patrick Morley’s book “Walking with Christ in the Details of Life.” It is a book of meditations that includes one called “Revival: The Gospel of Addition.” In it, he said the following, “The American gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction. It is ...read more
-
Are We Really Who We Say We Are? PRO
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Aug 9, 2004
“Are We Really Who We Say We Are?” It was a typical night on the streets of Lansing. As the bars began to open and the nightlife found its pulse again, the little storefront building, which held The Lansing Street Ministry – The Harvest House, was just beginning its evening ministry. The ...read more
Related Sermons
-
When Everything Falls Apart
Contributed by Chris Mcmillan on Jul 28, 2014
What do you do when everything in your world falls apart?
-
Midnight
Contributed by Gregory J Brice on Jul 22, 2013
How God changes our gloomy outlooks on life into bright, sun shining days.
-
Making The Best Of A Bad Situation
Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014
God takes the disadvantages of our dead ends and uses them as an opportunity to propel His plan into the spectrum of His greater glory and our greater good, as seen in the discourse between the disciples and Christ prior to His ascension.
-
Why Is God Shaking Up Our World?
Contributed by Steve Mays on Aug 20, 2014
Has God been shaking you? Are you afraid of what you see? Do you have an answer?
-
Mutual Prayer For Difficult Times
Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Jan 22, 2014
"Mutual Prayer for Difficult Times" is an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. There is a powerful dynamic that works when pastor and people pray for one another, when saints pray for one another.