-
Years Ago A Young Black Child Was Growing Up In ...
Contributed by Rev. Richard Norman on Oct 6, 2009 (message contributor)
Years ago a young black child was growing up in Cleveland, in a home which he later described as “ materially poor but spiritually rich.”
One day a famous athlete, Charlie Paddock, came to his school to speak to
the students. At the time Paddock was considered “ the fastest human being alive”. He told the children, "Listen! What do you want to be? You name it and then believe that God will help you be it." That little boy decided that he too wanted to be the fastest human being on earth.
The boy went to a track coach and told him of his new dream. His coach told him, "it’s great to have a dream, but to retain your dream you must build a ladder too. Here is the ladder to your dreams. The first-rung determination! The second rung is dedication! The third rung is disciplined! And the fourth rung is attitude!"
The results of all that motivation is that he went on to win four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He won the 100-meter-and broke the Olympic world records for the 200 m. His broad jump record lasted
for 24 years. His name? Jesse Owens.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Mother — Whose Life Was Not Wasted PRO
Contributed by John Gerald on May 5, 2005
A MOTHER - WHOSE LIFE WAS NOT WASTED Ian McClaren tells about visiting an old Scotch lady who was standing in her kitchen weeping. She wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron, and when the minister asked her what was the matter, she confessed; "I am so miserable and ...read more
-
Six Hundred Students At A University Were Asked ...
Contributed by John Gerald on May 5, 2005
"Six hundred students at a university were asked to write on a piece of paper the most beautiful word in the English language. 422 wrote the ...read more
-
In A Peanuts Cartoon Lucy Demanded That Linus ...
Contributed by Steven Dow on Sep 18, 2002
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn’t. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asks Linus. “These five fingers,” says Lucy. “Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into ...read more
-
As Disciples Of Jesus, We Are To Become By The ... PRO
Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Nov 27, 2004
As disciples of Jesus, we are to become by the Holy Spirit like our Master as He Himself tells us in Matthew 10:25, “It is enough for the student to be like His Teacher, and the servant like His master.” By the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, may we this Advent become more like Jesus who ...read more
-
All In Tune PRO
Contributed by Steven Dow on Sep 18, 2002
ALL IN TUNE “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all turned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Wrestling Sermon
Contributed by Kelly Benton on Jan 23, 2013
To share with the listener how the sport of wrestling is much like our Christian life.
-
Super Bowl Zero
Contributed by James May on Feb 4, 2007
This message was preached on Super Bowl Sunday and emphasizes the fact that there is a much greater contest going on in the realm of the Spirit.
-
The Gift Of His Peace Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 30, 2012
Jesus said He offered a different peace than the world did. But what kind of peace does the world offer us and how is what Jesus gives better than that?
-
A Teacher's Heart Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 21, 2015
How does the gift of teaching help the church? And does that mean that if we don't have this gift that we don't have to teach?
-
The Devil Exposed Series
Contributed by Chris Appleby on May 12, 2012
The Devil is real and we can expect to encounter him if we're followers of Jesus.