Sermon Central
-
A Lesson Of Grace From A Can Of Soda
Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 29, 2009 (message contributor)
A LESSON OF GRACE FROM A CAN OF SODA
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Corinth. "For God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might be righteous, holy and forgiven in God's sight." In the world of psychology this is called "transference." God transferred to Jesus all of our sins, the commandments we have broken and transferred to us all of His righteousness. It is a free gift... it is called grace.
Johnny Miller, who served as President of Columbia Bible College 1900-1999 in Columbia, South Carolina tells this story to help us understand the gravity of our sin, which separates us from God. He writes:
"I gained insight into the grace of God from a $.25 cent can of soda. I think it has made me a better servant of God. My son and I were in Atlanta, Georgia, for the play-offs between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals. A sign prohibited bringing food into the stadium, but I had lugged a bag with me. I rationalized that on my salary I couldn't be expected to spend over a dollar for what I could buy for a quarter. I was fortunate to be someone's guest at the game. Furthermore, it would be a waste to throw away food. So I slid through the gate with my bag at my side, and was relieved when the gatekeeper either didn't see or didn't care.
In the third inning I popped open a can of soda and was washing down some nuts when it struck me: "I was a criminal." If an user saw me, we could be thrown out. What a humiliating headline; Bible College Professor ejected!
Then I realized something worse: "I was a sinner." To save 75 cents I had risked my honor, my integrity, and that of my Lord and my witness to my host.
You might think that I had an overactive conscience. The crime, the sin seems so trivial. But that, is what makes it all the worse; That I would sell out so cheaply. (My heart was not right.)
How could I make it up? Get arrested? Pay the fine? I seem stuck with unrelieved guilt. What can I do, God? (Isn't that the quest of every human being? What can I do?
Nothing! Grace! Jesus paid for this one too. Such a high price for such a cheap sin!
(From a sermon by Clarence Eisberg, The All-Sufficient Grace of God, 10/29/2009)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Man Wanted To See Buckingham Palace. His Guide ... PRO
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Aug 25, 2005
A man wanted to see Buckingham Palace. His guide took him to the gate. “Oh, I don’t mean here. I want inside.” “I’m sorry sir,” replied the guide, “I don’t have ...read more
-
A Woman Decided To Have Her Portrait Painted. She ... PRO
Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005
A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex." "But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied. "I know," she said. "It’s in case I should die before my husband. ...read more
-
Road Rage
Contributed by Tom Burkholder on Sep 2, 2005
Illustration: “Road Rage” By Dan Betzer It happened just a couple of blocks from my study yesterday afternoon; it was about 4 o’clock with rush hour traffic. Iti our burgeoning county, it sometimes seems like every car on earth is in my lane. A young fellow kept weaving in and out of traffic, ...read more
-
Terry Bowland In His Book Make Disciples – ...
Contributed by Mark Engler on Oct 12, 2005
Terry Bowland in his book Make Disciples – Reaching The Postmodern World for Christ writes this: “Many today balk at the teaching of the church. ‘Do you mean to say,” they ask, ‘that all those outside the church have no hope whatsoever? What about all the sincere folks who never come to Christ? ...read more
-
A.fools Are Defined By Holman's Bible Dictionary ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 8, 2005
a.Fools are defined by Holman’s Bible Dictionary as: FOOL, FOOLISHNESS, AND FOLLY Translations of several uncomplimentary words which appear approximately 360 times throughout the Old and New Testaments to describe unwise and ungodly people. The words are especially predominant in the Wisdom ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Power Of Obedience
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017
Obedience is inherit in the relationship of man (as a created being) with God, the Creator. The New Covenant does not do away with the need for obedience to God. In fact, it supply the strength to live that way. Heaven will be a place of obedience to God.
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
The Power Of Forgiveness
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Oct 30, 2021
God forgives us our sins, and He commands us to always forgive those that offend us in any way of the other. When we do, we have a lot of blessings to enjoy.
-
Hope In A Covenant Of Faith Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 18, 2018
A Covenant of Faith and a man named Abraham. Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
-
A Better Tomorrow
Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on May 24, 2015
When you sit, eat, fellowship and walk closely with the King of Glory, increase is guaranteed; the kind of testimony you can’t even ask or imagine will be given you and your tomorrow will certainly be better than your today..
