Sermon Central
-
In Robert J. Morgan’s Book, The Promise, He ...
Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jan 9, 2010 (message contributor)
In Robert J. Morgan’s book, The Promise, he tells the story of John Peterson. When John was a teenager he had a remarkable singing voice and was in high demand as a performer. His greatest ambition was to become a famous vocalist. “Only in singing did I feel competent and confident,” he wrote. “Here was at least one place where I could excel. I knew it, and I made the most of it.”
John became known as “the singing farm boy.” Local radio programs were featuring him and his future as a singer was bright. Then, one summer he found a job in a factory, working at a machine that made canvas wheat binders. It was a noisy factory, and John’s machine was especially loud. He couldn’t hear anything else; he could barely hear himself think. So he spent the whole day singing at the top of his lungs as he worked—all day, every day.
Too late, he realized that he was abusing and ruining his vocal cords. There was nothing the doctors or speech therapists could do. “I put such a strain on my faltering voice through overuse and inexperience,” he wrote, “that I damaged it beyond repair. When I realized fully what had happened, that my voice would never again be beautiful, I suffered such an emotional shock that it took months before I recovered. Singing, I had the power to thrill people, and suddenly it was all gone.” He was heartbroken.
However, John’s inability to sing forced him to pursue other talents that he had been neglecting. Peterson later wrote, “With my voice damaged, I turned more and more to writing and that talent was allowed to emerge and develop. What at first seemed like a tragedy was used for good, and the course of my life began to take shape in a quite unexpected way.” For those of you who may not recognize the name, John Peterson went on to give us such wonderful hymns as “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul,” and “Surely Goodness and Mercy.”
I tell you that story to tell you this:
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 HCSB).
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Bill Broadhurst Was A Great Runner And He Entered ... PRO
Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 26, 2005
Bill Broadhurst was a great runner and he entered a 10k race in Omahu, a race that Bill Rodgers would win in less than 30 minutes. Bill Broadhurst had a handicap, he was paralyzed on his entire left side from an aneurism early in life. But he still loved to run and for him to be in the same race ...read more
-
The Covenant Of Faithfulness PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002
THE COVENANT OF FAITHFULNESS In modern times we define a host of relations by contracts. These are usually for goods or services and for hard cash. The contract, formal or informal, helps to specify failure in these relationships. The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with ...read more
-
The Old Man And The Gulls PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002
THE OLD MAN AND THE GULLS It is gratitude that prompted an old man to visit an old broken pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida. Every Friday night, until his death in 1973, he would return, walking slowly and slightly stooped with a large bucket of shrimp. The sea gulls would flock to this ...read more
-
Seared Conscience, Citation: J. Douglas Burford, ... PRO
Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Oct 25, 2002
[Seared Conscience, Citation: J. Douglas Burford, Mission, Kansas] During my college years—in my infinite wisdom—it occurred to me that it made no sense to stop at red traffic lights when there was clearly no traffic around. So I began to stop only briefly—just long enough to ...read more
-
In His Book, None Of These Diseases, Dr. S.i. ... PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002
In his book, None of These Diseases, Dr. S.I. McMillan says, "Medical science recognizes that emotions such as fear, sorrow, envy, resentment and hatred are responsible for the majority of our sicknesses. Estimates vary from 60 to 100 percent." One patient was told by his ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Plans To Prosper You Series
Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 2, 2017
God will not always do what we desire but He will always do what He decides.
-
Choices Have Consequences Series
Contributed by David Owens on May 29, 2012
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians with praise, promises and prayer. The promises included the fact that the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished.
-
The Birth Of John The Baptist Series
Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 21, 2012
In today's lesson we learn how God fulfills his promise.
-
The Possession For Victory (2 Of 9) Series
Contributed by James O. Davis on Nov 8, 2011
The Book of Joshua was written to show us victory is possible by practicing the specific principles.
-
Going Where We Have Never Gone Before
Contributed by James May on Dec 31, 2017
A sermon for a new beginning for the church, or a step into a new spiritual depth and walk with Christ
