Sermon Central
-
The Tree Of Hippocrates
Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Feb 23, 2010 (message contributor)
THE TREE OF HIPPOCRATES
In the Greek Islands, one can seek out the home of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. In the area, one can also find an olive tree, supposedly dating from his time. If this is so, this tree would then be some 2400 years old.
The trunk of this tree is very large but completely hollow.
The tree is little more than thick bark. There are a few long, straggling branches, but they are supported by sturdy wooden poles every few feet. It has an occasional leaf here and there and might produce a few olives each year.
In the fields around, however, are olive groves in many directions. The strong, healthy, young trees with narrow trunks are covered with a thick canopy of leaves, under which masses of olives can be found each year.
The tree of Hippocrates can still be called an olive by nature, in that it still shows the essential unique characteristics, but it has long since ceased to fulfill an olive's function.
Tourists file up to inspect this ancient relic, having some link to a dim history, but the job of the olive tree passed long ago to many successions of replanted trees. Do you know any churches (or even people) like the tree of Hippocrates?
The form is there, but the function is not. They have stopped reproducing and are satisfied just being big, or having a noble history.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Movie King Arthur Retells The Legend Of The ... PRO
Contributed by David Ward on Jun 11, 2005
The movie King Arthur retells the legend of the great warrior king who ruled England in the dark ages. Arthur (Clive Owen) is a Christian of Roman origin, but his knights are all pagans who were forced into service at a young age. Arthur has won over their allegiance by his selfless leadership, but ...read more
-
Thank God, Not Everyone Lets The Negatives Of ... PRO
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 19, 2004
Thank God, not everyone lets the negatives of life keep them from accomplishing what God wants them to do. On June 18, 1999 Gary and Gloria Sloan, Southern Baptist missionaries, who had been on the field of Mexico only six months, were enjoying a birthday celebration for their daughter, Carla, ...read more
-
I Don't Believe That Just Because Someone ...
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 19, 2004
I don't believe that just because someone believes something, that that makes it so. But there is something to be said for having a positive attitude; especially when God has made a promise. As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us. People ...read more
-
The Word "Paradise" Is A Persian Word Meaning "A ... PRO
Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Mar 16, 2004
The word "Paradise" is a Persian word meaning "a walled garden". When a Persian king wished to do one of his subjects a very special honour he made him a “companion of the garden” and he was chosen to walk in the royal garden with the king. It was more than immortality that Jesus promised the ...read more
-
The Slum District Of Manila Is Already ...
Contributed by Jesher Mark Santos on Jan 9, 2005
The slum district of Manila is already overcrowded, but a gold rush has made it worse. It all started when 15-year-old Alfredo Gallo, who was combing the riverbed that runs through the Philippine capital, found a chunk of gold. His father immediately sold the nugget for about $500 and bought a ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Hollowness Of Heartless Devotion
Contributed by Dr. Rod Mattoon on Apr 5, 2014
This message deals with the issue of insincere devotion and love for the Lord. It addresses the issue of why believers drift far away from the Lord sometimes. It is one of the messages in the book Treasures from Isaiah, Volume 1 written by Dr.Mattoon
-
Distracted By A Part Time Lover
Contributed by Mcclinton Hall on Jul 13, 2014
The danger of allowing Satan to distract us from the will of God.
-
Goliath’s Brothers Are Coming
Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 27, 2014
When David took down Goliath, he probably thought his fighting giants was over, but Goliath had some brothers who he would yet have to battle. We too have will face more giants. What are 4 giants we all will face?
-
The Heart Of The Matter Series
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Aug 19, 2013
A sermon examining Jesus' teaching about the condition of one's heart.
-
The Elder Brother Series
Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 17, 2009
The elder brother is the one we all dislike and to a certain degree have to identify with him.
