Sermon Central
-
An Atheist In ...
Contributed by Sermon Central on May 26, 2010 (message contributor)
An Atheist in Battle
What the people in Gilead did in Judges 11:7 to Jephthah is what our nation has done to God. We only turn to Him when in distress.
During the Korean War an atheist soldier was in a foxhole and bullets were flying above him. Some of his comrades were fallen in the field nearby, and were not dead. His Commanding Officer ordered him to leave his foxhole and rescue some of his comrades. When his CO turned his back he hunkered down and looked at his watch. 2 others in the foxhole watched and wondered why he wasn’t obeying. A few minutes later the CO returned and said, "Hey boy, didn’t I tell you to get out of this hole and help your fellow soldiers?" "Yes sir, will do!" The CO walked away, and he again hunkered down and looked at his watch. His buddies in the hole wondered if he was sick or afraid or what. The 3rd time his CO appeared again, this time livid, and repeated his command along with the threat of punishment if not followed. The soldier apologized, and acted like he was leaving the foxhole as his CO moved along to others. But again he looked at his watch for about 2 minutes. Then, like a bolt of lightning he fired out of that foxhole and went out where the battle was raging and by the time it was over he had successfully rescued several of his fallen comrades.
When it was all over one of his buddies asked, "I noticed that you waited so long to obey that command, and kept looking at your watch. Why?" The young atheist said, "I’m ashamed to tell you why. I don’t believe in God, but my mother does, and the day I left she gave me a Bible and inside she wrote down several different hours at which she would be praying for me. I was waiting for one of those hours to strike, because I knew that under the cover of my mother’s prayers, whatever happened would be ok."
That big strapping soldier, armed to the teeth, claiming he didn’t believe until he was in danger - he is a microcosm of what is happening in America today.
From a sermon by Jerry Shirley, Jephthah for President, 3/5/2010
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Quality Of A Man's Life Is In Direct ...
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004
"The quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field or endeavor.... I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour -- his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear -- is that moment when he has worked his heart ...read more
-
In The Book The God Chasers, Tommy Tenney ...
Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 15, 2005
In the book The God Chasers, Tommy Tenney writes, "I don’t know about you, but I am tired of just being ‘another somebody’ to the lost around me. I have made a decision. I made up my mind and set my heart to declare, ‘I am going to pursue the presence of God in my life. I am going to get so close ...read more
-
Ignorance Is Bliss! Maybe I Should Say Innocence ...
Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004
Ignorance is bliss! Maybe I should say innocence is bliss. A world of rich possibilities and dreams carry many young people from high school graduation to attend college and eventually a career. These innocent minds leave home and if they aren’t already, they are seduced into allowing their ...read more
-
Once There Was This Man Who Was The "Picture ... PRO
Contributed by Andrew Chan on Feb 5, 2004
Once there was this man who was the "picture perfect Christian". Tithes, attendance, participation in activities you name it, he was it! One day as he was praying, he asked the Lord, "Lord I wonder if I have been an obedient enough child that I might ask one favor when I die?" Well the Lord ...read more
-
10. Is It Really Possible To Introduce ... PRO
Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 15, 2005
10. Is it really possible to introduce pyrotechnics gradually? 9. Do rhinestones and choir gowns ever make a positive statement? 8. Never enlist a Worship Leader with a Marilyn Manson tattoo! 7. While drums can be a welcome addition to any worship service, is it really necessary to have ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Childlike Prayer Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 28, 2016
A lot of people think if they just had the right "formula" for praying that God would hear them. But that's not true. God's not impressed with your form, He's impressed with your childlike faith in prayer. So, how can I have that kind of faith in prayer?
-
If Jesus Is God, Why Did Jesus Need To Pray? Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 6, 2016
The Gospels record 17 specific occasions when Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed at different times of the day. He prayed in different places. Sometimes He prayed on His own, and sometimes when His Disciples were with Him.
-
Power Through Prayer
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Aug 22, 2016
Church, we need to be able to get a hold of the Lord. We need that as individuals and we need that as a church. The only way that will ever happen is for us to come together like the early church and make seeking God our priority
-
The God Who Is Gooder Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 24, 2017
There are people in this world that hate God. And they don't believe that God is good - they believe He is evil and unworthy of our praise. But is God good? And what does that mean to us?
-
The Crutch Series
Contributed by John Sears on Nov 21, 2013
Is Christianity a crutch for the weak minded and naive? How should Christians respond to the criticism?
