-
Is It Worth It?
Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Jul 1, 2011 (message contributor)
IS IT WORTH IT?
I see a young soldier, he looks barely 18 to me, he has got fear in his eyes, but he has one goal... to get glory and honour... I see him, going through his training, a hard routine, 20 press-ups followed by 30 crunches, then an hour jogging, and then more push-ups, by the end of the day, he is completely worn out. But it’s all for the prize at the end of his career.
Then I look at this soldier a couple years later... he is fighting in Afghanistan, against a foe which he has been taught to hate... he’s never seen any Afghans but he, nevertheless, believes they are evil. Then I see him doing one great act of bravery, running into a group of Afghan soldiers with nothing but his stone heart and his gun, he is shot, but not before he is able to take a few enemies down. As he lies there bleeding to death on the battle field, he thinks to himself that he has done that great brave deed which will finally bring him that honour which he so much deserves, and then he thinks of his family and friends at home, and how proud they are going to be of him... and while thinking these thoughts, he breathes his last expiring breath, and he leaves this world never to return.
The soldier gets his glory in the end, his medals are sent to his grieving family, but he is not alive to see how proud they really are of him... That soldier did a grand thing, greatly to be admired and so rare in these times... but was this great sacrifice really worth it for the glory?
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Don't Move The Piano PRO
Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 10, 2007
A new preacher at the local church walked into the auditorium of His new church. He thought it would be best to move the piano from the right side of the stage to the left side of the stage, so he moved it. Soon after he was fired for the disruption caused by ...read more
-
J. I. Packer Wrote, "The Church Is Not To Be ... PRO
Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 7, 2005
J. I. Packer wrote, “The church is not to be like a bus, where passengers sit quietly and let someone else do the driving, but ...read more
-
No More Players
Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 10, 2007
Being a kid on the 6th grade playground, I remember the awful experience of running to the ball field at recess only to hear those awful words shouted just before I joined in the game…”No more players!” How many games I had to sit and watch because the kids ...read more
-
James Duncan, Preaching With Great Unction And ... PRO
Contributed by Scott Malone on Mar 1, 2005
James Duncan, preaching with great unction and power, was asked what was the secret of such powerful preaching. "The secret," he said, was "thirteen hours of consecutive prayer." When asked the secret of his spiritual power, Charles Spurgeon said: "Knee work! Knee work!" Livingston of Shotts, on ...read more
-
The Lewis Awakening 1949-53 PRO
Contributed by Scott Malone on Mar 1, 2005
THE LEWIS AWAKENING 1949-53 1. In 1949, on Lewis, one of the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland, two sisters became burdened with the spiritual coldness of their land. One sister was 82. The other was 84 and blind. 2. They devoted themselves to prayer and “waiting on God”. ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Something New In My Life Series
Contributed by Shine Thomas on Dec 20, 2023
Do you feel your life is just getting nowhere? You feel you are doing the same routine again and again, day after day.
-
A Mountain Top Experience Series
Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 29, 2017
A glimpse of glory will keep you going.
-
The Reflection Of His Glory Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 25, 2014
As we look to Christ and follow His leadership, God transforms us into His image.
-
Costly Redemption Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 4, 2013
These verses stress the great and costly work of redemption. Redemption was God¡¯s greatest work. As great as all creation is, it cannot compare with the work of redemption.
-
Jehovah-Nissi- The Lord Our Banner Series
Contributed by D. Walls on Mar 3, 2012
The names that our God was called in His Word.