Sermon Central
-
William Borden: No Reserves, Retreats, Regrets
Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 23, 2012 (message contributor)
WILLIAM BORDEN: NO RESERVES, RETREATS, REGRETS
In 1903, a young, bright man named William Borden graduated from high school – a millionaire. He was the heir to the Borden Dairy fortune. Following graduation, William traveled around the world. Everywhere he went he was touched by the needs of people. He eventually wrote his parents to announce he would give up his fortune and devote his life to missionary service. In his Bible he wrote two words: NO RESERVES.
After enrolling in Yale in 1905, William quickly became the spiritual leader of the entire campus. He spearheaded a revival movement that led, by his graduation, to 1,000 of Yale’s 1,300 students becoming involved in weekly Bible fellowships. He led off campus, inner-city ministries as well.
Upon graduating from Yale he repeated his intention to be a missionary and enrolled in seminary. Upon receiving his ministerial degree he decided to take a one-way trip to Egypt where he would learn Arabic in order to reach Muslims with the Gospel. Leaving all his fortune behind, he set sail. On the way he wrote two more words in his Bible: NO RETREATS.
He arrived in Egypt full of anticipation and immersed himself in the tasks at hand. But within days of his arrival he became very weak and was soon diagnosed with spinal meningitis. A short time later, William Whiting Borden died at the age of 25.
Human logic can never understand his death, yet an ocean away hundreds were impacted because of his joyful, willing, sacrifice. That’s the way William would have wanted it. During the last fleeting days of his life, in labored handwriting, he had penned two more words in his Bible: NO REGRETS.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Wesleyan Theologian Richard Taylor Says, "The ... PRO
Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005
Wesleyan theologian Richard Taylor says, “The minds of the Israelites endorsed the Ten Commandments, but their hearts were contrary and perverse to them. The ...read more
-
The Elevator PRO
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 27, 2004
The Elevator A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city, for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman ...read more
-
I Have Learned Quite A Bit About Wolves This Year ...
Contributed by Jane Willis on Dec 25, 2004
I have learned quite a bit about wolves this year in preparation for a winter trip to Yellowstone. One of my favorite photographs of a wolf pack shows them traveling over the crest of a hill, through very deep snow. It is an aerial photograph, which shows an exquisitely organized approach to ...read more
-
I Read A Story Involving The Butterball Turkey ...
Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005
I read a story involving the Butterball Turkey company, which set up a hotline to answer consumers’ questions about preparing holiday turkeys. One woman called to ask about cooking a turkey that had been in her freezer for 23 years. The operator told her it might be safe if the freezer had ...read more
-
Those Who Don't Understand The Food That God ... PRO
Contributed by Eric Stefanski on Aug 3, 2003
Those who don’t understand the food that God gives, those who don’t see how deep their need is for it, also consider the Gospel and Sacrament as ’fleeting’, and they seek some new ’rush’ in worship, desiring an emotional high, no matter how lacking in nutrition such a meal is. It’s like the ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Wade In The Water
Contributed by Harold Miller, Jr. on May 6, 2013
An appeal to have a deeper walk with the Lord
-
The Chosen's Choice
Contributed by Jerry Flury on Feb 23, 2014
As Christians we were chosen by God to be recipients of God's amazing grace. The blessings of having been chosen are unfathomable. Being chosen there are also responsibilities to be fulfilled and choices to be made.
-
Committed, But Committed To What?
Contributed by Spencer Miller on Sep 22, 2013
When it comes to liviing a life of worth and significance the primary question for each of us inn't am I committed? It is what am I committed to?
-
8 Words To Change Your Family: Commitment Series
Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 5, 2011
When we lose that which has always been so important to us, we end up finding that which we've been searching for all along.
-
Stephen Shows Us The Right Way To Live And Die Series
Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 5, 2017
1. We need Stephen's courage (vs. 51-53). 2. We need Stephen's commitment (vs. 54-59). 3. We need Stephen's consciousness (vs. 55-56). 4. We need Stephen's character (vs. 59-60).
