Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas

Sermon Illustrations

ROOSEVELT'S GRANDMOTHER

I like the story I read about US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Apparently President Roosevelt got tired of the same inane small talk and smiles that he had to put up with at the innumerable White House receptions that he attended. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was really listening to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended hand, he flashed that big smile and said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." People would automatically respond with comments like "How lovely!" or "Just continue your great work!"

Nobody listened to what he was actually saying, except for one foreign diplomat. When the president said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning," the diplomat responded softly, "I’m sure she had it coming."

Related Sermon Illustrations

  • Suzanne Guthrie, Writing In Christian Century ...  PRO

    Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 3, 2005
    based on 2 ratings
     | 2,593 views

    Suzanne Guthrie, writing in Christian Century (May2, 2001), tells this story: “A friend of mine who served in the military during World War II (and is now a nun) was once at a conference with two men, a German and an American. As they wiped dishes one evening after dinner they exchanged stories ...read more

  • Dr. Larry Crabb Wrote In Decision Magazine ...

    Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 3, 2005
    based on 1 rating
     | 2,218 views

    Dr. Larry Crabb wrote in Decision magazine (October, 2005): “I could wish with all my heart that it could be done differently. But when suffering comes, which we don’t orchestrate but which God providentially allows, it really is a profound opportunity to believe that God is doing what is central ...read more

Related Sermons