Sermon Illustrations

FORGOTTEN STEPS

A man who was not an architect decided to draw the plans for his new home. He was very proud of what he had done. He hired a builder with the firm understanding that he would follow the blueprints exactly. "You may not like my plans, but they suit me. So don't even try to change anything, even if it appears best in your judgment. I want to take all the credit and show the world what I can do."

The owner was out of town while the house was being framed but on his return he went immediately to inspect it. With his plans in hand, he and the builder checked out the downstairs. "Just like I designed it," he complimented the builder.

"Now let's take a look upstairs." Looking around he couldn't find the staircase. "There isn't any," the builder said. "The owner was irate. "How could any carpenter in his right mind build a two-story house without a staircase?" The builder spread out the plans, and recalled the agreement. To his amazement and embarrassment, the owner found that he had forgotten to design any steps.

We smile at that but there is a lesson in this story that hits close to home. All around us we have people who want a second story, a third story, or a fourth floor to their lives. They're not happy being on ground level with the rest of us. Some even have visions of a skyscraper.

But pride and self-confidence rob some of ever achieving their goals. They brag about being self-made. They need neither God nor anyone else to plan their lives. That's why some end up with the goal, but no steps to achieve it! BEWARE OF PRIDE.

Related Sermon Illustrations

  • To Kill A Mockingbird" Is One Of My Favorite ...  PRO

    Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 3, 2005
    based on 2 ratings
     | 5,935 views

    “To Kill A Mockingbird” is one of my favorite stories. The main character is Atticus Finch, a lawyer and father who defends a young black man of rape in 1932. As you can imagine, in that day that was not a popular decision. He’s called all kinds of names and even his children bear the brunt of his ...read more

  • The Rock

    Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 8, 2007
    based on 1 rating
     | 5,458 views

    The Rock A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his ...read more

  • Kathy Bates Was In The Movie "Fried Green ...  PRO

    Contributed by Jeff Simms on Sep 27, 2004
    based on 3 ratings
     | 3,546 views

    Kathy Bates was in the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”, but is probably best remembered for her role as an obsessed fan in Misery that won her an Oscar. In Misery Bates plays a nurse who encounters her favorite author at an accident scene in a remote location in Colorado during a fierce snowstorm. ...read more

  • At The Age Of 15 John Stoddard Made A List Of All ...  PRO

    Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 14, 2004
    based on 2 ratings
     | 3,462 views

    At the age of 15 John Stoddard made a list of all the things he wanted to accomplish in his life. He envisioned himself as a great explorer and put down things like: explore the Nile, climb Mt. Everest, visit every country in the world, visit the moon. His list had 127 goals. When John was 60, ...read more

  • Putting Together A Bicycle

    Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 4, 2005
    based on 1 rating
     | 3,148 views

    “Putting together a bicycle” When my brother was three he got his first bicycle for Christmas. Being much older I stayed awake with his father to put it together on Christmas Eve. My mother held the instructions. He and I began putting together pieces that seemed to fit and after about an hour we ...read more

Related Sermons

Browse All Media

Related Media