-
The Key Called Promise
Contributed by Sermon Central on May 2, 2012 (message contributor)
THE KEY CALLED PROMISE
In John Bunyan's great allegory, Pilgrim's Progress, the incident is related of how Christian decides to leave the Main Highway and follow another Path which seemed easier. But this Path leads him into the territory of Giant Despair who owns Doubting Castle.
Eventually he is captured by Giant Despair and kept in a dungeon. He is advised to kill himself. The Giant said there was no use trying to keep on with his journey. For the time, it seemed as if Despair had really conquered Christian. But then, Hope, Christian's companion, reminds him of previous victories. So it came about that on Saturday about midnight they began to pray, and continued in prayer until almost morning.
Now a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half-amazed, broke out in passionate speech, "What a fool am I thus to lie in a stinking Dungeon, when I may as well be at liberty. I have a Key in my bosom called Promise that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle." Then said Hopeful, "That's good news. Good Brother, pluck it out of thy bosom and try." And the prison gates flew open.
(Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc. From a sermon by Matthew Kratz, The Attack on Hope, 8/27/2011)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Bill Broadhurst Was A Great Runner And He Entered ... PRO
Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 26, 2005
Bill Broadhurst was a great runner and he entered a 10k race in Omahu, a race that Bill Rodgers would win in less than 30 minutes. Bill Broadhurst had a handicap, he was paralyzed on his entire left side from an aneurism early in life. But he still loved to run and for him to be in the same race ...read more
-
The Covenant Of Faithfulness PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002
THE COVENANT OF FAITHFULNESS In modern times we define a host of relations by contracts. These are usually for goods or services and for hard cash. The contract, formal or informal, helps to specify failure in these relationships. The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with ...read more
-
The Old Man And The Gulls PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002
THE OLD MAN AND THE GULLS It is gratitude that prompted an old man to visit an old broken pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida. Every Friday night, until his death in 1973, he would return, walking slowly and slightly stooped with a large bucket of shrimp. The sea gulls would flock to this ...read more
-
Seared Conscience, Citation: J. Douglas Burford, ... PRO
Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Oct 25, 2002
[Seared Conscience, Citation: J. Douglas Burford, Mission, Kansas] During my college years—in my infinite wisdom—it occurred to me that it made no sense to stop at red traffic lights when there was clearly no traffic around. So I began to stop only briefly—just long enough to ...read more
-
In His Book, None Of These Diseases, Dr. S.i. ... PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002
In his book, None of These Diseases, Dr. S.I. McMillan says, "Medical science recognizes that emotions such as fear, sorrow, envy, resentment and hatred are responsible for the majority of our sicknesses. Estimates vary from 60 to 100 percent." One patient was told by his ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Plans To Prosper You Series
Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 2, 2017
God will not always do what we desire but He will always do what He decides.
-
Choices Have Consequences Series
Contributed by David Owens on May 29, 2012
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians with praise, promises and prayer. The promises included the fact that the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished.
-
The Birth Of John The Baptist Series
Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 21, 2012
In today's lesson we learn how God fulfills his promise.
-
The Possession For Victory (2 Of 9) Series
Contributed by James O. Davis on Nov 8, 2011
The Book of Joshua was written to show us victory is possible by practicing the specific principles.
-
Going Where We Have Never Gone Before
Contributed by James May on Dec 31, 2017
A sermon for a new beginning for the church, or a step into a new spiritual depth and walk with Christ