Sermon Central
-
Self-Image
Contributed by Sermon Central on May 15, 2012 (message contributor)
SELF-IMAGE
There's a story about a girl who was the daughter of one of the royal families of Europe. She had a big, round nose that destroyed her beauty in the eyes of others--and especially in her own eyes. She grew up with this terrible image of herself as an ugly person.
So her family hired a plastic surgeon to change the contour of her nose. He did his work, and there came the moment when they took the bandages off and the girl could see what happened.
When the doctor removed the bandages, he saw that the operation had been a total success. All the ugly contours were gone. Her nose was different. When the incisions healed and the redness disappeared, she would be a beautiful girl. He held a mirror up for the girl to see.
But, so deeply embedded was this girl's ugly image of herself that when she saw herself in the mirror, she couldn't see any change. She broke into tears and cried out, "Oh, I knew it wouldn't work!" The doctor labored with that girl for six months before she would finally accept the fact that she was indeed different. But the moment she accepted the fact that she really was different, her whole behavior began to change.
People tend to act according to what they believe about themselves. If we are deceived into thinking that we are not what God says we are, then we are going to keep on acting that way. That is why the way to break the power of the most vicious and evil habit is to see yourself as God sees you.
(From a sermon by Mark Opperman, No Condemnation, 9/19/2011)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Tony Evans Says, "If You Limit Worship To Where ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Hamilton on Apr 29, 2003
Tony Evans says, “If you limit worship to where you are, the minute you leave that place of worship you will leave your attitude of ...read more
-
One Time A New Pastor Came To A Church, And He ... PRO
Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 17, 2005
One time a new pastor came to a church, and he preached a sermon that the people just loved. It was perfect in that it discussed just the right things. The next week he preached the same sermon, and while the congregation enjoyed it, they were a little confused that he gave the same sermon ...read more
-
A Mother's Touch
Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 1, 2005
“A Mother’s Touch” A wounded soldier returned from Viet Nam. He was in critical condition. He was blind, his mind was clouded, and his body was mangled. His mother traveled over 2,000 miles to be by his bedside. As soon as she entered the hospital room she laid her hands on his brow without ...read more
-
The Story Goes That Mark Twain Loved To Go ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 12, 2005
The story goes that Mark Twain loved to go fishing, but he hated to catch fish. The problem was he went fishing to relax, and catching fish ruined his relaxation, since he had to take the fish off the hook and do something with it. When he wanted to relax by doing nothing, people thought he was ...read more
-
There Is A Moving Scene In The Movie Dr. Zhivago ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 12, 2005
There is a moving scene in the movie Dr. Zhivago where the Comrade General is talking with Tanya about a traumatic experience in her childhood. He asks her, “How did you come to be lost?” She replies, “Well, I was just lost.” But he persists and asks again, “No, how did you come to be lost?” ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Resultados De Un Encuentro Con Dios
Contributed by Raquel Martinez on Mar 5, 2011
Cuando tienes un encuentro con Dios, habran cambios en tu vida. No podemos tener una experiencia con Dios y seguir siendo igual.
-
Mine-Mine-Mine All Mine (The Meaning Behind The Parable Of The Rich Fool)
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 28, 2016
I hope that this Message brings new insight to the Parable of The Rich Fool. Only in Jesus can we come to the place of "Euphraino" That is a time and a place to Rejoice.
-
The Power Of Belonging
Contributed by Jimmy Seibert on Jul 8, 2014
You've got to say no to self and yes to Jesus to enter into all that He has for you.
-
What Jesus Said About Self Love Series
Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 10, 2012
Too often we are taught that it is wrong to love ourselves but is that really what the bible teaches?
-
The Blessing Of Brokenness Series
Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 10, 2021
If you want to be truly blessed and be a blessing to others, let God break you of your self-sufficiency and sin.
