Sermon Central
-
A Tragic Dream Fulfilled--The Case Of Robert ...
Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 1, 2012 (message contributor)
A TRAGIC DREAM FULFILLED--THE CASE OF ROBERT BURNS
Robert Burns, the famous poet, occasionally had times of serious reflection of the state of his soul. He recorded one of those times when he compared himself to the review of his past life. He wrote that he was like a lonely man walking amidst the ruins of a vast and noble temple. The walls were strewn about and the pillars were cast askew. The elaborate marble floors were cracked and between the cracks and around the whole building were choking, horrific weeds. He was in great alarm because he saw this as the picture of his own life.
In a very troubled state of mind, he sought out one of the popular ministers in his city. When he told him of his dream and how troubled he was about it, the society minister laughed and told him not to worry with such matters. All is well, so he said! He urged him to continue to dance at the balls, drown himself in the bowls of wine, and fly from these phantoms of his soul into the arms of pleasure. It was pleasant but fatal advice for Burns because he followed it and the "lusts of other things" entering into his heart choked out the Word.
(From a sermon by Philip Harrelson, The Keeper of the Vineyard, 5/14/2012)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Come And Die PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 29, 2004
COME AND DIE In The Cost of Discipleship Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “The cross is laid on every Christian. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death–we give over our lives to death. The cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing ...read more
-
I Once Saw The Concrete Block Shell Of A Church ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 29, 2004
I once saw the concrete block shell of a church someone had started building years earlier. The project had been halted. There was no roof on the building and trees and shrubs had grown inside the shell. One of the pine trees growing inside the uncompleted church was at least 15 feet tall. I’ll ...read more
-
I Want To Conclude With A Story That Tony ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on May 18, 2005
I want to conclude with a story that Tony Campolo tells about a time he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. He remembered that before the service, eight men had him kneel so they could place their hands on his head and pray. He was glad to have prayer, but each of them prayed a long time, ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Spiritual Sowers
Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jul 11, 2008
We are spiritual sowers by our witness for Jesus.
-
Responding To The Word
Contributed by Paul Sandford on Jul 13, 2011
A sermon about response preached at an infant Baptism, where the parents were committed, though the family might not be.
-
Sowing & Reaping Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 12, 2009
The creation precept built into the very fabric of all creation, both physical & spiritual, is that a person reaps after the same manner & nature that they sow. Every thought, attitude or action has its own reproductive cycle. You reap what you sow.
-
Scattering The Seed
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 6, 2007
Why wouldn’t God be more selective in what soil He allows His seed to be planted? And why did Jesus tell only this parable (but not the explanation of the parable) to this crowds?
-
Seed Time/Harvest
Contributed by Selwyn Robins on Apr 19, 2011
Seed time/harvest, but what happens between those two times. Faith. You
