Sermon Central
-
Encouragement From A Friend
Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2012 (message contributor)
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM A FRIEND
There are times when you will be pushed out or pushed aside. You can be on the right road and still find yourself in a situation that is so severe that you cannot survive it on your own. Mark it down: You are not exempt from times of suffering, rejection, or disappointment. And you will need others who will warm you up when life leaves you in the cold. You will need the friendship, support, encouragement, intercession, and generosity of others to warm you up when life leaves you in the cold.
The first time I heard the late Dr. E. K. Bailey in person, he told of his senior year at Bishop College in which he preached at seven vacant churches. And each one called someone else. Hurt, frustrated, and disillusioned, he determined never to preach at a vacant church again. But when he preached at the eighth vacant church, Dr. C. A. W. Clark of the Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas walked in the side door. He had left his pulpit on a Sunday morning to support Bailey. When they asked him to have words, he told that congregation, "I can't vote. But I can hope. And I hope that you vote for this young man. He's full of potential. And he has suffered some disappointments. But I stake my ministerial reputation on this young man. He'll be a blessing to you, if you give him a chance." Dr. Bailey said that church called him a few months later, not so much because of his giftedness, but because of the recommendation.
I submit to you that there will be times in your life when you need a Caesar Clark to come in the side door of your life and to encourage you when you are in the cold. And the best way to make sure that happens is for you to be a Caesar Clark for someone else who is in the cold. While we often condemn "fair-weather friends," this verse tells us that it is important to cultivate friends while the sun is shining. An anonymous author wrote: "I went out to find a friend and they were nowhere. I went out to be a friend and they were everywhere." You can't live in a way that keeps everyone at arm's length, demanding your space, then except people to rush to lie next to you when life leaves you in the cold. You need to develop and maintain intimate relationships of mutual trust when the sun in shining. That way, when life leaves you in the cold, you have someone close enough to come lay beside you to keep you warm.
(From a sermon by H.B. Charles Jr., Two Are Better Than One, 6/12/2012)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, ... PRO
Contributed by Evie Megginson on Feb 2, 2005
The Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had their many gods—gods of war, gods of industry, gods of agriculture, gods of cities, gods of towns, and various others. But in all of paganism’s galaxy of gods, there never was one called “god of hope.” That is ...read more
-
A Prayer Before The U.s. Senate. "Lord Jesus, ...
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Mar 28, 2005
A prayer before the U.S. Senate. “Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be ...read more
-
The Sign Next To The Expressionless Face Said: ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 30, 2004
The sign next to the expressionless face said: “The Motionless Man: Make Him Laugh. Win $100.” So several people gave it all they had. For hours they pulled their faces into strange contortions, told jokes, made fun of him, did stunts — but nothing worked. He was totally unmoved and his face ...read more
-
A Great Deal Of Our Anxiety To Make Excuses ... PRO
Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 12, 2005
"A great deal of our anxiety to make excuses comes from not really believing in the forgiveness of sins, from thinking that God will not take us to Himself again unless He is satisfied that some sort of case can be made out in our favor. But that would not be forgiveness at all. Real forgiveness ...read more
-
The Graduation Gift PRO
Contributed by Joel Vicente on Oct 12, 2002
THE GRADUATION GIFT A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom, and knowing that his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Loyalty: Loyalty Rewards Series
Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 29, 2012
Loyalty is a virtue. Loyalty seeks to honour God, it values the relationship and God rewards our faithfulness. God is loyal.
-
Relationships #2 - 10 Keys To Building Healthy Relationships Series
Contributed by Chris Jordan on Jul 13, 2007
If the two most important commandments are to love God and love people, then it is essential that we learn to build healthy relationships with one another. Here are some keys to do that.
-
Testing Loyalty Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 30, 2013
David put his covenant friendship with Jonathan to the test. He does so by putting his life in Jonathan's hand. It is the occasion for a confirmation of the covenant between them & also of a very sad parting.
-
David Establishes Relationships Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 29, 2013
God's hand was on David. The Lord was going to make him into on of the greatest kings in human history, but in order to do that God had to mold & sharpen him. God needed to do His work in order to make His man. The way God breaks & makes His great servant
-
Don’t Play Favourites Series
Contributed by Allan Quak on Oct 15, 2011
God doesn’t show favourites and neither should we
