Sermon Central
-
Make Your Reservation
Contributed by Thomas Cash on Jan 29, 2013 (message contributor)
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
Is your name written in the book of life?
Ruthanna Metzgar, a professional singer, tells a story that illustrates the importance of having our names written in the book of life. Several years ago, she was asked to sing at the wedding of a very wealthy man. According to the invitation, the reception would be held on the top two floors of Seattle's Columbia Tower, the Northwest's tallest skyscraper. She and her husband, Roy, were excited about attending.
At the reception, waiters in tuxedos offered luscious hors d'oevres and fancy foods. The bride and groom approached a beautiful glass and brass staircase that led to the top floor. Someone ceremoniously cut a satin ribbon draped across the bottom of the stairs. They announced the wedding feast was about to begin. Bride and groom ascended the stairs, followed by their guests.
At the top of the stairs, a maitre d' with a bound book greeted the guests outside the doors. "May I have your name please?"
"I am Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband, Roy."
He searched the M's. "I'm not finding it, would you spell it please?"
Ruthanna spelled her name slowly. After searching the book, the maitre d' looked up and said, I'm sorry, but your name isn't here."
"There must be some mistake," Ruthanna replied. "I am the singer. I sang for this wedding ceremony."
The gentleman answered, "It doesn't matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet."
He motioned to a waiter and said, "Show these people to the service elevator, please."
The Metzgars followed the waiter past the beautifully dedorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon and magnificent carved ice sculptures. Adjacent to the banquet area, an orchestra was prepared to perform, the musicians all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos. The waiter led Ruthanna and Roy to the service elevator, ushered them in, and pushed G for the parking garage.
After locating their car and driving several miles in silence, Roy reached over and put his hand on Ruthanna's arm. "Sweetheart, what happened?"
"When the invitation arrived, I was busy," Ruthanna replied. "I never bothered to RSVP. Besides, I was the singer. Surely, I could go the reception without returning the RSVP."
Ruthanna started to cry. -- not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she'd ever been invited to, but also because she happened to get a small taste of what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ and find their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life."
For heaven's sake, have you made your reservation?
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Young Man Had Been Promoted To An Important ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 1, 2004
A young man had been promoted to an important position in his company. He’d never dreamed he’d be in such a position, much less at such a young age. So he went to see the venerable old timer in the company, and said, "Sir, I was wondering if you could give me some ADVICE." The old timer came back ...read more
-
Do You Ever Feel Like Robert Orben Who Said, ... PRO
Contributed by Pat Cook on Nov 15, 2004
Do you ever feel like Robert Orben who said, “Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that’s not ...read more
-
People Want To Work. People Are Telling Me ...
Contributed by Fred Mueller on Sep 7, 2005
People WANT to work. People are telling me they’d LOVE to go down to New Orleans to help the people in misery there. People woul dgladly enter the smell and danger to do ...read more
-
This Is A True Story, About A German Artist Named ... PRO
Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000
This is a true story, about a German artist named Albrecht Durer and one of his famous drawings, "The Praying Hands." Durer’s Father was a goldsmith and apprenticed him in his early years to learn the family trade, but Durer loved painting and really wanted to be a painter. So his father ...read more
-
Perhaps You've Heard Of Watchman Nee. Watchman ... PRO
Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Nov 13, 2003
Perhaps you’ve heard of Watchman Nee. Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in 1920 at the age of seventeen and began writing in the same year. Throughout the nearly thirty years of his ministry, Watchman Nee was a unique gift from the Lord to the church. Though imprisoned for his ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Ready Or Not, Here I Come! Series
Contributed by David Owens on May 13, 2012
After answering the Thessalonians' concerns about the dead in Christ, Paul then addressed their concerns about when Christ would return. Paul makes three very important points about Christ's Second Coming.
-
Remember To Live In The Shelter Of The Most High Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2015
It’s fair to say that this life is filled with its share of problems. Some are small and some are huge and when we are in the midst of a difficult circumstance its good to be able to remember God’s word and draw strength from it.
-
Hope In Times Of Despair
Contributed by William Hooper on Feb 16, 2015
How can we find hope when we despair of being rid of depression or guilt or besetting sin? How to find hope in Jesus.
-
Testing The Reality Of Our Salvation Series
Contributed by Scott Kircher on Sep 1, 2016
Who is this warning passage to and how can I test my own salvation?
-
Jesus Comforts The Disturbed And Disturbs The Comfortable
Contributed by David Mcnally on Oct 20, 2011
For those who are worried about their salvation or any and every aspect of their lives Jesus can give the peace that the world cannot give and cannot take away, but for those who are comfortable with their sin and the sin of the world Jesus brings discomf
