Sermon Illustrations

GENUINE REPENTANCE--THE CASE OF GENELLE GUZMAN MCMILLAN

Genelle Guzman McMillan was the last person to be rescued from the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. She had been trapped in the rubble for 27 hours when at last firefighters heard her calling and pulled her out. This 30-year-old single mother had only been on the job as a Port Authority clerk for nine months when the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

By her own description she was a Catholic who had become a "party-girl" and was living with her boyfriend in Brooklyn. But when the North Tower collapsed, Genelle’s thoughts immediately turned to the Lord and her 14-year-old daughter. She prayed that her body would at least be found so that it could be buried. Becoming bolder, she revised her prayer and asked the Lord that if she had to die, that she could at least make it to the hospital so she could see her daughter one last time. But as faith seemed to bubble in her heart, she boldly asked her Heavenly Father to be rescued alive. "I was praying to God: 'God please save my life. Give me a second chance. I promise I will change my life and do your will.'" Genelle kept her promise, turned away from her sins and has deepened her walk with the Lord. That’s true repentance!

(From a sermon by John Gaston, The Man Who Dropped Dead in Church, 8/13/2012)

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons

Browse All Media

Related Media