Sin

John Wesley was robbed as he was returning from a service one night.

As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!“ The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words would bear fruit.

In late September 1864 Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was leading his troops north from Decatur, Alabama, toward Nashville. But to make it to Nashville, Forrest would have to defeat the Union army at Athens, Alabama. When the Union commander, Colonel Wallace Campbell, refused to surrender, Forrest asked for a personal meeting, and took Campbell on an inspection of his troops. But each time they left a detachment, the Confederate soldiers simply packed up and moved to another position, artillery and all.

Several years after helping inventing radar, Sir Robert Watson Watt was caught in a radar trap and arrested for speeding. He wrote this poem:

Pity Sir Robert Watson Watt,
Strange target of his radar plot,
And this, with others I could mention,
A victim of his own invention.

Source: 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers, Craig Brian Larson

Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College

The process of sanctification can be compared to an iceberg, which is almost 90% under water. As the sun shines on the iceberg, the exposed part melts, moving the lower part upward.

In the same way, we are usually aware of only a small part of our sinfulness and need, which is all we can deal with at any one time. However, as the light of God’s work in our lives changes us in the areas we know about, we become aware of new areas needing the work of God.

In his book, Moments for Mothers, Robert Strand wrote about the conflicts of a family in Glasgow, Scotland. After years of rebellion, a daughter finally rejected her parents, their values, and their faith. She set out on her own to enjoy a life without restraints, but soon became enslaved to her liberated choices.

Barbara Reed tried to get her 4-year-old granddaughter to eat lunch but she didn’t like any of the foods offered. Every time she encouraged her to try a different kind of food, Sabrina would reply, “No, thank you.” Barbara persisted until the little girl said, “Nana, my mama says, ‘No means no!’”

It would be good if many Christians realized that when God says, “No,” He means “No.”

Source: Unknown

In 1896, Norman “Kid” McCoy was the welterweight boxing champion. In one of his fights, he learned that his opponent was deaf. McCoy finally discovered this; and as they were nearing the end of the third round, McCoy stepped back and pointed to his opponent’s corner indicating that the bell had rung. When his opponent turned his head, McCoy unloaded a powerful blow and knocked him out. It wasn’t fair, but it was very effective.

Satan does not play fair and temptation never delivers what it promises.

A Jew and a Christian were indulging in a friendly argument about their respective faiths. “Most of the good things you Christians have, you’ve taken from us,” the Jew said. “The Ten Commandments, for instance.”

“I’ll admit we took the Ten Commandments from you,” answered the Christian, “but you can’t say that we’ve kept them.”

Source: Unknown

I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined.

Silas Caldwell accidentally killed his best friend, Larry Slusher, on June 21, 1998. Both men had been drinking when Larry, put a beer can on top of his head and told Silas to shoot the can. Silas missed the can and hit his friend.

Source: Houston Chronicle, June 24, 1998

“The ravages of drink are greater than those of war, pestilence, and famine combined.”—William Gladstone

15% of Americans will struggle with alcoholism in their lifetimes, and over 10 million are actively using illicit substances.

Source: Christianity Today, March 2009

During the early days of northern Ontario’s gold rush Sandy McIntyre found what is now the famous mine bearing his name. He sold out for $25 in order to buy some liquor. Years later he still passed his time crying in beverage rooms, while the mine he discovered produced gold worth 230 million dollars.

Source: Open the Book, Lucian T. Durso

Bernard “Kip” Lagat is a world-class runner from Kenya. During the Sydney Olympics, an interviewer asked him how his country was able to produce so many great distance runners. With clever wit, Lagat told of the African strategy for motivating success in running. He said, “It’s the road signs. ’Beware of Lions.’”

The Christian should flee temptation because his adversary the devil is chasing him.

Source: Unknown

Did you hear about the man who went golfing? He missed the ball three times then said, “Boy, this is a rough course.”

It is easy to blame adverse circumstances when we miss the mark and sin.

Source: Unknown

Timothy McVeigh was executed for bombing the federal building in Oklahoma. He did not speak any final words, but he did have a handwritten statement distributed at his execution which included portions of the poem Invictus.

“It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”

Pride keeps the sinner from acknowledging he is wrong.

Source: Encyclopedia of Terrorism, Harvey Kushner

Icelander, Eriker Olafsson accidentally collided with the yacht, Dragon Song, for the second time just one year and one day after his first collision with the same yacht. He was sailing down the Solent when he saw the Dragon Song and decided to pull alongside it so that he could apologize to its owner for his first collision. The problem was that he got too close to it.

Jack Whittaker won a $113 million jackpot (after taxes) in 2002. Just two years later he had been arrested twice for drunk driving and ordered to go to Alcoholics Anonymous. His wife, Jewell, said, “I wish I would have torn the ticket up.”

Source: Fox News, 11/4/2004

The U.S. Air Force pilot Scott O’Grady was  shot down over Bosnia during the late 1990s. He evaded capture for days until he was found by rescue helicopters. When the helicopter landed to rescue him he summoned all of his strength and fought through bushes to get to the place of refuge.

God provides a way of escape during temptation. It may not be easy to take it, but He always provides one.

Source: Holiness by Grace, Brian Chappell