Illustrations

A Russian countess accepted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and was open about her testimony. The Tsar was displeased and threw her into prison. After 24 hours with the lowest level of Russian society, in the most miserable conditions imaginable, he ordered her brought into his presence. He smiled sardonically and said, “Well, are you ready now to renounce your silly faith and come back to the pleasures of the court?”

Suppose someone were to offer you a thousand dollars for every soul you would earnestly try to lead to Christ, would you endeavor to lead any more souls to Him than you are endeavoring to do now? Is it possible that you would attempt to do for money what you hesitate or shrink from doing now in obedience to God’s command? Is your love of money stronger than your love of God or souls?

Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College

A pastor was passing a big department store and followed a sudden impulse to go in and talk to the proprietor on the subject of his salvation. Finding him, he said: “I’ve talked beds and carpets and bookcases with you, but I’ve never talked my business with you. Would you give me a few minutes to do so?”

A park ranger at Yellowstone National Park was leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. As the group neared the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger.

When the pilot of a giant airliner is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where he cannot decide to remain on the ground. When he crosses that line, he is committed to the air, or the plane crashes disastrously. The pilot cannot change his mind when the plane is two-thirds of the way down the runway.

Many Christians have never left the ground spiritually. They have been sitting there for years and years gunning their engines.

Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College

Gaylord Kambarami, the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Zimbabwe, tried to give a New Testament to a very belligerent man. The man insisted he would roll the pages and use them to make cigarettes. Mr. Kambarami said, “I understand that, but at least promise to read the page of the New Testament before you smoke it.” The man agreed, and the two went their separate ways.

William Randolph Hearst was a very wealthy newspaper publisher who had an incredible collection of art. The Hearst mansion in northern California is a testament to his insatiable desire for artistic treasures. On one occasion he learned of some artwork he was determined to obtain. He sent his agent abroad to search for the treasure. After months of investigating, the agent reported that the treasure had been found. To further sweeten the find, Hearst learned that the relic wouldn’t cost him a dime. He already owned it.

In 1799 the armies of Napoleon appeared on the heights above the town of Feldkirch, Austria. It was Easter Day, and the rays of the rising sun glittered on the weapons of the French, as they appeared drawn up on the hills to the west of the town. The Town Council was hastily called together to consult what was to be done.

After much discussion, the dean of the Church rose and said, “My brothers it is Easter Day! We have been reckoning our own strength, and that fails. Let us turn to God. Ring the bells and have service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands.”

One woman commented on her husband’s unsavory disposition: “He can be nice when he wants to . . . he just never wants to!”

Source: Unknown

As the pastor introduced his children’s sermon on Easter, he asked the little ones, “Do you see anything different about our church today?”

Little Heather quickly figured out the difference and blurted out, “It’s full!”

Source: Illustration Digest, March/April 1994

Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College