3 Sermon Illustrations on Resurrection Power

A Japanese nobleman who came to America visited a Sunday school to study its function. The superintendent asked him to say a few words to those present. Now this visitor was a Confucianist, and he began by saying that the teachings of Confucius and Christ are just about the same. There are very few differences, he said, and therefore he regarded Christians as brothers. When he had finished, a distinguished merchant, a member of the Sunday school, rose to his feet. Of course, he recognized the moral teachings of Confucius, he said, but added the following: "There is, however, a basic and vital difference between Confucius and the Lord Jesus Christ. Confucius is dead and remains in his grave until Jesus Christ will raise him. But the tomb of Christ is empty. He lives and He will not see death again. He is in our midst this hour of our Sunday school." His Invisible Presence A little girl came home from Sunday school in much perplexity. "Mama," she said, "our teacher said today that we must come to Jesus if we want to be saved, but how can we come to Him when we cannot see Him?" "Did you not ask me to get you a drink of water last night?" said the mother. "Yes, Mama." "Did you see me when you asked me?" "No, but I knew that you would hear me and get it for me." "Well, that is just the way to come to Jesus. We cannot see Him, but we know that He is near and hears every word we say, and that He will give us what we need." As we try to see Jesus by faith, He will become real to us. Only through Him can we get a vision of God.

Do you see that beautiful little humming-bird dancing from flower to flower, like a spirit of flowers? He was once confined to the little mummy shell; but God brought him out. See that looking-glass; how perfectly you can see your face and form, and every hair on your forehead, in it! But had you seen the coarse sand lie on the seashore, before the workmen began, would you think that they could make such a thing from that sand? So God will raise us up from the grave by his wisdom and power.

— Dr. J. Todd