1 Sermon Illustrations on Spiritual Readiness

During the first three days of July, 1863, in the midst of America's great Civil War, the armies of the North and South clashed decisively at Gettysburg. For the first three days of the battle, the fighting was inconclusive, but then the tide began to turn against General Lee and the Confederate forces. The northern troops under General G. G. Meade were winning. Lee began to retreat southward on the night of July 4, while storm clouds drenched the East Coast with rain. When Lee reached the Potomac, he found that the river was swollen with rain. He could not cross it. Behind him was the victorious Union army. Before him was the river. He was trapped. Here was the great, golden opportunity for General Meade to end the battle. Meade could have attacked immediately, destroying Lee's army and, in effect, ending the Civil War. President Lincoln actually ordered him to attack. However, instead of attacking, Meade delayed. He held a council, then delayed again. Eventually the water of the river receded, and Lee escaped over the Potomac. The war was extended two more years. Meade never regained his lost opportunity, and it was to General Grant that Lee eventually surrendered on April 9, 1865. This story shows us the tragedy of having missed a great opportunity. But if this principle is true in the physical realm, as we realize, it is certainly more true spiritually. The Bible recognizes this when it says, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Or again, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet as by fire" (1 Corinthians 3:15). The Yoke of God Does Not Fit Stiff Necks Remember when farmers used a collar to harness a team of horses or mules to pull a plow or wagon? This collar was made of leather with padding to protect the animal's neck and forequarters so he would not become disabled. The collar was made with a leather strap and buckle at the top, and the bottom was rounded to provide comfort to the animal. When the harness was put on the collar, it was designed to get the most even pull and least pressure on the horse. If the equipment shifted, the horse would develop a sore. Then the animal would become so stiff-necked that you could not turn him at all. He would go one way only. Brethren sometimes get the same way. Some will not adjust to situations when they know they should but will not because of custom or tradition and become stiff-necked, instead of doing what God wants done. Proverbs 19:20 says, "Hear counsel and receive instruction that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end." Let us wear the yoke of God with pleasure and breach not against the harness that guides us in His way. "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression" (Proverbs 19:11). Think long before you rebel. The Second Symbol The cross is the great symbol of Christianity. On steeples atop churches, covers of hymnals, lids for communion ware and lapel pins on Sunday jackets, it stands an awesome reminder of all that Jesus suffered. Jesus spoke of the cross as a symbol of Christian dedication. "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8:34). But Jesus also used another symbol for Christian commitment."Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me...My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:29-30). The yoke is a wooden harness tying two animals together to pull a load. Yokes are not usually painted on church buildings, or printed on the covers of Bibles, or worn as ornaments on neckchains. Maybe they should be. The yoke as much as the cross is a symbol of commitment to Jesus Christ. Paul W. Powell, in The Complete Disciple elaborates: "The cross and the yoke symbolize for us the two different aspects of commitment. The cross is an instrument of death; the yoke is an implement of toil. The cross is the symbol of sacrifice; the yoke is the symbol of service. The cross suggests blood; the yoke suggests sweat ...to be committed to Jesus Christ means that we are ready for either the yoke or the cross." Let me suggest four lessons from the yoke: SUBMISSION. "Take My yoke upon you." The Christian willingly submits to Jesus Christ as Lord and Master. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." "Not my will but Thine be done." OBEDIENCE: "And learn of me." The yoke suggests submission to a master who must be obeyed. Blessed is the man who "heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them." SERVICE: "My burden is light." Compared to the burden of sin, the yoke of the Lord is easy. But the very idea of a yoke is that of pulling a load, of work, of service. Christians are to be ministers-servants. "Work for the night is coming." FELLOWSHIP: "All ye that labor." We are not alone in Christ, but serving alongside those of like precious faith. Paul spoke of his "loyal yokefellow." A yoke harnesses two animals together so as to pull a load neither one could pull alone. "Bear ye one another's burdens." As we follow Christ, let us take up our yoke as well as our cross, "serving the Lord." My Turn in the Nursery Last Sunday was my turn in the nursery to work. My heart wasn't in it; my feelings were hurt. A child from its mother did not want to part And it cried a lot with its broken heart. I prayed that soon the hour would end, That I would relax-no more children to tend. Soon the hour was over; it felt good to be free. I said, "Once a month was too much for me!" The very next Sunday as I sat in the pew Heard a very good sermon, but visitors were few. But down came a woman and her soul was saved. She was the mother of that crying babe! Then it dawned on me that I had been a part Of one being saved-giving God her heart. From that day on I would never dread Working in the nursery while souls are fed. A Volunteer's Prayer I thank Thee, Lord, as a volunteer For the chance to serve another year. And to give of myself in some small way, To those not blessed as I each day. My thanks for health and mind and soul, To aid me ever toward my goal. For eyes to see the good in all, A hand to extend before a fall. For legs to go where the need is great, Learning to love-forgetting to hate. For ears to hear and heart to care, When someone's cross is hard to bear. A smile to show my affection true, With energy aplenty-the task to do. And all I ask, dear Lord, if I may, Is to serve you better day by day.