Sermon Illustrations on Spiritual — page 2

Spurgeon's Deafness

There is a good kind of spiritual deafness. Consider the following

story:

C. H. Spurgeon, while still a young man and a village pastor, was

passing the house of a woman who greeted him with a volley of words

the reverse of polite. Smiling, the young man said, "Yes, thank you; I

am quite well." She burst into another string of expletives. "Yes, it

does look as if it's going to rain," he replied. Surprised as well as

exasperated, the woman exclaimed, "Bless the man, he's as deaf as a

post! What's the use of talking to him?" --Christian Herald

No Reward Because He Was Dead

A soldier who had served his country for a time in the army, by

deception had his name returned on the roll as dead. He was so

reported from his company to his regiment, and from his regimental

headquarters to the General Government. In the great records of the

nation, against his name "Dead" was written. After the war was over,

and peace restored, the Government began to dispense its bounties and

pensions to those who had fought its battles and borne its burdens.

This runaway soldier, that had deserted from the service and caused a

false report to be returned, appeared for a reward at the hands of the

Government. The books were examined, the name was found, but "Dead"

was written against it. The Government settles by its official

records, and in the knowledge of the Government he is a dead man, and

not a living claimant.

In the Christian warfare there is a like danger. Christ has

enlisted a great many soldiers that have not answered to the roll call

for years. They deserted in time of danger, and the angel scribe has

written against their name, "Dead." The books of the Last Day will

show erasure, as well as entries, and almost the last words of the

Bible warn us of the blotting out of names from the Book of Life.

--Topical Illustrations

Abraham Lincoln's Failures

One of the things that impresses me is that when Abraham

Lincoln went off to the Black Hawk War he was a captain and,

through no fault of his own, when he returned he was a private.

That brought an end to his military career.

Then his little shop in a country village "winked out" as he used

to say, marking his failure as a businessman. As a lawyer in

Springfield, Illinois, he was too impractical, too unpolished,

too temperamental to be a success.

Turning to politics he was defeated in his campaign for the

legislature, defeated in his first attempt to be nominated for

Congress, defeated in his application to be Commissioner of the

General Land Office, defeated in the Senatorial election of 1854,

defeated in his aspirations for the Vice Presidency in 1856, defeated

again in the Senatorial election of 1858.

Then in 1861, over 100 years ago, found him in the White House as

President of the United states. How did Lincoln interpret this

strange succession of failures and frustrations which finally

culminated in terrific personal victory? He said, "That the Almighty

directly intervenes in human affairs is one of the plainest statements

in the Bible. I have had so many evidences of His direction, so many

instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own

will that I have no doubt that this power comes from above."

God knows what is good for us better than we ourselves. Let us not

make the mistake of judging God's overall plan for our lives by that

portion which happened to be revealed today. God has all eternity in

which to bring His plans to fulfillment for our lives. Think not in

terms of today, but in terms of eternity. After all, that's where

we'll spend most of our life. --William Summerour

Failure In Success

Luke 5:5

Clarence Darrow, the great criminal lawyer of another day,

had among his friends a young minister. This seems strange,

because, as you remember, Darrow was usually thought of as an

atheist, infidel, agnostic or what have you.

They were talking one day and Mr. Darrow became reminiscent. He

talked of his career and some of the famous trials in which he had

been the lawyer for the defense. He said, "This has been an exciting

life." He made at least a comfortable fortune and he guessed he might

be regarded as somewhat of a success.

Then Mr. Darrow asked, "Would you like to know my favorite Bible

verse?" His friend said, "Indeed I would." Mr. Darrow said, "You

will find it in \reference{Luke 5:5}{Luke 5:5}. 'We've toiled all the

night and have taken nothing.'" He added, "In spite of my success

that verse seems to sum up the way I feel about life."

No matter what one does in life, no matter what position he may

obtain, no matter what he might come to own...if he leaves God out,

the time will come when life itself will rise up and mock him with the

word -- nothing -- nothing! "What shall a man profit if he gains the

whole world and loses his own soul?" -- William Pettrigrew

Failure--the Stepping Stone To Success

Failure is never pleasant. It certainly isn't enjoyable to lose a job, see a relationship falter, or fail a test. But the immediate disappointment we feel when we face defeat can be turned into the joy of success if we take the right attitude.

Thomas Edison was busy working in his laboratory at 2 o'clock one morning when an assistant came into the room and noticed that the inventor was smiling broadly. "Have you solved the problem?" he asked. "No," replied Edison, "that experiment didn't work at all. Now I can start over again."

Edison could have such a confident attitude because he knew that the road to success is often paved with disappointments that serve to extend the road -- not to block it. Each failure brought him a little closer to success.

Fruit Out of Failure

A missionary in Urfa, Mesopotamia, labored thirteen years before he

baptized a single convert. Everything was discouraging, even hopeless,

to human appearance. Then came an epidemic of cholera. People fled in

panic, deserting the sick and the dying. The missionary, forgetful of

self, waited upon the sufferers, tenderly and tirelessly. The living

and the dying blessed his name. Worn and weary he at last himself fell

a victim to the disease.

All the survivors carried his body reverently and sorrowfully to a

little grove outside the city walls. It now seemed that the work of

the missionary was at an end. A successor was appointed, however, and

he was met nine miles away by a large company and conducted to Urfa

with honors. Large numbers turned to Christ, and a substantial house

of worship was built and dedicated to the memory of "The man who died

for us." The "corn of wheat" had fallen into the ground,

and precious was the harvest. --Baptist Teacher

Better Than Being Saved

John Gilmour, a godly Britisher who loved to witness for Christ,

always carried gospel books to give to people as he had opportunity.

One day Gilmour was walking in a little village when he came across

an old Irishman selling lids, kettles, and saucepans. Gilmour greeted

the man, "Good morning, how is business today?" "Oh," said the

Irishman, "I cannot complain."

Then Gilmour said, "What a grand thing it is to be saved!" The old

man looked intently at him and replied, "I know something better than

that." "Better than being saved? I would like to know what that is."

With a warm smile, the man responded, "The companionship of the One

who saved me, sir."

Formula For Spiritual Success

If you want to be distressed -- look within. If you want to be

defeated -- look back. If you want to be distracted -- look around.

If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead. If you want to be delivered

-- look up!

Emptied To Be Filled

One by one He took them from me

######All the things I valued most;

'Til I was empty-handed,

######Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,

######In my rags and poverty.

Until I heard His voice inviting,

######"Lift those empty hands to Me!"

Then I turned my hands toward heaven,

######And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches,

######'Til they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended

######With my stupid mind, and dull,

That God cannot pour His riches

######Into hands already full.

--Source Unknown

Stored In One of His Own Warehouses

William Randolph Hearst once read of an extremely valuable piece of

art, which he decided he must add to his extensive collection. He

instructed his agent to scour the galleries of the world to find the

masterpiece he was determined to have at any price. After many months

of painstaking search, the agent reported that the piece already

belonged to Mr. Hearst and had been stored in one of his warehouses

for many years.

It is tragic that many believers become entangled in a quest for

something more in the Christian life, for something special, something

extra that the "ordinary" Christian life does not possess. They talk

of getting more of Jesus Christ, more of the Holy Spirit, more power,

more blessings, a higher life, a deeper life -- as if the resources of

God were divinely doled out one at a time like so many pharmaceutical

prescriptions or were unlocked by some spiritual combination that only

an initiated few can know.

The Task

A man had built a prosperous business through zealous toil and

honest dealings. As he advanced in age, he felt concerned about the

future of his enterprise because he had no close relatives except

three nephews. One day he summoned the young men and said, "I have a

problem, and whoever comes up with the best solution will inherit all

that I possess." Giving each of them an equal sum of money, he

instructed them to buy something that would fill his large office.

"Spend no more than I've given you," he directed, "and be sure you're

back by sunset." All day long his nephews sought to fulfill their

mission. Finally, when the shadows lengthened, they obediently

returned to make their report. Their uncle asked to see their

purchases. The first dragged a huge bale of straw into the room. When

it was untied it made a pile that nearly hid two of the walls. After

it was cleared away, the second brought in two large bags of

thistledown, which when released, filled three-fourths of the room.

This was even better than the first. The third nephew stood silent

and forlorn. "And what have you to offer?" asked his aged relative.

"Uncle, I spent half of my money to feed a hungry child and gave

almost all the rest to the church. With the little I had left, I

bought these matches and a small candle." Then he lit the taper, and

its light filled every corner of the room! The kindly old man

realized that here was the noblest of them all. He blessed him for

making the best use of his gift and gave him all his possessions.

The World's Largest Sapphire

Roy Whetstine purchased a stone "from an amateur collector at an

Arizona mineral show for $10,00," according to "Newsweek," Nov. 24,

1986. It has since been "valued at as high as $2.28 million" and

declared to be the world's largest sapphire.

Western-world Christians have in their possession a precious gem of

far greater value which many treat just as cheaply. They fail to

avail themselves of the joy such wealth could bring them, fail to

share it with their own families, and even fail to carry it with them

to the house of God. They leave it lying wherever it happened to be

the last time the furniture was dusted under newspapers and magazines.

If it were stolen, they probably would not miss it for a month.

There are multitudes in many parts of the world who would gladly

give a month's salary, go for days without food, and walk great

distances to get one copy of the Bible to share with their entire

fellowship.

Let's not be too quick to cast aspersions upon the intelligence of

the amateur gem collector.

Value of the Incarnation Unrecognized

The "Associated Press" tells of a small Baltimore congregation that found an answer to its financial troubles -- hanging in the church. And it had been there for more than 25 years! The discovery came at a critical time, because inflation and a declining membership had left the church's future in doubt. But someone noticed that in the chapel was a piece of art that depicted the annunciation: the angel telling Mary she would give birth to the Son of God. It turned out to be a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht Durer, dated 1493. Some members expressed disbelief. They said in effect, "If it were real, why would it be hanging here?"

The event announced on that woodblock print is often treated with the same kind of underestimation by God's people. Yet the value of Jesus' birth is more than enough to eliminate the spiritual poverty that faces so many congregations. The truth that God came to earth in human form is reflected in the art, the hymnbooks, and the Bibles used by these churches. The significance of Christ's incarnation, however, goes unrecognized. Instead, attention is given to activities, strategies, and futile discussions that fail to consider the immeasurable worth of knowing who that baby was.

He Couldn't Break?: the Tie That Binds"

John Fawcett was preparing to move. At age 32, he was leaving the small Baptist church in Wainsgate, England, for the prestigious Carter's Lane church in London.

Fawcett had worked hard. Orphaned at 12, he was forced to work fourteen hours a day in a sweat shop. He taught himself to read by candlelight and studied continuously. When he was ordained at age 25, he moved to Wainsgate. For seven years he served the tiny church of 100 members before receiving the invitation in London.

However, Fawcett never moved to London. He couldn't break "the tie that binds." The last possessions were loaded on the moving cart as Fawcett began his good-byes. Tearfully he bade farewell to those he had loved for the past seven years. They returned his tears ... And his love. It was too much for the young preacher. London would have to wait. Unloading the cart, he decided to stay in Wainsgate a little longer. Fawcett never moved to London; he never even left Wainsgate. He died there 54 years later.

Fawcett was destined to become one of England's greatest preachers. He wrote hymns, published books and opened a training school for young ministers. His "Essay on Anger" so impressed King George III that he offered Fawcett "any benefit a king could confer." His love for the people and their love for him not only kept him in Wainsgate, but it also prompted the writing of a hymn we sing even today:

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

--Norm Petersen

Moody Believed In Practical Christian Service

Blunt common sense always characterized Mr. Moody. Once a man rose in one of his meetings to give his experience. "I have been for five years on the Mount of Transfiguration," he said.

Instantly Mr. Moody interrupted him by the sharp question, "How many souls did you lead to Christ last year?'

"Well, I don't know," answered the surprised man.

"Have you led any?" then came sternly from the preacher.

"I-ah-don't know that I have," said the man.

"Then," snapped Mr. Moody, still more sternly, "we don't want that kind of mountain-top experience. When a man gets so high that he can't reach down and save poor sinners, there is something wrong."

--Selected

No Vacancy Here!

When the slow-moving clerk in a small store was not around one morning, a customer asked the owner's young son, "Where's Eddie? Is he sick?"

"Nope, he ain't workin' here no more," was the reply.

"Do you have anyone in mind for the vacancy?" inquired the customer.

"Nope! Eddie didn't leave no vacancy!"

We smile, but the statement which characterized Eddie applies equally to many in the church today. In serving Christ they are so weak and colorless that if they left the community their absence would scarcely be noticed.

Somebody Forgets

A little fellow in the ghetto was teased by one who said, "If God loves you, why doesn't he take care of you? Why doesn't God tell someone to bring you shoes and a warm coat and better food?" The little lad thought for a moment then with tears starting in his eyes, said, "I guess He does tell somebody, but somebody forgets." God's plan is to care through His followers and that caring is the fruit of goodness.

Someone Else Died

I know that all of you were saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our church's most valuable members -- Someone Else.

Someone's passing created a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years, and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than the normal person's share of the work. Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results. Someone Else can work with that group. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's lips, "Let Someone Else do it". It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the largest givers in the church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that Someone Else would make up the difference. Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing super-human, but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everyone expected too much of Someone Else.

Now Someone Else is gone.

We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? Remember, we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.

The Parable

Fred Somebody, Thomas Everybody, Peter Anybody, and Joe Nobody were neighbors, but they were not like you and me. They were odd people and most difficult to understand. The way they lived was a shame.

All four belonged to the same church, but you would not have enjoyed worshipping with them.

Everybody went fishing on Sunday or stayed home to visit with friends.

Anybody wanted to worship but was afraid Somebody wouldn't speak to him. So guess who went to church -- uh, huh -- Nobody.

Really, Nobody was the only decent one of the four.

Nobody did the visitation. Nobody worked on the church building.

Once they needed a Sunday school teacher. Everybody thought Anybody would do it, and Anybody thought Somebody would do it. And you know who did it? That's exactly right -- Nobody!

It happened that a fifth neighbor (an unbeliever) moved into the area. Everybody thought Somebody should try to win him for Christ. Anybody could have made an effort. You probably know who finally won him: Nobody!

Unarmed Officers

A bunch of recruits were having a written examination, and when one of them was asked why he wasn't working, he replied, "Sir, I have neither paper nor pencil."

"Well!" exclaimed the instructor, "what would you think of a soldier who went into battle with neither rifle nor ammunition?"

The recruit thought for a moment, and then answered, "I'd think he was an officer, sir."

Unfortunately, too many Christians today think they are "officers" in God's army and have no need of the Spirit's weapons.

Don't underestimate the enemy!

Tell Them To Come Home

Major Whittle's daughter said to her father who was soon to

preach on short notice to a large crowd in an opera house in

Pittsburgh: "Papa, tell them to come!" He did so, and God

wonderfully blessed it to the conversion of many souls.

An Eye Single

The apostle Paul was perhaps one of the greatest travelers of his

day. He visited many lands, and saw many new scenes in different

countries. When he returned he wrote a good deal; his epistles were

widely read by the early churches. Yet, in all the writings of the

apostle, there is not one line that is descriptive of the scenery of

the countries through which he passed; not a line telling of the

wonders of the architecture of his day; not a line describing the

customs of the people. Is not this singular? There is a reason for it.

The apostle was "blind." As he traveled about he was blind to all else

but one thing. On the way to Damascus, when he met the Lord Jesus, He

was blinded by the vision of His great glory, and from that time he

could see nothing but Him and tell of nothing but His Gospel. --Rev.

R. A. Jaffray

Only One Doctrine

An aged Christian minister said: "When I was a young man I knew

everything; when I got to be thirty-five years of age in my ministry,

I had only a hundred doctrines of religion; when I got to be forty

years of age, I had only fifty doctrines of religion; when I got to be

sixty years of age, I had only ten doctrines of religion; and now I am

dying at seventy-five years of age, and there is only one thing I

know, and that is that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save

sinners." --T. De Witt Talmage

From Sleep To Sleep

A great captain thought he gave that soldier but his due, whom he

ran through with his sword because he found him asleep when he should

have stood sentinel. Excusing his severity, the captain said that he

left him but as he found him: "Mortuum inveni, et mortuum reliqui "

--"I found him dead in sleep, and left him but asleep in death."

--Gurnal

Opiate of Sin

In our state, we had a Mr. William A. Rogers, president of the

Marietta Female College. One morning his wife was indisposed and he

sent his servant to the drug store for quinine. In a few moments the

servant returned with the medicine. Mrs. Rogers took the powder and

put it on her tongue. She rinsed it down with water, but as soon as

she had swallowed it she walked to the front porch, and to her

husband, who was in the flower yard, she said: "Husband, that was not

quinine I took just now. I sent for quinine, but I am satisfied that

was not quinine."

Mr. Rogers ran down with all his might to the drug store, and said:

"What was that you sent my wife?" The druggist threw up his hands and

said: "Sir, I have sent enough morphine to your house to kill a dozen

persons." Mr. Rogers ran over to the doctor's office and brought two

physicians home with him. They administered emetics and strong coffee

and various remedies, but directly a deathlike stupor began to crawl

over her frame. The agonized husband turned to the doctors and said:

"Is there any chance to save my poor wife?" "Yes," they replied, "if

we can keep her awake for four hours we can save her life."

The minutes seemed like hours, as they walked her up and down the

floor, and threw cold water in her face, and whipped her person with

cruel switches, and every means was used. That deathlike stupor be

came so oppressive that she turned to her husband and said: "Husband,

please let me go to sleep"; and he said: "Oh, wife, if you go to sleep

you will never wake in this world. "I know that," she said, "but

please let me go to sleep." They walked her up and down the floor, and

soon, when the stupor overwhelmed her whole being, she turned to her

husband and said: "Husband, please let me sleep for just five

minutes." And he said: "Wife, if you go to sleep for five minutes, you

will never wake up. Arouse! Arouse!" Thus they persevered until the

four hours had passed, and the doctors had pronounced her safe.

I have seen the soul of man in just that condition. I have worked

with him, prayed with him and wrestled with him day after day and week

after week; and the devil would administer opiates to his soul, and he

would say: "Just let me sleep until this service is over, just let me

sleep through this." Oh, brother, how men sleep over their immortal

interests! --Sam Jones

The Devil Blinds and Soothes

David Livingstone tells us that when he was under the paw of a

lion, when one time, from the recesses of the forest the great beast

was on him and pinned him to the ground, he felt the breath of the

lion soothing him to sleep. There was something in the breath that

brought a dimness over the eyes, and a soothing to the spirit, and the

bloody fangs of the lion that were getting ready to devour him were

prefaced by this blindfolding by the very presence of the beast of

prey.

Yes, the devil causes a similar unconsciousness. I believe that

positively there is an influence from the presence of the devil in a

temptation. I believe that physically, like what Livingstone

described--physically like it, and spiritually like it--the devil

blinds and soothes, and makes unconscious to the realities of God and

heaven and hell, making you unconscious of what you are about. Then he

lights up the imagination to the galleries of the spirit. He brings

pictures and desires and at last sets you on fire with the fire of

hell, the passions of the soul. --John Robertson

I Am Attacking

We are told that just before the first battle of the Marne in the

first World War, Marshal Foch, the great French General, reported: "My

center is giving; my left wing is retreating; the situation is

excellent; I am attacking!" This was not mere military bombast, for

the Marshal realized that apparent defeat could be turned into victory

by acting with resolution and alacrity at the very moment when the

enemy seemed to be triumphant. --Harry A. Ironside

Learning To Fly

The nestling eaglet looks up to the majestic flight of the soaring

eagle through heaven, and says, "Oh, that I could soar as bravely.

Teach me to fly!" And, as if in answer to the wish, the parent bird

descends, and tears the soft nest in pieces, forcing the restful brood

forth to the sweeping winds. And, though to the young bird it may seem

almost cruel, yet it is just what it longed for--this is teaching it

to fly! --Wadsworth

Being Tempted Verse Being Tested

Alexander MacLaren, in a sermon entitled "Faith Tested and

Crowned," distinguished between being tempted and being tested or

tried. He said that, "the former word conveys the idea of appealing

to the worst part of man, with the wish that he may yield and do the

wrong. The latter means an appeal to the better part of man, with the

desire that he should stand. Temptation says, 'Do this pleasant

thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.' Trial or

proving says, 'Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by

the fact that it is painful.' The one is a sweet, beguiling melody,

breathing soft indulgence and relaxation over the soul; the other is a

peeling trumpet-call to high achievements."

Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us; God tests us to bring

out the best in us.

Let Me See You

Can the human spirit be "seen?"

In the book "The King of the Earth", Erich Sauer explains how this

is possible: "A young man who devoted himself to ideological and moral

problems... had been hoping to be further stimulated by meeting

Socrates. But contact with this intellectual "giant" so overawed him

that he scarcely dared to open his mouth to speak or to ask a

question. So they walked side by side for a while without

conversation. Then Socrates suddenly broke the silence and said

kindly but briefly to his young companion, 'Speak, that I may "see"

you.' In this short sentence lies the deep recognition of the

connection between spirit and word. Speech is the instrument for the

manifestation of the human spirit."

Where We Often Get Spiritual Vision

Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well when they can not

be discerned from the top of a mountain. So are many things learned in

adversity which the prosperous man dreams not of. --Spurgeon

Christ, the True Yokefellow

Matthew 11:29

On one occasion F. B. Meyer visited D. L. Moody in Northfield,

Massachusetts. Moody, showing Meyer a team of oxen, said that

whenever one of those oxen was being yoked in, the other, which might

be on the far side of the farmyard, would come trotting up and stand

beside the other one until it was yoked in also. Meyer then made this

encouraging application to us in our relationship to Christ: "Jesus

stands today with the yoke upon His shoulder. He calls to each one and

says, 'Come and share My yoke, and let us plow together the long

furrow of your life. I will be a true yokefellow to you. The burden

shall be on Me.'"

That's exactly what Jesus promised us in \reference{Matthew

11:29}{Matthew 11:29}.

The Second Rest

Matthew 11:29

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me... and you will find rest

unto your souls. \reference{Matt. 11:29}{Matthew 11:29} When a person

trusts Christ for salvation, he experiences a deep, settled peace. He

knows that his sins are forgiven and that he is on his way to heaven.

But he still may lack peace in facing the trials and difficulties of

life. F. B. Meyer talked about this problem in his book "The Christ

Life for Your Life." He wrote, "There are tens of thousands of

Christians who have got the first rest, but have not got the second.

They could look death in the face without wavering, but they cannot

look panic, disaster, bereavement, pain, or trial in the face without

disquiet." Yet \reference{Matthew 1}{Matthew 1} 1:29 clearly shows

that there is a way to find "rest for your souls. " On one occasion F.

B. Meyer visited with D. L. Moody in Northfield, Massachusetts. Moody,

showing Meyer a team of oxen, said that whenever one of the oxen was

being yoked in, the other, which might be on the far side of the farm

yard, would come trotting over and stand beside the first, ready to be

yoked in also. Meyer then made this encouraging application for

believers in their relationship to Christ: "Jesus stands today with

the yoke upon His shoulder. He calls to each one and says, 'Come and

share My yoke, and let us plow together the long furrow of your life.

I will be a true yokefellow to you. The burden shall be on Me.'"

Body of Death

In Virgil, there is an account of an ancient king, who was so unnaturally cruel in his punishments that he used to chain a dead man to a living one. It was impossible for the poor wretch to separate himself from his disgusting burden. The carcass was bound fast to his body--its hands to his hands; its face to his face; its lips to his lips. It lay down and rose up whenever he did; it moved about with him whithersoever he went, till the moment when death came to his relief. Many suppose that it was in reference to this that Paul cried out: "O wretched man that I am!" Whether this be so or not, sin is a body of death which all who are not sanctified wholly carry about with them.

--McCartney

'Dead' Woman Fights for Her Life

'Dead' Woman Fights for Her Life -- (PHOENIX) -- Early yesterday, January 6th, 1999, Bill Bennett was told his wife had been killed in a robbery. But five hours later, authorities said she was really alive. Michelle Bennett was kidnapped during an apparent robbery at a Castle Boutique adult bookstore. The kidnappers shot her several times and left her for dead on a trail near the Lost Dutchman State Park. She is listed in critical condition this morning after surgery.

The family of this woman had even identified the body through a picture and had accepted her death. Many of the people of this world are DEAD spiritually. Too many Christians accept their death without realizing that even though they are dead they can live again in Christ.

Overripe

John 4

Someone had made the enlightening comment on John,

\reference{chapter 4}{John 4}:

"Not long ago I was riding with a man through the country.

'Elmer," I said, 'why are those fields so white?' 'Because the

wheat is full grown,' he replied. 'Wheat!' I exclaimed. 'I

always thought wheat was golden.' 'Yes, it is, except when it's

overripe. Then it becomes very light in color.' 'Oh, now I know

why the Lord told His disciples that the fields were white. the

grain had to be gleaned immediately.'"

The Reaping of Revenge

The "War Cry" carried a story about a tenant farmer who had

worked hard for many years to improve the production of the

land. Then something happened that caused him to become very

bitter. When it was time to renew his lease, the owner told him

he was going to sell the farm to his son who was getting

married. The tenant made several generous offers to buy it

himself, hoping the man's decision would be reversed. But it

was all in vain. As the day drew near for the farmer to vacate

his home, his weeks of angry brooding finally got the best of

him. He gathered seeds from some of the most pesky and noxious

weeds he could find. Then he spent many hours scattering them on

the clean, fertile soil of the farm, along with a lot of trash

and stones he had collected. To his dismay, the very next

morning the owner informed him that plans for his son's wedding

had fallen through, and therefore he would be happy to renew the

lease. He couldn't understand why the farmer exclaimed in

agonizing tones, "Oh, Lord, what a fool I've been!" The

lesson is clear: Whatever we sow, we will eventually reap.

Just Not Listening

Well-known Broadway producer Jed Harris once became convinced he

was losing his hearing. He visited a specialist, who pulled out a

gold watch and asked, "Can you hear this ticking?"

"Of course," Harris replied.

The specialist walked to the door and asked the question again.

Harris concentrated and said, "Yes, I can hear it clearly." Then the

doctor walked into the next room and repeated the question a third

time. A third time Harris said he could hear the ticking.

"Mr. Harris," the doctor concluded, "there is nothing wrong with

your hearing. You just don't listen."

How true of so many of us today! We need to learn how to listen to

God. --Brown Book of Anecdotes

Encumbered Eagle

In the Alleghenies a large eagle was shot by a hunter. When

he examined the bird, he was amazed to find that one of its

claws was held firmly in a strong steel trap from which dangled

a 5-foot chain. Although not heavy enough to prevent the

creature from flying, the additional weight had wearied the

eagle and brought it down within reach of his rifle. So, too,

the Christian can be entrapped and brought low spiritually by

encumbrances and sin which make him incapable of rising to the

heights he might otherwise attain.

It Interfered With His Prayers

There was once an old codfish dealer, a very earnest and sincere man, who lived prayerfully every day. One of the great joys of his life was the family worship hour. One year two other merchants persuaded him to go into a deal with them by which they could control all the codfish in the market and greatly increase the price. The plan was succeeding well, when this good man learned that many poor people in Boston were suffering because of the great advance in the price of codfish. It troubled him so that he broke down in trying to pray at the family altar, and he went straight to the men who had led him into the plot and told them that he could not go on with it.

Said the old man: “I can't afford to do anything which interferes with my family prayers. And this morning when I got down on my knees and tried to pray, there was a mountain of codfish before me high enough to shut out the throne of God, and I could not pray. I tried my best to get around it or over it, but every time I started to pray that codfish loomed up between me and my God. I won't have my family prayers spoiled for all the codfish in the Atlantic Ocean, and I shall have nothing to do with this market control business, or with any money made from it.” -- Pentecostal Evangel

He Can Get Along Without Ignorance Too

When John A. Broadus was the president of Southern Baptist

Theological Seminary in Louisville, he went to a country church

to preach one Sunday. A man approached him after the service

and said, "Brother, God kin git along without all your learnin."

Broadus replied, "Yes sir, God can. And he can also get along without

your ignorance."

The Danger of Spiritual Ignorance

Canada and the United States have long been the best of

friends, justly proud of the undefended border between them. It

has not always been so. During the War of 1812, between the

United States and Britain, the Americans crossed the border and

destroyed York, modern day Toronto. The British retaliated by

burning Washington, D. C. Finally, on December 24, 1814,

representatives of the two countries, who had been meeting in

Belgium signed the Treaty of Ghent, which agreed on the details

of an armistice. Unfortunately, the news of the peace was

delayed, and, on January 8, 1815, unaware of the armistice, the

two armies met in the Battle of New Orleans. More than 2,000

men lost their lives in a totally unnecessary battle, because

they were ignorant of the peace treaty.

The Origin of 360 Degrees Discussed

Jonah 4:11

Have you ever wondered why our compass has 360 degrees? Or

why clocks are divided into 12 hours, with 60 minutes to an

hour? Actually, the "counting by sixties" system (called

sexagesimal) came from ancient Mesopotamia. But, according to

Wycliffe's senior statesman/scholar, Dr. Richard Pittman, the

system had a very common and explainable origin. In fact, the

method of counting by sixties is still in use in parts of

Southeast Asia.

Dr. Pittman, one of Wycliffe's specialists in linguistics, helped

to create the Alphabet Museum at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, NC. His

theory on the origin of this unique system is as follows. The ancient

Mesopotamian man would, using his right thumb as a counter, touch each

joint of each finger of his right hand in turn, with the tip of his

thumb, counting as he did. (Try it yourself as you read this. With

your right thumb touch the three joints of your index finger

--counting as you go. Then move to your middle finger, etc.

By the time he finished he had counted 12 joints on his right hand.

Then, moving to his left hand he let each finger count for 12. He

would fold down his fingers as he counted, making a fist. By the time

he got to his thumb he had counted to 60 in multiples of 12. (Go

ahead, try it. Your index finger on your left hand is 12. Your

middle finger is 24. Your ringer finger is 36. Your little finger is

48. Your thumb makes 60).

Having counted up to sixty on his fingers, the Mesopotamian would

then move to the joints of his arms. This time each joint would count

for 60. His left wrist would be 60. His left elbow 120, his left

shoulder 180, his right shoulder 240, his right elbow 300, and

his right wrist 360. By being able to distinguish his right from

his left, each joint of his body would have certain consistent

numerical value. That is, his left shoulder would always be 180. His

middle knuckle on his right hand would always be 5. The little finger

on his left hand would always be 48. Fascinating!

Dr. Pittman says it was probably this counting procedure which led

to the widespread current division of circles into 360 degrees, hours

into 60 minutes, minutes into 60 seconds, feet into 12 inches, and in

earlier times, years into 360 days.

Knowing this helps us understand what God meant when he told Jonah

that he pities the city of Nineveh "in which there are more than

120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left"

(\reference{Jonah 4:11}{Jonah 4:11}). By that we conclude they were

illiterate and/or unskilled in arithmetic because they didn't know how

to count.

(untitled)

A father once took his small son to visit a huge cathedral. As the

two were walking down the aisle, the boy pointed at the cross on the

altar and said: "Father, what is that big plus sign up there?" If we

ever think that the Christian religion subracts something from our

lives, we are grievously mistaken, for the Christian religion is the

big plus sign that adds the best there is to our lives.

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Mr. Spurgeon used to tell of a poor woman who framed a check for

twelve thousand dollars, which had been given to her by a dying

friend. She had no idea that it was of any immediate use, and

retained it as a keepsake. Mr. Spurgeon soon turned it into cash for

a comfortable competence for her. What a blessing it would be if we

could translate God's love and power and promises into present

possessions!

- {The Sunday Circle}

(untitled)

When James Gordon Bennett sent Henry M. Stanley to search for

Livingstone, he said, "Draw on me for a thousand pounds today to

provide your equipment, and when that is eshausted draw on another

thousand, and when that is done, draw another thousand, and when that

is done, draw another; but find Livingstone." God asks us to glorify

Him by a life devoted to Him every day, and He authorizes us to draw

on Him for the wisdom, grace and strength needed to enable us to reach

this end; when one day's supply is exhausted, we are to draw another,

and then another, and then another until the complement of our days is

filled up.

- {The Sunday School Times}

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1 Corinthians 3:23

A prominent evangelist said that on the eve of starting out on a

long journey, a wealthy friend said to him: "You are going on a far

trip. You may need more money than you have. Here is my check book -

take it along with you. The checks are signed, and you can fill out

as many as you need." The evangelist was astonished at such

confidence, and as he went from city to city, and mixed with

well-to-do business men, he said to himself: "You may be rich, but I

have more in my pocket than you have. I have at my disposal all that

my friend is worth." Each one of us has a friend, and He has placed

at our disposal all the rich store of His Promises. They provide for

every contingency, every adversity, every difficulty that can happen

to us. Thery at our disposal. They are the "exceeding great and

precious promises" - our hope and confidence.

- {The Sunday Circle}

\reference{1 Corinthians 3:23}{1 Corinthians 3:23}

(untitled)

A piece of jewelry was submitted to the most expert valuer in New York City. He applied his test for weight, cut, color, etc., to the emeralds, balanced the gold against the little brass weights in his scales, considered a minute, and then wrote upon the sheet a valuation, which was so small a fraction of the expected figure that the eager customer uttered a cry of dismay. "They are not first-rate stones, you see," he explained. "Not first-rate!" cried the owner. "How can that be? They are a royal gift." "Ah," said the gray-haired connoisseur, "I have handled many royal gifts, and long ago learned that kings keep their best for themselves." It is not so with the bounty of our King.

- {Christian Advocate}

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Psalms 23:5

When a boy, I went with my mother to buy some sugar. The good

grocer, in filling the scoop, would let a big lump fall off on the

counter. "You may have that lump, my boy," he would say; "it's the

run-over." At first this seemed an accident; afterwards I thought it

was intention. Anyway, it cost mother nothing, and I believed the

grocer could well afford to give it. He had barrels of it. So when

mother went to buy sugar I always wanted to go along; I enjoyed the

"run-over." When we go to the Lord for spiritual filling, we need not

fear the running over. If we refuse to allow it, we may go away the

poorer. But if we welcome the run-over, others around us, hungering

and thristing, will be blessed by the richness and the sweetness of

heaven's exhaustless grace.

- {The Sunday School Times}

\reference{Psalm 23:5}{Psalms 23:5}

(untitled)

Romans 5:1

An uneducated man, on his conversion, wished to learn to read, so

that he might read the Bible for himself. He started, and made such

good progress that he soon began to read the New Testament through. A

Christian friend, meeting him one day, asked how far he had got in his

reading. He replied that he was now reading in Romans. "And how do

you get on with that?" was the question. "Well," answered the man,

"there is a great deal I can't quite understand, but whenever I come

to a 'therefore,' I get a blessing." He could not comprehend all of

those great arguments, but Paul always sums up with a "therefore,"

containing the sum and substance of his theme, which even the

simpliest by faith, will have peace with God through our Lord Jesus

Christ" (\reference{Rom. 5:1}{Romans 5:1}).

- {The Christian Herald}

142 Sermon Illustrations on Spiritual