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2 Sermon Illustrations on Surrender

2 illustrations

Surrender in Christian preaching emphasizes yielding completely to God's will, recognizing that true strength and power arise from this total submission. Illustrations often depict the transformation and empowerment that follow when believers relinquish control and trust God's guidance fully (Romans 12:1-2).

Willing to Give All I Don't Have

True giving is measured by willingness to sacrifice even what little we have.

A new convert declared his determination to give all that he had for the Master. He said, "Pastor, if I had fifty pigs, I'd give twenty-five of them to the Lord." "That's very nice," said the pastor. "If you had thirty would you give fifteen to the Lord?" "Of course I would," said the new Christian. "If you had ten would you give five of them?" asked the pastor again. "You know I would," he answered. Then the pastor said, "If you had two, would you give one to the Lord?" "Now Pastor, don't ask me that. You know I have only two pigs." A "Nickel" Heart "Ah!" said a woman who in her poverty had done much for Christ and who had a great sum willed to her, "I cannot do as much as I used to do." "But how is that?" someone asked. Said she, "When I had a nickel purse I had a silver heart, but now I have a silver purse and I have only a nickel heart." A Drop in the Bucket Let's not refuse to give the little we have; God will multiply it. I remember an elderly man who was giving very little, but it was truly sacrificial. He had a younger friend who was always making fun of him. "Such need in the world, and yet you think that with your few dollars you will make a difference! Old friend, what you give is only a drop in the bucket." But the old man with rejoicing in his face turned to his friend and said, "Yes, all that God expects of me is my drop and He will see to the filling of the bucket."

Jesus, Submission to

John 6:37

A soldier surrenders to Jesus, trusting His promise to never cast out anyone who comes to Him.

A sceptical soldier in the hospital at Atlanta sent for a chaplain, and, in various ways, tried to get rid of his doubts. Upon the wall was hung the Scripture, "Whoso cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out," which caught his attention one night. In the morning, he asked to have a letter from his mother read to him. It was an earnest entreaty to accept Christ. The reader came to the words, "Whoso cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."—"There," said he, "that's what I want. I thought mother said that. Read it again." It was read. "Mother says that, does she?"—"Yes."—"And it's in the Bible too?"—"Yes."—"Then it must be true. Jesus will receive me. I will come to him. Here, Lord, I give myself up." It appeared to be a genuine surrender and a gracious acceptance.

from New Cyclopaedia of Prose Illustrations · Elon Foster salvation

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