Please Sir Save Me!
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the needs of others over material wealth and personal interests, and trusting in God to provide for our needs.
In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a gold miner on a ship that gets caught in a storm and starts sinking. A little girl asks the miner if he can swim, and he realizes he cannot save both her and his gold. He chooses to save the girl and throws his gold overboard. He jumps into the water and swims until he reaches safety. The preacher uses this story to encourage the listeners to put their trust in God and help those in need, even if it means sacrificing their own comfort or possessions.
Full Transcript
Some time ago, a steamer with a number of gold miners on board was seen approaching San Francisco. The voyage had been delightful, and all were in high glee at the near prospect of home. Suddenly, a fierce wave drove the vessel onto a rock, and the captain announced that the ship was sinking while he spoke.
On the deck, a sunburnt miner was buckling round his waist with gold and savings, when a little lassie of seven summers came along, and looking up into his face, asked the question, Please, sir, can you swim? Yes, said the miner, I reckon so. Then please, sir, ask the child with fearful eyes, will you save me? Quick as thought, the miner saw that he could not save the child and his money as well, but he soon decided, and overboard went the gold. Creep up, my darling, put your arms round me next, tighten the next moment.
He was strapping the little lassie where a few seconds before he had been fastening the gold. Then plunging into the billow, he swam and swam until a brief wave landed him on the shore. They bore him to a cottage, and opening his eyes, he asked, Where am I? When the same little form creeping up his bosom, kicked him on both feet and said, Please, sir, I'm so glad you've saved me.
All around you on the waste waters of life, in their poverty, miseries and sins, the people are seeking you, will you help them? Keep neither money, pride or self far the way, overboard with it. Put your trust in God, throw your arms round the perishing, and swim and swim until by and by, when the kindly hand of death lands you on the golden shore, the spirit whom you have saved shall bear you away on their snowy wings to the feet of your Lord, and say, This is the man, this is the woman who saved me.
Sermon Outline
- The Dilemma of Choice
- The Call to Action
- The Promise of Salvation
- The reward of saving others
- The eternal impact of our actions
Key Quotes
“Please, sir, I'm so glad you've saved me.” — William Booth
“Put your trust in God, throw your arms round the perishing, and swim and swim until by and by, when the kindly hand of death lands you on the golden shore,” — William Booth
Application Points
- Prioritize the needs of others over your own interests and material wealth.
- Trust in God to provide for your needs and guide your actions.
- Be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of helping others and spreading the message of salvation.