Sermon Illustrations

Story: Perhaps I can explain it better by telling you as story that the famous Canadian 20th Century Pentecostal missionary, Jonathan Goforth, used to tell.

When Jonathan was 16 and still living at home with his parents, his father bought a second farm. He asked Jonathan to look after a huge field on that farm and get it ready for harvest.

Jonathan loved his father and wanted to please him. So he ploughed and weeded the field. He tilled it, bought the best grain and planted it in the field.

When the field was ready for harvest, Jonathan brought his father over to inspect it.

Jonathan’s father came and stood on a small hill overlooking the field and said nothing.

He simply surveyed the field to see if he could find weeds.

When he found nothing, Jonathan’s father simply smiled.

Jonathan Goforth used to say: "It was the smile on my father’s face that was all the reward I needed. So it is with our heavenly father when we do what he commands us to do."

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons

  • What Is Good About Friday? An Easter Message Series

    Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 1, 2016
    based on 5 ratings
     | 16,135 views

    Have you ever wondered what is good about Good Friday? What is good about a day that exists to commemorate the torture and execution of Jesus on a cross?

  • Contagious Christianity

    Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 12, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 15,901 views

    It is genuine Christianity which turned the world upside down and it is genuine Christ-like love which transforms lives.

  • When A Little Guy Meets A Big God

    Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 6, 2016
    based on 1 rating
     | 13,862 views

    Jesus reaches out to the smallest and the evilest among us with a very personal invitation. He calls us by name. He invites himself over. He desires nothing less than a radically changed life, submitted to him, and all for our good!

  • Caught In The Act Series

    Contributed by Seth Lawson on Jan 22, 2018
    based on 3 ratings
     | 12,905 views

    Examining this event from Jesus' life and ministry in John 8, we can learn to live as he lived and love as he loved ... no condemnation, no compromise, full of compassion.

  • We Are More Than Conquerors

    Contributed by Timm Meyer on Feb 12, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 12,746 views

    Lent 1 (B) - We are more than conquerors. Nothing can stand against the believer. Nothing can separate from God’s love.

Browse All Media

Related Media