Sermon Illustrations

FLYING A PLANE DOWN

Robert and his pilot friend Wesley went for a flying trip from Indianapolis to Muncie, Indiana, in June 1998. During the flight, his pilot had a heart attack and slumped over the controls. He was dead. The Cessna 172 single-engine plane began to nosedive and Robert grabbed the controls. He got on the radio and pleaded for help.

Nearby were two pilots who heard the call. Mount Comfort was the closest airport, and the two pilots gave Robert a series of instructions, climbing, steering, and the scariest part, landing. The two-experienced pilots circled the runway three times before this somewhat frantic and totally inexperienced pilot was ready to attempt the landing.

Emergency vehicles were called out for what seemed like an approaching disaster. Witnesses said the plane’s nose nudged the center line and bounced a few times before the tail hit the ground. The Cessna ended up in a patch of grass next to the runway. Amazingly, Robert was not injured. He said later, “I listened intently and followed every single instruction as carefully as I could. My life depended on it.”

Imagine the blessings upon our lives if we listened to and obeyed the Word of God with the same earnestness. His blessings on our life and the avoidance of His punishment depend on it.

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons