Sermon Illustrations

[Healed from Anger, Citation: Tony Campolo, "Year of Jubilee," Preaching Today #212]

In Preaching Today, author and speaker Tony Campolo tells this story:

I was in a church in Oregon not too long ago, and I prayed for a man who had cancer. In the middle of the week, I got a telephone call from his wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer." I said, "Had?" Whoa, I thought, it’s happened.

She said, "He died." I felt terrible.

She continued, "Don’t feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn’t take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence. After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come...

Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons

  • The Prodigal Son's Brother

    Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 6, 2012
    based on 4 ratings
     | 55,226 views

    Chapter 15 of Luke is the start of a new discussion as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem to fulfill his ultimate sacrificial mission. It begins with the Scribes and Pharisees grumbling because Jesus always allowed sinners to listen to him and eat with hi

  • The Goodness Of God Series

    Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2010
    based on 2 ratings
     | 22,526 views

    Today, I want us to consider the goodness of God. The goodness of God is designed to appeal to our better nature and cause us to respond favorably to God. The purpose of God's goodness and forbearance is not to encourage sin, but to appeal to man's better

  • Christ In The Garden Of Eden Series

    Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 9, 2011
    based on 4 ratings
     | 22,429 views

    Christ was there in the Garden of Eden: 1. Seeking to connect with sinners (vs. 8-9). 2. Seeing through our conniving ways (vs. 7-13). 3. Showing us the consequences of our sin (vs. 14-19). 4. Showing us the cross (vs. 14-15 & 21).

  • The Race Set Before Us Series

    Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Jun 25, 2012
    based on 4 ratings
     | 17,861 views

    From Heb. 12:1 the race set before us is: 1. A Set Race (Sovereignty); 2. A Marked Out Race (Guidance); 3. An Individually Crafted Race; 4. A Forward Looking Race (The Race before us)

  • Necessary Steps On The Way Back Home (Part 1)

    Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 18, 2015
    based on 5 ratings
     | 15,929 views

    Examining the proper steps toward restoration to a right relationship with the Father.