Sermon Central
-
Barefoot Christians: A Parable PRO
Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2009 (message contributor)
BAREFOOT CHRISTIANS: A PARABLE
"I arrived in the city of EVERYWHERE early one morning. It was cold, and there were flurries of snow on the ground. As I stepped from the train to the platform, I noticed that the baggage man and the redcap were warmly attired in heavy coats and gloves, but oddly enough, they wore no shoes. Repressing my impulse to ask the reason for this odd practice, I went to the station and inquired the way to the hotel. My curiosity, however, was increased by my discovery that no one in the station wore any shoes.
Boarding the streetcar, I saw that my fellow travelers were likewise barefoot; and upon arriving at the hotel I found that the bellhop, the desk clerk, and all the residents were void of shoes! Unable to restrain myself any longer, I asked the manager what this strange practice meant.
"What practice?" said he. "Why," said I, pointing to his bare feet, "Why don’t you wear shoes in this town?"
"Ah, said he, "that is just it. Why don’t we?"
"But what is the matter? Don’t you believe in shoes?"
"Believe in shoes, my friend! I should say we do! That is the first article of our creed--shoes. They are indispensable to the well-being of humanity. Such frostbite, cuts, sores, and suffering those shoes prevent! It is wonderful!"
"Well, then, why don’t you wear them?" I asked, totally bewildered.
"Ah" he said thoughtfully, "That is just it. Why don’t we?"
Though considerably nonplussed I checked in, secured my room, and went directly to the coffee shop. There I deliberately sat down by an amiable-looking but barefoot gentleman. Friendly enough, he suggested that we look around the city after our meal.
The first thing we noticed upon emerging from the hotel was a huge brick structure of impressive proportions. He pointed to this with pride. "You see that?" said he "That is one of our outstanding shoe manufacturing establishments!"
"A what?" I asked in amazement. "You mean you make shoes there?"
"Well, not exactly," said he, a bit abashed. "We talk about making shoes there, and believe me, we have one of the most brilliant fellows you have ever heard. He talks most thrillingly and convincingly every week on this great subject of shoes. Just yesterday he moved the people profoundly with his exposition of the necessity of shoe-wearing. Many broke down and wept. It was really wonderful!"
"But why don’t they wear them?" said I insistently.
"Ah, that is just it. Why don’t we?"
Just then, as we turned down a side-street, I saw through a cellar window a cobbler actually making a pair of shoes. Excusing myself from my friend, I burst into the little shop and asked the shoemaker how it happened that his shop was not over-run with customers.
"Nobody wants my shoes," he said. "They just talk about them."
"Give me what pairs you have ready," I said eagerly, and paid him twice the amount he modestly asked. Hurriedly I returned to my friend and offered them to him, saying, "Here, my...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Ravi Zacharias Tells The Amazing Story Of A ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 2, 2003
Ravi Zacharias tells the amazing story of a young Christian in Vietnam. He writes, “I was ministering in Vietnam in 1971, and one of my interpreters was Hien Pham, an energetic young Christian. He had worked as a translator with the American forces, and was of immense help both to them and to ...read more
-
Fully Committed PRO
Contributed by J Spurling on Jan 29, 2003
FULLY COMMITTED “This is it guys!” he shouted as the Piper bounced onto the beach. They’re on their way!” Lunch over, the men busied themselves fixing up a miniature “jungle” and model house in the sand, with the intention of demonstrating to the savages how to build an airstrip, should they be ...read more
-
Many Years Ago A Young Midwestern Lawyer ... PRO
Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jan 29, 2003
Many years ago a young Midwestern lawyer suffered from such deep depression that his friends thought it best to keep all knives and razors out of his reach. He questioned his life’s calling and the prudence of even attempting to follow it through. During this time he wrote, "I am now the most ...read more
-
The Republican Methodist Church Began On ... PRO
Contributed by Charles Salmon on Feb 3, 2003
The Republican Methodist Church began on Christmas Day, 1793 in Manikintown Virginia. It was formed by several Methodist congregations who rebelled against the Methodist Episcopal form of government brought from England. Soon. There were several thousand members and whole congregations had joined ...read more
-
Remaining Faithful PRO
Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 9, 2002
REMAINING FAITHFUL A study once disclosed that if both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful. If only Dad, 55% remain faithful. If only Mom, 15%. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful. The statistics speak for themselves--the example of ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Let The Children Come
Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Aug 10, 2010
Jesus said LET the children come, LEARN from them and LOVE them completely.
-
Love And Unity In The Community
Contributed by Mark Engler on Jan 2, 2015
The first century Christians at Rome struggled with unity in their Christian community, the church of today does too. If are to accomplish the mission of Christ, Christians must work together in unity as one mind, one heart.
-
Doing Good To All Men
Contributed by Dan Santiago on Jan 11, 2008
Christians should not be selective in their kindness to others.
-
Appreciating God
Contributed by John Perry on Aug 14, 2011
Do you ever really take time to do nothing more than appreciate God?
-
One In Chrirst
Contributed by Tony Grant on Dec 7, 2005
This passage of Scripture from Galatians is about what family Christians belong to, and what Christians look like. We look like our father
