Sermon Central
-
There Is No Exchange! (11.15.05--Heart And ...
Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 14, 2005 (message contributor)
There Is No Exchange! (11.15.05--Heart and Soul!--2 Chronicles15:14-15)
Life is full of the tentative. It would seem that the ability to be decisive is fast becoming a relic; replaced instead with a sleek, stream-lined, today’s-age, model that places indecisiveness as the norm and decisiveness as the archaic and irrelevant.
There was a day when a man went into a hardware store for a screw or a part and he went there with the conviction to get the right thing; to make one purchase without the thought of having to make a return transaction. That was a day when returning something because you had purchased incorrectly was something to be avoided. Having to go back to the store, hat in hand, with the wrong purchase item was an embarrassment. It meant that you, perhaps, had made the purchase in error--that you had not put adequate planning or understanding into the decision to select that item. “May I return this?” This was a real question, not a foregone conclusion. It was uttered in apology, not a bland expectation that somehow you had the right to be wrong. Being committed to do what was right in the first place meant that this was not only a “head” purchase but that it was also a “heart” purchase.
Pliny the Elder, was a Roman writer who lived during the same time period as Jesus. He told a story of the setting of an obelisk, which when erect would stand 99 feet tall. Twenty thousand workers where chosen to pull on the ropes and activate the hoisting apparatus. There was great responsibility and risk in the operation. Just one error could cause the obelisk to fall, ruining years of work. The King demanded one act which insured the complete attention and best direction of the engineer. He ordered the engineer’s own son to be strapped to the apex of the obelisk, so that his heart as well as his head would be given to the task. (Pulpit Helps, August, 1992, p. 14.)
Commitment means becoming a part of what we do not just accessory to it. When we make a decision to follow some course of action, it should be a decision based on head and heart knowledge. Sure, there will always be the possibility of error in this life. Sometimes we buy the wrong screw because we made a genuine mistake. That happens. But, to live life as if it is something that we can nonchalantly “return” if we don’t like it, is not wise. Being tentative and indecisive may be the way of the world but it is not the way of the Cross. Each of us needs to take responsibility for how we live our lives. That means we need to take each day, each hour, every minute and second seriously. This is the only life we have and there is no going back to exchange it for another.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Little Boy Was Leading His Sister Up A ... PRO
Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004
A little boy was leading his sister up a mountain path and the way was not too easy. "Why this isn't a path at all," the little girl complained. "Its all rocky and bumpy." Her little brother kept on up the mountain, ...read more
-
Most Of Us Are Familiar With This Song – It's The ...
Contributed by Robert Marsh on Mar 22, 2005
Most of us are familiar with this song – it’s the theme from the television show Friends. But have you ever caught the lyrics to the song? They read, in part: So no one told you life was gonna be this way Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D.O.A. It’s like you’re always stuck ...read more
-
The Other Day, Hunter My 6 Year Old Shocked Me As ...
Contributed by David Schaal on Sep 10, 2003
The other day, Hunter my 6 year old shocked me as I came in the door. He said Dad, did the trash man come yet? I said, “I think so,” he said,” Good, I will go get the trash can and bring it in.” I thought, “ I am such a great leader, I have taught my son the responsibilities of taking care of and ...read more
-
Dorothea Day's Poem "My Captain" Is The Christian ... PRO
Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 30, 2005
Dorothea Day’s poem “My Captain” is the Christian response to Henley: Out of the light that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pole, I thank the God I know to be For Christ the conqueror of my Soul. Since His, the way of circumstance I would not wince nor cry aloud. Under that ...read more
-
This Bomb Was Tested Above The Arctic Circle On ...
Contributed by Tim Richards on May 24, 2005
This bomb was tested above the Arctic Circle on October 30, 1961. The explosion was so intense that the flash was visible over 600 miles away. People felt the air move over 160 miles away. Everything in a radius of 15.25 miles was completely destroyed. Very severe damage extended to a distance of ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Discipleship - Fully Devoted Followers Of Jesus Christ
Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Sep 6, 2017
We are commanded by God to "make" disciples. This message can aid in the developing of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
-
Keep The Fire Burning
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Feb 20, 2020
A sermon addressing the need to stir up the gift that God has bestowed upon us.
-
Peter Denies Jesus Series
Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 8, 2016
Peter's denial of Jesus in Luke 22:54-62 shows us the danger of following Jesus in our own power.
-
Lent From Ashes To Alms
Contributed by Bruce Lee on Feb 23, 2015
The Season of Lent is a time to live out discipleship in the world. A close look at how God rewards us as we journey these forty days of Lent From Ashes to Alms. How do you answer the call of Lent?
-
#4: Turn From Your Evil Ways Series
Contributed by Archie Luper on Jul 7, 2007
STORY: Wife goes with husband to doctor. Not good, husband has but one week to live. Extend time by cooking, rubbing feet, back, take golfing, fishing, etc. Be as affectionate as when you were first married. This might extend his life. “Honey, what did do
