Sermon Central
-
Let's Think About That For A Moment. In This ...
Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 12, 2006 (message contributor)
Let’s think about that for a moment. In this country, we are living at a time of nearly full-employment. Although interest rates have headed back up some recently, we are still enjoying some of the lowest interest rates our country has seen in decades. When I bought my house in 1990, I was paying over 10% interest, and I remember being excited when a few years later I was able to refinance at 7¼%. Today, most people are paying less than 7%.
Think of those described as poor in our country. According to the 2000 census, 46% of all poor households own their own homes. 76% of poor households have air conditioning, while 30 years ago, only 36% of the entire US population enjoyed air conditioning.
In 1973, the average new house had 1660 square feet. Today the average new home being built is 2,434 square feet. The average poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens and other cities throughout Europe. (Note: These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries not to those classified as poor.) I remember hearing at the Jerusalem Model at the Holy Land that in Israel’s early days, the average home in Jerusalem had only 300-600 square feet.
Nearly three-quarters of poor households own a car; 30% own two or more cars. Ninety-seven percent of poor households have a color television. Over half own two or more color televisions. Seventy-eight percent have a VCR or DVD player. Sixty-two percent have cable or satellite TV reception. Seventy-three percent own microwave ovens; more than half have a stereo, and a third have an automatic dishwasher. As a group the poor are far from being chronically undernourished. Most poor children today are in fact super-nourished, on average growing up to be one inch taller and ten pounds heavier than the GIs who stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II. (Poverty, American Style, by FairOpinion, Oct. 13,2003).
These are those described by our government as being “poor” and yet the poor in this country are better off than the majority of people in the rest of the world. In spite of living in one of the most blessed nations in the world, at a time of economic growth and prosperity, there is a spirit of discontentedness in our land. Even in our churches, there is discontent.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A. Dr. Karl Menninger, A World-Famous ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 15, 2002
A. Dr. Karl Menninger, a world-famous psychiatrist, was answering questions after giving a lecture on mental health when one person asked, “What would you advice someone to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” Most people expected the doctor to say, “Consult a psychiatrist.” Instead he ...read more
-
"Theology In The Pew" PRO
Contributed by Ronald Keller on Oct 15, 2002
“THEOLOGY IN THE PEW” “A large share of people who attend Protestant or Catholic churches have adopted beliefs that conflict with the teachings of the Bible and their church, according to the latest release from the Barna Research Group (www.barna.org). There are some fundamental Christian ...read more
-
Erich Remarque's Book, All Quiet On The Western ... PRO
Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Jun 23, 2005
Erich Remarque’s book, All Quiet on the Western Front tells of a remarkable encounter between two enemy soldiers during the Second World War. During the confusion of an infantry attack a soldier plunged into an out of the way shell hole. There he found a wounded enemy. The sight of the man moved ...read more
-
D. Dave Thomas, Founder Of Wendy's Hamburgers, ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 15, 2002
D. Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy’s Hamburgers, “I got my MBA long before my GED. I even have a photograph of me in my MBA graduation outfit; a snazzy kneelength work apron. I guarantee you that I’m the only founder among America’s big companies whose picture in the corporate annual report shows ...read more
-
G. Gert Behanna, Converted At Age Of 60, Went ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 15, 2002
G. Gert Behanna, converted at age of 60, went around the country speaking, wrote book THE LATE LIZ, in an interview “You know I travel around speaking for God and in the process I’m forced to use gas stations restrooms which are almost always filthy. I used to complain about that to God. I’d say, ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Knocking At The Right Door!
Contributed by Tony Abram on Mar 13, 2013
KNOCKING AT THE RIGHT DOOR! Finding the right door in our Christian walk will lead us to the blessings of the Lord. Finding the right door seems to be the difficulty in most Christian lives. In this simple outline we point out how we can find the right d
-
Blessed Every Single Day
Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 25, 2007
Discusses the fact that we are blessed.
-
A Lesson In Planting Series
Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Jun 14, 2007
This sermon looks at lessons in planting. No matter how you live your life you are sowing seeds. Your harvest is determined by what you sow.
-
The Good Life
Contributed by Daniel Wheat on May 29, 2009
The average lifespan of a man is 70 years. For a woman it is 75. With all of the medical advances there are those who have lived to 100 and even as old as 115 years of age. To imagine all of the life experiences in that much time. What technological advan
-
I Want To Be "Wow"Ed! Series
Contributed by Chip Monck on Nov 28, 2007
A series exploring the God given desires of our heart. Inspired by "The Seven Longings of the Human Heart" by Mike Bickle.
