Sermon Illustrations

Here’s some common sense that doesn’t sound especially biblical, but it has some really good biblical foundations. Consider these quotes from “The Wisdom of Cowboys”:

• A cowboy would say, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” Now this is from Ecclesiastes 7:1: “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise – Than for a man to hear the song of fools.” Do you think Solomon was a cowboy?

• A cowboy would say, “If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.” --- Then consider 1 Samuel 14: Saul had ordered that no Israelite would eat until the victory was won. Jonathan didn’t hear the order, and ate some honey. Israel followed Jonathan and won a great victory, but Saul said, … you shall surely die, Jonathan.” But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance? Certainly not! … So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

Do you think Saul was a cowboy?

• A cowboy will tell you, “There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.”

Now recall when Jesus performed his first miracle in John 2:

When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, . . . . Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” . . . and they found that the water had become wine.

Jesus told his mother that it wasn’t the right time, but his mother went ahead and made the preparations anyway. Notice, Jesus didn’t argue with her. He just did it. Guess that proves . . . Jesus was a cowboy.

• A cowboy would say, “The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.” I guess that just proves . . . there’s no cowboys in Congress.

Please pray with me now for the common sense of a cowboy.

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons