Sermon Central
-
A Farmer Plants Sour Apples Near Edge Of Orchard ...
Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 3, 2009 (message contributor)
A Farmer Plants Sour Apples Near Edge of Orchard To Camouflage The Sweet Ones in the Middle
A farmer repeatedly invited his neighbor to come over to his orchard and pick some apples and make fresh, sweet apple cider. The neighbor kept turning down the offer. Finally, the farmer asked why the neighbor didn’t want to come to his orchard. He said, “I think you are prejudiced against my apples.” The neighbor answered by saying, “Well, to tell the truth, I have tasted a few of them and they are very sour.” The farmer asked, “Which apples have you eaten?” The neighbor answered, “Those apples alongside the fence by the road.” The farmer said, “Ah, yes—those are sour. I planted them to fool the boys who live around here. But if you will come into the middle of my orchard, you will find a different taste.”
In much the same way, people who only nibble on the outside of Christianity only get a taste of conviction of sin, purity, and denial of self. All they see are fuddy-duddies and goody-two-shoes who don’t have any fun. Those apples were planted to keep out the hypocrites and curiosity seekers. Christ is interested in people making a commitment—a whole hearted, jump-in-with- both-feet commitment to follow Him. But once you come to Christ, the fruit is sweet. The nearer to God; the sweeter the joy.
From a sermon by Larry Wise, We Are So Blessed, 12/3/2009
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
I Read A Story Involving The Butterball Turkey ...
Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005
I read a story involving the Butterball Turkey company, which set up a hotline to answer consumers’ questions about preparing holiday turkeys. One woman called to ask about cooking a turkey that had been in her freezer for 23 years. The operator told her it might be safe if the freezer had ...read more
-
Wesleyan Theologian Richard Taylor Says, "The ... PRO
Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005
Wesleyan theologian Richard Taylor says, “The minds of the Israelites endorsed the Ten Commandments, but their hearts were contrary and perverse to them. The ...read more
-
The Elevator PRO
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 27, 2004
The Elevator A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city, for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman ...read more
-
I Have Learned Quite A Bit About Wolves This Year ...
Contributed by Jane Willis on Dec 25, 2004
I have learned quite a bit about wolves this year in preparation for a winter trip to Yellowstone. One of my favorite photographs of a wolf pack shows them traveling over the crest of a hill, through very deep snow. It is an aerial photograph, which shows an exquisitely organized approach to ...read more
-
Those Who Don't Understand The Food That God ... PRO
Contributed by Eric Stefanski on Aug 3, 2003
Those who don’t understand the food that God gives, those who don’t see how deep their need is for it, also consider the Gospel and Sacrament as ’fleeting’, and they seek some new ’rush’ in worship, desiring an emotional high, no matter how lacking in nutrition such a meal is. It’s like the ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Wade In The Water
Contributed by Harold Miller, Jr. on May 6, 2013
An appeal to have a deeper walk with the Lord
-
The Chosen's Choice
Contributed by Jerry Flury on Feb 23, 2014
As Christians we were chosen by God to be recipients of God's amazing grace. The blessings of having been chosen are unfathomable. Being chosen there are also responsibilities to be fulfilled and choices to be made.
-
8 Words To Change Your Family: Commitment Series
Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 5, 2011
When we lose that which has always been so important to us, we end up finding that which we've been searching for all along.
-
Stephen Shows Us The Right Way To Live And Die Series
Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 5, 2017
1. We need Stephen's courage (vs. 51-53). 2. We need Stephen's commitment (vs. 54-59). 3. We need Stephen's consciousness (vs. 55-56). 4. We need Stephen's character (vs. 59-60).
-
John Wesley's View On Entire Sanctification
Contributed by Sidney Yuan on Apr 1, 2013
This sermon gives a correct view of John Wesley's doctrine of entire sanctification, and teaches us how to be holy.
