Sermon Central
-
Bible Readers Change The World PRO
Contributed by Hal Seed on Nov 9, 2012 (message contributor)
BIBLE READERS CHANGE THE WORLD
If you’ve read anything by Charles Dickens, you know how terrible conditions were in 18th century England. There were no child labor laws, so children as young as age four were put to work up to 12 hours a day in dangerous factories and sent into the corners of coal mines that were too narrow for adults to reach. If you’ve seen the musical "Oliver," you know that hunger was rampant. Tuberculosis, diphtheria and cholera outbreaks were common. School was only available for the children of the rich.
In 1738, Jonathan Wesley starting forming little Bible studies around the country. He was so keen on using methods to teach the Bible that people called his followers "Method-ists." By 1798, there were 100,000 Methodist Bible studies in England.
One of those Bible reading Methodists was Samuel Plimsoll. Plimsoll thought it was wrong that the merchants overloaded their ships and then shrugged it off and collected large insurance claims when their ships sank and the crews drowned. Plimsoll invented a symbol that marked a line on the ship to indicate its safe loading level. This line has saved thousands of lives and is still called "the Plimsoll mark" to this day.
Another Bible reader was Robert Raikes. Raikes saw that poor children couldn’t attend school because they worked six days a week. So he invited "Sunday school" to teach kids to read by reading the Bible.
Other people from this Bible reading movement formed orphanages, mental asylums, hospitals and prisons.
Florence Nightingale developed the nursing profession.
William Wilberforce brought an end to the English Slave Trade.
Bible readers fought and won women the right to vote.
William and Catherine Booth formed the Salvation Army.
Wesley’s 18th century Bible-reading revolution changed people’s character. It lifted so many English people’s work ethic, care ethic, and sense of personal trustworthiness that, by the 19th century, England had become the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth.
The same thing happened in America. The...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Priest And A Rabbi From Local Parishes Were ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004
A priest and a rabbi from local parishes were standing by the side of the road holding up signs. The rabbi’s read, "The End is Near!" The priest, on the other side of the road, held up a sign which read, "Turn before it’s too late!" They planned to hold up their signs to each passing car. "Get a ...read more
-
It Was A State Campground Near Old Walker Mine ...
Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003
It was a state campground near Old Walker Mine in late September. My father and I pulled in about 11:30 at night and setting up camp what I remember most was the night sky. It was black, not dark but black. The stars were clearer, huge, close and more brilliant than I’d ever seen them or could ...read more
-
Contrary To Popular Belief, It Wasn't The Apple ... PRO
Contributed by Randall Newman on Oct 10, 2005
Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the apple on the tree that got us banished from Paradise. ...read more
-
But The Tongue Is As Volatile As It Is Vital. ...
Contributed by Bart Leger on Feb 14, 2005
“But the tongue is as volatile as it is vital. It was Washington Irving who first said, ‘A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.’ It was James, the half brother of Jesus, who first warned: The tongue is a fire…a restless evil and full of deadly poison (James ...read more
-
The Work Of Evangelism Is Never Complete Until ... PRO
Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Oct 20, 2004
"The work of evangelism is never complete until the one evangelized becomes an ...read more
Related Sermons
-
-
-
The Life That Stands Through A Storm
Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 6, 2013
This is a message based on Jesus' parable of the Wise and foolish Builders. Anything less than Jesus Christ, and the word of God to build our lives on will fail us.
-
I Love His Word
Contributed by Rajendra Kadia on Nov 22, 2016
Loving God's Word leads to many blessings
-
Steadfast Or Intolerant
Contributed by Terry Frazier on Mar 2, 2013
In a world filled with political correctness, Christians have a duty to stand up and speak the truth. Believers have to stand steadfast to the principles taught to us in Scripture. We are to proclaim the truth no matter what the world will say in response
