An
old fable of Aesop tells of the fox and the crow. A crow once stole a piece
of meat. The fox, who wanted the meat, began to compliment the crow. First he
complimented the beauty of her black feathers. Then, he complimented the beauty
of her form. Finally he complimented her signing voice as asked to hear her
sing. The crow was so overcome by the praise, she opened her mouth to sing and
dropped the meat, which the fox promptly picked up and ate. Our experience tells
us that such vanity is not reserved for crows.

_______________
J.
Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati,
OH.


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About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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An old fable of
Aesop tells of the fox and the crow. A crow once stole a piece of meat. The
fox, who wanted the meat, began to compliment the crow. First he complimented
the beauty of her black feathers. Then, he complimented the beauty of her form.
Finally he complimented her signing voice as asked to hear her sing. The crow
was so overcome by the praise, she opened her mouth to sing and dropped the
meat, which the fox promptly picked up and ate. Our experience tells us that
such vanity is not reserved for crows.

_____________________

Michael Shannon,
Preaching March/April 2004


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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For many, many years the largest church building in the world was St. Peter’s
Cathedral in Rome. But a few years ago, the then-president of the Ivory Coast
built a larger basilica. It seats 7,000 people although Sunday attendance is
seldom more than 200 and often as few as 50. The reason that there are so few
worshipers is the location of the building. He built it in his home town of
Yamoussoukro miles away from anywhere.

Many church buildings have on the cornerstone “Erected to the glory of
God.” One suspects that such a legend would hardly fit this church,
obviously built for the glory of man. Pride is such a subtle sin, and such a
pervasive sin. It was the first sin and it remains one of the most dangerous.
We must be constantly on guard against it.


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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