It’s a story that was once immortalized in a movie. It is the story of a unique friend named Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a stray dog adopted by a policeman in Edinburgh, Scotland. When his master died, Bobby stayed continually by his graveside. Occasionally he would go to a pub where he had eaten with his master. There they would give him scraps, and he would go back to his master’s grave.

The dog kept this vigil for fourteen years. As Bobby became a legend, the people in the city looked out for him, even building him a small shelter near the grave. When Bobby died he was buried, fittingly, at his master side. There is even a statue commemorating Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh. Isn’t it extraordinary that a little dog can outdo us humans in simple faithfulness?

-Michael Shannon, Preaching May/June 2002


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

Share this content with your peers!

One of the most inspirational figures of the early church is Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Scholars believe that this faithful believer was born around A.D. 69, and may have been converted by the apostle John. At this time, Christians in western Asia (modern Turkey) experienced increased persecution. In A.D. 156, Polycarp was dragged before a jeering crowd and told to renounce his faith, or he would be burned at the stake. Polycarp’s beautiful response was as follows: “For eighty and six years I have been His servant and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my king who has saved me?” With that, Polycarp was martyred.

Today in the Word, Dec. 2003, p.36


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

The woman’s husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day. One day, when he came to, he motioned for her to come nearer.

As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, “You know what? You have been with me through all the bad times. When I got fired, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you stayed right here. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. Do you know what I think?”

“What dear?” she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.

“I think you’re bad luck.”

(from The Daily Dilly)

 


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

It’s a story that was once immortalized in a movie. It is the story of a unique
friend named Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a stray dog adopted by a policeman in
Edinburgh, Scotland. When his master died, Bobby stayed continually by his
graveside. Occasionally he would go to a pub where he had eaten with his
master. There they would give him scraps, and he would go back to his master’s
grave.
The dog kept this vigil for fourteen years. As Bobby became a legend, the
people in the city looked out for him, even building him a small shelter near
the grave. When Bobby died he was buried, fittingly, at his master side. There
is even a statue commemorating Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh. Isn’t it
extraordinary that a little dog can outdo us humans in simple faithfulness?

___________________________

Illustration by J. Michael Shannon, Professor of Preaching, Cincinnati Bible
College & Seminary, Cincinnati, OH.


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

Sometimes we get angry at the Post Office, but sometimes we must tip our hat to
them. According to wire service reports, the Postal Service in Cincinnati,
Ohio, is trying to find a descendant, or friend, of Posey Cullen. They are
trying to deliver a postcard addressed to her. The problem is, the postcard is
dated February 23, 1909. Workers found it while cleaning up and moving some
machinery. The card was addressed to Posey when she was a student at Bethel
College. No one knows how the card got lost in a building built 27 years after
it was mailed. Nevertheless, the Postal Service is committed to finally
delivering the postcard.

___________________________
Illustration by J. Michael Shannon, Professor of Preaching, Cincinnati Bible
College & Seminary, Cincinnati, OH.


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.