Newspapers
recently carried the story of a streetlight that casts a shadow that many say
resembles the image of Jesus Christ. The city of East Chicago has decided to
turn off the light to discourage the hundreds of curious people who gather each
evening to view it. Many see it as a safety hazard, several arrests were made,
and a large fight broke out as a result of the policy. City leaders have spoken
out that they respect people’s religious beliefs, but cannot discount the danger
involved. None of us are in a position to judge the decision of the city leaders
and we might well see this phenomenon as an optical illusion. One thing we can
say for sure is that the true light of Christ can never be switched off.

 

_______________

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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When
Queen Elizabeth was crowned they brought to her a sceptre.  On the top
of it was the Star of Africa, the largest diamond in the world.  Before
that they brought to her a staff.  On the top of that staff was a dove,
a symbol of their prayer that the Holy Spirit would be her guide.  But
before that they brought to her a ring, like a wedding ring.  It symbolized
the union between the queen and her people.  But before that they brought
to her an orb.  It was a globe of the world made of solid pure gold. 
And over it there was a cross.  It said, even to the queen, “It is
Christ who rules the world.  It is not you, nor any other mortal. 
It is Christ who rules the world!”  When Peter and John used this
verse to defend their right to preach, they went on to say, “Neither is
there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12).  Christ stands
in an absolutely exclusive position.  No one can take His place!

_______________

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


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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We know that Jesus lived. He was a Man in history, as well as a Man for all times. Tacitus, perhaps the greatest Roman historian born in the first century, speaks of Jesus. Josephus, a Jewish historian born A.D. 37, tells of the crucifixion of Jesus. A contemporary Bible scholar said that “the latest edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica uses 20,000 words in describing this person, Jesus. His description took more space than was given to Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed or Napoleon Bonaparte.”


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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The story is still told about the year 1816. Some call it “The Year
Without Summer.” During that year, New England saw a blizzard on June 6th.
The deep south suffered high temperatures in the mid-forties in July. Why did
this happen? It was all because of a huge volcanic eruption in Indonesia.
Clouds of volcanic dust spread throughout the world. These clouds deflected the
rays of the sun. Something similar happens when the light of Christ does not
get through. For those who live in darkness, without the light of Christ, every
year is a year without summer.

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


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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Driving through Austria, a tourist saw a policeman in the village ahead. He
slowed down. Then He saw it was not a policeman but a life-size picture of a
policeman. Apparently they couldn’t afford an actual policeman, so they just
got a picture of one. Of course, it didn’t slow down the locals, but it
certainly slowed down the tourists.

Do you suppose that a picture of a cat would rid your home of mice? Do we
sometimes substitute a mental picture of Christ for a real relationship with a
living Lord?


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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