Sermon Illustrations

A recent study form the Dartmouth Medical School says that middle school children who are allowed to watch R-rated movies are more likely to start drinking alcohol. Twenty-five percent of those who said their parents let them watch the movies "all the time" started drinking. Nineteen percent who said their parents let them watch "sometimes" had started drinking. Only 3 percent who were forbidden to watch R movies had started drinking.

People have their own various interesting takes on happiness. Don Marquis was reported to have said, "Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness." Schweitzer said, "Happiness? That is nothing more than health and a poor memory."

The leaf cutter bee cuts a round piece of leaf to line a nest. Then she cuts oval pieces for the sides. Here she lays an egg and places near it a paste of pollen-nectar to feed the larva that will hatch. Then she cuts another round piece to close the opening. She makes some of the pieces round and some of them oval. How does she know to do that? Can this be explained in natural terms alone? Those who have eyes to see can perceive evidence of a designer and creator.

All of us have amassed a debt we cannot pay. It is not difficult; it is impossible for us. That is why we celebrate the price paid for us on the cross.

Max Hickerson tells a wonderful story about guitar phenomenon Les Paul. Paul was known as the "Architect of Rock and Roll" and for inventing the solid body electric guitar. In 1948, Paul's passion for the guitar almost came to a tragic end. While driving on a bridge in Oklahoma, his car skidded off into a river and his arm was shattered. Doctors told Paul they could save his arm, but he would never play the guitar again.

At the Korean DMZ, you can see into North Korea far enough to see the largest flag pole in the world. The flag by itself weighs 300 kilograms. In Seoul, South Korea, by contrast, you can see churches everywhere, each with a neon cross lighted at night. Sometimes we are prone to wonder if the church makes any difference. It does.

It has been said that the green sea slug survives by eating only once in its entire life. That doesn't seem to work for any other creatures, especially humans. It wouldn't be much fun either. We need regular meals to stay healthy, even to stay alive. It is especially true that spiritually we cannot survive or thrive in the Christian life without regular sustenance from the Word of God.

Joe McKeever tells about his son Neil, who was on an outing with his three children. The day before, he had suggested they pray for good weather. On their way to the park, he asked 10-year-old Grant if he had prayed for this beautiful day.