For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John Chapter 3, verse 16 (NIV)

Sheridan Road Church of Christ

Sheridan Road Church of Christ

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John Chapter 3, verse 16 (NIV)

The Quiet Sermon

 

As a preacher, I find it gratifying whenever I deliver a sermon or share a study that is powerful enough to stimulate change and desire to please God in the hearts of those who hear it.

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

 

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

 

 

~ Borrowed ~

 

 Enjoying the Journey..  Tim         Next Message: Another Year Has Dawned

There is another “sermon” that is equally as powerful and stimulating as any that may be delivered from the pulpit.  Yet it is one that is far too infrequently preached and heard.  The following story is one that came to me as an email from someone who thought that I would appreciate it.  Today, I share it with you with the hope that you will also find it as stimulating and rewarding as I did.  Tim