A preacher decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.Three worms were placed into separate jars...
1. The first worm was put into a jar of alcohol.
2. The second worm was put into a jar of cigarette smoke.
3. The third worm was put into a jar of good, clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the minister reported the following results:
1. The first worm in alcohol - DEAD.
2. The second worm in cigarette smoke - DEAD.
3. The third worm in good, clean soil - ALIVE.
So the minister asked the congregation, "What can you learn from this demonstration?"A little old woman in the back quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink or smoke, you won't have worms!"
Admittedly, this is a made up "preacher story" - something I rarely use. But I liked this one and it represents well the failed attempts of guys like me when we attempt to illustrate concepts & ideas while proclaiming the Scriptures. Many, many times I am stunned that people seem to miss what I'm saying. And I know I can't be the only one feeling this way. People have commended me for things I didn't say and challenged me on points I didn't make and everything thing in between. Being misunderstood comes with the territory - just look at Jesus!
7 comments:
I had to preach in Fredericksburg the last two weeks for a church in the middle of a preacher search. Everything went super well. One of the leaders came up to me afterwords and said there was couple who might want to talk to me because they disagree with my eschatology. All I said about end times stuff was that when Jesus returns, the kingdom will come fully. Heck, any end times view could agree with that.
The rub... my message wasn't about end times stuff at all. It was about being faithful to what Jesus has called you to.
Oh well... the couple never did talk to me. Even if they did, it would have been a very short conversation. I had a two hour plus drive home!
Man, that's EXACTLY what I'm talkin bout. I sit here and shake my head because I have been there.
Yea Dave i loved your point on the need for good illustrations in sermons and i challenge you to not ask questions and let people answer during ur sermon times. It is ur time to speak so work for what ur getting paid for.
LOL i hope u caught my joke in all that
It was funny Sunday because i was speaking on baptism (1 Peter 3:21). I eneded with an opportunity for people to raise objections and said thatI'd answer them. It was pretty quiet. I did the thief on the cross objection. After hat it satyed quiet. I guess everyone agreed - right?
But what about the guy in the desert? Or the crashing airplane? Or the twin towers? And the fact that Jesus never baptized anyone? Or that Paul said, "I didn't come to baptize"? Besides, my Grandma wasn't baptized, and she's the holiest woman I know. And you probably think you're the only ones going to heaven. What's with you narrow-minded cultists?
I was trying to comment as if i didnt get ur point and encourage u on a point that i thought u made but u didnt make. I hope it worked
I got it. I'm stil pretty sharp for an old dude!
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