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Misc.
Issues
Abortion
In
1944
a forty-one-year-old woman sought an abortion from her doctor. He firmly
refused
asserting that abortion was just not right
morally
ethically
or
legally. The woman later gave birth to a baby boy and named him James Robison.
This unwanted child grew up to become a well-known evangelist. God has a plan
for every human life
even those who are not wanted. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
If the principles of Christian love had
prevailed in the Bronx in 1952
perhaps a good home could have been found for
that young
mixed-up lad. In fact
providing a better environment in which to
grow up might have changed history. For
you see
the boy was Lee Harvey
Oswald. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Crisis
The Chinese word for “crisis”
is a combination of the symbols for “danger” plus “opportunity.” ── Michael P.
Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Drugs
King
Heroin is my shepherd
I whall always want
He maketh me to lie down
in the gutters
He leadeth me beside the
troubled waters
He destroyeth my soul.
── This is an nonymous poem
quoted by Francis Schaeffer
Fame
A
brilliant but bitter agnostic writer toured Europe with his wife and small
daughter. He received honors from schools
royalty
and friends. After the
family returned home
his daughter
impressed with her father’s fame
said: “Daddy
I guess pretty soon you will
know everybody except God.”
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Fame
A
reporter once asked Walt Disney how it felt to be a celebrity. “It feels fine
” he replied
“when being a celebrity helps me get a
choice reservation for a football game… As far as I can remember
being a celebrity has never
helped me make a good picture
or a good shot in a polo game
or command the
obedience of my daughter
or impress my wife. It doesn’t even seem to help keep fleas off our
dogs and
if being a celebrity won’t give me an advantage over a couple of fleas
then I
guess there can’t
be that much in being a celebrity after all. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Consequences
of Freedom
When
a man decides to exercise his freedom to break God’s laws
he is like a person who
ascends to the top of a tall building and jumps off. For the first several
stories he feels great. There are no restraints
no restrictions
no hang-ups.
But suppose
ten stories from the ground
he realizes that a sudden stop awaits
him and that he doesn’t
want to endure its consequences. Can he reverse the falling process? Can you or
he stop the fall? Of course not. Thus
in the final ten stories
our tragic
character will examine his definition of freedom and realize—too late—that it was wrong. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Morality
and Freedom
”Men are qualified for civil liberties
only to the extent that they are willing to put moral chains of their appetites”— Edmund Burke
Security
and Freedom
At
the University of Oklahoma
for many years a project was underway to teach a
fifteen-year-old female chimpanzee named Washoe to talk by combining sign
language with simple recognition. Since 1966
this chimpanzee learned 140
signs.
Finally
the project directors decided that Washoe was prepared to “conceptualize.” This meant that instead of merely
imitating some human’s
words
the chimp would express thoughts of her own. Now
understand
Washoe was
a pampered animal in the university’s laboratory—well fed
physically comfortable
safe from harm. She had
security. And yet
when she was able to put words together on her own into a
phrase
these were the first three—and she has said them again
repeatedly—“Let me out.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Life
Precious
Here
are some of the untold statistics and facts that have to do with legalized
abortion. In China
a country where
government policy was one child to a family
people were opting for boys both
to carry on the family name and so someone could help do the harder chores
especially on the farms. Families
used abortion
even drowned female babies to be sure their one child would be a
son.
And
now
the inevitable result. Many of
those boys will be bachelors because just in the age group of 0-19
there are
14
000
000 more boys than girls. Of
every 100 unmarried adult Chinese
93 are men. The trend shows no signs of reversing.
-- Associated Press
Complaints
O.G.
Wilson wrote
"I murmured because I had to walk four blocks from the parking
lot to my office. Then I saw a man
who was sick
hungry
and unable to take a step and yet whose smile was as
cheery as the chirp of the first robin of spring. I complained because the light was
poor. Then I met a man radiantly
happy
from whose eyes all sight had been lost due to an accident. I complained about paying so much income
tax until I visited a rest home where a penniless man was singing joyously the
triumphant songs of grace."
A
spirit of discontent shows a lack of faith in Christ and a streak of selfish
egoism. Our Lord never promised His
disciples days of sunny ease. How
foolish
then
to complain and fret because unpleasant experiences come our way. Remember
if you murmur you'll reap an
"overwhelmed" spirit (Ps. 77:3). ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Wise
Counsel
A
message from the late Muppet maker Jim Henson. Read at his memorial service in New
York
it simply said
"Please watch out for each other and love and
forgive everybody. It's a good
life; enjoy it." -- Associated Press
Wise
Counsel
William
Seidman has decided to step down from his post as the head of the F.D.I.C. On
why he's planning to leave government:
"A good friend who was a member of the special forces sent me their
motto which said
'When the going gets tough
the tough get out of the way and
let somebody else do the dying.'" ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Wise
Counsel
The following is wise counsel from a mother to her
daughter on how to live with joy:
Mend a quarrel.
Search out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss a suspicion and replace it
with trust.
Write a letter to someone who
misses you.
Encourage a youth who has lost
faith.
Keep a promise.
Forget an old grudge.
Examine your demands on others and
vow to reduce them.
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to appreciate the
beauty of nature.
Tell someone you love them.
Tell them again
and again
and
again!
Drunkenness
Dear
Ann Landers: Please print this as a
personal plea to all
your
readers who might drink and drive.
Dear
Friend: I'm 29 years old. When I was 4
my grandfather was killed
in a car accident on New Year's Eve.
He was struck by a drunk driver.
My only memory of him is his funeral. When I was 10 years old
my brother was
killed while coming home after serving in Vietnam. He was within a few miles of home when
the car he was riding in swerved to avoid a car driven by a drunk driver.
Yesterday
we buried my father
who was killed in a head-on collision while going to
work. That driver was also
drunk. Dad was 57. He had never touched alcohol. He and Mom were married 39 years and had
five children and 15 grandchildren.
My children will never know their wonderful grandfather because they
were too young when he died. This is a tremendous loss. He was such a terrific person.
Please
dear readers of Ann Landers' column
if you drink I'm begging you to think
about my family before you get behind the wheel of your car. Haven't we been through enough? -
Wapakoneta
Ohio. -- Ann Landers
Inspiration
of Example
In
a personal letter to Charles Swindoll
Tim Hansel mentions a Harvard University
study conducted rather extensively within recent months where they tried to determine
the most effective way to change lives.
Their findings surprised even those doing the study. Amidst the high tech sophistication and
advanced techniques of our world
the number one way to change lives was
modeling. When it is all said and
done
the best way to impact another life is to demonstrate
to practice
what
one teaches. You know that is why
you cannot get out of your mind the model of your parents
nor can I. -- From a
letter from Tim Hansel to Charles Swindoll as shared on Insight for Living
Broadcast
Inspiration
of Example
"You
can impress people at a distance but you can impact them only up close.” --
Howard Hendricks
Legalism
Sometimes
we tend to be amazed (and even snicker) at the minutia of Pharisaic legalism.
We tend to forget
however
that sandwiched among our country’s sound and workable statutes
there
are hundreds of cockeyed ordinances that remain to clutter up our law books
because the powers-that-be-from state legislators to town fathers-have not
gotten around to repealing them. For instance
in Amarillo
Texas
it is
against the law to take a bath on the main street during banking hours. In
Portland
Oregon
it is illegal to wear roller skates in public restrooms. In
Halethor0e
Maryland
a kiss lasting more than a second is an illegal act. The
list goes on and on. Suffice it to say that down through history man has been
inclined to live by and enforce the letter of the law rather than the spirit of
the law. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Legalism
The
sin of the Pharisees was paying attention to outward demonstrations of piety
for appearance’s
sake rather than giving attention to inward obedience. This can be well
illustrated by two eggs. One egg is a normal raw egg that
when placed under
the palm of the hand and pressed evenly cannot be broken because of the
structure of the egg itself. The second egg is exactly the same on the outside
but its insides have been removed. When it is placed under the same palm
pressure
it breaks easily because it is internally weak. So
too
one who
gives himself to the sin of the Pharisees is empty of substance and will
eventually crack under pressure. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Legalism
The
attitude one has toward doing what has to be done determines if the action is
legalistic. An illustration makes this clear:
“A serious athlete has to keep training
rules. Most athletes are glad to keep them
rigid as they may be
for the sheer
love of the sport. A few athletes conform to make the team and glorify
show
off
self. The former attitude is love
and the latter is legalism
but both
attitudes are toward the same rigid code
and both result in conformity. Having
to conform to a law is not of itself legalism.”— Charles C. Ryie
Mediocrity
The
highest order of mind is accused of folly
as well as the lowest. Nothing is
thoroughly approved but mediocrity. The majority has established this
and it
fixes its fangs on whatever gets beyond it either way.— Blaise Pascal
Prosperity
The
danger of prosperity is simple: it binds us to the world. Prosperity leads us
to think that we have found our place in the world. Of course
the reality is
that the world has found its place in us. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Reputation
Rabbi
Simon said
“There
are three crowns: the crown of (the study of) the Law
the crown of priesthood
and the crown of royalty
but the crown of a good name surpasses them all.— Mishnah Avoth
Self-examination
The
druggist of the town drugstore overheard a young boy talking on a pay
telephone. “Hello
sir
I was calling to see if you needed a lawn boy. Oh
you have one. Well
is
he adequate? Oh
he is! Thank you
I was just checking
” said the young boy.
The
druggist then said to the boy
“Sorry you didn’t get the job
son.”
“Oh
no sir
” said the boy. “I’ve got the job. I was just calling to check up on myself.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Stress
As
everyday experience often shows
stress and trials can strengthen a person. A
seed that falls into a mere handful of soil next to a boulder can sometimes
grow into a large tree by sending its roots down to the earth
roots that
firmly wedge it onto the rock. The sequoia
the greatest of trees
grows best
when forest fires periodically threaten its existence. The fires may scar it
deeply
but they assure the proper composition of the soil needed for the tree’s survival. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Stress
The
head of the Menninger Institute has stated that up to 70 percent of minor ailments such as
colds and fatigue are psychosomatic reactions to day-to-day stress
and also
that they can lead to more serious problems. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Television
Karl
Marx said that religion was the opiate of the masses. He could not say such in
our day
for it is television that is now both the opiate and pagan religion of
the masses. Think about it for a moment.
Television’s priests are its celebrities. Its
denominations are the networks. Its morality is found in the ratings. Its
shrines are the millions of T.V. sets that occupy honored spots in our homes
and its icons are the antennae that reach toward the sky. Its worshipers are
found in its millions of regular viewers. And its rituals are the regularly
scheduled programs that are habitually attended by its misguided addicts. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Television
On the table
side by side
the
Holy Bible and the R.V. Guide.
One is well worn but
cherished with pride;
Not
the Bible
the T.V. Guide.
One is used daily to help
them decide;
No
it isn’t the Bible
it’s the T.V. Guide.
As pages are turned
what
shall we see?
It
doesn’t matter
turn on the T.V.
Confusion reigns; they
can’t all agree
On
what they should watch on the old T.V.
So
they open the book in
which they confide;
No
not the Bible
the T.V. Guide.
The Word of God is seldom
read
Maybe
a verse as they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy
and
as tired as can be
Not
from reading the Bible
but from watching T.V.
So then back to the table
side by side
The
Holy Bible and the R.V. Guide.
No time for prayer
no
time for the Word;
The
plan of salvation is seldom heard.
Yet
forgiveness of sins
so full and so free
Is
found in the Bible
not on T.V.
Television
The
Twenty-Third Channel
The T.V. set is my shepherd
My
spiritual life shall want.
It maketh me to sit down
and do nothing for His name’s sake
Because
it requireth all my time.
It keepeth me from doing
my duty as a Christian
Because
it presenteth so many good shows I must see.
It retoreth my knowledge
of the things of the world.
It keepeth me from the
study of God’s Word.
It leadeth me in the paths
of failing to attend the evening
worship
services and doing nothing in the
Yea
though I live to be a
hundred
I
shall keep viewing my T.V. as long as it will work
for
it is my closest companion.
Its sounds and its
pictures
They
comfort me.
It presenteth
entertainment before me
And
keepeth me from doing important things with my family.
It fills my head with
ideas which differ from those set forth in
The
Word of God.
Surely
no good thing will
come of my life
Because
my T.V. offereth me no good time to do the will of God.
Thus
though I dwell in
the place of the redeemed
Who have been washed in
the blood of the lamb
I will let the souls
around me slip into Hell forever.
Trustworthiness
A
little boy walked down the beach
and as he did
he spied a matronly woman
sitting under a beach umbrella on the sand. He walked up to her and asked
“Ware you a Christian?”
“Yes.”
“Do you read your Bible every day?”
She
nodded her head
“Yes.”
“Do you pray often?” the boy asked next
and again she
answered
“Yes.”
With
that he asked his final question
“Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Wisdom
A
man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he
can chew. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Wisdom
A
man approached a speaker and said
“You Christians are all brainwashed.” The speaker replied
“I think we are all brainwashed to a
degree. The important thing is that we Christians choose what we want to wash
our brains with.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Wisdom
One
morning the young new president of a bank made an appointment with his
predecessor to seek some advice. He began
“Sir
as you well know
I lack a great deal of the
qualifications you already have for this job. You have been very successful as
president of this bank
and I wondered if you would be kind enough to share
with me some of the insights you have gained from your years here that have
been the keys to your success.”
The older man looked at him with a stare and replied: “Young man
two words: good decision.”
The
young man responded
“Thank
you very much
sir
but how does one come to know which is the good decision?”
“One word
young man: experience.”
“But how does one get experience?”
“Two words
young man: bad decisions.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Wisdom
William
Thomson (later Lord Kelvin) was one of the greatest physicists of
nineteenth-century England. When he was away at college
his father wrote to
him: “You
are young: take care you be not led to what is wrong. A false step now
or the
acquiring of an improper habit
might ruin you for life. Frequently look back
on your conduct and thence learn wisdom for the future.” – Cited in G.K.C. MacDonald
Wisdom
Man’s wisdom is not enough. It is limited
partial wisdom. T.S. Eliot put it so beautifully when he said in “The Rock”:
“All our knowledge brings us nearer to
our ignorance
All
our ignorance brings us nearer to death
But
nearness to death no nearer to God.”
Then
he asks the question that hangs over this whole generation: “Where is the Life we have lost in
living?” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Wisdom
A
leading economic expert
Professor Irving Fisher of Yale
had this to say about
the bright future of the stock market and the American economy: “Stock prices have reached what looks
like a permanently high plateau.”
His
statement was spoken in early October 1929
just a couple of weeks before the
stock market crash that ushered in the Great Depression. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Wise
Counsel
The
following is wise counsel from a mother to her daughter on how to live with
joy:
Mend a quarrel.
Search out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss a suspicion and replace it
with trust.
Write a letter to someone who
misses you.
Encourage a youth who has lost faith.
Keep a promise.
Forget an old grudge.
Examine your demands on others and
vow to reduce them.
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to appreciate the
beauty of nature.
Tell someone you love them.
Tell them again
and again
and
again!
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Reputation
We may be known by the
following
according to A.W. Tozer:
1.What
we want most.
2.What
we think about most.
3.How
we use our money.
4.What
we do with our leisure time.
5.The
company we enjoy.
6.Who
and what we admire.
7.What
we laugh at.
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Self-examination
There is a proverb in the
business world that the man who takes no inventories finally becomes bankrupt. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Television
On the table side by side
the
Holy Bible and the R.V. Guide.
One
is well worn but cherished with pride;
Not
the Bible
the T.V. Guide.
One
is used daily to help them decide;
No
it isn’t the Bible
it’s the T.V. Guide.
As
pages are turned
what shall we see?
It
doesn’t matter
turn on the T.V.
Confusion
reigns; they can’t all agree
On
what they should watch on the old T.V.
So
they open the book in which they confide;
No
not the Bible
the T.V. Guide.
The
Word of God is seldom read
Maybe
a verse as they fall into bed.
Exhausted
and sleepy
and as tired as can be
Not
from reading the Bible
but from watching T.V.
So
then back to the table
side by side
The
Holy Bible and the R.V. Guide.
No
time for prayer
no time for the Word;
The
plan of salvation is seldom heard.
Yet
forgiveness of sins
so full and so free
Is
found in the Bible
not on T.V.
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Television
The Twenty-Third Channel
The
T.V. set is my shepherd
My
spiritual life shall want.
It
maketh me to sit down and do nothing for His name’s sake
Because
it requireth all my time.
It
keepeth me from doing my duty as a Christian
Because
it presenteth so many good shows I must see.
It
retoreth my knowledge of the things of the world.
It
keepeth me from the study of God’s Word.
It
leadeth me in the paths of failing to attend the evening
worship
services and doing nothing in the
Yea
though I live to be a hundred
I
shall keep viewing my T.V. as long as it will work
for
it is my closest companion.
Its
sounds and its pictures
They
comfort me.
It
presenteth entertainment before me
And
keepeth me from doing important things with my family.
It
fills my head with ideas which differ from those set forth in
The
Word of God.
Surely
no good thing will come of my life
Because
my T.V. offereth me no good time to do the will of God.
Thus
though I dwell in the place of the redeemed
Who
have been washed in the blood of the lamb
I
will let the souls around me slip into Hell forever.
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
"MAKING WISE CHOICES"
INTRODUCTION
1. The Old Testament provides valuable lessons for the Christian - 1 Co10:11
2. One such lesson is the importance of "Making Wise Choices" in our lives... a. Lot made a choice as to where to live
and as a result he experienced: 1) War and kidnapping - Gen 14 2) Oppression and torment by the ungodly citizens of Sodom 2:7-8
3) Loss of all his possessions
death of his wife
and incest with his daughters - Gen 19 b. David chose to commit adultery with Bathsheba
and as a consequence he suffered: 1) The death of his infant son - 2 Sam 12 2) A daughter molested by her half-brother - 2 Sam 13 3) That son killed by her vengeful brother - 2 Sam 13 4) A rebellion led by that son
who shamed him publicly
and whose death brought even more grief to David - 2 Sam 15-18 3. With Lot and David illustrating the need for "Making Wise Choices"
let's consider... a. Some choices that greatly affect our lives b. Suggestions for making wise choices c. What to do when we have made the wrong choice [We begin with a review of...] I. CHOICES WHICH GREATLY AFFECT OUR LIVES
A. CHOOSING JESUS... 1. Will you follow Jesus or not? a. Will you become His disciple? b. Or will you refuse to accept His gracious offer of salvation - Mt 11:28-30 2. This one decision will affect your life more than any other! a. It will determine your place in eternity b. It will have a bearing on every other decision you make 1) As a disciple
you will be concerned with doing His will 2) As a disciple
you will not simply "do your own thing" - Mt 28:18-20 B. CHOOSING A CAREER... 1. Even from a worldly viewpoint
your choice is important a. The job market is always changing b. The wrong choice could lead to financial ruin or fiscal hardship 2. More importantly
the choice can have a lasting effect on: a. Your marriage and family b. Your service to God 3. Make the choice to honor God first
and you will be blessed - Mt 6:33 4. Make money the primary factor in your decision
and destruction will follow - 1 Ti 6:6-10 C. CHOOSING A MATE... 1. This choice will determine to a great extent your degree of happiness - Pro 12:4 2. It will have a permanent bearing on your children and their emotional well-being a. You may think you can simply divorce a person if they turn out to be a bad choice b. But once you have children
there is no way to reverse the choice you made as to who is the mother or father of your children! c. The children are not unaffected by the violence of divorce - cf. Mal 2:16 D. CHOOSING YOUR FRIENDS... 1. Having close friends can be a wonderful blessing - cf. Pro17:17
2. But the wrong friends can be a curse - cf. Pro 12:26; 1 Co15:33
E. CHOOSING WHERE TO LIVE... 1. It was this choice where Lot made his mistake a. It appeared to be a sound business decision - Gen 13:10-11 b. But it was a poor moral decision - Gen 13:13 2. Upon what basis do we choose where to live? a. Is it based solely on how much of house we can afford? b. Is it based upon the location to work
school
etc.? c. Do we consider whether it will help or hinder our service to God and His church? -- There may be some modern-day "Sodoms [For every action there is a reaction
and for every choice there is aconsequence. To increase the likelihood that our choices will have goodconsequences
here are a few...] II. SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING WISE CHOICES
A. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM... 1. He promises to give wisdom to those who ask in faith - Ja 1:5-8 2. Asking for wisdom requires diligence - Pro 2:1-9 -- Fill your prayers with requests for wisdom to make wise choices! B. ASK OTHERS FOR ADVICE... 1. There is safety in having many counselors - Pro 11:14 2. There is wisdom in heeding the counsel of others - Pro 12:15 3. Two great sources for counsel: a. The Bible itself
especially a book like Proverbs b. Older
mature Christians -- Don't hesitate to ask others what they would do! C. COMMIT YOUR CHOICES TO THE LORD... 1. Trusting that you have made choices pleasing to Him
put them in His hands - Psa 37:5-6
23-26 2. Make your choices with the understanding
"if the Lord wills" - Ja 4:13-15 3. One might even ask the Lord that if a choice is not according to His will... a. He might frustrate the carrying out of the choice b. Or to otherwise show you what is His will -- Include God in your decision making
if you wish to make wise choices! [There will be times when it becomes apparent that we made poor choices
even wrong ones. What can we do to avoid making matters worse...?] III. RESPONDING TO WRONG CHOICES
A. LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS... 1. Do what Lot did: Heed and flee! a. Heed the Word of God b. Do what you now know to be right without reservation (remember Lot 's wife!) 2. Do what Peter did: Repent and serve! a. Repent
if sin is involved (as when Peter denied Christ) b. Serve the Lord with what time you have left in this life 3. Do what Paul did: Accept and live! a. Accept the forgiveness Jesus provides - cf. 1 Ti 1:12-16 b. Determine to live for the Lord to the best of your ability - cf. Ph 3:13-14 B. THE WRONG THING TO DO... 1. Continue - remain in the choice you've made because of pride
or some other reason! 2. Wallow - just feel sorry for yourself over your guilt or loss! CONCLUSION
1. May the examples of such men like Lot and David... a. Teach us the importance of "Making Wise Choices" b. Serve as a warning not to make our decisions lightly 2. May we ever be open to the wisdom from God and the counsel of others as we make such choices as... a. Our careers b. Our spouses c. Our friends d. Where we will live 3. Have you made the most important decision you will ever face in this life? a. The decision which will determine your eternal destiny? b. The decision to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Why not decide today to follow Jesus
and become His disciple? - cf. Mt28: 19-20; Ac 2:36-41
－－《Executable
Outlines》