A Sermon That Walks
Jeff Strite
Matthew 7:15-25
OPEN: Reporters and city officials gathered at a Chicago railroad station one afternoon in 1953. The person they were meeting was the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner. A few minutes after the train came to a stop, a giant of a man - six feet four inches with bushy hair and a large mustache stepped from the train. Cameras flashed. City officials approached him with hands outstretched. Various people began telling him how honored they were to meet him.
The man politely thanked them and then, looking over their heads, asked if he could be excused for a moment. He quickly walked through the crowd until he reached the side of an elderly black woman who was struggling with two large suitcases. He picked up the bags and with a smile, escorted the woman to a bus. After helping her aboard, he wished her a safe journey. As he returned to the greeting party he apologized, ''Sorry to have kept you waiting.''
The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary doctor who had spent his life helping the poor in Africa. In response to Schweitzer's action, one member of the reception committee said with great admiration to the reporter standing next to him, ''That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.''
APPLY: What is worship?
Over the past few weeks we've covered several aspects of worship: Singing Praises, Taking of Communion, Studying Scripture...
AND all of these different methods of worship were expressions of love to God. But if one particular form of worship is missing, the form of worship we're talking about today:
- Our worship will be incomplete
- Our expression of love for God will inadequate
In our text today, Jesus tells us it is not enough for us to say ''Lord, Lord'' (in other words, attempt to offer worship). It takes more than expressions of worship to be pleasing to God.
We can do all the religious things we want and still offer up empty expressions of love to God if our w ...
Jeff Strite
Matthew 7:15-25
OPEN: Reporters and city officials gathered at a Chicago railroad station one afternoon in 1953. The person they were meeting was the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner. A few minutes after the train came to a stop, a giant of a man - six feet four inches with bushy hair and a large mustache stepped from the train. Cameras flashed. City officials approached him with hands outstretched. Various people began telling him how honored they were to meet him.
The man politely thanked them and then, looking over their heads, asked if he could be excused for a moment. He quickly walked through the crowd until he reached the side of an elderly black woman who was struggling with two large suitcases. He picked up the bags and with a smile, escorted the woman to a bus. After helping her aboard, he wished her a safe journey. As he returned to the greeting party he apologized, ''Sorry to have kept you waiting.''
The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary doctor who had spent his life helping the poor in Africa. In response to Schweitzer's action, one member of the reception committee said with great admiration to the reporter standing next to him, ''That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.''
APPLY: What is worship?
Over the past few weeks we've covered several aspects of worship: Singing Praises, Taking of Communion, Studying Scripture...
AND all of these different methods of worship were expressions of love to God. But if one particular form of worship is missing, the form of worship we're talking about today:
- Our worship will be incomplete
- Our expression of love for God will inadequate
In our text today, Jesus tells us it is not enough for us to say ''Lord, Lord'' (in other words, attempt to offer worship). It takes more than expressions of worship to be pleasing to God.
We can do all the religious things we want and still offer up empty expressions of love to God if our w ...
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