Sermon Illustrations: Disappointment

Mary Kay Ash died in 2001 aged 83. She was a "flashy, home-spun cosmetics executive who helped push Mary Kay Inc. to sales of more than $1.2 billion last year"... "She started her company in 1963 with $5,000, after her male assistant at a direct-sales company was promoted at twice her salary. 'I couldn't believe God meant a woman's brain to bring 50c on the dollar,' she said. Famously generous, Ash rewarded her loyal sales force of 40,000 with minks, diamonds and her trademark pink Cadillacs." Time December 3, 2001 - p22

Even Jesus' friends even let Him down in His hour of need in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matt 26:36-46

Vincent's passion for ministry led him to the Belgian coalfields where he preached to miners, tended the injured, fed the hungry and earned a place in the people's hearts. His church was filled to capacity with those eager to learn about Jesus. But his superiors weren't happy because Vincent wore cast-offs, lived in a shack and gave his salary to the people. "You look worse than the people you came to teach," they said. "Wouldn't Jesus have done the same?" Vincent asked. His bosses disagreed and he was dismissed from the ministry. He was hurt and angry; his only desire had been to build a church that glorified God, so why hadn't God let it happen? Then one day he watched an old miner struggling beneath a load of coal. Moved by the sight he began to sketch the bowed figure. And although he didn't realise it at the time, he'd discovered his real calling. The young preacher who was rejected by his denomination eventually became an artist the world will long remember: Vincent van Gogh. Word for Today