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Sermon Illustrations: Repentance
A man went on a camping vacation with his family. They got to a particular spot and there was a sign saying, “Road Closed. Do Not Enter.” Well, no matter what his wife said, he wasn’t going to be told what to do by a stupid old sign. This was definitely a shortcut. So he ignored the sign, and drove a few k’s down the road, only to find that the bridge had been washed out. He sheepishly turned around and drove all the way back to where he’d taken the turnoff. And just as they got there, on the back of the sign that he’d passed on the way in, was another sign. It said: Welcome Back, Stupid.
King Frederick the Great of Prussia was once touring a Berlin prison. One by one, the prisoners fell on their knees before him proclaiming their innocence. All except for one man remained silent. Frederick asked him, “Why are you here?” “Armed robbery, Your Majesty,” he replied. “And are you guilty?” “Yes indeed, Your Majesty, I deserve my punishment.” Frederick summoned the jailer and ordered, “Release this guilty wretch at once. I will not have him kept in this prison where he will corrupt all the fine innocent people who occupy it.”
You must deal with the giants in your life, otherwise they have children. Phil Pringle
Postcard: Two goldfish in a bowl. One is whistling and looking outward. The other says, "Don't try to hide it. I can see the bubbles."
Repentance means to stop and turn away from sinning - not just cut down. The difference is illustrated by the story of the cop who pulled over someone for failing to stop at a stop sign. The man objected that he had slowed right down even if he hadn't come to a complete stop. The cop explained that that wasn't good enough. You had to come to a complete stop. The motorist replied, "Aw, come on officer. There's no difference. Haven't you got anything better to do than pick on innocent people." The cop yanked him out of his car, cuffed his hands behind his back, and started laying into him. "Stop!" the man yelled. The cop grabbed him by the throat and said, "Now, sir, do you want me to stop or just slow down?"
A little girl got saved and applied for membership to a church. "Were you a sinner?" "Yes." "Are you still a sinner?" "Yes." "Then what real changes have taken place in your life?" "The best way I can explain it is that I used to be a sinner running after sin, but now I'm a sinner running away from sin."
Repentance = I recognise that where I am is not where I am supposed to be. So I turn and move towards where I am supposed to be.
A little girl said: "That horse must be a Christian; it has such a long face."