Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Sermon, w/o A Single Word

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone embers' flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."


We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

7 comments:

Regina said...

Thanks for posting this Sarah.

April E. :) said...

I just got this email too...very good thought.

Malia Kell Photography said...

I love that...I struggled for a while after I graduated Bible College...I know what it's like to be completely glowing and on fire one day, and cold the next...If I had heard this back then it definitely would have benefited me... :)

Angie said...

You are welcome! Good stuff huh? Ultimately, thanks to Chris Miller!

Summerly Joy said...

this was really good. thanks!

5th Belle Avenue said...

You are so sweet!! I'm so glad you stumbled onto my blog because yours is ADORABLE! I love your header!

Lindsey said...

I'm so glad you did comment because I adore your blog!!!