Sermon Illustration

He Could Find a Sunken Treasure, But Not Wisdom

"One of the most intelligent fugitives ever sought," said the U.S. Marshal Service, of treasure hunter turned con-man Tommy Thompson, recently arrested (after two years on the lam) in a Florida hotel. Thompson was originally paid by investors to find a historic sunken treasure ship, (which he did), and bring up the about 50 million dollars in California Gold Rush gold that sank with the vessel in 1857. Which he also did. Then took off with it. He evaded capture for such a long time by keeping a low profile, riding the bus and taxis to his destinations, paying cash for everything, and relying on a long-time accomplice.

Possible Preaching Angle:

Was this intelligent? Without question! But wise? Not really. Be sure your sins will find you out—brilliant though you may be—because the path away from wisdom may be lined with gold, but its destination is a little more … Ironclad.

Our Latest

Article

Music at Midnight: The Supreme Value of Mercy

Our pastoral forefather, George Herbert, orients us to the music that stops the flow of discouragement.

Article

Good Expectations

Knowing the ways God uses our preaching feeds our faith in the outcomes.

Article

On Finding Sacred Space in the City

How will congregations find places in dense, expensive urban areas?

Fiction

The Weight of Calling

The sanctuary quieted as it cleared. The worship team finished packing up and departed. Daniel’s thoughts faded, interrupted by the sound of Norma’s voice.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube
Down ArrowbookCloseExpandExternalsearchTable of Contents