The Sermon Story

"Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise" ( Proverbs 15:31 ). Criticism can sting, crush or harden us. It can also make us better. Much depends on how we receive it, and on what kind of critics we choose to become. These four stories about criticism, retold in our own words, look at both sides. Two are about people who were criticised: one turned the hurt into revenge, the other turned it into growth. Two are lighter stories about the kind of critic nobody wants to be. Each ends with a takeaway for preaching or reflection. Stories in this post: The Greatest Forger: When Criticism Turns Into Revenge Ole Bull: The Violinist Who Asked His Critic for Help "Not Much of a Dog": The Critic Who Cannot Be Pleased The Complaining Monk: Two Words a Year ──────── ✝ ──────── The Greatest Forger: When Criticism Turns Into Revenge This is a true story. We have corrected one detail from the version often told: the painting sold to the Nazis was not The ...

"God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble" ( James 4:6 ). Jesus also warned, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" ( Matthew 7:1 ). Pride and judgement are close cousins: both put us at the centre and others beneath us. These seven stories about pride, humility and judging others, retold in our own words, include two jokes, a business lesson, a historical myth, a desert father and two cautionary tales. Each ends with a takeaway for sermons or reflection. Stories in this collection: The Vice President of Peas Points in His Favour: Rockefeller's List The Complaining Monk Vikings Never Wore Horns The Trapper's Dog The Leaking Jug: A Desert Father on Judging "Not Much of a Dog" ──────── ✝ ──────── The Vice President of Peas A traditional joke. A man was promoted to vice president of the company he worked for. The promotion went straight to his head. For weeks he told anyone who would listen that he was now a vice president. Finally his ...

  The King Who Could Not Stop the Sea King Canute was once ruler of England. The members of his court were continually full of flattery. “You are the greatest man that ever lived…You are the most powerful king of all…Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do, nothing in this world dares disobey you.” The king was a wise man and he grew tired such foolish speeches. One day as he was walking by the seashore Canute decided to teach them a lesson. “So you say I am the greatest man in the world?” he asked them. “O king,” they cried, “there never has been anyone as mighty as you, and there never be anyone so great, ever again!” “And you say all things obey me?” Canute asked. “Yes sire” they said. “The world bows before you, and gives you honour.” “I see,” the king answered. “In that case, bring me my chair, and place it down by the water.” The servants scrambled to carry Canute’s royal chair over the sands. At his direction they placed it right at the water’s edge. ...