7 Sermon Illustrations on Hope

When Alexander set forward upon his great exploits, before he went from Macedonia, he divided among his captains and friends all that he had; for which, when one of his friends reproved him, saying that he was prodigal because he had reserved nothing for himself, he answered, that he had reserved much unto himself; namely, hope of the monarchy of the world, which, by the valor and help of his captains and nobles, he hoped to obtain. The charitable have no such contingency but the certainty of God's word. Spencer.

Hope is to a man as a bladder to a learning swimmer: it kept him from sinking in the bosom of the waves, and by that help he may attain the exercise. But yet it many times makes him venture beyond his height; and then, if that breaks, or a storm rises, he drowns without recovery. How many would die, did not hope sustain them! How many have died by hoping too much! This wonder we find in Hope, — that she is both a flatterer and a true friend. Feltham.

A noble ship was nearing home after a long voyage. On her deck stood many a weather-beaten sailor, who thought, "I shall be at home to-morrow!" There were old men who had not seen their childhood's home for long years, who said, "We shall land to-morrow!" A mother, lifting up her little one to look at the far-off land, whispered, "We shall be at home to-morrow!" But their to-morrow never came. That evening, the gentle breeze became a furious gale; the sails were split into ribbons; the rudder was broken; the vessel became unmanageable: she drifted upon the terrible quicksands, became a wreck; and all on board perished.

A woman in the agonies of despair cried out to those who sought to comfort her, "Call back time again! If you can call back time again, then there may be hope for me; but time is gone."