Sermon Illustrations on memorization



Stories

Earth, Receive an Honored Guest

W.H. Auden is widely considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th Century. Auden grew up in England but spent some of his adult years in the United States. When he passed away on the 29th of September, 1973, three of Auden’s greatest admirers happened to be together: the critic Alfred Kazin, Kazin’s wife, Ann Birstein, and the poet Richard Wilbur.

As soon as they received word the poet had died, they each proclaimed with one voice, “Earth, receive an honored guest,” words first written by Auden to honor the poet W.B Yeats.

Stuart Strachan Jr.

Einstein’s Phone Number

A reporter interviewed Albert Einstein for an article he was writing. At the end of the interview, the reporter asked if he could have Einstein’s phone number to call if he had further questions. “Certainly,” Einstein replied. He proceeded to pick up the phone directory, looked up his phone number, wrote it on a slip of paper, and handed it to the reporter.

Dumbfounded, the reporter said, “You are considered to be the smartest man in the world, and you can’t remember your own phone number?” “No,” Einstein answered. “Why should I memorize something I can so easily get from a book?”

Keith Roberts, Article: “Einstein’s Phone Number”

William “Refrigerator” Perry is asked to Pray

The following story is told about the Chicago Bears’ coach, Mike Ditka and one of his most famous players:

One day Ditka was about to deliver a locker room pep talk and he looked up and saw defensive tackle William “Refrigerator” Perry. Then again, how could he NOT see him? At 338 pounds the Fridge stood out even in a crowd of pro football players! Ditka gestured to the Fridge and said, ‘When I get finished I’d like you to close with The Lord’s Prayer. Then the coach began his talk. Meanwhile, Jim McMahon, the brash and outspoken quarterback, punched John Cassis and whispered, ‘Look at Perry, he doesn’t know the Lord’s Prayer.’

Sure enough Perry sat with a look of panic on his face, his head in his hands, sweating profusely. Cassis replied, ‘Nah…sure he does! He’s just nervous. Everybody knows the Lord’s prayer!’ After a few minutes of watching the Refrigerator leak several gallons of sweat, McMahon nudged Cassis again and said, ‘I’ll bet you 50 bucks Fridge doesn’t know the Lord’s prayer.’”

When Coach Ditka finished his pep talk, he asked all the men to remove their caps. Then he nodded at Perry and bowed his head. The room was quiet for a few moments before the Fridge began to speak in a shaky voice and said, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord, my soul to keep…’ Cassis felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Jim McMahon who whispered to him, ‘You win. Here’s the 50 dollars. I had no idea Perry knew the Lord’s Prayer.’”

Ken Davis, Lighten Up! Great Stories from one of America’s Favorite Storytellers (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000).

Humor

Forgive us our Mattresses

While countless children grew up reciting the Lord’s Prayer, it is somewhat unsurprising to learn that many didn’t exactly have the words correct. In an article by Ann Landers of the Chicago Tribune, a variety of hilarious misinterpretations were recounted. One three-year-old for example, thought it was, “Our Father who does art in Heaven, Herald his Name.” Another little boy believed it was, “Lead us snot into temptation.” Two twin daughters used to pray, “Give us this steak and daily bread, and forgive us our mattresses.”

Stuart Strachan, Source Material from Ann Landers, Article “Out of the Mouths of Babes…A Taste of Humor, Chicago Tribune, May 12, 2002.

Einstein’s Phone Number

A reporter interviewed Albert Einstein for an article he was writing. At the end of the interview, the reporter asked if he could have Einstein’s phone number to call if he had further questions. “Certainly,” Einstein replied. He proceeded to pick up the phone directory, looked up his phone number, wrote it on a slip of paper, and handed it to the reporter.

Dumbfounded, the reporter said, “You are considered to be the smartest man in the world, and you can’t remember your own phone number?” “No,” Einstein answered. “Why should I memorize something I can so easily get from a book?”

Keith Roberts, Article: “Einstein’s Phone Number”