sermon-illustrations
Curated Sermon Illustrations on Failure
Explore powerful illustrations on failure. Discover stories, analogies, humor and more as you bring your sermon to life.
Featured Illustration
Casey at the Bat
“Casey at the Bat” has got to be the most well-known sports poem in American history. The “Mudville nine” are down four to two, with one inning left with two outs. Two men wait at second and third base. And finally “Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.”
Of course, the great Casey, a portrait of pride and contempt of his opponents, an idol to the fans… well, he strikes out.
Returning to this poem when baseball is on your congregation’s mind (or during other high sports seasons) can provide a vivid image of pride before a fall, the false messiahs of sports, and how subject to let-down we are when we put too much confidence in human strength. It's also a great analogy for leadership, politics, even ministry!
A full recitation of this poem may be out of the question, but selections could be dramatically recounted—the poem lends to incredible drama.
The last lines are likely to bring back memories to almost any American:
Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.
Here’s a link to the full poem by Ernest Lawrence Thayer (1863–1940)
Search by topic, scripture, category etc..
Display
Sorted By