Sermons & Devotionals by Francis Bourdillon

The Census and the Great Multitude! Francis Bourdillon , 1873 "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their han... Read More

Often Reproved! Francis Bourdillon , 1873 The minister lost no time in going, for the message was urgent. A man had a massive stroke and was in great danger. As he got near the door, he heard the sound of hard breathing within. He found the man lying on a bed in a lower room. He lay just as he had b... Read More

He Can, and He Will! Francis Bourdillon , 1873 "Do you wish to be forgiven?" "Wish?" said the sick man. "Oh, if you knew how I wish it! I feel as if I would care for nothing, not for the pain or anything else—if I could but think God would forgive me. But how can He forgive me? You don't know what I... Read More

The Contrast, Or—One Missing Francis Bourdillon , 1873 It is night. The bustle of the day is over; the shops are closed; the noise of wheels has almost ceased; the streets are nearly empty. Most in the great city have gone to bed. But not all. Here is a house that is open still. Its great plate-glas... Read More

Of No Use Francis Bourdillon , 1873 Two men were pulling a cart with a long, heavy piece of furniture on it—a sideboard, it looked like. In turning a corner, the sideboard slipped out of its place. The men stopped to set it right, but found themselves in a dilemma. The one who was pulling the truck ... Read More

WORRIES Francis Bourdillon , 1873 What people call "worries" are very common. Often they come from mere trifles, but they are not the less "worries" for that. Little things sometimes vex and trouble us, more than great things. "I am so worried with the children," says one who is the mother of a larg... Read More

A Day That Will Never Come Again! Francis Bourdillon , 1873 Never! That is a strong word. Yes, but it is a true word in this case. There is a day that has come once — but will never come again. That day is yesterday. Other days, other times, other things — do in one sense come again, but yesterday n... Read More

The Lord Our Righteousness Francis Bourdillon , 1873 Wonderful words! May I use them? May I say this? Will it not be presumption in one like me — so unworthy and sinful? No, there is no presumption in doing what God says we may do. Every believer in Christ may say of Him, "The Lord our righteousness... Read More

A New Face! Francis Bourdillon , 1873 Two women met at the corner of the street; one of them was carrying a small parcel of groceries. "So you've been to market, Mrs. Brown," said the other. "Yes," replied Mrs. Brown, "there's a new face there." "Why, has that young man gone, who was there — the pal... Read More

The Last Time! Francis Bourdillon, 1873 "He didn't think it was the last time!" said the weeping widow of a laboring man who had met with sudden death the day before; "he had his breakfast as usual, and went out to his work; he didn't think it was the last time!" No, poor widow, he did not think so;... Read More

The Fire-escape! Francis Bourdillon, 1873 There is a crowd in the street, and a confused sound of voices and feet; terrified faces appear from many a window; and, where but just now, all was wrapped in the stillness of night — but now there is nothing but hurry and bustle. A house is on fire! Not ha... Read More

The Death of the Righteous! Francis Bourdillon, 1873 Perhaps, reader, you seldom think of dying. You may be one of those who drive away the idea of death, and only think of enjoying life as much as possible. You fear death because of what comes after it. Yet the thought of death must cross your mind... Read More

Plain Speaking! Francis Bourdillon, 1873 Plain speaking is the best kind of speaking, especially for plain people. If I met you in a strange place and you asked me the way — I would tell you the different turnings you were to take as plainly as I could; for you would not thank me if I were to say a ... Read More

Two Great Events! Francis Bourdillon, 1873 On a certain day some years ago, a great event took place — You were born . Do not think I am jesting in calling this a great event. It was a great event — for, at that moment, one began to live, who is to live forever. Whatever your life has since been and... Read More

Quenching the Spirit Francis Bourdillon , 1881 "Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19 All God's gifts, temporal and spiritual — may be used either rightly, or wrongly. He gives us life — we may either waste it, or spend it well. He gives us talents — we may use them either for good purpose... Read More

The Pharisee and the Publican Francis Bourdillon , 1881 Luke 18:9-14. "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standin... Read More

The Faithful Three Francis Bourdillon , 1881 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king: O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your h... Read More

Ebenezer, or the 'Stone of Help' for the New Year Francis Bourdillon , 1881 "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said: Until now the LORD has helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12 Several times in the history of the people of Israel, when any speci... Read More

The Perfect Pattern Francis Bourdillon , 1881 "Be imitators of God, as beloved children." Ephesians 5:1 When parents are such as Christian parents ought to be — their children should look to them as their example. Nothing on earth can be happier, than a household in which the parents are walking in ... Read More

The Fruits of the Fall Francis Bourdillon , 1881 "Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to work the ground from which he was taken." Genesis 3:23 When we look into the Bible — we see the reason of many of the strange and perplexing things which are around us. For instance, we ... Read More