Jump directly to the Content
Jump directly to the Content

Sermon Illustrations

Home > Sermon Illustrations

Stranded Passengers from September 11 Reunite

There were 200 passengers on Flight 929 from London to Chicago on September 11, 2001. As they neared the North American coast, the pilot informed them that, due to a national emergency, they were going to land in Gander, Newfoundland.

According to the Chicago Tribune, "Onboard were families, friends, a couple just married and a few others headed to weddings, another returning from a funeral…and others returning from vacation or business trips." Passenger Tom Tucker commented, "We came from all over, but when we were dropped on this beautiful spot [in Newfoundland], everyone was equal."

After they landed, they spent 20 hours on the runway, and then, along with thousands of other passengers from some 40 flights, they stayed four days before finally continuing their journeys. Their bond was that in a desperate and dangerous time they were thrown together, depending on one another for support.

In June 2002, they had a reunion. "We went through something with these people that no one understands," said Kara Gilbert from San Francisco. "We can talk about it with friends and family, but seeing everyone here makes it real."

If the people of Flight 929 felt such a bond after only a few days together, how much greater will be the reunion of God's people when we finally gather in heaven with Jesus.

Related Sermon Illustrations

Where Is the Church When It Hurts?

Author and speaker Philip Yancey writes:

One day a man said to me, "You wrote a book called Where Is God When It Hurts, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't have ...
[Read More]

Wanting the Cure Without the Care

What we see, and like to see, is cure and change. But what we do not see and do not want to see is care: the participation in the pain, the solidarity in the suffering, the sharing ...

[Read More]