Jump directly to the Content
Jump directly to the Content

Sermon Illustrations

Home > Sermon Illustrations

Man Robs Same Store Three Times for Candy

As kids, we almost all inevitably faced the same temptation at one point or another—to slip our favorite candy bar into our pocket at the store without paying for it. So easy, and harmless, right? That's what Idris Allen, a 38-year-old New Jersey man, seemed to be thinking recently, when he robbed the exact same 7-Eleven store at knifepoint four different times in four days—just to avoid paying for candy. It started on December 8, 2015 and escalated to the third heist December 11th consisting of "several Reese's Peanut Butter Cups."

Here's how one newspaper described the fourth and final theft:

Approximately, 14 hours later on the same day (December 11, 2015), the defendant wearing the same clothing from the robbery the night before, came back to the 7-Eleven, went to the back of the store, took merchandise, and left the store, only to be followed by the shift manager from the first robbery, who jumped over the counter, alerted the police and pointed him out around the corner.

Allen pleaded guilty to first-degree armed robbery on March 11, 2017.

Potential Preaching Angles: How representative of humanity's battle with sin! Over and over, "as a dog returns to its vomit," we return to the same sins, even though they never succeed in satisfying us like we seem to think they will.

Related Sermon Illustrations

Actor Jeff Bridges Refused Dad's Advice

In an interview for Rolling Stone, actor Jeff Bridges was asked what advice he wished he would have received at age 20. Bridges said:

I got the advice—I just didn't take it! ...
[Read More]

The Terrible Price of Sin

In his book Finishing Strong, Steve Farrar sums up well the terrible price of sin:

"Sin will take you farther than you want to go,

Keep you longer than you want to stay,

And cost ...

[Read More]