I have a friend who sends me from time to time a joke or story that he thinks might work well in a sermon. Here's an example:
An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death's agony he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs.
He gathered what was left of his strength and lifted himself up out of bed. He slowly made his way out of the bedroom and down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen.
Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven: there, spread out upon newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it heaven or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted life. Mustering one final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture.
He reached out the the edge of the table and took one of the cookies. A glass of cold milk would have made this moment perfect, but the old man couldn't wait. His parched lips parted, seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged and withered hand was bringing up the cookie to his mouth when suddenly it was smacked with a spatula by his wife.
She angerly told him, "Stay out of those! They're for the funeral!"
