Martin Luther King's Sermon: The Drum Major Instinct

King's "Drum Major Instinct" sermon, given on 4 February 1968, was an adaptation of the 1952 homily ''Drum-Major Instincts'' by J. Wallace Hamilton.

King encouraged his congregation to seek greatness, but to do so through service and love. King concluded the sermon by imagining his own funeral, downplaying his famous achievements and emphasizing his heart to do right.

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The Institute of the Black World 21st Century is committed to building the capacity of Black communities in the U.S. to work for the social, political, economic and cultural upliftment, the development of the global Black community and an enhanced quality of life for all marginalized people.

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[terrell]

People can say whatever they want about Martin Luther King Jr but they can't argue that he was a great man of God.

[faitho.adekunle]

This is one of the greatest speeches I've ever heard

[marcpaluch]

I’m a 40 year old white man. This is the first time I throughly listened to a sermon from the great Martin Luther king., I recommend this to anyone despite race or religion. It will open up your eyes and ears to the world around you and yourself. I could not stop listening.. we were all as humans lucky to have this man lead and influence people in such a positive manner.. happy king day to all

[cynthiaanderson]

This generation of young people need to read or listen to Martin Luther King drum major instrument this is powerful amen 2023😊❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[drndubuezeokonkwo]

Dr King is my mentor. I am a physician and when I take care of patients, I remember that He and people like him died that I may have the opportunity to serve humanity.what a great soul !!!

[drea]

Thank you so much for making these available for those of us who did not see him in real life. This sermon is very important to my heart.

[lancewilliams]

This Man can Truly say His Life Had PURPOSE!

[nelsonmayo]

This is so powerful. This convicts me of my selfishness, egoism and lust for materialism. God help me. I cried when i listen to this sermon.

[whateverwhatever]

This is a sermon everyone should hear ..im not a religious person but his words are spot on even today ...its so eerie, that he was accurate when you hear this in 2024 ...

[jeffbange]

This speech touches the core of what's wrong in our country right now, so many people want to be important to the point that they no longer care what gets destroyed to get it

[for_us]

imagine having the major drum for being so just and honourable that you're remembered decades later.

[marymathis]

It is amazing, how his sermons are still relevant today, amazing man leader and follower of Christ

[felinefokus]

Make it plain. True wealth is internal. We are here to Love

[c.a.mcneil]

This is no speech, this is a sermon!! King was a preacher🙌🏾🙌🏾

[arnoldfloyd]

This is a speech I listen to just about every other day, the words are very powerful and wise. Dr. King was truly a prophet I believe, even today his words speak to our situations such as " break the backbone of your economy" only Dr. KING could have explained America this way.

[itzchrishawnburgass]

Watching in 2023, on Dr. King's 94th Birthday. Such a powerful sermon.

[Hyperspeed]

❤ Dr. King 👑 for standing up 👆
For black people rights!
From Dr. Tyrone of Chester. PA.

[linzierogers]

This is 2022 and the drum major instinct is still with us. I will even go so far as to say it is a big part of the anger, resentment, and violence we are experiencing all over the country.

[alexmateo]

Truely ahead of his time and A great leader at that with words of wisdom that even now are so relevant and so true Americans have fallen short and have praised and have given power to our oppressors we need strength to speak like this man speaks and call out what is wrong with today!

[markherron]

Happy Birthday to the Late Dr Martin Luther King Jr 🎈🎇🎉🥳🎁🎉🎂 Rest in POWER! Blessings and Hugs