Tag: sermon story
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Life with GOD | John Ortberg Sermon Illustrations
Blessing in the ancient world was the highest form of well-being possible for human beings. The Greeks referred to the blissful existence of the gods as “blessed.” For Israel, blessing included not just gifts from God but especially life with God. Blessing would include all areas of Abram’s life: his family, his finances, his work,…
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Big Father On The Beach | John Ortberg Sermon Illustrations
A few weeks ago, when I was out surfing, there was no one else in the water. In fact, there was no one around at all, except a guy the size of Goliath doing tae kwon do on the beach. After I’d been out a little while, a tiny wisp of a kid came paddling…
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His stigma has become his glory | John Ortberg Sermon Illustrations
Sociologist Erving Goffman wrote in his classic study Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity that the term stigma originated with the ancient Greeks, roughly during Jesus’ time. Initially a “stigma” was a mark branded on the body of a disgraced individual—a criminal or a slave. The term came to refer to any characteristic…
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Keep Showing Up | John Ortberg Sermon Illustrations
My friend Eugene has a black belt in martial arts. During a sermon taping, I once held a block of wood as tightly as I could, right in front of my face, while Eugene did a 360-degree spin and splintered the wood with a roundhouse kick. I will never do that again. I did not…
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Not So Far to Fall | John Ortberg Sermon Illustrations
In grad school, although I was studying to become a clinical psychologist, I started working at a Baptist church. I discovered then that I loved to preach . . . until one weekend when the sermon wasn’t going well and I started to feel anxious and dizzy, and the next thing I knew, I was…
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Santa Claus and the naughty-or-nice list | Tim Keller Sermon Illustrations
Biblical exposition Isaiah 56:1 says:“Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand.” At first glance, this sounds as though people must behave well to earn salvation. Keller explains that this would contradict the Bible’s teaching about salvation by grace. Illustration – Better watch out, better not cry Keller refers…
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The solar system with too many centres | Tim Keller Sermon Illustrations
Biblical exposition Keller explains that humanity was created to live with God at the centre, to love one another and to care for creation. When humanity rejected God’s authority, relationships became damaged: between nations, social classes, races, families and friends. Illustration – A solar system with everyone at its centre Keller compares human relationships to…
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Cancer and the loss of physical shalom | Tim Keller Sermon Illustrations
Biblical exposition Keller explains the Hebrew word shalom, often translated as peace.He argues that shalom means much more than the absence of conflict. It describes wholeness, flourishing, harmony and the proper functioning of relationships.He uses the human body to make the meaning understandable. Illustration – When the body loses its harmony A person’s body experiences…
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The exhausted person climbing the ladder of success | Tim Keller Sermon Illustrations
Surrounding biblical exposition Keller explains the consequences of a society built on self-salvation.Isaiah contrasts the lofty city with the strong city. The strong city enjoys peace because its security comes from God. The lofty city, however, is characterised by exhaustion and oppression. Illustration – The endless climb Imagine someone who has worked extremely hard to…
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The Christian and the heating thermostat | Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Illustrations
Biblical expositionLloyd-Jones asks what faith actually is. He first explains what it is not.Faith is not simply a feeling. Feelings change according to circumstances. A Christian may feel discouraged, anxious or overwhelmed, but faith involves the whole person, including the mind, understanding and response to God’s truth.He then introduces the thermostat as an illustration of…
