Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas

Sermon Illustrations

LOVED, TO BE LOVE

One of the neatest gifts I've ever received was this little, hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement, and have cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: "Blessed to be a blessing" Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn."

Days after we arrived here, I unpacked my boxes, and placed this towel on my bookshelf. I've kept it there to serve as a reminder of God's calling on my life. And, as I gazed upon this towel these last, few days, I've thought, Yes, I am blessed, and for that I need to be a blessing to others. But more than this, I am also so loved by God, and because I am loved by him, I need to love because of him. For, without the love of Christ, what does it mean to be a blessing anyway?

You know, in some ways, I think it would be equally fitting if the towel read, "Loved, to be love" (John 13:34).

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons