In Sermon Illustrations: "Gifting"

Hiring A Dog

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 17, 2021

A sign was hung in an office window. It read: Help wanted. Must type 70 words a minute. Must be computer literate. Must be bilingual. An equal opportunity employer. A dog was ambling down the street and saw the sign. He looked at it for a moment, pulled it down with his mouth, and walked into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:26

Tags: Service, Gifts

Denomination: Methodist

My Ongoing Grudge With Santa

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 18, 2021

I’ve had sort of a grudge with old Mr. Santa Claus. I was introduced to Santa Claus by my parents, who informed me that he was the one that brought all of my Christmas presents on Christmas day. And I believe my parents. I remember on Christmas Eve we had to go to bed early to give Santa Claus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Christmas, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Prayer In Health

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 31, 2008

Prayer in Health When you come to my office with a problem, often I'll offer to pray with you for God's healing and discernment. If you have a sprained hand and haven't grown in your spiritual life, you might think, "What a waste of time." A few years ago there was even an experiment in which ...read more

Tags: Gifts Healing

Denomination: Catholic

Quote From Justin Martyr 150ad, "If You Want ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 9, 2008

Quote from Justin Martyr 150AD, "If you want proof that the Spirit of God, who was with your people, and left you to come to us, come into our assemblies, and there you shall see Him cast out ...read more

Tags: Gifts Tongues

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discernment—or Judgment?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

DISCERNMENT--OR JUDGMENT? So how does a critical attitude come back to haunt you? Here’s one way. A man wanted to impress his friends with his eye for art as they went to an art gallery together. He forgot his glasses, was nearsighted, and couldn’t hardly see his hand in front of his face. But he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Tags: Gifts Discernment

Teachers Important

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

TEACHERS IMPORTANT 64% of U.S. adults believe teaching is one of the most important jobs in America today; 20% disagree. The same survey found 80% of adults say their teachers were at least somewhat important in shaping the direction of their lives. 39% say teachers were very important in that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:7

Tags: Gifts General

Tools In The Hands Of The Carpenter  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

TOOLS IN THE HANDS OF THE CARPENTER A group of tools once came together for a meeting with Mr. Hammer presiding. Brother Screwdriver said, "Brother Hammer must go, because he is always making noise, always knocking." Hammer said, "Brother Screwdriver has to go, because you have to turn him around ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Tags: Gifts General

A Merciful Game

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Mar 2, 2009

A MERCIFUL GAME A high school basketball player’s mom passed away on the day of a game. He made it to the game and his coach invited him to sit on the bench. But he wanted to play. Since he arrived late, putting him in the game was a technical foul and the other team would shoot two free ...read more

Tags: Gifts Mercy

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jack Hayford: "Mercy Is God's Constant ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Mar 2, 2009

Jack Hayford: "Mercy is God's constant compassion for the helpless and undeserving--to show compassion for someone in serious need, i.e. 'showers of mercy.' Mercy is not merely a passive ...read more

Tags: Gifts Mercy

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Giving To Others

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Ann Voskamp writes, “It’s almost a dozen years now, nothing under the Christmas tree here. Strange, the way children teach adults. It started at bedtime one year, I do remember that. Smoothing back hair, kissing foreheads, pulling up the blankets over my kids. Tucking them in. Prayers said all in a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:4

Tags: Christmas, Gift Giving

Denomination: Methodist

I Was Talking To A Young Man Just A Few Days ...

Contributed by Fred Parker on Jan 27, 2015

I was talking to a young man just a few days ago about our greatest gift. He guessed several different things such as health, strength, possessions (Cars, houses, plenty of money) and each time he would give me an answer I would tell him, “No.” He said, “If I only had plenty of money everything ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Gifts Of God, Greatest

Denomination: Pentecostal

Singing

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 18, 2014

Do not neglect your gift. Susan Boyle, age 48, of Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland. REMEMBER HER? She thrilled England and the world when she stood on that stage competing in the Britain’s Got Talent contest on April 11, 2009, and sang, “I Dreamed A Dream.” That was the most watched youtube clip ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:14

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, Using Talents, Gifts Talents

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace At Christmas

Contributed by Joel Arndt on Jan 9, 2020

Early on in my ministry, I was called to the home of one of the people in the congregation who said they had a Christmas gift for me. Shortly after getting out of my vehicle I heard shouting coming from the house that I was called to. I gently knocked on the door and the woman of the house opened ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23

Tags: Christmas, Grace, Forgiveness, Gift

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Seems There Was A Barber In A Small Local Town ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Rust on Jul 11, 2001

It seems there was a barber in a small local town who had been the only barber in town for years. Everyone went to this barber to get their hair cut. Then, one day a big hair salon franchise came to town and opened up shop. They advertised, “All Haircuts for $3.00” Slowly, the barber’s ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, Gifts Encouragement, Gifts Discernment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Has Given Us All A Sweet Spot—in Fact, ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on May 29, 2001

God has given us all a sweet spot—in fact, Paul says that God has given us the gift of a sweet spot so that we could serve God and produce the maximum result and maximum satisfaction both for God and for us. Mark McGwire said, “When I feel the ball hit right on the sweet spot, a home run is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Tags: Field, Gifts General

Denomination: United Methodist

The Lost Art Of Saying Thank You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy - because we will always want to have something else or something more.” - David Steindl-Rast Everyone likes to feel appreciated. I remember a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:17

Tags: Thanks, Unthankfulness, Gifts

Denomination: Charismatic

Let Me Close An Excerpt From Sharon Jaynes' Book, ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Dec 16, 2002

Let me close an excerpt from Sharon Jaynes’ book, Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas: An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for ...read more

Tags: Gift, Christmas, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: *other

Derek Kidner Points Out That An Offering Is "A ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Oct 3, 2002

Derek Kidner points out that an offering is "a gift of ...read more

Tags: Giving General, Gifts Giving

Denomination: Church Of God

Bill Wilson Pastors An Inner City Church In New ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Mar 22, 2002

Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to Christ. After her ...read more

Tags: Gifts General, Servanthood

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Families Are Wonderful. Families Are Challenging. ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jun 6, 2002

Families are wonderful. Families are challenging. I am reminded of this every time I see my favorite Cosby Show episode in which Cliff, the father played by Bill Cosby, and Theo, the son played by Malcolm Jamal-Warner, have a chat about Theo’s desire to live like a “regular” person rather than ...read more

Tags: Children, Gifts Giving

Denomination: Church Of God