In Sermon Illustrations: "Thanksgiving Sermons"

Learning/Growth

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 9, 2019

LEARNING MORE? AM I GROWING? COME AND GO WITH ME: TO COCONUT GROVE, THE YEAR IS 1942, SATURDAY NIGHT THANKSGIVING WEEKEND… Doctor VINCENT SENNA was enjoying a meal at the MELODY LOUNGE. The basement lounge was so crowded with people celebrating the holidays. DOCTOR VINCENT SENNA received and urgent ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:45

Tags: Plan, Growth, Purpose

Denomination: Assembly Of God

William Shakespeare Has King Lear Say: "Sharper ...

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 8, 2008

William Shakespeare has King Lear say: “Sharper than a serpent’s tooth is a thankless child.” Maybe you feel Lear’s sentiment. Mom labors hours over a hot stove, and dad rises thrice during the meal to refill cups, clean up plates, and serve desserts, but not a peep of gratitude reaches their ears. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

National Prayer ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“National Prayer Warrior” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You Say Thank-You For Miscarriage? I Don't ...

Contributed by Chris Willis on Oct 17, 2007

How do you say thank-you for miscarriage? I don’t exactly know, but what I do know is that miscarriage has helped me to . . . - It’s helped me love and appreciate my wife more. - It’s helped me hug my nieces tighter. - It’s helped me sing louder praise to God. - It’s helped me long for heaven ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Said Thanks  PRO

Contributed by Et Tapper on Feb 9, 2009

NEVER SAID THANKS Edward Spencer was a ministerial student in Evanston, Illinois, and also a member of a life-saving squad during his school years. In 1860, a ship went aground on the shore of Lake Michigan near Evanston, and Spencer waded again and again into the frigid waters to rescue seventeen ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Story Of Squanto  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

The Story of Squanto Most of us know the story of the first Thanksgiving -- at least, we know the Pilgrim version. But how many of us know the Indian viewpoint? No, I’m not talking about some revisionist, politically correct version of history. I’m talking about the amazing story of the way God ...read more

Tony Campolo Was Giving A Major Address At A ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 9, 2006

Tony Campolo was giving a major address at a women’s conference. At a point in the program the women were being challenged with a several thousand dollar goal for their mission project, the chairperson for the day turned to Dr Campolo and asked him if he would pray for God’s blessing on the women ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Gifts

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Is Clear That The Writer Of Psalm 100 Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Rex S. Wignall on Nov 28, 2002

It is clear that the writer of Psalm 100 is calling us to look up, and see the blessings of our God. Warren Wiersbe puts it well when he writes: Some people are appreciative by nature, but some are not; and it is these latter people who especially need God’s power to express thanksgiving. We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Joy, Fulfillment

Denomination: United Methodist

Covet Vs. Content

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jul 6, 2009

COVET VS. CONTENT Imagine Thanksgiving dinner, surrounded by turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, rolls, pecan pies, pumpkin pies, cakes, cookies, and more. You sit down at that meal and you eat your share of the food, but you don't over eat, you eat just the right amount ...read more

Tags: Commandments Covet

Denomination: Baptist

The Peril Of No Burden  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 5, 2012

THE PERIL OF NO BURDEN Shortly after coming to Christ, Sadhu Sundar, a Hindu convert to Christ, felt called to become a missionary to India. Late one afternoon Sadhu was traveling on foot through the Himalayas with a Buddhist monk. It was bitterly cold and the wind felt like sharp blades slicing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Galatians 6:2

Tags: Compassion, Burden, Peril

The Movie "Saving Private Ryan" Ends With Captain ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Mcguire on Feb 7, 2007

The movie "Saving Private Ryan" ends with Captain Miller(Tom Hanks’ character)sitting near a bridge after an attack by German forces. His life is ebbing away as he pulls Ryan (Matt Damon)down toward him. Struggling for breath he whispers, "Earn this, earn this." As Ryan stands his face morphs back ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

So If The Kingdom Of Heaven Is So Valuable, Why ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

So if the kingdom of heaven is so valuable, why doesn’t everybody do everything they can to be a part of it? I think it’s because value is often in the eye of the beholder. What has value and what doesn’t is really up to personal interpretation. What some people think are valuable have no value at ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-12

Tags: Fig Tree, Parable General

Who Will Provide?  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 11, 2002

WHO WILL PROVIDE? A young woman brought her fiancé home to meet her parents for thanksgiving dinner. After dinner, her mother told her father to find out about the young man. The father invited the fiancé to his study for a talk. "So what are your plans?" the father asked the young man. "I am a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Tags: Trinity, God's Provision, Genesis

Denomination: Evangelical Free

In 1986 Paul Vitz, Wrote A Book Entitled, ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jul 19, 2004

In 1986 Paul Vitz, wrote a book entitled, Censorship: Evidence of bias in our children’s textbooks. Now, Paul Vitz is not some Bible-thumper, he is a professor of psychology at N.Y.U. and for his study he systematically examined some 90 widely used school textbooks. He wanted to answer the ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Christian Church

Every House Is Different

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 17, 2008

Every House is Different Traditionally in the Philippines, family is regarded as the highest priority, which is why there are no overcrowded orphanages or homes for the elderly. Traditionally at a wedding reception in Denmark, it is normal for the groom to disappear during part of the ceremony so ...read more

Tags: Home

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Zombies

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

Ephesians 2:1-3 “2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5

Tags: Born Again, Zombies, Spiritually Dead

Denomination: Methodist

If God Had Voice Mail  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 12, 2002

If God had Voice Mail Most of us have now learned to live with "voice mail" as a necessary part of our daily lives. But have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing the following: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 89:15, Acts 4:8-12

Tags: God The Father, Carera

But There Was A Time When You Got To Christmas ...

Contributed by Dale Harlow on Dec 17, 2007

But there was a time when you got to Christmas and it all slowed down. You would have the week between Christmas and New Year’s sort of as the holiday. It is not that you didn’t work during that time, but things slowed down significantly. But like those hospital stays it has been shortened ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Adoption Of Michael Oher

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 4, 2010

THE ADOPTION OF MICHAEL OHER Michael Oher was born in Memphis, TN. His dad was murdered and his mom a cocaine addict. He didn’t have a permanent address until he was 16 and went to 11 schools in 9 years. At the age of 16, he had a measured IQ of 80. Michael was staying with a friend whose son ...read more

Tags: Adoption

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Caddy  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 13, 2011

THE CADDY Two golfers stepped up to the first tee on the St. Andrews course in New York. The older golfer was a kindly man who played a thoughtful, deliberate game. The younger golfer was full of pride and impatience. On the first hole he sliced, lost his ball in the tall grass, hit another one, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Gratitude, New Year