Jump directly to the content

sermon illustrations

home > find sermon illustrations

sermon illustration

Atheist Flabbergasted by a Church's Love

Average Rating:  [see ratings/reviews]

1 of 1

Patrick Greene of San Antonio, Texas, has had a long history of disliking and combating Christians. At one point Greene, an outspoken local atheist, threatened to sue Henderson County about the yearly manger display at the courthouse. "My wife and I had never had a Christian do anything nice for us," Greene said in a local newspaper interview.

But all of that changed in March of 2012 when the 63-year-old Greene learned that he needed surgery for a detached retina. Greene didn't have money to pay for the surgery, and he had to give up his cab driving job. When Jessica Crye, a member of Sand Springs Baptist Church, heard about Greene's situation, she told her pastor, Eric Graham, who then called Greene. Greene said, "If you really want to contribute something, we need groceries."

Greene thought that if anything, he'd see $50, or at most $100. But a few days later, the church sent a check for $400. More checks soon followed. The flabbergasted Greene said, "I thought I was in the Twilight Zone. These people are acting like what the Bible says a Christian does."

Now, rather than try to remove the manger display, Greene said he would like to add his contribution—a star for the top of the Nativity scene. However, Greene added, "You people can figure out how to plug it in."

1 of 1

rating & reviews

Average User Rating:

Ted Carroll

May 08, 2012  10:36am

You hit the nail on the head! Great

Report Abuse

Geno Lubaton

April 17, 2012  9:28pm

Excellent illustration. speaks to the heart and stirs the mind. transforms

Report Abuse

Review and Rate this Article: *

Low

High

1000 character limit

* Comments may be edited for tone and clarity.

related sermon illustrationss

Juror Helps Prisoner Find Christ

On Tuesday, August 27, 1996, Shawn Hagwood began a journey of learning that would turn his life around. Earlier that week, 19-year-old Shawn made a cross-country trip to visit a friend ...

[ read more ]

New Shoes Pave Way for Bible Study

Because Vance is an African American living in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood, he stands out. But what really sets Vance apart is that he is a servant-hearted father who cares ...

[ read more ]

more sermon illustrations ...

related videos

There are currently no related videos.

more videos ...

editor's update

Matt Woodley

Back-to-Back Home Runs

May 20, 2013

archives | read more ...