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Endorsements


Dr. Jim L. Wilson
FreshMinistry's online editor Jim L. Wilson (see bio) provides Sermon Illustrations at an affordable price to assist Preachers in their sermon preparation tasks.  We average adding about one new illustration per day based upon current events, movies and literature. 

Jim's Fresh Sermon Illustrations are available for purchase in Bible Software programs like WordSearch, Accordance  and Logos and have appeared on other illustration services managed by Group Publishing and Christianity Today. 


Dr. Jim Henry
"Dr. Wilson gives the preacher a huge jump in sermon preparation by joining the scripture and illustration together. It is great material and a time saver. I wish I had it when I began preaching fifty years ago."

Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida
Past President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1994-1996)

 


Dr. David Johnson
“If Spurgeon was correct that illustrations allow the light to shine on the truth of God's word, Jim Wilson's work opens the window to let the light shine in a fresh and relevant way. I highly recommend it!”

Executive Director
Arizona Southern Baptist Convention


Dr. Eric Herrstrom
“Jim is a powerful communicator with a unique ability to draw people into his messages. His timely illustrations are always relevant and insightful. This resource is an excellent addition to every teacher's library.”

Lead Pastor, Lake Arlington Baptist Church, Lake Arlington Texas

Samples

THE INABILITY TO FORGIVE MAY HAUNT US THE REST OF OUR LIVES. 

Simon Wiesenthal, an Austrian Jew spent four-and-a-half years in various Nazi concentration camps during WWII. Wiesenthal, one of the few to survive the atrocities of the Holocaust, recounts a harrowing story in his memoir, The Sunflower. While working to clear rubbish from a make-shift hospital, a nurse summoned Wiesenthal to a secret room, where a severely wounded Nazi soldier lay on his deathbed. The soldier told Wiesenthal how he volunteered for the SS (Schutzstaffel), and how his superiors ordered him to gun down innocent Jews. Wiesenthanl listened to the soldier as he expressed deep sorrow and regret for what he had done. He said that he wanted to confess his sin to a Jew before he died. Wiesenthal, unable to offer any comforting words of forgiveness, left the room in silence— Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Loren C. Pirtle

Wiesenthal, Simon. The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness. New York:
Schocken Books. 1998 p. 176-8.

Unfortunately, the solder confessed his sin to the wrong Jew. There is a Jew who would not walk out of the room unable to offer forgiveness. Jesus Christ is willing and able to forgive the sins of all who come to him with a sincere heart and a desire to change.

Mark 2:9-12 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? (10) But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He told the paralytic, (11) “I tell you: get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” (12) Immediately he got up, picked up the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” 

FORGIVENESS IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!

Researchers have discovered new truth behind the old adage, "To err is human and to forgive, divine." Studies suggest that people who forgive experience physical and mental health benefits. Research also indicates the beneficial health benefits vary by age, and are affected by a person's willingness to forgive others, their willingness to forgive themselves, and feelings of being forgiven by God. 

The study conducted by the University of Michigan and partly funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, found young adults; aged 18-44 were less likely to forgive others than middle aged adults (45-64) and older adults (65 and up). Younger adults were also less likely to believe they had been forgiven by God. 

People who forgive reported decreased psychological distress, including fewer feelings of restlessness, hopelessness, and nervousness. Young adults who reported high levels of self-forgiveness were more likely to be satisfied with their lives. Older adults who reported high levels of forgiveness for others were more likely to report increased life satisfaction. 11Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

—http://dailynews.yahoo.com, Journal of Adult Development 2001, December 31, 2001. 

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. 

FORGIVENESS REQUIRES HUMILITY WHEN THE COST IS GREAT.

To get a Perfect Game, a pitcher must retire every batter he faces over nine innings with no hits, no walks, and no errors; 27 batters up and 27 outs. Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga had a perfect game in his hands June 2, 2010 until a bad call by an umpire took it away from him. On what should have been the very last out of the game, Umpire Jim Joyce called a runner safe, the team was incredulous, and replay confirmed the runner was out. Though he had every reason to be angry, Galarraga offered grace instead of harsh words about the mistake.

In an interview Galarraga told CNN Sports, “We’re human, we make mistakes.” He said he did not get angry, and was happy about playing such a good game. Joyce publically apologized for his mistake, and the men had a chance to move on. The Tiger’s pitcher said, “He apologized to me, I gave him a hug. I’m sure the guy feels 100 times worse than me.” Though Galarraga said he planned to tell his children that he had a perfect game that night, he added, “The next day, we turned the page. He’s a professional. I’m a professional.” --Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

--‘Perfect game’ pitcher handles call with grace, http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/06/05/baseball.perfect.game/?hpt=C2; , June 5, 2010, 

Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation.” 

Fresh Illustration Books

Fresh Illustrations: Forgiveness and Reconciliation Vol 1
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Accordance
Software

WordSearch
Software
Fresh Illustrations: Family Vol 2 
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Accordance Software

WordSearch Software
Faith Hope and Love Vol 3
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Accordance Software

WordSearch Software
Evangelism & Missions Vol 4
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Accordance Software

WordSearch Software
Sin & Salvation
Vol 5
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Accordance Software

WordSearch Software
Stewardship
Vol 6
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Accordance Software

WordSearch Software



300 Illustrations for Preachers 

Logos Bible Software

Amazon Kindle


1000 Fresh Sermon Illustrations

Word Search Bible Software


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Jim L. Wilson started preaching when he was 17 and became a pastor when he was 18. 

Today, he is Professor of Leadership Formation and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Gateway Seminary.

Wilson is an award winning writer with hundreds of  pieces in print and the author, co-author or contributor to more than twenty books. His sermons and sermon illustrations appear in WordSearch, Accordance and Logos Bible Software.Back to Top


Impact
          Preaching: A Case for the one-pointexpositiory sermon

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