Tag: sermon

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons church cartoons gag cartoon single panel cartoon technology cartoons webcomic

Angry Birds Sermon

The Angry Birds phenomenon had been around long enough in 2011 to come up with a cartoon about an angry bird sermon. People love to give pastors ideas for sermons much like they love to give ideas to cartoonists!

Angry Birds sermon cartoon. A pastor says, "So you think I should base an entire sermon series on 'Any Birds?'"

Sermon Series and Pop Culture

So when I thought of this idea, I considered how technology has changed the church. If you walk into most churches today, you’ll at least see a projector on the wall. They have replaced hymn books with Powerpoint and lyrics projected on a wall. I see it as a good thing.

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons church cartoons gag cartoon Religion Cartoons single panel cartoon webcomic

Sermons in 3D Cartoon

Some churches are always searching for the latest technology to enhance a worship service. So one day, I thought of this “Sermons in 3D Cartoon.”

Sermons in 3D cartoon. A mom says to a pastor, “He’s listened to all of your sermons since I told him you presented them in 3D.”

Isn’t it amazing what a little creativity and technology can add to a sermon or presentation? Still, I think 3D technology would be a bit distracting. However, it could be effective, and a little convicting when a pastor would reach right out to you.

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Bible Proverbs

Guard Your Heart

Illustration of two men guarding a heart on display

“Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.”

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

The other day, part of my pastor’s sermon was based on this verse. I thought of all the struggles we face each day to keep our hearts from turning bitter. The news can be discouraging. People say evil things to each other on social media. And we’re getting to the point we will say those things to others face-to-face.

We believe the end justifies the means. But does it? If we are in warrior mode every time someone disagrees with us, are we doing the right thing? If we feel winning is everything, has power corrupted us? If fear dominates, do we do things we would otherwise think are barbaric and unloving?

Guard your heart! Be careful what you put into it. If it is fear and anger—fear-based, abusive, angry actions will spew out. If it is love, joy, and peace, you and everyone around you will be much better for it.

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motivation

Is it Edifying?

Cartoon of a pastor at a pulpit with a coffee maker. He says, "Today's sermon will be fully edifying, inspirational and caffeinated."
Published in the "Church of God ENewsletter."

Is it edifying? You might say, “edi- what?” It’s not a word we hear very often. My mother used it all the time when I was a child. I would be watching some goofy TV show. She would come up to me and ask, “Is this edifying?” I had no idea what she meant, but I suspected she didn’t think Gilligan’s Island fit within the edifying category.

According to Merriam Webster, here’s the definition of edifying:

Edifying: Instructive or informative in a way that improves the mind or character.

edifying,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edifying. Accessed 8/24/2020.

In today’s climate, we’re needing something edifying more than ever.

  • We need something that uplifts
  • We need something that inspires
  • We need something that leaves us better than when we consumed it

Once I knew what edifying meant, I was annoyed at Mom’s question. I would think that wasn’t the point of entertainment. I just wanted to laugh at some slapstick idiocy, for crying out loud!

But now I see we need some edification. Too many people are hurting each other. We all need to learn how to endure when our situation is less than ideal. We each need to be reminded how to be kind and love in the face of fear and anger. It’s time for some edification, some inspiration, and yes, perhaps like the pastor in the cartoon, we can add some caffeination while we’re at it!

Cartoon of a pastor at a pulpit with a coffee maker. He says, "Today's sermon will be fully edifying, inspirational and caffeinated."
Published in the August, 2020 CHOGNews

I drew this for the August 2020 CHOGNews.

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Sermon Notes Sketch notes

Sermon Notes: “Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings”

Sermon sketch notes "Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings."
Sermon Notes on "Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings. Sermon Copyright 2019 Paula Spear

Over the years, I’ve written and drawn dozens of sermon notes. One of my regrets is that I didn’t create any of my grandfather’s sermons when he was active. I had not developed the skill by the time he retied. But one of my thrills was to do it today of my wife’s debut.

As recently as last year, if you asked her if she would speak before a crowd beyond presenting the kids during a special or giving the announcements, she would have politely declined. But as she has grown deeper through spiritual disciplines, something has changed within her.

Here is a copy of my notes. They are two pages since she spoke both hours. It’s interesting to me to see what I got out of one hour versus another when you hear a speaker more than once.

Sermon sketch notes "Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings."
Sermon Notes on “Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings. Sermon Copyright 2019 Paula Spear

Her topic reflected that. She has learned the value of being still as opposed to being busy, busy, busy! It has caused her to reevaluate what her calling is in this stage of her life.

I love how she has grown and continues to grow in this stage of her life. Whether you are new in your career or have been in the workplace for decades, we all need to grow. We all need to change and experience new beginnings. But as she has learned, it takes the courage to end some things.

Part of her journey has come from a book she quoted in her sermon. We recommend it. It is Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud.

I am proud of my wife because she is leaving her role at our church under great circumstances. She didn’t wait until she developed a bad attitude, or when her work began to suffer. She left under great circumstances and with a staff in place that will continue to make great strides in the children’s ministry. Now we shall see what the new beginning will be in the coming weeks.