Sermon Illustrations

While on a short-term missions trip, Pastor Jack Hinton was leading worship at a leper colony on the island of Tobago. A woman who had been facing away from the pulpit turned around.

"It was the most hideous face I had ever seen," Hinton said. "The woman’s nose and ears were entirely gone. She lifted a fingerless hand in the air and asked, ’Can we sing Count Your Many Blessings?’ "

Overcome with emotion, Hinton left the service. He was followed by a team member who said, "I guess you’ll never be able to sing that song again."

"Yes I will," he replied, "but I’ll never sing it the same way."

(The Pastor’s Update (5/96). Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership.)