Sermon Illustrations
Mr. Rogers Thanks All Who Loved Him Into Being
Fred Rogers was the creator of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," a children's television show that began airing in 1968 and ran until 2000—that's 895 episodes. In 1997, Mr. Rogers won the Emmy lifetime achievement award. This is an excerpt of his speech.
So many people have helped me to come to this night. Some of you are here. Some are far away. Some are even in heaven. All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are? Those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life. 10 seconds of silence. I'll watch the time.
Whomever you've been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they've made.
The video shows actors and actresses tearing up during and after those ten seconds of silence. All of us have special ones who have loved us into being children of God. Some here. Some far away. Some are even in heaven where they join the saints around the throne still praying and offering intercession for us. We all have had spiritual parents. Will you be that for someone? Will you be a spiritual parent that raises children to follow Jesus and invite others to follow him?