A sermon was once given titled “What Is In Your Cup?” The idea behind the question stemmed from the illustration of the subject (you) holding a cup of coffee as somebody comes around the corner and runs into you. As this person runs into you, you accidentally spill your coffee all over the floor. After spilling the coffee somebody else comes around, sees the mess, and asks “Why did you spill coffee?” The initial answer to the question is “Because somebody ran into me.” However, while that answer makes sense, it’s the wrong answer. The answer to “Why did you spill coffee” was because you had coffee in your cup. You would not have spilled coffee had you had any other drink in your cup.

In this sermon, the preacher asked four different questions. (1) Is there hatred in your cup? (2) Is there anger in your cup? (3) Is there love in your cup? (4) Is there compassion in your cup?

Is There Hatred In Your Cup?

“You have heard that it was said ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 ESV). 

Is There Anger In Your Cup? 

“Be angry and do no sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV).

“For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20 ESV). 

Is There Love In Your Cup? 

“You have heard that it was said ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 ESV).

Is There Compassion In Your Cup?

“When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34 ESV). 

The Bible clearly states over and over that you will face trials in this world. The world is going to run into you. When the world runs into you, what is going to be spilled? Are you going to spill hatred and anger, or love and compassion. You can’t control whether or not someone comes around the corner and runs into you, but you can control what’s in your cup.

What Is In Your Cup?