In Sermon Illustrations: showing 861-880 of 52,519

Another Celebration In The Bank

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 11, 2023

This month The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I celebrate the 52nd anniversary of our engagement. In August, it’ll be the 52nd anniversary of our wedding. I can’t believe we have been together for 52 years. But, alas, here it is. I first met her in September of 1970 when I went to Bible ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Celebration, Anniversary, Marriage

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Mothers - How We Relate Through The Years

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 8, 2023

Moments with mothers ... and with grandmothers.... Often become the foundation ...of memories ... that in turn ... become stories ... that are shared within the family... for many years. And as Children ... I have found ... we relate....... to our mothers ...differently .... through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:4, Matthew 19:19, Mark 7:10, Luke 18:20, John 19:25-27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Mothers Day, Mothers, Motherhood, Mom, Memories, Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Am I An Enabler?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 7, 2023

Text, Galatians 6:6, KIV: 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Not long ago I had lunch with a pastor friend. We talked about several different things but when I mentioned something I had seen on Sermon Central, he was alarmed! He asked me, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6

Tags: Communication, Humor, Pastors

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Along

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 7, 2023

I read this account from Readers Digest: To save money, I suggested to one of my grown sons that we all live together in one house. I could tell he didn’t think it would be cost-effective when he asked, Who’s going to pay the therapist? That is something to think about. We love our families, but ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Gossip, Harmony, Conflict, Bickering, Arguments  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Super Bowl Sunday Joke!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 6, 2023

Surprised to see an empty seat at the Super Bowl stadium, a diehard fan remarked about it to a woman sitting nearby. "It was my husband's," the woman explained, "But he died." "I'm very sorry," said the man. Then he continued. "Yet, I'm really ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Kindness, Sports, Super Bowl, Death, Fruit Of The Spirit, Football, Funerals, Goodness, Humor, Widows  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am In A Hurry, But God Isn't!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 6, 2023

The purposes of God often develop slowly because His grand designs are never hurried. The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Waiting On God, Holy Spirit, Forbearance, Fruit Of The Spirit, Endurance, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience With Those Who Reject Our Savior

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 6, 2023

According to a traditional Hebrew story, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one evening when he saw an old man, weary from age and journey, coming toward him. Abraham rushed out, greeted him, and then invited him into his tent. There he washed the old man's feet and gave him food and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Patience, Endurance, Fruit Of The Spirit, Forbearance, Evangelism, Grace, Holy Spirit, Waiting On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ugly Isn’t For Sissies

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 4, 2023

Over the years of marital bliss, we’ve not had many disagreements. She likes broccoli. I like Apple Fritters. We’ve never been able to come to any agreement with that. But, outside of that, everything has been rather smooth. There’s one controversy that has plagued our house for the last few ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Appearance, Mirror

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Perfect Portrait Of Peace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7

Tags: Peace, Presence Of God, Problems, Spirit Filled Life, Trials, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How A Pastor Loved His Enemy

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded sort who did all he could to oppose and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Forgiveness, Hate, Churches, Enemies, Division, Love, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Momma, Kiss Me!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

William Gladstone, in announcing the death of Princess Alice to the House of Commons, told a touching story. The little daughter of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. The doctors told the princess not to kiss her little daughter and endanger her life by breathing the child's ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Sacrifice, Love, Mothers, Children, Agape, Death, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Character Vs Reputation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are. " - ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14

Tags: Witness, Example, Discipleship, Character, Reputation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Needs Followers Of Jesus...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

THE WORLD NEEDS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS... who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Disciples, Examples, Witnesses

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Incredible Symbol Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Gordon Brownville's Symbols of the Holy Spirit tells about the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first to discover the magnetic meridian of the North Pole and to discover the South Pole. On one of his trips, Amundsen took a homing pigeon with him. When he had finally reached the top ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Pentecost, Spirit Filled Life, Holy Spirit, Acts, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Levels Of Fruit Bearing

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Galatians 5:19-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit described by Paul in Galatians 5 is not something that is a goal for Christian living produced by the ability of the believer. No, it is the very character of Christ produced within us by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Fruit Bearing, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Maturity, Spirit Filled Life, Leaders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Types Of Fruit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

The fruit of the Spirit is singular. it is "fruit" and not "fruits". It is only one letter, but it matters deeply. When you walk in the Spirit, all of these things described in Galatians 5:19-23 will be present in your life. However, there is a three-fold outline in Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Spiritual Maturity, Holy Spirit, Fruit Of The Spirit, Flesh, Walking In The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does It Mean To Have Joy?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Joy is God’s gift to believers. Paul speaks of more than just a mood. This is a deep confidence that was rooted in God’s sovereign control of the universe, His on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities including the assurance of ultimate victory for those in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Happiness, Joy, Spirit Filled Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What A Young Boy Saw In The Face Of A Missionary

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Many years ago when the great missionary Adoniram Judson was home on furlough, he passed through the city of Stonington, Connecticut. A young boy playing about the wharves at the time of Judson’s arrival was struck by the man’s appearance. Never before had he seen such a light on any ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, Acts 1:8

Tags: Witnessing, Testimony, Missions, Fruit Of The Spirit, Evangelism, Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Polimetla Joy on Jan 30, 2023

In this parable, Jesus teaches about the importance of having a receptive heart to receive the word of God. He explains how the seed (word of God) can fall on different types of soil, representing different hearts. Some seed falls on the wayside, representing those who hear the word and do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Luke 8:4-8

Tags: Hearing, Scripture, Responding, Word Of God

A Lesson From A Short Story

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 27, 2023

Text, Matthew 16:26, KJV: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Thoughts: In my last year or so of high school, I took a couple of literature classes. For one thing, I liked the teacher, and for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:26

Tags: Temptations, Souls, Hell

Denomination: Baptist