In Sermon Illustrations: showing 141-160 of 1,298

Perspective And Self-Indexing

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 16, 2020

A man given to day-dreaming was driving down the freeway a cell phone call came in through his blue tooth audio system. He heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, "Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on Highway 401. Please be careful!" ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 15:27-31

Tags: Perspective, Self Indexing

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgiving And Forgetting

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2020

Once upon a time in their marriage, Saul Rosenberg did something really stupid. Ethel Rosenberg chewed him out for it. He apologized, they made up. However, from time to time, Ethel would mention what he had done. "Honey," Saul finally said one day, "why do you keep bringing that up? ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:34, Luke 17:3-4

Tags: Forgiveness, Marriage, Reconciliation, Forget, Forgive, Argument  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Example Of Extreme Forgiveness

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 17, 2020

Twenty years ago, Rwanda experienced a horrible genocide as one tribal group attacked and massacred another over tribal rivalry. Here is one story of forgiveness from that horrid era. “He killed my father and three brothers. He did these killings with other people, but he came alone to me and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:3-4

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Restitution, Apology  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Romantic Valentine's Day?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 4, 2020

Sam was chatting with his friend Ted. He asked Ted whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day. “Yes,” Ted rapidly replied, “I bought her a belt and a bag.” “That sounds good,” Sam responded. “I hope she will like ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Tags: Passion, Romantic, Valentine's Day, Marital Love, Gifts, Marriage, Valentine, Romance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Promoted

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 4, 2020

The boss called one of his employees into the office. "Rob," he said, "you've been with the company for a year. You started off in the mail room, one week later you were promoted to a sales position, and one month after that you were promoted to district manager of the sales ...read more

Tags: Family, Leadership, Success, Influence, Promotion, Moving Up, Nepotism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Meeting William Shatner

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 27, 2020

“When I was a kid, my dad and I were driving somewhere on a nice, sunny afternoon…. My window was rolled down. The town we live in isn’t known to be a destination for celebs of any kind. We pull up to a light; we’re the second car from the front. A polished limo pulls up next to us, and the window ...read more

Tags: Famous, Ordinary, Fame, Human, Celebrity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Name Of Jesus (Yeshua)

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 16, 2019

The Old Testament prophets were often commanded to give their children names that described God’s dealings with Israel. Most Old Testament names that incorporate either the syllable “el” or the letter “Y” (sometimes “J” in English) incorporate the name of God. For example, Joshua (Hebrew Y’hoshuah) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Tags: Christmas, Jesus, Name Of Jesus, Yeshua

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Imhotep And Joseph

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 9, 2019

A memory of Joseph may have been merged into the legend of Imhotep: “According to Egyptologists, the Pharaoh Djoser employed an adviser named Imhotep, who designed his pyramid. Prior to that time, Pharaohs were buried in low, rectangular structures called mastaba. Imhotep’s design used a creative ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Tags: Leadership, Joseph, History, Egyptology, Imhotep  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Best Age To Enjoy Life

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 9, 2019

What is the best age to enjoy life? Age 0-20 - You have lots of time, good health but no money, so it can be difficult to enjoy life to fullest as you definitely need money to enjoy. Age 20-65- You might have some money, but you don’t have time to enjoy it. Age 65+- You might have money and time, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Tags: Age, Life, Aging, Maturity, Training, Enjoyment, Phases, Eras  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Inn

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

The INN was full. The "inn" is mentioned in the Old Testament, and was still in operation in the New. The Inn was located on land that had been given to Chimham by DAVID (2 Samuel 19:32-40). It was a place to accommodate a number of TRAVELERS (Jeremiah 41:17). Holman Bible Dictionary ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7

Tags: Christmas, Bethlehem, Inn, No Room At The Inn

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christ Emptied Himself

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

Kenosis: “The term kenosis comes from the Greek word for the doctrine of Christ’s self-emptying in His incarnation. The kenosis was a self-renunciation, not an emptying Himself of deity nor an exchange of deity for humanity. Philippians 2:7 tells us that Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Christmas, Incarnation, Kenosis, Christ's Humility, Emptying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas Present Unrealized

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

This is a true story. Freddie and John were fortunate enough to have a season ticket to watch Chelsea soccer in the UK. They could not help noticing that there was always a spare seat next (B14) to them and they had a friend who would love to buy a season ticket, especially if all three could have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Present, Unattended Effect, Missed Opportunity

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Magi And Zodiac

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

Henry Morris [When They Saw the Star] goes on to postulate, as have others, that the original signs of the Zodiac painted a picture of the Gospel. The virgin (Virgo) would give birth to the Messiah (pictured by Leo the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Tags: Wise Men, Magi, Zodiac, Stars, Astronomers, Astrologers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Magi -- Who Were They?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

Lambert Dolphin writes: “The ancient Magi were a hereditary priesthood of the Medes (known today as the Kurds) credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge. After some Magi, who had been attached to the Median court, proved to be expert in the interpretation of dreams, Darius the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Tags: Wise Men, Magi, Kinds, Seers

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Burning The Turkey

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

But what if you burn the bird? There is a positive way of looking at it: • Salmonella won't be a concern • No one will overeat. • Everyone will think it's Cajun Blackened. • Uninvited guests will think twice next year. • Your cheese broccoli lima bean casserole will gain newly found ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Tags: Thanksgiving, Turkey, Thanksgiving Humor

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas Eve Communion Confession

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 23, 2019

Confession O Lord, we remember you, O Lamb of God Born this day to take away the sin of the world; O Word become flesh, Who came down to share our humanity; You alone are worthy. Help us remember You not only with our lips, But with our hearts as well; Help our lives proclaim Your truth. As we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Communion, Christmas Eve, Confession

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What The Lost Coin Means

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

Ann Punton writes, “Although everyone dressed more or less alike according to social standing, each village had some distinguishing feature. Bethlehem women wore a conical cap. When they married, their husband gave them a number of silver coins which they fixed to their hat. The coins were their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Search, Found, Parable Of The Lost Coin

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We Can Witness, But We Cannot Convert

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

We may use all means, by but we cannot command success. We may teach, but we cannot convert. We may show those around us the bread and water of life, but we cannot make them eat and drink it. We may point out the way to eternal life, but we cannot make others walk in it. ‘It is the Spirit that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Evangelism, Family, Witnessing, Unbelief, Straying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Assumptions And Arrogance

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 12, 2019

Four people—a pilot, a professor, a pastor, and a hiker—were flying in a small plane when the engines died. The pilot said, “There are only three parachutes. Since this is my plane, I’m taking one of them.” He put it on and jumped out. The professor said, “I’m brilliant and the world needs me, so ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-20

Tags: Mistakes, Arrogance, Assumptions, Snob, False Confidence, Errors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Jewish Roots Of "tongues"

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 12, 2019

• Talmud taught about power for all people in the Ten Commandments: R. Johanan said: What is meant by the verse, The Lord giveth the word: They that publish the tidings are a great host? — Every single word that went forth from the Omnipotent was split up into seventy languages. The School of R. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17, Acts 2:1-20

Tags: Pentecost, Tongues, Languages

Denomination: Independent/Bible