In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Corinthians 4:16-5:18"

James Calvert (1813-1892) Was A Zealous ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 7, 2002

James Calvert (1813-1892) was a zealous missionary to cannibals on the Fiji Islands. His faithful work bore fruit in the lives of those accustomed to taking the life of others. Years later and English earl visited the Fiji Islands and was critical of a chief’s conversion to Christianity. "You’re a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Born Again, Christian Love, Joy, New Life, New Creation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Rather Pompous-Looking Deacon Was Endeavoring ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 20, 2002

A rather pompous-looking deacon was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. "Why do people call me a Christian?" the man asked. After a moment’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yesterday, The Orlando Sentinel Reported On A Man ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Nov 1, 2003

Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel reported on a man by the name of Timothy Pilgreen. Timothy is being held on 2 charges of murder and 4 charges of attempted murder after driving over 6 Outlaw Biker gang members on their motorcycles. Later, he blamed his rage on a history of drugs, alcohol and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Grace

Denomination: Baptist

What God Can Do With Your Life  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 2, 2003

WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH YOUR LIFE In the recent movie, "About Schmidt" 66-year-old Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has retired from his job as an insurance actuary. He is miserable, and after his wife (June Squibb) suddenly dies, he is also lost. He travels the country in his RV hoping to stop his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Significance, Depression, Discipleship, Failure, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

My Daily Confession Of Who I Am In Christ ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 4, 2003

[“My Daily Confession of Who I am in Christ Jesus,” Larry Millemon] I am free from the curse of the law—poverty, sickness, and death. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Jesus was made the curse for me. (Galatians 3:3) I am no longer under the bondages of Satan; I’ve been translated into the Kingdom of God. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Worry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

While Secretary Of State During The Regan ...  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Cash on May 19, 2004

While Secretary of State during the Regan presidency, George Shultz kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz would test them. He would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Daniel 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our House Was Directly Across The Street From The ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Oct 30, 2000

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of John Hopkins in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:23-24, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 6:10-20, Matthew 7:1-24, John 4:13-25, Genesis 1:1-12, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 105:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Love, Christlikeness, Compassion, Forgiveness General, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Now-Famous Poet Elizabeth Barrett Became ...  PRO

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Oct 18, 2000

When the now-famous poet Elizabeth Barrett became the wife of Robert Browning, her parents disowned her because they disapproved of the marriage. Their daughter Elizabeth, however, wrote almost every week, telling them that she loved them and longed for a reconciliation. After 10 years, she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Mark 2:2-12

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Of Hitler's Bodyguards Was A Man Named Kurt ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 28, 2001

One of Hitler’s bodyguards was a man named Kurt Wagner. He adored Hitler and reverenced him as a god. At the end of the war, with Hitler a suicide in a Berlin bunker, Kurt’s faith was shattered and he planned a suicide. Going for a final cup of coffee, he picked up a discarded Gospel tract and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Grace, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Wesleyan

Ever-Flowing Life Of Easter

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Ever-Flowing Life Of Easter When Jesus was crucified on the Cross, and was raised again on the third day, He got victory over sin and death and that purchased the abundant life in Christ which is available to all who will surrender to His Lordship. The Apostle Paul, moved by the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful It is a well-known fact that a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. The butterfly can truthfully say as he looks at the caterpillar, "Such was I, but now I am changed." Every Christian has once been a sinner, living for self and the momentary pleasures ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:7-11

Tags: Resurrection, Salvation, New Life, Born Again, Christian Witness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope For A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

HOPE FOR A CHANGE In the Peanuts comic strip, we find Snoopy thinking to himself: "Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Ohh...there’s so little hope for advancement." Well, there is hope for those who have a dog’s life, but the change will require them ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Change

God Restores Banged-Up ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

GOD RESTORES BANGED-UP PEOPLE Gary Inrig’s story in his book, Quality Friendships: Years ago, one family had a son who was in the Korean War. They had not heard from him for 10 months and were very concerned. Time went on and the war ended. Finally their son called home. The mother was excited. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Restoration

The Whole Story About You

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2009

THE WHOLE STORY ABOUT YOU During a practice session for the Green Bay Packers, things were not going well for Vince Lombardi’s team. Lombardi singled out one big guard for his failure to "put out." It was a hot, muggy day when the coach called his guard aside and leveled his awesome vocal guns on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Born Again

Reconciliation: Chancing One's Arm  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2009

RECONCILIATION: CHANCING ONE’S ARM A. The oldest Christian site in Ireland is said to be St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. (Slide Of St Patrick’s) 1. It is a beautiful edifice, but it also has a interesting piece of history involving one of its doors– it is known as the "Door of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Genesis 33:1-11

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Margaret's Story  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 24, 2009

MARGARET’S STORY A young woman named Margaret had spent decades battling depression and anxiety that were traced back to a horrible day in school when a Teacher, frustrated with her tardiness, made her stand in front of the room and invited all the students to come up to the board and write ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Zephaniah 3:17

Tags: Grace, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation, Encouragement, New Life, New Birth  (view more)  (view less)

Army Paratrooper Takes Comfort And Hope Listening ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2009

Army Paratrooper Takes Comfort and Hope Listening To Taps During the Vietnam War A story from a Vietnam veteran testifies of God’s transforming work. I served as an airborne Ranger platoon leader (paratrooper) in the First Air Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. Our company was hacked up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Tags: Battle, War

The Cross At Ground Zero After ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2009

The Cross at Ground Zero After 9/11 A testimony from a worker at ground zero on 9-11 testifies of God’s transforming power. I’m an excavation laborer, and a member of union local 731. Pick-and-shovel work is my trade. I live in New Jersey, but I’m a New York City native, Brooklyn born and bred. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Tags: Cross

Max Lucado's Story About A Scottish Fisherman's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2009

Max Lucado’s Story about a Scottish Fisherman’s Stain on Wall that is Transformed by Famous Wildlife Painter into a Masterpiece Max Lucado tells this story: “Over a hundred years ago, a group of fishermen were relaxing in a Scottish seaside inn. One of the men gestured widely and his arm struck the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Tags: Forgiveness, Forgiveness In Jesus

The Blood Of Lambs

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2009

THE BLOOD OF LAMBS I just finished a very moving book called, "The Blood of Lambs" by Kamal Saleem (Howard Books, 2009). He describes his life as a terrorist and how he hated Israel and America. He also couldn't stand Christians--that is, until God brought some Christian men into his life after he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Islam