In Sermon Illustrations: "Ephesians 1:1-2:1"

Perhaps Daniel Defoe Gave Us Some Good Advice ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Perhaps Daniel Defoe gave us some good advice through his fictitious character Robinson Crusoe. The first thing that Crusoe did when he found himself on a deserted island was to make out a list. On one side of the list he wrote down all his problems. On the other side of the list he wrote down ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Joy

To Be God's Property Mean That We Are Owned By ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 26, 2002

To be God’s property mean that we are owned by God. There is a powerful story about an English missionary whose house was being looted. "An English missionary died in the early part of this century [the 20th century]. Immediately after his death his former neighbors broke into his house and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: United Methodist

The Hope In A Rocket  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 28, 2002

THE HOPE IN A ROCKET October Sky is a great movie. It is based on the autobiography of former NASA science engineer Homer Hickam, Jr. It is about four boys who embody the hope of a community. It’s 1957 in Coalwood, West Virginia where all the boys grow up to be coal miners. Homer Hickam ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-12

Tags: Leadership General, Evangelism The Lost, Faith

Denomination: Methodist

Dr. James Gills, Is An Outstanding Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2002

Dr. James Gills, is an outstanding Christian ophthalmologist in the Tampa Bay area. He is a fine example of one who has allowed himself to be used of Jesus Christ and for His greater kingdom priorities. He writes about how he learned to allow the trials of life to make him and his ministry better ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Tags: Character, Commitment, Fulfillment, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wealthy Man Once Called His Faithful Assistant ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

A wealthy man once called his faithful assistant into his office and said, “I’ve put you name in my will, and you will get $10,000 when I die. As it may be some time before you get that legacy, I want to make you happy by paying you each year the legal interest on that amount. Here is a check for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14, Deuteronomy 6:1-15

Tags: Salvation

Fools And Kisses  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 2, 2002

"Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1

Tags: Marriage General, Weddings, Romantic Love

Haddon Robinson Says It Best, "With Him The Calf ...  PRO

Contributed by Lisa Degrenia on Oct 7, 2002

Haddon Robinson says it best, "With Him the calf is always the fatted calf; the robe is always the best robe; the joy is always unspeakable; and the peace passes understanding. There is no grudging in God’s goodness. He does not measure His goodness by drops like a druggist filling a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 31:19, Luke 11:13

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son

Denomination: Methodist

Malcolm, A Man With A Terrible Temper, Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 1, 2002

Malcolm, a man with a terrible temper, was playing a round of golf with his pastor. After leaving three straight putts on the edge of the cup, Malcolm exploded. "I missed!" he screamed. "How could I miss?" With that he heaved his putter into a nearby lake, kicked a wheel on the golf cart and drove ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:26-27, Ephesians 4:26-27, Ephesians 3:19

Tags: Adoption, God's Omniscience, God's Judgment

A Present  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 2, 2002

Jeff Calendar’s three year old daugh- ter along with the rest of her family was observed opening Christmas packages. As is often the case, Jeff’s wife had recycled some bows from previous times, and their daughter grabbed one and then placed it on top of her head. The old tape left on it caused it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-5, Ephesians 1:3-5, John 17:6

Tags: Christmas Advent

When I Went To A Crossways Conference The ...  PRO

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Apr 19, 2003

When I went to a Crossways conference the presenter spoke about his tour of the Holy Lands in 1998. The tour gude got on the bus, introduced himself as Amnon. He said that he was named after one of King David’s sons. The presenter said, "You mean the one that assaulted his half-sister Tamar?" ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

The Story Is Told About President James A. ...  PRO

Contributed by Emil Boniog on Dec 10, 2003

• The story is told about President James A. Garfield’s first Sunday in Washington after his inauguration. A member of the cabinet insisted that a cabinet meeting be called at 10 a.m. the following day, which was Sunday, to handle a matter of grave importance. President Garfield said that he had ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5, 2 Samuel 1:1-15, Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Worship Definition, Worship Purpose

Denomination: Baptist

Fred Craddock Was A Seminary Professor. Once, ...  PRO

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Dec 10, 2003

Fred Craddock was a seminary professor. Once, while he was lecturing at Yale University, he told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, TN, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal—just the two of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-23

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Evangelism Urgency, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

At First I Saw God As My Observer, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 2, 2004

Illustration: At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know Him. But later on when I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:45-51, Ephesians 1:19-20, Luke 7:1-10

Tags: Great, Benefactor, Servant

John Wesley Provides The Most Convicting Analysis ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 20, 2004

John Wesley provides the most convicting analysis on what it means to be a true servant: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” Rick ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-13

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Pentecostal

If Our Greatest Need Had Been Information, God ...  PRO

Contributed by Martin Kim on Dec 28, 2004

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. But, our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Adventist

Cymbala's Easter Story  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2005

CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:15-18, Luke 23:32-34, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, John 13:34-35, Matthew 25:34-45, Psalm 40:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 1:1-11, Matthew 18:22-35, Matthew 22:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Second Coming, New Year, Dignity, Body Of Christ, Supper, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When My Mother Used To Make Jam, I Would Watch ...  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Dec 30, 2000

When my mother used to make jam, I would watch her pour wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. She would then carefully wipe some wax around the rim itself, and place the rubber lined lid on tight. The wax and the vacuum caused by the cooling preserves would seal ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Orthodox

A Large Family Sat Around The Breakfast Table One ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

A large family sat around the breakfast table one morning. As the custom, the father returned thanks, blessing God for the food. Immediately after, however, as was his bad habit, he began to grumble about hard times, the poor quality of the food he was forced to eat, the way it was cooked, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20, Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 2:1-10

Tags: Prayer General, Joy, Thanksgiving Holiday, Thanksgiving

For Many People Today The Spiritual Journey Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

For many people today the spiritual journey is filled with crushing burdens. I think of the character Rodrigo from the 1986 academy award winning movie The Mission. Rodrigo, played by Robert DeNiro, portrays a slave trader who kills his brother in a fit of rage. He’s filled with such terrible ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-13, Ephesians 1:1

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Guilt, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tony Campolo Says That His Wife Is A Brilliant ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 21, 2001

Tony Campolo says that his wife is a brilliant woman. She has a PHD & is capable of pursuing a very profitable career. But she elected to stay home with her children when they were young. Her decision didn’t bother her at all except when other women would ask, “What do you do?” She would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-16, Ephesians 2:1

Tags: Conviction, Children, Mothers, Mother's Day, Motherhood, Parenting, Temptation, Sacrifice, Tithes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ