In Sermon Illustrations: "Ephesians 1:1-6:23"

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

I Will Pay For My Own Sins  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Mar 8, 2004

I WILL PAY FOR MY OWN SINS For some time now, we have been hearing about Mel Gibson’s new movie, The Passion of the Christ, the biblical account of the last hours of Christ’s earthly life. Some claim it is too violent and graphic. Some claim it is anti-Semitic, though the producer filmed his ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Cross

Denomination: Baptist

The True Story Is Told Of Two Drunks Who Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Ethan Muse on Apr 2, 2004

The true story is told of two drunks who were sitting in a bar late one night and having an argument about who had the best wife. As they were arguing, the first drunk decides to prove that his wife is the best, so he invites his friend home with him. They arrived at the house at 1:00 in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Tags: Marriage Obligations

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

On Their 50th Wedding Anniversary, A Couple ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Decker on May 23, 2004

On their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple summed up the reason for their long and happy marriage. The husband said, "I have tried never to be selfish. After all, there is no ’I’ in the word ‘marriage.’” The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:23-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:7-8, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 11:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Marriage General, Oneness, Marriage Commitment, Marriage, Faithfulness, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Video "Transformations" Made In 1999 Shows ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 16, 2004

The video "Transformations" made in 1999 shows stunning Revivals that are taking place mostly in third world countries (Africa, South America, etc) - Revivals that have literally TRANSFORMED ENTIRE TOWNS AND CITIES for Jesus. It showed how in one Columbian city (notorious as a drug citadel), ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Former President George H. W. Bush Told ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 17, 2004

1. Former President George H. W. Bush told mourners at Ronald Reagan’s funeral on Friday that the 40th U.S. president taught him kindness, courage and the power of humor during their years together at the White House. “As his vice president for eight years, I learned more from Ronald Reagan than ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

Tags: Christian Love

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

Some Time Ago I Read About An Instant Cake Mix ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 4, 2004

Some time ago I read about an instant cake mix that was a big flop. The instructions said that all you had to do was add water and bake and you had your cake. The company couldn’t understand why it didn’t sell -- until their research discovered that the buying public felt uneasy about a mix that ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 25:31-46

Tags: Work, Surrender, Commitment To Christ, Faith, Salvation, Righteousness, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

The Meanest Mother  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004

The Meanest Mother We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from other ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do It For Them!" Ephesians 4: 25-32 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 6, 2004

“Do It For Them!” Ephesians 4: 25-32 Key verse(s): 29: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Motivation to do or not do something is a curious thing. There are many factors that influence motivation. We can be motivated by the fear of injury or ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts, Communication General

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Does Satan Attack Us With Firey Darts Or ...  PRO

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Oct 10, 2004

Why does Satan attack us with Firey darts or arrows? Becuase a flaming arrow does not need to hit it’s target EXACTLY, it just needs to get close enough for the fire to spread. And fire left unattended will become unmanagable! A few years ago, I had some of those nice smelling candles lit in my ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Sin Wages Of

Denomination: Bible Church

Let's Play ‘let's Pretend'. Let's Pretend That ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004

Let’s play ‘Let’s Pretend’. Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13, Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 17:1-13, James 1:22, John 19:30-31, John 11:1-45, John 11:45-57  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hidden Mud And Leaves!" Ephesians 6:10-17 ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 14, 2004

“The Hidden Mud and Leaves!” Ephesians 6:10-17 Key verse(s): 10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” We moved to Beech Springs valley some sixteen summers ago now. We had been looking for a place that could afford us peace, quiet and some room for our growing family to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Tags: Battle, Doubt, Enemy, Stand, Strong  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

In His Book, "How Great Generals Win", Bevin ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Nov 23, 2004

In his book, "How Great Generals Win", Bevin Alexander tells of "The General Who Beat Hannibal". One of Hannibal’s most effective tactics was the use of elephants in battle. For years Roman soldiers and horses were ineffective against the elephants - until the Roman general Scipio Africanus made ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-18

Tags: Satan

Denomination: Baptist

Not For Words Alone!" Ephesians 2: 8-10 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 24, 2004

“Not for Words Alone!” Ephesians 2: 8-10 Key verse(s): 8a: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God . . . ” Did you ever receive a gift, a gift so unexpected and so exciting that you just couldn’t contain the level of your ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Tags: Joy, Giving General

Denomination: Lutheran

Grace Means That God Is On Our Side And Thus We ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2004

“Grace means that God is on our side and thus we are victors regardless of how well we have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

A Gentleman From My Church Told A Story About ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Adams on Dec 19, 2004

A gentleman from my church told a story about his family. Each day as he came home from work, he stopped on his way into his house to pet his dog, and give it some affection. One day as he came in the house, his wife said with a little frustration, "Why is it that every day you always pet the dog ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Day 2 Men Were Talking As They Saw A Woman ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Dec 20, 2004

One day 2 men were talking as they saw a woman walking down the road. One of the men said, “That’s Mrs. Jones. She always has something good to say about everyone.” The other man decided to test her, so when she got close he hollered, “Mrs. Jones, what do you think about the devil?” She thought ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 6:20-24, Ephesians 6:20-24, Philippians 4:8

Tags: Forgiveness General, Faith

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Resolutions  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 22, 2004

A FEW RESOLUTIONS Here are a few less-serious resolutions: “I have resolved not to do drugs anymore, because I get the same effect just standing up really fast.” “I have resolved to live in my own little world, because at least they know me here.” “I have resolved to stay married, because ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10-16

Tags: New Year's Day, Fool

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