In Sermon Illustrations: "Mark 4:13-13:20"

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

Let God Do The Watering!" Mark 4: 1-20: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 4, 2004

“Let God Do the Watering!” Mark 4: 1-20: Key verse(s): 11-12 “He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and every hearing but never understanding; ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:10-20

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Lutheran

Come And Die  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 29, 2004

COME AND DIE In The Cost of Discipleship Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “The cross is laid on every Christian. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death–we give over our lives to death. The cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Heard People Use The Phrase: "This Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 30, 2004

Have you heard people use the phrase: "This is my cross to bear"? They’ll say, "I’ve got an unsaved husband, it’s my cross to bear." Or, "My kids are rebellious, it’s my cross to bear." Or, "My arthritis acts up on me; it’s my cross to bear." A tombstone in a cemetery in Ribbesford, Scotland ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Little Over 75 Years Ago A Little Known ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 12, 2004

A little over 75 years ago a little known American inventor, born of Russian descent named Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin worked on an idea called an iconoscope and a kinescope. The kinescope would eventually ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-41

Tags: Faith General, Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope College Women's Basketball Team Had ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 13, 2004

The Hope College Women’s basketball team had made it to the national playoffs. The final game saw Hope 20 points behind with 10 minutes left to play. The team remained calm and began to narrow the gap. Then with just 5 seconds remaining, a 3 point basket tied the game. The final score was decided ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Tags: Disciplines Scripture

Denomination: Baptist

Mamie Adams Always Went To A Branch Post Office ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 18, 2004

Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Baptist

People Refuse To Believe That Which They Don't ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 18, 2004

People refuse to believe that which they don’t want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:10-21

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Baptist

The Circumstances Of Life Often Speak To Us Like ...  PRO

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Oct 20, 2004

The circumstances of life often speak to us like Lucy one day spoke to Charlie Brown. Lucy said to Charlie Brown "Sometimes, I feel we are not communicating: You, Charlie Brown, are afoul ball in the line drive of life. You’re often in the shadow of your own goal post you’re a miscue. You ‘re 3 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Tags: Faith General, Entering Heaven

Denomination: Baptist

I Once Heard The Story Of An Organist Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

I once heard the story of an organist who was getting ready to play as the church service began. When he put his hands on the keys there was no sound. Everyone knew something was wrong, so the preacher quickly got up and led in prayer. The janitor was aware of the fact that they hadn’t plugged ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Tags: Prayer In The Spirit, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist

A Mother Was Preparing Pancakes For Her Sons, ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake; I can ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Tags: Last, Christian Disciplines, First

Denomination: Baptist

Martin Luther Said, I Have Held Many Things In ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

Martin Luther said, I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:11-22

Tags: Joy, Peace

Denomination: Baptist

President Nixon Once Told About Talking To ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

President Nixon once told about talking to Winston Churchill’s son; he told him how much he admired the prime minister’s great ability at giving “extemporaneous” speeches. Churchill’s son replied, “Oh, yes. I’ve watched my father work for hours preparing those ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

Despite The Mind-Numbing Brutality Of The Joseph ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

Despite the mind-numbing brutality of the Joseph Stalin regime in the Soviet Union, his propaganda machine did its job well. Many Russians hailed him as a hero and a savior, including a young school girl who was chosen to greet Stalin on one occasion. Years later, this woman recalled Stalin taking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

One Blistering Hot Day When They Had Guests For ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

One blistering hot day when they had guests for dinner, Mother asked 4-year old Johnny to return thanks. “But I don’t know what to say!” the boy complained. “Oh, just say what you hear me say” his mother replied. Obediently the boy bowed his head and mumbled, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Tags: Prayer Confession

Denomination: Baptist

But I Just Have To Give!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

BUT I JUST HAVE TO GIVE! Eric Hulstrand writes in Leadership magazine: "While I was preaching one Sunday, an elderly woman, Mary, fainted and struck her head on the end of the pew. Immediately, an EMT in the congregation called an ambulance. As they strapped her to a stretcher and got ready to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-43

Tags: Parable General

Really Giving  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

REALLY GIVING The great Alliance preacher and renowned Christian author, A. W. Tozer, makes this observation: “Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done!... In God’s sight, my giving is measured not by how much I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-43, Matthew 9:1, Mark 9:14-35

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Half A Cloak  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

HALF A CLOAK There is a legend about Martin of Tours who is said to be the first military chaplain. He followed the Roman Army from place to place ministering to the soldiers, and to people in the places they conquered. One cold winter day he was following the Roman Army into a city. There was a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-43

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Was That A No?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

WAS THAT A NO? A Proud young man walked into a room looking for his friend. He passed two blond young women near the door who looked him over then looked at each other and said and the same time ‘NINE’. The prideful young man puffed out his chest and drew a big smile on his face then walked over ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-37

Tags: Parable General

The Disease Of Pride  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

THE DISEASE OF PRIDE “Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-37

Tags: Humility