In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 1:1-24:24"

Make Sure We Were Abiding

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

MAKE SURE WE WERE ABIDING Stuart Briscoe, author and long-time pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, tells about the time he traveled to Poland during the cold war. He was involved in several weeks of itinerant ministry, and one winter day his sponsors drove him in the dead of night ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Tags: Jesus Teachings

François Fénelon Once ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

François Fénelon once wrote: "Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee; Thou only knowest what I need; Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself. O Father! give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask. I dare not ask for crosses or consolations; I simply present ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

Hypocrisy Is Like The 12-Year-Old Boy Who Was ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

Hypocrisy is like the 12-year-old boy who was waiting for his first orthodontist appointment and was a bit nervous. Apparently he wanted to impress the dentist. On the patient questionnaire, in the space marked "Hobbies," he had written, "Swimming, riding my bike, and flossing." That’s a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:4-5

Tags: Hypocrisy

Do Not Keep On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

DO NOT KEEP ON BABBLING Dr. Clarence Bass, professor at Bethel Theological Seminary, early in his ministry preached at a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the church. The remarks about his preaching were complimentary. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

Discernment—or Judgment?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

DISCERNMENT--OR JUDGMENT? So how does a critical attitude come back to haunt you? Here’s one way. A man wanted to impress his friends with his eye for art as they went to an art gallery together. He forgot his glasses, was nearsighted, and couldn’t hardly see his hand in front of his face. But he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Tags: Gifts Discernment

What We Do Not Know  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW F.B. Meyer once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are three things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. Second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. Thirdly, we also do not know what we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, Acts 9:10-19, Galatians 6:1

Tags: Judgment

No Teeth  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

NO TEETH Walking towards the United Nations Building in New York City, a street evangelist was observed who was trying to get the attention of passers-by. He urged those near him to flee from the wrath to come. "I warn you," he roared, "that there will be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Tags: Hell

The Typical American Has 91% Of Their Net Worth ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

The typical American has 91% of their net worth in assets versus 9% in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Materialism

The Top 10 Most Powerful Brands Are: 1 Google, 2 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

The Top 10 Most Powerful Brands are: 1 Google, 2 GE, 3 Microsoft, 4 Coca-Cola, 5 China Mobile, 6 IBM, 7 Apple, 8 McDonald’s, 9 Nokia, and 10 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Materialism

Americans Reported $240 Million In Online Fraud ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

Americans reported $240 million in online fraud losses in ’07 to the FBI (an increase of $40 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Tags: Technology

Perfect Gifts

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

PERFECT GIFTS Everyone loves to receive gifts at Christmas time. And I am sure that as Christmas approaches, we are wondering what lies behind those wrapped presents. I remember as a child that these four weeks of advent were so difficult. I would go by that tree about 30 million times a day ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Tags: Christmas

Parables: Ground ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

PARABLES: GROUND RULES The parables help clarify the ground rules of the kingdom. If you’ve ever played baseball, you know that certain parks have ground rules, and the umpires and coaches discuss these rules before each game. For example: At Wrigley Field, a ball that gets lodged in the vines ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

Tags: Parable General

Henry Blackaby Said, "You Never Find God Asking ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 26, 2009

Henry Blackaby said, "You never find God asking persons to dream up what they want to do for Him...Without doubt, the most important factor in each (Biblical) situation was not what the individual wanted to do for God. The most important factor was what God was about to do." (Experiencing God, page ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-79, Matthew 21:1-6

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Treasure Of The Church  PRO

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

THE TREASURE OF THE CHURCH St. Lawrence was martyred in 258 A.D., but we remember him not for his martyrdom. We remember him as the Archdeacon of Rome. His responsibilities included maintaining the sacred vessels of the small, struggling church and distributing alms to the poor. While he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:13-16

Tags: Poverty

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Phillip Keller Visited A Potter In Pakistan A...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

Phillip Keller visited a potter in Pakistan and gained the most understanding ever of the meaning found in "Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven." The words of the prophet came to mind: "Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words" (Jer. 18:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Tags: Lord's Prayer

On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

ON PRAYER Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer told a story on the subject of prayer. A certain minister was in the habit of profound prayers, oftentimes resorting to words beyond the understanding of his simple flock. This went on week after week, to the dismay and frustration of the congregation. At last, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

On Prayer--Part ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

ON PRAYER--PART 2 Samuel Pepys was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament in the seventeenth century, who is now most famous for his diary. "Prayer is not a lazy substitute for work. It is not a shortcut to skill or knowledge. And sometimes God delays the answer to our prayer in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

More On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

MORE ON PRAYER Leonard Ravenhill - Prayer is not an argument with God to persuade him to move things our way, but an exercise by which we are enabled by his Spirit to move ourselves his way. Harry Emerson Fosdick - Prayer is putting oneself under God’s influence. Pope Pius XII - A man without ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

Sense Shines With A Double Luster When It Is Set ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Humility

Those Who Doubt Most, And Yet Strive To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Those who doubt most, and yet strive to overcome their doubts, turn out to be some of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36, Matthew 21:18-22, John 20:24-31, James 1:2-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Doubt, Apologetics, Worry