In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 4:1-7:1"

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

It's Not What's Happening Today That Drags A Man ...  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 8, 2000

“It’s not what’s happening today that drags a man down. It’s remorse over what happened yesterday, and dread of tomorrow.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:34

Tags: God Brings Hope, God's Forgiveness, Peace

Denomination: Orthodox

In Football They Have A Huddle, The Goal ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 11, 2000

“In football they have a huddle, the goal of the huddle is to give you thirty seconds to call the play, that is why they give you a huddle.(At a professional football game there may be ) Sixty thousand people watching you huddle, they don’t mind you taking thirty seconds to call the play. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, Genesis 3:16-17

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Great Commission, What Is Evangelism?, Pure

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Girl’s Prayer: A Little Girl Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mccutchen on Jan 26, 2001

A little girl’s Prayer: A little girl was being punished by eating alone in the corner of the dining room. The family paid no attention to her until they heard her pray: “I thank Thee, Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 5:16-18, Matthew 6:3-20, Psalm 145:8-21

Tags: Compassion, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Many Years Ago, Executives Of The Time-Life ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 1, 2000

Many years ago, executives of the Time-Life publishing organization discovered that the company’s profit margin had shrunk to an alarmingly low level. Consequently, they began an intensive effort to try to cut costs. Efficiency experts suggested that substantial savings could be effected in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Tags: Love, Mercy, God's Forgiveness, Endurance, Promises Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

One Of The Powerful Figures In Wall Street Fell ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 29, 2001

One of the powerful figures in Wall Street fell in love with an actress. For many months he was always seen escorting her about in the fashionable circles of town. Deciding to marry her, he first put a private detective to the job of looking into her former dealings and friends in order to guard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37-42

Tags: Holiness, Gossip, Judgment, Romantic Love, Reputation, Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Notice Satan’s Version Of Grace - It Had An ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 1, 2001

notice Satan’s version of grace - it had an IF clause attached to it. [[This reminds me of the many ploys out there today - get 400 dollars of free merchandise - IF you sign up for MSN for three years. No money down - no interest for 12 months - you can own a new car NOW! But all you have to do ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 4:26-34

Tags: Money, Sin Deceptive, Temptation Of Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

One Of The Most Incredible Stories Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 13, 2001

ILL. One of the most incredible stories of forgiveness I’ve ever heard came out of Tulsa, OK, a couple of years ago. Tom McGee was a young man who went out for a night of partying & revelry. He got drunk & ran head-on into a car driven by a young man by the name of Ted Morris. He killed Ted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Leviticus 19:17-18, Romans 12:17-21, Matthew 18:21-22, Jonah 4:1-10, Matthew 18:23-35  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Cross Agony, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Like The Story About 3 Prospectors Who Found A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 13, 2001

I like the story about 3 prospectors who found a rich vein of gold in California during the gold rush days. They realized what a great discovery they had, & decided, "We’ve a really good thing going here as long as no one else finds out about it." So they each took a vow to keep it secret. Then ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13-17, John 3:16, 1 John 3:1-3, Isaiah 61:1-4, Matthew 6:1-18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Wealth, Witness Let It Show, Gospel Of John, Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Like The Story Of A Little Boy Who Was Asked If ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 17, 2001

I like the story of a little boy who was asked if he believed in God. He answered, “Well, yes I do.” When asked why, he said, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Tags: Parenting, Children, Family

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You’re Probably Familiar With The Book ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 9, 2001

You’re probably familiar with the book "Moby Dick". Even if you’ve never read it, you know the story: Captain Ahab goes in search of a great while whale, and is finally killed when the whale attacks and destroys his ship. But you probably didn’t know that this scene in Herman Melville’s novel was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20, Matthew 5:21-37, Matthew 5:38, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 22:15-22, Ezekiel 37:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God's Omniscience, Holy Spirit In Believers, Knowing God's Will, Jehoshaphat

Denomination: Baptist

They Died In The Service  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 16, 2001

THEY DIED IN THE SERVICE One Sunday morning the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5-10, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:2-10, 1 Peter 2:11-12, 1 Peter 3:3-5, 1 Peter 5:1-13, 1 Peter 2:18-25, Matthew 4:4-11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Children, Church, Church Practices, Cross, Pastors, Preaching, Salvation, Service  (view more)  (view less)

Rabbi David A. Nelson Likes To Tell The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 17, 2001

Rabbi David A. Nelson likes to tell the story of two brothers who went to their rabbi to settle a longstanding feud. The rabbi got the two to reconcile their differences and shake hands. As they were about to leave, he asked each one to make a wish for the other in honor of the Jewish New Year. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:12

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Cross, Christian Love, Mote, Judge, Judgement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Norman Cates Shared The Humorous Story Of A Guy ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on May 21, 2001

Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17, Matthew 6:11-15, Romans 12:5, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Endurance, Evangelism Fear Of, Spiritual Gifts, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

Bamboo  PRO

Contributed by Danny Thomas on May 21, 2001

Bamboo Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, bamboo grew yet ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Luke 9:1-6, Daniel 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Doing God's Will, Destiny, Discipleship, Evangelism, Christian Disciplines, Harvest, Humility, Persistence, Witness, Welcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Have You Ever Heard Of The "Dependent Order Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Martin Field on Aug 7, 2001

Have you ever heard of the "Dependent Order of Really Meek and Timid Souls"? When you make an acrostic of the first letters of its name, you have the word "Doormats." The Doormats have an official insignia—a yellow caution light. Their official motto is: "The meek shall inherit the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Fear And Worry, Endurance, Christian Love

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Roof Of The Church Hall Of A Little Swiss ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 8, 2001

The roof of the church hall of a little Swiss church, at the turn of the 20th century, was falling down. So the members of the church held regular prayer meetings in the hall after the service to pray for funds to repair the roof . There was an old man, known to be very tight with his money, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Tags: Church Practices, Humor, Giving General, Spiritual Warfare, Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

A Dear Friend, Donna Smith, Once Told Me, ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 16, 2001

A dear friend, Donna Smith, once told me, “I never say Amen I always have so much to pray about.” That’s probably good advice; when you’ve got God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-13

Tags: Prayer How To, Prayer Persistence, Prayer General

Denomination: United Methodist

There Was A Single Mother Who Had Heard A ...  PRO

Contributed by Morris Mott on Sep 27, 2001

There was a single mother who had heard a Biblical financial teacher say, “Quit looking at your job as the source of your income. Look at your job as only one avenue, one channel the Source, El Shaddai, uses to bring finances into your life. Begin to teach your children to look to their heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Tags: God's Provision, Prayer Answered, Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

D. L. Moody Said, "I Believe Firmly That ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 9, 2001

D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist