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

What Difference Does It Make?  PRO

Contributed by David Salisbury on Oct 2, 2002

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? The job of the church is not to impact the church, but to impact the world. It’s like a huddle in a football game. 67,000 people don’t pay $25.00 a ticket to watch the Titans huddle. What if you went to a Titans game and for 2½ hours you watched 11 men stand in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:13-16

Tags: Church, Church Purpose Of, Adversity, Purpose, Outreach  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Last Week, Bernie Came To The Church Door. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

Last week, Bernie came to the church door. He showed up about five minutes before I was getting ready to leave for an appointment, and my first response to his arrival was, oh, no, not now. Bernie had been drinking – I could smell it on his breath. He was sweating profusely and was a little bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13-20

Tags: Fellowship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A. Dr. Karl Menninger, A World-Famous ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 15, 2002

A. Dr. Karl Menninger, a world-famous psychiatrist, was answering questions after giving a lecture on mental health when one person asked, “What would you advice someone to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” Most people expected the doctor to say, “Consult a psychiatrist.” Instead he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-20

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Fulfillment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I'm Only A Mirror Fragment  PRO

Contributed by Matt Black on Oct 26, 2002

I’M ONLY A MIRROR FRAGMENT I want to share with you a story about a very interesting well-educated Greek philosopher whose name is Dr. Alexander Popaderos. And Dr. Popaderos every summer on the island of Crete taught a class on ethics for two weeks. And this particular summer just as he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Tags: Character, Evangelism, Fulfillment, God Brings Purpose, Reflect  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Hungry Enemy  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 27, 2002

A HUNGRY ENEMY A woman wrote to "Pulpit Helps" to explain a miraculous lesson her family experienced. During one of their family Bible readings as new Christians, they ran across the verse, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him" (Romans 12:20 RSV). She writes: Ours sons, 7 and 10 at the time, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20, Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Enemy, Forgiveness General, Christian Love, Christlikeness, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Many Years Ago, A Man Was Hired An Experienced ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Santos on Dec 26, 2004

Many years ago, a man was hired an experienced guide to lead him on a hike into the Swiss Alps. After many hours, they came to a high and remote mountain pass. To the man’s dismayed, he saw the path had almost been washed out. What could he do? To the left was a sheer rock cliff, to his right, a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 6:33-38

Tags: New Year's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Gold Mine Of Opportunity!" Genesis 41: 1-14 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 30, 2004

“A Gold Mine of Opportunity!” Genesis 41: 1-14 Key verse(s): 14: “So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.” There once was an old Dutch farmer who owned a farm in a semi-arid part of South Africa ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-14, Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Leadership General, Trust

Denomination: Lutheran

A Woman Decided To Have Her Portrait Painted. She ...  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005

A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex." "But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied. "I know," she said. "It’s in case I should die before my husband. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Money

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Supernatural Event!" Matthew 5:43-48 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 31, 2005

“A Supernatural Event!” Matthew 5:43-48 Key verse(s): 44:“‘But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” Pray for them who hate you! We know that this is what Jesus taught. And there are examples from Scripture of those who have dealt with their enemies in this manner. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Lutheran

Running Home To Mama!" Matthew 5:25-26 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 1, 2005

“Running Home to Mama!” Matthew 5:25-26 Key verse(s): 25:“‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking your to court.’” There is a point of departure where disagreement becomes conflict. It’s that point of departure that is most critical in the process of making friends or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:25-26

Tags: Character

Denomination: Lutheran

Thank You Sir! May I Do Another?" Matthew 4:1-11 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 3, 2005

“Thank You Sir! May I Do Another?” Matthew 4:1-11 Key verse(s): 9-10:“Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him.” “Thank you sir! May I do another?” Crouching on the ground, the recruit seemed barely touched by the sergeant’s rough treatment. He was doing push-ups; and a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran

Tiger Breath!" Matthew 6:9-13 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 6, 2005

“Tiger Breath!” Matthew 6:9-13 Key verse(s): 13:“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It has been foreordained that life is a temptation! Now that is a depressing thought if I ever heard one. Foreordained? That means that no matter what I do or how I do it, ultimately I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Risk Of Sin, Release, Sin Separates From God, Sin Exposed

Denomination: Lutheran

C.s. Lewis: "Everyone Says Forgiveness Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 23, 2006

C.S. Lewis: “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:13, Matthew 7:1-6

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness, Family Relationships, Financial, Employer, Love, Hypocrisy, Job, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Recently, I Was Listening To A Teacher By The ...  PRO

Contributed by Jess Bousa on Feb 14, 2006

Recently, I was listening to a teacher by the name of Rob Bell and he spoke on the selecting process that Rabbis would use to choose their disciples. At the Age of 6, children would begin to learn the Torah, this training was called Bat cipher, from 8 to 10 they would have the torah by heart, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 13:51-52, Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Pentecostal

Charles Swindoll Gives Us Some Interesting Advice ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 21, 2006

Charles Swindoll gives us some interesting advice when he states: When you live in darkness, you not only have no ray of light, you don’t even know where home is. That is the way it is for the majority in the world. Some folks are born, raised, and die in cultures that have never seen their first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Are 2 Popular Traditions In Africa: ...  PRO

Contributed by Kerry O'neill on May 14, 2006

There are 2 popular traditions in Africa: drinking tea and playing soccer. However, these traditions are not unique to Africa, but were brought to the continent by the British. Even when it is very hot, each afternoon in many parts of Africa they pause to drink hot tea. Why? Because the British ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Heart-Broken Little Girl Began To Kneel And ...  PRO

Contributed by Toby Powers on May 17, 2006

A heart-broken little girl began to kneel and pour out her heart to God in the altar at her local church. She did not know what to say. As she wept speechless, she began to remember what her Father had told her, "God knows your needs even before you pray, and he can answer when you don’t even know ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:17, Matthew 6:8

Tags: Prayer How To, Prayer Answered, Prayer

Denomination: Baptist

True Riches  PRO

Contributed by Asiri Perera on Sep 6, 2006

True Riches A tax officer asked an old man to declare his wealth. The Old man declared his riches like this: o A mansion in heaven o Everlasting life o Peace that passes all understanding o Joy unspeakable o Devine love that never fails o A crown of life o A faithful wife o Healthy, Happy & ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Methodist

What Are The "Priorities" At Your House?  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Sep 18, 2006

WHAT ARE THE "PRIORITIES" AT YOUR HOUSE? WHAT PRIORITIES WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN OUR CHILDREN WHEN THE FOLLOWING HAPPEN? 1. We are early for the game but late to the worship. 2. We see to it that our children do their homework but never check to seek if Bible lessons are completed, 3. They are not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Tags: Sweet

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Way To Stay Free From Sin

Contributed by J. Brad Campbell on Nov 6, 2006

The way to stay free from sin Is to stay committed to God ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-12, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:39, Romans 6:13, Ephesians 4:26-27, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Proverbs 1:10, Proverbs 4:14, 2 Peter 3:17, Luke 10:19, Luke 22:31-32, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:18, 1 John 4:4, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 3:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational