In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 5-8"

This Life Is Just A Rental

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 14, 2024

In the last few years when our family travels instead of booking a hotel we have used an Airbnb or a Vrbo. If you’re not familiar with this concept it’s basically people renting out their homes to tourists. It’s especially convenient if we have a lot of family to house. We can all stay together, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Heaven, Worry, Rust, Possessions, Moths  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

That Land Called Heaven

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on May 18, 2024

Heaven is a land without tears or sadness, You’ll find no crying there. Heaven is a land without funerals, You’ll find no dying there! Heaven is a land without broken hearts, You’ll find no regrets there. Heaven is a land without agony, You’ll find no sorrow there! Heaven is a land without ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1-5, Philippians 3:20, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 6:19-20, Acts 1:9, Psalm 108:5, Revelation 9:1-12, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 73:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Heaven, Separation, Funeral, Eternal Life, Sorrow, Tears, Obituary, Sadness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Yesterday Today & Tomorrow

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on May 22, 2024

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control. All the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:34

Tags: Worry, Tomorrow, Today, Yesterday, Trouble  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Sure Miss Being A Spoiled Brat

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 8, 2024

After my last doctor's visit, I went to the Publix pharmacy to pick up new medicine. Doctors have a pill for every problem in the world—if only they all worked. I was early at the store, and my medicine wasn't quite ready. So, I decided to walk around Publix and get a little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Tags: Nice, Temper, Brat

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Just Say The Word

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 6, 2024

The Centurion said, "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." He meant that if Jesus said the word or gave a command, it would trigger millions of mighty angels (under his control) to instantly act upon the word and fulfil it. These millions of angels are very powerful and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:8

Tags: Faith, Healing

Having A Brain Can Be A Problem

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 6, 2024

I have been showing people a picture of my brain for almost a month now. I’ve been having a lot of fun doing it and teasing people by saying, “I have proof that I have a brain.” In the beginning, I just believed that having a brain would be a wonderful experience for me. Little did I know that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Tags: Brain, Problems

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Fixing My Face

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 8, 2024

Illustration: Fixing My Face While on a hiking trip for the first time, Dad noticed his little boy kneeling at the spring looking at his distorted reflection in the water. He observed his son taking both hands and pushing his face this way and that. His dad said, “What’s wrong Son?” His son ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Romans 13:14, 2 Timothy 3:14-16, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Distortion, Worldiness, Love Of World, Comformity, Comform, Humor, Commit, Habits, The World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Thine Is The Glory!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

If you seek your own glory you will lose that, and His. But, if you seek His, you will get yours directly from Him. We are all tempted, like the youth Narcissus in the Greek fable, to bend over the brook and fall in love with ourselves, and we get changed into flowers, and fade in an hour. But he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Ministry, Glory, Worship, Praise, Power, Kingdom, Lord's Prayer, Glory Of God, Judgment Seat Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strength To Forgive

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

Some of life's hurts are so deep and painful that to forgive the people who caused them seems impossible. Yet Jesus says that we can't experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit. In World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested for concealing Jews and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Lord's Prayer, God's Strength, Forgiving Others, Corrie Ten Boom, Enemies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Word Pictures Of Biblical Forgiveness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

The importance of forgiveness is a constant theme of Scripture. There are no less than seventy-five different word pictures about forgiveness in the Bible. They help us grasp the importance, the nature, and the effects of forgiveness. • To Forgive Is to Turn The Key, Open the cell door, and let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Philemon, Lord's Prayer, Root Of Bitterness, Forgive Us Our Debts, Unforgivenes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Only Jesus Can Give This Kind Of Forgiveness!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

Bruce Goodrich was being initiated into the cadet corps at Texas A & M University. One night, Bruce was forced to run until he dropped -- but he never got up. Bruce Goodrich died before he even entered college. A short time after the tragedy, Bruce's father wrote this letter to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Eternity, Parents, Cross, Prayer, Lord's Prayer, Forgiving Others, Enemies, Fathers, Forgivness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From East To West

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

How far is the east from the west? Where does the east end and the west begin? A certain state once had this slogan: "Where the west begins and the tall corn grows." The last part of the slogan is true; the first is not. No one knows where the west begins or where it ends. It's all a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:12, Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Satan, Devil, Spiritual Warfare, Guilt, Condemnation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rich Woman's Dream

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Aug 17, 2024

There was once a wealthy woman who was known for her miserly ways. Each time she gave to the offering at church, she only dropped a few coins into the box. One night, she had a vivid dream. In her dream, she passed away and was taken up to heaven. As she arrived, she was amazed to see many grand ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Giving, Generosity

Misfired Twice!

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 19, 2024

Story from Bob Hostetler in Red Letter Prayer Life: Two of my dearest friends in the world, Dave and Becky, told me the amazing story of their mission trip some years ago to the mountain town of San Luis, Honduras. They traveled as part of a combined medical and evangelistic team that served the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Tags: Protection, Deliverance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Human Dignity

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Nov 28, 2024

Human Dignity Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6 I overheard my mum requesting salt from the neighbours. However, there was salt in the house. Why was she requesting salt from the neighbours? I questioned her. She responded to me by saying: Since our neighbours are not wealthy and frequently ask us for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Tags: Human, Dignity

Denomination: Other

Dignidad Humana

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Nov 28, 2024

Dignidad Humana Escritura: Mateo 6:5-6 Escuché a mi madre pedir sal a los vecinos. Sin embargo, había sal en la casa. ¿Por qué pedía sal a los vecinos? La interrogé. Ella me respondió diciendo: "Como nuestros vecinos no son ricos y con frecuencia nos ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Tags: Human, Dignity

Denomination: Other

Dignidad Ng Tao

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Nov 28, 2024

Dignidad ng Tao Banal na Kasulatan: Mateo 6:5-6 Narinig ko ang nanay ko na humihingi ng asin sa mga kapitbahay. Gayunpaman, may asin sa bahay. Bakit siya humihingi ng asin sa mga kapitbahay? tanong ko sa kanya. Tumugon siya sa akin sa pagsasabing: Dahil hindi mayaman ang aming mga kapitbahay at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Tags: Human, Dignity

Denomination: Other

The Ocean Of Understanding Awaits

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Dec 22, 2024

Many saved by grace through faith in Christ wait on the shore of a great ocean. For them great opportunities to serve, encounter life change, and gain deeper understanding of God and their fellow man awaits. All ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Faith, Belief, Understanding, Ocean, Depth, Kingdom Of God, Shore  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Have You Ever Asked God To Wake You Up In The Morning?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 23, 2024

Be careful what you pray for. We all know the feeling of trying to wake up to a blaring alarm clock. I had been really tired from working late and had overslept several times in the past week. I was traveling at the time, not at home. It wasn’t an emergency since I work from wherever I am, but I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7, Mark 11:24, 1 John 5:14

Tags: Prayer, How To Pray, Answered Prayers, Faith

Denomination: Charismatic

Seeing The Light, Reflecting The Light.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 24, 2025

Did anyone else see the comet during the week, Comet Atlas 3G? Janaki and I went out to Titahi Bay to see it, thankfully we had another dad and daughter park near us who could point it out, otherwise we might not have seen it. The power of their witness was in instructing us where to look. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Witness, Testimony, Salt, Salt And Light, The Light Of God, The Light Of The World, Reflecting Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army