In Sermon Illustrations: "Philippians 1:20-31"

When The Wise Men Come To Jesus, They Bring Three ...  PRO

Contributed by Hal Seed on Dec 4, 2007

When the wise men come to Jesus, they bring three gifts: Gold, which is the gift for royalty, a gift for a king. Incense, which was for divinity, a gift you give a God. And myrrh, which is a funeral gift, a gift used for burial. Their gifts show amazing insight. At first hearing, you might think ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-12

Tags: Adoration, Antichrist, Magi, Six Foot Hole

Denomination: Baptist

Put Your Body Where Your Mind Is...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

There is a wonderful story in a book entitled, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which was based on Dr. King’s speeches and writings. On one occasion he told of growing up in Atlanta, Georgia: "I remember another experience I used to have in Atlanta. I went to high school on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-5, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Segregation, Obedience, Body, Mind Of Christ, Mind, Racism, Martin Luther King  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do I Do When I Am Rejected?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 17, 2022

REJECTED, TRY AGAIN SORRY CHARLIE? REMEMBER THE STARKIST TUNA MASCOT? CHARLIE IS THE MOST FAMOUS … TOUGH LUCK, BRO… JUST GET OVER IT… REJECTED? WE CAN HELP CHEER ON OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN REJECTED. CARMELO ANTONY, third player picked in the NBA DRAFT,. He played 17 years and became one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Philippians 2:3

Tags: Try Again, Persist, Rejection

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Never Quit Growing

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 9, 2022

GROWTH IS ESSENTIAL OR ONE WILL GET STAGNATE AND BEGIN A DECREASE. Growth is essential to long term survival. We must learn to take advantage of opportunities and take risk. GROWTH: improve, increase, develop, mature, progressive development, MATURITY, AGE, SIZE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT. 2 Peter 3:18 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18, Philippians 1:9

Tags: Plan, Growth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Kidnapped

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 8, 2022

It was December 5 - and I was turning 50 years old. My wife and I went out for dinner with some close friends. During dinner I was informed that we were staying at a hotel by the airport tonight because we had to catch a flight in the morning. Surprise! Happy birthday! Fred, we are taking you on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, John 14:1-17, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Peace, Birthday

Denomination: Pentecostal

C S Lewis - The Choice

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 19, 2022

I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus. “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15

Tags: Jesus, Jesus Divinity, Nature Of Jesus, Moral Teacher

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Perfect Portrait Of Peace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7

Tags: Spirit Filled Life, Peace, Presence Of God, Fruit Of The Spirit, Trials, Problems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Twas The Night Before Jesus Came

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 30, 2023

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, Philippians 2:1-11, John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Book Of Life, Return Of Christ, Preachers, Poems, Jesus, Church, Children, Advent, Second Coming, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[016] A Message From A Poem - All Glory Honour And Praise Be To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

[016] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALL GLORY HONOUR AND PRAISE BE TO THE LORD {{Revelation 4:10-11 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “WORTHY ARE YOU, OUR LORD ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Revelation 5:11-14, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Honor, Glory, Praise, Honour, Worthy Is The Lamb, Names Of The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expecting Answers To Prayer

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 25, 2024

Several years ago, there was a drought in one city and the pastor of the Church called for a prayer meeting to pray for rain. The prayer meeting was held on a hot summer evening. All the members came out dressed in cool summer clothes since they would be there for a while praying. When Sister Betsy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Prayer, Expectations, Beliefs

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[022] A Message From A Poem - At His Feet

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

[022] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AT HIS FEET This poem looks at certain events focussed on being at the Lord’s feet. Those feet that today bear the scars of Calvary, walked this earth in ministry and teaching as God among us. The best known story about the feet of Jesus is this one – {{Luke ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11, Luke 10:39-42, Luke 7:37-38

Tags: Worship, Feet, Devotion, Mary And Martha, At His Feet, Bow At His Feet, Wiping Jesus Feet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Complaints -- Duh!

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

These are actual complaints received from dissatisfied customers by Thomas Cook Vacations (based on a Thomas Cook/ABTA survey): a. "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time -- this should be ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:1, Colossians 3:13, Philippians 2:14

Tags: Wisdom, Contentment, Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction, Sense, Complaints  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[044] A Message From A Poem – Christian Patterns

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[044] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTIAN PATTERNS This is a “constructed poem” meaning it follows a pattern. It is a series of injunctions or commands with specific structure that I will explain. Let us take the opening line – “Take God’s truth and make it yours, and your vain ways forsake.” I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:5, Philippians 3:17, Acts 7:44

Tags: Poetry, Pattern, Poem, Christian Living, Commands, Christian Patterns, Rhyming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

W. Graham Scroggie Once Said, "Pray When You ...  PRO

Contributed by Donn Heinrich on Feb 11, 2002

W. Graham Scroggie once said, "Pray when you feel like it, pray when you don’t feel like it, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Prayer, Prayer General, Prayer How To

Denomination: Baptist

I Sat Down And Looked Through Some Magazines This ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 24, 2002

I sat down and looked through some magazines this past week. I discovered that if I want to feel right, I need to get a NordicTrack. I don’t have a NordicTrack, just a membership down at the gym, so I suddenly realized that I didn’t feel as healthy as I thought I did. I then read that if I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:12-13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 54:1-5, John 10:7-10

Tags: Contentment, Covet, Life's Seasons

The Person Of The Book  PRO

Contributed by Billy Kryger on Jun 19, 2003

THE PERSON OF THE BOOK GENESIS: Promised Seed EXODUS: Passover Lamb LEVITICUS: Scapegoat NUMBERS: Brazen Serpent DEUTERONOMY: Great Lawgiver JOSHUA: Prophet, Priest and King JUDGES: Judge of All the Universe RUTH: Kinsman Redeemer SAMUEL: Anointer of Kings KINGS: King of Kings & ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:27, Philippians 3:12-16, Hosea 4:1-16, Nehemiah 3:1-17

Tags: Scapegoat, Jesus Christ, Friendship

Denomination: Baptist

A Young Girl Once Consulted With Her Minister. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Aug 4, 2003

1.A young girl once consulted with her minister. “I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only Christian in the factory where I work. I get nothing but taunts and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to resign.” “Will you tell me,” asked the minister, “where lights are placed?” “What ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Philippians 2:14-15, Ephesians 5:8-14

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Testimony, No Lord, Not Now, Light, Yes Lord, Decide, Deny, Depend, Despair, Grumbling, Holiness, Evangelism Fear Of  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Mennonite

Joy Is Like The Hidden Note In The Glass. Joy ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 29, 2003

“Joy is like the hidden note in the glass. Joy is tuning in to what God is doing around you, seeing the world through his eyes, picking up on his delight in us as his children. Anyone can find happiness for a while… Happiness depends on what is happening to you. Joy is different; joy goes deeper. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11, Galatians 5:22, John 15:11, Philippians 3:1

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Church Of God

A Monk Joined A Monastery And Took A Vow Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2005

A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, “Do you have anything to say?” The monk replied, “Food bad.” After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, “Bed hard.” Another 10 years ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:1-45, Job 10:1-22, Psalm 142:1-7, Philippians 2:14-18

Tags: Anger, Disciplines, Complaining, Silence