In Sermon Illustrations:

On September 7, 1864, The "Loyal Colored People ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Nov 18, 2007

On September 7, 1864, the “Loyal Colored People of Baltimore” presented a Bible to President Abraham Lincoln for his kind and humane outreach to their people. Lincoln gratefully responded with these words: “In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

There's An Old Story Of A Man And His ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 28, 2007

There’s an old story of a man and his grand-daughter who go for a walk to the local town park. The man and girl are sitting on a park bench sharing an afternoon snack when they are approached by a traveler. "Good sir, please tell me. Is this a friendly town? I’ve had the misfortune to live in a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

A Highly Successful Lawyer Lived About 300 Miles ...  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Olanrewaju on Oct 19, 2007

A highly successful lawyer lived about 300 miles away from his lonely father. They had not seen each other for years, even though they had an agreement he would make a quarterly visit every year. His father calls him up and asks, “when are you going to visit?” John the son proceeds to tell his dad ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

2 Construction Workers Were Eating Lunch One Day. ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 15, 2007

2 construction workers were eating lunch one day. One of them says, “I hope I don’t have another meat loaf sandwich. I’m getting tired of meatloaf.” The next day the construction worker opens his sandwich for lunch and says, “Meatloaf sandwich again I hate this stuff!” The third day this guy ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Examine Your Hearts Today As You Partake Of The ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Oct 7, 2007

Examine your hearts today as you partake of the body and blood of Christ. Repent of any thought, word, or deed that the Holy Spirit points out in your life that is not pleasing to God. Rededicate yourself to being His disciple, and receive the heart warming assurance John Wesley experienced on ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

One Day A Man Went Out Walking In The Woods. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

One day a man went out walking in the woods. He really wasn’t paying much attention to what was going on around him or to where he was. He was just walking aimlessly through the forest. As he walked he came to the edge of a sharp cliff. Like I said, he wasn’t paying much attention to where he ...read more

Tags: Faith, Examples Of Faith, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Methodist

Many Church Buildings, Ours Included, Are Shaped ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

Many church buildings, ours included, are shaped like an upside down boat. You might even here it called the “Nave” at times, the Latin word from which we get our word Navy. We live in a stormy world. The ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

When I Was Associate Pastor In Canton, I Was ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

When I was associate pastor in Canton, I was often fascinated watching people at First Monday. There was a place on the First Monday grounds called the unreserved section. Most of us would call the vendors at this particular part of the grounds “junk dealers.” There were people who went to First ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

I Read A Story This Past Week About A Woman Who, ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

I read a story this past week about a woman who, in early December had stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things on her lunch break. One of them was a cinnamon-scented air freshener. She had smelled a candle with the same scent in the store but wanted to know exactly what the air ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Monday After Thanksgiving, This Year, Still ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

The Monday after Thanksgiving, this year, still very much in November, I met a group of preachers, as is my habit most Mondays for lunch. I was the first to arrive and while I was waiting, I noticed the music playing on the sound system. Song after song of Christmas music was coming out. If only ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-20, Luke 17:11-18

Denomination: Methodist

A Woman Was Doing Her Last-Minute Christmas ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

A woman was doing her last-minute Christmas shopping at a crowded mall. She was tired of fighting the crowds. She was tired of standing in lines. She was tired of fighting her way down long aisles looking for a gift that had sold out days before. She was sick and tired of Christmas and wanted ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

In The Spring Of 1982 Kenneth Nordvall Was The ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

In the spring of 1982 Kenneth Nordvall was the speaker at a Morning Prayer group that meets in a town near Springfield Illinois. Before he spoke, a neighboring pastor shared about a recent mission trip to Mexico. While his group was returning, their van developed mechanical problems. After ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

At The Turn Of The 18th Century, Christmas Could ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

At the turn of the 18th century, Christmas could be a very dangerous time for ordinary common folk like us. Back in those days, it was customary for bands of young men to go door-to-door, demanding food and drink and in exchange provide a song for the household’s entertainment. If nothing was ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Great Classical Cellist Pablo Casals, In His ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

The great classical cellist Pablo Casals, in his life story entitled Joys and Sorrows, tells readers his first memory of attending worship on Christmas Eve when he was five-years-old. He walked to the church in a small village in Spain, hand-in-hand with his father, who was the church’s ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Today In Yellow Springs, Ohio, People Are Still ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

Today in Yellow Springs, Ohio, people are still receiving Christmas presents from ex-slave Wheeling Gaunt, who was born in 1812 and who died in 1894. Just before he died, he deeded nine acres of land at the south edge of the village to the town of Yellow Springs, the proceeds of which were to buy ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

It Is Said That When The British And French Were ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

It is said that when the British and French were fighting in Canada in the 1750’s that Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet was told to anchor outside Quebec. He was given orders to wait for the British land forces to arrive, then to support them when they attacked the city. Phipps’ ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

There Is A Man Who Keeps On His Desk A Fairly ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

There is a man who keeps on his desk a fairly large stone on which is lettered one word: FIRST. Acting as a constant reminder of Jesus’ words, “He that is without sin… let him cast the first stone,” it helps check within him the automatic desire to be hasty in condemning others. As he daily ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

At A Special Chapel Service In An Ohio ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

At a special chapel service in an Ohio penitentiary, the governor was to grant freedom to several convicts. The suspense mounted as it came time for the governor to announce the names of those selected. “Reuben Johnson, come forward and receive your pardon!” No one responded. The chaplain ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

When Was The Last Time You Took Some Time Out To ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 3, 2007

When was the last time you took some time out to play the age-old children’s game, “Who am I? Well, after the sermon this morning you will be able to tell all of your friends that you last played it at church during the worship service. That is how we are going to start out this morning, with a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Some Time Ago My Wife And I Were Watching ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 3, 2007

Some time ago my wife and I were watching Biography. It was about the development of the papacy, starting with Peter. Following the ascension Peter went to Rome. He is talked about some in Acts and Paul’s letters so his travel to Rome is taken pretty much at face value. They said, however, that ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Cross Agony

Denomination: Methodist