In Sermon Illustrations:

I Love My Imperfections

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 11, 2021

Dr. James L. Snyder Unlike most people, I love my imperfections; those imperfections of mine do not cause me much trouble. I know most people like to focus on their perfections so that they can impress other people. But what about people like me who have no perfections to boast about? If I had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Tags: Maturity, Perfection

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Acorn Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 10, 2021

I love fall. I love the cooler weather. I love the changing colors. I love football. I love fall with this exception—raking leaves. I have a big oak tree out in my front hard and it is amazing how many leaves that tree can produce. I was out raking the other day and not only was I amazed at all ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Tags: Patience, Steadfastness, Parable, Endurance, Autumn, Sower, Seed, Parables, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God With Us - Immanuel (Charles Spurgeon)

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 5, 2021

(Charles Spurgeon December 24, 1854) Do you know the full meaning of that name Immanuel, “God with us”? No, he who knows it best knows little of it. Alas, he who knows it not at all is ignorant indeed, so ignorant that his ignorance is not bliss, but will be his damnation. Oh! may God teach you the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:10-15

Tags: Heaven's Hallelujah, Sufferer's Comfort, Christmas, Immanuel, God With Us, Charles Spurgeon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hey, This Is My Story!

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 4, 2021

Dr. James L. Snyder I am just now concluding that narcissism is a virus that has infected everybody in the world that is breathing air. I even apply this to my own life with a great deal of regret. Nobody wants to admit they have narcissistic leanings in their life. And yet, if you listen to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Heart Attack, Narcissi Okaysm

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Understanding Justice And Mercy

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 2, 2021

As we consider the call of John and look forward at Christmas to the birth of Christ, let us look at the content of God’s message to us God knew exactly what he was doing when he sent Jesus to this earth. The Cross wasn’t a “horrible misjudgement” Rather the reason Jesus came into this world ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Tags: John The Baptist, The Birth Of Christ

Denomination: Anglican

Good Intentions

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 29, 2021

In our younger days, my husband and I sign up for a “boot camp” fitness class. This class costs $300 per person for ten classes. At the start of the first class, our instructor. Tara, does a quick roll-call. She frowns and comments: “Hmm, Susie isn’t here. That’s a shame; attending the first ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:14-33

Tags: Unrealized Intentions, Excuses, Discipline, Follow Through, Explanations  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unsung Heroes: Naaman's Servants

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 27, 2021

Introduction: Leprosy was and is a very serious disease, affecting the skin in any number of ways. Anyone who ever came down with the disease faced a sad future. Leviticus 13 has detailed information how the people of Israel were to be examined and declared either "clean" or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:11-14

Tags: Naaman, Elisha, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

Eating Healthy Is For Sissies

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 27, 2021

As a youngster, I often heard my father say things that later turned out not to be on the true side of the table. So I guess that is a father's prerogative, and I probably have done the same thing many times. But I don’t want to research that aspect of my life right now. One that he said quite ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:13

Tags: Diet, Health

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

All In

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 21, 2021

Mark notes: “When you go all in with God, you never know how or when or where He might show up. But you can live in holy anticipation, knowing that God can invade the reality of your life at any given moment and change everything for eternity. And when He does, you need to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23-24

Tags: Commitment, Covenant

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Funny Thanksgiving Joke To Share!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 18, 2021

A FUNNY THANKSGIVING JOKE TO SHARE! A retiree in Florida phones his daughter in New Jersey and says, “Honey, I have bad news for you. Your mother and I have decided that 52 years of marriage is enough. We’re calling it quits and getting a divorce.” His daughter yells, “Are you crazy? What the ...read more

Tags: Sermon Introduction, Funny Stories, Thanksgiving, Humor, Jokes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marriage Insight

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 15, 2021

Destructive to marriage is the self fulfillment ethic that assumes marriage and the family are primarily institutions of personal fulfillment, necessary for us to become whole or happy. The assumption is that there is someone just right for us to marry and that if we look closely enough we will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Tags: Relationships, Love, Marriage

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Man Who Probably Saved Your Earthly Life

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 15, 2021

In 1983, one man prevented a nuclear war between the USSR and the USA. Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov was the duty officer at the command center for the Oko nuclear early-warning system when the system reported that a missile had been launched from the United States, followed by up to five more. ...read more

Tags: Leadership, Unknown People, Unsung, Providence, God's Sovereignty, Heroes, Decisions, Choices, Unappreciated  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Tags: Bold Faith, Unashamed Of Christ, Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Funny Story About Complaining

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

A FUNNY STORY ABOUT COMPLAINING As per his oath of silence, a monk is only allowed to say two words every year. After his first year, he comes before the head abbot to speak his two words: “Better food.” The head abbot understands and obliges the monk, hiring a new chef and improving the food ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Tags: Complaining, Murmuring, Griping, Than Ksgiving

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Please Come Back Home.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

PLEASE COME BACK HOME... Max Lucado, in his book, No Wonder They Call Him Savior, tells the story of Maria and her daughter, Christina that touches the heart and shows the mercy of God. Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Prodigal Son, Going Home, Prodigals, Wayward Children, Evangelism, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Great Thanksgiving Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Back in 1860, an excursion boat on Lake Michigan collided with a freighter and began to sink less than a mile from the shore. Hundreds of passengers began screaming as they leaped into the icy water. Edward Spencer was a student at a nearby seminary, and he ran down to the beach to see what he ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Gratitude

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Another Time, Another Place

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE I've always heard there is a land Beyond the mortal dreams of man Where every tear will be left behind But it must be in another time, There'll be an everlasting light Shining a purest holy white And every fear will be erased But it must be in another place, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Heaven, New Jerusalem, Streets Of Gold, Songs Of Heaven

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Would He Say?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

WHAT WOULD HE SAY? If He should come today And find my hands so full Of future plans, however fair, In which my Savior has no share, What would He say? If He should come today And find my love so cold, My faith so very weak and dim I had not even looked for Him. What would He say? If He should ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Return Of Christ, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Rapture Of The Church, Evangelism, Second Coming, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Prayers Are Answered Just The Opposite Of How You Prayed!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Found on the body of a Confederate Soldier during the Civil War: I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Tags: Prayer, Will Of God, Mysteries, Surprises

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lady In Charge Of The Chicken! Haha!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Jesus wants us to live up to the responsibility that goes with our authority. We each have different levels of authority and responsibility, and he expects us to meet those levels. When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day, after ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20

Tags: Commitment, Leadership, Identity, Authority

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational